My favourite characters from the Reitmans television commercials, where Haute Couture scores 0 and Reitmans scores 1, were in the Eaton Centre on Saturday, May 29 mixing with fans and taking funny pictures.
The commercials are funny because of the Haute Couture excess and the commentary and scoring by Armand and Albert. Here is a picture of me with the duo taken by Joe Fresh.
I am in Yonge-Dundas Square testing wireless blogging from my IPod. Chef Juriaan of McDonald's is giving out their 4 new entree salads (complete with chicken): Caesar, Spicy Thai, Garden Fresh and Mediterranean. I had the Mediterranean - and it was tasty.
A taste of summer style was held in the square. Here are Kavi Kavi twin designers (the Gupta sisters), designer Lucian Matis and CityTV's CityLine fashion consultant and event host Lisa Rogers.
The 8th edition of the Japan Fashion Week (JFW) took place from March 23 and 29 in Tokyo. About seven hundred renowned and up-and-coming designers (Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, India, United States and Europe) showcased their creativity and introducing Fall and winter 2009-2010 fashion trends.
The great Braderie de mode québécoise - Spring 2009
Modèle
Montreal's eagerly awaited Spring 2009 Braderie de mode québécoise will be held from Thursday, April 16th to Sunday, April 19th at Bonsecours Market in Old Montreal. The Braderie serves up samples and inventory-surplus womenswear, menswear, kidswear, coats, jewellery and accessories from 50 Quebec fashion designers - Marie Saint-Pierre, Muse by Christian Chenail, Rudsak, Soia & Kyo, Tavan & Mitto, Bodybag by Jude, Report Collection, Envers by Yves Jean Lacasse, Mackage, Ève Gravel, Michel Desjardins, Dinh Ba Design - all at 50% off or more!
April 16th to 19th, 2009 Bonsecours market 350 St-Paul East et 325 de la Commune East Old-Montreal. Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
I was sad to hear that the next major Fashion Cares event will be held in 2010. They hope that sponsors and volunteers jump on board for next year's bigger and better event - here is what they have to say.
Fashion Cares, held this past November 1, was a resounding success – both critically and in its goal of raising much-needed funds for the programs and services of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT). Unlike previous years when the event was held in the spring, ‘Fashion sCares' was shifted to the fall to allow more time to plan and execute a truly spectacular event that has been hailed as one of the premier events in Toronto.
In order to continue to build on this success, organizers have decided to take a longer planning horizon. “It takes a tremendous amount of time to pull together this event,” says Meredith Marr, ACT Director of Development. “In addition to staff time, there are also the countless hours contributed by volunteers. To be a success and to raise money for ACT, time is needed to secure corporate sponsors, book talent, stage the fashion show, mobilize volunteers, arrange for supplies and market the event”.
Organizers also believe that a longer planning timeline is needed due to the current economic environment. ”We have decided that using 2009 as a bridge year for sponsors and patrons will ensure we are well positioned to make Fashion Cares 2010 spectacular and the most memorable yet,” says Michael King, the Volunteer Chair of Fashion Cares. “We're encouraging key volunteers, sponsors and others to start the wheels in motion now for Fashion Cares 2010.”
“Because ACT's programs and services are so critical to people who are living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto, we are encouraging those who have attended the event to make a donation to ACT in 2009,” adds King. “With sustaining support we can continue to provide much-needed practical, emotional, vocational and other support services to people living with HIV/AIDS in our city.”
Meanwhile, ACT will be focusing on a number of Fashion Cares satellite events in 2009 and will announce further details on those events in the coming months. ACT will also continue to develop its other major fundraising events – the annual AIDS Walk for Life Toronto held in September, and SNAP!, a photographic art auction held in the early spring. In addition, ACT will be expanding its efforts to engage individual and corporate donors to help meet its mission.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Brett, ACT Communications Coordinator, 416.340.8484 x 225 or abrett@actoronto.org
Some mighty big tents are being set up in the courtyard (in fact there is no courtyard left) of Toronto City Hall's Nathan Phillip Square as LG Fashion Week comes to TO from March 16 to the 21st of 2009.
The annual event brings out the best in Fashion and the economy is crying out for everyone to buy a few togs so come out and see what will be showing up soon at your local stores. The Heart Truth event is an invite only fashion show with Canadian Celebrities wearing original Canadian designed red dresses all to raise awareness of the impact of Heart Disease and Stroke on women. Kreesha Turner will be one of the Red Dress models - you can see pictures of Kreesha in my blog about 2009 Fashion sCares.
Never having met Rannie in person I had to go up and ask - are you Rannie? It was indeed Rannie, famous Toronto blogger and photographer and one of my blogging heroes even though he has been slacking off on his updates the last little while (I think he is to busy as a pro photographer lately) and I miss catching up on his latest work and postings.
A garage sale to benefit the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) is being held Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7, 2008 at 399 Church St in Toronto. Help support this great cause and enjoy the shopping extravaganza. Click on the following poster for more information.
On Saturday November 1, 2008 the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was filled with fashionistas, television news crews, colourful characters and high powered entertainment stars, including Actress Lauren Holly, celebrating the event that is the 22nd Annual Fashion Cares. We joined the night as guests of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT www.actoronto.org)and Fashion Cares to take in the red carpet arrivals, the cocktail party and silent auction and finally to watch the runway spectacle based on select Alfred Hitchcock movies and we loved it all.
Opening comments from Honorary Chair Jeanne Beker and Chair Michael King were followed by the celebrity hosts - Canada's own David Furnish and International Supermodel Yasmin Warsame. David Furnish being an honoured film director and producer, a champion of HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness and the partner of Iconic pop culture artist Elton John.
Fritz Helder and the Phantoms, faces bejewelled into apparitions of skulls opened the show and hosted the costume competition. Ten individual or couples wearing fantastic outfits picked out from the crowd and were brought on stage to walk the runway in a fight for best costume - my choice was Mr Peanut.
The two hour show passed in a flash and we wanted more! The exotic haute couture fashions were great but came in only three flavours; white, black and red, and were difficult to see from distant vantage points while the National Ballet of Canada was a fantastic additon to the show. It would have been nice to have a brochure showing the over 40 designers involved in the show with photos of their beautiful creations, instead the designers were invisible to the audience. The entertaining mini-dramas based on the Hitchcock movies helped to support the night's theme in the clothes and the set design.
In between fashion we were treated to music by Kreesha Turner who performed one song (I was sad she didn't do "Don't call me baby"), Katy Perry who blew the audience away with her energy and songs "I kissed a girl" and "Hot and Cold" and the crowd's sentimental favourite - Dame Shirley Bassey (of the multiple James Bond movie theme songs) whose powerful voice has not faded through the years.
Kreesha Turner is the first singer.
Katy Perry sings her hit songs.
Dame Shirley Bassey wows the crowd.
Fashion Cares, back from the cobbled and confining streets of the historic Distillery District during PEEP Show of 2007, was a little unorganized at the beginning but quickly found it's feet before the strutting on the catwalk. It is also important to remember that this is a fundraiser, the largest for the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), and the support of the community is what makes this event so exceptional. Many of the attendees showed that support by dressing up and getting into the spirit of the evening - see and be seen. I did not attend the after party but I am sure it was a little more risque and hopefully as much fun as Fashion Cares presents: Fashion sCares.
MORE OF THE RED CARPET
The media area was full of about 40 to 50 television camera operators, on-air talent and photographers and assistants and we scramble to get good shots of the celebrities as they walk the red carpet. I must admit I always like to see Fashion TV's beautiful, friendly and multi-talented Jeanne Beker who also has a long association with Fashion Cares.
Dame Shirley Bassey and Celebrity Host David Furnish on the red carpet.
Honarary Chair Jeanne Beker.
Fashion Cares Chair Michael King in the calm before the red carpet event.
Michael King joins singer Katy Perry.
R&B singer Kreesha Turner being interviewed by Much Music.
International supermodel and event co-host Yasmin Warsame.
Actress Lauren Holly came by to support the event.
City TV reporter Larysa Harapyn got some fantastic interviews and looked great at the same time.
The media was packed along the red carpet - we take a few steps back from the front lines to show the crowds around Fashion Cares Artist Director Phillip Ing and singing Artist Kreesha Turner.
Looking on the media line in front of the red carpet with your photographer, James Hamilton.
Getting interviewed for ET Canada.
Enza Supermodel at the red carpet.
Guests pause for pictures showing off eleaborate makeup.
Fashion Cares urban space Designer Manny Machado (right) gets some marketing help courtesy of a friend.
Some members of Fritz Helder and the Phantoms before they open the Fashion Cares show.
COCKTAIL RECEPTION
After the red carpet we enter Hall F of the south Metro Convention Centre building where the cocktail reception area/lounge and the silent auction are held. We have a great time watching and photographing the many incredible costumes while enjoying a few of those great cocktails.
The room is being set up. The runway is built. Tables are being decorated. Performers are rehearsing. Gift bags are being stuffed. And it all looks incredible.
Fashion Cares 2008: Fashion sCares is tomorrow and THE FINAL BLOCK OF TICKETS HAVE JUST BEEN RELEASED! The whole city is buzzing about it: from the cover of Fab this month to stories in Xtra!, the National Post; CTV, City TV and Fashion Television; and everywhere on the web.
Our final line-up includes an amazing silent auction; a live auction hosted by some very cool Torontonians; a spectacular runway show showcasing the very best that the fashion world has to offer; host David Furnish; Fritz Helder and the Phantoms; Kreesha Turner; Katy Perry; and a showstopping, headline performance from Dame Shirley Bassey with a 20-piece orchestra and members of the National Ballet of Canada. More dancing to follow with a great line up of DJs.
So grab your costume or fancy dress and grab a ticket. The party of Halloween also happens to be the party of the year.
Gala tables are selling fast: call 416-340-8484 x263 for bookings
General Admission tickets are $125 and can be booked online at ticketmaster.ca or fashioncares.com
Fashion Cares presents Fashion sCares: where Halloween meets Haute Couture with The Master of Suspense! A Gala benefit for the AIDS Committee of Toronto. This Saturday, November 1st, 2008, at the MTCC.
ACToronto has provided the following release - have some fun and help raise funds for this cause.
The AIDS Committee of Toronto's gala fundraiser, Fashion sCares, is one week away, and we've confirmed a stellar line-up headlined by legendary diva Dame Shirley Bassey. Dame Bassey will perform three songs together with a 20 piece orchestra and be joined on stage with members of the National Ballet. And that's not all: live performances from Katy Perry, Kreesha Turner, Fritz Helder and the Phantoms, and an amazing runway show celebrating the best in high fashion from over 40 incredible designers.
We're also proud to announce the return of Phillip Ing and his incredible team at MAC, who have put together an amazing show for us, and David Furnish as host, ably joined by model Yasmin Warsame.
This year's celebration promises to be the Halloween party everyone will be speaking about: Haute Couture meets Hitchcock, and it's not to be missed. So put on your best costume, and get ready to attend the party of the year.
Gala tables are selling fast: call 416-340-8484 x263 for bookings
General Admission tickets are $125 and can be booked online at ticketmaster.ca or fashioncares.com
And join our facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32584174011&ref=ts
Fashion Cares presents Fashion sCares: a gala benefit for the AIDS Committee of Toronto. Saturday, November 1st, 2008
For pictures, videos and a review of the 2008 Toronto Fashion Cares presents: Fashion sCares event held November 1, 2008 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre please go to my blog post here.
Toronto, get ready for Fashion Cares 2008: Fashion sCares! The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) brought out some beautiful models with Fashion Cares' Chair Michael King and genius Creative Director Phillip Ing for the media launch of Canada's largest AIDS fundraiser to be held November 1st, 2008 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The warm up event was held at Brant House within the Fashion District of downtown Toronto, Ontario and as an invited blogger I joined mainstream media for an up close look at the spectacular event that will be Fashion Cares.
The roster of musical acts and celebrity hosts was presented which included director David Furnish as host (with many celebrity co-hosts) and recording artists Katy Perry (I kissed a girl) and Kreesha Turner (Don't call me baby). I just want to say MAC Viva Glam!
Phillip Ing (centre) joins models and friends during the media launch.
Some of the many camera crews on hand for the evening.
The City's biggest costume party of the year will move away from their recent detour at the historic distillery district back to the Convention Centre and from a spring show to the 22nd installment just after Halloween. The timing of the show has certainly influenced this year's theme - Fashion Cares Presents Fashion sCares. Fantastic clashes of haute couture and halloween craziness will make it harder to keep your eyes off the models as they compete with the hip see and be seen crowd attending the party. I found the models and their outfits were fascinating.
Here is a Youtube video I made featuring bonus pictures, video clips of the models and music by the group No, Really.
While models worked hard, so did the bartenders and the DJ.
And there was a great crowd of media, sponsors and supporters attending the function and the after party.
Enza Supermodel (right).
Honorary Chair, Jeanne Beker - host of the very famous Fashion Television.
We say hi to Fashion Designer Andre Gorokov who will be participating in Fashion sCares.
And we say goodnight to the media launch of Fashion sCares and look forward to the upcoming Fashion Event of the Year - get your tickets and see and be seen.
Setting up the runway.
Kreesha Turner is the first singer.
Katy Perry sings her hit songs.
Dame Shirley Bassey wows the crowd.
David Furnish, part of the Elton John Aids Foundation.
Dame Shirley Bassey and Celebrity Host David Furnish on the red carpet.
Honarary Chair Jeanne Beker.
Fashion Cares Chair Michael King in the calm before the red carpet event.
Michael King joins singer Katy Perry.
R&B singer Kreesha Turner being interviewed by Much Music.
International supermodel and event co-host Yasmin Warsame.
Actress Lauren Holly came by to support the event. 
City TV reporter Larysa Harapyn got some fantastic interviews and looked great at the same time.
The media was packed along the red carpet - we take a few steps back from the front lines to show the crowds around Fashion Cares Artist Director Phillip Ing and singing Artist Kreesha Turner.
Looking on the media line in front of the red carpet with your photographer, James Hamilton.
Getting interviewed for ET Canada.
Enza Supermodel at the red carpet.
Guests pause for pictures showing off eleaborate makeup.
Fashion Cares urban space Designer Manny Machado (right) gets some marketing help courtesy of a friend.
Some members of Fritz Helder and the Phantoms before they open the Fashion Cares show.
Models greet the media at Brant House.
Phillip Ing (centre) joins models and friends during the media launch.
Enza Supermodel (right).
We say hi to Fashion Designer Andre Gorokov who will be participating in Fashion sCares.