POLL :: Happy Fashion Week! This fall, a dominant trend is fur. Seen on the runways dyed technicolour for women and left au natural for men, products range from coats to scarves to bags and other accessories. But the question remains:

RELATED :: In 2005 the furry look for men was rugged city.

Klaxon Howl the menswear store on Queen W. which specializes in what I call blue collar vintage was one of the last shows of LG Fashion Week. You would think after a week of viewing menswear shows pre and during, it would all look the same. Not so. So what made this show cool? Aside from Samuel L. Jackson making a surprise appearance, the clothes revamped the term “blue collar”. Aside from basic denim shirts, jeans and the odd leather vest there they showed belted and pea coats, black suits and a Hudson Bay duffle bag. I know what you’re thinking, yes you can get it at Mark’s Work Warehouse however would a major star shop at Mark’s?

Amidst the stilettos, glitter and mayhem at LG Fashion Week fraught with: line ups, fake air kissing, the shrills of “dahhling we must do lunch”, shows running two-hours late, people exiting the runway room exclaiming, “he had the NERVE to call that train wreck FASHION?”, and people methodically trying to score a front row seat which isn’t theirs; the spring One of a Kind Show launched on Wednesday, March 30^th. The spring show is far shorter than its big sister, the Christmas show, lasting only five days.

Why should you go? I’ll given an evil example. These gourmet cheesecake lollipops from Alicia Tracy of The Hot Lollies are a perfect accessory to any dessert-free brunch and a way to sabotage your friend’s pre-pride diet.  If you haven’t been, like Winners says, “you need to go!”  With over 300 artisans ranging from art and house hold items to clothes and food why not? A few hours down at the Direct Energy Centre will make you feel like spring is near.

One of a Kind Show: Wednesday, March 30^th to Sunday, April 3^rd. Check the web site for tickets and show hours.

LG Fashion Week has always been a great time for Canadian fashion. FDCC President and Creative Director Robin Kay has completely turned Toronto’s version of New York or Paris into a noticeable showcase for Canadian talent. Last night’s opening show, for F/W 11 was no exception. Each year has seen formidable Holt Renfrew kick off the week-long shows with an exclusive cocktail party for Toronto’s fashion elite. Thanks to clever marketing ingenuity the canapés and wine fest has morphed into a full-fledged runway show. Sadly there were only three major menswear designers shown: Ezra Constantine, Wings and Horns, plus Canada Goose jackets. If you’ve been following my blog I’ve already talked about sizable merits of Mr. Constantine so here’s a shot from Wings and Horns.

Stephen and Kirk are known, in my mind, as part of Toronto’s and one of the outstanding designers in Canada’s group of style rebels. Fashion is about taking risks and blending the best of what’s coming and interpreting it in a wholly unique way. With their men’s collection Ezra Constantine they did this on both counts. First, their menswear collection is visually stunning with diagonally cut coats as one of the drool-inducing pieces. However the real traffic stopper was the their reinvention of the “hoodie” giving  it  shawl/goth effect. As stores like H&M “creatively borrow” ideas from major shows, be assured this is one they can’t copy. It’s just too damn cool!

Well hello dears. It’s started and Philip Sparks was the kick off. Last night, Monday, Sparks brought his new Fall/Winter vision to warm men’s and women’s cockles this fall. The collection made up of plaid patterns, different length coats including some trimmed with fleece, a gorgeous tuxedo, sweaters and an interesting all plaid suit. The suit, worn on a model of colour, I call the “Obama” suit as you can totally see President Obama wearing this for a casual weekend away. However when you interpreted his look, Sparks produced a wearable, fall/winter 11 collection that will keep Jack Frost at bay stylishly.

You want to own from Philip Sparks: the Ontario blank scarf. This huge black and white scarf elegant enough to work but cool enough to go clubbing.

For more information: philipsparks

For an exclusive shot from StyleGuy Max MacDonald, not seen above, head to our Facebook page!

For Shaun Proulx’s take on Philip Spark’s show last night, visit HIMBO!

Well hello dears.

It’s that time again when Toronto fashion fanatics wait with breathless anticipation for what will be going down the runway. If the indications from Paris, London, and Milan are any indication my pre season comments are, “prepare to shop.” Last week I raved about Lady Gaga’s Mugler music with the video installation featuring tattooed zombie performance artist, Rico G! Now you’ve got to see the collection yourself.

Designer Nicola Formichetti has done a jaw-dropping, risky yet gorgeously avant-garde collection based on the idea of a Mugler monster (which Rico G is the face of). Not only this…OK, OK, I’ll stop going on about it. See the Mugler collection for yourself and don’t say I didn’t warn you.

So enough about European menswear, for now! LG Fashion Week starts Monday, March 28^th with the kick-off show being Holt Renfrew’s Can’t Live Without Canadian Fashion then right after Izzy Camilleri and Adrian Mainella team up to present IZMA’s Fall/Winter 2011. Though what many people don’t know is the fun starts this Monday, March 21^st with Philip Sparks show, which I will be attending with the ever fabulous Shaun Proulx, followed by the huge popular Greta and Ezra Constantine presentation on Friday, March 28^th at an Audi dealership. The pre LG Fashion Week shows are signal style is coming.

So what to attend during LG Fashion Week? Remember if you are not registered and thumb-printed media you are considered a consumer which means you get the cattle seats at the shows. But if you don’t mind and just want witness all the mayhem here are the “must see” shows:

Tuesday, March 28^th

Joe Fresh at 8:30 p.m.

Bustle at: 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 31^st

Rudsak at: 6 p.m.

Friday, April 1^st.

Klaxton Howl at: 6 p.m.

You can follow my runway-side commentary on right here on GayGuideToronto.com through the @GayGuideTO feed on Twitter.

FAT 2011 Call For Entries

This week and exclusively on GayGuideToronto.com I am posting FAT aka Toronto Alternative Fashion Week is looking for entries into FAT 2011.  What’s the big deal?

Read the full story

The Blonds

Hey Style Guy followers. In my travels I aim to bring you the best of style from all corners of the world, sometimes I come across something that I only want to share with GayGuideToronto.com readers. Exclusively for you, here is information on an event happening on Friday Oct. 22nd at the end of LG Fashion Week. The Roosevelt Room and Stoli Vodka presents FASHION STILL CARES, a glamorous, red carpet fundraiser for the AIDS Committee of Toronto, ft. New York’s hottest designers and celebrity favourites, David & Phillipe Blond: THE BLONDS!

Join a who’s who of Toronto’s fashion scene, models, movers and shakers as they celebrate life with an evening of glamour, outrageous outfits, inspiring stories, delicious food and of course, top notch music.

During dinner, guests will enjoy an exclusive 3 course preview of The Roosevelt Room’s new fall menu, complimentary “Honey Blond” cocktails by STOLI Vodka and their choice of red or white wine, live entertainment, a showcase of 4 of the Blonds’ new pieces and a meet and greet with The Blonds themselves.

After dinner, experience the energy of Toronto’s party scene as Roosevelt Room’s resident DJ Monsieur Cedric (Nikki Beach, St. Tropez) plays the top dance hits from then til now.

Menu:

Wine
Selection of Red or White by the glass

Amuse Bouche
Smoked Brisket Sandwich brioche, Gorgonzola, shallot aioli

Appetizers
Truffled Wild Mushroom Soup garlic chips, creme fraiche
Autumn Vegetable Salad hydroponic greens, preserved apricot vinaigrette, chevre

Intermezzo
The Eleanor Roosevelt Cocktail raspberry, rum, soda

Entrees
Wellington County Beef Short Rib red wine braised, celeriac mash, vegetable confit
Herb Roasted Naturally Raised Chicken molasses glazed, fingerling potatoes, baby carrots
Wild Mushroom Tagliatelle Monforte Toscano cheese, Chinese truffle foam, herbed butter sauce

Dessert
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Parfait

What’s It Cost? Dinner – $100, Dancing – $20

Where Do I Get Tickets? Right here!

Joe Fresh Spring/Summer 2011

On Wednesday, October 20th Joseph Mimran unveiled the Joe Fresh look for Spring/Summer 2011. The entire A-List crowd which included Ben Mulroney, CBC’s Steven and Chris, and Glen Baxter from In Fashion saw Mimran’s forecast of what the average Joe Fresh customer will see this spring. As always this season was about crisp whites, mid-thigh shorts, and his grown-up version of the Scouts Canada uniform. Yes you read that right. The day of the show Joe Fresh announced they will help Scouts Canada by revamping the sacred uniform into something much more fun.

Joe Fresh Spring/Summer 2011

So What Was The Collection Like? Following the “preppy” trend Joe Fresh offered a more sophisticated interpretation and spun the look as very country club. With tennis white shorts, polo tops, sweaters going down the runway one couldn’t help feel like yelling for a drink on a grassy veranda and asking another Mint Julip. On the flip side he also opened the show with a modernized version of the Scouts Canada shirts paired with fitted jeans. I personally hope he releases the Scouts Canada shirts in the stores, it has that whole Troop Beverly Hills feeling to it.

Do You Need To Own Some? The simple answer, yes. At a price point of $20 usually for a shirt in the summer, how can you go wrong?  Joe Fresh is one of those collections where if you don’t like something when you buy it, you can return it or give it away. Then go back and buy something else and not break the bank.

Where To Get It? Find a Joe Fresh store near you by clicking here!