Toronto – Page 2 – Street Chic Canada

Tips to rock that chic winter style in 2017

November 11, 2017/0 Comments/in Casual Wear, Girls Fashion, Ladies Fashion, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver /by Andy Li

Ugh, that’s cold… Snow has finally arrived in Toronto. Cold weather is officially knocking at the door. Fashion lovers, don’t be afraid! We are not going to compromise on styles and fashion. Today, let’s talk about how to stay chic in 2017. Remember these tips and fit them with your own personal styles. You will rock the winter fashion as a pro!

Fur

The key to a stay fashionable in cold seasons is to stay warm first. The furs are a great element to include in your winter wardrobe. They are comfy, warming and fashionable.

It keeps your neck warm, while looking stylish.

If you are afraid of looking too overdressed with this element on your body, you can simply go with a fur hood on your jacket or coat.

Military Green

Across social media and street styles, blogger and editors are seemingly obsessed with military green, using olive-inspired shade to add a utilitarian touch to their looks.

This is a great shade for winter, since it reminds people of the vivid atmosphere of spring and summer.

Also it adds an interesting (but subtle) tone to grey and black basics without making too much of statement.

Where to buy??

Canada Goose sounds like something you must have to survive winter in Toronto. If you still don’t have it yet, definitely get one!

If you don’t like this colour, you can always find some other colours from this brand.

You can basically get from everywhere, but we suggest Yorkdale, since they have the biggest selection of colours and choices. Or you can simple make it convenient to just order online.

Equestrian Fashion at Royal Horse Show in Horse Palace

Equestrian Fashion at the 2017 Royal Winter Fair

November 6, 2017/0 Comments/in Fashion Event, Sports Fashion, Toronto /by Rob Campbell

Royal fashion is still on display and very much in vogue among competitors at the annual Royal Winter Fair – Horse Show in Toronto. On Friday November 3rd 2017 Street Chic went inside the Horse Palace on the Exhibition Grounds to get a glimpse of the people inside North America’s foremost indoor equestrian event.

The Horse Palace is a modern stables complex built around an indoor riding ring, and this sand bottom arena is one of four competition venues at the show. The two-story building is cut into rows of stalls and accommodates about three hundred and fifty horses. Various riding stable businesses set up shop to buy and sell hay, riding gear and the same horses for sale in Horse Canada magazine. All through the building visitors can spot celebrities including our nation’s past and present Olympians, and other top caliber riders and their celebrity horses. The Royal Horse Show offers these professionals the highest level competition in Equestrian sport – specifically Show Jumping, Indoor Eventing and Dressage.

Below is Dee Scott from Forest Hill Farm wearing her riding attire. Her outfit may look uniform to the untrained eye, but equestrians are particularly stylish people and seek brand labels and the latest fashions just like other athletes.

Forest Hill Farm - Dee Scott

This young rider is wearing Tucci Boots, Struck Breeches and an R.J. Classic riding jacket.

Boots are necessary on slippery floors inside the Horse Palace

Struck Apparel are leaders in the search for more comfortable riding clothing. This rider told us that these were her favourite riding pants because of the fit. The company sponsors many equestrian riders and competitions to help research better products and they were among the many exhibitors with goods on display and for sale in the Exhibitor hall opposite the Ricoh Coliseum..

R.J Classic Jacket Softshell Collection combines traditional styling with athletically inspired fabrics to create the ideal show coat for riders of all levels. The machine washable lightweight softshell fabric is soft and stretchy. The garment has a mesh body lining for additional comfort. This style features three front buttons, double vented back, and two front pockets and retails for approx $75 CAD.

Dee was wearing her Tucci Boots and they aren’t cheap – even used riding boots can cost over $1000 Tucchi Boots - leather riding boots at The Royal

This rider’s Sam Shield helmet would cost approximately $150 retail. The Shadowmatte Pro is made of a fancy poly-carbonate composition with a reinforced chin strap. The entire outfit would retail for between $1800 and $2400 with the boots being the most expensive ingredient.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair takes place every November in the City of Toronto.

Horses exercising at Horse Palace

Even though this venue was the scene of an intense competition, some of the riders on the teams were dressed for more recreational riding. Traditional tweed jackets look great when hacking, and pair up perfectly with a classic pair of jodhpurs. Men and women wear coloured ties to finish off their outfits.

Some of the more prominent equestrian fashion retailers at the show included Cavalier Equestrian, Greenhawk, and Pleasant Ridge. All of these stores are essentially the Canadian wholesale distributor of English and Western equestrian equipment, most of which is made in other countries and the best stuff is usually handcrafted in Europe.

Below is Linda with her daughter Kerry Lin Mercer wearing her Tredstep Symphony Style Show Competition Jacket – Navy which cost $210.61 CDN when purchased new on their website. She also has Tredstep Solo Pro Riding Socks, which are CAD 16.19 and Tredstep Dressage Pro Competition Gloves – in black which are CAD 58.92 new.

rider coats and boots at The Horse Show

The red poppy broach is not compulsory, but omnipresent all the same. The red poppy has been used to commemorate fallen soldiers (among the Allies) since World War I, and although its not part of the official dress code (it would lose all meaning if it was obligatory), the poppy is seen on EVERY competitors’ riding attire because horse culture is inextricably intertwined with martial rituals, AND because it looks terrific on navy coloured wool riding coats.

fashionable lady at The Horse Show
The horse owners come dressed for success and wear designer clothes at all times – even when getting their horses’ shoes changed for competitions, at the farriers shop on site.

horse owner is very fashionable - horse as fashion accessory

Equestrian is a lifestyle as much as a sport. The riding arena is filled with fashion items from Arista Equestrian, F.O.A.L Equestrian, Greenhawk Vancouver Island, and Victoria Saddlery.

Here is a story published in Toronto Guardian which explores the sunshine and good vibrations inside the Horse Palace during the annual Horse Show.

Inside The Horse Palace During The Royal Winter Fair

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Raymi at On the Other Hand Jewellery in Leslieville

October 30, 2017/0 Comments/in Designer, Fashion Designer, Jewelery Designer, Jewelry Designer, Ladies Fashion, Toronto /by Rob Campbell

Street Chic was there on Weds Oct 25th 2017 when Raymi Lauren met Karen MacRae and Sabrina A Melendez inside On the Other Hand Jewellery at 1015 Queen St E. in Toronto. It was epic afternoon as the OTOH jewellery designers spent their lunch hour laughing and playing dress-up with their jewellery. Together all three got in the act of Show and Tell with their own creations and pieces from other artists for sale on consignment in the store. The impromptu dress-up party was conceived with the intention of giving away pieces that Raymi the super blogger can wear in photos and at parties forevermore.

Yes it was a gift show, but not really, as Raymi the Minx was signed up to promote the store and that’s worth something. Raymi is a name brand blogger in Toronto with thousands of Instagram followers and a huge active audience that both loves and hates her blog antics. Raymi’s portal and online persona has opened many doors but closed a few too in her personal life. When she decides to write about a business it does help the website get found by more people; the site performs a little better on the web because of her witty prose and her legacy somehow ennobles the pictures and expands the presence of the business.

Raymi with fashion jewellery book at OTOH in Leslieville

Just like each piece of high fashion jewellery in the store, Raymi’s blog posts also last forever. Her photos and contextual anecdotes are stored in many places online and her personal brand has many channels inc Instagram Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube of course, but also Pinterest, Tumblr and Ello.

Laughter erupts! Put three charismatic ladies in a room full of jewellery and just watch the fun happen. This author and photographer should have rolled video.

party at OTOH in Leslieville

When they did get serious about matching Raymi’s different looks with various OTOH luxurious accessories it was intense; despite being a small shop, there’s too much to look at and learn about in an hour long lunchtime visit. And there was a lesson taught about matching clothes with colourful bling.

bling inside On the Other Hand jewellery in leslieville Toronto

Jewellery has a purpose, and it goes to work every hour its worn in public

What is jewellery and what ‘work’ does it do? Karen and Sabrina believe that jewellery goes to work on your behalf the moment you walk outside the door of your home. Every minute you spend outside you’re making a statement about who you are and it should be a fashion statement. Owning and wearing a good wardrobe and being able to coordinate clothing is the key to success for many cutthroat professions. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you do (think lawyer, business executive, college teacher), looking sharp will improve how others perceive you and TRUST you with more responsibility.

While most good jewelry does not require coordination, if you really want to dress to impress, you must be pickier with your gemstone jewelry. OTOH offers an array of beautiful jewelry with vibrant colors.

Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, citrines and amethyst gemstones have a distinguished flavor and appeal that can be easily added to everyday fashion clothing styles. For best results, the red to gold jewellery always looks best when worn next to cool colors such as blue jeans and powder blue, light green or light purple blouses, or white T shirts.

Gold jewelry and onyx work beautifully with with black or white dresses. Show me a lady that doesn’t own a black dress, and most Canadian women today have white dresses in storage for special occasions in the summertime too. These are classic looks that never go out of style and their timeless appeal can always be accentuated with the right jewellery.

Gemstones can be seasonal? This is an interesting idea as they are of course minerals and as such they know no seasons, but all the same colorful gemstones can mirror the seasons. Light green emerald earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings can set off a spring dress, while darker emeralds represent a more mature summer season. Rubies, topaz, amber and even garnet look great with fall coloured clothes and lastly cold blue sapphires and icy diamonds in silver settings can really celebrate winter.

Sabrina A Melendez gave Raymi a silver ring inlaid with Bocote (wood)

Some of the most recent works of art to be created at OTOH in Leslieville are Sabrina’s silver rings with Bocote wood inserts. Bocote is a hard, dark wood from South America that’s often used for making knife handles and musical instruments. Sabrina uses it to make jewellery and has written an informative OTOH blog post about using unconventional materials like wood to make jewellery and that includes ‘breaking the mold’ by using semi-precious Bocote.

Sabrina is a Swiss trained metal worker who has somehow perfected the art of cutting the very hard and brittle Bocote wood into perfect circles to fit inside silver rings which are then seamlessly folded in such a way as to hold the attractive black wooden insert into place.

Raymi wears her Bocote wood and silver ring made by Sabrina Melendez at On the Other hand jewellery.

It is quite a remarkable ring, and neither Raymi nor this author could figure out exactly how Sabrina gets the Bocote wood into the ring’s interior. It remains a Sabrina Melendez trade secret.

And then at the end of her lunch hour adventure, life got even better for Raymi as Sabrina doubled down and gave the blogger a special silver tube necklace on a thick Japanese cord and clasp.
raymi gets a necklace from Sabrina Melendez
Raymi with Sabrina Melendez at on the Other Hand jewellery
There are a lot of places in Toronto that offer custom jewellery, businesses like the Devil’s Workshop, Anice Jewellery, Courage My Love, Strada Jewellery, Made You Look Jewellery, Fair Trade and Zarla all have unique qualities, but On the Other Hand Jewellery is the whole package when it comes to designing and making custom jewellery to suit your personal brand.

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cynthia teeth whitening at archer dental in Toronto

Cynthia Menard to wear Canadian Fashions at Miss World

October 22, 2017/0 Comments/in Designer, Ladies Fashion, Toronto /by Rob Campbell

Cynthia Menard departs to Miss World pageant

Canadian Delegate Cynthia Menard departed from Pearson International Airport for Sanya China to compete in the 2017 Miss World Pageant on Wednesday 20th October 2017.

Cynthia’s closest family and friends said goodbye and bid good luck to the aspiring fashion model, Miss World Canada 2017 at the airport on the evening of Wednesday October 18th as the tall blond seventeen year old girl shipped herself and several suitcases full of fashion and beauty supplies to Sanya China, where she’ll be competing at Miss World – 18 Nov 2017.

Miss World competition is the longest running international beauty pageant on planet Earth. The competition was first started in London England by Eric Morley as a swimsuit competition to promote bikini style swimwear in 1951. Despite being very controversial, (the Pope condemned bikinis) it was a big success and of course people are still wearing bikinis today, and they’re still watching Miss World beauty pageants.

In preparation for her appearance in this premier arena, Cynthia has spent countless hours practicing her singing, public speaking and stage walking. She’s worked with countless photographers, choreographers and coaches to hone her image and appeal. Clothing designers have created custom looks for the girl on the catwalk and when she’s out sightseeing in the Asian countryside. Fashion and beauty experts here in Canada have worked hard to ensure that our nation’s representative looks and feels her best in this foreign country.

Cynthia to wear Helene Clarkson Travel Clothes

This author was present when Cynthia Menard met Helene Clarkson on the 19th Oct at Helene’s store in the Royal York hotel. Sure they’d met before during the Miss World Canada pageant, but this was this first time they got to hang out together.

Helene Clarkson travel clothes is a much celebrated second chapter in this famous Canadian performer’s career. Helene has worked in film and television for twenty years and now her clothing line is taking off. With lots of experience in both capacities she dispensed good advice for Cynthia on crafting stage looks and making herself a more curious commodity during the competition.

For about forty minutes that morning Cynthia walked with Helene through her clothing store and pulled pieces from the racks that she thought might look good on the girl. Helene gave the teen whatever she wanted, which ended up being eight pieces of high quality clothing for travelers. She also gave Cynthia good advice on traveling comfortably while maintaining her killer looks with insights on how to properly dress for tropical climates.

Helene’s fashions are made from fabrics that resist wrinkling, and her multi purpose designs (many garments are reversible) flatter the wearer as functional clothing that looks and feels great for just about any occasion. Designed for girls on the go, Helene Clarkson’s clothing offers a fashion-packed assortment of dresses, tops and pants for the urban traveler and ‘the fashionista inside every modern woman’.

Cynthia received, a Joliette Reversible Dress in Blue Flower

Joliette Reversible Dress

Kerry Tank Top in Navy

Zilina Reversible Blazer

Aro Cigarette Pants in Cement grey.

Orly Tank Top in Kale

Narita Cropped Pants

Bria Reversible Skirt in Navy / Sky

Carman Reversible Cropped Sweater in Metallic blue

and more. And that’s just one of Cynthia’s many sponsors. Add two more clothing designers including an evening gown designer Bells and Bowes from Medicine Hat Alberta, a jeweler and accessories designer. Cynthia got a traveling make-up case from MAC cosmetics and eight pairs of shoes from NineWest Shoes in the Yorkdale Mall.

Cynthia Menard got Teeth Whitening at Archer Dental in Toronto

To help Cynthia stand out in photos and be even more beautiful on stage, the administrators at MTC-W made sure their delegate has a dazzling white smile. Cynthia Menard got teeth whitening at Archer Dental in downtown Toronto on Monday 17th of October at their Rosedale location. At 10 am that morning, and with two photographers and this author crowding the operating room, Christina the dental hygienist went to work cleaning and polishing and whitening Cynthia’s teeth.

Now Cynthia’s teeth will be sensationally white and all pageant photographers will be instantly aware of our girl on the catwalk because of her fantastic smile.

Cynthia Menard got Singing Lessons at Wandering Minstrel Music School

Cynthia received five intense sessions of singing and voice training at the Wandering Minstrel Music School in Mississauga. The girl practiced one song over and over and now she can probably sing it in her sleep. Cynthia will sing aloud the “Colors Of The Wind” song from the Walt Disney movie Pocahontas in an evening performance in the lead-up to the grand finale in Sanya China on the 18th November. If her singing is good enough then she will get stage time during the big show.

Below, in September 2017 in connection with two Canadian fashion magazines, Erwin Loewen did a photo shoot with Cynthia on the Scarborough Bluffs. The young up-and-coming photographer Erwin Loewen is an artist who worked with legendary fashion photographer David Ritchie as his Photographer’s Assistant for several years.

Follow Cynthia Menard on her journey in China,

photo courtesy of Erwin Loewen photography. Readers can learn more about Cynthia’s preparations and Canadian sponsors in her eMagTO article about Miss World 2017.

Good luck Cynthia – Canada’s most street chic readers are cheering for you!

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Fashion as Art in Ajax Ontario

August 24, 2017/0 Comments/in Boys Fashion, Casual Wear, Toronto /by Rob Campbell

By Adanna, Miss Teenage South Eastern Ontario 2017

Fashion is truly an art form. The way we chose to present ourselves to the world is an expression of who we are. For some, it can take a lot of courage to wear what they want, and others feel more beautiful when they follow current trends. Regardless of what you wear, the clothes we put on every day are a representation of our personalities, our cultures, and our tastes. Here we will be exploring the styles of four Ajax teens and what Fashion means to them.

Maryam, 17

Jeans: H&M- $10

Top: H&M – $15

Sunglasses: Forever 21 – $7

Maryam has recently recognized the significance of the clothes we wear. “I never used to be that big on fashion”, she states in an interview, “but the past two years I’ve really been trying to find my style and what I like/how I like to wear certain clothes”. Like most teenagers, Maryam is discovering herself and growing into her own skin. She likes the diversity that you see in clothes and styles and tastes and she really believes that fashion is an importanf aspect of everyday life. “I think fashion should mean something to everyone, everyone participates in it one way or another, I know it’s cliché, but fashion is a way someone can express themselves.” – Maryam

Louis, 18

Shirt : H&M – $20

Pants: H&M – $50

Shoes: Zara – $50

Louis is an artist. He sees the world from a very unique perspective. He’s fearless and confident and all of this is made apparent in the way he likes to dress. Fashion is a way for him to express his creativity and his artistry to the world on a daily basis.

“I believe fashion is just another window for self expression, its another form of art.” – Louis

Holly, 16

Shirt: Thrifted

Pants: Thrifted

Shoes: Thrifted

Thrift shopping has become a huge trend since Macklemore’s 2012 hit single “Thrift Shop”. People can find really great clothes at very low prices. Because thrift shops don’t usually carry anything “trendy”, they almost force you to create your own style.

Holly absolutely embodies this idea. She unapologetically wears what makes her happy. She understands the connection between the clothes we wear and our lifestyles and she embraces that every time she gets dressed. “Fashion is something that everybody has, either if it’s a trend or a unique style, it’s something that everyone can own, so own it!” – Holly

Barrington, 19

We’ve discussed how fashion is essentially a form of self-expression, but what do you do if nothing you find in stores represents you accurately? At age 18, Barrington launched his own street skate brand called “Suspended”. The brand has been doing well having launched multiple collections and is now able to ship Canada wide.

In designing the shirts and sweaters, Barrington has kept versatility in mind. “Fashion to me is doing whatever you want but being comfortable and still stylish at the same time. Turning basic clothing and putting clothes together and mixing different colours that complete outfits. Also adding little accessory can make an outfit pop and doing little things. Fashion is important because everyone’s fashion is different, everyone thinks about fashion differently but we still share the same things. That’s what I think fashion means to me” – Barrington

Being fashionable means something different to everybody. However, the bottom line is always the same: be true to yourself and do what makes YOU happy despite what anyone else thinks. Fashion and your own sense of style can be a powerful tool when it comes to owning your happiness and learning how to be comfortable with who you are. So use it wisely!

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Clothing Styles at Square One Mall in Mississauga

August 18, 2017/0 Comments/in Casual Wear, Ladies Fashion, Mens Fashion, Toronto /by Rob Campbell

by Marina, Miss Teenage Southwestern Ontario 2017

Paparazzi? Am I famous?

These questions must have run through the minds of all the fashionistas who encountered me on the streets of Mississauga this weekend. No, it’s not the Paparazzi… It’s just Marina with a camera, or should I say… Miss Teenage Southwestern Ontario 2017 behind the scenes!

The goal of this assignment was to find strangers on the street and record everything about their fashion sense and style. I had a blast meeting new people and learning a bit about their personality, which can explain a lot about why they wear what they wear. I found that timid or quiet people tend to wear dark or subtle colours, while bold and bubbly people tend to wear bright and noticeable colours. An outfit says a lot about a person; fashion style is a mirror reflection on the outside of what is really on the inside!

Meet Tiana! I found this 21-year-old strutting along Princess Royal Drive. Her bright coloured dress was what caught my attention. She is a hardworking student, who is currently studying Biology and Psychology. Her dress is a bright green colour with various light pink flowers all over. The dress has detailing with a cute high collar and a high split for her long legs to be shown off. Her dress was bought at H&M for a retail price of $70.00. tina in a green floral dress in Mississauga Her black and white point shoes were a snake skin style and measured to be about 4 inches high. Her heels were bought from Aldo for a retail price of $90.00. Her black fringe purse with gold detailing was also bought from H&M for a retail price of $30.00. Her nude and black Chanel sunglasses were bought for a retail price of $500.00. The total cost of Tiana’s outfit was $690.00.

Meet Gabriel! I found this 16-year-old walking around Square One Mall with his buddy, Kyle. Gabriel enjoys shopping and likes to play soccer on his spare time. Despite his typical “skater style,” Gabriel says that he no longer uses his skateboard.

Square One mall boy fashion in Mississauga

His black and grey baseball t-shirt was bought from Forever 21 for a retail price of $15.00. His cuffed dark jeans were bought from Winners for a retail price of $20.00. His black and white Vans (my favourite go-to sneakers) were bought from Zumiez for a retail price of $85.00. Gabriel’s final look costed him a total of just $120.00!

Meet Peter! I stumbled across this fashionista at Top Shop, in Square One Mall. Peter is a pro multi-tasker, as he balances being a personal trainer and working in the movie industry. His matching belt and shoes were what initially caught my eye! His navy blue fitted dress shirt was bought from Top Man for a retail price of $34.00. His black pants were also bought from Top Man for a retail price of $98.00. His white belt was bought from Calvin Klein for a retail price of $56.00. African origin man in Miss ssiauga wearing navy blue short denim jeans loafers His white detailed shoes were bought from Brown’s for a retail price of $120.00. In total, Peter spent $308.00 on his outfit of the day!

Thanks for reading about these noticeably fashionable looks from people just like me and you! Who knows? Maybe one day you can make it on a fashion blog or even a runway. Stay on trend or better yet make your own trends, and you’re bound to get noticed!

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Snappy Towels at 2017 Miss Teenage Canada

Bathing Belle Swimwear and Snappy Towels at Bluffers Beach

August 17, 2017/0 Comments/in Beach Fashion, Casual Wear, Designer, Fashion Designer, Girls Fashion, Toronto /by Rob Campbell

Two highly reputable Toronto clothing designers combined forces during the 2017 Search for Miss Teenage Canada to make interesting and effective ‘sharable moment’ style Instagram marketing contests at Bluffers Beach in Scarborough Ontario.

Bathing Belle swimwear designer Danica Salajko has been making swimwear for almost ten years. She graduated from George Brown College’s Fashion Design Program almost twenty years ago. Danica worked in the film industry as a wardrobe stylist for many years where she specialized in making Spandex clothes for Rock Stars in music videos and also sensible attire for TV commercials before opening her own costume service in 2006 and finally a high-end swimwear shop in 2010. Dan Wood Snappy Towels at Bluffers Point prizes

Dan Wood. the CEO of Snappy Towels microfiber beach towels is also something of a swimwear designer, or more accurately a swimwear product designer, as his gear can be worn or used in many different ways.

These two entrepreneurs merged in this unique marketing move to celebrate beach fashion and lifestyle. The official photographer Darren Lee had a difficult time finding low-contrast areas to shoot his models and you can see the side of his set in the background of this image below. he was putting models up against the rocks in the shade of small trees and letting the background blow-out, but I was up on the rocks exposing for the sun and trying to keep the busy beach visible in the distant background.

On Aug 10th 2017 at Bluffers park, a lovely beach in the shadow of the Scarborough Bluffs, fifteen models were selected from over fifty willing participants, all regional delegates in a national beauty pageant. These young people were asked to try on bathing suits and pose for photos and then broadcast their own images on Facebook and Instagram.

Bathing Belle Swimwear at Bluffers Beach All fifty seven delegates were given qaccess to Snappy Towels and told to pose and shoot selfies at the beach.

Six delegates won their swimsuits and another six delegates won their snappy towels afterwards and their pictures are all over Instagram with many hundreds of likes and repatriations.

Now a mother herself, Danica combines her understanding for fit and design, with her passion for playful prints. The result? Fun, stylish, and comfortable swimsuits for the whole family. Follow bathing Belle on Instagram @bathingbelle

Cynthia Menard 2017 Miss World Canada at Bluffers Beach 10 Aug 2017

Snappy Towels Beach Balls Made a Splash at Miss World Canada

Snappy towels were also present and dispensed as prizes during swim activities in the 2017 Search for Miss World Canada. The blue and pink beach balls are in many of the photographs taken above the water that day. Their own Snappy Towels blog chronicled the #SaltwaterSelfie event at Mayfair Clubs wherein their towels were offered up as prizes.

During Fitness Day at Mayfair Clubs in Toronto, over forty of the fifty seven regional delegates in the 2017 Search for Miss World Canada participated in the sharable moment in the pool.

Cruising Toronto Harbour with the Miss World Canada Pageant

Snappy Towels was also looking stylish on board the Toronto harbour charter cruise vessel Oriole on Weds 19th of July, when fifty-seven remarkable young females went cruising the Toronto harbour. The delegates, each seeking a jewel encrusted faux silver crown that represents perfection in the eyes of nine judges, stepped about Mariposa Cruises’ charter vessel Oriole at approximately noon for a one-hour cruise.

These young people had already enjoyed a very busy day; they had just come from Ripley’s Aquarium and before that they were showcased on Breakfast Television Weds 19 July 2017 show.
You can see all this in the Official 2017 Miss World Canada Activities Video

Another video made of the cruise experience is equally high-quality. The movie below was made by Cognition Video Productions Toronto and captures some of most fashionable moments.

As Snappy towels dispensed prizes on deck, the delegates, sourced from all over the nation, wearing silver crowns and sashes marking their province-of-origin were understandably excited at the prospect of seeing Toronto from the lake.

Raymi the Minx was at Miss World Canada dancing on deck for most of the cruise, representing KPDI digital agency and you can read her dispatch about the 2017 Search for Miss World Canada on Raymi Toronto. Rob Campbell wrote his missive about what life is like Inside the 2017 Miss World Canada pageant on Sharing Toronto.

Raymi Toronto on deck at Miss World Canada 2017

Swimwear and beach fashion were both very chic during the 2017 Search for Miss World Canada, and the 2017 Search for Miss Teenage Canada.

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Casual Fashion on Queen Street in Toronto

August 3, 2017/1 Comment/in Boys Fashion, Casual Wear, Ladies Fashion, Toronto /by Rob Campbell

By Yanna, Miss Teen GTA 2017

Fashion comes and goes, as all things in life. One style of clothing, hair, or even behavior fades away and is replaced with another, however, what I see is eternal is our personal styles that defines and creates each of us unique. One’s said by Coco Chanel,

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

With these ideas in mind, I was constantly contemplating what street in Toronto truly expresses both diversity and chic, but also allows each individual to be free in their style and choices without social strains – Queen Street. Form all of the other fashion districts in Toronto, I felt that Queen Street is one of those chic streets, where you can literary find anything you are looking for. It has been part of the Toronto Fashion District, as a result of the large garment industry in the area, where numerous textiles, fabric factories, and warehouses were close to many rail lines making it easy to ship the garments throughout various cities. Although there are still numerous garment warehouses and clothing outlets on Queen Street, today it has been refurbished into a street full of musicians, artists, small galleries, condos, lofts, and murals. It is also one of those streets that has both old Victorian and new glass buildings, that inspire magic and creativity.

Walking down Queen Street and you will see all sorts of styles, from the elegant to hipster locks that truly reflect the diversity of the street. Below is a selection of a group of individuals I found in some of the pockets on Queen Street and side streets full of murals, where I have demonstrated their unique styles and personalities. I have interviewed and photographed each individual, who among their differences all use fashion to express themselves.

Christina is 17 years old student going into her last year at Humberside Collegiate Institute. She loves being involved in various student run clubs at her school, and she is on various sports teams throughout the year. She loves shop thrift shopping and to recycle clothing and incorporate it into today’s fashion trends. Just recently she has turned recycling old clothes into a small business with her best friend and hopes one day she can create it into a large production and design brand. She also loves Queen Street, because of its diversity and is one of her most favorite hangout locations with her friends.

One-day Christina would like to travel the whole world, since she loves discovering new places and pockets of various large cities. She is a very creative person and one day she would like to build her own house by the beach and live luxuriously enough to continue enjoy her fashion.

Get the look

Top – Thrifted (around $5)
Shorts – American Eagle Outfitters ($29+ tax)
Necklace – ALDO ($8+ tax)
Shoes – Vans ($59+ tax)

What does Christina think about today’s fashion?

She believes that modern fashion in Toronto is very bold and “trail blazing”, and she absolutely loves seeing all the fun prints and cuts. With the humid summers in Toronto, she finds breezy clothing most appealing, and with this season tube tops and off the shoulder shirts that seem to be very popular, she has recycled many of her old clothing to make it fit with today’s trends. Christina also finds that Toronto’s fashion is much more laid back, and many Torontonians tend to rely on sporty apparels that are easily incorporated into today’s trends, as “my classic white vans that go with everything”.

Kat is 17 years old and enjoys writing posts on her blog O SO VOGUE, and she loves photography. She is also very passionate about leading an active lifestyle and goes to the gym around four times a week mainly focusing on weight training and calisthenics. Her dream is to travel the world and experience as many new things as possible, most importantly to embrace life’s beauty. Next year she is planning a huge backpacking trip around Europe.

Get the look

Top – Forever 21
Pants – Hollister
Flannel – Forever 21
Shoes – Converse

What does Kat think about today’s fashion?

Kat created her O SO VOGUE blog to share her opinions, tips, and tricks about fashion, make-up, fitness, and beauty with the world. On her blog there are many recipes, fitness tips and pictures, make-up and beauty posts, but mostly fashion. Although she enjoys today’s fashion, she is displeased with the poor choices students have with backpacks. She believes that over the past years nylon backpacks are unpractical and easily rip, so now on her blog she has been trying to promote leather and many of its qualities and use in the fashion world.

Marko in casual fashion wear on Queen Toronto

Marko has just finished high school and is determined to pursue a career in music. He regularly creates music videos and has his own YouTube channel. Beside his music passion and spending time in the recording studio, he plays basketball or watches movies. His life goal is to be able to live off being an artist, who is able to share and express his ideas about the world to the public.

Get the look

Top – Thrifted (no-named brands)
Pants – Thrifted (no-named brands)
Shoes – Adidas

What does Marko think about today’s fashion?

“To be honest, I know nothing about fashion, I have no idea about designers or brands or any of the stuff.” Even though, Marko does not have many ideas about fashion nor does he wear any brands, since most of his clothes are bought through thrift shopping or no name brands (except for some Adidas sneakers or timberland shoes). Nevertheless, he represents a perfect example of the diversity of styles that can be found on Queen Street.

Although, no name brands to some might not constitute as fashion, I would argue differently because it is important that individuals are not defined by brands or modern fashion trends that undermine their character. Which I believe Marko was trying to state with his style choice in choosing no named brands, since with no named brands “I am able to express myself in a more creative and personal way, that truly reflects me as an individual, which I also try to do through my music.”

Angel is 17 years old student going into her last year at University of Toronto Schools. She believes that she is your basic teenage stereotype with a “Starbucks addiction, gimmicky Instagram food, and Netflix binging problem”. Besides all the basics, she loves to dance, write, go to debates, and she is an avid supporter for many social justice issues. Above everything, she loves to shop, even though she believes that she “spends way too much time and money on clothing”.

Get the look

Top – Hollister Cop.
Shorts – Abercrombie & Fitch
Belt – H&M
Shoes – Adidas

What does Angel think about today’s fashion?

Angel believes that fashion is a perfect way to express yourself for the world to see. She believes that today’s fashion is quickly expanding and feels things that people would have dissed in the past, such as mom jeans or slides, are making a comeback. However, what she particularly adores about today’s trends is that “now more than ever people can make choices about clothing that suit them, that’s why I like Queen Street because it has many unique things to explore”.

Nevena is 17 years old and is also going into her last year of high school. For the past ten years she has been going to Serbian folklore at SCA Oplenac (Mississauga, Ontario), in order to preserve the traditional dances from her native country. Besides her passion for dance and music, she loves helping people and regularly volunteers in her spare time. She hopes to study law and pursue her passion to defend educational rights and freedom of children in various countries around the world.

Get the look

Top – s.Oliver
Shorts – Pull and bear
Necklace – Accessorize
Leather Handbag – Coach

What does Nevena think about today’s fashion?

Nevena loves to follow fashion trends and believes each era of fashion, as today’s fashion has its own unique magic. She is always open to new things, so when it comes to fashion there is almost nothing she does not like. With today’s fashion and bright colors, she feels that it gives her an opportunity to express herself even more, by combining different things together. Even though she follows regular fashion trends, she chooses clothes that reflect her, thus allowing her to create a slightly unique style of her own, as she states “I first want to feel comfortable and reflect my character”.

Vilde is on ed brick wall in Toronto

Vilde is a first-year university student for international relations, Vilde is aspiring to be a diplomat, specializing in global health that will primarily focus on children in South and Central America. She enjoys to read, write, hike, dance ballet, and embroider. She also has many other interests and is an exceptional song writer and singer. One day, she wishes to discover and help as many suffering people in this world.

Get the look

Top – American Eagle
Pants – Zaras
Shoes – Nike

What does Vilde think about today’s fashion?

In today’s fashion, Vilde believes that it allows a lot of self-expression and it allows many to explore and find their perfect style. She feels that “fashion of today is perfectly portrayed on this street [Queen Street]”; as Queen Street she feels todays trends are a mixture of the old and the new, and as music and art they have become very expressive and individualized.

a beautoful woman wearing a knit sweater in Golden Hour photography

Jovana is 17 years old and is also going into last year of high school. Jovana is passionate about languages and she is currently learning French, Italian, and Persian. In her spare time, Jovana loves to dance salsa and tango and a few years ago she played water polo for over three years. Jovana also enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with her friends, and listening to rock music, as David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Metallica, Guns N’ Rosses, and many more. As well, Jovana has recently started her own business where she creates and sells her handmade jewelry.

Get the look

Top – Forever 21
Necklace – Handmade
Glasses – Dolce & Gabbana

What does Jovana think about today’s fashion?

“To be honest, I don’t really like today’s fashion trends, so I have stopped following it.” Jovana does not like today’s fashion, since she believes it isn’t very innovative. Jovana feels that many of the styles have already been seen (particularly trends in 2016 and 2017) are merely imitating fashion of the 90’s. Jovana instead follows things that she likes, and she would say that her style is more “sport-rocker elegance”, since she loves wearing boots and leather jackets.

woman in silk blouse print top with red pattern

Hristina moved to Toronto from Macedonia as a child, and loves playing basketball and soccer, as well as listening to music and watching movies that are mostly musicals. She also tries to promote a healthy and active lifestyle and to stay fit. In order to preserve her countries traditions, she is part of the KUD Biljana Macedonian folk dance group in Markham, Ontario. Above everything, she loves her family and friends, and constantly strives to be the best person she can be.

Get the look

Top – Ardene
Pants – Old Navy
Bracelet – Pandora
Necklace – Hand made

What does Hristina think about today’s fashion?

She loves today’s fashion and also enjoys to follow popular fashion trends. She is very happy with today’s fashion, primarily because it allows her to freely express herself and her personality. As it is seen in her fashion choice, she likes to combine dark colors with light colors that accent specific details of her outfit, in this case the bright colored flowers. Because of the hot summers in Toronto and this year’s fashion, she is able to enjoy the over the shoulder tops, which she believes add both elegance and chic to her personal style.

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Fashion to Fitness in Downtown Toronto

July 31, 2017/2 Comments/in Boys Fashion, Ladies Fashion, Sports Fashion, Toronto /by Rob Campbell

By Nicole, Miss Teenage South Central Ontario 2017

What is fashion? It is a distinctive trend in style in a way which a certain person dresses. Fashion is a way for someone to express themselves, and who they are. The beauty about fashion is there is no right or wrong way to dress, trends come and go changing every single day, so you just have to wear what you want, and walk in it as if you are on your own runway! The most important thing to remember is to always be comfortable in your own skin cause that’s what makes you fabulous!

In my role as Miss teenage South Central Ontario, I ventured out on the streets of Toronto, in search for the different styles out there. My first step, was to pick what street I would begin my journey on. It was actually an easy choice for me; I decided to pick one of the longest streets we have in Canada, and that is “Yonge Street.”

To put a spin on things, I decided to write this Street Chic fashion article with a focus on my platform, which is, Empowering people through physical activity. I wanted to capture the look of people dressing fashionable at work, but able to easily change and keep a healthy lifestyle, by going to work out. Which is why my location was located more specifically near the Goodlife fitness where I train everyday. Some of the people I interviewed worked out that same day, while others had different set days that they go to the gym.

I noticed a lot of students, and people from their workplace going to the gym on their lunch break. Since I had stayed a few hours I saw them walk into the gym fashionable, and leave just as beautiful. That is because they picked outfits that were cute but comfortable, and easy to change. This goes to show, it’s easy to live a healthy lifestyle but be well dressed at the same time. Even if you aren’t wearing the most elaborate clothes, and a lot of accessories, I believe that having a fit healthy body is something you can wear as well. I asked all the people a series of questions, and named my survey “fashion to fitness.” I also asked for their permission to use their first name and picture. Here is what I got!

Monica in downtown Toronto

Our first Model was Monica

What is your Job: “Customer Service.”

How often do you go to the gym: “2 times per week.”

What is your favorite thing to do at the gym: “I enjoy doing cardio, and classes are really fun!”

How long does it take you to decide what to wear in the morning: “I plan the night before for work in ten minutes, but if I am going on a night out 30 minutes.”

Do you prefer online shopping or going to the mall: “The mall is more of an experience, but I prefer online because it’s more convenient.”

Monica’s outfit

Top

Brand: no name brand

Description: nude peach half sleeve shirt.

Jacket

Brand: Terranova

Description: light cream beige colour, oversized tie around cape, with a suede material. She purchased this in Europe.

Bottoms

Brand: H&M

Description: they were black high waisted dressy leggings.

Shoes

Brand: Express

Description: black open toe wedge heel, with a cork colour bottom material.

Our second model was Teresa

What is your job: “antiques.”

How often do you go to the gym: “two times per week”

What is your favorite thing to do at the gym: “yoga and Pilates classes”

How long does it take you to decide what to wear in the morning: “10 minutes- 1 day”

Do you prefer online shopping or going to the mall: “online”

Teresa’s outfit

Top

Brand: Zara

Description: black, loose sleeveless scoop top.

Bottom

Brand: Zara

Description: different shades of green throughout, with a long wide leg cut, and a Hawaiian floral print.

Shoes

Brand: Zara

Description: black espadrille summer heels

Hat

Brand: winners

Description: large black floppy sun hat

Accessories

Brand: Club Monaco

Description: necklace is a large gold fan frilled design, large gold dangling and part hoop earrings.

The third model is John

Job: student

How often do you go to the gym: “ 4 times per week”

What is your favorite thing to do at the gym: “biceps, because I have really small ones and I like seeing the improvements.”

How long does it take you to decide what to wear in the morning: “5 minutes.”

Online shopping or going to the mall: “I equally enjoy both.”

John’s outfit

Top:

Brand: Zara

Description: black graphic-T

Bottoms:

Brand: H&M

Description: white cuffed skinny jeans

Shoes:

Brand: Nike, purchased in Peter Borough

Description: red and white, Nike SB

Glasses:

Brand: Atzzes

Description: black with gold rim and round frame

The forth model is Giana

Job: “ I am a student and athlete”

How often do you go to the gym: “4 times per week”

What is your favorite thing to do at the gym: “I like to work gluteus and abdominals the most.”

How long does it take you to decide what to wear in the morning: “I prefer to prepare my outfits before I go to sleep.”

Online shopping or going to the mall: “I like to go to the mall because I like to try on the clothes before I buy them.”

Gianas’s outfit:

Top:

Brand: H&M

Description: light blue wash, tied up dress shirt.

Bottoms:

Brand: Zara

Description: white beach shorts, with a flower embroidery at the bottom.

Shoes:

Brand: Nike

Description: bright blue, Nike Air Presto

Purse:

Brand: C&A

Description: black leather tote

Glasses:

Brand: New Yorker

Description: black lens and round frame

Victor is all business in downtown Toronto

The fifth model is Victor

Job: student

How often do you go to the gym: “3-4 times per week”

What is your favorite thing to do at the gym: “leg workouts”

How long does it take you to decide what to wear in the morning: “30 minutes”

Online shopping or going to the mall: “mall”

Victor’s outfit:

Top:

Brand: Alfani

Description: light blue wash, buttoned up dress shirt.

Bottoms:

Brand: Tommy Hilfiger

Description: black straight dress pants.

Jacket:

Brand: H&M

Description: black fitted blazer

Shoes:

Brand: clarks

Description: black dress shoes

Glasses:

Brand: U.S. Polo Assn.

Description: black square rimmed reading glasses

After interviewing all four of my volunteers, I came to a few conclusions…. I saw that some know they have a busy schedule, but they still find time to pick a fashionable outfit for the morning and change after to workout. Their solution was to prepare their clothes the night before! They planned their week at their own pace, and decided how many times they feel like going to the gym. Some of these peoples photos, were them on their days off. We are all allowed to have a break, and that’s the perfect moment we can take time, to have fun with picking our outfits. It’s easy, and rewarding on so many levels being active, there shouldn’t be anything stopping all of you!!!! In fact I truly believe having a strong body, that you feel happy, and confident in, is the best accessory that you can wear! Thank you for following along, and remember you are always fabulous! Xoxo Nicole Miss Teenage South Central Ontario

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Toronto Fashion on Cumberland St in Yorkville

July 31, 2017/24 Comments/in Casual Wear, Ladies Fashion, Toronto /by Rob Campbell

Written Alexia Antonio – Miss Teenage Toronto 2017

All photos by Alexia Antonio

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” —Coco Chanel.

Fashion Icon Coco Chanel had a major impact on women’s clothing and in the fashion industry. The quote expresses staying true to one’s self and style – because every woman is truly one of a kind.

This quote’s meaning embodied us this weekend while in the heart of Toronto fashion hub – Cumberland Street in Yorkville. The street was selected due to its unique style and fashion diversity. Its home to a wide range of styles from everyday streetwear to top designers such as Tania Health and Kate Spade. The mood surrounding the street is created and displayed with bold colors, creativity and unique designs. One particular area of the street showcases and celebrates femininity with the use of pink roses draped over walkways and embroidered on window displays.

The street’s style is also reflected by the clientele and visitors in the area – who are always dressed stylish and on trend. The three muses selected were my inspiration for the selection of the Yorkville area and selected based on their unique style and individuality. I photographed and interviewed the ladies and found a commonality with all three – they all used fashion to express themselves and their individual style. The full interviews are available to watch at: missteentoronto.com

Emily1asded

Cool Girl meets Chic

Emily is 18 years old student attending Western University. She’s going into her second year studying Psychology and American Studies. Emily is a fan of designer Jeremy Scott and his cool and smart style clothing designs. She confidently strolls in Yorkville wearing a velvet tanned button up short skirt, paired with a black short sleeve turtle neck. Her footwear is tanned stiletto tied up boots and carries a black leather purse. She completes the look with her signature “E” Necklace, which she never leaves the house without.

Emily describes her style as “edgy” and loves to mix and match with “nude beige and black colors”. Emily’s outfit is the definition of Cool Girl Chic. I asked Emily, if she could speak to thousands of young Canadian girls about their fashion choices, what would she say to them? Emily without hesitation responded by expressing “Whatever makes you happy, whatever makes you feel comfortable, is the best!”

Get The Look
Top, Randy – $30.00
Skirt, Nasty Gal, $60.00
Purse, Kate Spade – $158.00

Elegance Meets the Modern Day Gal

Nihan is 17 years of age just and recently graduated from high school. She dreams of having her own fashion clothing line. Nihan describes her fashion style as “Lazy Chic” as she aims for her outfits to look “Organic” and “Natural” and have an overall effortless look. She accomplishes this look by wearing black Levi jeans, a black bralette with a sheer top overlay.

nihan street chic Yorkville

She adds a jacket over her shoulders and wears a pair of white sunshades. She gravitates to classic black and white colors and sheer materials. “I love things that are sheer!” she expresses. Accessory wise, Nihan always wears her Pandora silver ring as it has sentimental value to her. I asked Nihan, if she had the opportunity to create her own shoe line to empower young women, what message would she write under the shoe to them? Nihan said “I would write I”, “You need to feel like your true self and make sure it’s comfortable!”.

Get The Look
Levi Black Jeans – $60.00
Costuming Black Books – $100.00
Sheer Shirt, H&M – $30.00
Black Bralette, Urban Outfitters – $25.00
Cream Jacket, Mango – $200.00
White Sunglasses – Guess, $150.00

Classic Rock Meets The Future Girl

Arya is 28 years old and is working as a successful Stage Actor while completing her Theatre degree at York University. Arya explained her style fluctuates “It varies day to day depending on how I feel”, “But usually I would say it’s very edgy with a Boho kind a feel to it”. Arya is a fan of designer Alexander McQueen and carries an open-minded attitude towards fashion and embracing various styles much like the late designer.

Arya in Yorkville Toronto

She’s wearing a white star top, black jeans, black boots and completes her look with the classic black leather jacket. She’s finished her look off with multiple accessories. Her signature style is her bold hair color and seeks only perfection when it comes to her styling. When asked what type of accessory she would design to promote the empowerment of women, she replied “It would be a black leather cuff, in the front of it would be two silver sterling hands holding each other”. This accessory is a reflection of Arya and represents the strength of women.

Get The Look
Black Shoes, Nordstrom – $120.00
Black Leather Jacket – Le Chateau – $199.00
Necklace, Aldo – $20.00
Skull Ring, Aldo – $20.00
Black Cargo Jeans, Marshalls – $39.99
White tank to with stars, Marshalls – $19.99

Your classic Modern Girl (Me!)

I’m 19 years old and going into second year at York University in the AMPD (Arts, Media, Production & Design) program. My passions are with photography and writing. Some of my recent awards include Outstanding Achievement for Film & Editing and my recent accomplishments include writing a children’s book which reflects my platform and girl empowerment. I describe my fashion style as modern with a mix of 50’s chic. I enjoy wearing bright colors and pieces that convey confidence.

red dress I’m seen here photographing Emily, Nihan, and Arya for Street Chic Magazine. I’m wearing a one piece jumpsuit in a bright hot pink and black heel shoe.

Get The Look
Hot pink jumpsuit – Zara – $150.00
Steve Madden shoes – $100.00

With all my wardrobe selections I aim to project a confident style while staying true to my individual style. If I were to have my own shoe line, the message conveyed would be about the empowerment of girls. Under the shoe, the message would state my platform’s campaign “Find Your Beauty Inside”.

The purpose is to inspire all girls to positive; to be confident; believe in themselves; to be FEARLESS; and they will accomplish everything they set their minds to and accomplish their dreams.