After four days of runway shows, here are our top five picks from Montreal Fashion Week:

Among all the woolens and leathers, Coccolily’s SMM debut was a refreshing romp. Models literally strutted down the walk in sexy stockings and tulle-skirted frocks.

Denis Gagnon’s fantastic fringe and zippered pieces have already sold out at Holt Renfrew so we’ll have to settle for a Bedo T-shirt featuring his bespeckled visage.

Harricana par Mariouche unveiled a peppy skiwear collaboration with Chlorophylle. But our favorite piece of the night was a vintage lace and recycled fur-trimmed frock. Slope-side nuptials? I do.

Can’t decide if you're grunge, glam or rock n roll? The Barilà sisters say a lady can work all three. We adored the duo’s electric-blue sequins on blazers and leggings.

Joseph Helmer has been working the patchwork for years and finally his stunning frocks fit the zeitgeist. The multicolored evening gown will surely earn us a bold-faced name at the upcoming Daffodil Ball.

It’s no quilted chain bag, but we’ll take it.

Just in time to flash some spring skin, the house of Chanel has launched a line of temporary tattoos ($75/55 tattoos) designed by Creative Director Peter Philips.  The Trompe l’Oeil skin art includes classic Chanel symbols like chains, pearls, wheat, tiny swallows and interlocking c’s that can be applied around the neck, wrist, ankle or leg.

Now that’s making a fashion statement.

Available March 15 at Chanel, Holt Renfrew, 1300 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, 514-842-7318, www.holtrenfrew.com

Between thinking up hip baby names, a fab jewellery line and all that do-gooding, where does she find the time?

This week at Holt Renfrew, Nicole Richie unrolls Winter Kate, her debut clothing collection developed ici à Montreal. From silk maxi-dresses ($325) and kimono-style cardis ($185) to a soft leather jacket ($625), each mouth-watering piece has a chic boho vibe that’s perfect for easing out of winter bulk. And if togs weren’t enough, she’s also kicked off House of Harlow 1960 footwear including whipstitched Pearl pumps ($250), sweet Tilly brogues ($225) and cozy moccasin boots.

Up next: baby number three, or eau de parfum?

Holt Renfrew, 1300 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, 514-842-5111, www.holtrenfrew.com 

Catch a glimpse of Nicole on February 18 when she makes an appearance at the Montreal Holt Renfrew store, 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

We took an scent census around the office and came up with six lovely pairs of perfumes for him and her. Herewith, our staff picks.

Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor, English edition
Couples who spray together, stay together. When we’re not stealing spritzs of our man’s woody Grey Vetivert by Tom Ford ($100), he’s dipping into our bottle of Private Blend Italian Cypress (from $210). Both at Holt Renfrew.

Tara Parker Tait, Publisher
Opposites attract with Parisian cult favourite Annick Goutal's Petite  Chérie (finally, she divulges her secret scent!) for her ($110 at the Bay) and the luxe Hermès Poivre Samarcande ($250 at Hermès) for him.

Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
For a date night, spritz  Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb ($120 at Holt Renfrew), a bouquet of sweet, fruity florals. If the boy shows up smelling of John Varvatos’ Artisan ($70 at Sephora), this relationship may have serious potentional.

Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor
French girl meets American boy: YSL’s Parisienne ($65) is a match with the masculine John Varvatos Classic ($78). Both at Sephora.

Tonya Albulet, Western Sales Manager
Lalique's Amethyst ($110), with top notes of blackcurrant and blackberry, comes in a bold purple bottle worthy of your nightstand. If your BF wears Lacoste Pour Homme Grey ($75), it's meant to be. Both at Holt Renfrew.

Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor, French edition
A spritz for you, a dab for him. A summery scent that is fresh and classic, Vétiver by Guerlain is made for a man, but also smells lovely on a lady. $95 at Holt Renfrew.

Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest.

-Christian Dior

Zesty fashion junkies will love a new Dior biography by ROM Textile and Costume Curator, Alexandra Palmer. Dior looks at how the seminal couturier built up his fashion house in post-war Paris to become one of the most successful brands in the world.

It was Monsieur Dior who established the 1950s curvy wasp-waisted look that still struts down catwalks today. And he was a shrewd businessman who pioneered merchandising licenses (the likes of which have made Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein very wealthy indeed).  The book also features over 100 gorgeous images that will have you roaring, "J’adore Dior."

Dior, $24.44 at Amazon.ca.

Our gal-about-town life demands stylish accessories that speak to our sense of chic.

Michael Kors' fabulous new 1,300 square foot lifestyle store at Ogilvy is a perfect fit for our fashion-meets-function philosophy. Trot from work day to date-night in grey suede belted booties ($258) and stay warm (while looking cool) in a gold-zipped, black leather motorcycle jacket ($650). For muss-free hair we love the bunny-soft earmuffs ($58), and through it all stay right on schedule sporting an elegant tortoise-shell watch ($290). 

But really, dressing this well gives new meaning to the term ‘fashionably late.'

Michael Kors at Ogilvy, 1307 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-842-7711, www.ogilvycanada.com

Stella McCartney’s kids and baby collections for Gap drop next week and we’re already training for the stroller derby. Herewith, our top 5 picks:

1. The Beatles-inspired “Miller” jacket (pictured) named for McCartney’s eldest son, and even cuter on a girl.
2. Scribble sneaks that come with a set of pens to tag them with (and save your walls!).
3. Boy’s and girl’s trenches (hers has an “I Love You” lining, inspired by one of Stella’s own childhood dresses).
4. For Stella fellas, a yellow Fisherman’s mac—the perfect antidote to the muddy buddy.
5. A chunky grey cardigan-coat for girls to wear over the neutral, rose and berry-toned dresses.

Inside Scoop: The girl’s XXL fits like a women’s medium, so start envisioning that silk smock dress as a top.

Prices from $32 to $128. Available at:
Vancouver – Robson Street (November 3)
Calgary - Chinook Centre (November 4)
Montreal - Eaton Centre (November 4)
Toronto - Bloor Street, Eaton Centre, Yorkdale, and Sherway Gardens (November 4)
www.gap.com

There’s nothing worse than debuting a new outfit, only to discover stray threads and loose buttons.

You’ll suffer no such wardrobe malfunctions in duds from boutique Les Étoffes. Stocked by the fussiest of owners, each piece has been carefully selected to stand the test of time, style, and laundry. Here you’ll find edgy cult lines like L.A.-based Grey Ant and Sweden’s Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair.

For fall we’re going gentleman-chic in classic brown oxfords ($295) and cuffed wool pants ($325) by Rachel Comey paired with a girly black satin ruffled tank ($125) from Rodebjer.

Les Étoffes, 5253 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-544-5500.

You do your best to eat local, so why not extend this to design, too?

The owners of Jamais Assez celebrate the work of Quebec industrial designers by inviting them to create a small series of products to showcase  in their Mile End boutique.

Striking our fancy is Michel Swift’s yellow-and-grey bookshelf ($1300, pictured) purpose-built for travel trinkets and National Geographic magazines, a darling cardboard cat playhouse ($29.95) from UQAM design grads, and fanciful, hand-painted enamel bicycle bells ($23.95) by Plateau-based dringdring. 

There, you’ve officially embarked on the 100-mile design diet.

Jamais Assez, 5155 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-509-3709, www.jamaisassez.com

Warm patio parties may be no more, but prime cocktail season has just begun.

We’re embracing autumn with a crisp new attitude and now that Marika Brose’s eponymous line of dresses is available in Montreal, we’ll be stepping out (and out and out) in style.

Fairy-tale inspired, the collection has a moody feel that’s perfect for a cool evening soirée. We adore the black stretchy-but-structural bodice dress ($695) worn alone, or paired with a cropped blazer.  But for full-impact gala moments, invest in the hand-sewn crystal mini ($995) or grey ostrich-feathered floaty dress ($625).

Fall forward, indeed.

At Holt Renfrew, 1300 Sherbrooke W., Montréal, 514-842-5111, www.holtrenfrew.com