Lew Kee strips down her edge

With Toronto LG Fashion week's Spring 2011 collections presented last week, I was surprised to see a particular designer on the list. Amanda Lew Kee is a Toronto born designer who recently graduated from Ryerson University's Fashion Design program. I knew of Amanda's name from a show I was in myself called Mass Exodus: In Bloom - which was Ryerson's end of the year showcase. Usually, it takes a lot more then a year out of fashion school to make it on the catwalks of Toronto Fashion week , but some how Amanda proved she was ready to display her talents to the big leagues. At 22, Amanda has dressed Shenae Grimes of 90210 for the 2010 MMVA's and has won many design competitions such as Holt Renfrew's annual showcase and Flare magazine's editorial competition in August 2010. Amanda is regularly known for her edgy, dark designs full glitz, glamor, and geometrical shapes. However, she stripped her Spring 2011 collection down to a more earthly, whimsical look. I'm not complaining, the outfits showcased were amazing, just not what everyone was expecting. With her models wearing blue lip stick and romantic high buns, it all worked perfectly with the simple earth toned outfits. Throughout the collection, she had a lot of natural sheer colors such as beige, pink, and blue, not to mention metallic fringes and exposed zippers. With her cool sense of street style, Amanda has done an amazing job for a recent fashion design graduate. She hopes to move her collection to Europe and have success in another part of the fashion world . I have no doubt in my mind that if she keeps up the hard work, we're going to be seeing her collections a lot more in the near future.

Text Jessica Moy

Matthew Williamson

Matthew Williamson has it all the clothes, the perfume, the bags, the bedding, the bridal, even the wallpaper and now, finally, not a moment too soon, the book. Not only this, but to coincide with the books release a exhibition has recently opened at London Somerset House which will display various aspects of this book through photography, quotes and video. The courtyard rooms of Somerset house will be brightened up this winter, with Williamson's vivid colors, embellishments and designs. Since graduating in 1994 from central St Martins his career has been watched and applauded by many of the industries key players, such as Anna Wintour. For an insight into the astonishing success of the Matthew Williamson brand or just the opportunity to view the archive up close and personal, running until January 2010 there is no excuses accepted.

Text Katriona Flynn

Ombre Beauty

The ombre trend surely isn’t new to any of us. In fact, I would probably say its been a bit overdone. I’ve seen everything from scarves to cardigans to jeans made with the unmistakable dark-to-light color fade, and I’m definitely guilty of purchasing quite a few of these items. Incorporating ombre into an outfit is a great way to make a simple color like black or gray seem unexpected and feminine, and it keeps many pieces from looking completely boring. What’s new this season isn’t the ombre pattern; it’s the fresh way it’s being used. Rather than applying it to clothing, it’s being used like crazy in the beauty world. It all began with ombre hair, which is dark at the roots, and lighter at the ends. If done poorly, it can just look like a dye job gone terribly wrong. However, when it’s done correctly, it looks incredibly chic. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the look is also extremely low maintenance. It requires very few touch-ups, since hair grows from the roots, which are usually left their natural darker color. In addition to being perfect for the less fussy fashionistas, it’s also a great option for those who are deciding between going brunette or going blonde. For redheads, it’s a great way to experiment with different hues without going too crazy. Celebrities Rachel Bilson and Sarah Jessica Parker both rock this trend the best, so if you’re interested in playing around with the ombre look, I would recommend looking at some pictures of them first. Don’t let ombre hair steal the show, though, because ombre lips and eyes are equally, if not more, statement making. To achieve either of these makeup looks, you’re going to need 2-3 different shades of the same color. For eyes, try black to grey to white for the perfect smoky look, or brown to gold to translucent to experiment with this season’s favorite palette. For lips, I love actress Emilie De Ravin’s version. She looks stunning with her lips lightly lined with a bright fuchsia, which then fades from rose to very light pink. The end result is gorgeous and is sure to draw attention to your favorite facial features. If you decide to try the ombre hair look, though, try to stay away from either one of these makeup looks- too much color fading is definitely overkill. I should also mention that you should steer clear of ombre clothing when you’re sporting these beauty looks, for the same exact reason. Other than that, there are no rules with this trend… just have fun!

By Ali Antonucci

Halloween: Ghouls, Goblins, and Sweet Costumes

Running out of cool Halloween costume ideas? Skip the "sexy cop" ensemble and try out some of these.

Justin Bieber: Get a swishy Beatles-mop wig, a pair of black jeans and a red leather jacket, then wait for a bunch of 13-year-old girls to start screaming and chasing after you.

Chick Magnet: Tape a bunch of Barbie dolls all over your clothes. Gotta love pun costumes.

Historic Figures: Try Marie Antoinette (big wig and flouncy dress), Betsy Ross (colonial bonnet and American flag), or Amelia Earhart (earflap hat and leather bomber jacket - hey, leather jackets are in style, so you'll wear it again). Historical costumes are doubly cool because you can look awesome and teach your friends a sweet history lesson.

Happy Halloween, lovely CHAOS readers!

Text Molly O'Brien

The Perfect Leather Shorts

Years ago, the term “city shorts” was coined when the fashion world introduced the idea that shorts don’t have to be retired once the weather starts cooling down. Ever since then, designers have been finding ways to reinvent what has now become a wardrobe staple. City shorts are looser, longer, and are meant to be paired with a pair of tights rather than simple bare legs. They are much more versatile than their super short summery relatives. As leather began making appearances in unexpected places like skirts and tops this season, it was bound to cross paths with the city short eventually. Once it did, it began popping up on more than just a few high-end designer runways. Since its debut, the leather trouser short has become one of the most coveted must-have items of the season. Whether your desired look is feminine, masculine, sexy, or sweet, leather shorts are versatile enough to cater to nearly everyone’s taste. Pairing them with black tights, booties, and a silk blouse is classic enough for the office yet sexy enough for a night on the town. Wearing them with high socks and a floral top will add the necessary punch to an otherwise overly feminine ensemble. It seems as though you simply can’t go wrong, and that if you haven’t already purchased a pair, you better get on it! However, the problem comes once you’ve made the decision to purchase the perfect pair. The best styles are by far the most expensive, and the discount store versions look way too cheap and  don’t sit right on the body. Buyers on a budget have spent months and months searching without success for an affordable pair that achieve the right look … until now. The second I stumbled upon Rachel Roy’s crinkled faux leather lady shorts ($99, www.rachelroy.com); I knew I had to have them. They are the only pair I’ve found thus far that is under $100 and still look just like the ones selling for thousands. They are high waisted, loose in the leg, and made with a light, crinkled faux leather that is still very high quality. I commend Rachel Roy for allowing girls with a realistic price range to obtain such a necessary item that’s just as good, if not better than, its competitors. Savvy shoppers, rejoice, because Rachel Roy’s leather shorts are within your reach! Go out and grab them now, though, before the word spreads and it’s no longer a well-kept secret. Trust me, they will sell out… they’re that good.

Text Ali Antonucci

Frieze

It is London's biggest contemporary art event and it all kicked off in the capital of creativity this week. Offering London, events, talks, workshops and art obviously. Additional music nights and 150 international galleries involved in the Frieze festival were not to be missed. Full of creative kinds, inspirational awe and supplying all the F's such as fun, fair, film etc, etc, the Frieze Fair may not have been free, or cheap, but it was without a doubt a value for money and a fine contradiction to the good old, 'best things in life are free' thought. What is so important about this event is the platform it supplies practicing homegrown and international contemporary artists. With the likes of the Frame section showcasing a number of galleries that are less than six years old and their solo artist presentations, the Frieze Fair is an exciting insight into contemporary art as it is right now.

Text Katriona Flynn

School's In

In recent People Doing Cool Things For A Cause news, we have RE:FORM SCHOOL, an event taking place last weekend throughout the St. Patrick's Old Cathedral School building in NYC. A combination art show/event series designed to raise awareness for American public school reform, there was everything from Shepard Fairey and Marc Ecko installations to a retro bake sale and a poetry slam workshop for kids by the WORLD UP Human Orchestra. Read more here, and on a similar note, go see Waiting For "Superman," a documentary on lagging public school education that came out on 10/8.

Text Molly O'Brien

Are You There World? It's Me, Facebook

Today's post is fairly simple. Do you use Facebook? Do you enjoy using it? Do you spend way too much time on it?

Go see The Social Network. Simple as that. If you're at all interested in the Internet, social networking, Ivy League schools, powerful people, nerds, business and commerce of any kind, or Justin Timberlake, you should go see the movie as soon as possible. It's one of the best I've seen this year.

If you're not down with shelling out twelve bucks for a movie ticket, just read this article on Napster and Facebook impresario Sean Parker in Vanity Fair.

Text Molly O'Brien

Teach Me How To Dungaree

Only a few still own a pair of flashy, 80's styled overalls. If you're that someone who still owns a pair, I commend you for your bravery. I do admit as a child, the overall was a staple to my wardrobe (thank goodness that stage has come and gone). However, I'm starting to second guess my doubts. I came across these non-denim dungarees and fell in love with the look. What do you think? Looks fabulous, right! The denim is replaced by cotton canvas or sweat pant materials, getting rid of the bulk and heaviness of the denim. To pull off the over all (no pun intended) cotton canvas look, you could add a thick strapped tank top underneath, a pair of chunky heels and a black leather jacket to match. The look gives off a casual yet SUPER fashionable impression whether it be at work or play. The sweat pant dungaree is no different, wearing a cropped t-shirt and platform boots is a cute day look that will get you plenty of deserved compliments throughout the day. The qualities I love most about these looks are the versatility and (no matter what) you always have to add your own flare. You could dress it up with heels and chunky jewelry or dress it down with a small coat and colorful socks. The look is unstoppable and has us believing the overall, ain't so over after all!


Text Jessica Moy

Breast Cancer Beauty

Although many of us don’t need any persuasion to add a little pink to our cosmetic cases, the fact that this month is Breast Cancer Awareness month is certainly a good excuse. From pretty smelling perfumes to ultra hydrating moisturizers to rosy-hued nail polishes, there’s an opportunity for women of all sorts to rally for the cause (and to look cute while doing so). About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer sometime in her life, and it is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths among women in the United States. These statistics may seem scary, but there is something that each and every one of us can do to help. There are countless designers, both in fashion and beauty, who are putting out special breast cancer related products this month. When you purchase these items, you aren’t just buying something representative of the cause- most brands actually donate a certain amount of the profit to breast cancer research, treatment, and/or foundations. While it’s super nice to go out and buy each and every pink ribbon beauty product on the market, not everyone has that in their budget. However, pretty much everyone does have one or two products that they either desperately need or that they know they are running a little low on. So, a great way to help without dishing out extra cash is to take inventory of your beauty products. If you see that your favorite bottle of pink nail polish is nearing empty, run out to the closest drugstore and opt for OPI’s “NAILED IT Pink of Hearts” rather than your usual shade. It will only set you back $7.50, and by purchasing it; you’ll help contribute to their promised $25,000 donation to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Say you’re all stocked up on your essential products, but you’re looking for a little variety. I’d suggest hitting up Sephora for their SEPHORA COLLECTION Makeup Palette To Go, or DKNY’s Be Delicious Coffret. The makeup palette includes eight eye shadows, four lip-glosses, and blush… all in the most sought after shades. The perfume coffret offers four miniature bottles of the uber-popular scents “be delicious” and “be delicious fresh blossom” by DKNY. Other pink ribbon must-haves include Este Lauder’s lipstick trio, Avon’s luxurious foot cream, the ConairPRO ceramic and ionic hairdryer, Gillette’s Venus Embrace Pink Razor, Sonia Kashuk’s essential brush set, and the makeup artist must-have BeautyBlender sponge set.

Of course, there are hundreds more amazing options, so feel free to choose whichever products fit your lifestyle. At the end of the day, what really matters is where the proceeds go. Knowing that you’re contributing to such an important cause will make you feel just as good as the products you buy will make you look.

By Ali Antonucci

The Optimal Illusion

If you’re lucky enough to be below a size 4, the fashion world is your playground. You’re able to pull off practically any trend, whether it’s cropped t-shirts, silk shorts, or the newly coveted denim leggings. However, you are also the minority. While skinny jeans have become a wardrobe staple, they are definitely not universally flattering. This season, many designers have noticed the issue- and have actually done something about it. Hallelujah! Finally, there is a jean that has the potential to look good on any body type. No, I’m not talking about the mysterious pair of Levi’s from “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”. What I’m referring to is the new style being embraced by the biggest names in denim, the skinny bootcut. It is, essentially, what it sounds like. The jean hugs the thighs without suffocating them, and then flares slightly just below the knee. I kid you not when I say these jeans are miraculous. Not only do they have a great slimming effect, but (unlike previous bootcut styles) these can also easily be tucked in to your favorite pair of fall boots without the bulk of extra fabric around your calves. Skinny bootcut jeans also look great with heels, flats, and flip-flops. All in all, they are the perfect everyday jean. For a cute daytime look, try styling a pair in a medium to dark wash with a neutral sweater and platform clogs. If you’re more of a party animal, wear a pair of skinny bootcut jeans in a super dark wash with a flirty silk top and your absolute favorite pair of heels. Embrace this season’s trends by tucking these jeans into a pair of military inspired lace-up booties, dressing them up with a faux-fur jacket in a leopard print, or by picking a 70’s inspired pair with more of a flared leg. No matter how you choose to wear them, these jeans will look just as good as your standard skinny jeans, if not better.

By Ali Antonucci

Villagers

When Conor J O'Brien opens his mouth and sings, time stands still, for a minute ... or three. It is wonderful and it appears so is O'Brien. From the moment he becomes visible he is captivating and it would take a soul a lot stronger than me to resist the pull of his charm. O'Brien also known as Villagers is like a lost storyteller from a different time, layered on beautiful melodies he speaks of ships and the sea and the main streets. He tells intriguing tales, and his words build stories of love lost and found, of lust and hurt, and destruction, and hope, there is, it seems, always a sense in the darkest of rhymes a glimmer of hope. When a stage in London's King Cross met Villagers they were in for a treat, as were the audience. And on a crisp October Tuesday with the first signs of Winter safely in place, not a member of the congregration could have gone home unimpressed, I am sure of this.

By Katriona Flynn

All Around the Mulberry Bush...

….the monkey chased the weasel; the monkey thought ‘twas all in fun…POP goes the weasel! Until I sat down to write this post I had completely forgotten about how often I used to sing that as a kid (fairly frequently if I remember correctly). Now that I remember though, enough about my childhood antics. The real point of this post, though you may think it is to reminisce about the good ol’ days, is to make you aware of the Mulberry for Target collection that will launch on October 10th. The English luxury handbag house, which, according to creative director Emma Hill is neither uptight nor self-conscious (but can we really believe her?), promises to debut an affordable line that echoes the brand’s funky style and character. It is appropriate then, that this special collection will feature a large satchel in pink leopard print. Whether you plan to take the bags to work or out on the town, the Mulberry for Target collection does not disappoint.

Text Jessica Best

McQueen Lives On

Once a legendary designer passes away, speculators always question whether the aesthetic will ever live up to its namesake. As a result, one can only assume the pressures felt by Alexander McQueen's creative director, Sarah Burton, as she displayed the Spring 2011 collection this week in Paris. After the late Alexander McQueen committed suicide in February, whispers surfaced on how the design house was going to survive. No one has McQueen's style, thought process, or how to make the world stop and wonder at his well-known designs. As hard as it is to live up to a legend, Burton put those doubters to rest as the collection left myself (and everyone in the fashion world) speechless. Burton kept the avant-garde beauty while softening the outfits with a whimsical element of her own. The collection featured long feathered gowns, hand-painted leather butterfly dresses, intricate gold detail on the accessories, and basket woven hair. My favorite outfit was the white halter dress with the golden leaf belt and gray faded print on the hem. The dress was almost hypnotic - it moved with the model while having great detail, style and wearable quality. Fashion Director of the Daily Telegraph, Hilary Alexander tweeted: "Sensational collection...Raffia , leather, feathers tailcoats, poppy prints. Awesome. Legacy lives on." It's peaceful to know that McQueen's design house lives on through Burton. Now, the future of the fashion world will continue to be stunned, fascinated, and taken back by any collection the design house of Alexander McQueen creates.

Text Jessica Moy

A-Z

Forget British Vogue, Elle and Tatler, the London A-Z is truly the only style Bible that Londoner and their trendy visitors literally cannot live without. It comes in big, small and teeny and it's cover is graphic typography at its best, being recognizable, cherished and a sort of super model among type faces if you like. Its little wonder in this case that the story behind the A - Z is as sensational as the book itself. In 1936 a women called Phyllis Pearsall walked every street in London to complete it. And why? She was frustrated getting lost on her way to parties. As simple but essential as that. So it therefore is fitting and timely that with the little book of streets playing still such a significant role in the location of parties (amongst other things). That bookbinder Rachel Hazell would celebrate Pearsall as part of the London Design Festival. Hazell swamped under grids , maps and place names making badges, letters and old maps. A-Z Heaven.

By Katriona Flynn

Spring's New, Cropped Cut

This summer, fashion brought new life to old trends, one of the most popular being cropped clothing. Crop tops, cropped trousers, and now, cropped hair. While the pixie cut has been around for quite some time, it’s never seemed so fresh or unexpected. Models such as Agyness Deyn and celebrity muses like Michelle Williams have had us loving shorter hair for a while now, but the rendition that supermodel Carmen Kass debuted on the Balmain runway in Paris is something we haven’t quite seen before. Kass, the face of Michael Kors, is known for her long, lustrous blonde locks, so the simple act of removing so much length caught may people off-guard. However, unlike the cropped cuts of the past, Kass’ new ‘do was sultry rather than spunky. Instead of cutting it super short, stylist Sam McKnight chose to give the Estonian beauty a more androgynous look. Opting for long, undone layers in the front, the cut gets shorter and more structured as it reaches the back of the neck. Many have started calling it the “backwards mullet”, but not a single person has seen the look without singing its praises. This hairstyle truly accentuates the trends of the season, as it gives off a more rugged, androgynous feel without losing its femininity. The best thing about this style is not just that it’s unexpected, but it is unbelievably versatile. It can add toughness to the sweetest floral frock, keep things casual with cargo skinnies or basic denim, and will complete a look rather than compete with it. Of course, just like any other haircut, it is better suited for certain face shapes. However, the look is spreading like wildfire, so any stylist should be able to see a picture and create a custom version for each individual client. With that said, no one should dodge the cut in fear that it will look too harsh. It’s daring, yes, but the long layers will accentuate feminine features and make anyone’s bone structure appear more defined- something that “too short” styles fail to do. After seeing this look pop up more than once at several different shows throughout fashion week, it’s safe to say that “the Carmen” just may be the must-have hairstyle this spring.

By Ali Antonucci

To Facebook Or Not To Facebook?

If you're looking for a quick laugh, check out writer Sarah Schmelling's hilarious Facebook-inspired interpretation of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Entitled "Hamlet (Facebook News Feed Edition)" and originally published in McSweeney's in 2008, NPR has republished it for our viewing delight. A sampling:

"The king poked the queen.
The queen poked the king back.
Hamlet and the queen are no longer friends.
Marcellus is pretty sure something's rotten around here.
Hamlet became a fan of daggers."

Read it in full here.

Text Molly O'Brien

I Want To Ride My Bicycle

Brains are funny things; no thought ever comes to fruition without connecting to a hundred other little thoughts. I was thinking about biking the other day and how it was one of the first fashionable "green" things to do. Then I came across this article about People's Revolution public relations maven Kelly Cutrone and her Sunday routine, which of course involves biking. Cutrone bought bikes for all the girls who work in her office and calls biking "a perfect combination of eco-warrior, cardio, cool girl, and danger."

Then came the discovery of Bike Snob NYC, a collection of clever musings (and the occasional rant) about biking in New York, everything from complaining about SUVs parking in bike lanes to mocking ridiculous bicycle inventions like "Bike Shelves." Funny and informative: just about anything you could ask of a blog!

See how my mind works? Guess bikes were really on the brain today.

Text Molly O'Brien

Trick or Treat

A while ago I posted about the wonderfully chic and feel good “FEED Guatemala 3” bag, created by FEED Projects in support of the country’s female artisans (who hand make the bags) to provide funding which helps UNICEF supply micro nutrient supplements to the children of Guatemala. Just in time for Halloween and in honor of the 60th anniversary of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, Lauren Bush, model and former president George W. Bush’s niece, has worked with UNICEF on an adorable tote to hold your stash of goodies ($13.20). What’s more, an additional $3.50 will be donated to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF by HSN for every bag purchased on hsn.com. Once again FEED Projects proves that fashion and philanthropy go hand in hand.

Text Jessica Best