Happy Saturday!

Our boys won the hockey game last night against Slovakia, and Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil took a picture of these divine Prada platform shoes.

So despite the sore throat I woke up with this morning, it's a Happy Saturday, after all!

xo
Haute Hippie

Giorgio for Gaga.

Lady Gaga is getting set to go on her Monster's Ball tour, and the only and only Giorgio Armani has designed an onstage outfit for her.

The very Gaga-esque bodysuit is made entirely of blue sequins and comes with matching sunnies (and a very, very high leg cut).

Armani's sketch of the ensemble is so cool looking, I wanted to make it my Facebook profile picture, then realized my first name is not Lady and my last name is not Gaga.

So I'll just post it here instead.






I'm Lovin' it: Um, there's going to be a Zoolander 2?! Yes, there is. And it's bringing back Ben Stiller, accompanied by Jonah Hill, who will play the new villain. Blue Steel is back.





I'm Over it: Tried to watch the Prada Fall 2010 RTW show, which was streaming online this morning at 11am PST. That's a good thing, right? The bad thing is that the streaming was so choppy, I had to give up and close the window. Arrrrrrrgh.


Track of the Day: "Between Two Lungs" by Florence and The Machine. It has a peppy Matt & Kim-type beat, but the soulful, pretty power of a Sarah McLachlan.






* Photos property of style.com, graysmatter.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Shear(ling) Delight.

Shearling often reminds me of Ugg boots, that latter of which I stay far, far away from.

(Yes, I know how comfy they are, but I just can't bring myself to love how they look. Apparently I'm shallow like that.)

Leave it to Christopher Bailey of Burberry to make me change my tune about shearling by sending his London Fashion Week Fall 2010 RTW models in a variety of long, cropped, big-collared shearling coats, some with multiple leather buckled straps wrapping around the lower arm sleeves. There were some cream and natural shades -- almost as if the designer left the shearling as is -- but it really were military colors that ruled the coats.

I was also rather fond of Bailey (and his stylist) pairing a creamy white version with a jewel blue silk dress and tough buckled black boots, an odd contrast that surprisingly worked.

Hear, hear to shearling.








I'm Lovin' it: Kidrobot does De La Soul as toys. If you push their tummies, do they break out into "The Magic Number"? Because that would be sick.






I'm Over it: I missed Jermaine Dupri last night! Damn writing deadlines. My buddy A.G. went, however, and I told him I hoped JD broke this one out. Reminds me of my high school days. Oh yeah.




Album of the Day: I'm New Here by Gil Scott-Heron. This famous American spoken word poet released a new album under the watchful eye and ear of Richard Russell of XL Records, after spending time on Riker's Island for drug possession. Scott-Heron's raw vocals are set against electronic and acoustic sounds -- you'll be compelled.






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Pop Yo' Collar.

Everything about this outfit is en pointe and screams to be imitated.

There is so much going on here, yet it all comes together in the end: hooded jacket with a huge popped collar (by far the piece de resistance of this ensemble), collared button-up, striped multi-color skirt, green tights, green vintage bag, vintage sunglasses, knit cardigan and red lipstick.

Almost sounds like some sort of gypsy outfit, right?

Well, an ultra-chic one, that is.





I'm Lovin' it: The Row Fall 2010.




I'm Over it: What the?? I'm already getting event invites for April?! Huh...2010 is moving itself along in a hurry.


Music of the Day: The 2004 Music by Cavelight album from Blockhead (aka. hip hop producer Tony Simon). It reminds me a little of the Donuts album from the late and great J. Dilla, at least the first track "You've Got Maelstorm" does anyway, along with a few tracks in between.





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Anna Dello Russo.

I want to meet Anna Dello Russo, the fashion director for Vogue Nippon.

Swear the woman never wears the same thing twice.

AND she's wearing those Louis Vuitton bunny ears -- you know the ones Madonna wore on the red carpet to the last Met gala -- for this NY Mag interview.

I heart ADR!





I'm Lovin' it: I'll admit, Proenza Schouler wasn't a label that I considered one of my favorites a few years back, but ever since their Spring '08 collection (with its military-slash-tribal flair), I've been more likely to view their collections now than before. So hear, hear to Fall '10 RTW from Lazaro and Jack!


I'm Over: Every time I order a tea, I always get distracted by getting down to work that I forget to take out my tea bag from the water. It leaves said tea annoyingly strong and, therefore, rather unpalatable. Right now, I'm trying to down a particularly potent strawberry tea because I refuse to concede to defeat and waste.


Music of the Day: Last night, Toronto DJ group Keys N Krates was killing it at Fortune Sound Club. Y'all bet I dance, dance, danced to Mos Def's "Ms. Fat Booty"!

Two Catens, One Haute Hippie.

DSquared2.

Me.

Sandwiched in between the label's designers Dean and Dan Caten for a recent event at Holt Renfrew, debuting their limited-edition Olympic fleece hoodies for guys and gals.

Don't usually show my mug, but was so excited to meet them. Yay!

They're the most smiley duo I've ever met. It's nice to know that some of the industry's biggest designers are also amongst the nicest people ever.





* Photo property of Haute Hippie and is used solely for commentary purposes

LV Love.

This city is still packed to the gills with people enjoying the Olympics festivities and spirit.

I know New York Fashion Week Fall '10 RTW is going on right now -- and I really should be concentrating on the collections being shown out there! -- but I can't help but be glued to the television and computer screen, getting updates on competitions and medal standings.

Here's a little something I spotted this afternoon that I made me laugh out loud.

Free rickshaw-type rides are currently being offered to help people get from points A to B with ease during the Olympics.

One girl opted to walk, but her LV carryall bag got a ride.

Girl's got her priorities right, at least.





I'm Lovin' it: Promise to post images of my favorite NYFW Fall '10 outfits over the next few days, but so far the runway winners in my books include -- but are not limited to -- rag & bone, Alexander Wang, Yigal Azrouel, most of Rodarte, all of Marc Jacobs (so classy with the sequins and fur!) and always unisex Rad Hourani .


I'm Over it: Those who still continue to protest the Olympics. The Games are here already, folks. Get over it.


Track of the Day: "Yoshimi Vs. The Pink Robots" by The Flaming Lips.





* Photo property of Haute Hippie and is used solely for commentary purposes

Rest In Peace, Alexander McQueen.

There are no words that can possibly fully express how I feel today upon learning about the death of fashion's "enfant terrible", Alexander McQueen.

The British designer's untimely death -- from an apparent suicide -- comes not too long after the tech-savvy presentation of his mind-blowing Spring 2010 collection and just as New York Fashion Week has kicked off on the east coast.

Reeling from today's news, the fashion industry is plugging along with a heavy heart, as his McQ presentation was cancelled and the McQueen store in the Meatpacking District shut down until this coming Saturday.

McQueen, who lost his dear friend and hat aficionado Isabella Blow back in 2007 to suicide, lost his mother last week as well, with whom he was very close.

Those who admired the designer knew him for his repeated use of skulls -- remember those McQueen scarves flying off shelves in recent years? -- and his tendency to mix the dark with the whimsical. His shows were grand spectacles, and though his label went through a rollercoaster of finances, McQueen's many, many supporters in and out of the industry never left his side -- and rightfully so, because the man was pure brilliance and innovation, a true design genius who has, as devastating as it is to us all, taken his final runway bow.

Click here for an honorable retrospective of his work, done by The Cut.

The mourning of his death will go on long after today ends.

Rest in peace, Alexander McQueen. There will never be another like you.





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Winter 2010 Olympics Madness.

I'm a little lacking in my posts for the past couple of days, but it's honestly been madness in my little world!

The Winter 2010 Olympics are here, and the city is buzzing with an incredible energy that I haven't seen before.

Walking around downtown is such a trip: people from all over the world are here on our streets, speaking in fabulous foreign languages and bringing a bit of Euro style to the table. It's fantastic!

Tonight marks the first major night for events, so I'm just about to get ready for the big Olympics bash at the Opus Hotel, followed by An Awesome Showcase art show at Shine Nightclub. Then it's back to the Opus, I'm sure!

Then there's the Samsung Pavilion and Molson Hockey House media tours tomorrow during the day, followed by the "Confessions" performance -- starring my girl Carla C.! -- tomorrow night.

On Thursday, there's the Oakley media preview at Grouse Mountain, W2 launch and Gibson Guitar party.

Friday brings the Heineken House, then meeting Dean and Dan Caten from DSquared at Holt Renfrew for an event on Saturday evening, followed by possibly the free Califone and Wilco concerts at David Lam Park, which will then be followed by a big gathering of my friends, some of whom have flown in from New York and Pakistan for the Games.

In short, whew!! Oh, and Happy Tuesday, of course!

I pray that I make it through these next few weeks alive.

xo
Haute Hippie

Happy Friday! Bamjamz.

My bedtime staples include the following: a good brush of the teeth, minty wax floss, Chantecaille's Rose and Geranium face wash, Bliss toner and either my birthday suit or my Steven Alan rainbow bloomer shorts.

There's no need to wear a ton of clothes in order to count fictitious sheep, right?!

I might be changing my mind, though, after learning my good buddy Pons-arelli did the graphics for Bamjamz, a new organic bamboo sleepwear line that's been picked up by Holt Renfrew across the country and just got some love from ELLE Canada.

Now to see if Bamjamz can make me count sheep faster at midnight.

Happy Friday!

xo
Haute Hippie





I'm Lovin' it: The Olympics are coming up so fast and there is so much going on in town. It's amazing!!


I'm Over it: The Olympics are coming up so fast and there is so much going on in town. I had a heart attack looking at my event schedule for the next few weeks. YIKES.


Music of the Day: Please, please, PLEASE download Enter The Magical Mystery Chambers, a free Wu Tang vs. Beatles remix album from Tea Sea Records, produced by Tony Caruana.

Wu Tang acapellas + Beatles muzzak = SO GOOD!






* Photos property of Bamjamz, Tea Sea Records and are used solely for commentary purposes

Tattoo Time.

I never thought I'd say this, but I've been heavily contemplating getting a tattoo.

It's something I've added to my bucket list recently.

Of course, I'm not looking for dragons and flames and tramp stamps and suns and fairies and flowers. I'm looking for something that has a significant meaning to me. It'll be small and well-placed -- I'm thinking just underneath my armpit, along the side of my body but not running all the way to my hip or anything, something that can be hidden when my arms are down.

I also think the wrist tattoo can look good, as well, like these (temporary Chanel) ones on Dree Hemingway, photographed by Garance Dore.

The wrist might be too much public exposure for me, though.

But I'll let you know when I figure out just what thing of significance I'm going to ink on my body.

PS. Dad, I know you're reading this and probably shaking your head right now! :)





* Photo property of Garance Dore and is used solely for commentary purposes

Two One Two.

My boys Anthony Castro and Scott Walhovd, the duo behind Vancouver and New York-based line 212, have Spring/Summer 2010 ready to go and, man, does it look good.

They, like many others in fashion, jumped on the blue hue bandwagon with the Terry Snap Front Silk Print Top and Alice Gathered Silk Mini Skirt (paired together), both of which I pretty much need to make mine right now (dialing the store's number as I type...).

The Maralyn Criss Cross Top is another must-have -- it would so fab with a pair of either slim-fitting shorts or ragged denim cutoffs.

Spring can't come fast enough for me.







I'm Lovin' it: My first society column comes out tomorrow, woo hoo!


I'm Over it: Let's not get into it at the moment.


Track of the Day: "Volver a ver" by Siddhartha.






* Photos property of 212 and are used solely for commentary purposes

Singin' The Blues.

Pantone named Turquoise to be their color of 2010, because it "transports us to an exciting, tropical paradise while offering a sense of protection and healing in stressful times."

Adds Leatrice Eiseman of the Pantone Color Institute, “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

It's no wonder why I've been seeing so much blue in stores and in collections of late!

This weekend, a little bird at Club Monaco told my buddy Scoots and I to come back on Tuesday to check out the new incoming collection, which -- surprise, surprise! -- she said was blue-based. Then I looked at the new Dace Spring 2010 collection today, and the most covetable pieces -- like the Lucie and Brielle dresses -- were blue, too (super light and then very bright, respectively).

Baby blue was big on runways -- Ralph Lauren in particular had a lot of it for Spring 2010, as well as navy. Even Alexander McQueen wove an aqua hue into his recent sea creature-esque collection.

Guess this might be the one time people are actually happy that someone's singing the blues.









I'm Lovin' it: Currently have on my (faux) fur bolero today, wondering why, oh, why I don't wear it more often?! Also, thanks to Holt Renfrew VP of Fashion Direction, Barbara Atkin, for taking us through the trends for Spring 2010! She has to be one of the nicest ladies working in fashion today.





I'm Over it: Searching through my business cards for one in particular was absolute mayhem today. Need to plug them all into my Mac address book, like, stat.


Music of the Day: Beach House -- or Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand-- released their new (and third) album called Teen Dream, and it's still pretty chilled out (though more grown-up sounding than their last album, I must say). I really like the tracks "Lover of Mine" and "Walk in the Park".






* Photos property of style.com, Pantone, Dace, Holt Renfrew and are used solely for commentary purposes