By Day 3, Fashion Week goers are exhausted.  The eager fashionistas trickle away and only the brave fashion soldiers remain.  Reviews are hence tougher, and expectations thus higher. Excitement was definitively in the air for Ca Va De Soi, the Montreal-native knitwear brand, also sponsored by Elle Quebec. 

Perhaps the hype-bar was set too high. Comparatively to the bold-shaped and colour-blocked shows, Ca Va De Soi was a little disappointing in its presentation only because the brand prides itself on simplicity. However, as a collection, Ca Va De Soi is good quality brand with very wearable separates.

Ideal for those who appreciate the classics, the Fall/Winter 2012 collection is built of turtlenecks, cardigans, leggings and other basics perfect for layering or mix-and-matching.

The colour palette was a little unconventional for a Fall collection, with hues ranging from grays, terracotta, gingerbread, mint, alpine blue and iced chestnut, yet appropriate as these pieces will find a lifelong spot in your closet.

Form fitting and timeless, Ca Va De Soi is ideal for the comfort seeking gal.

www.cavadesoi.com

My split personality, one-part editor, one-part consumer, forces me to mention two key shows from last night: Martin Lim and Eve Gravel.

As fashion aficionados, we look at clothes through our artistic goggles.  The dynamic duo at Martin Lim, Danielle Martin and Pao Lim, played with femininity and graphic art for their Fall Winter 2012 collection. The strong use of graphic lines was evidently found in pinstripes, fringe and pleats. 

“The French artist Daniel Buren inspired us for this collection,” says Martin. “We love his graphic lines and colour choices.” The everyday Jackie-O can enjoy looking effortlessly chic in their tunics and sleek silk skinnies. 

And, as winners of Mercedes Benz start-up, they’ve acquired the confidence to take more risks, especially with colour. Expect the unexpected with bursts of papaya, amethyst, teal and fuchsia.  Bold in deed for a Fall/Winter collection.

On the other hand, there’s Eve Gravel, Montreal’s very-own sweetheart.  Gravel understands her playful and girly consumer.  For her Fall/Winter 2012 collection, she created an “Algonquin meets girl next door” collection with her hipster chick in mind.

Described as “Urban Wilderness”, the retro-throwback ponchos, sleeveless vests, and over-sized heritage sweater separates are topped with rachel.f fur chapeaux.

The very cozy and wearable collection is form fitting, feminine and stylish.  Everything the modern urbanite wants to wear.

Hands down, DUY wins Montreal Fashion Week’s Best of Show.  True, the shows only started yesterday, but his Fall/Winter 2012 collection was undeniably in a Couture league of its own.  The Montreal-native set the design bar extremely high, leaving fashion aficionados with their jaws dropped. 

Entitled “Vespers and Creatures of the Night”, this collection wraps elegance, sexiness and couture into a mystifying bow. The boxy peplum shapes, plunging necklines and fur-trims gave the collection its rough “James Dean” edge, while the invisible lace and sumptuous silk-wools punctuated it all with fierce “Grace Kelly” femininity. The perfectly-on-trend palette of eggplant, emerald, and twilight blue shed light to the midnight collection.

“This was my dream collection,” says DUY. Correction, dear DUY; it was my dream collection. Every piece was a show-stopper in its own merit and every girl in the audience drooled over every look. DUY understands femininity the same way Pucci’s Peter Dundas does, and accentuates his vision with a couture-edge a la Giambattista Valli. 

The show’s piece de resistance? Stylist-by-day and model-by-night Cary Tauben strut the runway in a gorgeous fur-trimmed ribbed wool coat and gave his model peers a run for their money.

The proof is on the runway. DUY’s show is definitely one to beat. 

www.duycollection.com 

Dashing English singer-songwriter Charlie Winston just finished his Canadian tour with a show in Vancouver. While he ate breakfast at 3:00 in the afternoon (such is life on the road), I joined him to talk about his prolific songwriting, how Canada reminds him of Ireland and why he chops up his favourite designer sweaters.

Kelsey Dundon: You've got quite a following overseas but in Canada many people are hearing about you for the first time. How would you introduce yourself?

Charlie Winston: That's tough because my style is so varied. In my song "Boxes" I talk about how I don't want to be put in a box because that takes away the fun. I'd hate to write within a niche. But I think the most important element of my sound is my voice, it's the one constant.

KD: You've worked with Peter Gabriel, you've written a sort of love song to Beethoven, needless to say your influences are varied. What are you excited about now? What's on your iPod?

CW: Let's see -- Jono McCleery, Bon Iver, Black Keys, Feist, Little Dragon, and M83.

KD: What's your favourite part of the process -- writing, recording or performing?

CW: Definitely writing. It's the bit which is the most mine, it's the most personal. To write is to get all those ideas out and encapsulate them so they can be explored by other people. I very rarely play my songs for myself. I guess when a dream's been realized it's dead. When I started recording this album I went to the studio with 27 songs and I had to be quite cutthroat about which ones I threw away.

KD: Vancouver is the last stop on your tour through the Great White North. Has Canada surprised you?

CW: I like that Canada's schizophrenic with the French and the English -- in some ways it felt like two different tours. Canadians have a general friendliness, it reminds me a lot of touring through Ireland, actually, people make you feel welcome. I'm surprised by how much my popularity is growing in Quebec, Montreal and Toronto. To play sold-out shows here was a pleasant surprise.

KD: What's the story behind your signature half-undone tie?

CW: I love fashion, I've even thought about starting a fashion line one day. I guess I like that you can wear plain block colours and add a little fun with ties so I started wearing them with everything. I cut these holes in my shirts myself. I cringe when I cut up my really expensive sweaters, but I do it anyway.

Charlie Winston Running Still is available from Universal.

Third photo by Andrew Gura.

After reading Derek Blasberg's new book, Very Classy: Even More Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady, we began to ask ourselves "would a lady do this?" before we made any moves. So we loved the opportunity to sit down with him and ask a few questions about being classy in Vancouver.

Vitamin Daily: It rains a lot in Vancouver, does a lady wear a raincoat or carry an umbrella?

Derek Blasberg: I love a raincoat. I love a trench coat. I think every woman should have a trench coat in their closet, a trench coat can hide a multitude of sins. I also think a trench coat can be thrown over jeans to go to the deli, and over a cocktail dress when you go out at night. I am the biggest proponent of the trench coat, which is why you can invest in a good one. You want it tailor fitted, with the right armhole. You don't want to look like Inspector Gadget or Columbo. A good trench coat is a good thing to have around.

Vitamin Daily: Vancouver was recently named second worst dressed city in the world...

Derek Blasberg: Because of Lululemon?

Vitamin Daily: Yes, because of the yoga pants. Where is it acceptable to wear yoga pants?

Derek Blasberg: In yoga class!

Vitamin Daily: Anywhere else?

Derek Blasberg: You know what is funny, I read that when I was researching Vancouver. In New York, I go to some gyms, and it is actually the reverse. You get girls in tube tops and clear bra straps, itty-bitty shorts that don't leave a lot to the imagination...Full faces of makeup. There is a whole chapter in my book about what is appropriate to wear to the gym and what isn't. When I think about Lululemon, I think, I wish there were more yoga pants in New York than Daisy dukes and tube tops and the hooker gym look. To be honest, I think there is a fine line between a very messy yoga pant look and something that is more structured and cute. I have seen some cute leisure wear, and I have seen some messy, dirty, baggy, sloppy yoga wear. I think a lot of people confuse comfortable with not very well thought out. You can still be comfortable and wear something that looks good, feels good, fits well. Comfortable does not equal sloppy. It is the same thing at the airport. I have seen some devastating outfits...

Vitamin Daily: You talk a lot about dinner etiquette in your book, and in Vancouver we eat a lot of sushi and do a lot of sharing plates in restaurants. Is there any etiquette when you are sharing plates?

Derek Blasberg: Don't be a piggy. Sharing is caring. My biggest pet peeve when having dinner with several people is the one who whips out their cell phone. That's more important than leaving the last egg roll for me... One of the things I say in the book is that person to person interaction is now so rare. I understand the attraction of being on your phone all through dinner, I suffer from it too. If my phone goes off, if I hear the beep, my instincts are to check it immediately. But I really make the effort to spend some quality time with friends. Also, if you don't know how to use chopsticks, don't be embarrassed, ask for a fork.

Vitamin Daily: Vancouver has a reputation for having a lack of men, so there are a lot of single woman. Is it acceptable to flirt using social media?

Derek Blasberg: There is a fine line between flirting, making plans, and I don't think it is inappropriate for a girl to ask a guy out... I think the problem with online interaction with the opposite sex, or the same sex, if that is what you are into, is when it crosses the line into indecency. First of all, no one should be taking nudie pictures of themselves unless it is with a real camera, a real airbrush, some digital retouching... Times change, the proactive bird gets the worm. Actually, that is probably a terrible analogy. I think it is very modern for girls to ask boys out, but when it comes to the online stuff, you shouldn't put anything out there that you wouldn't want your grandmother to see. Don't say it, don't send it.

Vitamin Daily: For our readers with kids, do you have any tips on being a lady with small children in tow?

Derek Blasberg: I am at that age where a lot of my girlfriends have babies, and I love being that surrogate uncle, where you can spoil them, and then say goodnight! There are so many tips on being a yummy mummy, and I often feel it is inappropriate telling young mothers to make time for themselves because I know the constraints and I know the stress of raising a child. It is like that Jackie Kennedy quote "If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do matters very much." The classiest thing you can do is be good mother, even if that is having more yoga and sweat pant days than you like to, then make sure your nails are clean and your hair isn't too dirty... a little mascara goes a long way. I don't think a stressed mother wants to hear my opinion, but I really do think, that if you can make a little bit of time for yourself, then if you feel good you look good. You don't need to get your hair done every day or get a weekly pedicure, but if you make time for yourself, you make better time for your child.

Calling all beauty buffs: Make Up Forever
is hosting a V.I.P cocktail party in Montreal on February 16th.
The fun part? I get to bring three of you with me!

If you've been reading this blog, you know the drill when it comes to attending swish soirées: Wear something pretty, sip champers, mingle with the other lovelies in attendance and score some gifts (in this case, 40% all Make Up Forever products -- ie. the pretty palette shown -- you pick up that night).

You're not going to let us go alone, are
you? Tweet us at @MTLVitaminDaily if you want in. Three lucky readers will be chosen at random on February 10th.

We caught up with designer Mark Fast, one of the Canadian stars of London fashion, in Paris last weekend!

We've got the details on his pop-up shop happening in Vancouver this weekend (you'll want to be there!) as well as Mark's take on his collection, the celebrities who wear it, and what's inspiring him right now.

With the Faster pieces being quite sexy and revealing, how does a woman style it for winter?

One of the best things you can do is to layer different deniers of tights under the pieces themselves. For example, because the knit is open, you can layer up a hot pink tight underneath the tights we have.

What's inspiring you right now?

I am inspired by collaborating with current artists. There are a bunch of collaborations that are happening at the moment, which I can't talk about, but its the dream scenario of working with Hollywood actors and designers that I have always wanted to work with is coming to fruition. I am really excited to be taking some stuff off the catwalk, and bringing them into a different stage-like setting.

You've had a lot of celebrities support your brand. Is there a particular celebrity that
really represents Mark Fast?

My work is like a chameleon, it blends into different lifestyles and different artists. The clothes sculpt into the characters... Nicky Minaj is an inspiration, Kylie Minogue. And I am really inspired by Jen Brill (photographer's agent and Chanel ambassador) from New York, she's got that intelligence, that hard edge, but also she is really fun. She knows how to style a garment, work it, and just be natural and effortless with her style.

Tell us a bit about the collection selling in Vancouver.

A lot of the Faster pieces are quite classic and seasonless because it is more about the body and being body conscious. They feature intricate stitches, lace up on the side, and are quite revealing. I describe my Faster range as Wolford on acid.

Pick up some pieces from the Mark Fast Faster range this Friday from 4pm to 9pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm at the “Try and Buy” event at the Westin Bayshore, 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver. Cash only. Prices are 50 per cent off regular retail and range from $80 for a pair of signature cut out tights to $350 for a dress.

www.fasterbymarkfast.net

How's this for an enticing scene on a dreary January day?

The new Saguaro hotel in Scottsdale got around the city's strict building colour palettes (restricted to desert neutrals) by painting in the colour palette of the local wildflowers and cacti. 

The lobby and lounges are set-decked with locally sourced vintage cowboy art.

Destrito, the Mexican restaurant, features brightly-painted Mexican day-of-the-dead skull candle holders (which we picked up in the local tourist shops for $5).

Vintage Western novels are on the bedside tables while the bright colour scheme extends to the beautiful throw blankets.

Cocktails made with fresh fruit are the order of the day at the hotel's Old Town Whiskey Bar.

Although this was technically Christmas decor, it sure summed up our stay.

The Saguaro, 4000 N Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale Blvd., AZ, 480-308-1068, www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/saguaro

For our Scottsdale dining itinerary, please click here.

Raise your hand if you own something Michael Kors, especially an accessory. We all do, right? I know I'd feel pretty naked without this puppy on my wrist. 

Come spring, a whole lot more MK is going to work its way into my wardrobe. Yesterday, I attended a preview for the much-loved American designer's summer collections and while the safari-esque collection is stellar, I couldn't keep my hands off the accessories and baubles. 

The ever-classic Hamilton tote in not-so-classic pink!

The retro-chic shades (because I've publicly vowed to ditch the Ray-Bans.) 

The gorgeous tribal-inspired jewellery!

If my obnoxious punctuation tell you anything, it's that I'm pumped to add these to my wardrobe come June. Swoon!

P.S. Also spotted: This to-die-for neon dress, which is in stores now.

An intimate group of Vancouver's media elite gathered at Save-On-Meats last Wednesday for a private screening of Gastown Gamble, the new show documenting the trials and tribulations of restoring a butcher shop and diner in Canada's poorest Postal Code. Funny, wry, stylish and inspiring, don't miss tonight's premiere: 6:30 PST/9:30EST on the Oprah Winfrey Network.