Fashion Scene

(Paul Venoit in 6 days)

When I first received the confirmation call for a sit down and mini-make-over with Paul Venoit, I was thrilled. As makeup artist to the stars and Cover Girl Makeup Pro any ‘face time’ with Paul would be a huge boost to a girl’s personal beauty regimen. Unfortunately, within minutes, my excitement turned to panic.

Paul has worked with some of the most beautiful people in the world – Kate Moss, Minnie Driver, Claudia Schiffer – to name a few. And how was I, a simpleton plagued by pimples, sun spots, and no particular skin cleansing regime to compete.

I better start drinking water, eight glasses they say?

(PV in 5 days)

Starbucks just around the corner…will power nowhere to be found. I swallow a large gulp of water while brushing my teeth. That has got to count for something.

(PV in 4 days)

I spend an hour with a magnifying mirror. Big pores. Big meltdown. Big mistake. Self esteem in toilet. I exfoliate four times in a row and attempt to stick face into garment steamer. After all, that’s what the professionals do isn’t it?

(PV in 3 days)

I should get a facial, brilliant! By the time I meet with Paul I will have a beautiful clear complexion. I book one immediately as I Cuisinart a cucumber and glop it onto my face.

Wait...what if I have an allergic reaction to some unknown salon product? Or redness from all the poking and prodding? I cancel the appointment within 5 minutes. What a flake.

(PV in 2 days)

Can’t sleep. Horrible dream. I cradle the magnifying mirror for comfort and instead, come upon a terrifying realization. I have a mustache. It’s barely noticeable, but it’s there. I know it’s there. Will Paul notice it too?

I spend the next day gathering evidence – that is – asking friends, co-workers, and my dogwalker to examine my upper lip and report findings. The general consensus seems to be that it’s not noticeable and I should spare myself the pain of waxing.

(PV in 1 day)

I’m still not convinced. And so, I ask my friend Tara to lunch. She’s tiny, a fashion stylist, and most importantly, brutally honest.

Before we even sit down I pop the question.

“Tara, do I have a mustache? Tell me the truth!”

Then I bend down. Tara’s short and I want to make sure she has a good vantage point. She carefully surveys the area.

“Yes.”

Crap! What am I going to do? If I try to wax or bleach at this point it might cause an irritation, and that would be unacceptable. Tara suggests plucking since there are only a couple hairs. Tara’s brilliant. Pluck, pluck, pluck, and I’m PV ready!

(PV today!)

Its time to meet the Paul Venoit!

He comes into the boardroom looking stylish and sporting his signature button down revealing a hint of ultra tanned chest. His smile is radiant, and he has on a pair of large black shades which make him look like a total Hollywood A-lister himself. For somebody with an incredibly successful career as a makeup artist, judge on Canada’s Next Top Model, and one fourth of the style team behind hit show Look-A-Like, Paul has remained incredibly personable and humble.

We start off by taking a look at the contents of my make-up case; one of the primary things Paul does with his private clients. This establishes what a client is doing right, wrong, and products that he/she is missing.

First we go through my face regime. I hold up a tube of concealer. Paul asks about foundation or powder but I have neither in my case. I thought this season was all about natural skin showing through so I’ve gotten into the habit of mixing a bit of moisturizer with my concealer and applying all over my face, right? Wrong. Paul reminds me that I should be using at least one product on my face with SPF – be it moisturizer or foundation, and then asks if my makeup lasts all day. Well, it doesn’t.

Powder not only helps protect skin and even out skin tone, but it also sets everything else, making makeup last all day long. For people like me who don’t like to wear a lot on our skin, Paul recommends CG TruBlend Liquid Makeup which gives the look of virtually no makeup.

Next, Paul wants to see my blush. I take out an eye shadow palette and show him the delicious pink shade I’ve come to trust…at least since I knocked my actual blush to the bathroom floor and it shattered into fairy dust, beautiful useless fairy dust..

Paul’s doesn’t approve and with good reason. He explains that products intended for the eyes have different formulation and should not be used elsewhere in the day-to-day. Paul suggests using the CG TruCheeks Blush trio which comes in six easy-to-use pallets for that perfect skin tone match. He’s also not too pleased with my cheap blush brush which is small and flat and came with a kitschy traveling case of some kind. I think it’s for camping…

Paul confides that when it comes to great make-up application, it’s all in the tools, which should be proportional to the surface area being covered.

Next we work our way to the eyes. I have no shortage of shadows, liners, and mascaras. This is one area where I’ve covered most of my bases. He begins opening up all the cases and trying out the colours on our hands. (This is shaping up to be the most fun play date I’ve had in a while). All that’s missing are descent brushes. I have an angle brush for lining my eyes, but when it comes to everything else, I rely on the little sponges that come in the compact. This is a mistake many of us make, and Paul recommends purchasing a real brush. Busted.

As for my white eye liner pencil, which I use to line inside the lid and in the corner, Paul says it looks too stark. He opts for a pale yellow or light gold, which looks way more fresh and flattering. Put that on your eye and smoke it!

Finally its time for the lips! Anything goes this season – from daring shades of reds, oranges, fuchsias – to more natural shades like peaches and pearly pinks. One of the coolest new products to come from Cover Girl are the CG Wetslicks AmazeMint glosses which contain real Crest peppermint oil ensuring amazing breath. Four of the delicious shades also contain blue undertones which make teeth look whiter!

Paul’s main piece of advice is to always use lip balms as healthy hydrated lips are key when it comes to applying lip liner and blending into the lip colour. That’s what I was missing.

Then we begin talking about colour pigments. I only have one, but it’s a plummy sort of colour and I’ve never known what to do with it. Paul gets visibly excited and tells me that he loves working with colour pigments on lips, especially in shades of gold and silver. That’s crazy talk. But when applied, we end up with a look that’s different and very polished. Part of what sets Paul above other beauty experts is his disregard for limitations.

We wrap up the product consultation portion of the chat and move onto celebrity tricks. I demand to know Paul’s secret to making his celebrity clients look as ravishing as they do. What is it that makes all the difference? Highlighting and contouring is the answer. Really…that’s it? It seems too simple, but Paul assures me that “in subtleties we find the largest differences.”

He opens up his kit filled with the CG makeup mother load.

To do this right, Paul always begins with a clean base. From there he uses a shade – a tad darker than his client’s skin tone – to sculpt the face.

He did a brief demonstration on me and used two shades of CG TruBlend Minerals Loose Powder, which he mixed atop a napkin, to get it just right. He then applied it to the hollows of my cheeks. Immediately my face looked thinner and more defined. Then I asked him to do something about my nose, which I’ve always found a little round at the tip. To thin it out, Paul applied just a dab of the powder above the nostrils and voila – my nose looked instantly sleeker. I was falling in love.

Next it was time to feather in the highlights, which should fall exactly where the light naturally hits one’s face. This means the arch of the brow, cheekbones, etc. The key to this look is to BLEND, BLEND, BLEND!

In fact, Paul reveals that one of his very favourite looks is starting with a completely clean face, highlighting and contouring, and then playing up the focal point – strong brows. He uses a baby toothbrush to fill them in and smooth the natural arch into a straight, squared line, with only the very tip pointing downward. Hot stuff.

It’s now time for my favourite part – the one where we talk about my own makeup application and Paul gives me the star treatment. I’m smug and quite sure that I’ve impressed Paul with my mad skills and edgy colour combinations. I have gold shadow (from the CG Dazzling Metallics palette) all across the lid, lined with black on top, and gorgeous green shadow (from the CG Tropical Fusion palette) on the bottom. Three coats of mascara, rosy cheeks, and glossy lips… I patiently await my gold star for a job well done.

But things don’t quite work out this way. While Paul is fond of my choice of bold colours on the eyes, he doesn’t think my application is all too edgy or particularly creative. He calls it ‘safe.’ A tiny dagger pierces my heart.

Luckily, Paul’s here to help. Here’s a before and after of Paul’s genius performed on my eyes, as recreated by me.

The first step – Paul elongates the liner and tells me to keep it thinner in the middle as it makes the eye appear more elongated. Then he adds black liner to the bottom lid and thickens up the green below the eye. Next, and most surprisingly of all, Paul adds the Tropical Fusion shade from the CG Eye Enhancers 4-Kit Shadow palette just below the green shadow atop the cheekbone. This makes absolutely no sense to me but looks incredibly cool. Then Paul adds the same green shadow in the middle of my upper lid.

So I think we’re done. My eyes look wicked but Paul has another trick up his sleeve. He tells me to put on more CG LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara in Very Black (which kicks major ass by the way). I already have a couple coats on but Paul isn’t having it – “Girl, your eyelashes look naked to me right now!” So I listen like a good girl and not only apply the mascara to my bottom lashes but also add at least five more coats on top. The look is ultra glamorous. Having tasted the forbidden fruit, I cannot stop. I add one more coat.

The process is finally complete and I don’t think I’ve ever looked better. Though I will miss Paul’s expertise and charisma, he has opened my eyes to whole new world of makeup tips and tricks. However, I have a feeling Paul wants me to remember one thing most. That is, to never stop playing.

***CONTEST***

We have 8 Cover Girl Prize Packs to give away. For your chance to win, please email contests@shedoesthecity.com with “I HEART COVER GIRL” in the subject line.

Please include your shipping address in body of email; contest ends Monday July 28th at 4 pm.

Prize Pack includes:

* LashBlast Mascara in Very Black (some are waterproof)

* Wetslicks AmazeMind in Toast-ed (NEW, comes with blue undertone)

* Blast Eye Encancers in Blazing Blues (NEW)

* 2 x $1 off coupons for Wetlicks or Cover Girl eye shadows

Total approx. retail value = $25

Good luck!

by Olga Barsky
Would you like to contribute to Canada’s top fashion magazine? Oh you do, really? Well it’s too late – SORRY!

Take a minute to bang your forehead against a wall nearest you, clear your head of any romantic notions of what could have been, and check out the top twenty short listed finalists of FASHION Magazine’s Reporter Search 2008.

Voting has already begun, and the final decision rests with YOU! That’s right, you have the power to help your favourite style savvy guy or gal land their dream job for an entire year!

All twenty contestants are crazy accomplished and hail from across the nation. Lana Belton and Meghan Tooley are a stylish blogging (http://www.tjejsajten.blogspot.com/) twosome from Winnipeg who look no further than their grandmas for inspiration.
If it’s local style mavens you’re after, check out Toronto’s own Josette Blackwood, who’s recently given up her car and discovered a whole new underground universe of commuter chic.

Alternately, you can vote for the single male finalist, Craig David Long from Vancouver, a self described ‘post-modern guy’ who’s prized possession includes a vintage pair of YSL shades from the 70’s, which he enjoys rocking out with a belted safari shirt as a way of paying homage to the late designer.

There are seventeen more fascinating contestants for you to meet, so head on over to www.fashionmagazine.com/reportersearch and VOTE VOTE VOTE!

Last week Cover Girl took over Forever 21 at Yonge and Dundas for a very colourful soiree.

It was a tizzy of excitement indicative of any make up shout out, celebrity smack down, shopping discount hoopla; full of girls in cocktail dresses spilling over each other in their three inch heels.

As Queen of celebrity smut, Lainey dished about Lindsay's latest lesbian love affair upstairs, vivacious makeup artist to the stars, Paul Venoit and leggy CNTM winner, Rebecca Hardy took centre stage downstairs to introduce Cover Girl’s bold new lines that are pure glitter glam rock fun.

After munching on some pretty frosted cupcakes, learning some cues on how to best make my eyes pop at the beach, and purchasing some obnoxiously tight short shorts, I fled out to the city street lights with a make up loot bag (the best kind) full of delicious treats to beautify my somewhat exhausted face.

And when I say delicious, I mean just that - the WetSlicks Amazemint gloss has Crest peppermint oil in it, which means you taste fresh, smell fresh and look wet. Make up and make out.

The Cover Girl Eye Enhancers shadows offer up some playful dramarama that will go perfectly with your electro mash ups, neon pumps and gold chains.

Sass it up and have some fun! After all - isn't that what summertime is all about?

A sunny day, good friends, good tunes and good conversation. Cupcakes and Belvedere cocktails, manicures, pedicures and stiletto heels. Add a little eye candy to the mix and we have, What Women Want, hosted by Event Planning Superstar, Shannae Ingleton at Proof Bar in the Intercontinental Hotel this past June. What could be more of a perfect day than mixing, mingling, shopping and getting pampered together with a few hundred kindred spirited women dressed to the nines in gorgeous summer frocks. And of course…there were gift bags! 

What Women Want is the annual headline event for what Ms. Ingleton plans to grow into a mix of women-focused events in Toronto, including a WWW book club and yoga classes. This year, attendees to the event were made privy to butt-lifting secrets from Beauty & Behind and get fit tips from fitness expert, Lyzabeth Lopez (we can almost all use a little help in this department, non?), were indulged with a LouLou magazine sponsored nail bar and Cargo Cosmetic makeovers , fell in love with buttery leather belts by cha cha (I love the Elizabeth belt) and Susana Erazo,  drooled over the finest, most fabulous footwear by Maria Serrano shoes from argentina and swooned over the gorgeous fashions of Juma and Brazen Hussy , to name a few of the little luxuries on offer. There was so much at our freshly polished fingertips it was hard to choose! 

Or course, one of the most fabulous aspects of the event was meeting and being inspired by the many entrepreneurial women on hand. While the cocktails flowed and the sun added to our glow, it was so lovely to get to know some like-minded women and be encouraged and energized by their success stories and support of others’ ideas.  

And while this year’s event is well behind us, there is definitely more to come from What Women Want. So start thinking about your frills and frocks for next year and leaving the boys at home for a fabulous day of fun in the sun – girlie-style. 

To stay up-to-date on what’s happening with What Women Want,

visit  www.ilovewhatwomenwant.com 

Photos by RoswellAnderson.com

by Haley Cullingham

While I am the first to agree that skintight synthetics have their time and place, bike wear and lycra went their separate ways many years ago. In an effort to stay chic and avoid flashing oncoming traffic on your way to the Bicycle Film Fest this weekend, there are a few items to fill your basket with. No one looks better than a cute girl on a bike in a sundress, but first and foremost, buy yourself a pair of SPANX, to wear under your dress and avoid en route exposure. Unlike other flats, a pair of gladiator sandals will stay snug to your feet, and they’re comfy for pedalling. If you need to cover up, wear a belted cardigan so as to avoid looking, in the words of one stylish cyclist, like a superman. Another excellent biking trick is to put some curl-activator in your hair before you leave the house, for adorable windswept helmet head. The best way to show off those toned-and-tan biker legs is a onesie, and a pair of casual long shorts like these Levi’s 501s are comfy and, in free-bike-spirit, picnic ready. And of course, no urban bike warrior is complete without a basket to carry your purse, your booze, and your friends.

by Jen and Olga
I’m the kind of girl who puts her makeup on in about five minutes. Sometimes it looks good, other times it appears as though I’m twelve years old playing with my mom’s assorted eyeliners and lipsticks. 

Having attended several fashion shows this year and seeing how flawlessly models look, I wanted to learn the process behind a full face application.  

Perhaps it may have been more practical to ask for a clean day look, but ‘practicality’ isn’t really my specialty; so instead I said, “Make me look like nightlife circa 1985”. With all the fun bright colours making quite the splash this season, what better way to experiment than to have a senior artist at MAC, Melissa Gibson, do me up like a female version of David Bowie.  

Since I was sitting in a chair with my eyes looking up, down, shut and sideways, SDTC writer Olga took down notes on how to achieve this dramatic look…  

To start things off, Melissa prepped her work surface – the plains of Jen’s face – with MAC Wipes.  These are magic.  If you’re too lazy to wash your face (like I am), these babies certainly do the trick. 

Next it was time for Studio Moisture Cream – a super silky formula that doubles as a day or night cream – and leaves skin feeling hydrated and refreshed.   

Now that I could see my reflection on Jen’s shiny forehead, it was time for Melissa to even out her complexion with Face and Body Foundation, which she applied with a brush.  What about our trusty sponges? Melissa assured us that brushes work a lot better, and provide the following advantages over sponges: 

      * product feels lighter on skin

      * skin looks more natural

      * no streaking

      * unlike sponge, brush doesn’t soak up product

      * provides more airbrushed look 

Just remember to wash your brushes every couple of days to avoid build-up of product – and worse – bacteria.  As a side note, Melissa used the 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush, made from a blend of goat and synthetic fibres. Bahhhhh. Okay, not funny…sorry. 

Melissa was right, Jen’s skin looked dewy and radiant, and I was very jealous as I stole a couple moments to examine my own blotchy face.  In that moment, I took comfort in the fact that Jen’s skin wasn’t perfect just yet; there were still a couple more steps left to go. And so, it was time for the smallest tube that goes the longest way – Select Cover-Up, which I’ve come to swear by for the last 5 years.  It goes on smooth and you can wear it with or without foundation. 

And just like that, it was powder time!  With so many different options to choose from – sheer, pressed, loose, and mineral – its hard to pick just one. Not for Melissa. She went straight for a Blot Pressed Powder, which reduces shine without adding much colour or texture and sets foundation. 

It was now time for the best part – the eyes.  Melissa began by applying two shades of Painstick to the lid – Genuine Orange and Pink Vivid. I’ve never seen these before as they are from the MAC Pro line, and was interested to learn that they are HIGHLY pigmented, and go on with no grease or shine.  

But that was only the first step. Now it was time to really make Jen’s green eyes POP with a combination of Devil Powderblush and Bisque Matte Shadow, which Melissa liberally applied to the top lid, and used as a liner on the lower lid. 

For even more PIZZAZZ, Melissa pulled out a Bright Fuchsia Loose Shadow, and assured us that it was easy enough to work with as it adheres to skin. It can go on as sheer or intense as you like, and stays on without streaking or caking.   

To finish off the eye, Melissa applied mascara to Jen’s lashes, and Blacktrack Fluid Line along the top and bottom lashline with an angled brush. 

The rest of the make-up was kept neutral and soft.  To bring out Jen’s cheek bones Melissa used the Prism Blush – a muted rosy brown hue with matte finish.  As for the lips, she chose the most beautiful shade of lipstick called High Tea – an elegant beiged pink colour with a bit of pearl. 

Jen’s conclusive remarks: 

As predicted, this is not the ‘quick and dirty’ approach to making yourself up however – you can pull insight from some of the tips, or if you are attending a concert, Pride event, or over-the-top theme party, then go full out and have fun. 

Of course, with such dramatic eyes, it was most necessary to follow up our maquillage with a rock out photo shoot in a colourful graffiti alley.  

WORK IT, LOVE IT, DANCE IT, OWN IT!!

by Olga Barsky
What is Resort Wear? An accurate answer is hard to pin point these days. Essentially, Resort Wear a.k.a. Cruise Wear began as a smallish collection of bathing suits designed by fashion heavy hitters like Louis Vuitton and Gucci for their rich and mighty clientele. After all, they couldn’t just frolic on private beaches wearing grossly outdated summer swimsuits from the previous season.  And so, while the middle class saved their hard earned cash for family vacations in rat-infested resorts during hurricane season, the jet set crowd lost sleep over major life decisions – Prada or Chanel? 

And then, vacation destinations began to change, and Resort fashion followed.  Fabulous people were now flocking to cooler climates in search of ski hills and five star chalets.  Heavier knits were introduced, as were lounge pants, and ruffled dresses in luxurious high-maintenance fabrics.  Cruise Wear was all of the sudden ‘the shit’ and winning attention and respect of the fashion industry; it was even granted status as its very own season. 

To this day, Resort Wear remains impractical, elitist, and a little bit stupid.  At the same time, it’s an excuse to ogle at fabulous clothes that we can’t afford.  Here are some resort looks that made a splash in our panties.    

by Olga Barsky
Fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent, 71, passed away late Sunday in his Paris home from a rumoured brain tumour.

More than a fashion designer, Saint Laurent was an artist and innovator whose fearless attitude and social consciousness set him apart from his peers. Among his many accomplishments, Saint Laurent democratized fashion by making prêt a porter reputable with his Rive Gauche line, and resurrected haute couture from the Sixties slump.

Most notably, the YSL brand came to personify the emerging independent woman. How exciting it must have been for Saint Laurent to shock and awe his French bourgeois customers by accosting them with leggy models rocking masculine trouser suits on the runway. Also known as Les Smoking Suits, sophisticated and comfortable, they revolutionized daywear and proved Saint Laurent's savvy in understanding the woman – body and attitude. Unlike many fashion house greats of the 20th Century – Chanel, Balenciaga, and Dior – YSL sought to reassure and modernize the woman, as opposed to branding her silly and sending off to work dressed like a cake.

A man who designed to the beat of his own drum, Saint Laurent broke many a boundary in his quest to politicize the world of fashion. The designer was among the first to use black models on the runway. "He made me proud of my colour," said supermodel and muse of the designer, Mounia in a French radio interview. What's more, Saint Laurent was the first ever living designer to be honoured by the Metropolitan Museum of Art which devoted an entire show to his work in 1983.

Yves Saint Laurent was born August 1, 1936 in Oran, in what was then French Algeria. With a portfolio full of sketches, he left home at age 17 and before long was working for French designer Christian Dior, who hired him on the spot. Following Dior's death, the 21-year-old designer took his place, saving the house from financial ruin and embarrassment. It was during his Dior era, that Saint Laurent was propelled to stardom with his first solo collection, in which he nixed girdles and other constrictive women's apparel in favour of the effortlessly simple trapeze dress.

The designer's 'trapeze line' was met with much enthusiasm and he became a darling of the fashion world almost immediately. Following his success, Saint Laurent was called to serve in the French Army during Algerian War of Independence. After serving a handful of weeks, unable to cope with the stresses, he was institutionalized and later sent home, only to learn he'd been replaced at Dior.

Taking matters into his own hands, Saint Laurent started his own label YSL in 1962, which was financed by his man friend (at the time) Pierre Berge. In addition to creating beautiful clothes, Saint Laurent also found time to get into a little bit of trouble. In 1971, the designer decided to pose in the buff, wearing only his trademark thick rimmed black reading glasses, in an ad for his perfume.

Saint Laurent remained with YSL until his retirement in 2002, at which point he frankly addressed past daemons, "I've known fear and terrible solitude…tranquilizers and drugs, those phoney friends. The prison of depression and hospitals. I've emerged from all this, dazzled but sober."

Here's what Robin Kay had to say about the designer:

"My most thrilling ensemble in the late 70s/early 80s was an Yves St. Laurent black, taffeta two-piece cocktail frock that belonged to a friend’s society mother.  This was really in the days of pre-label mania, but I loved the fact that this oh-so-elegant French designer was the stylist of the suit. I have great memories of my chic appearance wearing his clothes.

In 2002, there was a rather controversial biography created on Monsieur St. Laurent which I presented at L’Oréal Fashion Week.  It was accompanied by the director, the film and him ALL en francais.  Language barrier not with standing, it had a huge impact on our journalists.

This was a style-changing designer who's efforts in the world of fashion came at a time that re-wrote fashion history, turning a corner with women’s fashion. "Le Smoking," as the evening jacket was referred to, was headline news in North America.  It offered women the style and comfort of a men’s suit with the sexiness of a plunging décoloté.  Monsieur St. Laurent  started a true fashion revolution! Brilliant!”

Robin Kay
President, Fashion Design Council of Canada
Executive Director, L’Oréal Fashion Week

I first had the pleasure of meeting Canadian fashion designer Carrie Hayes at the Toronto Fashion Incubator New Labels show where she caught my eye wearing a lovely dress from her Fall collection. A week later during a spur-of-the-moment trip to Collingwood, I found Carrie’s label in Butter boutique. Shortly after that I ran into Marlene Shiff, owner of Boutique le Trou at a friend’s wedding wearing a beautiful black dress with the sexiest neckline I’ve ever seen. I asked who it was by. The answer, I should have seen it coming, CARRIE. These couldn’t have all been coincidences; the world was trying to tell me something. So I did the one thing short of hiding out in bushes outside of the budding designer’s house – I sent her an email proclaiming my newfound love for CARRIE.

A week later, I was seated in Carrie’s TFI nest alongside Ali de Bold, co-founder of girl-Mecca site ChickAdvisor. Over tea, we discussed everything from the Canadian fashion scene to Project Runway Canada winner Evan Biddell and the ridiculously intricate construction of the brassiere. (Perhaps that is why the boys have so much trouble…?)

The conversation and tea flowed freely while Ali and I became more and more enamored with Carrie Hayes. She’s intelligent, charming, a little shy, and has a spark in her eyes reminiscent of an anime character in love. Carrie’s in love also – with her craft. From selecting fabrics to dreaming up silhouettes, and rifling through magazines in search of inspiration, she loves it all. What’s most impressive, Carrie is a one woman show who has mastered both the business and creative end of her label.

It is in her office and adjoining studio where most of the magic happens. As a resident of TFI, Carrie, a grad of the International Academy of Design program, works predominantly out of the Incubator. There are many joys of working in the space, but Carrie is especially thankful for the nurturing environment and inspiring guests.

“You never know who’s going to stop by,” she exclaims excitedly. Premier Canadian designers like David Dixon are known to frequent the joint. They come by, “always when you’re tired and look your worst,” Carrie moans. One day she ran into Brian Bailey while wearing sweats; she’s still kicking herself for that one.

So how long has Carrie wanted to be a designer? She says she’s always known, and even has the evidence to prove it. To my surprise, she whips out all her sketches from grade six onward. They’re neatly organized in little black binders, and look mighty impressive. Stunned by the system, I immediately ask if Carrie’s a Virgo. My hunch is wrong – she’s a Libra, and has the indecisive streak to back it up.

Libra she may be, but Carrie is damn sure about one thing – her Spring ’08 collection. Having previously worked in dancewear, Carrie couldn’t wait to tap into that aesthetic once timing was right. Spring ‘08 proved to be that time, and her collection is heavily influenced by ballet (music to my ears). Other inspirations include modernism, Bauhaus, and post Art Deco; she’s especially loving clean lines, cut-outs, and criss-crosses. How terribly elegant it all sounds. When it comes to collections, designers must design well ahead of time in order to accommodate buyers. Carrie is currently working on Spring ’09, but it’s top secret, so we’ll have to wait and see.

So how does she do it? How does she know what people will want to wear in a year’s time? “Fashion is socio political,” Carrie affirms. As a designer, she feels it’s her job to stay atop social and political trends, and complete the puzzle. What’s more, Carrie’s interest in fashion isn’t limited to designing. One of her major goals is to educate people about designers and their benefits and value to society.

Back to the clothes - how does Carrie describe her label? Unique, beautiful, and edgy. More than words, this is her mantra, a filter which all her designs must get through in order to be realized on fabric. Is it different? Is it beautiful? While a garment may be unique, it may be hideous to look at, so Carrie makes sure that it is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also looks attractive on the body. Aand it has to be edgy. There’s no sense re-cycling what has already been done. This Carrie-esque sensibility is evident across her collection, and if given a police line-up of couture, the least discerning eye in the room could pick out a CARRIE in a heartbeat.

After many years working in the apparel industry and developing the intuition for her craft, thankfully she has no plans to depart from what has become her forte – day to evening wear. Carrie’s garments are consistently sophisticated, however she enjoys baring a tasteful amount of skin – the curve of the back or keyhole cutout neckline. This has made several buyers nervous, and she’s even gotten requests to modify her designs in favour of more coverage. It’s funny, looking at all the beautiful samples of finely crafted dresses hanging in her office, the last word I would ever use to describe them is vulgar!

Aside from her line, Carrie also teaches an 8-week long corset-making workshop. Corsets are super complicated to make, let alone to fit, and can take any where from 20 to 30 hours to complete. At the end of the course, students get to rock out in their creations for a high fashion photo shoot with professional photog. How cool is that?

You can check out more CARRIE at www.carriehayes.com

Pics courtesy of Ali de Bold

by Olga Barsky
Located in the heart of Parkdale, Made You Look has recently spawned a second location across the street. With more space comes more jewelry, and as long as you cross the street carefully, you can deck your wrists with bling instead of a snazzy white cast.

Made You Look encapsulates the jewelry of over 100 local jewelry designers who work with a wide variety of materials. There’s a little bit here for everyone as pieces range from affordable accessories du jour like lucid bangles, to one of a kind engagement rings, and out-of-the-jewelry-box creations like funky fabric broaches and plastic horse necklaces.  

What truly separates Made You Look from the rest is the concept behind the three-in-one space: store, workspace, and gallery.  Owner Sarah dreamt up this idea for a school project, and after being encouraged by classmates and faculty, decided to give it a go.  She wanted to provide a nurturing environment for Toronto jewelry makers to not only showcase and sell their pieces, but one where they could bounce ideas off one another, and have a sense of belonging. And she did. 

At any given time (the workspace is open 24/7), expect to see several jewelers working away…and you can stay and watch if you’d like. Maybe you can even talk one of them into customizing a piece just for you? How cool would that be! 

Made You Look
1338 Queen St. West
416.463.2136

Made You Look Accessories
1273 Queen Street West
416.516.9595

www.madeyoulook.ca