Spring Trend: Neon

Get out those sunglasses – neon is back and as bright as ever before! If you were around in the 80s, then you’ve already lived through the neon craze. Do you think you’re ready to embrace this trend all over again?

With my basic black and white wardrobe, it’s highly unlikely that I’m going to fill my closet with neon clothes but maybe a bright pink or yellow accessory might creep its way into my wardrobe. Maybe.

Mordekai jewelry

Neon bracelets, Made Fabulous

Neon painted rhinestone earrings, Ethnocity

neon leather necklace, Boo & Boo Factory

neon necklace, $7.80, Forever21

neon bracelet, $12.80, Forever21

neon bracelet, $10.80, Forever21

neon earrings, $4.80, Forever21

neon earrings, $106, Noir Jewelry, ShopBop

Images via Boo & Boo Factory, Ethnocity, Forever21, Made Fabulous, Mordekai, ShopBop.

Studs of the day

Whimsical tiny diamond studs mounted bottoms up for something a lil' different. $220 by Blanca Monros Gomez at Erica Weiner Jewelry

Vanessa- our fragrance columnist -doubles as a jewelry buff and sent over these pretty studs for me to drool over.

The creative genius work of Barcelona-born jewelry artist Blanca Monros Gomez whose handmade collections tend to take inspiration from nature. Now living in Brooklyn, her work has that romantic touch of fairy-esque lightness and simplicity- she’ll use recycled gold to make bands and jewels for encrusting them.

Today’s finding is a neat take on an old idea: in these studs, the brownish-grey champagne diamonds are cut as you’d expect but mounted with the pointy side out so you’ll get a different play off light than you’re typical flat-faced mount. How novel and very charming.

Available at Erica Weiner Jewelry.

Trend: pleated trousers

Not your dad's pleats- unless he's super cool and likes to wear women's trousers. Pleated tie dye pants, $50 at Zara

After much discussion (well- ridicule! given and taken, mind you) in my circles about whether or not pleats are cool, I am firm that having adopted this look a couple of years ago it is high time you do, too.

Pleats are alright on your tradish dad’s Dockers, but way more fun on your own two legs. Pleats add nice detail and shape to the otherwise ho-hum flat-fronted trouser that has washed over us for the last decade. The truth is that we’re not all meant to wear flat-fronted trousers- but that didn’t stop anyone. And the same goes for mid-calf capri-length pants, but we’ll stop here before the hate mail starts pouring in.

If you’re unsure- calm your worries knowing that widely variable in look and silhouette holds something for you. And frankly, there’s a sure coolness factor that can only come from wearing pleats at a time when we’ve been seeing leggings for about two seasons too many. Ouch.

Welcome to Pleats School – in three lessons

Lesson 1. Pleats are nothing new (and no they’re not just for clown pants).

Chances are you’ve got pleats on some of your favourite skirts and dresses, and you’ve been seeing them on the cuffed paper bag shorts from last summer and this spring’s bloomers (below). So there’s no reason they won’t work for you in the pant department.

Recycled polyester pleated shorts, $35 at H&M

Lesson 2. Pleats are not all created equal- there are small pleats and big pleats, multiple pleats and single pleats. We actually found a list that specifies 11 different kinds of pleats (we’re most curious about the honeycomb pleats and the cartridge variety).

You’ll notice that pleats on soft, flowing light-weight fabrics tend to fall more closely to the body and are less visible, whereas pleats on stiffer fabrics like cotton trousers and denim tend to give more architectural detail. Also admire how the pleats open up ever so nicely to say hello when a hand is tucked into the pocket (examples below).

Light weight and not so long-running, the flower print pleated trousers are very neat looking in the front. $60 at Zara

A single but well-defined pleat on these peach pants gives them a polished edge. $80 at Zara

Lesson 3. How to wear pleated pants is actually simpler than you think. Because the pleats add definition across the lower abdomen, you’ll want to pair ‘em with something that is either tucked in at the waist or flows no farther down than the top of the pleats- roughly at the hips.

Examples of the right length of tops are shown throughout this feature and we recommend doing as you’re told because the cut of a pleated pant is not one for a tunic top- that would be the realm of the flat-fronted trouser. Because the pleats add a nice little oomph to their area, having something draping completely overtop will hide them (why where them?) and add unsightly bulk.

Don’t be scared to show your pleats- for some of us, they’re the most excitement happening around the crotch area in days! heck- years!

Pleats are elegant especially on a wide leg trouser. This look is very on-trend; $80 at Zara

Pleats and a drawstring waist are like wine and cheese- it just makes sense. Trousers, $80 at Zara

Again, a fine example of an extra wide pleated trouser that beautifully elongates the leg and romances those flowing lines. $80 at Zara

Images courtesy of featured retailers.

Designer Collection: COS SS 2012

When, oh when, is COS coming to Canada? I just adore the collection each season at COS and every time I look at the COS website I feel like booking a trip to Europe. That would be kind of extreme though, wouldn’t it?

Crinkled Dress, €69, COS

Fold Front Jersey Dress, €69, COS

Origami Fold Dress, €69, COS

Panel Detail Dress, €79, COS

Slant Pocket Dress, €69, COS

Slim Side Zip Trousers, €69, COS

Top with Bow detail, €49, COS

Wedge Sandal, €99, COS

Jacquard Print Swimsuit, €69, COS

Photos courtesy of COS.

Fashion faux pas Friday: Ashley Judd

Vote ‘em! Yay or Nay to Ashley Judd’s (modified- see the runway original bottom) Carolina Herrera bird print dress from the designer’s spring 2012 collection worn to the premiere screening of Missing in Beverly Hills?

Yay or Nay: Ashley Judd wears birds to Missing premiere

Carolina Herrera spring 2012- we really like this take on the print

Fashion Television show suspended

Fashion Television is suspended after 27 years bringing us fashion from the world's top runways. The show's host, Jeanne Beker, is pictured here interviewing Cindy Crawford in 1997. (Image courtesy of Bell Media)

This morning we woke to the news that after 27 years, Fashion Television- the beloved television show that pioneered video coverage of fashion runways around the world- is suspended.

The news are somewhat of a surprise: even Host Jeanne Beker wasn’t expecting it and Tweeted, “This dream is over”. After all, Jeanne Beker’s presence at every big fashion presentation in town here and abroad is now just a fact of life, and finding the program airing on television- no matter what the hour- seems integral to our programming.

The show’s suspension (which we expect will lead to a cancellation) is likely due to poor viewer ratings and competition in the marketplace from fashion houses and magazines reporting their shows with instant live streaming. We’re also hearing that bloggers (like us) are part of the demise- but we’d like to argue that.

Host Jeanne Beker has been a role model to many young women here in Canada and elsewhere who dreamed of a fashion career and hungered for the coverage of what designers were creating in Paris, Milan, Tokyo, New York. FT was the place to get served what we craved- art that moves, identity that can be changed with an easy turn in the change room, and the human body reshaped and imagined over and over again. Fashion’s ability to empower, communicate and celebrate were part of what made the show so  poignant- to experience a designer’s vision and expression of a moment in time. Fashion Television captured designers’ take on culture in the now- no matter how far and outlandish.

Jeanne Beker with Karl Lagerfeld

Interviewing John Galliano

Jeanne’s mic helped us sneak into the most exquisite fashion houses: the extravagant and magical haute couture that but a few could ever witness on the runway, let alone the Parisian finishing salon, and the industry’s rebels, emerging talent and most brilliant innovators of our times- all framed within the backstage clips of the world’s buyers, editors and social decision-makers. Fashion Television was beyond fantasy and above all, it supported in many of us a passion for fashion that was strong and worthwhile no matter how absurd the idea of a fashion career seemed.

Interviewing Linda Evangelista in 1999

Over the years, Jeanne won awards, the show became syndicated in 130 countries and a network to host it became part of the evolution of the public’s interest in fashion news. Jeanne became a guest columnist in major publications, published books, launched her own fashion labels and worked with individual labels to frame their wares for retail success. Her charm, intelligence, determination and industry knowledge distinguish her as one helluva gal.

Here’s to you, Jeanne- thank you and thank you and thank you!

(And FYI, we’ll be watching the re-runs and looking forward to your next move- after all, Bell Media is saying that there are new projects on the way involving Jeanne- let’s hope they’re even as half as spectacular as Fashion Television.)

Shoe bisou

This Senso shoe is fantastic all on its own, but made even better by the wearer's great style (below)- say bonjour to fashion blogger Rachel Marie Jones. Get her Sardinia wedges for $265 at Solestuck

We came across a blogger feature with killer style and Senso wedges we’d love to slip off her darling little feet while she sleeps. Refinery29 introduced us to Chicago gal Rachel Marie Jones in a style feature of the blogger whose site, Jag Lever, oozes with the very now trend of blogging one’s outfits.

I find it a little amusing that everyone out there is a model these days- and a stylist, and a curator of wisdom. I like Rachel Marie Jones’ site but what I really like is her clothes- she shops for vintage, remixes with Zara and poses for the cam. Isn’t that what you’re doing, too?

Rachel Marie Jones blogs at Jag Lever and wears those wedges again. We still love them. Compare with the Refinery29 feature- they look great both ways.

Photographed here for Refinery29, the buttery yellow Sardinia wedges are still hot and work nicely with black