Style has always been hard to pin down- the elusive, and often, indefinable notion of  “cool.” It  has been largely co-opted by the elite, the privileged and the exclusive. Yet, nowadays, I think, there is an opening in the ranks of fashion that welcomes the entrance of bloggers, such as Tommy Ton, Garance Dore and the Satorialist, who each offer their point of view. →

Breeyn McCarney is a slip of girl with a dry sense of humour. On her Facebook, she describes herself as a dressmaker who is ridiculous of sorts.

A recent graduate from the prestigious Central St. Martins, McCarney returned to her hometown of Toronto with a distinguished design sense. →

Rita Liefhebber is a nymph with her long, flowing, blond hair and wise -laughing eyes. Rita was the first stylist I assisted and it was from her, I got my intro into the dizzy tizzy, long hour-ed world of showrooms, photo shoots and returns.   Stylist turned fashion editor turned designer, she had her first joint design line with Mikhael Kale, Kale + Liefhebber.  After a stint in New York, she returned to Toronto, launching her own line and is onto her second collection for fall 2010 which she recently at New York Fashion Week. Rita Liefhebber spells effortless chic- understated, worn in elegance for the cool girl who wants to start investing in quality pieces that will outlast trends, yet still has an unnameable flair. →

You Say Party! We Say Die! is glorious melodic stuff- the kind of music you put on and toss your head along to with new-wavey, dark, thrashy riffs and organ synthesizers, recognizing the current milieu of poppy beeps and bops. →

Tank top, Club Monaco. Metallic Top, NADA

Nada Shepherd is a Canadian designer that injects imagination and energy into her designs.  She creates wearable tailored and lady like clothes, ones decorated with lace flounces, sharp shoulders and space like accoutrement and shape . Elegant yet strong, these are clothes one could work in and make a statement in, especially ladies who like wearing leather and long gloves while drinking tea on the Ritz. →

Danielle Meder is a talented fashion illustrator as well, as a fine blogger of culture and all things fashionable in the local Toronto scene.  I first met Danielle at a photo shoot Buy Design, a charity dress up “ball” event for Windfall, a award winning initiative that donates new clothing and other basic to social service agencies. →

Being an eighties kid, I can still remember sitting by the radio and “taping” my favorite songs instead of actually going out and buying the tape or cd.  Now some can say that was a outright stealing of songs but I was a child and preferred spending pocket change on sour keys and marshmallow strawberries. →

These days, the next fashion trend is sustainable materials and green environmentalism.  Sonja Den Elzen was ahead of her time with her line Thieves, which debuted in 2006. Soft flowy materials, drapery cowling, classic with a subtle edge and asymmetrical cutting are hallmarks of the line.  I spoke with Sonja and here is what she had to say :

EM Occupation and Position

Designer and owner of Thieves by sonja den elzen

EM: Can you tell us a little more about your concept?

Thieves is a contemporary designer line that uses sustainable fabrics.  [It has a] subtle edgy timelessness that celebrates and individuals strength and style. →

Picture Me is a documentary by co directors and ex couple Sara Ziff and Ole Schell about the complexities and superficial facade of the modeling world.  But unlike the kazillion of documentaries out there about fashion Picture me is unique because its formed from a grossly personal standpoint.  Organically shot by Schell while dating Ziff during her rise in the fashion world.  As a recent NYU graduate, he compiled years of footage while following her around and documented the world of casting calls, shows, photo shoots and interviews with top models →

Photo by: Rad Hourani

Hung Vanngo is a Canadian Make up artist living in New York City represented by the Wall group.  Moving from Vietnam at a young age to Calgary he began his career in Toronto before moving to NYC.  Hung has shot with world renowned photographers such as Greg Kadel, Alexi Lubomirski and Ellen Von Unwerth as well as the famous faces of Helena Christensen, Chloe Sevigny, Renee Zellweger.   →