Finding fashion inspiration in the dark days of winter is no small feat. How many of us have become trapped in the same-old-black-sweater routine as we’ve waited patiently for warmer weather to break us from the drab color rut? This season, break out a little early with crisp, clean winter white. Ranging from stark-snow to almost-cream, this statement color is fresh, ethereal and downtown chic all at once. For dramatic results, select a focal piece and pop it against a darker monochromatic look. White after labor day? Abso-fashion-lutely!

1. Donna Karan Casual Luxe Asymmetrical Dress with Velvet Trim ($1781),
available at Shopbop.

2. Michael Kors Acrylic-Strap Glitz Mini Madison Watch ($225 USD), available at Neiman Marcus.

3. Bow-Tie Blouse ($24), available at Joe Fresh.

4. Cashmere Cascade Sweater ($328), available at J.Crew.

5. Drape Front Coat ($1150), available at Burberry.

6. Salvatore Ferragamo Leather Clutch ($1054.95), available at Saks Fifth Avenue.

By: Elizabeth Pryde, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @elizabethpryde.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Join the T-shirt revolution”? Yes, Please!

Stylemint.com, the brainchild of fashion gurus Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson, is all about revolutionizing the way we buy our basics. The exclusive site offers monthly t-shirt collections that are chic, great quality, well cut, and incredibly affordable. Think of it as the more wallet-friendly sister of The Row and Elizabeth and James.

When you first access the site, you have to make an account in order to view the available t-shirt styles. The ladies have come up with a fun and visual questionnaire to assess if your style is “classic”, “modern”, or “runway”. Once the questionnaire is completed and you’ve created a Stylemint account, the site generates a few suggestions, based on your style profile. It’s usually spot on too. The best part is that creating an account doesn’t require any kind of payment information – you only have to give your information if you decide to order something. But, be forewarned, with all the t-shirts being around $29.00 US, it didn’t take us very long to make a decision.

One of the site’s most adorable attractions are its videos. The Olsens post videos from their “guest editors” (Mr. Brad Goreski, of The Rachel Zoe Project fame, being one of them) showing shoppers how to style each piece and how to get creative with their basics. They also post videos of themselves, usually goofing around and showing off their favourite styles.

The site is has been getting rave reviews. It’s well-organized, innovative, creative, and fun. Needless to say, it’s been in our bookmark bar for a few weeks now. The only problem is the demand. The t-shirts sell out so fast that the most popular styles now offer a “waitlist” button.

In the meantime, the rest of the “mint” family seems to be multiplying. Shoemint (designed by Rachel Bilson and Nicole Chavez, crafted by Steve Madden), Jewelmint (designed Kate Bosworth and Cher Coulter) and Beautymint (created by Jessica Simpson and Narida Joy) are all taking over the online shopping scene. The process for each site is like that of Stylemint: create your personalized profile, browse the site, watch the videos, ogle the different pictures, order anything you like, pay a very decent price for fantastic quality products, and have them delivered directly to your door, with no extra charges for exchanges or returns.

The sites speak for themselves. All we have left to say is: Viva the revolution!

1. Image inspiration: A screen shot from the style quiz on Stylemint.

2. Prince T-Shirt.

3. Magnolia T-Shirt.

4. Lenox T-Shirt.

5. I’m Almost Not Crazy T-Shirt.

6. Michigan T-Shirt.

7. Broadway T-Shirt.

All t-shirts are priced at $29.99 US.

By: Sophia Loffreda, Montreal

You should follow me on Twitter @sloffreda.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Embrace winter this season with outdoor ice skating. If you’re lucky enough to live on the east coast, rinks typically open up around late November or early December, so be sure to fight the frost and show off your twirls without compromising your style. Dress in layers to stay comfortable no matter the temperature, and keep your outerwear waist-length for free range of movement. And don’t forget to pile on the knits to stay on-trend and cozy.

1. Faux Fur Vest ($91), available at Michael Kors.

2. Crop Pea Coat ($45.80), available at Forever 21.
3. Cable Crewneck Sweater ($29), available at Joe Fresh.

4. Chunky Knit Hat ($12.95), available at H&M.

5. Long Cable Knit Fingerless Gloves ($29.95), available at Gap.

6. Knitted Ski Pant Jeggings  ($45.68), available at ASOS.

By: Sara Constantineau, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @sara_rochelle.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Rozemerie Cuevas is a veteran in the Canadian fashion scene who remains relevant with her stylish, sexy, yet wearable collections that have been embraced by women of every age. The very chic Miss Cuevas is the designer behind Vancouver based labels Jacqueline Conoir and Jac. Like two opposites that work together seamlessly, JC features classic silhouettes with a modern twist, while Jac is a collection that embraces street-inspired looks.

Fresh off her Spring 2012 presentation at her new flagship boutique in Vancouver, Rozemerie chats candidly about her designs and gives fashion lovers insight into working in the industry.

Valerie Tiu: Did you always want to pursue a career in the fashion industry?

Rozemerie Cuevas: Actually, I fell into it by accident. I was studying commerce and economics and I had always sewn my own clothes. When I was 18, someone suggested that I do a mini fashion show at Richards on Richards in Vancouver and it went very well. After that, I decided that I would become a fashion designer.

VT: You recently presented your Spring/Summer 2012 collections for Jacqueline Conoir and Jac. What were your key inspirations behind these lines?

RC: For Jacqueline Conoir, it was really about making women feel amazing and bringing the looks of the international runways to Vancouver. It was also very French Rivera–inspired, a lot of colour and flowy dresses. It’s a very free-spirited collection. Jac is really just everything that’s urban, streetwear, hip and cool. It’s very edgy.

VT: You have been designing for Jacqueline Conoir since 1985. How has your approach to design evolved over the years?

RC: Jacqueline Conoir has always remained true to its clients in that we’ve always designed for a sophisticated, modern, urban woman who is confident and isn’t afraid to be seen in a crowd. After many years of designing that collection I thought that I wanted to do something different. That’s where Jac came into play. We added this second collection and so that gives me a lot of creative input and it tests my design ability in a totally different realm. So it progressed from JC into Jac, and now we do both.

VT: What is the best piece of advice that you have received in your career?

RC: Never give up and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Fashion is a very tough industry, so keep at it, be persistent, stay focused and just remember that you can’t please everyone.

VT: Style Nine to Five is all about fashion careers. What items from your latest collection would you recommend to wear for an interview or workplace?

RC: It really depends on the industry that you’re from. Let’s say that if you are in the corporate industry, we have a gorgeous brown summer boucle suit (from the JC line), where the dress has a silk inset around the bust area. I would recommend that – it’s just a great unique suit that portrays power, strength and individuality at the same time.

If you’re in the creative industry, we have this amazing blazer with a raised shoulder in the Jac line, worn with one of our edgy pants and a great t-shirt underneath.

VT: What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

RC: Just surviving the fashion industry for 25 years is a huge accomplishment. Just to make a living out of it, enjoy it and be successful. Having a flagship store, and everything that has to do with being successful in the fashion industry.

VT: What is next for JC and Jac?

RC: The think the addition of Jac and the new flagship store has been a two-year long project. We’ve just completed that, so I am gathering my thoughts and figuring out the next step. The next step that we have slotted is to do online sales and to add to our flagship store.

VT: Do you have any words of wisdom for people aspiring to work in fashion?

RC: Think out of the box. Be creative and don’t do what everyone else is doing.

1. Rozemerie Cuevas. Image courtesy of Patrick Parenteau.

2. Rozemerie’s pick for corporate work attire – a chic and professional boucle suit from Jacqueline Conoir.

3. Rozemerie recommends a sleek blazer with a raised shoulder and wide leg trousers from the Jac line for the trendy and creative types.

4 – 7. Our favourite looks from Jacqueline Conoir Spring 2012.

8 – 11. These ensembles are on our wishlist from the Spring 2012 Jac Collection.

Runway images courtesy of Peter Jensen.

By: Valerie Tiu, Blog Editor, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @valerietiu.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.