Yves Klein Blue

 

Hoot Bootie, ALDO, $110 

Jason Wu and Thakoon Fall 2011 - photos via style.com             

 

Blue Venus by Yves Klein 

1969 Mid-Weight Legging Jeans, Gap, $79.95 

 

Yves Klein Monochrome 

 Portrait of Yves Klein

 

Tulip Dress, Zara, $119

Images "© Yves Klein, ADAGP, Paris", via yveskleinarchives.org

Everyone's going mad for Yves Klein these days.  In his very short career, The French artist (1928-1962) made invaluable contributions to the art world;  he was the leading member of 'Nouveau Réalisme' and, most notably, for his International Klein Blue. IKB is a saturated cobalt blue that Klein specially formulated for his own artwork, reminiscent of the lapis lazuli used to paint the Madonna's robes in medieval paintings.

Though Klein had  worked with blue throughout his career, it wasn't until 1958 that he used it exclusively.  For one of his gallery openings in Paris, 1001 blue balloons were released and blue postcards were sent out using IKB stamps that Klein bribed the postal service to accept as legit.  His penchant for performance art even had him using women as paintbrushes;  Klein painted models' naked bodies with IKB paint and had them walk, roll and sprawl upon blank canvases.  I've seen the videos - a little odd, but it was the sixties, so I guess that explains it?

Yves Klein was an all-or-nothing kind of guy and after all that blue, he decided to abandon colour altogether (see The Void) but designers this season have brought back YKB in a big way, with jackets, pants and skirts saturated in the deep, vivid hue.  I think it's the perfect way to inject some colour into your fall wardrobe.  Magnifique!

The days are getting shorter, summer's coming to an end, and I desperately need a little vacay.  So, unless they announce a Marc Jacobs for Zellers line or Rachel Zoe decides to give me her wardrobe, I'll be taking the week off to drink rosé, read my September issues and play, play, play.  Fashion can wait (for a week, anyway...)

Oh, but before I go, thanks to EVERYONE for entering my J.Crew contest.  The response was insane, esp. by the Twitter-verse.  I had no clue that people had such a voracious appetite for contests.  These women are full-out intense, in an Yves Klein-y kinda way.  Bravo!  Just drew the name and the winner is....SANDY AVVARI! Will put your treats in the mail this weekend.

Happy last weekend of August to you all!

xo

A Shot of Cognac

See by Chloé Fall 2011 Lookbook - photo courtesy chloe.com

Originally posted in The CLOSET

When it comes to the finer things in life, be it junk food, alcohol or parties, its always good to practise moderation.  As I found out the hard way when I binged on a tray of my roommate's baclava after doing too many shots of Killer Kool-Aid at a frat party, you can have too much of a good thing.   

Turns out the 'little goes a long way' mantra holds true with fashion,too.  Take cognac, for example:  the rich colour from head-to-toe could easily overwhelm, making you look like Zac Efron; the richness and strength of the hue calls for a more understated approach.  Just a dose of cognac in a shoe, bag or blazer is enough to add depth and warmth to any of your neutral fall pieces.  I'm in love with the styling at See by Chloé (French design house, Chloé's more affordable line).  The white, black, grey and camel separates might look a little safe (read:  boring) on their own but add a little cognac accent and the whole outfit gets ramped up to an entirely new level.  Like the shy dude who just needs a little shot of liquid courage to take the karaoke mic, every girl's (and guy's, for that matter) fall wardrobe would benefit from a little cognac accent.

Want a little taste?  Click on the thumbnails below to check out some decadent (but wonderfully affordable) cognac finds  (N.B - RLR does not endorse binge drinking, binge eating or binge partying...unless absolutely necessary) 

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Fly Me to the MOON

       Serious sibling revelry here:  Tamara and Jordin Mimran, the refreshingly friendly design duo behind The Bay's MOON Apparel - photo courtesy MOON                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Models show off MOON's Fall/Winter Collection to a snap-happy crowd - photos by RLR

Leigh Lezark and Geordon Nicol of The Misshapes.  I have yet to see their teeth. Photo courtesy MOON.    

 A tableau of pretty young things, ready to tackle fall in style.   Photo by RLR.  

 

Clearly, Leigh Lezark does not find me amusing.   Photo by RLR.

Two of my favourite looks of the night.  Photo by RLR.

A well-dressed crowd celebrates MOON's 1st anniversary and menswear debut.  Photo by RLR.

 Images from MOON's Fall 2011 Campaign - Photo courtesy MOON Apparel

Seems like everything the Mimran family touches turns to fashion gold.  Whether Joe, Kimberley or Saul, the whole fam seems to have that rare knack of melding smart business sense with creative vision.

Tamara and Jordin Mimran, Saul's kids, hosted MOON's 1st Anniversary party and its first foray into menswear last Thursday night, with a presentation of their new fall/winter collection.  The brother-sister duo have worked closely with their dad and Alfred Sung to create an accessible line of modern classics for young urbanites, proving that the new generation of Mimrans is poised for more Canadian fashion domination.  I made my way to Malaparte, super curious to see what the brand has in store for the new season.  Too-cool-for-school D.Js Leigh Lezark and Geordon Nicol of the Misshapes spun (?) chilled-out tracks, while the fashion crowd happily mingled away.  Models lined up, men first, ladies next, posing on a podium in front of a massive yoga-ball, perhaps trying to tout the benefits of a balanced lifestyle... Oh wait, that was a MOON you say?!  Those Mimrans are so smart!  

The menswear line was a mix of modern outerwear, merino wool knits and tailored separates.  Stand-outs for me included the military-inspired pieces and quilted black blazer ($89).  It was a safe but solid first collection and I really hope they push the envelope even more next season.

Womenswear is where MOON really hit its stride with 70s-inspired pieces, refined military looks and a covetable collection of knits.  I was excited to see that MOON has its own pretty version of the season's must-have navy lace dress ($89).  My favourite look of the night?  A navy lace skirt ($75) paired with an oversized plunge-neck sweater.  I'll definitely be hitting up MOON for its mohair sweaters and knit dresses this fall.    

MOON Apparel is sold exclusively at The Bay stores nationwide.  Prices range from $19 - $175.  For more images, videos and product info, check out moonapparel.ca

A J.Crew Giveaway

The Blythe Shirtdress with Marc Jacobs-esque polka-dot tights, photo by Johanna Simmonds

Over the weekend, Canadian shoppers have been tweeting, posting and clenching their credit cards in frustration over J.Crew's inflated prices since the brand launched its first Canadian store last week.  Though the in-store prices have only gone up about 15% compared to the U.S. (in my mind, not super significantly), the increased duties and taxes on the website have pushed up prices by as much as 50%. 

So, what's a preppy-chic out-of-Toronto girl to do?  Boycott?  Suck it up?  Or will you resign yourself to having to continue your cross-border treks? Personally, I'll be making the trip to Yorkdale Mall and paying the extra 15% - so much better than dealing with crusty border guards.  As promised, here are my top 10 J.Crew must-have's right now.

If you love J.Crew, you'll be excited about this:  I'm giving away my amazing swag bag from last week's launch party, duty-free, natch.  Want in on the action?  Simply tell me your fave J.Crew find or RT @realliferunway with 'J.Crew Swag Bag Giveaway' to win.  I'll draw the winner this Friday.  Bonne chance!

xo 

Inside J. Crew's Toronto Launch

Lulu Frost for J.Crew resin and crystal bangles and pendants.  Love, love, love.  

Yorkdale's super cute J.Crew staff - quick to lend a hand or an Italian-made shoe.

The 'Minnie' in Vibrant Flame - the pant that unquestionably got the most grabs that night; pretty scarves in fall's favourite hue; an owl that I wanted to take home, but didn't; silky socks and tights in every colour   

A eager-to-please waiter with spiked lemonade.  Drinking + Shopping = Good Times 

Clockwise from left: Jo looking saweeet in her lemon-yellow skirt; turquoise chains; chic PR people rocking some great high-low looks; Jo with her swag bag and scarf; lemons, before they were made into spiked lemonade.  Photos by Johanna Simmonds (except for the ones of Johanna Simmonds - she's good but not that good)

I normally like to post pics in black & white because, somehow, black & white always makes everything look more sophisticated.  And yet, when it comes to J. Crew, everything looks so much better in colour.  Jenna Lyons hosted the J.Crew Canadian launch party at Yorkdale Mall on Wednesday night and Jo and I got a sneak peek at the new store.  There are plenty of beautiful buys to be had and though I played the hater before, they totally made me a believer.  Prices were pretty much on par with the U.S, the merchandise was classic but totally modern and everything felt super luxe.  Or was it all that spiked lemonade that made it all seem so appealing?  The only thing I still can't wrap my head around is the price of their shoes.  Sure, they're made in Italy and are completely gorge, but a lot of them are over $200.  I just wouldn't...would you?

Have you checked out the new store?  Do you have any reasons left to cross-border shop?  Oh, and BTW, if you don't live near Toronto, have you heard that J. Crew is offering $9.95 flat-rate shipping anywhere in Canada?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts.  Be back a bit later with my top 10 must-have's and a fun giveaway.

Now, off to try on my Minnies and prepare my 3-year-old's b-day dinner request:  PC Macaroni, warmer milk and cotton candy ice-cream.  Is it bad that I'm excited for dinner?  Click thumbnails below for more party pics:

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