Oakridge Style

Spring 2010 fashion weeks showed a rainbow of color on faces. In New York, a few of our favourite designers deserve mention. In Milan and Paris, different looks were everywhere–but highlighting one feature was tops. 

New York
A rainbow of colours set off eyes at Derek Lam
Bursts of color were wrapped in hair at Zac Posen
Rodarte created tribal art-inspired body paint
Geisha-inspired makeup complimented the collection at Marc Jacobs
Tuleh showed rosy faces
Tommy Hilfiger did dreamy blowouts 

Milan and Paris
Balenciaga did neon and tribal influenced eyes
Charcoal, smoky eyes were sultry at Lanvin
Glossy, red-hot lips shone at Prada
Plum kisses put purple in the spotlight at Bottega Veneta
Hair was frizzy at Etro, and even bigger–in full afros–at Louis Vuitton

Get the Look
Ask the pros at Murale or MAC for tips on how to pull this look off, and what beauty products will work best for you.

LET’S HEAR IT
Highlight one feature or all?

While watching the shows for Spring 2010, we noticed something about the hair. Whether slicked back or poofed up, it was wet–or at least cleverly disguised as damp. Whether combed back at Jen Kao and rag & bone, parted down the centre at Marc Jacobs, or pulled back into updos at Chado Ralph Rucci and Zac Posen, the designers sent models down the runway with hair loaded with product. Considering the trend for your own new look?

Consider these 5 dos and donts.
Do: pair slicked-back pony tails and updos with thick-rimmed glasses and tailored jackets

Don’t: match long, wet-look tresses with anything you’d wear to the office

Do: risk envious stares while parading the sidewalk with wet-look, just out of the shower, loose ‘dos matched with casual, highly stylish gear

Do: strut your stuff in elegant evening wear made sexier: dry hair made wet from forehead to ear tips

Don’t: make it obvious. This look is all about wet, not weighed down with product

Get the Look
Get your runway-inspired ‘do, or simply the one that’s just right for you, at Botticelli for Hair or Hennessey Salon and Spa

LET’S HEAR IT
What would you pair with wet-looking hair?

Valerie Tiu

Black is back. If you were at this year’s Oakridge Fall Fashion Affair, you may have noticed an absence of colour, but make no mistake: a little hint never hurt anyone. Colour is not just a way to liven up an ensemble. It can also enhance your features, express your personality, and create a style statement. 

Fall 2009 runways–from Dolce and Gabbana to Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior to Versace–all featured pops of colour. The hot trend for fall is colour blocking, a la Marc Jacobs, and mixing brights to contrast with stark shades (think Gucci and Louis Vuitton). This trend is great for those that may typically shy away from colour or, if you’re like me, have a wardrobe full of black.

Check out Crisca, Femme De Carriere, Jacob and Teenflo (pictured) for some stylish separates that can be easily mixed with basic dark pieces. All of these retailers are also great for classics like pencil skirts and trousers.

The key colour of the catwalk was most certainly red, in any shade: cherry, burgundy, scarlet and crimson. This classic hue was showcased with head-to-toe ensembles, simple pops of colour on accent pieces, and beautifully-mixed textures. My dream look for fall consists of a cherry red knee-length sheath dress, scarlet double-breasted funnel neck coat, and dark shades from DKNY–along with black thigh-high boots from Browns–very classic, sleek and mysterious.

Cool shades of purple, blue and emerald, and warm tones like orange, yellow and pink, were all seen as perfect accents on avant garde accessories, unique headpieces and fierce footwear. Just remember to choose colours that work well with your skin tone and flatter your figure. Aldo, Coach and Blue Ruby are sure to satisfy your colour craving with their charming bangles. Nine West, Ingledew’s and Jwalk also have fabulous footwear in a wide-range of palettes.

Yes, these famous faces, seen stalking down the runway in everything completely gorgeous–or is it that they are, and so the looks seem that way?–are really, truly Canadian. Watch for them on the hottest magazine covers and in the world’s fashion capitals.

Top Famous Canadian Faces

1. Heather Marks
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
Claim to fame: debuted at the spring Givenchy couture show in Paris

2. Jessica Stam
Birthplace: Kincardine, Ontario
Claim to fame: uber photog Steven Meisel’s muse

3.Coco Rocha
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Claim to fame: Doing an Irish jig down the runway at Jean Paul Gaultier

4.Linda Evangelista
Birthplace: St. Catharines, Ontario
Claim to fame: Chopping her hair into a crop, causing cancellations from all important runway shows that season, and then shooting her to fame as the face of Versace

5.Lisa Cant
Birthplace: Alberta
Claim to fame: Walked Fall shows for Chanel, Christian Lacroix, Marc Jacobs, Nina Ricci, Dolce & Gabbana, and many others in February 2004

6.Daria
Birthplace: Poland, but moved to Mississauga, Ontario at age 3
Claim to fame: Holds the record for opening and closing the most shows in one season

LET”S HEAR IT
Which face is your fave?

Give all the credit (or blame, your choice) to Marc Jacobs. He’s been called the most influential fashion designer in the world, and is known as the go-to for trends to come. The Marc brand of cool always has outsider undertones–loved of course, by the ultimate fashion insiders. So we’re giving him all the credit for the sudden rise of bunny ears being spotted on celebs, designers, and pop stars. First debuted in the Fall 2009 Louis Vuitton ad campaign, the bumpy head gear is now popping up at award shows, parties, and on magazine covers.

Bunny Ears Spotting

1. Madonna, in the Louis Vuitton Fall 2009 campaign
2. Madonna, in Louis Vuitton ears, at the Met Gala
3. The Olsen twins, in lace versions by Maison Michel, at the Opening Ceremony party in Japan
4. Lady Gaga, in a set also by Maison Michel, on the cover of the September issue of NEO2.

Get the Look
Find your own hair accessories at Aldo, and The Bay.

LET’S HEAR IT
Bunny ears. Take ‘em or leave ‘em?