Sweaters, Leather, and Mesh Maxis: Theyskens' Theory AW2012

Sometimes Pinterest introduces you to new and wonderful things, like Olivier Theyskens' beautifully dark creations. This collection has outerwear, knits, and shorts paired with tights -- perfect for chillier weather. Check out the gorgeous sweaters, leather, and mesh maxis (and one bonus glittery blazer) from his Autumn and Winter 2012 runway collection.

What do you think? Will you be channeling any of these looks this fall?

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Deep, Dark and Dramatic Lips for Fall/Winter 2012

There are a LOT of trends that I am looking forward to for Fall 2012. Therefore, I have put together a shopping list titled ‘Non Negotiable Must Haves for Fall 2012’. It is absolutely spectacular and is a modest three pages long.

 I am thinking that most of my posts to come over the next few weeks will be geared towards my pursuit of getting these items, and my excitement when I find exactly what I am looking for... because I WILL find them.

The list is divided into sub headings, including pants, skirts, blouses, boots, flats, blazers, scarves, accessories and, of course, beauty. I think that before I was working in cosmetics, I didn’t really consider how predominant trends in the beauty industry actually were. This post is about a beauty trend I am just dying to wear, all day, every day: deep, wine coloured lips.

Gucci Fall/Winter 2012

Yves Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 2012 

Although I am a devout believer in the classic red lip, this lip trend, which has been seen all over the fall fashion runways, is super sultry and very intriguing if it’s done right.

Below are a few tips and recommendations for creating this totally trendy look.

Tips & How to: 

MAC's Prep + Prime Lips, $19.

1. Always, ALWAYS, prep lips with MAC’s Prep and Prime Lips. I’m sure that there are other suitable options out there when it comes to lip primers, but I have personally found that the MAC primer gets the job done well. Not only is it affordable (retails $19), it is really effective. I wear bright red lipstick almost every single day, and before I started using this product I found that my lipstick would feather and bleed quite a bit. It didn’t matter if I was wearing a prestige cosmetics brand, or a drug store brand; if it was a sheer finish or matte finish – it was all over the place and required quite a bit of maintenance. However, once I started using this product, that problem stopped all together. It really is the secret to how I am able to make my lipstick last all day and stay in place. Try it. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. 

MAC's Lip Pencil in Night Moth, $18.

2. Line and fill in lips. I know some professionals choose not to fill in the lip or simply line after applying the lip colour, but this is my blog and I’ll blog how I want to. For a nice deep liner, I like MAC’s Lip Pencil in Night Moth, $18. 

3, Next, swipe a deep wine colour on the lip. If you are more comfortable with a deep cranberry red, this is also acceptable for trendy fall lip colours. The look I created had more of a purple undertone and was very striking. The lip colour I have been using was from Dior’s Rouge Dior lip collection in number 862, $36. 

Kat Von D's Tattoo Concealer, $30.

4.  Now, because these colours are so deep, it is important to clean up the edges of the lip with a concealer using the corner or a sponge or a concealer brush. Then go over the outside edges with the lip pencil to ensure they are smooth and uniform. I like Kat Von D's Tattoo Concealer, $30. 

Clinique's Full Potential Lips in Playful Plump 

5. Add a pop of gloss! This look is very dramatic and seductive, but if you want to glam it up a little bit and draw even more attention to that pout, I would recommend putting a dab of a lighter coloured gloss just on the center of the lips. My absolute favourite lip gloss in the whole world is called Playful Plump from the Full Potential Lips line at Clinique. It has an incredibly glossy finish, lasts all day and isn't sticky. Plus, since it is a soft pink, it goes with nearly everything. I put a pop of it on my dark lips the other day and really liked the end result. What do you think?

My end result featuring all of the products listed above. 

 To complete the look I would suggest the following:

·         A full coverage foundation. There are lots out there! Choose one that is suitable for your skin type and will last all day. If you would like for me to recommend one, leave me a comment!

·         Defined brows. This is a general rule of thumb. Defined brows help to frame the face, lift the eye and make you look younger.

·         A bronzed cheek. A contoured cheek looks absolutely fabulous with dark lips, but if you are looking for a soft look, I would suggest a soft cheek colour of the same undertone.

·         Simple eyes. If you are going out with your girlfriends and want to go all out, by all means, do up the eyes if the mood strikes you. But to make this look chic and wearable, I highly recommend a simple eye. A sweep of shimmery gold or bronze would complement any deep plums or reds very nicely. Apply lots of black mascara.

·         A matching nail colour. This is another major trend going on in the beauty industry right now! Not to sound redundant, but Dior has a line of perfectly matching nail and lip colours. Simply marvelous if you ask me. If you can't find a perfect match, simply put on another deep fall colour

·         Confidence. This certainly is the type of look that requires some fierceness, so be confident. After all, you are fabulous.

Chanel Fall 2012 Beauty Campaign. This is a very dramatic approach to the look. Absolutely stunning!! 

From the same Chanel Fall 2012 Beauty Campaign: This is a great example of a toned down approach appropriate for both work and play. 

So happy that I am now able to cross one item off from the beauty category on my shopping list!! 

What do you guys think? I absolutely love the look and have received a ton of compliments over the last week or so. Will you be trying out this trend this fall and winter? Which deep shades are your personal faves? 

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Dark Outerwear for Dark Days: DKNY AW2012

Fall is just around the corner, and with it, at least in my part of the country, comes the cold weather. DKNY is a brand I've never been too interested in before... and clearly I've been missing out. I was awe-struck by their AW2012 line's black on black on black outfits. Heavy materials like leather and wool provide a great contrast in textures, and the fits are sophisticated and edgy. Let's check out DKNY's runway of dark fall outerwear.

"Shiny shearling" and leather accents make this cardigan and skirt a great dark pair for cold weather.

A leather jacket and leather peplum skirt are outwear and chic leather suit in one.

This shearling collar coat and wide belt almost evoke Dr. Zhivago reimagined by Tim Burton.

My favourite: a wool jacket with leather sleeves and trim.

And just because I think the actual runway look is even more impressive, here's that last one, my favourite wool jacket with the leather sleeves, again:

I love that tailored look, especially for outerwear. If you can't tell, you should really go check out the runway looks on the runway itself, over at DKNY.

What do you think of DKNY's dark outerwear for the dark days of Autumn and Winter 2012?

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Dark and Edgy Texture: Kimberly Ovitz AW2012

Asymmetry, texture, and black on black on black sums up Kimberly Ovitz Autumn/Winter 2012 runway line. Let's bask in the dark glory of this line of my dreams, shall we? 

This outfit had me at the Murai leather jacket -- but the Jorah tank and
amazing texture on the Vara legging seal the deal.

The Rainer dress' leather and what looks like horse hair overskirt evokes a goth Viking.

The Hisu dress recalls the Vara legging's texture. I love the mesh sleeves with elbow detail.

The Xander zip jacket was my friend Soha's fav -- and for good reason! The top it's paired with here is also gorgeous -- I love gunmetal used to subtly break up a black outfit.

The Lonzo blazer, Dorman shirt, and Hiyo pant are combine to make a sexy suit that plays with the menswear trend. I love the cutout on the top.

I can't wait to see more of the Pai coat -- its tails are making me swoon. 

Another Murai jacket, this time with a Beltar dress. The dress looks so satiny and shiny, and the colour is beautiful. 

Get a load of the Tero coat in what looks like black fur! The shiny fur plays up the satiny Kamau pant and they make a great team with the asymmetrical Noland sweater. 

The Kosi dress' tails are sure to turn heads.

The Xino coat takes the menswear trend and pushes it to the oversized extreme.

The Phito dress is perfect for those who love to layer. And that black fur shoulder accessory can't be missed.

These are some of my favourites, but there are many more outfits on the site. What do you think of Kimberly Ovitz's tribute to the dark days of fall and winter?

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Alexander McQueen SS12 takes Dark Glam to a New Level

Black lace, leather, cages, chiffon... Alexander McQueen's spring and summer 2012 line is speaking right to me. Dark and gothic has always been McQueen's style, but this season the style is going mainstream. Let's browse how the spring and summer line reacts to the trends, shall we?

Check out the texture on this jacket and the seam of the pants.

This is my favourite from the collection. That leather peplum jacket, black lace skirt, skull clutch, and THOSE SHOES. I die.

The textures here are just to die for.

The waist cincher adds a level of badass to this black pantsuit.

I love the fairly conservative skirt with the waist cincher and lace top.

This is classic McQueen. The sharp angles of the pattern are evocative of a Rorschach test. 

This season's popular cage done RIGHT. Check out those glovelettes too. 

Oh hi, goth wedding dress of my dreams.

The frayed lace makes this gown edgy and dark.

All the sexy goth attitude you've come to expect from McQueen takes this season's trends to a whole new level. Check out the whole collection (there's also lots of white and pink!) and let me know what you think!

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Me + Tom Ford Autumn/Winter Womenswear Collection: A Love Story

From tomford.com

Most of the people I know consider the summer to be the most wonderful time of the year. Patios, sun tans, strapless maxi dresses - there are many reasons to fall in love with summer. And while the majority of my friends anxiously wait for the cold of winter and the damp of spring to pass, I can hardly wait for the summer to be over. After all: first comes summer, then comes the September Issue and the rest of fall fashion in all its dazzling glory.

[DISCLAIMER: Don't get me wrong - I LOVE my open toed pumps and strappy wedged platform sandals, I just happen to love knee boots and denim and leather (and scarves and gloves and cashmere!) so much MORE.]

In an attempt to cure my sunny summer blues, I decided to do what most girls these days do to help them feel better - curate a new Pinterest board. My '2012 Back to School Wishlist' board (which can be found here) would become the latest object of my affection. And while I perused the 'net for fall/winter 2012 trends, I made my usual stop at tomford.com. What appeared before me was just the  fix of fabulous I needed. The Tom Ford Autumn/Winter 2012 Womenswear Collection is spectacular. Seriously, my jaw was on the floor.

I must have watched the collection video 10 or 12 times now, loving each viewing more than the last. And really, what's not to absolutely ADORE in the video? Python printed boots, lush fur collars, waist cinching trench coats and pointy stilettos are now on my 'to somehow afford, purchase and then wear in suburban Canada' list. And how about the makeup?? Bold brows, bronze-y lids and cheeks, paired with nude lips. Ay caramba!

 Sign. Me. Up.

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