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