As much as I hate to admit it, I am in college. And as a student, I do love free stuff. So for all my Canadian readers out there, I have a way for you to wet your appetites with possible goodies and to satisfy your thirst for all things Canadiana. Started by fashionista Leesa Butler, The F-list is a great resource for knowledge on and for giveaways from the hottest and newest Canadian designers.

So sign up at the F-list for your chance to win a fashion and beauty prize pack that includes $75 gift certificate to Preloved’s online store plus goodies from Darya Designers, AIME, L’Oreal Paris and more! The F-list is picking a new winner every week this February! You’ll not only be entered to win amazing prizes, but they’ll keep you in the loop on Canadian fashion with the monthly newsletter, The F Word. Plus you’ll also have access to ongoing sales and events, special offers, contests and sample sale invitations. Head on over and fill out your name and contact info!

Catch Leesa’s fashion musings on either the F-list blog or on her twitter page.

Images courtesy of The F-List

Barb :: Feb.08.2010 :: Fashion :: No Comments »

There is no denying the amount of fashion-related programming on air now, what with Project Runway, America’s Next Top Model, and The City for starters, and especially now with the hype of Bravo’s “Kell on Earth,” which features Kelly Cutrone and her public relations firm People’s Revolution. I wasn’t expecting much from “Kell on Earth,” but there’s a certain quality (or you know, just the amount of hype) about reality TV that makes it difficult to shy away from the computer/television screen.

Revealing a tad of the fashion industry to America, the audience follows Kelly Cutrone as she prepares for NYFW’s Spring/Summer 2010 shows. And quite surprisingly, “Kell on Earth” keeps my attention with its decent narrative and quirky characters. Several minutes into the beginning of the show, we find ourselves introduced to the main characters, which are, in fact, quite likable despite their “bitch” personas. And while Kelly may not be the most attractive or the most impeccably dressed in the industry, it is those traits that make me all the more interested in watching. But aside from the office team, we are also introduced to Kelly’s young and adorable daughter, Ava, who I never knew existed up until the promos for the show aired. Seeing this dimension of Kelly that isn’t associated with the fashion industry and where she takes on the role of “mom” certainly adds depth to the show itself and credibility to that Kelly Cutrone may in fact have human qualities.

Like what others have said, one of the elements that actually makes “Kell on Earth” fun to watch is that things actually happen. Unlike The Hills and The City where the half hour slot is filled with stretched-out melodramas and lunches, there are actual problems (uh oh, seating!) and progress (hey, we actually get through a fashion show). And of course, there would be no entertainment value if there weren’t any memorable quotes, such as “Pharmaceuticals really help in People’s Revolution. If I offer you an Ativan, just take it, it helps!” and “I was working in L.A. in Beverly Hills as a hair colorist — I left everything I had in California. It was a successful career mind you, to come to New York and be called a retard.”

And for those of you that haven’t hopped on the bandwagon yet, check out the promo video below:

Take note of what is said on Kelly Cutrone's shirt.

Image courtesy of Style Caster and NYTimes.com

Barb :: Feb.02.2010 :: Culture, Fashion :: No Comments »

It’s been a considerable time since I last posted, and will update the fellow readers on my personal life in another entry, but I thought I’d share the delight that I had in attending the Salon du Chocolat (i.e. mega chocolate exhibition!). This event is like any other trade show except the twist is, instead of the usual clothing exhibition, it’s all chocolate! Not just any regular chocolate either – there’s chocolate from various countries (such as Mexico) and interesting takes on chocolate treats (think olive oil covered chocolate or green tea chocolate treats).

The lineup was incredibly long if you weren’t already holding a ticket. In fact, if I were to measure it in football fields, I would say at least one and a half football fields! Even though the lineup for those already holding tickets was considerably shorter, it was still quite a huge mob. Bypassing the huge mob – think good timing and good location – I got into quite a crowded exhibition hall with many free samples calling out to me. Let’s just say that I’ve probably had my fill of chocolate for the year.

Now the highlight for me of this whole show was the fashion show. Considerably different from my experience at the Ethical Fashion Show , this show was one where it was much harder to get a good view, but when you did, you couldn’t help but be amazed. With a raised platform in the center of the exhibition hall, you’d think that this would be a huge attraction, and it was. But without other forms of media to project the fashion show, many people left, continued their chocolate ventures, or scrambled their way into the crowd in hopes of catching a glimpse.

When people said chocolate fashion show, I imagined something much more elaborate than what I saw. I thought of entire dresses being made of chocolate. Of course, I now realize how preposterous that sounds and admire the chocolate elements that were added to the clothing items. The models were excellent in terms of evoking personality on this mini runway. The encore where the chocolate couturiers came out with their creations was highly enjoyable. What kept me on my toes and my camera on was the entertainment between clothing changes.

Now I’m quite torn about one thing, and that’s the amount of music that was cued on the runway. Each strut down the runway required a new song, and while I enjoyed each costume having its own distinct music, I can’t help but wonder if it was really necessary. At other fashion shows that I’ve been to, it’s been minimal with the music changes; usually the song finishes and then another one will play, it isn’t really in sync with the whole runway show.

Barb :: Nov.16.2008 :: Fashion :: No Comments »