Shooting with Leandra Medine, a.k.a The Man Repeller

For my first gig as Fashion Stylist for Avenue Magazine, I spent the day playing with the Man Repeller herself. Frolicking about New York City and combing her closet for duds, it was the perfect way to spend a crisp NYC day. Check out the March Issue of Avenue Magazine, where Leandra reveals who will be designing her wedding dress, how it feels to be a style superstar, and what she wore to her Fashion Week Engagement Party. Click here to view the full editorial, featuring pieces from Thakoon, Marchesa, Armani and more.

Here are some candids from the shoot:

All photos by the great Aram Bedrossian
Hair by Laura Polko
Make-Up by Scott McMahan
Styling by MOI

Fond Magazine: Oscar Round-Up 2012

The Academy Awards are quite simply the Super Bowl of awards shows. People gather in front of their televisions, popcorn in one hand, champagne in the other, twittering with excitement over the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. For some of us, this one night a year is basked in traditions with family, friends and loved ones. Bets are made, wallets are squeezed and if you’re lucky, you’ll walk away with the pot.

Many assume the highlight of the evening comes when the winning actress drops an f-bomb or when the host takes the stage for a musical performance. Those people are wrong. Well, not wrong… just misguided. (Read more)

Fond Magazine: New York Fashion Week Fall 2012

Fashion Week has come to an end in the snap of a New York minute, and as the fashionites make their way to London, Milan and Paris, FOND is bringing you a breakdown of the looks we spotted this past week. From luxe leather to luscious lace, Marchesa to Alexander Wang, when it comes to Fall 2012, we’ve got you covered. (Read more)

Avenue Magazine October 2011: June Ambrose

Fashion Assistant to Cricket Burns. Written by MOI

Click here for the full article/editorial. 

Avenue Magazine September 2011: DJs Turn It Up

Fashion Assistant to Cricket Burns. 

Click here to see the full editorial. 

Avenue Magazine September 2011: Alexandra Richards

Fashion Assistant to Cricket Burns. 

Click here to see the full editorial.

Avenue Magazine August 2011: Sartorial Superstars

A piece I wrote for the August 2011 issue of Avenue Magazine featuring the best of men's designers in NYC. Featuring Thom Browne, Michael Bastian and more. 

Click here to read the full article. 

Avenue Magazine August 2011: Sean MacPherson

Click here to see the full editorial.

Fashion Assistant to Cricket Burns

Digital Editor of AvenueInsider.com

In May 2011, I jetted to New York City to start an internship at the "dowager of all socialite magazines" Avenue Magazine. In September of 2011 I was hired full-time and have been acting Digital Editor since January of this year. Check out some of my Favorite blog posts that have been featured on the site so far. 

Amy Adores...My Favorite Looks From NYFW S/S 2012

Amy Adores...My Favorite Looks from LFW S/S '12

Amy Adores...My Favorite Looks from MFW S/S '12

For a look at all the posts I've written on AvenueInsider, click here. 

Fond Magazine: Introducing the Sartorially Spectacular Lewis Mirrett

The fashion world’s voyeuristic obsession with street style photography has become somewhat of a phenomenon in recent years (a vast understatement, I know). Thanks to street style trail blazers like Bill Cunningham and Tommy Ton, the internet has opened itself up to personal expression in a way we haven’t seen before. And no one knows how to capture the essence of style better than hometown darling, and FASHION Magazine’s latest star, Lewis Mirrett. (Read more)

Fond Magazine: Canada Touches Down in NYC

It’s 8:30 AM and never before has it felt like such a Monday. Dragging my tired ass to the subway this morning, somewhere between consciousness and sleep-walking, I flipped through my mental notes on the weekend’s collections. Anything to keep my yet-to-be-caffeinated mind alert enough to avoid falling on to the train tracks. (Read more)

Originally published February 2012

Fond Magazine: Celeb Sigtings and Citizen Bands at Erickson Beamon

That all-so familiar click-clacking of heels and jangling of bangles returned to the streets and subways of New York yesterday as we officially kicked-off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. This Toronto-transplant found herself knee deep in glitz and glam as I made my way into Milk Studios last night for a preview of Erickson Beamon‘s first ready-to-wear collection. Known for their ultra-luxe and extremely covetable jewelry and accessories, the ladies of E.B have made a swift foray into the world of apparel, with a decadent (or rather “Deca-Dance” as the Press Release stated) soiree, inspired by the roaring ’20s. (Read More) 

Originally published February 2012

Fond Magazine: Prabal Gurung Takes the Stage at NYFW F/W 2012

This morning, I awoke to a dreaded email from the reps at Prabal Gurung: “Ms. Smith, thank you for your interest in attending the presentation, however at this time we are unable to accomodate your request. Please keep us in mind for future projects.”

Why, fashion gods? Why do these emails arrive the morning of a show, when a perfectly appropriate outfit has already been painstakingly arranged? Alas, instead of hiking in my 6-inch heels up to Lincoln Center, I cozied up with a puppy and a hot cup of coffee and sat down for the live stream of the presentation. (Read more) 

Originally published February 2012

Introducing the Fashion Collective, Fall 2010 for YourKloset.com

There are two things my self-deprecating soul cringes at without fail. One, the sound of my voice on a tape recorder, especially when I'm forced to spend an hour transcribing an interview. Two, being on screen in any capacity whatsoever. Needless to say it was a feat to get me to agree to hosting this short video profiling the Fashion Collective at Toronto Fashion Week S/S 2011. The video is produced, directed, shot and edited by the incomparable (and ultra-sexy) Alyssa Pankiw.

Toronto Editor at YourKloset.com

YourKloset.com is an interactive fashion & lifestyle website, based out of Montreal. I was lucky enough to get my first foray into fashion writing first as their Toronto street-style scout along with Stephanie Brownlow, before eventually becoming Acting Toronto Editor for over a year. Tony Jordan and David Zelniker, the creators of the site, continue to bring in depth and exciting content from all over Canada.

Check out some of my favorite pieces that I wrote while working there.

Filler Magazine: Pink Tartan at LGFW

What is Canadian fashion? Who represents the “Canadian” aesthetic? If it were based on attendance number alone, it would be the power-couple themselves, the Newport-Mimran’s who battle it out each season for first place. From the 45 minute delay, to the over-packed benches and clobbered photographers, drama is never far behind when the fashion community comes together to celebrate two of Canada’s (and especially Toronto’s) most treasured designers. (Read more)

Originally published Fall 2010 

Filler Magazine: Joe Fresh at LGFW

Not surprisingly, the scene at last night’s Joe Fresh Style show could only be described as utter mayhem. Fashion folk are not fans of being pushed around, and the hundreds of guests filing like cattle into the main stage was no exception. Some grumpy audience members were contemplating throwing in the towel and trading in the crammed benches for the bar in the lobby. Finally, the lights dimmed, the soundtrack began, and out walked this week’s golden-girl Kate Somers in a neoprene coat in the same orange hue that has become synonymous with the label. Needless to say, people stopped complaining. (Read more)

Originally published Fall 2010

Filler Magazine: Sarah Stevenson at LGFW

Sarah Stevenson is a relatively new addition to the Toronto fashion scene. Her debut collection was featured in last season’s make-shift studio for all the random style-interested to see. The collection received rave reviews from local media, earning a not-too-shabby spot on “Best of Fashion Week” lists all over town, despite the lack of a tres formal showing. The turnout for her sophomore collection, met with much anticipation, was out the door at this year’s official Studio. (Read more)

Originally published Fall 2010

Blog TO: Chloe Comme Parris debut at LGFW

To refer to sisters Chloé and Parris Gordon as "newcomers" to the fashion industry would be a vast understatement, what with Chloe a recent graduate, and Parris completing her final year at Halifax university NSCAD. This fact alone made the debut of their collection, Chloé comme Parris, all the more impressive. (Read more)

Originally published October 21, 2010

Get Krumped

Fashion Stylist Alexis Honce styled Krump Dancers for a project using The Big Freeze. Directed and Shot by Ryan Enn Hughes.

Worked as assistant to stylist Alexis Honce on this ridiculous shoot.