Best Dressed

Up-to-the-minute coverage of store openings and fashion gossip. Plus, daily finds for deal seekers

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Kenia Avendano

Black-on-black outfits can easily verge on boring, but this week’s best dressed—spotted on Ossington Avenue—is an exception. Kenia Avendano makes monochromatic interesting by combining trendy accessories with a vintage dress and statement jewellery. We talked to the 29-year-old Ryerson fashion communications student to find out how she stays chic on a budget.

(Photo by Krist Papas)

Tell us what you’re wearing.
The dress is from the ’80s—I found it at a Vancouver consignment store called C’est la Vie. The sandals are from eBay, but the shipping cost more than the shoes. The jacket is from H&M, and the tights are from American Apparel. The most expensive thing on me is the ring from Jacflash, which cost $280.

Do you always wear black?
Yes, but I play with texture and silhouettes or add a flash of colour with accessories and makeup. When I wear bright colours, I feel too flashy.

But you’re wearing a lot of trendy pieces—how do you avoid going overboard?
I think mixing trendy pieces with timeless garments is the key. For me, it’s balancing something that’s in now, like the tights, and something I can wear years from now, like the dress.

Are there any looks you’re not into at the moment?
The headband across the forehead is something that needs to go away. I know trends come and go, but it should have gone months ago.

Have any cost-cutting fashion tips?
I’m obsessed with clothing, but I’m a student, so I buy inexpensive items and make them look like a million bucks. It’s something a lot of people have to do right now.

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| 18 Comments » July 8, 2009 | 1:45 am | Krist Papas and Karon Liu

Best Dressed

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Biko Beauttah

Head-to-toe Chanel is a style statement most women can only dream of making. But then, Biko Beauttah is not your typical lady who lunches. The Kenyan-born trans-gender fashion model is known for her over-the-top tastes of both the couture and Kensington variety. This week’s best dressed—spotted at the National Ballet’s White Hot Gala—dishes on her grudge against grunge and why dressing for body type is a universal challenge.

(Photo by Courtney Shea)

Did you buy your outfit in one go, or is Chanel something to be accumulated?
I didn’t buy it all at once. The gloves and shoes are from a couple of seasons ago. I got both at Saks in Las Vegas. The dress is vintage Chanel. There’s a store in Kensington called King of Kensington where the owner calls me whenever they get a new shipment. You can find a lot of great labels if you get there before everything is picked over.

You lived in Kenya until 2006. I’m guessing your look has changed quite a bit in the past few years.
I’ve always lived for clothing, but in Kenya I had to be a closet fashionista. Being trans-gender is illegal there, and the style is just totally different anyway. In high school I wore a lot of hip-hop-type clothing—baggy pants, Tommy Hilfiger, totally not my style. When I went to Dallas and then later to Canada, I could express myself.

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| 31 Comments » June 24, 2009 | 1:45 am | Courtney Shea

Best Dressed

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Elena Soboleva

Dressing for a theme party can be a trick: ignore the wardrobe instructions and risk looking indifferent; go too far and one may as well bring along a plastic pumpkin for trick-or-treating. This week’s best dressed—spotted at Rethink Breast Cancer’s Prohibition-themed Romp at the Burroughes Building—did a fresh take on flirty flappers. Here, the aspiring gallerist explains why the perfect outfit is like a work of art.

(Photo by Courtney Shea)

Where did you buy your dress?
It’s rented from 69 Vintage on Queen. I didn’t even realize they rented their stuff, but it seemed like a good option for such a memorable dress.

Are you a fan of the flapper era?
Sure, but I mostly enjoy dressing for a theme and being creative with it. I knew everyone was going to be wearing that classic tasselled flapper dress, so I chose something that’s a little different. I work at an art gallery—for me, putting together a great outfit is like curating a great show.

When do you think your dress was first worn?
I’m not sure if this dress is from the ’20s, but it has a sort of delicate Daisy Buchanan vibe, which I love. So maybe it was worn to one of those fabulous parties.

Did you already own the feathered shoes?
Actually, I grabbed the feathers this afternoon and attached them to my shoes and hairpiece. The shoes are just basic Nine West. I was listening to Chicago while I put everything together, which really helped get me in the mood.

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| 9 Comments » June 17, 2009 | 1:45 am | Courtney Shea

Best Dressed

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Laya Bail and Hayley French

Pulling off the trends du jour can be a slippery slope (just ask this crazy lady), but long-time BFFs Laya Bail and Hayley French are up to the challenge. Granted, they’re also barely out of their teens and look like they walked off the set of Gossip Girl. (We’re not sure if we want to date them or be them.) This best-dressed duo, spotted at the Power Ball, explain why fashion is forever, but miniskirts have an expiration date.

Laya Bail (left) and Hayley French (Photo by Courtney Shea)

Do you guys always dress alike?
HF: No, but it does happen a lot. In high school, we’d show up at parties in the same dress. It’s because we spend a lot of time together.

You’re obviously both loving this season’s must-have boyfriend blazer. Where are yours from?
HF: Mine’s from Club Monaco.
LB: I found this at Value Village. I think it was the jacket of a little boy’s tuxedo.

Is there a recent mega-trend that you’re not so fond of?
HF: I have to say, I really don’t understand the whole drop-crotch harem pants thing.
LB: Hey, I have harem pants. I like to wear them with a hot corset. I think there are ways to pull off almost anything as long as you mix louder pieces with more basic stuff.
HF: I love people who can do that. Just toss a bunch of different things together and look really unique. I’m not good at it. My style is less daring, more classic.

How old is too old to wear lace leggings and miniskirts?
HF: I don’t know. I think as you get older, the hemlines come down and the necklines should go up. I won’t be wearing this outfit 10 years from now.
LB: I try to be appropriate. Tonight is fun. It’s an art party, so I can wear something a little wild, but you won’t see me wearing lace leggings at dinner with my parents.

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| 22 Comments » June 10, 2009 | 1:45 am | Courtney Shea

Best Dressed

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Jessica de Ruiter

Picking the perfect wedding dress is arguably the most important fashion decision some women will ever make. Los Angeles–based stylist Jessica de Ruiter (a former Vogue editor and Toronto native) pulled off an enviable mix of timeless and contemporary for her big day. We caught up with the newlywed—pictured here with her husband, artist Jed Lind, outside their reception at the Gardiner Museum—to get the scoop on stylish simplicity and why wedding conventions were made to be broken.

(Photo by Jon Barber)

As a stylist, you must have been imagining your wedding dress for years. How did you decide on this one?
I was never one of those girls who dreamed about her wedding. I started looking in L.A., where I live, after we decided to get married. I went to Saks and found some amazing Oscar de la Renta gowns. Turns out the only other place to find his wedding collection in L.A. was at a tiny trunk show in the Valley, so I went there, which is where I found the dress. I took Jed to see it.

You took the groom to see the dress before the big day? Isn’t that against the rules?
I know, but I trust his opinion so much, and from the start we’ve been doing everything together. I decided to buy the dress in Toronto so I wouldn’t have to worry about shipping. I went to White in Yorkville, and it was the best experience. The ambience was perfect: they serve cookies and champagne. There is nothing like that in L.A.

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| 18 Comments » June 3, 2009 | 1:45 am | Courtney Shea

Best Dressed

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Deena Pantalone

This week’s pick donned the perfect party frock, which nails all the right balances: classic, but not boring; bright, but not blinding; youthful, but definitely not for teenybopper set. We spoke to the diva behind the dress, Toronto developer Deena Pantalone, who explained her approach to recessionary fashion that, incidentally, doesn’t involve skimping on shoes.

(Photo by Emer Connon)

Your vibe is sort of Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina. Is that what you were going for?
Exactly. I even got my hair done to complete the look. My style is more sexy and elegant than it is trendy.

Who designed your dress?
Well, me, sort of. It’s a really old vintage dress I’ve had lying around the house for years. My cousin is a stylist in New York, so she helped me decide how to alter it, and then I just took it into one of those tiny mom-and-pop seamstress shops on Queen West.

You’re quite the recessionista. Do you find a lot of people are repurposing clothing because of the economy?
Sure. Or they’re wearing the same dress but getting a great bag or a great pair of shoes to make the outfit.

Sort of like how guys are buying new ties rather than new suits.
Yes. It’s all doom and gloom out there, but it’s still nice, if you can, to get dressed up and have fun.

What about your accessories. Are you a big shoe person?
Oh God, yeah. These are Louboutins. They’re a splurge, but it honestly feels like you’re walking around in bedroom slippers, so they’re worth it.

How much is too much to spend on footwear?
I don’t even want to say. In my business, we’re all singing the blues, so expensive shoes are really over the top. For some reason, it’s OK to spend $2,000 on a Gucci purse, but people make a big deal over $700 shoes. You wear the hell out of shoes!

| 155 Comments » May 27, 2009 | 1:45 am | Courtney Shea

Best Dressed

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Roslyn Griffith Hall

In a sea of similarly dressed socialites at the launch party for the revamped Teatro Verde store in Yorkville, we came across fashion stylist Roslyn Griffith Hall, who nailed recession chic in a denim jumpsuit from The Gap. Here, her take on why less is not necessarily more and her not-so-secret connection to Ben Mulroney’s blazers.

(Photo by Emer Connon)

There’s a lot going on in that outfit. Are you a more-is-more kind of person?
Sure. For me, it’s all about the mood I’m in. I’ve been wearing this hat for years, and since I started designing jewellery, I tend to wear a lot of it.

What about the gloves? Are those a nod to fashion or a nod to swine flu?
I’ve been wearing gloves forever, so it’s not because of swine flu. They’re like a second skin. Whenever Holts gets new gloves, I buy out the size sevens.

Is there a particular designer you are loving these days?
Haider Ackermann. He’s all about sexy rock ’n’ roll, but with class. His pieces are expensive but amazing.

What kind of styling do you do?
For years, I was doing everyone on Canadian Idol, but now that’s on a break, so I’m working on my jewellery line.

Are you telling us that you’re the woman behind Ben Mulroney’s blazers?
Yes. I chose all of Ben’s suits for Idol, and I dressed him recently for the Innovators’ Ball.

What about the tan?
I didn’t have anything to do with the tan, but I did do his pocket squares.

Final question: are you planning to leave the sunglasses on all night?
Yeah. I guess you could say they’re the new eye makeup.

| 17 Comments » May 20, 2009 | 1:45 am | Courtney Shea

Best Dressed

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Jessi Cruickshank

Given its status as the unofficial “it” party of the season, the Innovators’ Ball is worth a second Best Dressed selection. Here, MTV’s reality TV starlet Jessi Cruickshank wears a budget-friendly gown—part of the new Matthew Williamson for H&M collection—and explains the possible pitfalls of prints.

(Photo by George Pimentel)

That dress is a coveted item. I’m guessing you weren’t one of the people lining up at 4 a.m. outside the Eaton Centre to get first dibs.
No, although not to say that I wouldn’t. I was lucky enough to get a preview of the collection and pick a few items. I thought all these ruffles would be great for a ball.

Who else should do a collection for H&M?
I would love to see Giambattista Valli do one. His over-the-topness for regular people would be awesome.

Prints are big this season. Is there one that you try to avoid?
Cheesy prints are rampant these days—Sarah Jessica Parker brought them back. A good floral is hard to find. It’s got to be big and bright, and still you can end up looking like a granny. Or a couch.

What trend is past its expiry date?
Leggings are a tough one to pull off. There should be a rule about covering the bum and the frontal area.

Your claim to fame is weighing in on the inane antics on The Hills. Is there such a thing as too tanned? Too blonde? Too many nose jobs?
Yes, yes, yes. You can’t buy sex appeal. You can have boobs sewn on your chest, buy your hair, buy your nose, but it’s not going to make you sexy, Heidi.

What Torontonian would you like to see with his or her own reality show?
Jay Malinowski from Bedouin Soundclash. He’s a good-looking guy and girls are always throwing themselves at him. It can be awkward to witness but also fun to watch.

| 3 Comments » May 13, 2009 | 1:45 am | Courtney Shea

Best Dressed

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Innovators’ Ball, April 30, 10:07 p.m.

Who: Alexandra Weston and Suzanne Cohon, principals of ASC PR and professional socialites

Alexandra Weston (left) and Suzanne Cohon (Photo by Emer Connon)

You’re both wearing Greta Constantine. Plan or coincidence?
SC: Not planned. I was deciding between this and an Andy Thê-Anh until the last minute.
AW: I’m always pretty last minute. I was going between two as well. This isn’t supposed to be a maternity dress, but there was lots of room for the belly.

What’s so special about Greta C?
AW: They make you feel gorgeous, even at nine months pregnant.

Any style tips for the baby bump set?
AW: Keep it simple. Oh, and the BellaBand was definitely my best friend.

Your firm handles a lot of local design talent. Is there an international designer you’d love to work with?
AW: I’m happy working with Canadian talent, helping to build their brands.
SC: I love Nina Ricci. Olivier Theyskens is a genius.

Speaking of genius, Suzanne, your dress seems to be defying gravity. How are you avoiding a Janet-Jackson-at-the-Super-Bowl disaster?
SC: I’m being very cautious when I move.

No double-sided tape?
SC: I couldn’t. You could see it through the material.

| 32 Comments » May 6, 2009 | 1:45 am | Courtney Shea

Best Dressed

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Brazilian Ball, April 25, 10:45 p.m.

Who: Kimberley Newport-Mimran, Pink Tartan fashion designer
Where: The Brazilian Ball, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

(Photo by Emer Connon)

Are you wearing one of your own dresses?
Yup, this is a Pink Tartan. I just picked it up today, so I had my fingers crossed that it would fit right.

So you designed it for tonight?
Yes. I don’t do long dresses—they make me feel like Barbie.

Tell us about your accessories.
The shoes are Chanel. I’ve just started following Karl Lagerfeld on Twitter. The bag is Jil Sander, and the stole is vintage.

What are the big trends this spring?
This spring? God, I’m already working on spring 2010. This spring, prints are huge.

What is your one must-have item for a Brazilian getaway?
A bikini.

By whom?
Pink Tartan.

Would you ever go thong?
No. I’m not that confident.

| 2 Comments » April 29, 2009 | 1:45 am | Courtney Shea