Mar
04
Casey House one of Toronto’s preeminent charities for having fun and exciting galas presents SnowBall 2010 – “Some Like It Haute” this coming Saturday, March 6th. starting at 6 p.m a theme entirely inspired by our iconic, fashionista Co-Chairs Suzanne Boyd and Wayne Clark, who promise to deliver an evening of distinction, elegance, fun and sexiness along with a few memorable surprises! Expect a mad and dizzying romp that is exquisitely haute, but never haughty.
However this fun is not cheap. Tickets still available for a limited time at $5,000 a table. Please call 416-962-4040 ext. 231. The evening includes an open bar, a sumptuous meal, inspirational awards, entertainment and a silent auction.
Coming this February 23rd. from Assouline Editions (http://www.assouline.com) is a new book from Olivier Margot on the world of LACOSTE: “The Element Of Style”Lacoste Book by Olivier Margot. The Award winning journalist chronicles the history of the iconic brand which tennis champion René Lacoste created when he applied the now infamous crocodile on his tennis uniform. An era of sport styles that became comfortable, functional and chic was starting.
For all of you that must anything Lacoste this is ultimate must have. The book will be $50 and will be available at Teatro Verdeon Yorkville Avenue (http://www.teatroverde.com) or at Indigo (http://www.indigo.ca).
A guy showing the muscle building power of the Reformer or "The Rack"
If you have been following me in the media one of the pains in my side is the freakin’ last 20 lbs. ARGH! So along comes Core Studio’s (http://www.corestudio.ca) 30-Day Challenge at 553 Queen Street West/3rd. Floor. Well let’s keep it real if I want to see my friends and shop for clothes I’m doing the 21-day. So this is how it works you must do 21 classes which can consist of Yoga and/or Fusion, Reformer and Mat. For those of you who don’t know I’m referring to Pilates. Now before you poo-poo Pilates; Sting, Demi Moore, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, and Sarah Jessica Parker SWEAR that Pilates gives them their toned physique. Pilates works on the premise to develop your muscle strength through your own body weight, an ab ball, Toning Balls (no they are not like the other type) and a fitness circle. Some of the moves are not for the faint of heart but if you can hang in their you can put straight boys to shame. It is possible to be cooler than the muscle dudes at the gym.
The requirements of the challenge is simple. A minimum four classes which must consist of one Yoga and/or Fusion (Fusion is strength building routine combining Yoga and Pilates), Reformer (or as Madge calls it, the rack) and Mat work. Participants will be monitored for class attendance and their are prizes at the end plus a vegetarian pot luck. (Oh what you are gonna do all that work, look hot for 30 seconds and blow it all away for Dairy Queen?!!) For full details of what I will be going through visit the official web site: http://www.corestudio.ca/30-Day_Challenge.html If you really want to have your “Impressive Instant” challenge your body and lifestyle by committing to getting leaner and stronger. Remember Pride is only four months away!
What would be Valentine’s Day without a few presents? So I have scoured around to find you some cute yet fun things to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day whether you are “single and fabulous”, or, to coin the Bridget Jones term a “smug married”, or if you are simply “getting to know each other”. These will also help seal the deal – or could be the deal breaker! What ever you decide to do, remember it’s all about the love.
For The Single and Fabulous:
If you are like me and my favourite term from Sex and the City “single and fabulous” Valentine’s Day leaves you one or all three of these feelings: thankful, dread or wanting. Either way Valentine’s Day is actually the best time to be single - think of how many guy you can kiss and no one thinks your cheating. However, if Valentine’s Day leaves you with pangs of jealousy over your ex’s new boyfriend here’s an easy way to calm down. Have a bath. Get a heap of bubble bath, some bath oil and soak your no man stress away by throwing in this limited edition X Factor bath bomb ($6.95) from Lush. (http://www.lush.com). It’s made of ginger and if you feel like playing Alex Forest from Fatal Attraction, rip off his limbs and throw him in piece by piece the sit on him, you’ll feel much better.
For The Smug Marrieds:
In between the candlelight dinner, the holding hands, the slow dancing and cuddling up to either watch Lilies or Maurice you may want to have a romantic bath for two. Spice up your water with their limited edition Magic Mushroom bath bomb again from Lush($6.95) (not the other one which is the party drug). This bar is scented with vanilla and strawberries. So you can have that strawberry and cream indulgence but not have to hit the treadmill later.
For Those Who Are In No Man’s Land:
Oh the fragile state of “are we” or “aren’t we” on Valentine’s Day. Will he ask you out or not? If you call does make you look pushy or taking the initiative. Those are the questions we all face especially a day, week or a month into the “getting to know you phase.” OK…so let me help you speed things up.
Here are two things which will help you get your message across. The make up company Cover FX has Mint Glaze. A protective and fortifying glaze which has SP 15 to make your lips kissably soft indoors or out. You can find it at Sephora or Shoppers Drug Mart ($22.00).
Should your eager kiss should not signify that your man parts are begging for touching (sorry Jackie Collins moment) time to turn up the heat by “taking the jeans off” and revealing your boxers with love all over them.
These boxers from The Gap (http://www.thegap.com) are just too fun not to pass on. They are a seasonal piece and are around the $20 mark. A small investment to show a guy you are ready to take your nights out from dating to mating.
Feb
03
Make room for the Italian invasion! DSquared duo Dean and Dan Caten will be back in Canada. However they will not be gracing Toronto with their fabulousness. The two who were born in Canada and made it big in Italy have been fixtures in the Canadian and Toronto scene since the mid-80. To give you an idea I used to party with both Dean and Dan at 80s gay bar extravaganza Komrads and attended their very first fashion show at the Diamond club right after their first appearance on Fashion Television.
Though Dean and Dan will be holding an exclusive meet and greet at Holt Renfrew’s Vancouver store signing their new limited-edition sweatshirt. You can almost be part of the action by grabbing one of their sweatshirts before they are all gone here in Toronto. The shirt features a large red maple leaf and for all you label queens has a large DSquared name which will spread across your chest. But hurry, like the designer’s visit to Canada these shirts will be around for a short time only ($350).
Brrr!
If you were anything like me, the minute you got wind of the documentary The September Issue, you did one of two things. One, you squealed with absolute joy and vowed you’d be the “first” one to see it. Or you ran to your closet and shrieked, “What will I wear?”, found nothing then went shopping.
Well sadly I am guilty of both. However it was not in vain.
In October 2009, as LG Fashion Week ramped up, aglow in controversy, a key event was the Canadian premier of RJ Cutler’s The September Issue. The must ballyhooed documentary gave viewers and unprecedented peek-a-boo at the making of Vogue’s September 2007 issue, the biggest ever. At almost $20.00 a ticket, plus the idea of sitting on the lot of a former Chrysler dealership under a semi-permanent tent left many exclaiming, “Um I’ll catch in the theatres and where I can get Scene points”.
Unfortunately for me I had to dash to another runway show, duty calls. Though a week after LG Fashion Week wrapped up it hit the theatres.
Sitting in the Varsity’s VIP theater, with my trademark Prada knapsack and Starbucks Green Tea Latte (smuggled in of course) I wore something dynamite by Toronto’s Hoax Couture (http://www.hoaxcouture.com) for my audience with Wintour. I was far from disappointed. To the point where Wintour has become my new hero. If you’ve never seen The September Issue here’s my advice: Toss away The Devil Wears Prada. This documentary kicks Rock N’ Republic clad ass.
In the first 30 minutes Wintour explains why she’s earned her legendary reputation for being “frosty”. Remember Wintour is the most influential face in fashion around the world and what she says goes. Though I don’t want spoil it you see such jaw dropping clips of her telling Lagerfeld after the Chanel show, “We’ve seen better things from you before.” Or taking her after show seat at Jean Paul Gaultier’s back stage run-through and asking him to “Speed it up”.
Counteracting Wintour’s eye rolls is Grace Coddington’s warm and quirky yet unbelievably creative layouts. There are many scenes were Coddington and Wintour butt heads over layouts, pages and heart wrenching scene of Coddington almost reduced to tears. Or Andre Leon Talley’s true over-the-top personality at Vogue and show’s him, very candidly, trying to exercise. Why? Ah my dahhlinks, you must buy the movie to find out.
Forget about what you thought you knew about Wintour, Coddington and Talley just be prepared to be wooed with sumptuous runway shots, frank Wintour moments and beautifully shot scenes all in The September Issue available on DVD February 23rd.
Wintour and Coddington clip from The September Issue
The Movie Poster
Having grown up basically almost watching Madonna evolve from waif to ingenue the Dita mistress. Spirit Mother, Cowgirl, Drowned World Leader, Confessions Queen, and Boxer Beauty there has always been some type of marketing campaign tied to each incarnation of her “artistic expression.” What many gay men forget about Madonna, which was most poiently described by Truth or Dare director Alek Keshishian, “Madonna has sides she does not let her fans see. When we tried to go into one of her business meetings she became a different person and immediately yelled “GET OUT”". Madonna is first and foremost a business woman and very smart one at that.
Over the years Madonna’s love of reinvention and now huge modelling fees have blended her superstardom with companies such as Gianni Versace, BWM, Motorola, Louis Vuitton, Max Factor (only appeared in Japan) and now Dolce and Gabbana. With Madonna back in the studio again, which you know means and album is coming shortly, she doesn’t want you to complete forget about her. So aside from appearances on Saturday Night Live with Lady Gaga I’d say her newest ad campaign is probably her best yet. Following the sophisticated, sexy casual of her 2009 W spread with boyfriend Jesus Lutz she has translated this into, what I believe, is a her best image ever.
In this new campaign Madonna looks like she is just having plain fun and you actually see her with food. Remember this is woman who has a Macrobiotic Japanese chef with her on every tour. So to see her attempting to eat pasta in an international ad campaign is a bold move. You can view the entire ad campaign on the satellite Dolce and Gabanna site where you can download screen savers and desktops for those who must have truly have everything Madonna.
Here is one of the best photos from the campaign:
Madonna From The Spring 2010 Dolce and Gabbana Campaign
A Chip and Pepper pop up shop will open in Toronto just in time for your holiday shopping convenience next to the Lileo boutique in the Distillery District. For all of you who don’t know what the Chip and Pepper (http://www.chipandpepper.com) craze is about they got their start creating a line of vintage jeans which were actually comfortable. Soon it lead to the Chip and Pepper phenomenon. The pop up shop is open Friday, December 18th. from 6-9 p.m.
Benny Benassi has totally screwed with my mind in a delightful way. It was actually a friend who got me hooked on Benassi’s mix Who’s Your Daddy?! and the two versions of the steamy video. Capturing the decadent days of porn Benassi has women in various poses and positions made to look like the the cover of late 70s to mid 80s adult films. The video was so controversial You Tube only would allow the “toned” down version to be posted with strict age restrictions. The “full-on” version was available only his website http://www.bennybenassi.com.
Fast forward three years and Madonna sinking her creative tallons in him. Benny Benassi takes Madge’s Celebration bends it over, has his way with it, and excuse my language, makes it fuckin’ sexy. I’m not usually a fan of Madonna after Ray of Light but I was INSAINE for Benassi’s remix of Celebration and drove my friends nuts listening to it constantly. Not only it is freakin’ danceable, it is a great workout music.
Once again, with many songs the remix was more popular than the actually song. So much so that in late September I witnessed a car full of 20-somethings, stopped at red light, crank up Benassi’s Celebration remix, leave their car and dance with other people joining in. Yes I joined them as well.
So the man which is responsible for tying up traffic, getting gays and straights hopping to another Madonna song and making vintage porn sexy flies into Toronto this weekend. He’s spinning at the Guvernment this Saturday, December 12 along side DJ Mark Oliver. Tickets at the door. Doors open at 10 p.m.
Trust me! Grab yourself a tres hot outfit, get your posse together and prepare to dance the night away! Screw Santa…Benny Benassi is coming to town!
Schmidt’s creative team consisting of Display Managers: Clinton Ridgeway and Marti Suter, plus Prop Technician: Lucy Song have people stopping and admiring the window while holiday shopping along Queen Street West. The window will be up until the holiday season is over.
Photo by: James Dorion
