The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Toxic Vision

Toxic Vision’s runway show on the fourth day of FAT blew me away.  The overall feel and effect of the show paired with the understanding that you were watching one of the most unique and forward-pushing collections of the event made this show very impressive in person.  With this collection designer Sharon Toxic has built from the hard and glam rock style base she has established with her brand in a trend/fashion conscientious way.  Bohemian patterns and elements mix with leather and spikes, pastels mix with black and silver.  This collection had all the right details and when watching it, you knew you were watching the results of true design talent.

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Skingraft’s Armor Glove in Black

image source skingraftdesigns.com

It’s a common theme while shopping for men’s accessories, that the choices can be limited. Men may have to get a creative when they want to make themselves stand out from the herd, and the Armor Gloves in black by Skingraft will do just that. The black leather gloves feature a zipper overlay, adjustable wrist straps, and a fingerless design. The seemingly simple gloves would be nicely styled with a suit, or worn to go for a ride on your bike. Whatever your style or purpose,  they look dangerous, which is pretty sexy.

The Armor Glove by Skingraft is available online at www.skingraftdesigns.com.

- Meagan

Zac Posen showed off his fall 2011 collection at Paris fashion week.  The collection was simple and streamlined.  The highlight is defiantly the textured and structured black leather pieces, jackets and dresses, with exaggerated shoulders and waistline, very nice.  Loving the mixing of shades of deep blue and teal.  Also some breathtaking evening gowns with exaggerated waistlines.  And the shell-like wool cloak/coat (lower left), blending the past and future, is another great highlight of this collection.  Nothing to blow your mind, but defiantly a beautiful, well crafted collection.

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Wild Card’s Black Leather Rider Belt

image source deliciousboutique.com

The Black Leather Rider Belt by Wild Card has been on my “I want that” list for over a year and I wanted to share this awesome piece with you. This belt is a versatile accessory with lots of functioning pockets, zippers, and clips, there are secret compartments too! The sleek unisex black leather design is a great investment piece that can be a compliment to any outfit no matter what your style taste. So, who’s buying this for me? *wink*

The Black Leather Rider Belt by Wild Card is available online at www.deliciousboutique.com.

- Meagan

Diesel’s Black Gold fall 2011 collection shown at NY fashion week, was nice and dark and gritty.  Layers, leather, textures, and laced-up.  There are some hints at a steampunk aesthetic here.  But I’d rather see it as vagabond troubled artist strolling the streets of a dirty crumbling city or militaristic survivalist cowboy making it in a post-apocalyptic scared world.  At first I wasn’t sure on all the lacing, but once I saw the asymmetrical laced-up leather vest I was sold.  I’m loving the color pallet of black, navy, slate blue, brown, mauve, olive, and ivory.  Maybe it’s because I just rewatched the Matrix after a few years, but I had forgotten the nice styling details in that movie, and this collection is right in tune with that (yet nicely updated), right down to the men’s flapping leather trench coat and the women’s tight long black leather ensemble.

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T.U.K’s Platinum Red Leaf Platform Heels

image source hottopic.com

Don’t you roll your eyes when you see that this week’s item of the week is from Hot Topic.  These online exclusive Platinum Red Leaf Platform Heels by T.U.K can not be found in Hot Topic stores and they are the cat’s meow!  These heels are made from leather, are embroidered, and are screaming to be worn for a night on the town.  I’m impressed with Hot Topic carrying  notable products online that make people want to keep coming back to shop on the website.  My favorite highlights of this shoe are the double strap detail, the unique heel, and the shiny red leather.

The Platinum Red Leaf Platform Heels are available online at www.hottopic.com.

- Meagan

photographer : Luke Copping
fashions : Jessica Darwin
fashion stylist : Molly Hoeltke
makeup artist : Shianne Valetta
hair stylist : Kristin Draudt
model : Kerry Quaile

Meagan Hendrickson :
Break out of the “little black dress” syndrome of the past and push forward to include wardrobe basics in fabrics like cotton spandex, leather, and even latex. Don’t be afraid to step back and allow your clothing to make a statement, be uncomplicated, and allow the drama of sleek sophisticated designs to grace your body. Avoid the common pitfall of alt fashionistas, it’s not about loud designs in color and texture or fad-like concepts that seem like eye grabbing ideals, but rather, the truth is in the subtle details.

Jessica Darwin is a designer who uses a captivating combination of line, design, and tailoring. To really understand Darwin’s designs you need to experience them for yourself in person. While photography captures the beauty and ideals of the garments, to hold the pieces in your hands is to truly hold pieces of art.

The eye is drawn to the texture of the clothing. The designs are effortless chic. Set against an industrious back drop, create a subdued drama that is truly inspirational by design.

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Tony Cohen Fall/Winter 2010

Just like the New York chill in February, the set design echoed this theme with a carpeted  runway of black fallen leaves for Tony Cohen’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection. Born and bred in Netherlands, Amsterdam, Tony Cohen first designed clothes in Italy after going to school in the United States. Cohen attributes his father’s 40 years of woman’s fashion experience that helped him to become a fashion designer.

Cohen takes inspiration in designing from curtain draping, art, and fabric, which is prevalent in his sleek Fall/Winter 2010 collection. The mostly monochromatic collection had a neutral palette of gray, black, and burgundy, featuring draping fabrics and asymmetrical cuts combined to make each piece dramatic. The simplicity of color was overshadowed by the incorporation of rich textiles of fur, leather, and wool. The garments were complimented by seasonal accessories of; gloves, black leather belts, fish net gloves, and silver waist chains. The overall feel of Tony Cohen’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection is easy-to-wear, edgy and sexy, nothing too innovative, but definitely functional and memorable.

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