Patch Things Up
Inspiration for recreating your denim 

Words by: Haley Dach

These days, we see jaw dropping trends left and right. We’ve seen it all, from crotchless pants to dresses that only cover one breast. The runway is known to bring the wow factor – but what about streetwear? Streetwear has been around as long as streets, but people started making it trendy in the late 1970’s. Stemming from Los Angeles surf culture, "streetwear" has come a long way from wearing what everyone else is wearing, to finding your own personal style. One of the main things it has created is originality. People are fighting to stand out rather than fit in, and the easiest way to do that is to add your own personal touch to everything. The trend on the rise is denim, but not just any denim; patchwork denim. We’re sick of seeing your moms same old hand-me-down Levi’s.. until you add some patches, that is. Designers recognized the trend and made beautiful designer pairs; the only problem is, we teens can’t afford them. Fear not! We are here to teach you just how to make them yourselves, for a fraction of the price.

All these items could be found at thrift stores, consignment stores, dollar stores, etc. The whole point is to do more for less, so get crafty and creative, but stay money conscious.

Example A: State Your Statement

Do you have a lot to say but not enough hours in the day to say everything? It’s time to stitch it to your pants. Make your bold statements bolder and your pants fiercer than ever. Plus, if you have more to say, just stitch it on the back - but always remember to be cautious with what you’re going to say.

 

EACH X OTHER $683.03

Example B: Be There or Be Square

An easy tactic to customizing your jeans is adding on square of fabric. It’s as simple as going to the fabric store and getting a few mismatched squares from the scrap box. This adds personality without costing anything. This tactic is also perfect if you have a hole you’re trying to cover up!

MARC BY MARC JACOBS $480.21

Example C: Bedazzle Your World

What’s one way to make you stand out amongst the rest? Cover your jeans in sequin and glitter filled fabric cutouts of your favorite celebrities! Although this method will take more time and effort, it will definitely pay off when you have never-before-seen jeans that can’t be replicated. A suggestion if you’re having trouble trying to figure out whose faces to put on – boy bands come in packs, that’s a lot of cute faces all over your pants!

DISCOUNT UNIVERSE $1175.00

Example D: Vincent van Denim

If you’re good with a paintbrush or feeling artsy, try adding some hand-painted elements. (Be sure to use paint that won’t come off in the wash,) grab a pair of jeans, and make your masterpiece. In a world where anything can happen, people might love them so much that they ask you to paint theirs! 

 

DOLCE & GABANNA $2,488.43

Example E: Friends not Food

This last (but not least) example is a more adorable approach. The type of patches used for this style of jeans must be of animals. Find a patch of your favorite fuzzy friend and attach it onto a pair of boyfriend jeans (possibly free if your boyfriend has left a pair lying around.) Give yourself, and the world, a reason to smile when they see your new adorable pair of patchwork denim!

 

PHILIPP PLEIN $1,343.46

LATEX LOVE

How to wear the infamous Dior Latex boots

                 If you have been paying attention to any Dior shows over the past few seasons, whether it be ready-to-wear, couture, or resort you have definitely noticed that house designer Raf Simons is in the midst of a love affair with Latex. He has self-replicated his iconic design of the boots in almost every show he has done since then. The stunning boots have been featured in two of the designer’s shows, starting off with Spring 2015 Couture and more recently Fall 2015 ready-to-wear.

The couture-designed boots were available in almost any color and a few patterns, in a thigh-high and a mid-calf design with a hollow metal frame heel. The fall ready-to-wear boots were also available in thigh-high and mid-calf styles and many colors, but featured a Perspex heel in a contrasting color. The boots have been seen everywhere, on every sidewalk during fashion week, every front row at every runway show, and worn day-to-day internationally by fashionistas and celebrities.

I think every person needs a pair or two of these boots in wardrobes, the boots are so wearable and make such a statement. They can easily complete a basic outfit with almost no effort. If you want to get your hands on a pair of these flawlessly designer boots, you might have to put in a bit of work; word is they are currently sold out everywhere! Some may think that’s shocking due to the fact that they retail for $3,000 to $5,000 USD. For some people in the fashion industry price doesn’t deter them from an incredible design that they know they’ll get ample wear out of.

These boots work with almost any outfit, from short dresses to cuffed jeans, you can wear them in anyway. The thigh-high design is so flattering and slimming of the legs that you almost are forced by them to wear a short dress, skirt or short-shorts to show them off. The shorter above ankle design looks perfect with cuffed jeans, longer dresses, jumpsuits, or spandex bodysuits. These boots will be one of those designs that are looked back upon in twenty years and thought of as life changing.

                  The aesthetic of Dior is so classic and feminine that when their looks are paired with such a strong boot, it adds a completely different vibe to the look. Their clothing features soft and muted tones, and the boots are made in just eye-catching, bright colors. Everyone bigger fear of these winter months is boots, I think Raf Simons has done a great job in designing a boot that everyone will love and won’t hesitate to wear throughout the season.

Staying Couture in the Cold

Staying Couture in the Cold 
Surviving winter without compromising your style!

By this time of the year we all face the struggle of staying warm on the coldest days of winter without compromising our fashionable outfits. Avoid tumbling into a fashion slump and falling into the trap of sweat pants and puffer jackets to keep warm from Toronto’s winters freezing temperatures that we all know so well. Follow these simple tips to stay fashionable and warm at the same time!

A good quality jacket is the most important fix for fighting the winter cold. Sometimes your winter coat can be an investment so make sure it will be versatile through the winter months. By picking an over sized, loose fitting jacket, you are ensuring that you have space for your favourite knit sweater or turtleneck to fit under it. The over sized, erogenous style will be sticking around for a while so don’t be afraid to spend a little extra for a stylish, loose fitting coat. Chances are you get what you pay for, and the little extra money will seem like nothing when you’re stuck in a blizzard!

For combating the cold in the winter, scarves are an absolute must! Scarves aren’t only great for keeping you warm, but they also can turn a boring outfit into an exciting, couture one! Since it may not be acceptable or fashionable to walk around wearing a ski mask in the city, scarves are ideal for keeping your neck and face protected from the snow and cold. Wrap your scarf around your neck, and pull it up enough to cover your nose. Pair it with your favourite chunky sunglasses and your whole face will be protected from winter’s cruel chill!

Do you have the perfect pair of heels to go with your outfit, but don’t feel like risking your life on the black ice and snow? Try sticking to the basics with a simple black booties. Classic, and versatile, black booties are available everywhere and in so many options. Try to opt for a boot with a thick lining, and grip on the bottom to help when the sidewalks aren’t salted! Similar to finding the right jacket, try to make sure your boots have enough room for you to fit a pair of cozy knit socks to keep your toes extra warm.      
         The last thing you want to worry about while you’re making the trek to work or school in a snowstorm is your hair. It’s hard to find the right hat to protect your styled hair, keep you warm, as well as match your outfit. You can pick up a knit beanie practically anywhere these days, but try to find one thick enough that when the snow melts off of it, your head doesn’t get soaked! You can glam up your head wear by finding a hat with a fur pom-pom or cute appliqués to keep it interesting!  
        We are all counting down the days until our favourite skirt or heels can make their debut again, but for now if you follow these simple tips, you will make it to spring warm, cozy, and safe from frost bite!

BRAND-NEW

4 New Contemporary Menswear Brands Being Introduced to Toronto for Fall/Winter 2015

J.W Anderson

The brand was only launched in 2008 but since then J.W Anderson has been growing at an astonishing rate. The founder, Jonathan Anderson has won just about every prize a young designer could win and is now also the creative director of spanish fashion giant, Loewe. His brand is mostly known for blurring the line between menswear and womenswear. It has been readily stocked at high end retailers such as Mr. Porter and Ssense and has now finally made it’s way into Ontario. Anderson’s designs are currently available at the Hudson’s Bay White Space in the Eaton Centre. A must have for this season is the zip funnel neck sweater with oversized zip detail. It has been seen on the likes of rapper and style influencer, A$AP Rocky in his new video “Jukebox Joints”.

Sunnei

If you are a fan of the fresh and playful designs of Italian brand Marni, you will fall in love with Sunnei. Sunnei is 2 years old and stocked at a small group of well curated boutiques, most notably at Opening Ceremony. Brand creative director, Loris Messina claims that italian fashion is getting stale and wants to change. Messina creates easy to wear pieces that do not follow trends and are “effortlessly cool”. The brands attention to detail is clearly illustrated with its use of  interesting fabrics and dyeing techniques. The garments are now available at the trendy Soop Soop shop on Dundas Street West for this Fall/Winter season. A must-have from the collection and also a favourite from the designer himself is the oversized parka with large patch pockets, in a beautiful shade of forest green.

Proper Gang

You may never have heard of Proper Gang before, but undoubtedly you have heard of Supreme. What these two brands have in common is that they are currently creatively directed by the same man- Max Vanderwoude Gross. After Brendon Babenzien’s departure in 2015, Vanderwoude was chosen to take over the brand’s creative department. Supreme saw potential in him with his owns brand success, that was only created in 2013. Proper Gang has deep roots in street culture; think hip-hop music and skateboarding. It is only appropriate that the brand carries this identity seeing as Vanderwoude is a New-Yorker. Yorkville based shop Working Title, who also has roots in street culture, has picked up Proper Gang for F/W 2015. A key piece for this season is the denim dungaree pant which has a comfortable loose fit and is cropped. 

Sacai

By no means is Sacai a new brand, as it was launched in 1999 by Chitose Abe after working under Junya Watanabe’s eponymous label. Sacai is finally available at the renowned Haven shop, which stocks mainly high end Japanese labels. The brand comfortably makes its way into Haven’s roster with its reworked staple garments. Chitose Abe is famous for making sportswear inspired garments with interesting textile combinations, that remain masculine. A standout piece for this season is the Leather Rider’s jacket with a removable liner. The liner is made of pile fleece, which will keep you warm on those -30 Celsius days but is removable which gives the jacket more wearability.  

LESS IS MORE

LESS IS MORE

Ode to Simplicity- Minimalism is the hottest NOW

              

Minimalism style is not a fad or trend, it always brings the pithiest interpretation for fashion through the low-key classic.

What is this minimalism thing

It’s quite simple: to be a minimalist you must live with less than 100 things, you can’t own a car or a home or a television, you can’t have a career, you must live in exotic hard-to-pronounce places all over the world, you must start a blog and you can’t have children.

   OK, I’m joking—obviously. Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom-freedom from fear, freedom from worry, freedom from overwhelm, freedom from guilt, freedom from depression and freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. Real freedom.

   In the visual arts and music, minimalism is a style that uses pared-down design elements. In the eyes of designers, neat lines and low-key colors such as black, white, gray and camel are the aim of minimalism. It embodies sense and connotation.

Get rid of all needless details

Minimalism style doesn’t have any showy accessories, even the zippers and buttons. All the small accessories are hidden very well. It is just like normcore style, there are only great fabrics, immaculate tailoring, and interesting proportions.

   Minimalism is opposed to the aristocratic and complicated traditional design style of luxury brand. It creates a simple fashion, high functional ready-to-wear design concept with the purpose of French Romantic style. So just get rid of all needless details and be a minimalist. Remember that simple is the best.

Three representative minimalist fashion brands

There are many designers who advocate minimalism. The top three fashion brands are Jil Sander, Chole and oak+fort. Jil Sander is the earliest originator of minimalist style. Her works has amazing shock power- perfect tailoring with accurate proportion and fetching colors. It reflects the temperament of modern woman vividly. Jil Sander is well known as curling pants, featherlike coat and light jacket.

   Floral pattern veil, gentle streamline, classic A-line dress and stereo clipping method of stiff cloth, layered skirt and fluffy like a trumpet shaped shoulder line. These are the representatives of Chole. It highlights the elegance of modern woman.

   Oak+fort is a new fashion brand. Since their inception in 2010, Oak+fort has curated collections that reflect their design philosophies. A belief that fashion should be uncomplicated and thoughtfully designed. We are not distracted or fettered by trends, and will continue to provide attainable luxury to like-minded individuals. There are no bright colors, only low-key classic colors on oak+fort.

Where to shop for minimalism style in Toronto

There are many places in Toronto that every fashionista should make a point of checking out. The top 1 place that I suggest is Queen Street West. It is a main east west street of Toronto. This street is filled with all kinds of fashionable boutiques, exotic cafes and cool tattoo shops.

   The top 2 place that I recommend is Holt Renfrew that is located on Bloor Street including the Yorkville Area. There are many luxurious brands including the minimalism style such as Chole and Jil Sander that I mentioned before.

   The top 3 place is Eaton Center. It is home to over 175 brand name stores, restaurants and entertainment. Oak+fort is also recently opened on the second floor of Eaton Center. There are also some other minimalist brands such as Aritiza and Club Monaco. It is such a good place that is worth to visit.