Christian Louboutin Exhibition Kicks off at Toronto's Design Exchange Today

Those iconic red Christian Louboutin soles. All other photos by me.

Today might be the first day of summer but in Toronto, it's ALL about Christian Louboutin. The celebrity shoe designer has brought his trademark red soles to the city for the highly anticipated North American debut of his retrospective exhibition, which opens today at The Design Exchange. 

At the media Press Conference yesterday, I sat front row (keener) to find out what makes Louboutin tick, and got a sneak peek tour of the exquisite exhibition featuring over 250 pairs of breathtaking shoes. Among other things, I found out that Louboutin enjoys odd pastimes like trapeze-flying, that he once left fashion to become a garden designer, that he's more inspired by showgirls than fashion, that he designs his Spring/Summer collections in Brazil or Egypt and his Fall/Winter collections at his country home with the heat turned off, and that in the future, he hopes to direct a Bollywood movie. Oh, and that famous red sole? Early in his career, he received a prototype of a floral heel and didn't like how the black sole clashed with the fabric. Luckily, his assistant happened to be painting her nails a vibrant red at the time, so he grabbed the bottle, painted the soles red et voilà - fashion history!

Christian Louboutin: An Exhibition Celebrating 20 Years of Design, Artistry and Magic kicks off today and runs until September 15, 2013 at The Design Exchange in Toronto, featuring a spectacular display of shoes, visual installations, sketches and personal artifacts from the designer's colourful 20 year career. Tickets are $22 and include a 1-year subscription to FLARE Magazine (while quantities last). If you love shoes, it's an absolute must. Want to meet the man himself? Christian Louboutin will be at Holt Renfrew Bloor St. for a shoe signing from 4-6 p.m. tonight. Word on the street is that the Loubouphiles are already queued up. Happy Louboutin Day to you! x

(As for whether or not I splurged on a pair after all, scroll down to find out. #eeeeek) 

Our press kit featuring bios of all the big shots. This is the journalistic equivalent of a 'cheat sheet'.

Shauna Levy, President of Design Exchange, Donna Loveday, Head of Curatorial at the Design Museum, London, and Christian Louboutin in a wicked blazer.

The exhibition feels a lot like a fairground for shoe fetishists, with a carousel of decadent heels, a shadow theatre, and a showgirl stage featuring a trippy hologram of Dita von Teese.

Every Louboutin shoe starts with a sketch. Wouldn't you just love to own one of these?

A shoe mold is handmade - if you're a celebrity, you get your very own (which finally explains why celebs can stand in heels for so long)

Fabric and heels collide to make an exquisite shoe...

...comme celui-çi! Magnifique!

(I had a Holts gift card and I wasn't afraid to use it :) Well, maybe a little afraid...) #wortheverypenny

If you're a shoe-lover, consider Design Exchange your new happy place.

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Blurred Lines

Hudson Striped Skinnies, $215, Call 1.800.335.7268 or visit hudsonjeans.com for availability.

The second I saw these striped beauties, I knew I had to have them. First off, they're made by Hudson Jeans, so I know I'll love the way they fit (Hudsons are great like that). But I have to admit, I'm feeling some major black & white fatigue at the moment, so I especially adore that these are navy & white instead of the ubiquitous b&w.

Here are a few ways I imagine I'll wear them this summer: With a white floaty blouse, gold gladiator sandals and a little denim jacket/With a bright yellow sweater/With a red tank and silver sandals/With any of my merlot pieces from last Fall/With a white tee, black bomber and ankle-strap black sandals/With anything coral, etc. etc.

See how I just did that? I've justified them already. 

P.S - Crank up Blurred Lines below and imagine yourself dancing around in your new jeans. Isn't Robin Thicke one super cool mofo?

xx

Where There's Smoke, There's Fire: Pics from the Greta Constantine Fall '13 Show

My favourite look from the collection - super fun way to edge up a formal dress...

A model gets primped and polished backstage by the M·A·C Cosmetics beauty team

The crowd gets a little judgy (it's their job) as a model struts it in lime green at Toronto's Parts & Labour

The Beckerman sisters (aka, the life of every fashion party)

The gorgeous host of Top Chef Canada, Lisa Ray

As one of Canada's leading design duos, Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill are renowned not only for their figure-hugging frocks but for their over-the-top runway shows. In seasons past, I've been on the Greta Constantine guestlist because the guestlist has numbered in the 100s, not 10s, with impressive shows held in places like Toronto's Distillery District or The Century Room. For their Fall '13 presentation held last week in Toronto, Stephen and Kirk kept it decidedly more exclusive. And so, while a handful of Toronto's top editors and socialites headed to Parkdale's Parts & Labour for the formal runway show, the rest of us flocked to The Hoxton for the Stoli-fueled after-party. Whether A-list or B, I must admit that I feel pretty lucky to be on GC's list at all - dudes know how to throw a party. Click on the thumbnails below to see which well-heeled VIPs made the cut to the main event and, of course, get ready to lust after the lovely Greta Constantine Fall '13 collection. I am loving that maxi dress with the belted fur stole and the hide and chic origami-like vest with the wide-leg white trousers. Oh, and dying over the fierce jewel art by Dandi Maestre. Et tu? Any faves? Be sure to also check out the video below - a super interesting glimpse at the triumphs and challenges of building the Greta Constantine brand. Enjoy!

All photos by George Pimentel

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Stud Finder

CYNDI Studded Peep-Toe Booties, $69.98, ALDO

These cool peep-toe booties are really lovely. So lovely, in fact, that I know a certain someone who bought them in both colours. Can you blame her? They're basic enough to go with everything but thanks to the rockstar studs and sexy cut-outs, will dial up even the most basic of skinnies, skirts and dresses all spring/summer long. 

Happy Monday!

x

How Celebs are Wearing the New Banana Republic Milly Collection

Olivia Palermo makes a compelling case for the elephant print Banana Republic Milly Collection shorts. Yes, of course her dog matches...

Maria Menounos wears her striped maxi. LOVE this dress.

Zoe Saldana with sister, Cicely. All Celebrity Photos via: Michael Simon / Startraks 

When faced with a fashion dilemma, I always ask myself the following: 'What would Olivia Palermo do?' As I write this post, I'm hurtling down the train tracks towards Toronto for tonight's Banana Republic Milly Collection launch party, hosted by Banana Republic (naturally) and Milly founder and designer, Michelle Smith. I knew that the opportunity to pre-shop the collection would be tempting when I got a sneak peek at the lookbook pics - Milly's signature vintage-inspired prints, gorgeous pops of colour, to-die-for dresses, etc. etc.- but thought I might be able to keep my Visa on lockdown all the same. I mean, how many dresses does a girl need?

And then my girl at Banana Republic sent me a pic of OP rocking the elephant print shorts. I don't own elephant print shorts. Even Olivia couldn't say no so how could I, a mere mortal, possibly resist all of that cuteness. Not to mention, I also own a white dog named Fonzie who, if given a proper bath, would coordinate so perfectly. Elephant shorts + black blazer + cute white dog = fashion win.

Did I mention the Banana Republic Milly Collection also includes menswear? Oooh, we could both bust out Milly at the dog park. #ahhhh

Will let you know what I end up choosing (elephant shorts, pink shorts w white blazer from the lookbook or the Maria Menounos maxi?) but I can already see that this is gonna be trouble. The collection is available in select Banana Republic stores this Thursday, May 30th and ranges from $24.50 - $175. Wish me luck x

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