I made it to two events last week, including the Breeyn McCarney show (review to follow) and managed to finally meet a handful or two of new peeps…which is actually quite exciting because I love the friendly network that is the Toronto fashion blogging scene…

Stefania Yarhi, fashion blogger writer and photographer - Textstyles

Tricia Campbell Hall, stylist and blogger – triciacampbell.blogspot.com/

Johanne Durocher of fashioninmotion.wordpress.com

Briony Smith, fashion editor of BlogTO

Jahmilla Small of Plush Embassy: plushpaparazzi-embassy.blogspot.com/

Shout outs (and links) to everyone!

Rachel

Photo: Style Rookie/13-year-old Tavi – tavi-thenewgirlintown.blogspot.com

1. Tommy Ton (JakandJil.com) Shoots for Paris Vogue!

Toronto blogger turned international street photographer star Tommy Ton photographed 13-year-old blogstar Tavi for the Une fille un style pages. Reported by Laura Minquini on her blog…

http://thecanadianschooloffashion.blogspot.com/2010/01/tommy-tons-first-paris-vogue.html
and
http://jakandjil.com/blog/?p=3671

2. ‘Why I Hate Fashion’/'Why I Don’t Hate Fashion’ by Eye Weekly Style Writer Sarah Nicole Prickett

I actually read Eye Weekly nowadays when I receive a Tweet or FB link from its newest City Style columnist Sarah Nicole Prickett – who has pretty much revamped (or created) the section. The comments at the end of this article are somewhat vicious – but call me privileged, a de-valuer, or vain – ‘I Don’t Hate Fashion’ either…. Curious to hear what you think.

http://www.eyeweekly.com/style/citystyle/article/81988

(and while we’re at it, Tavi also rebuts…)

3. Toronto Life Style Blog: 34 Toronto Stores that Didn’t Make It Through 2009

This is quite the list – and includes longtime faves like Finishing Touches, Studio Labiri and 175-year-old Dack’s Shoes.

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/style/shop-talk/2010/01/04/thirty-four-toronto-stores-that-didnt-make-it-through-2009/#more-16088

Photo from JakandJil.com

1. 20 Best Fashion Blogs

This London Telegraph article was written in October, but since this is a new column, it makes the list. Especially since the article really is comprised of many of the best – most influential and almost exclusive fashion blogs – and not a bunch of “fashionista” types.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/6271935/20-best-fashion-blogs.html

2. Brangelina for Asprey

It’s true – and (yawn) not surprising perhaps. Brangelina, that is Angie and Brad have spent the past year designing high-end jewellery – serpent rings and talismans if you will, that will cost a fortune but will raise funds for charity. I like Brangelina, but enough already.

http://www.wwd.com/markets-news/brad-pitt-and-angelina-jolie-design-jewelry-for-asprey-2371152?

3. Four people have been arrested in Peru on suspicion of killing dozens of people in order to sell their fat and tissue for cosmetic uses in Europe

I hate to add such a dismal link, but I heard about this twice in one day and it’s just another selfish, vain human truth that we should probably know about. Basically, human fat is used in many high-end cosmetic and beauty products and in this case, gang members were caught for trafficking human fat. Horrifying.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8369674.stm

4. http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Funny.

Toronto’s newly branded LG Fashion Week kicks off in Toronto today and is sure to to wipe out the hundreds of folks working in the industry by next weekend.

Although public tickets are available for shows, the fashion week crowd is mainly made up of editors, journalists and photographers; the designers and their crews of stylists, models, producers, etc.; the behind-the-scenes executive committee; retailers and buyers; and family and friends of designers.

Most of Canada’s top designers participating include David Dixon, Joeffer Caoc, Pink Tartan, Andy-the-Ahn and Lucian Matis. Local favorites include Comrags, Ula Zukowska and Zoran Dobric. The Joe Fresh showing is sure to draw a standing-room only crowd as is the Bustle collection with its tightly-themed stage show to match the clothes.

During the week, we will be following:

Nathalie Atkinson, The National Post (Ampersand)
network.nationalpost.com

FASHION Magazine
www.fashionmagazine.com/attheshows
as well as tweets at http://twitter.com/FashionCanada

Andrew Sardone, NOW Magazine
http://www.nowtoronto.com

FashionTelevison Videos
www.fashiontelevision.com

BlogTO
http://blogto.com/toronto_fashion_week/

Sarah Nicole Prickett, Torontoist
http://torontoist.com

David Graham/Derick Chetty, Toronto Star
www.thestar.com/living/fashion

plus all our blogger and twitter friends:

• carolyn TFI
• rags and mags
• danielle final fashion
• gail the stylebox
• anita iwant igot

Have you picked up a free copy of NOW yet this week (new editions every Thursday)? In Fashion Heroes, nine of Toronto’s current big-name fashion people (or groups) are profiled including photographer Tommy Ton and The Deadly Nightshades Bike Gang.

You can sign up for the weekly Life&Style E-newsletter too!