Le Catogan Headbands

Le Catogan originally acquired its name from the French word for describing the way in which a 17th century general fastened his hair with ribbon. Since its establishment in 1987, Le Catogan has continued to reign as one of the industry leaders in the high-end headband market.

As a chronic collector of bow headbands, it was refreshing for me to find a new headband design outside of the classic bow or the Burberry tartan pattern (both of which I will always cherish) which I could equally love and make use of. I personally fell in love with Le Catogan's simple-yet-chic satin braided headband (pictured below), as I believe its timeless beauty can serve as an essential piece in any Stylista Fashionista's wardrobe.

The headbands run from $20-$300 with the majority of designs falling in the middle price range. That being said, it should also be noted that the quality of Le Catogan headbands are known to be likened to that of haute couture standards, as each piece is 100% hand-crafted by one of Le Catogan's three exclusive in-house handmaidens.

Le Catogan headbands are available at Holt Renfrew on Bloor, Over the Rainbow on Yorkville Ave and at Hefter Collections in Hazelton Lanes shopping centre.

I can assure you that a Le Catogan headband makes the perfect gift for the girl on your list who (may seam to) have everything :)

The New Player...

Who doesn't remember the infamous Nixon Player Watch circa 2002? I remember seeing them left right and centre, seeing as how I grew up on the West Coast where the ubiquitous influence of skate/snowboarding essentially dominated the majority of our adolescent lives.

It is now 2010 and our teenage years may be long gone, however I am happy to report that this coveted style is making a strong comeback...

Nixon has decided to capitalize on the classic Player Watch desgin but re-introduce it with a more modern twist - a rubber material base as opposed to boring old stainless steel.

Don't be scared of the rubber, dear reader, as its presence has magically made this watch an even pimper version of its original self. Furthermore, the custom molded silicon (a.k.a. rubber) watchband appeals to a more modern and trendier demographic than the original, more conservative model.

If you [are lucky enough to] live in the Toronto area, you can hit up my favourite Yorkville menswear boutique to try on the new timeless accessory. I personally vote for purple, however black and olive are totally legit contenders as well.

Postscript: The watches sell for $200 at the aforementioned boutique. The end.

Combat Stud

I have whole-heartedly decided that I NEED a pair of O.G. combat boots to go with my O.G. swaggah - (Ahem, If you didn't immediately know what "O.G." stands for [Original Gangster] - we are no longer internet friends).

Where was I?

Oh ya - Gaaangsta Boots. What do we think of this little pair dubbed The Studded Workman Boot (available here for a whopping $39.80 CAD)?

Me likey. The only thing in my way is a $3.00 subway token (which I cannot say I can confidently afford) as well as the simple laws of supply and demand (a.k.a. when too many psychotic shoppers [such as myself] make the trip out to a good Forever 21, all hell breaks loose & all the good merch goes bye-bye before the next wave of insane consumers can get their grubby paws on anything.)

Hmmm...Stylista Fashionista is sounding a wee bit hostile.

Cue: Bedtime.

Pass the Mic: M.I.A.

My favorite little Tamil Tiger and yours will be performing her Galang off tonight at The Sound Academy in Toronto. Heralded for her Stylista Fashionista status as well as for her contributions to the world of modern Art, M.I.A. is the epitome of individuality and outspokenness.

Now I'm not gonna get into a full fledge summary of M.I.A'S career because, well, if you've been alive for the past 6 years & consider yourself even remotely in touch with pop culture - then you should already be up to speed.

Instead, I'm going to enlighten your lives with a fun little M.I.A. fact:

Before gaining entry into London's Central St. Martins College of Art & Design, our girl called the head of the art department at the college repeatedly, telling him she would become a prostitute if she wasn't accepted as a student. Eventually she was let in, being told she "had chutzpah."

Now that's what I call a role model.

See you tonight, gurrrrrl.

One Stop Shop: Manicure Style

Finally, all 5 Manicure steps in one Damn Bottle.

• Base Coat
• Strengthener
• Growth Treatment
• Colour (42 shades)
• Top Coat

Now put down your tried n' true OPI and live a little...

leathah, lace & a bit of granny charm

Fashion Disclaimer: The Granny sweater is back...with a bang c/o Christopher Kane. The beloved and extremely talented Kane has wowed us yet again with his Fall 2010 Collection, which has managed to successfully make trends which seem to be so unbelievably out, actually in.

Exhibit A:

Those of you not too familiar with Christopher Kane and his unprecedented contributions to the fashion world, please open your mind to the genius combination of structured leather, sensual lace and your grandma's finest embroidery skills.

Ladies and Gents, I give you the one and the only, Christopher Kane: Fall 2010 Collection.

Emma Watson in Christopher Kane

Light Grey, Cognac & Taupe: Oh My!

Check out these g'd out Fall boots all priced at under $80. Say what? I'll take all three, thanks.

"Next Stop: Fashion Week"

Pictured above, Diane Von Furstenberg and Mayor Bloomberg celebrate the temporary name of the No. 1 subway line in NYC, The Fashion Line, which will last for the duration of fashion week.

Meet me at Lincoln Centre It's goin' down,

Meet me on the One its goin' down...

MULBERRY 2010: Redefined

Models Abbey Lee Kershaw & Hanne Gaby Odiele encompass the essence of Socialites Going Wild in this vivacious Ad campaign photographed by acclaimed fashion photographer, Steven Meisel.

Beautiful. Brilliant. MULBERRY.

Brisket or Bust?

This year, many Jewish fashion industry reps are missing New York Fashion Week in order to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. As one of the holiest holidays in the Jewish religion, Rosh Hashana is widely observed by both religious and non-religious Jews alike.

In an industry with a prominent Jewish presence - Diane Von Furstenberg, Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Henri Bendel, Ralph Lauren, Zac Posen, Isaac Mizrahi, Donna Karan, Elie Tahari & Michael Kors to name but a few, it is unfortunate that the most important fashion event of the year would be scheduled during the most important Jewish holiday of the year.

Two notable designers, Max Azria and Israeli-born Yigal Azrouel were able to reschedule their runway shows in order to accomadate Rosh Hashanah. It looks like Mr. Azria is getting excited for his Bubbi's chicken soup!

I just hope that next year a more egalitarian light will shine at the end of the Shofar. Amen.

BOOKMARC: A New Chapter

Always on the cusp of a new business venture & steps away from his succesful Acessories store, the Marc Jacobs Empire has done it again: On Friday evening Bleecker street welcomed BOOKMARC to the upscale neighbourhood.

The new bookstore features both literary and non-literary items, all with the signature Marc Jacobs fabulous appeal. In addition to a plethora of fashionable coffee table books such as Kate Moss by Mario Testino, the shop also offers some seriously cool back to school supplies such as pens, postcards, pencil cases, notebooks (with most items priced under $30, If I may add!).

My favourite item definitely has to be the Journal's equipped with amazingly re-worded classic titles such as "Moby's Dick (LOL)" and my personal favourite, "The Gay Gatsby" - hardy har har.

What's up next for Marc Jacobs Inc. you may be wondering? Robert Duffy, Jacobs' business partner, reportedly told Racked NY that a Marc Jacobs Cafe might be in the works somewhere in Uptown Manhattan. Dee-lish.

And the H&M Collaborative WINNER is...

LANVIN for H&M!!!

Oh and in case you want to impress your friends with the exact pronounciation of Lanvin before the upcoming collaboration hits stores, please click on the following link and learn away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJXzCXnsRlE&feature=related

Hint: Lawn+van = Lanvin

Haute Off the Press!

Word in the fashion news world is that H&M and French fashion house Lanvin are pairing up their devilish duo styles for a mean upcoming fashion collaboration.

The odd thing about this news is that there is a parallel buzz going around that H&M is collaborating with Taiwanese fashion house, Shiazty Chen.

Neither rumour has yet to be confirmed, however both leads have indicated that the collaborative line will be available in early November at H&M retail locations.

I am personally putting my vote in for Lanvin, as in all honesty, I have been quite dissappointed by H&M's last collaborations (i.e. Jimmy Choo's limited edition diffusion collection and subsequent guest designer Sonia Rykiel collection, 2009). That being said, I am extra excited to see what gorgeous feminine creations Lanvin x H&M comes up with (that is, if they are indeed the chosen ones).

Which designer do you think it will be? Which collaboration is true and which is merely a speculation?

My mind is spinning in inquisitive circles. Oh the horrah, the horrah!

FNO PSA

....Pretty cheesy if you ask me...nonetheless, I hereby present you with the official Fashion's Night Out Public Service Announcement in living colour.

click hurrr: http://vimeo.com/14389236

Pic(k) of the Day

Mara Hoffman Strip Dress in Pow Wow Navy

Just when I thought I would have to say goodbye to my love of MH's Summertime Bikini patterns, our girl comes through with this sensational (and I don't use that word lightly) little number to help us fashionably transition into Autumn. Shee-bam.

nonamebrand.

Ok ok Ok. I know I have been oddly m.i.a. lately, however I have been doing some much-needed soul searching on what exactly (or not so exactly) I want to do with my life. And here goes. Since the inception of StylistaFashionista, I have realized that I have whole-heartedly re-fallen in loooove with writing....and obviously in particular, fashion writing.

With this realization in my back pocket, I am currently exploring professional writing options and opportunities. So many questions so little time. I have also started to paint again and have also started a pretty pimp jewellery line with my girl Reefer K. Smoke break.

Anyways its 3:34am on this Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and I'm pretty sure I'm the only person I know who is awake at this absurd hour.

In closing, I'm gona leave you with the words of a fellow-Torontonian who likely felt similar to that way I do now before he made it big. "I just wanna be, I just wanna be succesful."

Sing it Drake.