He’s hash-tagging #10lbsByPride to his Tweets, Max MacDonald is that serious about his #pridepump. His spin on it: If you have been following my never-ending Facebook updates and Tweets you know I’ve been shedding blubber. Together with my trainer I’ve lost a total of 45lbs. I did this through hot yoga, weight training, not shoving every piece of food in front of me in my mouth, and, especially, spinning on RealRyder bikes.

Should you have never tried spinning, want to spice up your workout, or do something completely different to shed some extra poundage by Toronto Pride check out CYKL Toronto, one of the two studios in Toronto that have the way cool RealRyder bikes. The RealRyder bikes move just like a normal bike would which forces you to engage your abs, legs and arms.

CYKL is in a cool space just south of King Street West and Bathurst, the studio has water, showers, towel, lockers, free shoe rentals, and your first class is FREE!

Now think of an excuse not to try it out. See you there!

- Max MacDonald

Yesterday you read about why Kyle Kofsky started the IFFF series. Now and once again, exclusively to GayGuideToronto.com, we have the stills for one of the hotly anticipated films. Toronto-based men’s and women’s designer Zoran Dobric’s first cinematic debut which is directed by Kevin Caners the film is a fashion fantasy about two forest creatures meeting clad in nature patterns. GayGuideToronto.com has obtained the pre-screening stills for all our fashion fanatics.
Speaking with Dobric, via email I asked, “What makes this film unique among a myriad of fashion films?” He responded, “This movie is different from the other films because it is a beautifully shot, artistic, fantasy fashion video rather than a documentary. We were trying to create dream-like atmosphere and to capture the beauty of the forest, models and the clothing.”

The film premieres Wednesday, April 27th at 8:50 p.m. at 99 Sudbury.

For tickets visit: Getfat.ca
To see Zoran’s full F/W 11 men’s and women’s wear collections visit: Zorandobric.com
All Photos By: Stephen Severn

In the arena of Toronto’s rising fashion figures Kyle Kofsky may not be on your lips but after FAT, Toronto’s Alternative Fashion Week, he will be. The man who started the artist collective Everyone Is An Artist is out to consummate the relationship with fashion and film through FAT’s new IFFF Series (International Fashion Film Festival). In its inaugural year during FAT 2011, this highly anticipated film series is the first of its kind in Canada and being watched by designers and film makers around the world.

The intention of the series was not produce endlessly long commercials for the participating designers. Remember Calvin Klein’s wickedly avant-garde and deliciously mocked, 10-minute Obsession commercial in the 80s? Forget that, as these films are far cooler than Lady Gaga could ever hope to be. Some films were we done in a week while others took about a month.  So I had to find out more about the man behind the chic lenses. In an interview exclusively for GayGuideToronto.com I asked Kofsky why you should be excited about this new series during FAT?

Max MacDonald: Kyle how did you come up with the idea for the IFFF series?

Kyle Kofsky: Vanja Vasic, the Executive Director of FAT, and I have worked together in the past. Last year I entered a film called A Love Story which had couture costumes by Kelly Henderson of Harsh Designs. Vanja and I brainstormed about the idea of merging designers and film makers. We didn’t want it to be a visual look book or have any type of television commercial feeling but have a real merger of clothes and film. She found the designers and I found the film makers.  We worked on the title of for the longest time and decided on “IFFF”. The marriage of fashion and film is like white on rice.

MM: What are your favourite films submitted to IFFF?

KK:  Starting the series on Tuesday, April 26th Gaudet: Fashion House by Zenon Turczyn and Shawn Venasse, on the same night : Pat McDonagh directed by Billie Mintz,  finally on Friday, April 29^th: Jessica Jensen directed by Lynn Kamm for this film there was a trip to Asia and the launch of a new item involved which almost didn’t happen. These are the three which stand out in my mind but all of them are excellent in their own right.

MM: Was there any you said “no” to as the proposed idea was too crazy for FAT?

KK: No, this year was IFFF’s premiere so we embraced the unusual. We knew what we were going to get as many of the film makers I knew of or worked with previously. This series is a complete change to Canadian film landscape as most people don’t have “the balls” to make films such as these. We wanted to celebrate the artists who do.  By the end of May 2011 or shortly after IFFF will go online where there will be an online application to submit projects for 2012.

MM: Finally being the co-founder of the IFFF Series, who do you wear?

KK: Hmmm, well I wear LOFT, APC, Marc Jacobs, and Banana Republic. I wear Banana Republic because of the fit of their t-shirts. Though I know it’s not out there but I believe you shouldn’t stop wearing one designer just because it’s not fashionable, if the fit is good on you, wear it because it looks good.

For more information on the entire IFFF series and FAT visit: getfat.ca

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.

Shawn Hewson one half of Bustle design team once said to me, “Bustle stands for giving men a different take on dressing well.” Bustle consistently provides Canadian gay or straight men two things they can count on: 1) To put on a great runway show. 2) To offer their male fans which include In Fashion’s Glenn Baxter, E Talk’s Ben Mulroney and countless other personalities timeless, well-constructed menswear. This season was no different by offering up a theme on spending the weekend in the snowy woods. With jackets in green checked plaid, strong bomber jackets and coats and their signature tailored pants it’s no wonder they have a legendary following.

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!

This week I have some goodies for you that will get you out of your seat one way or the other.

The FAT = Alternative Fashion Week Casting Call

Toronto Alternative Fashion Week holding a cast call on Sunday, March 27,for models to work the runway. Don’t worry FAT is not looking for supermodels, quite the opposite, they want the usual, bizarre and those who normally would walk the runway. So if you dream walking the runway run don’t walk to this casting call. Then let me know if you make it. You could find your catwalk debut in a future entry of Style Guy.

Where to go: 60 Atlantic Avenue (in Liberty Village dears), 2nd Floor. The call is from 12-6 p.m.

Lady Gaga’s Mugler Music

If you’ve been following me on Facebook all this week you know I’m insane for Lady Gaga’s (I was NEVER a huge fan of Lady Gaga until I heard this so you know it has to be kick-ass cool) music she did for her recent catwalk appearance for Thierry Mugler. The video I’m currently nuts over is the video installation which was done as the background for the F/W 11 menswear show featuring Montreal-based, zombie, performer and tattooed-artist Rico G.Not only is this tres cool, dark, surreal and mysterious it’s got clips of the collection. Trust me, between the music and watching the Rico, you forget there’s actually hot clothes going down the runway. I dare you to sit still when you hear this song and not prance…I double dare you!

The 2011 Oscars

I’d like to thank the academy! Style Guy is Oscar ready along with you for this year’s ceremony to capture all the fun, mayhem, excitement and couture. Will Halle Berry work Nina Ricci as she did at The Golden Globes or will she be a stunner again in Elie Saab?

Halle Berry in stunning Nina Ricci

Will Nicole Kidman cause a paparazzi pile up calmouring to get photo of her as they did in the year she wore Jean Paul Gaultier couture the year she won Best Actress for The Hours?

So many questions! Find out the answers this Sunday, February 27th starting at 7 p.m.  for exclusive my red carpet commentary coming to you – I’m special guest at The Official Oscar GGTwitter Party ONLY on Twitter @myggt.

Oh I’m so jazzed! I can hear the swish of couture now!

Dave St. Pierre coming to Harbourfront Centre

Now you think GGT’s fashion and style guy shouldn’t be letting you know about an event which involves men and women nude on stage, right?  Well this was so good I didn’t want GGT fans to miss it and trust me, you won’t want to. Quebec’s Dave St. Pierre is coming to Toronto at Harbourfront Centre February 2-5th with a production titled: A Little Tenderness For Crying Out Loud! This unique dance group is about using the human body as a tool of art and dance as the medium.

Un peu de tendresse (the French title of St. Pierre’s work) is an uninhibited and bold exploration of contemporary love. Naked as the truth, 20 male and female dancers take the stage, expressing the irrepressible human need for love and affection through raw physical movement. St-Pierre’s work is often confrontational and controversial but there is an emotional core that speaks to our need to love and be loved. The realism in Un peu de tendresse… is the thread that ties us all together. “The experiences are mine, but they don’t only revolve around me,” says St-Pierre. “They’re everyone’s stories.”

If you love dance and can handle seeing 20 naked dancers performing a contemporary interpretation of love, this is for you. As with everything timeless, naked flesh will never go out of style especially when it’s a medium of expression.

Tickets: $49 through Harbourfront’s Box Office (if there are any tickets left)!