Canadian Fashion: 10 Designers to Watch in 2012

Denis Gagnon closes LG Fashion Week Spring 2012 - photo courtesy Jenna Photography/FDCC

When it comes to getting dressed for every day, my uniform is far from haute;  Today, for example, I'm wearing a clearance-priced down puffer from Joe Fresh, a denim shirt from H&M, navy pants from Gap, sparkly silver loafers from ALDO and a bright enamel cuff that I got at the J.Crew outlet.  My splurges are few and far between but when I do decide to part with my hard-earned pennies, it's always with a great deal of care. Lately, I've made a personal commitment to try to add items from Canadian designers to my wardrobe, even if I can only do it once a year.  For a crash course on the ones to watch in 2012, check out my piece in iVillage.ca to get looped in.  Happy Friday, everybody!  Hope you're loving 2012 so far!

xo

Work It, Own It

Kristen Wiig & Maya Rudolph in Bridesmaids - photo courtesy Universal/Suzanne Hanover

GFast Leggings from GapFit's pretty new collection 

Along with the arrival of a brand new year, comes the possibility of a fresh start;  We vow to eradicate our naughty habits, to eat better, and almost always, to whip ourselves into shape.

With GapFit's gorgissima new athletic collection, I'm feeling awfully inspired to get back on that treadmill.  The high-tech line of tops, pants and jackets combines fashion with function to visually sculpt, lift and elongate the body.  (Does that mean I don't have to work out as much?)

The sporty collection features four way stretch fabrics, adjustable waistbands, hidden zip pockets and flat lock (read: chafe-free) seams.  The tops are made of 'Motion' fabric with wicking properties and ergonomic mesh panels to help your body breathe while you're breaking a sweat.  As someone who has trouble finding great workout bottoms, though, I'm definitely most excited about the pants - think sleek, flattering, body-hugging black beauties with a choice of yellow, orange or blue piping, to suit every one of my workout moods: gFast (for action), gBalance (for comfort), gFlex (for everyday), and gStretch (for lounging).  I'm so glad they've left room for lounging, aren't you?!

Find your perfect pair at Gap now - tops start at $34.95 and pants start at $39.50

For more pretty workout wear to pump you up in 2012, check out my article in iVillage.ca

Real Life Runway on CityLine

The name is way too long but, I love, love, love Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips.  If you haven't tried them, you must!

In case you missed it, check out my second appearance for iVillage.ca on CityLine!  The segment was all about stylish stocking stuffers for the mommy fashionista and though Christmas has come and gone, there are still some super fun little finds that I think you totally deserve to buy yourself.  I ended up buying three I Am T. Pain Mics as gifts over the holidays. Ridiculous!  What do you think I should pitch as my next segment on CityLine?  All ideas are up for consideration :) 

Orange You Glad It's 2012?

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Clockwise from top left:  Rain Boots, Gap, $54.95; Art Deco Earrings, H&M, $6.95; Colorblock Scarf, Gap, $29.95; Tunic Dress, H&M, $29.95; Striped Sweater, Reitmans, $46; Faux Leather Shoulder Bag, Le Château, $29.95; ToyWatch, The Bay, $260; Large Leather Travel Tote, Gap, $130; Beaded Necklace, H&M, $14.95 

Every January, I make a few style resolutions so I don't repeat mistakes I've made in previous years.  I promise myself that I'll stop buying black, that I won't buy clothes just because they're on sale and that I'll once and for all get rid of things that don't fit, don't flatter and don't make me feel fabulous.  No matter how steadfast my resolve, by February, I've usually committed a multitude of style sins with a safe, black pair of on-sale pants that don't really fit hanging guiltily in my closet.  The shame. 

One resolution I always manage to keep is to try out a colour that scares me a little.  Last year I succeeded big time by adding a bright yellow coat and a pair of bold red pants into the mix, and discovered that I actually loved wearing both.  

This year, Pantone, the world's leading authority on colour trends, has named 'Tangerine Tango' as THE colour of 2012.  With last year's 'Honeysuckle' supposedly encouraging us to face our everyday troubles with optimism, "Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward," declare the peeps at Pantone. 

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Orange, I've found, is a love-hate shade.  I know people who adore orange in all of its warm, brilliant shades, while others run screaming from the in-your-face hue;  I fall into the former camp.  I'll wear orange all year long but especially love it when the weather warms up with tan, gold, pink, purple, white and blue.  If you just can't handle all that Vitamin C, test out orange as an accent in a bag, watch or necklace.  And, if orange just really isn't your thing, fret not - simply check out Pantone for all of the other must-wear colours for 2012.

Will you dare to wear orange this year?

Tangerine Tango

After a brief (very brief) respite from shopping between Christmas and New Year's, my wandering eyes have landed on this orange crush-worthy blouse.  I spotted it at the Old Navy Spring 2012 preview last year and found it online today, and now it's absolutely official:  TOTAL must-have.  The tied-up hem, the drapey rayon fabric and the very of-the-moment colour (more on that tomorrow) will make this shirt a go-to in my wardrobe.  I'll pair it with khaki, brown, navy and white pants, or even as a cute little cover-up once pool season rolls around.  I'll add in bright pink costume jewels some days or classic gold on others and then I'll head to my nearest bar (likely the liquor cabinet in my house) for a good shot of Cointreau (the best way to get your Vitamin C in my totally uneducated opinion) Cheers to 2012!  Hope it's treating you perfectly so far! xo

The Tie-Hem Drape Blouse ($32.94) is available now at Old Navy stores nationwide or online here