WMCFW DAY 3

Clutch - American Apparel | Headphones - Happy Plugs | Lipstick - "Red Carpet Ready" by Charlotte Tilbury

 It's been a little while since my last fashion week, so I was happy to attend a few shows yesterday for #WMCFW. (Yes, I used a hashtag where it isn't applicable.)

I decided to leave my all black outfits at home for once, and opted for a skirt I bought at H&M (on sale for $15) a few months ago. I figured I could wear it now, while the weather is still cooperating, or wait 'til next year once the arctic tundra that is Toronto has warmed up again.

Leather jacket & boots - ZARA | Skirt & shirt - H&M

 I started the day with Finezza, which I unfortunately didn't get any good shots of, but rest assured, it was a great show filled with a British dandy/Southern gent sensibility that I was all about.

Next up, a show I'd been looking forward to: Narces.

How beautiful and feminine are those dresses and gowns?! Not my usual cup of tea, but I'm a sucker for great details, and this collection was serving great detail after great detail, it was like I was at an all you can eat buffet. 

I should have prefaced this post by saying that I didn't have to take my own outfit photos on this day. As some of you know, because I've mentioned it about a million times—I usually take my own outfit photos. So, when someone else offers, or I can ask someone else to take my photos, it's a good day for me. My pal Michael took these of me outside our office, and I have to give him credit because he made me look kind of approachable!

This skirt, though! I know I mentioned it earlier, but I never actually noted how much I love this skirt.  I was swishing around all day. Check my Instagram, I have proof!

Later in the evening, I had the Pink Tartan and Mackage shows: two very different aesthetics, and two very packed shows. The lines were insane! Note: fashion people are not afraid to throw elbows and push. 

Both shows were packed, and with good reason—the collections were amazing.

I didn't attend any shows today, and it's doubtful I'll be at any tomorrow, but hey, I got one good day, with many great collections. 

Have you visited the tents this season? Do you have any favourite designers/collections?

LIPSTICK & LEATHER x CTD

Kane and I recently did some work with his younger brother Cary for his t-shirt line, CTD. We took to the streets of Toronto to shoot his latest collection, and  these are a few teaser shots. 

I wasn't expecting to be in front of the camera at all for this, but alas, someone had to wear the ladies' t-shirt.

Graphic tee enthusiasts definitely need to check him out. He's also got hoodies, caps, and toques if graphic tees aren't necessarily your cup of tea. 

You can follow him on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Or, better yet, if you want to buy pieces from his collection, check out his online shop HERE. 

MONDAY (ON A FRIDAY) MUSE

I know that today is Friday, but you guys! The Viktor & Rolf Fall 2015 couture show happened on Wednesday, and I immediately fell in love. The worst/best part, is that I can't really put my finger on why I'm so into the collection—I just am. What do you think? Yay or Nay?

Images via style.com

MONDAY MUSE: @SAINTRECORDS

You may be asking, "Kate, what's this 'Monday Muse' business all about?"

[In my best second-hand car salesman voice] Well, now! Let me tell you!

The Monday Muse series is something I'm adding to the blog, because:

a) I'm sure that there are only so many photos of me that you want to look at.

b) Mondays generally suck, so I figure I'd try to give you all, but mostly myslef, something to look forward to doing on dreaded Mondays.

c) (And most of all) I just want to feature the people and things that inspire me, whether it be style-wise or otherwise. 

(That poorly constructed sentence just made me laugh, but I'm not going to change it. It's Monday, sue me.)

I also want to get back to my journalism roots a little bit, so in future, I'm hoping to include some interviews as well, because I want to know what inspires the people who inspire me!

For my very first Monday Muse, I thought I'd go big with someone who is a HUGE style inspiration for me. This might seem odd because of the monochromatic nature of my wardrobe, but the reason I find such inspiration from this person's style, is because she seems fearless in her choices, and she seems like the kind of poerson who could throw any old garment on and just look killer in it. 

Ladies and gents, I present the first Monday Muse of the series—Solange Knowles.

See what I mean?!?! The woman can do no wrong! And of course, I had to end with her take on an all-black outfit, 'cause of course I would.

If you're not following her already, I suggest you hit up her INSTAGRAM immediately!

And that's about it...for now. Check back on Monday to see who else I'm currently a little obsessed with.

FINALLY

It has arrived! We dreamt it, and we created it—ARCHETYPE Magazine is an actual thing, you guys! 

It's crazy to think that Shan and I were conceptualizing this magazine in February of this year—and now here it is, live and in living colour! If you'd like to direct order a copy for yourself, click on the "e-mail" link on the sidebar just there -------------------> 

I'll be sure to get back to you!

Blazer - H&M | Shirt - Dimepiece LA | Shorts - ForeverXXI | Shoes - Nike | Lipstick - MAC "relentlessly red" 

SPRING: DAY ONE

It's still cold out. Fortunately, it wasn't so cold I couldn't walk around with my jacket open—so I kept my jacket unzipped until the evening, when it got really chilly. Again. (Yes, I am absolutely bitter about this weather.)

I've learned to not get too excited about the warm weather, so I've made sure to bring my gloves and hat with me wherever I go, because you just never know with this Toronto weather. If your hands, like mine, are still freezing, you should grab a pair of Quill & Tine's touchscreen gloves—especially 'cause they're on sale right how! Even if you've decided to commit to "spring" weather and ditch your winter accoutrements, it wouldn't hurt to get a head-start on your winter wardrobe shopping for next year, as it seems like we're looking at a perpetual winter. 

The one up-side to this weather: No more snow, which means not having to wear my heavy-duty winter boots!

Leather jacket - Danier | Scarf - Lavish & Squalor | Sweater & trousers - H&M | Clutch - American Apparel | Gloves - Quill & Tine | Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell | Lipstick - Illamasqua "Maneater" | Rings - Tiffany & Co. and Catbird NY

NIGHT OUT

There's A LOT happening at the moment, and my wee agenda is filled to the brim with deadlines. However, my fella and I took a few moments this evening to attend the FNO x Beckerman Blog event at Buonanotte. 

This was my feeble attempt at incorporating some spring into my outfit with what I'm almost certain is a dress from the fall collection. At least I made an effort—and it was a departure from my usual, all black outfits!

Dress, Jacket, and shoes - ZARA | Vest and clutch - H&M | Hat - UO | Lipstick - Illamasqua "Maneater."

I love my fur vest, but I honestly cannot wait to stop relying on it (and about three other layers) for warmth. Where are you, warm weather?!

BEHIND THE SCENES

Got a chance to shoot with my good pal Patrick yesterday. I'm pretty excited to see the final product—and obviously, to show you guys!

It's always an interesting experience when I'm in a studio setting, 'cause I'm not used to someone directing me, but it is fun, especially since I'm not a model by any means.

ICY

Toronto's been in a deep freeze for the last few days. -40 degree weather calls for layers and unhappy faces—two things that I've definitely got an abundance of. 

Leather hat - A miscellaneous corner store (But really, though.) | Lipstick - YSL #17 | Scarf - Lavish & Squalor | Coat - H&M | Jeans - UO | Shoes - ZARA

RED

Dress - H&M | Lipstick - MAC "RiRi Woo"

It's a new year, and so I thought that I'd change things up a bit. Let's not get crazy here—there's no way I'd stop wearing black. (Note: This dress also came in black, and I had to resist the urge to buy it.)

SULLEY

According to people (who I will not name), my fashion choices come winter are questionable at best, on account of my refusal to wear coats that are "warm enough." I've always been a believer in layers, particularly in the winter months, and after Mary-Kate and Ashley started walking around like homeless people with coats on coats with a blanket scarf to top it all off, I knew I was onto something.

I wear leather in all seasons, which I agree, isn't always practical. (SEE: Sweaty, incased-in-faux-leather thighs in Manhattan, in August.) However, when I wear my "Winter leather," a.k.a. my absolute favourite leather jacket, I always make sure to pile-on the sweaters, and this year, I've even added a giant faux-fur vest reminiscent of Mr. Burns'.

Lipstick - MAC "Lady danger" | Sweater & vest - H&M | Leather pants - UO | Gloves - Quill & Tine | Shoes - Nike
Photos by Kane St. Louis.

I also got myself a pair of Quill & Tine touchscreen gloves. They're leather gloves "engineered to interface with touchscreen technology." Basically, I can keep my hands warm while texting, which, as I'm sure most people know, is arguably one of the most annoying parts of winter—having to text with your frozen fingers while you look on at the warm gloves you're holding in your hands. 

This certainly isn't the last you'll hear of these gloves: 

1. Because they're awesome.

2. Because I'll be doing some work with them, as I've officially hopped aboard the Quill & Tine train.

Expect them to pop-up in more of my posts this winter, as I'll more than likely be wearing them with everything. 

WHERE TO SHOP: MADONNA & CO.

People who have visited one of my favourite places, New York, probably know that the best place to shop is in SOHO. While we can't all make the trip over just to go shopping (although it would be cool, wouldn't it?) the wonderful internet has allwed us to find all of our favourite shops online, like this SOHO staple, Madonna & Co.

Boutique address:
Madonna & Co
284 Lafayette street (between Prince & Houston)
SOHO-NYC

Madonna & Co. offers a unique shopping experience, and who doesn't want to shop where "fashion isn't copied, it's created. Where luxury is about being one of a kind, not how much you spend." Their store carries chic and edgy styles for sartorial enthusiats and style mavericks of all ages, and while they're a private label, they also carry exclusive designer brands and one-of-a-king vintage jewelry. You can expect that quality items, luxury brands, and exceptional service is standard at this SOHO boutique, and that's part of what sets them apart. It's always nice to see independent labels breaking through and thriving in the fashion market—and Madonna & Co. is doing just that.

Some of the items I'm currently coveting are (from left): This oversized button-down, coat with faux leather deails, leather tank top, and the what is likely the most "Holy glamour, Batman!" item of clothing you could own—a mink motorcycle jacket! Check them out at www.madonnaandco.com.

If you, like me, want to grab a couple (or almost all) of the pieces they've got in store, today is your lucky day! Madonna & Co. is offering a 15% off discount to all the ladies—and gents (it's almost Christmas, so you know you need to start thinking of gifts for your lady) who read my blog! Just use the code: blog2, and get to shopping!

Also, don't forget to like them on Facebook HERE.

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VERSACE, VERSACE

(As if you all don't already know) Lady Gaga is the new face of Versace. The ads will begin appearing in magazines in the new year, but this teaser image has been taking over the internet today. Naturally, everyone's going to have an opinion about it, so feel free to comment! I want to know what you think!

Here are some past Versace ads—just because.

Christina Aguilera - 2003

Madonna - 2005

Naomi Campbell - 1993 

And of course, how could I not add the biggest Versace endorsement of all?