Cole's Notes.

Many of us suffer greatly for fashion: too-high heels, too-tight Spanx (for going under that Herve Leger), too-heavy wool coats, too-expensive impulse buys, the list rambles on.

Insiders and consumers want to be feel comfortable, but recoil at the thought of sacrificing aesthetics for it, hence the rising popularity of trendy sweats, like loose, cropped, harem-ish sweatpant, a la Alexander Wang, Norma Kamali and Joe Fresh, or long sweatshirt dresses.

Kings of Cole has released a new collection of sweats with rose-gold hardware, all of which is more likely to be paired with heels and seen in the inside of a hip hotel bar rather than be paired with Nikes on a treadmill.

Wearing these?

It's no sweat at all.








I'm Lovin' it: Gucci just released a pair of 3D glasses, in the brand's classic aviator style, so say goodbye to those generic ones from the movie theatre. I'm ready to see Avatar again!




I'm Over it: This morning, one of my work accounts was operating fine. An hour later, everything in my inbox and folders vanished. You can say I'm freaking out just a little right now.


Track of the Day: Daft Punk made a special appearance at a recent Phoenix concert at Madison Square Garden. I don't really know what it is about this helmeted electro duo, but seeing them makes my heart skip a beat. Seeing them playing with Phoenix makes my heart skip two.





* Photos property of Kings of Cole, thedaily.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

In Theory.

Theory is a working woman's brand.

Ladies spending their 9-5 in conservative offices could always, in Theory (no pun intended), be both office-chic and office-appropriate.

For those more adventurous in dress, Theory wasn't exactly a go-to, but with news that Olivier Theyskens recently broke his design hibernation and took the reigns at the brand, that tune is about to change more than a few octaves.

He presented his first collection, for Spring 2011, the other day and suddenly, gone are any perceptions of Theory being only about work pants and sensible (read: boring) pieces.

Well, the brand still makes sense, but even more so now for the fashion-forward.














I'm Lovin' it: Shall I be a cupcake for Halloween, as suggested by American Apparel? I think yes.




I'm Over it: Seriously?! Policemen in an Italian town have been given the right to fine women for wearing too-short skirts and too-low tops. So much for fashion freedom and really going after the bad guys.


Music of the Day: Green Wedding Shoes did a mix of covers from Passion Pit, Ryan Adams, The Black Keys and more. Perfect for playing on rainy, grey days in.


* Photos property of nymag.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Chanel Spring/Summer '11. Merci, Garance Dore.

Just watched this front row and backstage footage of the Chanel Spring/Summer '11 show in Paris, from the adorable Garance Dore.

It's unbelievable how elaborate Lagerfeld's sets are every season.

It's also unbelievable how cute Chanel male muse Brad Koenig's son is.





* Photo property of fashionista.com and is used solely for commentary purposes

Outfits of Opulence.

Sundays are great for many reasons: brunches with girlfriends, running errands, watching girly movies on the W Network, catching up on work and getting up to speed on blog browsing.

For someone who loves fashion as I do, I was shamefully behind on clicking through all the Spring/Summer 2011 collections out of Paris, so I spent a portion of my afternoon yesterday getting lost in the froth and opulence of Chanel and Alexander McQueen.







Karl Lagerfeld turned out another winning collection, naturally, but it really is Sarah Burton, the late Alexander McQueen's right hand woman and label successor, that deserved the thunderous applause.

Her creations channeled everything that was her predecessory, yet it was apparent to everyone in the industry that was injecting a bit of new blood -- her own -- into the label. One can only imagine the pressure she was under to honor the late designer, but Burton weathered the storm more than well.

It's comforting to all to know that the House of McQueen is in very, very capable hands.






I'm Lovin' it: Big meeting tomorrow! My Power Point presentation is locked and loaded. Yes, I'm a nerd.




I'm Over it: It's a monsoon outside. The gloomy months are officially here.


Track of the Day: I downloaded Twin Shadow's debut album Forget late last week. "For Now" is super song.






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

Top Less Gay Love Tekno Party.

Through work, I've had the chance to connect with a few good people in all sorts of industries, adding new (and sometimes already established) artists and musicians to my viewing and listening repertoire.

Most recently, I have recently crossed paths with a local band, Top Less Gay Love Tekno Party.

Here's a wicked, wicked remix of "TLGLTP" by Tigers on Vaseline.

And for another mid-week track, here's their live cover of Arcade Fire's "Wake Up".

Beautiful BC.

My grey boots have seen better days, yet I still insist on wearing them.

It's hard when you love an item that much.

But the rainy season is nigh, which means I'll be getting drops in my boots and my socks wet (on account of the holes at the toe). Which means they must be replaced.

While on a trip out of town on the weekend, I found these BC Footwear booties with very fall-like, fold-over plaid lining. All you need to do is throw on leggings or skinny denim and a cozy sweater, while sipping on pumpkin spice latte.

I guess those grey boots of mine aren't as irreplaceable as I thought.






I'm Lovin' it: Meeting Irina Lazareanu through my friend Reebs at the Joe Fresh flagship store opening on Saturday. Like Kate Moss, she's not as tall as one would think she'd be. She was still lovely, though.




I'm Over it: Things. That. Arrive. Late.


Track of the Day: "She's Got A Ticket To Ride" by The Carpenters. I go through spurts of being obsessed by Karen Carpenter's music, and this is one of those times.





* Photos property of May Globus, models.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Piano Man.

As a young lass, I was forced to take piano lessons, from the rudimentary all the way to Royal Convservatory 7.

As a full-grown adult, I'm very happy to have acquired these key skills (pun entirely intended), because there's nothing more stress-relieving than playing the piano (besides a good run outside in crisp air).

I do okay across the ivories, but I'm nothing close to an iota like Elew, nee Eric Lewis, a jazz pianist known for mixing classical, pop and rock into his performances.

Here he is, doing his rendition of "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers.





And "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana.





WOW.

Maison Martin Margiela: Limited-Edition Charity AIDS T-Shirt.

Maison Martin Margiela puts forth great collections every season, and every year since Fall/Winter '94-'95, MMM puts forth a limited-edition charity t-shirt for the greater cause of AIDS.

The tees have long said the same thing: "There is more action to be done to fight AIDS than wear this t-shirt, but it's a good start". This year's version launches on December 1, in time for world AIDS day and in Japanese script, encouraging people to initiate dialogue about the epidemic.

A percentage of sales benefits Paris' Aides organization, a city which is also home to where the t-shirt is made and will be sold at all Maison Martin Margiela stores.

It's your way to own something from Margiela, and it's your own way to help find a cure for one of the most devastating diseases known to man.

Besos,
Haute Hippie






I'm Lovin' it: It always amazes me how creative the people around me are. For example, my pal Corny is a New Zealander-turned-official-Canadian recently, and there's going to be a bash in his honor soon. Here's the inventive invite, made by another mutual pal. Ingenious. Corny's all about the benjamins! Or in this case, about the Sir Robert Bordens. (note: sorry, kids, it's a private function, so no gatecrashers!)




I'm Over it: Plans to wake up really early this morning to get a head start on work were thwarted by a compelling feeling to snooze more than I should have.


Track of the Day: I'm a sucker for '80s ballads. I caught Planes, Trains and Automobiles with John Candy and Steve Martin on TV the other day, and "Everytime You Go Away" by Paul Young was the outro song.






* Photos property of Maison Martin Margiela, Staff International, J. Currie and are used solely for commentary purposes

We'll Always Have Paris.

What sartorialist -- in the regular, non-Scott Shuman sense -- doesn't love stalking the Paris shows, both haute couture and ready-to-wear?

The French are quite the people: they love their food (steak frites), they love their wine (red), they love their love (after all, who invented the whispered sweet nothing?), they love their sexuality (every heard of "a cinq a sept"?), they love their culture (dare you to find a Parisian that doesn't read books), they love their music (Kitsune! Sebastien Tellier! Phoenix!), they love their art (The Louvre), they love their fashion (un mot: Chanel).

I was out having a late night libation with a friend last night, and he mentioned, out of all his travels, that he's never been to Paris.

Neither have I.

But I promised my mother, years ago, that I would take her there one day. We'd eat macaroons from Laduree all day and drink red wine like it's water.

My question is, will she be up for a night at Le Baron?!

Until that question is answered (and until mumsy and I get there), here's a little slice of Paris, in Spring '11 collection form, natch.

Bonne journee,
Haute Hippie






I'm Lovin' it: Please watch these videos in order. Yes, the first is an actual newscast. And yes, auto tune should be abolished because it makes even the dumbest dialogue sound catchy.





I'm Over it: My favorite grey boots have holes in the toe. Still, I can't give them up.


Track of the Day: "Bang Bang Bang" by Mark Ronson & the Business Intl. Catchy song, rad vid.





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

More is more.

I want to copycat this look, stat.

The mix of metals, leather, snakeskin and what appears to be lucite (or wood?) on the purse is echoed in the mix of metals and leather on the subject's delicate wrist.

It's the act of mirroring, but with accessories instead of social actions and interactions.

Just another incredible image from Tommy Ton, whom I heard from an industry colleague is the sweetest thing ever.






* Photo property of Tommy Ton and is used solely for commentary purposes

Ring the Bell for Isabel.

Every round of Fashion Week, the collection I look forward to seeing each time is Isabel Marant.

It's not because Marant is particularly artistic in her sartorial skills -- like a Martin Margiela or a John Galliano -- but because everything she creates you want so, so badly to have in your closet. I'm fairly certain every editor of importance and every photo-blogged cool girl out there possesses those slouchy boots from last season (which reappeared again this season).

What I love about the Spring 2011 collection is the mixing of feminine bohemian chic (short layered skirts and lace) with sporty, boyish pieces (rugby shirts and sweatshirts). By the end, I felt as if Marant's girl of Spring '11 wore her cutest outfit to her varsity athlete of a boyfriend's house, only to stumble home the next morning in his team shirt over it, too.

And that bright blue sequined vest peeking out from underneath a black jacket over cropped white pants?

Chalk it up to incredible styling, because I paused on that image awhile before going to the next (despite the ensemble's overall simplicity). And chalk it up to that French je ne sais quoi, too.

Miss Marant: you've given me a lot to forward to next season.

Besos,
Haute Hippie














I'm Lovin' it: The green is just so wonderfully green in this Spring '11 outing from Celine's Phoebe Philo.




I'm Over it: Got into my gym clothes early this morning, with every intention of hitting cardio and weights. Still in my gym clothes, without having yet hit cardio and weights.


Music of the Day: In my weekly quest to find more and more good online radio stations, I have somehow managed to foolishly overlook Red Bull Music Academy Radio, where you can stream anything from soul & funk to jazz to electronic to dubstep to house & disco. Silly, silly me...




* Photos property of style.com, nymag.com, Red Bull and are used solely for commentary purposes

Happy Friday! I Got Flare.

I was asked by a very lovely gal from a certain very successful local company to submit some of my goals a few months ago.

So I spent an afternoon nerd-ing out on Pages, creating a simple layout of my long-term and short-term professional and personal goals with Cracked font and little images. One of my goals?

"To contribute to at least one major magazine (number one choice: NYLON magazine)".

After some very serendipitous timing and separate referrals made by two industry colleagues of mine without my knowledge, I got the chance to cover Eco Fashion Week for Flare magazine online.

And just like that, one goal was (semi) down!

I'm coming for you next, NYLON magazine...

Happy Friday!

Besos,
Haute Hippie







I'm Lovin' it: Prophetik. Tennessee-based designer Jeff Garner's civil war-inspired collection for his sustainable clothing brand was a stunning finish to Eco Fashion Week.


I'm Over it: Finally getting to bed at 5am last night, after wittling, er, writing away a deadline.


Music of the Day: Marion Chiao's 'Eyes Shout' mix from The Mixtape Club. She blends CocoRosie into Bonobo. Ingenious.


* Photos property of Patrick Parenteau, Peter Holst and are used solely for commentary purposes