Fashion with Trend

It goes without saying that the Met Gala is the reigning champion of stylish events: the fashion, the star-power, the theatrical themes (the Metropolitan Museum of Art just announced the 2023 exhibition would be ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’) and the Anna Wintour-ness of it all. And it seems the Art Gallery of Ontario is aiming for just that with its reimagined Art Bash!

After two years of pandemic-induced slumber, the fundraiser roared back to life with a party that combined art, performance and avant-garde fashion by some of Canada’s most creative designers. “All Out” was the theme for the event held on September 29 in Toronto, and everyone brought it. Guests busted out the sequins, ruffles and, in one case, monarch butterflies. Martina Sorbara and her band Dragonette ignited the Walker Court dance floor. And artworks commissioned for the occasion by Scott Benesiinaabandan, Patrick Cruz, Anna Lucia, Dan Mazzone and Howie Tsui dazzled inside and outside and even served as “wallpaper” in one of the elevators that took VIP ticket holders up to dinner.

Pre-COVID the AGO held two annual fundraisers: the high-end Art Bash! supported by museum patrons and corporate sponsors, and the much more raucous AGO Massive which targeted a millennial crowd with a more accessible ticket price. The new Art Bash! brings the two groups together in a lively and colourful way.

CAFA president Vicky Milner and FASHION creative and fashion director George Antonopoulos collaborated on an “installation” of mind-boggling fashions that included looks from Next in Fashion’s Charles Lu, Tristan Réhel, L’uomo Strano by Mic Carter, Moskal Studio, Uncuffed Leather, Ali Haider Couture and more. Ooohs and ahhs couldn’t help but escape the audiences’ lips as models posed in towering tulle gowns, gender-bending suits and illuminated hats, all styled by Ashley Galang.

And those who were lucky enough to get close to the models (or just had excellent eye-sight) were treated to a visual feast of flashy hair and makeup, courtesy of Leandro Avanco and his team. Feathery fake eyelashes, colourful gemstone freckles, and gothic lipstick lent themselves perfectly to the event’s theme, contributing to the overall “wow” factor of the evening.

See for yourself in the gallery below, where we’ve rounded up some of the most memorable looks from the 2022 AGO Art Bash!

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

Photography by Ryan Emberley

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Claire McNamara

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Bernadette Morra

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Daniel Abichandani

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Darcy Morris, Sonja Berman and Stephan Jost

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Darcy Morris and Shelly Avital

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Jenna Bitove Naumovich

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Madeline Tedesco

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Martina Sorbara and Cory Vitiello

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Mic. Carter

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Design by L’uomo Strano

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Design by Tristan Réhel

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Design by Tristan Réhel

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Design by Tristan Réhel

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Design by Tristan Réhel

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Design by Charles Lu

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Design by Ali Haider Couture

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Design by Charles Lu

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Design by Ali Haider Couture

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Design by L’uomo Strano. Harness by UNCUFFED

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Design by Moskal

The post If Toronto Wants a Met Gala, the AGO’s Art Bash! Has Potential appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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Fashion with Trend

When I first saw on Instagram that Samsung would be launching smart flip phones, I felt instantly nostalgic. In the early aughts, I was obsessed with the pocket-sized gadgets. I remember begging my parents for a candy-coloured Sharp flip phone after seeing some of my Grade 5 classmates carrying their new phones decked out in charms, rhinestones and other personalizations.

As an adult, the idea of finally owning a flip phone without compromising on function is exciting. So to celebrate the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 launch in August, I’ve spent the past week test driving the newly improved device to see what all the fuss is about.

First impressions

Photography courtesy of Samsung

The sophisticated metal exterior of my phone features the brand’s signature Bora Purple. It happens to be one of this year’s hottest colours on runways and in design, making a strong case for visual appeal. If purple is not your thing, there are other shades to choose from: Blue, Graphite, and Pink Gold.

The phone is also compact. Gripping a regular-sized smartphone sometimes leaves me with sore fingers, but this model feels sleek and easy to handle. Due to my love for tiny purses (thanks, Lizzo and Jacquemus), I often have my phone in my hand, but the (roughly) three-inch Flip4 solves that problem.

Once I flip the phone open, it reveals a seamless 6.7-inch screen with a clear display. There’s a small dip in the middle of the screen where it folds, which could bother some people, but the screen can reportedly withstand over 200,000 folds.

As part of Samsung’s sustainability initiative, the device is made with repurposed fishing nets, or ghost nets, that would otherwise end up in the ocean.

That cover screen, though

Photography courtesy of Samsung

One of the coolest features of the Galaxy Z Flip4 is its cover screen. An improvement from previous models, the updated 1.9-inch cover screen means I can respond to notifications, check the weather and make payments without flipping open the phone. It’s also a nice feature when I’m spending time with loved ones. I can still be notified of any important information without picking up my phone , and can easily return to my conversations.

The customization of it all

Photography courtesy of Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is all about personalization, so the brand has released bespoke editions so anyone can mix and match the colours of the exteriors and the frame. It’s the perfect way to make your phone your own, especially if you prefer traditional hues over pastels.

I also love that you can customize your cover screen with a variety of clock styles, avatars and even gifs. At first, I went for the adorable blue “monster” that reminded me of Susuwatari, the blobs from My Neighbour Totoro. Later in the week, I swapped to a photo of me and my friends.

Quick Shot and other camera features

Photography courtesy of Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 has a “Quick Shot” function, which means I can take photos without opening up the phone. With just a click of the side button, the cover screen shows me a front view of the camera. Not only is this feature handy when I want to do a quick fit check, but it also allows me to snap a selfie by waving to the camera (although it doesn’t always work).

What’s more, the main camera features “Flex” mode so I can capture content hands-free. For content creators, solo travellers or people who enjoy taking group photos without relying on strangers, the Flip4 acts as its own tripod. Though I’m not used to the colour grading and sharpness of photos taken with this camera in comparison to the other devices I’ve used, the clearness of image quality when zoomed in (10x at maximum) is something I appreciate.

Final thoughts

After a week of taking the phone with me wherever I go (albeit as a second device), I see the appeal that first attracted me to the innovative phone. I keep reaching for the Galaxy Z Flip4 to check my notifications, look at my calendar and take photos with my friends throughout the week. Although I’m not ready to convert to Android for every aspect of my life, I can certainly see the benefits to this neat, compact device. Bonus point: It makes a great conversation starter, turning me into the most popular person wherever I go. I’m already on my way to converting the people around me to make the “flip.”

The post I Test Drove Samsung’s New Flip Phone and Fell in Love appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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Fashion with Trend

ICYMI: Earlier this month, Guerlain dropped a stunning new colour collection of velvet-metal longwear lispticks (Rouge G) and rose oil–laced eyeshadow quads (Ombres G). The colourful assortment was steered by French makeup-artist-turned-beauty-entrepreneur Violette Serrat, who joined the luxury beauty brand last year following sought-after gigs at Dior and Estée Lauder. She also heads her own beauty line, Violette FR, a tightly edited mix of skincare and makeup essentials inspired by French beauty culture. Below, the beauty insider shares her inspiration for the new Guerlain products, her favourite techniques and more.

Tells us about the creative concept behind the new fall makeup collection.

Photo courtesy of Guerlain

“I’m constantly blown away by nature. I can never get used to it. I’m always visiting botanical gardens, taking pictures and getting inspired by things like flowers. And for a long time, I have wanted to do something around moths. We usually picture this brown fluttering insect that’s boring and dusty, but trust me, its wings can resemble an haute couture dress. Moth wings can have black and white prints, dots of reds — it’s absolutely mind blowing.

“For this collection, I first started looking into moths and eventually butterflies and really dug into the different species. And what really wowed with me with butterflies is that they are unapologetic with their fabulousness; their wings come in all of these incredible colours as if they are wearing a dress. At the same time, they’re very vulnerable insects. So there’s almost this paradox between strength, power, extreme fragility and vulnerability, which really reminds me of women in a way. As women, I think it’s a strength to be in touch with our vulnerability. So I wanted to explore all of that through colour.”

The hues and finishes are quite something. How did you decide on them?

Photo courtesy of Guerlain

“When I studied butterfly wings very closely, I noticed that they have this coating of metallic-like pigments. It’s like a little dust of metal pigment that’s there to help absorb and reflect light — which is why butterfly wings are so vibrant to the eye. I wanted to recreate that same effect for the Rouge G lipsticks, so I worked really hard with the Guerlain lab to try and replicate that same sheen, which was quite difficult and meticulous. It almost felt like haute couture work with all the research and back and forth. And for the lipstick case, I wanted to highlight the butterfly wings as an art piece by zooming in on it.”

What about for the eyeshadows?

Photo courtesy of Guerlain

“I took my inspo a bit further and decided to have each one celebrate a different aspect of nature: butterflies, the richness of peacock feathers, the jungle, roses. Within each palette you have gorgeous and unexpected topper shades and are encouraged to play. For example, with Mystic Peacock, I like mixing the blue shade with a bit of water and applying it halfway up my eyelid to my middle crease. I’ll then use the green as a topper by patting it over the blue and all the way to my upper lid. This creates like an ombre effect and a sheer veil of sparkle. It’s quite magical.”

Do you have a go-to technique for applying lipstick?

“There are two things I do all the time. First, I really like to moisturize the lips by over-applying lip balm. I’ll then remove the excess before applying the lipstick. Then, I’ll overdraw the lips a bit by applying colour just beyond their natural curve. Cheating your own volume a bit, which naturally diminishes with age, really provides this plumpness.”

Guerlain also dropped its new Parure Gold Skin Matte Foundation at the same time as this colour collection. What’s a foundation hack you love doing?

Photo courtesy of Guerlain

“One thing I like to do is not apply foundation on the nose. So I’ll apply it lightly everywhere else, but keep the nose bare. This, to me, creates the illusion that you’re not wearing foundation. But, with this technique, you can’t do heavy things like bake your makeup or contour because then you will really see the difference and the effect is lost.”

What’s a signature makeup look of yours?

“Bright lipstick, very matte, very intense. That’s definitely my personal go-to.”

Do you have a favourite skincare product you like to use under makeup?

 

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A post shared by Violette (@violette_fr)

“My Violette FR Boum-Boum Milk. I’ll use it as a prepping mist before makeup but also at the end of a look because the birch sap in the formula gives your complexion this, like, tiny topcoat of shine and it leaves your skin feeling really great. It also helps to lock in other products.”

What role does makeup play in your own life?

“I don’t care about trends. To me, beauty is very personal and makeup should be used as a mood lifter. I think you should wake up in the morning and ask yourself, ‘How do I feel today? How can makeup support that feeling or push that feeling?’ If you’re feeling a little fragile and you have a big meeting that day, maybe wearing a red lipstick will make you feel powerful and provide protection. Or, if you’re feeling very inspired and you want to really tap into that, maybe you’ll go for metallic eyeshadow.

“Makeup should never be used to ‘better’ who you already are. It should be about celebrating yourself. I always say to people: When you’re cleaning your teeth in the morning, putting on your skincare and brushing your hair, please believe that you are a god or goddess and really feel it. Your beauty routine then becomes this amazing tool for your mental health, instead of something you use to ‘fix’ yourself.”

The post #Moodboard: Inside the Mind of Violette Serrat, Guerlain’s Creative Director of Makeup appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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Fashion with Trend

In the 60 years since Marilyn Monroe’s death, her larger-than-life persona has been referenced, replicated and retold countless times. Hollywood can’t seem to stop producing content about her, and we can’t seem to look away. But unlike most of its predecessors, Netflix’s Blonde — streaming globally on September 28 — isn’t interested in getting to the bottom of her story. Instead, it plops her recognizable body of work into a fantasy.

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Based on Joyce Carol Oates’s 1999 fictional biography, the movie Blonde (directed by Andrew Dominik) is an aesthetic ode to Monroe’s image, not her real life. Starring Ana de Armas as the ’60s bombshell, it covers her ascension to stardom and the events that led to her untimely death.

“I’m not interested in reality, I’m interested in the images,” Dominik told the British Film Institute about the making of the movie. “So I selected every image of Marilyn I could find and then tried to stage scenes around those images.” Using these pictures and movie clips as inspiration, Dominik shot the film based on the way the world collectively remembers Monroe.

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Still, there’s one aspect of the film that sticks to reality: the wardrobe. Unlike the fictionalized plot, Blonde’s costumes are faithful replicas. Costume designer Jennifer Johnson reportedly studied Monroe’s outfits in films and photographs to understand exactly how each piece moved. The result? A sartorial ode to the actress’s iconic ensembles — from the hot pink gown featured in her performance of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” to the pleated white halter dress she wore to stand over the subway grate in The Seven Year Itch.

Whether intentional or not, this collision of fictional plot and realistic wardrobe becomes a commentary on our rose-coloured perception of the superstar, which has usurped any genuine interest in getting to know her. Blonde may be fiction. But so is our concept of Marilyn Monroe. The further away we move from her real-life existence, the more manufactured, hyper-glamourized and unattainable she becomes — and the less chance we have of ever knowing who she really was. As Emily Kirkpatrick writes in The Cut: “Monroe is no longer a person but a void that members of the public can fill with their own vague desires.”

Marilyn Monroe singing “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend” for the movie Gentleman Prefer Blondes, 1953 pic.twitter.com/O2E827KReR

— Hollywood Actresses (@HollywoodActre2) September 4, 2022

In reducing Marilyn Monroe to a costume, Blonde reflects her modern status as a romanticized, mythical entity — which might just be the most meaningful depiction yet. After all, harsh truths often lie just beyond the flashiest distractions. Below, see the detailed costumes featured in Netflix’s Blonde.

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Photography courtesy of Netflix

Photography courtesy of Netflix

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The post The Most Realistic Part of <Em>Blonde</Em> Is the Costuming appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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