Joe Fresh Style

Joseph Mimran, creative director for Club Monaco and Alfred Sung never fails to impress. Silver hair slicked back and clad in an equestrian blazer, white button up shirt, and jeans, the designer carried himself with a confidence to make any fashionista notice. A tad intimidated, the first thoughts in my head were, “This is the man who designed my Girl Guide uniform and all of my favorite serious clothing choices!" Men and women across Canada find his taste infallible in any situation, as have I from the second grade to, most likely, my grave.

Mimran’s collection of affordable and fashion-forward pieces available at Superstore were among the first to be shown throughout L'Oreal Fashion Week.

On Oct. 22, the show kicked off with Canadian supermodel Heather Marks in a simple white button-up shirt and plaid silk-pleated skirt. Models continued to mill though the runway in low wedge gold round -oe pumps and adorably preppy white dress shirts, which looked like they had popped out of a 1960s romance movie.

When asked about how he has affected the fashion sense of Canadians, Mimran said: "I hope that I've affected it in a really positive way. I hope that there is a sense of style that when people think of Canada, they think of what I've contributed."
  
Stripes, plaids, and even neon brights were re-translated on the runway for what Mimran calls "a rebirth of the classics; a redefinition, a merging of French style with preppy style which is uniquely Canadian".

"This season I was very 60s inspired; I was thinking of doey-eyed girls, very long legged girls. You know, Heather Marks was a perfect model because she's quintessentially Canadian."

You don't have to be a supermodel to appreciate the collection. Featuring mini skirts and large floppy sun hats, the collection reflected a youthfulness that will be appreciated by all Canadian women.

Mimran said fashion is all about everyday life. "The influences that are out there, (I) sniff things out and reinterpret trends." One of the favourite trends being reinterpreted this season? Neon pinks and yellows! It’s definitely going to be a sunny summer for 2008. Mimran also recreated the little white dress using floral appliqué, white stone beading, and flattering cuts on all body types. Keep your eyes peeled this spring before all the goodies are gone!

Common Cloth: Nuit Blanche

On the evening of Saturday, September 29, 2007, fashionistas and art enthusiasts gathered on Gwynne Avenue to await the showing of the Common Cloth Spring Summer 2008 fashion show.

This year Melanie Talbot and Kristina Bozzo decided to hold their fashion show during the Nuit Blanche art festival, so that passersby could peer in while models pounded the pavement in sexy jersey dresses which ranged in length from mini shirt dresses to the floor.

The show kicked off with a bang with models stomping to Montreal-based band Famous Lovers. The first stunner of the evening was a floor length artichoke dress. Main staples of the collection followed with short shorts and diamond back cut outs on simple and elegant dresses and shirts.

The designers seemed to be emoting their own personal style with models styled in classic aviators and natural wavy hair resembling designer Melanie Talbot's signature style. The 1970s-folk-era-inspired pieces all gave an air of simplistic sexiness, which gives Canadians something to look forward to after a freezing winter of complicated layering.

Grey jerseys, cottons and white linens adorned the long leggy models, re-inventing the basic tank top and short set. The collection spoke to everyone from the teenage trend-setter to the cosmopolitan professional.

The collection seemed to characterize an intelligent woman, while showcasing work pieces as well as fun party girl outfits. Khaki shorts, cigarette pants, wide leg high-waisted jeans and beautiful white shirts were sprinkled lovingly throughout the show.

Determined to step up their business, Common Cloth is also coming out with their very first accessories line later this year.