Style Spotlight: Tina Chow

by Afiya Francisco in

Half Japanese, half German-American, her beauty is undeniable but despite her incredible influence in the fashion industry, she was never a household name. A model, collector of vintage clothing with a Rolodex of A-list besties including Andy Warhol & Manolo Blahnik, Tina mastered tomboy chic long before it was a 'thing'. Her laid back approach to dressing is as relevant today as ever – and I LOVE the hair.

Sponsored Post: Retro Swagger

by Afiya Francisco in

From the Roaring Twenties to 1990s street style, I'm loving the recent nostalgia trend– inspired by virtually every decade, that's popped up on the runway to the silver screen to the shop rack. Between the mod stripes and graphic geometrics at Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, and Moschino and the highly anticipated release of The Great Gatsby (with its super swank costumes designed by Miuccia Prada & cast – hello Leo & Carey!) I'm especially loving the bohemian chic vibe of the sixties and the glamour & glitz of the twenties – both with a modern twist. And I'm not the only one.

I recently found myself at the Drake Hotel General store to attend a private media preview of the newest location up at 2607 Yonge street, a move north from its old Rosedale stomping grounds. A perfect example of retro modernity, I had a great chat with buyer Joyce Lo who had punctuated the store with amazing vintage pieces to compliment the selection of current stylish goods for sale. I couldn't resist taking snaps of virtually the entire store with my new HTC camera as it's a design lesson in seamlessly working the old with the new for a unique spin that's not only visually appealing but a conversation starter as every piece comes with an interesting story as to how she acquired it.

This same theory applies to wardrobe, mixing old & new, high & low is the best way to add interest to an outfit and a safety net to ensure that you don't look too costumey.

The Black Box Boutique is a lovely jewellery shop located on the second floor of a building in Yorkville, so keep your eyes peeled so that you don't miss it. Lilla Balint has a well edited selection of both trendy and classic pieces and when I went in to pull for a summer celeb cover story, I was distracted (temporarily – then back to work!) by feminine pieces with a distinct 20s feel. They didn't work for the shoot in question, so I catalogued my favourite pieces in a highlighted folder on my HTC to remember to come back to them… Maybe for work… Maybe for myself :) Lilla works hard to feature Canadian artists and emerging talent and the result is that although the pieces are reminiscent of a certain era, they feel fresh & current.

So tell me, what's your favourite trend of the season? Share your "Best Style" moment for a chance to win an HTC phone and $1000 shopping spree! 

Here's how to enter:

1. Take a photo of your best style.

2. Share the photo on social media (twitter, facebook, pinterest or instagram) with #HTCOne hashtag.

3. Link back to this contest in your social media post.

4. Leave a comment on this post with a link to your entry.

Photos will be judged on photographic skill (30%) and fashion style and sophistication (70%). Entries will be accepted until May 22 2013 and the winner will be announced on June 3 2013.

6. The Style House will choose one winner who will receive an HTC phone plus a $1000 shopping spree.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Internet access required. Contest starts May 8, 2012 12:01 AM ET and ends May 22, 2013 at 11:59 PM ET. Open to legal residents of Cnada (excluding Quebec) 18+ at time of entry. One (1) prize available to be won consisting of: (i) one HTC mobile device; and (ii) a one thousand dollar ($1000) CDN shopping spree. Total ARV of prize is $2,500 CDN. To enter, post or tweet a picture of your best fashion creation on either Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest AND include: (a) the hashtag #HTCOne; AND (b) a link back to the contest post on www.thestylehouse.ca; AND (c) in the comments section of the post, put a link to your entry. Winners determined by judging. The odds of being selected as eligible to win will depend on a combination of: (i) the total number of eligible entries received during the Contest Period and (iii) the score the photo receives by the judge on the Judging Criteria outline in the full contest rules. Conditions & restrictions apply. For details and full contest rules, including judging criteria, visit here.

Brought to you by the new all-metal HTC One™. It's everything your phone isn't.

Style Spotlight: Elizabeth Taylor

by Afiya Francisco in

Once considered the most beautiful woman in the world (violet eyes!) Elizabeth knew how to indulge audiences with dazzling movie star wattage. Often in figure-hugging silhouettes that flattered an hourglass figure, her most stylish looks are as beautiful today as they were then.

In Rotation: Sarah Stevenson

by Afiya Francisco in

Photo: George Pimentel.

Photo: George Pimentel.

As winner of the TFI New Label Runway competition, this talented emerging designer, has been propelled to a new level and into the spotlight. Her prize includes $25,000, a page layout in Flare magazine and a relationship with Target Canada that will see her designs in store come 2014. Today she shares with The Style House the inspiration behind her winning collection and the playlist that helped to drive her creativity. 

Stay tuned for her interview in Chic Ultime.

“The inspiration for my collection came from a Dutch painter who was an incredible woman that continued to paint into her eighties. I wanted to choose a song by a strong female artist & Robyn is a great Swedish singer/songwriter that also inspires me so I thought it was appropriate. I listened to [‘Dancing on My Own’] many times throughout the challenge, especially while I was working out and I took a lot of energy from it, so I wanted to include it! While I’m painting or drawing though I usually listen to relaxing music.”

Upbeat:

  • Dancing on my Own – Robyn
  • Islands – The XX
  • Neck Brace – Ratatat

Chill:

  • Nostalgia – Emily Barker
  • Love Love Love – Of Monsters & Men
  • Hopeless Wanderer – Mumford & Sons
  • Montreal – Patrick Kelly
  • The Orchard – Ra Ra Riot
  • Brutal Hearts – Bedouin Soundclash
  • Jet Plane – Angus & Julia Stone

Style Spotlight: Nina Simone

by Afiya Francisco in

Dubbed "The High Priestess of Soul" this jazz & blues singer and classical pianist hypnotized listeners with her haunting voice. At times a controversial personality, her music and life continue to intrigue with her story in motion to become a movie starring Zoe Saldana. The choice of leading lady has caused no less dissension than one may expect to follow her biopic; regardless I anticipate that the film will reignite our love affair with this musical seductress and her effortless style. 

In Rotation: Mikhael Kale

by Afiya Francisco in

Photo: Jeffrey Chan via Toronto Standard .

Photo: Jeffrey Chan via Toronto Standard.

It seems inevitable that this Central Saint Martins attendee (disappointed with the curriculum– no sewing!– he left before graduation) was destined to become one of Canada's top designers. Growing up in a house filled with women –mother, aunt, sisters– inevitably informed his understanding of how to dress the female form, and is why his intricate designs are high on the shopping list of the well-heeled socialite set. Today he shares a playlist created just for The Style House.

“Anyone familiar with the work, effort and time that goes into a collection understands the incredible commitment required. Music lends itself to the process, directing the energy of the working environment. SS13 was inspired by Nigel Scott’s ‘Conversations with Blue’. We utilized print, embroidery, hand embellishment, tailoring and unique lace work to simulate the emotion of Scott’s work. This process requires a steady hand, patience, and a lot of good music. We consider this playlist a go to and it allows us to overcome the daunting task of what seems as endless hand work.”
  • It's Never Over – Avan Lava
  • & It Was U – How to Dress Well
  • Dance and Shake Your Tambourine – Universal Robot Band
  • Diggin' On You – TLC
  • Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe – Kendrick Lemar


  • Hell – A$AP Rocky
  • Never Never – SBTRKT
  • Chum – Earl Sweatshirt
  • Unthinkable (Alicia Keys) – Party Trash Mix
  • Touch – Holy Other