Shape of Things to Come - Fashion Weekly Toronto

August 18, 2008 ISSUE 4
GROUP OF 7
A Spotlight on rising
Canadian Designers
SEVEN LOUNGE
A Sinful Experience
Shape of
Things to Come
Fall 2008 Coat Preview
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Farhan Zaidi ([email protected])
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sakina Khawaja ([email protected])
EDITOR Lora Maghanoy ([email protected])
WEB DEVELOPER Mohsin Khurshid ([email protected] )
GRAPHICS AND LAYOUT Dominique Patafio and Jiajia Ding ([email protected])
PHOTOGRAPHY Angela Y. Martin for AYM Photography and Alex Julian
EDITORIAL INTERNS Amanda Bloye, Stephanie Trendocher, Ainsley Graham, Vanessa Burka and
Hiba Khawaja ([email protected])
EVENTS TEAM Susan Nick and Amelia Delva ([email protected])
PR INTERNS Aisha Syed, Lisa Renard and Joanna Pallotta ([email protected])
MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS INTERNS Caroline Iwanowski and Cassandra Ray
([email protected])
August 18, 2008 ISSUE 4
AT HOME
Baby Boundaries: How to Baby-Proof Your
Home
Kitchen Couture
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Road Trip Ready: A How-To Guide to Life
on the Road
CITY CHIC
Canada’s Group of 7
Fash On…
Shape of Things to Come
INTERNATIONAL STYLE
Viktor & Rolf: The Fashion & Art Hybrid
YOUR BODY, YOUR BEAUTY
Fabulous Finger Tips
For the cover look see P. 16
For this pages look see P. 13
Life After The Knife: Living With A
Cosmetic Surgery Mishap
FASHION WEEKLY. STYLE YOUR LIFE.
Fashion Weekly (FW) founded in 2008 is the birth of a brand new concept
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basis, we are consistently up-to-date on all the latest news in the fashion
and lifestyle world. We focus on delivering the best coverage on the ‘tres
magnifique’ trends worldwide as well as right here in our glamorous and
eclectic city of Toronto.
FW is your credible source for all things style related. We are dedicated
to offering you, our readers, the very best in fashion, homes, health and
beauty, travel and much more– making it easy for you to ‘style your
life.’
Fashion Weekly covers a wide range of subject matter that is relevant to a
wide demographic – reporting on stories that originate right here at home
and around the world. With a group of dynamic and fresh minds at work,
our staff guarantees to offer you a glimpse into the chic world of fashion
and lifestyle every week and keep you wanting more every time!”
August 18, 2008 ISSUE 4
WEEKLY LIFESTYLE
A Sinful Experience: Seven Lounge
Today’s Technology: Necessary or too Overthe-Top?
CELEBRITY BUZZ
The Cost of Fame
IN THE INDUSTRY
Most Fashionable Olympics Yet?
GREEN LIVING
CNE 2008: Green Zone
CONTACT US
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M5V 2E7
Telephone: 416.722.2757
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For this look see P. 14
At Home
Baby Boundaries
How to Baby-Proof Your Home
BY VANESSA BURKA, FW Writer
Some call it the happiest moment in their life and
others regard it as gift. Though having a baby
comes with all sorts of fun, the transition from
non-parent to parent is often a stressful one. On
top of all the excitement, lay important decisions.
Responsibilities change overnight and before you
know it, a whole new world at floor level is about
to be inspected.
Before having any kids, you probably
considered your home to be rather safe, but add a
kid or two to the equation, and suddenly even the
safest of homes becomes a danger zone.
Keith Justice, General Manager Safety
Superstore in Oakville, Ontario, says that a
parent should start looking into baby proofing
the home well in advance before the child is born.
“We recommend that new mothers and
fathers come in well in advance of the birth of
the child,” says Justice. “A big problem is that
there tends to be an overload of information that
they need to address and this can become a little
overwhelming.”
Times have changed and products have
urbanized. For even an experienced parent, its
mind boggling how much household checking
needs to be done throughout the first few years of
the child’s life.
Below is a mélange of the obvious and the
not-so-obvious baby proofing checks for the
home:
Outlets
Outlets can be dangers places for curious little
fingers. As oppose to the normal outlet plugs,
companies have come out with new protectors
designed with a sliding outlet door. The door
automatically slides closed when not in use.
These new outlet covers are specially engineered
to reduce the risk of accidental electrical shock.
5•
FASHION WEEKLY
Photo courtesy of Morguefile
Foam Edge Bumpers
Chances are you never thought about how
dangerous your coffee table was until you saw
your baby almost collide with one of its sharp
corners. Fortunately, corner guards provide a
simple way to stop this dangerous problem. The
soft padding acts as a cushion against a babies
tumble and helps protect from injury.
Cupboard Locks
Because most cupboards are at eye-level with
babies, keeping them inaccessible is the smart
idea. Magnetic locking devices are now available
to use for cabinets or drawers, prohibiting access
to toxic cleaning supplies or other dangerous
household items.
Window Locks
To avoid a baby from pushing open a window,
these locks prevent them from fully opening.
At Home
Safety Gates
Cord Shortener
Safety gates can be fitted across the entranceway
to a room or a staircase. Portable travel gates
are also available and can be very useful when
visiting friends and family.
Your little one may take an interest in the cords
running along the walls in your house; therefore
a cord shortener would be of good use, as they
help to protect children from playing with or
tripping over excess electrical cord.
Blind or curtain cords can be dangerous
around a baby, so it is important to ensure that
they are tied up and kept away from reach.
Stove Guards
When working around the kitchen, it’s smart
to ensure that there’s a dependable safeguard
between your child’s fingers and the hot stove.
The durable shield helps protect tots from
reaching hot burners, pots and pans handles and
utensils placed on the stove top.
Foam Tiles
While learning to walk and crawl, babies are
often bound to tumble, slip or fall. To keep them
from injury, foam tiles have been designed made
of cushiony density, non-toxic and water proof
foam.
There are now a plethora of products on
the market to consider when baby proofing your
home. Although, the safety suggestions listen
above are only a handful of the many precautions
to take out there, it is important to do your
research so you can provide a safe home for your
child.
Baby proofing is never a substitute for adult
supervision. It’s all to be used in conjunction
[with] adult supervision,” says Justice. “It is just
to help make adults lives a little bit easier and
comfortable.”
Kitchen Couture
BY AMANDA BLOYE, FW Writer
There are fewer rooms in a home that generate
more traffic than the kitchen. Whether it’s a
quick bite to eat on your way out, a nice sit-down
meal with family or friends, or a place to read,
work and study, the kitchen is the go-to living
space in any home. Here, FW has compiled a
few tips on how to style your space and retain
maximum efficiency without breaking your back
or your wallet.
The Eco-Eatery
Throughout the last few years it seems as though
everyone is making the move towards a greener
lifestyle. While some are doing their part by
composting, recycling and replacing all existing
bulbs with energy efficient ones, others are
testing out the extremes that green living has to
offer.
Photo courtesy of Morguefile
If a full eco-makeover is in your plans than
cabinets, lighting and appliances are all areas
that need to be fully researched and taken
into consideration. A great place to start is
the LA-based site Low Impact Living (www.
lowimpactliving.com). They offer an extensive
list of eco-friendly appliances from refrigerators
AUGUST 18, 2008
•6
At Home
into each other or searching through the
cupboard for days looking for a certain pan or
utensil. According to www.kitchens.com, the key
to expanding the size of any small (or seemingly
small) kitchen is to create the illusion of space.
“The National Kitchen and Bath Association
[NKBA] defines a small kitchen as one that’s
150 square feet or less,” kitchens.com explains.
“The NKBA recommends using unique
storage solutions, mixing natural and ambient
lighting, choosing appliances wisely, and adding
personalized touches.”
The simplest way to help your kitchen grow
is to increase the amount of storage you use. By
expanding cabinets to the ceiling, incorporating
bins and baskets, and upping your drawer count,
you are able to fit much more.
Photo courtesy of Morguefile
to dishwashers to solar paneled ovens. The
products offered work to be energy efficient,
water efficient and beneficial for the environment
and are ENERGY STAR qualified or approved.
Another way to make your kitchen ecofriendly is to use recycled materials for cabinets
and floors. According to www.kitchens.
com, materials to consider for flooring include
bamboo, cork and eucalyptus as they mature in
about half the time it takes for hardwood.
For countertops consider stained concrete
or indigenous stone as they are non-toxic
as well as stain and water resistant. For
more information on greener kitchens visit
www.kitchens.com/design-green-home.
aspx?ekmensel=c580fa7b_246_934_btnlink.
Big Ideas, Small Space
Another reason for redesign is to try and expand
the look and areas kitchens have to offer.
Often with a small kitchen space isn’t properly
utilizedand individuals end up either bumping
7•
FASHION WEEKLY
Another method of expanding kitchen space
is to tidy and organize. The more cluttered a
countertop is the less space it will look like you
have. Try organizing cookbooks, mail and odds
and ends into a certain cupboard or drawer so
they are out of sight. Or eliminate the square
footage a full table may take up by installing an
island bar as an efficient way to serve meals.
For more ideas and tips on saving kitchen
space visit www.kitchens.com/Design/Lifestyles/
Small_Kitchens.aspx?ekmensel=c580fa7b_252_
0_4318_6 or search through IKEA’s plethora of
kitchen styles and shapes to get inspired (www.
ikea.ca).
If you can’t afford a full out kitchen
makeover, try painting or adding candles and
unique decorations to create an entirely new
ambiance. Even adding a little natural light can
make a big difference. If you’ve been saving and
are sure this is something you’re ready for then
enlist the aid of professionals. Listen to their
opinions and ideas while still bringing your style
to the table. In the end, having a great kitchen is
all about doing what’s right for you. So head into
that high traffic area armed and ready to create
an efficient space that’s styled to reflect who you
really are.
Behind the Wheel
Road Trip Ready
A How-To Guide to Life
on the Road
BY AMANDA BLOYE, FW Writer
along each one. This will allow you see a little
bit of everywhere and will help you to make the
most out of your road trip. Should you choose
to throw caution to the wind prepare yourself by
signing up for CAA or AAA before hand.
Another necessity? Always make sure you
have at least a half of a tank of gas. That way
if you get lost you’ll have enough fuel in your
engine to make a u-turn and head back to more
familiar territory.
Hunger Pains
Photo courtesy of Morguefile
Whether it’s your first trip or your one
hundredth, the prospect of hitting the road
holds promise, excitement and the possibility of
stories guaranteed to make you laugh for years
to come. Regardless of whom you’re going with,
your reason for leaving or where your travels
are taking you, Fashion Weekly is here armed
and ready with tips to help you achieve road trip
success.
Know your route
Perhaps the greatest piece of advice I can offer on
becoming road trip-ready is to plan your route in
advance. If you have an exact destination you’re
headed to and you know the time you would
like to arrive, it’s a smart idea to plan your stops
ahead of time. Knowing where you can stop for
food and arranging any accommodations before
hand can be lighter on your waistline, wallet
and eliminate any anxiety that is caused by not
knowing your next move.
If you know your destination but aren’t
worried about when to arrive or the route you
take why not add some spontaneity to your drive.
Research the routes you can take and the sights
9•
FASHION WEEKLY
Something happens to people on the road where
even the healthiest of eaters can break down from
famine and dine on the greasiest foods known to
man. Whether it is the distant shine of those all
too familiar golden arches or the girl with the red
pigtails telling us to dine at Wendy’s that suckers
you in, rest assured that there are ways to save
your piggy bank from these roadside binges.
A great way to curb this kind of eating is
to pack a cooler with as many of your favourite
(healthy) snacks as possible. Make sure to
include plenty of fluids to keep everyone hydrated
while using caution when handing them out,
as even the strongest bladders can’t hold it in
forever.
Something else to consider is snacks that can
last outside of the refrigerator. Treats such as
seasoned rice cakes, granola bars and fruits like
oranges, grapes and apples is can all remain fresh
with minimal to no cold.
That’s Entertainment
One of the worst things to plague any journey is
boredom. Nowhere is this more plausible than
on the road. Great ways to distract you from
losing your mind are great music or audio books.
No one should leave their driveway without being
armed and ready to sing their hearts out.
Another great way to combat boredom is
with the company you keep. If you are planning
on hitting the road for longer than three hours I
would suggest bringing a friend along with you.
Not only is this great for safety reasons but with
City Chic
both of you chatting as you drive the hours will
virtually fly by.
Great websites to check out before leaving are
www.mapquest.com or www.maps.yahoo.com
for directions, maps and different ways to plan
Canada’s
GROUP OF 7
BY LORA MAGHANOY, FW Editor
While the fashion world is often commanded by
runway shows in Paris, New York and Milan,
Canada has slowly begun to emerge as a heavyhitter on the fashion front. Toronto is home to
L’Oreal Fashion Week every October. This is
when Canadian designers – new and old- grace
the stylish runways and confirm what many
fashion-forward individuals already know:
Canada has some serious fashion talent.
Leading the stylish group of designers is the
often lauded, Group of 7. Comprised of design
talent from all over our nation, they create the
latest looks and much talked about buzz of
Toronto Fashion Week.
With Fashion Week a couple of months
away, it’s about time FW introduced you to some
of Canada’s very best- consider it your fashion
education!
DAVID DIXON
Born and raised right here in Toronto, Dixon
has become the go-to designer in the Canadian
fashion scene. Enjoying a multitude of media
acclaim and praise from some of Canada’s most
notorious fashionistas, Dixon is well on his way
to cementing his spot as a leader in Canadian
fashion. But what else should one expect from
someone who apprenticed with Alfred Sung at the
beginning of his fashion career?
Known for his ultra romantic frocks and
clean lines and silhouettes, the designer has
your route. Another great one to check out is
www.roadtripamerica.com, a website that offers
a forum for individuals to discuss any questions
drivers might have.
garnered fans from all over- including a handful
of Hollywood starlets. Modern, innovative and
luxurious are just a few words that encompass
the Dixon design theory. Moving beyond
just clothing, Dixon recently launched a shoe
collection sold exclusively at Town Shoes.
IZZY CAMILLERI
Camilleri began her
fashion career almost
immediately after
graduating from
fashion design school
in 1984. But after
a significant hiatus
from the designing
world, she re-launched
her brand in 2000
and since then, has
Photo courtesy of www.izzycamilleri.com
generated a lot of
buzz for creating modern designs for the modern
woman. Camilleri boasts a large celeb following
who appreciate her sophisticated and smart
collection
Considered an icon in ladies fashion in
Canada, Camilleri’s collections usually play
with various textures – her favourite? None
other than black leather. Now, can you think of
anything sexier?
JOEFFER CAOC
Caoc’s fashion career started out on a good
note…a really good note. He was the protégé of
renowned Canadian designer Lida Biday. Since
launching his own collection in 1995, Caoc has
become an inevitable star in Canadian fashion.
Fashionistas love him. The media loves him. And
it’s certainly understandable upon inspection of
AUGUST 18, 2008
• 10
City Chic
his various collections.
Caoc favours
innovative structuring,
intricate details in
pleating, draping and
tucking and ensures
that his clothes fit to
perfection.
Creating unique
pieces that will surely
become classics, Caoc
aims to dress the
Photo courtesy of www.joeffercaoc.com
modern woman with
a sophisticated and
unique touch- just what we Canadians love most.
ARTHUR MENDONÇA
Mendonça is known
for his vibrant and
energetic collections.
His clothes are often
known for exuding
sexiness, boasting
remarkable silhouettes
and being as bold as
the women who wear
them.
With a strong celeb
Photo courtesy of www.mendonca.ca
fan base (including
Canadian songstress Nelly Furtado), Mendonça
has come a long way since receiving a fashion
design degree from Toronto’s Ryerson University
and even boasts an apprenticeship with fellow
‘Group of 7’ member, David Dixon, earlier in his
career.
Since his label launch in 2003, Mendonça has
consistently garnered positive recognition and
accolades, and has even presented his collection
in London, LA and New York City.
ANDY THÉ-ANH
The Montreal-based designer has quickly won
the hearts of fashion’s most fickle consumers.
Femininity is the name of the game with this
designer, creating pieces that evoke feminine
charm and full-out glamour.
Thé-Anh’s customers flock to his stores in
11 •
FASHION WEEKLY
Montreal (and now Toronto’s Yorkville district!)
to peruse his latest looks, which seemingly never
disappoint. Now considered one of the hottest
shows at Toronto Fashion Week, the designer
continues his upward climb to the top of the
fashion game.
PINK TARTAN
Kimberley Newport-Mimran is the creative force
behind the brand which has quickly become
a favourite to some of the most well-known
celebrities and models. With a degree in fashion
merchandising and manufacturing from George
Brown College, Newport-Mimran started out her
fashion career working at the buying office of the
Hudson Bay Company. She then went on to work
for Club Monaco and later founded Pink Tartan
in 2002 with her husband and business partner,
Joseph Mimran (the man behind such names as
Alfred Sung, Club Monaco and Joe Fresh).
The label offers ladies the chance to be
sophisticated and smart, without compromising
their femininity. Known for their party dresses
and well-tailored jackets, Newport-Mimran’s
looks have certainly made the Pink Tartan
runway shows among the hottest and most
buzzed about at L’Oreal Fashion Week.
COMRAGS
The ladies of Comrags (Joyce Gunhouse and Judy
Cornish) first met at Ryerson University, after
multiple projects brought the two together. After
participating in a mini fashion show organized by
their friends, an independent retailer took notice
and offered the ladies a consignment deal to sell
their designs. August 1983- the birth of Comrags.
And the reception was overwhelmingly positive.
Known for their signature patterns and different
textures, Comrags has become a favourite in
the Canadian fashion scene. Now producing
exclusively in-house, the designers ensure that
their clothes boast excellent style and exceptional
quality. Additionally, the clothes are entirely
Canadian-made!
Shape
of
Things
to
Come
Cozy up into some
of fall’s newest
styles in outerwear.
From capelets to
cacoon shapes,
there’s plenty of
looks to choose
from when the
chill factor
sets in.
EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Angela Y. Martin for AYM Photography
STYLIST: Stephanie Trendocher
ASSISTANT STYLISTS: Joanna Pallotta & Lisa Renard
MAKEUP ARTISTS: Sue & Leoni
MODELS: Melody & Ava @ MORO model and talent
THIS PAGE
Pink Tartan military
jacket and shirt, Jessica
Simpson footwear shoes.
PREVIOUS PAGE
LEFT: Soia and Kyo coat,
Nine West pumps, Rudsak
leather bag, leggings
(Stylist’s own).
RIGHT: Comrags coat and
leather belt, shoes (Stylist’s
own).
LEFT: Zoran Dubric
velvet dress and wool coat,
Comrags leather belt,
Jessica Simpson footwear
shoes.
RIGHT: Comrags knit
dress, Pink Tartan coat,
shoes (Stylist’s own).
LEFT: Comrags jacket with
fur trim, Pink Tartan plaid
pants and shirt, Zoran Dubric
necklace, Jessica Simpson
footwear shoes.
RIGHT: Mackage peacoat,
Zoran Dubric dress and leather
belt, shoes (Stylist’s own).
Rudsak trench coat, Zoran Dubric
skirt, Comrags leather belt, ring
and shoes (Stylist’s own).
Explore True Happiness
...Handbags, Fragrance and Accessories
by
Jeanne Lottie
@ the Pink House
32 Scollard Street, Yorkville, Toronto
416.975.5115 Mon to Sat 12 pm – 6 pm
International Style
Viktor & Rolf
The Fashion & Art Hybrid
BY STEPHANIE TRENDOCHER, FW Writer
Viktor & Rolf’s “No” gray trench
Photo courtesy of www.fabsugar.com
Designers or artists? The question has often been
asked of Dutch fashion designers Viktor Horsting
and Rolf Snoeren. The two met while studying
fashion at the Academy of Arts in Arnhem,
the Netherlands and moved to Paris following
their graduation. They assisted in the studios of
Martin Margiela and Jean Collona by day, while
designing their own couture creations under the
name of Viktor & Rolf in their shared flat at
night.
The success of Viktor & Rolf is based largely
on theatricality and showmanship. More so than
pushing the boundaries in women’s fashion, they
have continuously extended the platforms on
which they express themselves. Their runway
shows make the catwalk spectacles of John
Galliano look reserved. In 2000, Viktor & Rolf
learned to tap dance just so they could be a part
of their show’s finale.
Early in their career many in the fashion
world were not familiar with Victor & Rolf, but
several art galleries began showing interest. In
1997 Amsterdam’s Torch Gallery showcased a
collection of Viktor & Rolf installations titled
“Launch”. The exhibition was a projection of
what the two designers visualized for their brand,
complete with a mini catwalk, shop and mock
perfume. In a way it was a prophetic exhibition
and the designers received several positive reviews
from art critics and independent magazines.
This provoked the designers to take a bold
step forward and they showed an underground
couture collection during Paris Fashion Week in
1998 where they knew they would receive media
attention. From that collection a mushroom
cloud dress made Time Magazine’s picture of the
week and grabbed the attention of the media and
fashion world alike.
After becoming increasingly popular for
designing clothes that no one could wear, the
fashion duo launched a more commercial readyto-wear collection in 2000. Following the
success of that show, Viktor & Rolf have since
gone on to produce a men’s line, accessories,
eyewear, footwear and perfume. From a business
standpoint it was necessary to take the brand in
this direction in order to progress. However as
artists they still show their spectacular couture
collections and view these clothes as their true
work. Who can forget when they dressed model
Maggie Rizer like a Russian babushka in 10
layered couture dresses and unraveled her? And
then there was the blue collection of clothes that
served as a blue screen on which a video was
projected.
Viktor & Rolf still do exhibitions and
curate but they balance their commercial success
by also making clothes people want to wear.
Following in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld and
Stella McCartney, the fashion house collaborated
with H&M on a capsule collection in 2006
AUGUST 18, 2008
•18
International Style
Dutch design duo Viktor & Rolf
Photo courtesy of PR Photos
which sold out as quickly as it arrived. And
while they understand the accessibility of readyto-wear, it’s still the shows and the element of
performance that is in the heart of their work.
Their men’s collection “Monsieur” was modeled
by the designers themselves who dressed and
undressed onstage.
Memorable collections like “The Black
Hole”, “No” and “Monsieur” are featured in
the current retrospective of their work on until
September 21 at the Barbican Art Gallery in
London. The exhibition features signature pieces
from 1992 to now in a theatrical installation
titled The House of Viktor & Rolf.
19 •
FASHION WEEKLY
Your Body, Your Beauty
Fabulous
Finger Tips
BY AINSLEY GRAHAM, FW Writer
The search for the perfect nail colour for
most women is equivalent to the search for the
Holy Grail. There are so many colours that most
of us are overwhelmed when standing in front of
a plethora of colours and finishes, trying to pick a
colour that is classic but, also makes a statement
about who we are.
We tend to go with what is safe and what we
know, like pinks and natural colours. Some of us
tend to go for trendy colours like blue, purple or
yellow. But, most women go for the ever classic
French manicure which is always classy and
always in style.
Believe it or not, how we take care of our
nails says a lot about us as people. It shows that
we pay close attention to detail and that we take
pride in who we are down to the very last detail.
Some great trends for nail colour for summer
and fall are medium length rounded nails. You
can not go wrong with pastel pinks, soft coral
shades and beautiful champagnes. You may want
to leave the heavy colours such as black and
darker shades for the winter months, although
really, those hues are almost always chic. Never
fear though because a vibrant red is always in
style. Finding a red nail polish has the same rules
Photo courtesy of www.uamodels.net
lipstick; you need to know the undertones as
finding that perfect shade of red of your skin
in order to wear that perfect red. Try to find a
colour that is classic like M.A.C’s- Firehouse.
If you are looking for a nail colour that
withstands your day to day grind, some brands
that you can try are Chanel, M.A.C, and OPI. If
you are not willing to spend an arm and a leg on
fabulous finger colour then you can try Rimmel,
Revlon, Maybelline or NYC. Also, using top coat is an important step that
we often overlook. Top coat leaves the nails
looking shiny and professionally done and helps
the coat last up to a week as long as you apply a
fresh top coat daily.
Happy finger-painting!
Your Body, Your Beauty
Life After The Knife
Living With A Cosmetic
Surgery Mishap
BY AMANDA BLOYE, FW Writer
Brenda* lies on the operating table, anxiously
awaiting the lethargy of the anesthetic. She
waits for the soothing calm of the hospital’s
drugs to sweep over her body. As it worked its
way through her bloodstream, she recounted
her reasons for the surgery. She was different
and longed to be regular. Sure she was pretty
but she no longer wanted to be passed over. She
had plenty of reasons to be doing it. Didn’t
she? Well she definitely had two good reasons
and they stared back, mocking her every time
she looked in the mirror. They sat on her chest
looking more like pimples than nipples and slight
bumps instead of breasts. She closed her eyes,
letting her consciousness slip away knowing she
would wake up anew.
As individuals living in a cosmetic nation we
are always searching for the latest quick fix. In
no realm is this truer than that of celebrities whether it’s Demi Moore using leeches instead
of Botox or Lindsay Lohan considering Botox
injections to cure non-existent crowsfeet. Sure
there is a desire to be beautiful but it can be said
that celebrities might be taking it too far.
What happens when the agony of surgery
outlasts the healing process? How is an
individual to cope?
For Brenda, these questions became her
reality. After months of contemplating her
operation she decided to take the plunge and get
a breast augmentation. At first all was well. The
surgeon’s work healed beautifully and she felt as
though she had a new lease on life. She was glad
to be getting noticed.
About eight months after the surgery, Brenda
began to notice something strange. Her left
breast had grown almost over night. It was now
significantly larger than the right for reasons
21 •
FASHION WEEKLY
Photo courtesy of www.comseticplasticsurgery.us
she couldn’t understand. She considered going
back to see the surgeon but thought first to do the
exercises he gave her to reduce the swelling.
Over the next five months, Brenda continued
the exercises with the hope that she would wake
up and her breasts would once again be even. It
never happened. The size difference eventually
became so great that she needed to wear a bra
insert in her right cup. After admitting that
something was wrong Brenda went to see the
surgeon. She never expected what she was about
to find out.
As it turned out Brenda’s body had rejected
the cohesive gel implant. Through no fault of
the surgeon or the type of implant, Brenda’s
body was refusing what her mind and heart so
desperately wanted.
“It wasn’t the surgeon or the implant,”
Brenda told Fashion Weekly. “My body just
didn’t want to handle it. Luckily I was able to go
back and get it fixed.”
Unfortunately, when it comes to any surgery
there is no guarantee. Cases like Brenda’s happen
all of the time and luckily they can usually be
corrected. One celebrity who was faced with the
unfavourable consequences of plastic surgery was
Tara Reid. After consulting a plastic surgeon
in 2004, Reid was surprised to find her breasts
larger than she had imagined.
“[I] asked for big Bs [but instead] he gave me
Weekly Lifestyle
Cs, and I didn't want them,” Reid shared in an
interview with US Weekly.
After the surgery Reid noticed that her
nipples were slightly deformed but it wasn’t long
until the botched breast augmentation got much
worse.
"After six months of 'it's going to get better,'
it started to get worse and worse. I never thought
I would have nipples that looked like this," Reid
told the magazine.
Why is it that with cases like Reid’s strewn
across the media, we as a society are becoming
an increasingly plastic nation?
“For me I just wanted a way to feel better
about myself,” Brenda explained. “I was tired of
spending money on push up bras. I was tired of
being embarrassed of my chest when I was with a
man.”
Whether or not cosmetic mishaps can be
avoided is another story altogether but it is
important for individuals considering such
procedures to be aware of what they are up
against. Anyone wanting to get cosmetic surgery
should be aware of the facts, the procedure and
should thoroughly research any surgeon they are
considering.
For more information on cosmetic surgery
visit www.plasticsurgeryinfo.ca or consult the
Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons at www.
plasticsurgery.ca.
* Her name has been changed by Fashion
Weekly
A Sinful
Experience
BY AINSLEY GRAHAM, FW Writer
SEVEN LOUNGE
224 Richmond Street West
Tel: (416)-599-9797
If you are looking for a club that is sleek and
sexy to hang out at with your friends after
a hard work week, then Seven Lounge is the
perfect place for you. The club exudes sex appeal
and plays close attention to detail while still
boasting a minimalist décor. It is two stories
high and the atmosphere will make anyone feel
like a celebrity for the night. Seven Lounge has
a unique theme throughout its club: The Seven
Deadly Sins. Winner of the “2003 Best of Canada
Design Competition” the club is made to give off
the feeling of luxury and decadence while still
providing a comfortable lounge experience for its
patrons.
Boasting a rooftop patio (which gives a
panoramic view of the Toronto skyline) the bar
also serves up a barbecue pit and unisex
Photos courtesy of www.sevenlounge.ca
bathrooms.
We can all get stuck in a rut when it comes
to the bars we go to, if you are looking to change
it up for a night or are in the market for a new
club to check out, check out Seven Lounge on
Richmond for a truly sinful experience.
Weekly Lifestyle
Today’s Technology:
Necessary or too Over-the-Top?
BY VANESSA BURKA, FW Writer
With the recent release of the iPhone, I got to
thinking about the innovative new gadgets out on
the market today; and whether their boundless
capabilities are in fact useful to us in today’s
world.
This brought me back to thinking about
the cellular telephone and its first phone service
launch in 1978. When buying one, you had basic
choices. It could store phone numbers, contact
information and alerted us with the standard ring
tone. At a rapid pace, the device continued to
evolve.
Today our choices are varied beyond
preference. The never-ending choices of products
on the market today are unthinkable; and we
must ask ourselves whether our dependence for
these products is actually necessary.
Everything is moving in fast speed, with
the brightest colors and top notch functions.
Essentially, technology is now what makes us
human. It gets us around, keeps us entertained,
informed and connected, and has us doing less
work.
Listed below are some products that have
come out on the market within the past couple
of years. They’re fancy and for the most part,
fully-equipped - but I still can’t help but question
whether they’re worth their price tag.
iPhone
With a 480-by-320 pixel screen, Apple’s iPhone
puts the world at your fingertips, literally,
by combining three products in one: the
revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod and
an internet device, all in one. While under the
Rogers HSPA 3G network, it delivers impressive
speed and doesn’t require you to find a wireless
signal, allowing you to surf the net and Facebook
with friends anytime and anywhere.
With its GPS technology and Google Maps
application (with satellite photo views), the user
is given the capability of finding any craved
destination.
The few flaws I detect include is its inability
to record video (something the Blackberry Curve
offers), it doesn’t offer voice-activated dialing,
and its cramped keyboard.
MacBook Air
The Mac Air Book definitely breaks ground for
small laptops. With the result of weight shavings,
including a slimmer hard drive to a lower profile
battery, the laptop is nearly as thin as your index
finger.
Though, many question if a more attractive
appearance is worth a lack of optical drive or
Ethernet Port
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Celebrity Buzz
I think choosing the MacBook Air over the
faster and perhaps more dependable MacBook
Pro is more along the lines for travelers who
prefer minimum weight.
The ESPN Ultimate Remote Control
The ESPN Ultimate Remote Control will put
other remotes to shame with its high capabilities
and fancy appearance. The device has integrated
Wi-Fi for web browsing, it allows you to access
your e-mail from the sofa, and even plays the TV
network’s theme song from its built-in speakers.
Major television show channels and summaries
can also be viewed on the remote as well.
There is also a direct link to ESPN's mobile
Web site in the main menu, which serves up
scores and other sports info.
For $299.99 it seems a little extreme,
especially when you could check e-mail, view
television show channels and listen to network
theme songs using other individual features on
your own.
The Fretlight Guitar
The Fretlight Guitar is the world’s first computerpowered electrical teaching guitar. By installing
software and hooking up the guitar to a laptop or
PC via a USB cable, the system teaches users how
to play guitar using a series of lights. Available
in red, black, white, tobacco and pink, this
interactive guitar system just made guitar lessons
a lot less interactive.
The Cost of Fame
BY STEPHANIE TRENDOCHER, FW Writer
The paparazzi take it to the extreme when it
comes to chronicling the lives of celebrities.
With a diminished private sphere, A-list stars
are always in the public eye and their lives are
highly scrutinized with scandalous stories and
embarrassing footage splashed across tabloid
covers and gossip blogs. Often their privacy is
invaded in ways that puts their lives in danger
and even jeopardizes their careers. Celebrities
become vulnerable at the same time they become
a high profile figure in the entertainment
industry, but many use this media interest and
publicity to boost their image. Sought-after stars
would not receive as much exposure without the
paparazzi and aggressive celebrity reporting. So
where should the paparazzi draw the line? After
all, celebrities are people too.
With highly trafficked gossip websites like
gawker.com and tabloid shows like TMZ, the
demand for celebrity reporters and photographers
has increased dramatically in the past few years.
Tabloids are a goldmine. Getting an exclusive
shot of a celebrity gives a photographer the
chance of scoring big dollars, which is why the
paparazzi intrude on the lives of celebrities and
are found lurking in bushes or staking themselves
outside a celebrity’s home for a photo.
But celebs like Paris Hilton and Britney
Spears who leak their whereabouts to the media,
have blurred the distinction of how much right
to privacy a celeb has. Nicole Richie and Paris
Hilton rose to fame following the success of their
reality TV show, The Simple Life, but now blame
the tabloids for constructing negative images of
them. And they aren’t the only unhappy ones.
Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey have claimed
that their reality TV show, Newlyweds, led to the
AUGUST 18, 2008
• 24
Celebrity Buzz
up US Weekly or peruse through the
commentary on perezhilton.com? What do we
get out of it when we look a photo of Mary Kate
Olsen sipping a Starbucks latte? We’re consuming
a celebrity story, a notion that celebrities are real
and in some ways “just like us”. It’s really our
obsession with gossip magazines that heighten
the livelihood of the paparazzi. Celebrities thrive
off of the paparazzi coverage and we demand the
most up to date photos and footage of the stars.
For some stars like Sienna Miller or Lindsay
Lohan, their face is better known then their
talent.
As long as the public keeps buying celeb
magazines and adding traffic to gossip sites, the
paparazzi will continue to document the lives
of celebrities. And as long as the paparazzi are
interested, celebrities will utilize them to draw
attention to themselves. Some A-List stars, like
Leonardo DiCaprio are consistent about their
disinterest with the paparazzi. But for the most
part if celebrities really didn’t want attention they
wouldn’t go to The Ivy. And if we didn’t care
about their photos we just wouldn’t look.
failure of their marriage.
The problem is that while celebrities despise
the paparazzi for exploiting their lives, the work
of the paparazzi – photographs of unguarded
celebrity behaviour – is in demand by the public.
Paris Hilton’s DUI received more media attention
that any other news at the time. These candid
celeb photos fuel the tabloid enterprise, generate
huge sums of cash and are circulated worldwide.
If magazines are willing to pay someone
$400,000 for the first photo of Angelina and
Brad’s twins, there are plenty of photographers
willing to violate the law to get this photo. Many
celebrities sue photographers for their aggressive
behaviour but the cases are usually settled,
and the perks for photographers overweigh the
consequences they might endure.
And what about us – the voyeurs that pick
25 •
FASHION WEEKLY
Photos courtesy of PR Photos
In the Industry
Most Fashionable
Olympics Yet?
BY SAKINA KHAWAJA, FW Writer
At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China kicked
off the sporting event with the most beautiful
and elaborate opening ceremony showcasing
how China has outdone its predecessors. More
impressive is the dress code by all athletes- their
ability and speed is definitely the main focus
under the microscope but we here at FW couldn’t
help but check out what they all are wearing.
Uniforms and colour coordination all show
good quality, great taste and excellent branding
opportunities for major retail heads from all
over the world. With the extravagant feel of the
Olympics, the entire event has created much
movement in the fashion industry. “While the
swimmers rock Rei Kawakubo designed Speedo
swimsuits,” WWD reports that the commentators
will wear custom made Ports 1961 outfits. “Tia
Cibani, the brand's creative director, has met
with four different female TV hosts from NBC,
CNBC, MSNBC and USA "to marry the Ports
aesthetic with each girl's personality." Each
woman will wear three separate outfits a day for
every day of the Olympics which run for three
scorching hot weeks in Beijing starting August
8th.” (www.fashionista.com) Furthermore, in the
US- the Olympic Team was not just a patriotic
symbol for the country but rather a “cash-in”
subject for the fashion world. Designers such as
Nike, Adidas, Gucci, Prada, Ralph Lauren and
the list goes on all jumped at the opportunity
to be part of such a major event. However, all
American star Ralph Lauren landed the major
Photos courtesy of PR Photos
contract- being the official designer for the US
Olympics Team. (www.blackvoices.com)
One can say, the 2008 Olympics is further
proven to be the most fashionable Olympics yet,
when the Beijing Municipal Government’s Capital
Ethic Development Office issue a thirty-six page
booklet outlining what the fashion do’s and
don’ts were when coming to attend the festivities!
They want an image and they will go to any
lengths to keep it stylish. From an Olympics
fan perspective- maybe a little too extreme- but
from the fashion industry’s perspective- it’s just
another opportunity to make everyone (athletes
and non athletes) look good and not to mention
the million dollar profits!
Green Living
CNE 2008
Green Zone
BY SAKINA KHAWAJA, FW Writer
With all the hoopla about being green, using
eco-friendly products and caring about the
environment- everyone from business to lifestyle
are adapting to living consciously and it has
become a trend which will hopefully stay. The
city of Toronto has embraced the green movement
and has many big plans to revolutionize the hub
into a more “green” town. Along with that,
multi-billion dollar corporations to the small
business owner are making changes too. They are
using that energy saving light bulb, conducting
business online instead of wasting paper and even
attending seminars to make their company more
eco-friendly.
With the city of Toronto’s summer coming to
an end and a saturation of festivities occurring
every weekend- this weekend we welcome the
Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). From
August 15- to September 1st 2008 enjoy the
rides, food and crazy shopping at the CNE. A
family event open to all is always an excellent
finale to the summer. However, this year
along with the cotton candy, Ferris wheel,
international shopping and wholesale craze,
the CNE has opened doors to the GREEN
ZONE. Various companies both national and
international participated to display their eco
friendly goods and services for the audience to
explore. The exhibit features various sectors
such as fashion, auto, home and lifestyle. Car
Heaven, a company that specializes in recycling
old vehicles responsibly created this program by
the support of the Clean Air Foundation- they
give cash incentives to people on their next
GM car purchase if they donate their car to
get dismantled and recycled preventing carbon
monoxide and smog forming emissions.
The Toronto Fashion Incubator features a
“green” exhibit with a handful of designers that
created outfits using 100% all natural,
27 •
FASHION WEEKLY
Photos courtesy of FW Staff
eco-friendly fabrics. There will be a fashion
show on August 19th, 2008 that is a must see
(please visit www.theex.com to learn more about
it). The highlight of the Green Zone was the
extremely funky, cool and stylish exhibit of the
Sustainable Condo. A concept created by www.
usinglessenjoyingmore.com is a set of a condo is
on exhibit till September 1st 2008 showcasing
how to live green. The CMHC, EcoSmart, City
of Toronto and numerous other supporters have
displayed every room in a regular home or condo
and transformed them into an energy saving
room. The set includes solar panels, organic
carpets, funky organic furniture, eco friendly
bedding, low flow faucets and the list goes on.
Not only is it aesthetically gorgeous but also very
homely. The décor does not resemble anything
too earthy but rather contemporary, modern and
extremely livable.
It is great to see that the CNE has adapted
the green movement into the exhibit. It would
have been good to see more variety, larger booths
and a more interactive set up. However if you are
attending the CNE this year- mark it on the site
map because it’s a definite stop where the whole
family can learn some environmental awareness
and small things you can do to make a huge
difference!
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AUGUST 18, 2008
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