A Pack Rat's Guide to Traveling Light - Part I

Last month I attended the TFI Press and Buyers Brunch at World MasterCard Fashion Week. It’s a showcase of up and coming designers, and as such, a chance to discover a new brand. I always come away with one particular name that sticks. This season it was Ebby Rane.

Ebby Rane is a travel company aiming to revamp the suitcase for the jet-setting, luxury - and likely female - consumer. Its first product, the Quartermaster, is a carry-on fit for a weekend excursion. Ebby Rane (a nod to the creators' grandfathers) takes design inspiration from the bespoke trunks that accompanied voyages in the Victorian era. 

The Quartermaster by Ebby Rane

It comes in three colour combinations. Beyond its beautiful exterior, the Quartermaster's magic lies in the patented packing system that includes ten carryall inserts plus a leather clutch. It distills packing for a weekend down to a science - though its hefty price tag (roughly $1,000.00) leads me to believe I haven't quite achieved the jet-setting status they're going after. 

For the fashionably inclined, packing for a weekend trip can be challenging, at best. Whether its business or personal travel, there are shoes and accessories to consider not to mention the airlines restrictions on liquids and weight. I'm no expert in this arena (you'll find me at the baggage carousel), so I called of some of most jet-setting friends for their hottest tips on packing light. 

Suzanne Cohon of ASC Public Relations, Inc. hits the road for business and personal travel frequently.  "I always pack white tank tops (as they go under everything), a blazer, large scarfs and a great pair of jeans. These essential pieces give me lots of options and flexibility to dress for any occasion."

Yes, but what about shoes, I counter?  Suzanne's tip: "I try to travel with minimal options - one pair of flats, one pair of heels and one pair of trainers in case I have a moment to go for a run/ long walk. And always wear your largest shoes when you travel. It saves room in your bag."  

Bustle Clothing's Shawn Hewson admits, "I'm the worst packer."  As a designer, he's solved part of that dilemma. "One item I always like to travel with is a knit blazer. It's super handy when you're travelling, since it folds up easily and fits in something the size of a toiletries bag if you need it to. 

Bustle's French Terry Knit Blazer

"Since it's a knit," he continues, "it looks good even after it's been folded, and it's comfortable for moving through airports, lounges and planes.  And it's always good to wear a blazer in the airport - helps to reduce your chances of being "randomly selected" for additional screening."  Sage advice.

Holt Renfrew's Lisa Tant takes a methodical approach to packing. "I make a packing list based upon where I'm going and the main purpose of my trip - personal or business. I've learned the hard way to not just throw things in a case the night before. I ended up in Paris for two weeks once with a suitcase full of boring black clothes." Quel domage!

"I make sure that every piece can be worn more than one way and that I have my roster of wear-everywhere basics - jeans, black leggings, cashmere cardigans, a raincoat and motorcycle boots. I believe in layers and I always pack comfortable shoes including boots, cool sneakers (my new Nike Air Knits will be perfect) and flats. A couple of oversized patterned scarves are essential as is a roomy, but small, cross-body handbag."

Nike's Air Knit sneakers keep Lisa Tant comfy when traveling

"I make sure that every piece can be worn more than one way and that I have my roster of wear-everywhere basics - jeans, black leggings, cashmere cardigans, a raincoat and motorcycle boots. I believe in layers and I always pack comfortable shoes including boots, cool sneakers (my new Nike Air Knits will be perfect) and flats. A couple of oversized patterned scarves are essential as is a roomy but small cross-body handbag."

When travel requires a mix of business and pleasure, packing smart is absolutement a requirement. Designer Monica Mei packs pieces that can do double duty. "Women love the Aime Olivia pant that can take them from the boardroom to drinks by just adding a smokey eye, statement necklace and sky-high heels." In fact, Monica was so inspired by her recent travels she designed an entire collection for chic jet-setters. I'll dish more on the Aime by Monica Mei Seasonless 2014 collection next month.

So now we know what to pack. My next question is, how to fit it all in?  Stay tuned for A Pack Rat's Guide to Traveling Light - Part II coming soon.

CAFA to stage Canadian fashion celebration

Elisha Cuthbert (left) with Vicky Milner, CAFA Managing Director 

Last week, near the opening hours of World MasterCard Fashion Week, about a hundred or so well-heeled guests filed into a Ritz Carlton ballroom for a little star sighting and the first CAFA announcement.  CAFA, or Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards, was recently created to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievement and emerging talent in Canadian fashion design.  Its lofty goals include helping spur the economic development of the Canadian fashion industry.

That said, there actually is a $10,000 prize for the Emerging Talent Award. It's the one category eligible to self-nomination and refers to someone with fewer than five years in business.  Otherwise it's mostly bragging rights for winners. Outside of Emerging Talent, the award categories include:

• Womenswear Designer of the Year
• Menswear Designer of the Year 
• Outstanding Achievement
• Accessory Designer of the Year
• Canadian Style 
• Image Maker
• International Canadian Designer of the Year
• Stylist of the Year
• Model of the Year

Elisha Cuthbert, Canadian darling and a front-row-at-Toronto-fashion-week kind of celebrity, was there to announce the first-ever CAFA nominees.  (As part of the nominating committee, yours truly had a hand in picking them.)  

The CAFA website publishes online interviews members of their inaugural jury.  ELLE Canada's Editor-in-Chief Noreen Flanagan is among those industry experts profiled, along with TFI's Susan Langdon and FLARE Magazine's Tiyana Grulovic.  Check back for new profiles.  The awards show takes place February 1, 2014 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. 

See the CAFA website for ticket information and a full list of nominees.  

From the Front Row - the Final Edition

Over the last couple of weeks in my From the Front Row feature, I've shared snapshots of bloggers, radio/tv hosts and photographers with their high-tech cameras. Typically I rely on my trusty iPhone 4G to capture photos for my blog. In fact, each of my subjects was shot with my iPhone. But this fashion week, Samsung let me test drive their new Galaxy Camera. Allow me to share my own experience in the final post of this feature.

Fashion week day 5 - could someone fix my hair?

What are you shooting with?

I'm using the Samsung GALAXY Camera. Their tagline pretty well sums it up - "Shoots like a pro. Shares like a Smartphone."

Do you share the photos? How?

I use the photos for my blog (this one!) as well as on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  Beyond the runway and fashion week, I have been using it to shoot client events or random scenes that I use as inspiration for future events.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I cannot name just one.  First, the touch screen is HUGE and the colour is truly fantastic.  Even though I've dabbled with photography for nearly 20 years, I consider myself an amateur. The GALAXY's Smart Mode lets me choose the scene so I have the perfect camera settings.  

So, for instance, the Action Freeze setting is great for those fast walking models at Joe Fresh, but with the Macro setting I can get up close with fabric detail.  However, if I want to play professional, there's also an Expert setting where I can change the aperture, F-stop and all those other finite camera details.

 

I love the connectivity of the GALAXY.  It's wi-fi enabled, so I can share instantly via email or Instagram. It comes with Dropbox installed so I have the option of backing up there or on the Cloud. It runs on the latest version of Android OS, Android 4.1 JellyBean, giving me access to a slew of apps.  And for someone who appreciates good design, I have to say I adore its sleek, white, minimalist design.  If wearable technology is the next big thing, I foresee it being a huge success with Samsung driving it. This camera rocks.

The colour-rich Bustle runway

Joe Fresh models create wind, you must shoot fast

The details on Dreamboat Lucy's collection don't get missed

More From the Front Row: What are you shooting with?

World MasterCard Fashion Week may be winding down to its last days, but the crowds haven't waned a bit.  Hundreds cram into the runway room on the hour, every hour, and the front row fills with some of the city's most stylish denizens. There are some rocking outfits on display, but I've been taking note of those carrying more serious accessories - a camera.

This recurring feature catches up with some front row photographers to find out, what are you shooting with?

Hawley Dunbar | Blogger

Hawley has her freshly manicured finger on the pulse of all that's current in music, fashion and technology. Turns out she's also pretty handy with a macro lens.

What are you shooting with?

A Canon EOS 60 D. I flip between a 100mm Macro lens and a 50mm Macro depending on my location in the front row.

Do you share the photos? How?

I post them on my fashion and music blog, SidewalkHustle.com.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I can do a lot with my 60 D because it’s a professional level body. I love the sport setting for shooting runway because it captures the model no matter how fast they might be strutting.

Chris Howson | Radio & Television Host

Chris claims to be the "current owner of Brooke Shields eyebrows," but this humble morning show host and producer at Toronto's ProudFM radio bears more of a resemblance to Chris Noth. Think Chris Noth's much, much younger brother.

What are you shooting with?

I'm using the Nikon D5200 DSLR burgundy edition. 

Do you share the photos? How?

I'm shooting for the Men's Fashion Insider show Twitter account. It's a show on OUTtv that I host. I also use the photos for Dose.ca and Dailyxtra.com.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I love that fact that it also shoots broadcast quality HD video. I'm a bit of a 'jack of all trades' in this industry so I'm glad my camera is too!

Catch up with the rest of my From the Front Row series here. 

Mackage x PurseBlog

Megs Mahoney Dusil and Vladimir Dusil of Purseblog.com

Sarah Jessica Parker's character on “Sex And The City” once said, "I’m thinking balls are to men, what purses are to women. It’s just a little bag but we’d feel naked in public without it."  

I say a purse, perhaps more so than anything else in fashion, is all about the details.

After last night's Mackage runway show, the brand hosted a pop-up at the Soho House. It was here I met Megs Mahoney Dusil, co-founder and chief editor of the wickedly popular PurseBlog.com, who worked with Mackage to create the Nomad. 

The Nomad is like the Swiss Army knife of purses. It does everything!  Megs wanted a bag that appealed to the busy, modern woman - functional, but works with everything in her closet.

"It’s actually three bags in one – you can carry it all together, or separate the two storage sections to be carried as two small clutches, plus all options allow you to use the shoulder strap if you’d like," she explains on her site. "The two sections are connected by a cool zipper that adds a nice metallic element, and the black box leather is sturdy and sleek.  We added a special finishing touch with blue edge paint."  

This is the first design collaboration for both Mackage and Megs, who had a blast working with Mackage designers Elisa and Eran. I love seeing designers collaborate with bloggers.

Ahem, I said, I LOVE seeing designers collaborate with bloggers.

The Nomad retails for $395.00 and is available for pre-order.

From the Front Row: World MasterCard Fashion Week Edition

Now that Toronto's official fashion week has kicked into full gear, the number of shooters sitting in the seats - as opposed to the media pit - has multiplied to extremes.  Beyond the iPhones and Androids, there are serious cameras in play.  I check in with those sitting front row and ask, what are you shooting with?

JR Bernstein | Fashion Photographer

What are you shooting with?

I change cameras all the time. As an official Fujifilm X-Photographer, I have access to all the professional Fuji cameras. Right now, I'm trying out one of their latest offerings, the Fujifilm X100S. This camera is sold out everywhere, so I'm really lucky to have it.

Do you share the photos? How?

I use the photos in a number of ways.  For one, I'm writing a review of the camera itself, so some of the photos will make it into my review.  Other photos are for publications I shoot for, and some are just for my own enjoyment. As a photographer, I'm constantly shooting.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I'm seriously loving this camera!  It's hard to choose just one feature I like best -- its cool retro look and feel, tactile manual controls, fast auto-focus, compact size or great image quality.  But I think my favourite feature has to be the hybrid optical-electronic viewfinder.  It has the best of both worlds.  It really is a camera-geek's dream.  You get all the advantages of using a real optical viewfinder (so you're not looking at a screen) with as much, or as little, digital information as you want superimposed on top.

Check out JR's photography at jrbernstein.com.

Sarah Francis | Blogger

I ran into Sarah at the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards announcement on Monday, just before the tents opened.  This new awards show debuts in February 2014 to bring recognition to established and emerging designers across the country.  For more information and a list of confirmed CAFA nominees, click here. 

What are you shooting with?

I'm old school-ish. I use Canon Rebel XSi Digital.

Do you share the photos? How?

The photos go on my blog but are mainly for inspiration. I'm more of a writer and stylist than photographer, so my goal in the next year is to hone my pic-taking skills.  

What’s your favourite feature of this device?

I have a feeling this camera can do much more than I'm capable of at this point. However, I do love my zoom lens - it makes me feel powerful.  Until I run into someone like George Pimentel, that is.

The Fifty Shading of Fashion

First there was the book. You know the one. Next came rumours of a lingerie line inspired by the book. Then we heard that sales of men's ties had increased - along with calls to 911 for handcuff-related emergencies. (Oh, you crazy Brits.)

Now it seems the Fifty Shades of Grey effect has crept beyond the foyer and is standing squarely in the house of fashion and pop culture.  Leather - always a major look for fall - is popping up in more intimate, bondage-inspired scenarios.  Buckle your seat belts, Mom and Dad.  Bondage fashion has gone mainstream.

The Broadway sensation, Venus in Fur, pre-empted Fifty Shades by a year, but its current run at Canadian Stage is right on trend.  The main character, Vanda Jordan, breaks out her best leather corset, stockings, thigh high boots, along with some fabulous acting, to nail the role of a lifetime.  (Aside: this is one of the most captivating plays I've ever seen. The Toronto production is fantastic, but only on through October 27.)

photo by David Hou | courtesy Canadian Stage

Madonna shows up in the October issue of Harper's Bazaar sporting gilded glamour and little else.  The spread - no pun intended - is shot by shock fashion photographer Terry Richardson.  Of course, it's one thing for the Queen of Pop to get away with leather and chains, but when major designers weave a bit of bondage into their spring 2014 collections, well, I am officially calling it a trend.  

Will Canadian designers will follow suit?  Stay tuned to World MasterCard Fashion Week to find out!

Madonna in Harper's Bazaar

photo Harper's Bazaar

Versace spring 2014 | photo by Yannis Viamos | Style.com

Alexander McQueen spring 2014 | photo by Marcus Tondo| Style.com

Libertine spring 2014 | photo by Umberto Fratini | Style.com

From the Front Row: What are you shooting with at Toronto Fashion Week?

Now that the international fashion shows have finished, Canada's fashion designers vie for their share of media attention.  

I hit Toronto's fashion presentations each season, from the shOws to World MasterCard Fashion Week to independent, offsite shows.  You can find me snapping away on my iPhone - mostly pics to share on Instagram and Twitter.  But I'm no pro when it comes to photography.  No, the pros are piled up at the end of the runway, getting the shots we will drool over hours later.

But I wasn't alone.  Social media has turned all of us into documentarians.  As our spring 2014 season kicked off this week with the shOws, I wondered what the rest of the front row was using to shoot the runway - and what did they do with the photos?

Follow my From the Front Row series this month as I share stories of bloggers, stylists and more in this new recurring feature.  


Roslyn "Roz" Griffith Hall | Stylist

I snapped Roz and Stefania at The ShOws, held at Andrew Richard Designs.  The room - drenched in white with a runway that wrapped around the room - is a dream for anyone snapping pics from the front row. 

What are you shooting with?
"I'm using a Canon 7D and my trusty sidekick Leica D-LUX4."

Do you share the photos?  How?
"I have an online 'Look of the Day' column for Zoomer magazine. Some shots will become part of my Stylist's POV wrap up, a cool image post or as a random tweet."  When in Paris, Roz also shoots for her own visual diary, Rue de Roz.  It's a pictorial narrative of fashion trending on the streets.

What’s your favourite feature of this device?
"I'm still discovering what this camera has to offer." 

Stefania Yarhi | Street Style Photographer/Blogger

What are you shooting with? 
"I shoot with my Canon 5D Mark II."

Do you share the photos?  How?
"I shoot for my own blog Textstyles.ca and also for inspiration.  As a photographer, I have worked with various media outlets shooting the runway from this angle.  I love that you see more movement in the clothes and it's a different perspective than the traditional head on runway shots."

What’s your favourite feature of this device, or what do you wish it could do?
My camera is a professional dslr [digital single-lens reflex], the best investment ever.  I love how sensitive it is to light and when you shoot RAW, the crispness and detail is wonderful.  I do wish it could act as my phone and then publish straight to Twitter and Instagram.  But I have to also shoot with my phone to do that IRL [in real life] during shows, which gets to be panicky."

Check back this week for more From the Front Row.

Toronto Fashion Week - Part Deux

Fashion week isn't just about what happens on the runways, it's how we capture and share it. Since the dawn of Twitter, live events are for the audience -- whether actually in attendance or not -- to offer their play by play. Now with Instagram and Vine, it's not just about what we say, but how we see it. I saw many use Vine  to record the final walks from designer shows in New York, London and Paris, so I put my own spin on it frequently last week. What else can you say in six seconds?

One of my favorite moments of the week was the Joe Fresh show. If you wouldn't have guessed in a million years that the fast fashion of Joe Fresh could be heavily influenced by the British impressario Malcolm McLaren, you don't know Joe Mimran. McLaren and his girlfriend Vivian Westwood were largely responsible for the punk style of youth in the 1970s. Joe went straight to Paris for punk (with a hint of jazz) in the form of a French ingenue, a stylish young thing who, channeling a young Carine Roitfeld, donned mostly black. He brought us art in the form of Ed Ruscha -- an artist known for painting words on large canvasses -- and his lettered sweaters that wrapped up the collection. And then he brought us the best after party of the week. That's Joe.

Photo by George Pimentel

Photo by George Pimentel

Loved this...

I skipped out on Friday's shows due to commitments for Canadian Music Week (why, oh why does everything have to happen at the same time in Toronto?) but not before co-hosting FGI Toronto's Speed Networking event with Fashion Takes Action. This is the second season we've worked together with IMG to host the event during fashion week. Speed networking matches you up with someone new every two minutes, so if you're not good at conversation, you will learn quickly!  The event was sold-out, thanks to everyone who came out for it. Check out FGI on Facebook and Twitter for more upcoming events.

Ready, set, go!

Toronto Fashion Week - Part One

Spring may have announced itself on the calendar this week, but the weather is still pushing its winter agenda, much to the dismay of the fashion crowds. Trust me, we are so over winter. It's finally time for fashion week in Toronto. We're both ready for spring and all about fall.

Snow gently falling on the tents

World MasterCard Fashion Week has become a fine mix of our emerging and pro designers. In between the shows we mix in a bit of business, like DHL Express Canada's fashion industry panel moderated by yours truly. The event featured DHL Canada's president Greg Hewitt, IMG Fashion Director Jarrad Clark, designers Christopher Bates (Christopher Bates menswear) and Adam Taubenfligel (Triarchy), Roxanne Joyal of Me to We and Mark Zimmerman from MaRs Discovery District. The panelists were a great bunch who offered insight on starting a business, global reach and logistics acumen.

DHL Express Canada fashion industry panel

Toronto Fashion Incubator took over the studio area for two days to present the annual TFI Press & Buyers breakfast event. This showcases up and coming designers in a boutique tradeshow platform.
The organization I head up, Fashion Group International, hosts our speed networking event on Friday.

Opening night included Canadian fashion stalwarts Izzy Camilleri (with a new line Miz), Pink Tartan and Bustle, with up-and-comer label Chloe Comme Parris snuck in-between. I had the pleasure of being asked by Sony Canada to shoot the Bustle show with their new Xperia tablet. Fun! 

My latest accessory, the Sony Xperia tablet

Shot with Sony's Xperia tablet

Shawn & Ruth of Bustle Clothing

I love how designers support each other -- Ruth is wearing Triarchy's gold denim. The next night featured Mercedes-Benz Start Up winner DUY and last year's TFI New Labels winner Sid Neigum. Major talent, these boys. But truthfully, would we see their true potential without the help of these design challenges? Likely not. There's more to come this week, stay tuned.

DUY

DUY

Sid Neigum

Sid Neigum

Toronto Fashion's Foray in 2013

I don't make New Year's resolutions, really, since I make resolutions all the time. Around my birthday in April, when I'm forced to contemplate my age, or in September, timed with the fresh start of a new school season. Actually, on any random day of the week I could be inspired to invite change into my world. 

However I do enjoy contemplating what a new year will bring and adore making lists. So here are a few Toronto-based fashion events I count as "must see" in 2013.

February 2, TFI's Guilty Pleasures Designer Sale & Silent Auction
Held on two floors of the Drake Hotel, here's a chance to scour fun indie and up-and-coming apparel and accessories labels. Proceeds go to support the Toronto Fashion Incubator, a model for fashion incubators worldwide. They may have celebrated their 25th anniversary last year, but all eyes are on this year's TFI New Labels show. Target has come on board as a major partner giving the winning designer's collection space in roughly 150 retail stores across Canada. TFI's New Labels show is scheduled for April 18th. Tickets will be available soon.

February 26, FGI Toronto's Digital Retail: A Look at Shopper Marketing
Fashion Group is an organization for professionals working in the business of fashion (full disclosure - I'm the regional director of the Toronto chapter) hosting events on emerging trends that touch on retail, design, business and marketing. With consumer behavior changing rapidly thanks to increased mobile usage, retailers are now forced to evolve they way they interact with their customer. After a chance to network over cocktails, a panel discussion of industry experts will break down the latest strategies and innovations on shopper marketing. Stay tuned to fgitoronto.org for more ticket information.

April 23 - 27, [FAT] Arts & Fashion Week
For a truly weird, wild and wonderful intersection of fashion and art, don't miss [FAT]. This mult-arts festival features 200 Canadian and international artists across a variety of disciplines including fashion design, photography, performance and installation art and film. I have a special place in my heart for [FAT] Arts & Fashion Week ever since I had the luxury of hitting the runway for a special showcase by Evan Biddell. Yep, that's me! Hit up the [FAT] website for schedule and ticket information.

June 21 - September 15, Christian Louboutin exhibit at the Design Exchange
There was a chorus of "OMG" posts across Twitter when this announcement came out recently - the Christian Louboutin shoe exhibit that premiered at London's Design Museum last spring is coming to the DX. Expect a display of Louboutin archives including his first prototype, the origins of his signature red sole, a special ode to his “Fetish” collection and photography by artist David Lynch which were last seen at La Gallerie Du Passage in 2007. The trailer for the London exhibit hints at what we'll see come June. 



Christian Louboutin - Exhibition Trailer from Design Museum on Vimeo.

Until then, the DX looks to make us happy with The Happy Show, on now through March 3rd. Internationally renowned graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister invites us into his mind to explore what makes people, including him, happy.

Dates Unknown!
World MasterCard Fashion Week has yet to release dates for the Fall/Winter 2013 shows, but I'm hoping to see the tents erected once again in mid-to-late March at David Pecaut Square.

A documentary on Iris "I think style is all attitude" Apfel has been in the works for a while. Maysles Films, the production company, released a trailer last summer on the iconic style maven and interior designer. This darling woman may be in her 90's, but her impact on the fashion scene hasn't wavered a bit. I'm hoping for a summer release.