This year has brought many new models to the catwalks.  Here are some of the fresh faces that have stood out this season.

Valerija Kelava

Valerija was born in Slovenia and signed with her first agent in 2009 when she was 19.  She is described as dark, deadly and dangerous.  Her razor-sharp cheekbones are what makes her stand out.  In 2010 she has worked with many people including Balenciage. Prada, Alexander Wang, and Versace.

Fei Fei Sun

Fei Fei Sun was born in China and began modeling in 2009.  She is known for her otherworldly eyes.  She has been seen in Jil Sander, Christopher Kane, Vogue Korea and China and Elle China.

Ann Kenny and Kirby Kenny

These twins are from New Jersey.  They began modeling in 2010 when they were just 16. They are remembered for their pale skin and piercing blue eyes.  Ann had her first show with BCBG and has since worked with Proenza Schouler, Dries Van Noten, Marc Jacobs, and Benetton.  Kirby has worked with Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Prorsum, and Just Cavalli.

Melissa Tammerijn

Melissa was born in the Netherlands in 1990.  She is recognized for her Uma Thurman-esque features.  She began on the runway last season.  She has walked in big shows like Marni, Balenciaga, Viktor & Rolf, and Sonia Rykiel.

Tatiana Cotliar

Tatiana was born in 1990 in Argentina.  She is best known for her come-hither hair.   She opened Marc Jacobs F/W 10 show and has since worked with Tommy  Hilfiger, and Jason Wu.

These girls will be all over the runway this season so make sure to stay tuned!

This past Saturday New York played host to the Siren Music Festival on Coney Island and while I wish I could have been there to experience the music and the fashion, I must live vicariously through street style photographs. There were definitely some prominent styles that graced the boardwalks of Coney Island and could easy be adorned for walking the boardwalks of Toronto. More men than women sported denim cut-offs fraying just above the knee, which is a nice change from the less fashionable board shorts and bathing suits men usually pass off for shorts. Women, as per the season, were showered in floral prints from their headscarves to their t-strap sandals. As well, white proved to be a reoccurring theme, keeping music lovers cool in the warm sun. However, one theme was prominent overall – the theme of comfort. And why shouldn’t it? All day in the sun in 30 degree weather is not the best playground for platforms and a black bodycon dress. It’s nice to see that some hipsters are opting for more body-friendly garments that allow them to breathe and move the way one should, especially at a summer music festival! Loose cottons, flowing dresses, and comfortable shoes are the way to go. Fashionistas: keep this kind of comfort in mind when travelling to the beach, a cottage, or a music festival. Comfort does not equal frump. It’s all in how you wear it. Look for relaxed garments in fun patterns, that way you will stay comfortable and still be up to date on the latest colour trends. It’s time to relax and enjoy the summer in comfort and style!

Summer living is easy and the wardrobe transition should be the same.  Here’s a guide of 10 must haves and simple swaps to get you beach ready for the rest of summer.

1.  Mini satchel

Instead of your usual carry all try switching to a small over the shoulder purse.  It lightens your load for hot days.  It’s best worn over the shoulder and slung across the body to rest on your hip.  The best part of the mini satchel is that the there is a different style for everyone this season.

2.  Hats

A stylish hat in a must have accessory.  It can shield UVB rays or simply cover up unruly hair.  A headscarf or floppy straw hat can be perfect for a day on the beach.  The fedora is still leading in the fashion world to complete an outfit.  But be careful, a hat can take over an outfit so it’s best to keep the rest of your look pared down.

3.  Wear white

This year wearing white can be a trend setting statement.  It is also reflective and perfect for staying cool when the temperate is too hot.  You can find a great white outfit for every occasion from going out with a few friends or going to an early meeting.  This year it’s best to pair it with a few neutrals instead of bold colours.

4.  Barely there flats

These minimal sandals really accent a long leg line.  They are just as comfortable as any other flat but their skinny straps and nude hues will offer a slimming effect.  Barely there flats go best with a pair of denim cut-offs and tanks for a busy day.

5.  Tie dye

When the waves are rolling in summer feels like one big beach party.  Bring that into your life with tie-dye.  Neons were on the runways this season.  For everyday wear it’s best to go with feminine silhouettes, cinched mini or a draped dress.  For a day with friends you could even make them yourself!

6.  Add Gold Accents

Adding gold accents can glam up a simple look.  This trend is inspired by the golden rays of the summer sun.  You can add these accessories on long summer nights while going out for cocktails or pair it with swimwear by the pool.  This look is done best with one or two bold pieces.

7.  Crops

Try rolling up trousers for an instant crop.  A great way to transition trousers from spring to summer.  You can pair them with any of your closet staples for an everyday look.  They are best worn with a pair of clogs and a loose tank.  Make sure to leave behind the heavier cottons and wools and choose linen and silks instead.

8.  Mazi dress

This is the easiest way to stay trendy in the summer with very little fuss.  This trend is here to stay.  The long flowing dresses can be equally flattering in bright solids or busy florals. Paired with flat sandals they are great for lunch dates but you can also dress up this look.  The shoes will determine the feel of your look.

9.  High waisted shorts

High waisted shorts are a summer mainstay that will maintain femininity.  They are feather-light and have a figure flattering shape.  Great for a day at the mall while paired with a light tee and a pair of wedges.

10. Cut outs.

When it gets too hot for clothes the perfect piece to wear is a cut out dress.  You will maintain your high fashion edge while you flash just the right amount of skin.  This look is done best with a knee-grazing hemline.

Without doing a wardrobe overhaul you can maintain your chic look this season.  Now it’s time to relax and bask in the sunshine!

Um…I do! And lucky for me (and the rest of you in the Toronto area) we have the opportunity to do so next Wednesday the 21^st at the Holt Renfrew on Bloor St! Although I don’t  expect we’ll become best friends and go out for lunch or something along those lines,  I can at least fantasize about that because Wang is only five years older than me (P.S. I’m 20 going on 21).

Even if you don’t love his menswear inspired, predominantly dark women’s wear, you have to give him credit for how far he’s come in such a short time. Especially considering the fact he launched his first collection three years ago and within that first year received a nomination from the Council of Fashion Designers of America for women’s wear and won $200,000 from CDFA/Vogue to further fund his fashion. That’s right, in twenty-three short years Alexander Wang launched his first collection, received immediate praise and then had three years to really establish his name in the fashion world. How many 26 year olds do you know that have gone that far in that short a time span?

To add to Wang’s bragging rights his first collection in 2009 went completely against his trademark dark aesthetic and showcased bright colours which were of course received with even more praise. So not only did Wang acquire international attention from the get-go and at a very young age he was already well received enough to be able to push the boundaries of his label and do so successfully.

If anything I would recommend going to Holt’s to meet Alexander Wang just in hopes of hearing him talk about how he was able to achieve so much so fast, whether you’re interested in a career in fashion or not! Of course, beyond meeting him to pick his brain and decide on a personal career path his clothes are extremely flattering and I am a big fan of his shoes. And who knows? Maybe he’ll see you try on one of his pieces, love how it looks, choose you as his new muse and we’re back to the BFF with Alexander Wang fantasy.

Ranging from little girls fantasizing about their big day all the way to middle aged woman seeking potential husbandry for reasons more than pretty flowers and tasty cake, marriage always seems to be on people’s minds. We’ve all thought about the prospect of marriage, especially in this day and age, when we no longer have to be legally bound to a man to gain approval from society. The rate of marriages has gone down since the nuclear family heyday of the 1950s (what with the threat of a looming divorce and heaps of paperwork) but many women – and men – still feel marriage is an important life step. So is wearing the right wedding dress.

The wedding dress is the part where a woman must not go wrong. It is the shining glory of her wedding day. It must transform her into the most beautiful princess and make her feel as though she is in a fairy tale. For many years, the Western World’s interpretation of the wedding dress (a classic white gown) has been a staple, varying slightly on neckline, cut, and hem. But now we are in a stage where it is no longer hip to stay inside the proverbial fashion box. Women these days want more. Designer Elie Saab can definitely help with that. His avant-garde wedding dress, pictured below, can definitely transport brides to another world. The trend is surfacing, one toward abstract, luxurious and avant-garde wedding dresses, and it is being fed by some very well known designers. In Fall 2009 Christian Lacroix premiered his contribution to this trend: a wedding dress with red and yellow notions and embroidery, reminiscent of an elaborate Geisha ensemble. As well, Chanel showed their own take on this trend via a tiered crinoline mini-dress with a train exploding from the underside. Today we’re free to explore our options in regards to marriage, and in regards to the shock value of our wedding dress. What fun!

Although owning a piece of Haute Couture from a line like Armani or Givenchy is but a pipe dream for most it doesn’t dampen our spirits. When the shows started I sat at my computer refreshing pages to get the latest pictures of the various lines and noticed a huge discrepancy across the Haute Couture field. One minute it was an item from Valentino that looked like it would be more suited for a Sci-Fi film than the runway and next were extremely tailored and very wearable pieces from Boucharra Jarrar and Chanel. Of course fashion is whatever one wants it to be, therefore all aspects of it are relative to what the designer wants to do, but I just wish that there was a clearer format, especially for Haute Couture.

As the name clearly explains, Ready to Wear is simple and lets you know what we should expect and perhaps that’s the beauty of it. Haute Couture could perhaps be full of ensembles one could only wear in a fantastical situation like a performance or a highly prestigious event while we leave all the get-ups that can be labelled “wearable” in any way to Ready to Wear. I’m sure this kind of thinking would be met with much controversy from the creative designers of the fashion world, but what I find very interesting about fashion is how intimidating so many people find it, so I am constantly looking for ways to make the whole experience more inviting.

From blogs that showcase real people, to those real people representing us at events we are making great strides in opening up the fashion world, but Haute Couture is that one area (which I’m sure is done purposely) that remains exclusive and confusing. Let’s clear up the air between Ready to Wear, Haute Couture and the general “us” and who knows, maybe one day refreshing web pages in anticipation of beautiful clothing will be an event also celebrated with vuvuzelas.

This past Monday, during Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011, Christian Dior designer John Galliano, delivered a dazzling showcase of his floral inspired collection, “La Ligne Florale.” Though the line itself is rather far from what we might expect to see in these colder seasons, Galliano proves that in the world of high fashion, anything goes and he does not disappoint. In creating this breathtaking garden of feminine delights, models were literally transformed into a bouquet of flowers in full bloom, tied up in the middle with florists’ raffia bows and topped off with cellophane wrappers as headpieces. To further bring this look to life models were dressed in a variety of massive ball gowns of petal-shaped tulle, chiffon and droopy lengths of silk,  cocktail dresses in cream and navy with upside down tulip shaped skirts in Ceylon blue. Full ballerina skirts were also featured in baby pink tulle paired with nip-wasted Bar jackets (Vogue).

“I wanted it to have poetic abstraction and spontaneity,” says Galliano—and that came across in a liberating lightness of touch executed with a brilliant flair for fabulously-chosen color-clashes (Vogue). Along with the vibrant colours of hand painted fabrics, bouncy skirts and strappy scandals, models eyes and lips were blooming with rich jewel tones, while their hair was swept up neatly in high exaggerated buns.  Based on the extravagant designs and overall exotic theme of this collection, not to mention the endless amount of man-hours that went into making the pieces by hand, it’s no wonder Haute Couture remains among the most expensive fashions in the world.

I could not love these designs more! Though they may not necessarily fit with our traditional notions of fall/winter wear, they are unlike anything I have seen before and really bring something new and exciting to fashion world, especially for these up and coming seasons. Oh how I wish I could be every flower in Galliano’s garden…

You may or may not have heard of Tavi Gevinson, young fashion blogger turned fashion wunderkind. Recently she was in Toronto for IdeaCity as one of the “Fifty of the planet’s brightest minds” which is pretty remarkable, but what makes it even more remarkable is that Tavi is 14 years old; she just celebrated a birthday this past April.

Since starting her blog Tavi has been the inspiration for Roadarte’s line at Target, appeared in and written for multiple magazines including TeenVogue and Vogue, and recently covered New York Fashion Week for Jeanne Beker while she was at the Olympics. Tavi’s out of these world opportunities are thanks to her blog which continues to grow. After receiving constant criticism due to her age a lot of attention was turned her way when she appeared on Fashion Television. Jokes that Tavi would be replacing Jeanne Beker popped up on the internet much to my amusement.

Tavi was told to pick three shows to cover for which she chose Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang and Y-3; solid choices for a 14 year old (13 at the time). Having watched Tavi’s interviews with the designers and her takes on the fashion lines I was blown away at how much she knows and her manner of speaking was so refreshing in comparison to the shrill and often ‘too much’ style of Jeanne Beker. Due to Tavi’s age designers want to take her under their wing in order to give her as many opportunities as possible which is another reason why her interviews are more interesting because that sense of guidance comes across. It gives fashion a more welcoming quality and a glimmer of hope shines through in this small knowledgeable, articulated young girl.

When I first saw Tavi on Fashion Television I was shocked that they would give so much responsibility to a child basically, but I am so glad that they did. If Tavi can walk into Alexander Wang wearing barely any real “designer” names and speak to designer and models alike on their level, then fashion really has no limits. That scary world that people build it up to be in their heads doesn’t exist. At the heart of it fashion is about passion and creativity which is often forgotten, so thank you Tavi Gevinson for reminding us why we love fashion.

It seems that not only has 3D become a major trend in films but now fashion as well. During this past fall’s fashion week in London, Burberry decided to take a rebellious approach and create a show in 3D. The outcome of the show was a five star reaction from the audience. In doing so Burberry has now become the first designer house to use 3D in their runway show. In London, the lucky first class members of the audience consisted of people such as Kate Hudson and Mary-Kate Olsen in the first row.

The 3D show was also in 2D for online audiences so that they could purchase the items as they were going down the runway. Burberry supplied footage of the show to the most fashion forward cities in the world such as New York, LA, Dubai, Paris and Tokyo. Guests at each show were given special 3D glasses, in order to see the colors and texture of the fabrics.

It’s evident that technology has found the ultimate niche use in the 21^st century in every aspect of working industries. Runway shows have grown from the late 40’s when they were in their infancy and barely noticed. Some of the initial steps in the evolution of the fashion show were now common place elements such as loud music, the backstage media and the massive amounts of people in the audience.  What we consider a standard fashion show is constantly evolving and Burberry has taken the next step in the evolution of the art form with their exceptional contribution.

“3D will bring out global audience into the London show space, allowing them to see the colour, fabrics and be a part of the moment when it all comes together.” Christopher Bailey Chief Creative Officer.

Madonna is releasing a new clothing line called “Material Girl”. It will be released on August 3rd to Macys stores and online. Lourdes, Madonna’s 13 year old daughter is putting a lot of say into this line. They have formed a company called MG ICON. Through this company the line is aimed towards 13-25 year olds and will produce apparel, footwear, handbags, and jewelry.

Madonna says it was fashion designer Stella McCartney who first encouraged her daughters design Talent when Lourdes was just 8. Although Lourdes has so much talent it is still her mom who is the fashion icon. Madonna is currently in Dolce & Gabbana’s spring/summer ads.

The ads for the line will begin to run in the next few days. There are also rumours that an unspecified celebrity will be appearing in them. Facebook and Twitter will also have “Material Girl” sites with more images and behind-the-scenes video.