Hot Legs!

Photography and text by Kimberly Rashed

The ultimate accessory for any gal with those perfect legs has got to be leggings. Fear not, ladies, there are options out there for everyone. We’ve ventured well beyond just wearing them for aerobic workouts. Oh, but wasn’t that neon fabulous?

From casual to dressed up looks, leggings are a convenient and comfortable choice. With the wide variety that’s offered these days, you’ve got countless ways to work them into your wardrobe.

Be sure to stock up on a few options for mixing and matching with your favourite top.

Heavy knits

We all love to cozy up in that perfect cable knit sweater this time of year, but why not carry that comfort down to the legs. Yes, please! Heavy textured knit leggings keep you toasty warm when paired with the perfect little a-line mini or sweater dress. Steer clear of going too matchy-matchy; if you choose to wear these with a sweater dress, go with a simpler knit on top. We mustn’t look like we’re wearing a heat-to-toe look hand-knit by Nana.

 

Jeggings

It’s a jean, it’s a legging, oh yes – it’s a jegging! A favourite with riding boots, these jeans put the “slim fit” to shame. Fair warning, ladies: Even though these may come with pockets this does not make them an actual pant. However convenient it may be for toting along a necessity, unless you’ve got “buns o’ steel,” you should still leave a little ‘sumpin, sumpin’ to the imagination.

 

 

Adorned

Basic legs no more! The popularity of leggings is definitely apparent with the endless possibilities out there. Zippers, buttons, bows, pockets or ruching – you name it, there’s a legging that has it. Ruching can be any woman’s best friend by not only adding a little extra flare to a look, but also giving the feel of a little more coverage.

 

 

Leather

Ok, rock star. Leather + Lycra = your new best friend! Because, let’s be honest – Lycra is about the only thing that could get us into a pair (if we wanted to still continue breathing, that is). Daring? Yes, but when paired with a soft flowy blouse or dress it can really balance this look out.

 

 

 

Colour

Neon is out (yes!) but that doesn’t mean we should be afraid of colour altogether. Add some pop to your look with a fun hue worn under an oversized shirt dress and a tall boot for a flirty look.

Legging Lesson 101: Beware of the muffin top. It’s like anything, gals. If you’re too tightly squeezed in there, that little bit of extra leftover from too many holiday eats is going to find its way out somewhere. Give yourself some breathing room. You can thank me later.

Model: Amy Halman (recent graduate of the Panache Modelling Program)

Kimberly Rashed keeps us looking fashion forward each month in G! and on her blog Style Becomes Her.

Photography and text by Kimberly Rashed The ultimate accessory for any gal with those perfect legs has got to be leggings. Fear not, ladies, there are options out there for everyone. We’ve ventured well beyond just wearing them for aerobic workouts. Oh, but wasn’t that neon fabulous? From casual to dressed up looks, leggings are [...]

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G! Lets Loose in the Wardrobe Room

Playing dress up with the wardrobe mistress of the Confederation Centre of the Arts, Karyn MacPhee

Photography and Story by Kimberly Rashed

As a former fashion student, I remember all too well my first trip to the wardrobe department of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. We were introduced to the Centre’s Wardrobe Mistress, Karyn MacPhee. We all wanted her job. All of us newbies thought it must be such a fun gig. Well, MacPhee has been holding that gig for 40 years now and her passion for the job suggests she’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

I was excited to have a chance to revisit the wardrobe department after so many years and decided to bring along some of my G! friends to play dress-up. After years of seeing numerous shows hit the mainstage at the Confederation Centre, we were all curious to find out just how it all really comes together so seamlessly (pardon the pun).

MacPhee relayed to us just how intense it can get. After the preview performance of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story this past September, it was discovered that the dress worn by Alana Hibbert in the Apollo scene was not suitable because the fullness of the skirt was not in keeping with Patrick Clark’s designs for the look of that era. Thus, a completely new dress had to be constructed for the next performance…that same evening. With no time to spare, MacPhee expertly crafted Hibbert’s new dress between performances. The dress was beautifully made, inside and out, because poor quality is just not acceptable!

The role of the Wardrobe Mistress does not end in the fitting room. She literally follows the garment right onto the stage, making knowledge of the inner workings of the show a big part of her job. Wardrobe staff must anticipate what “wardrobe malfunctions” might occur. They must be there for fast changes, sometimes hiding behind a strategically placed trunk or prop for quick access. And when the show packs up and heads out on the road, the wardrobe department goes along for the ride, packing and labelling each and every item of all the show’s costumes and a fully equipped workstation.

Not every show has the luxury of a designer who provides in-depth sketches or even fabric swatches. Sometimes the wardrobe department takes on this task and works hand in hand with the director to interpret the director’s vision. This calls for a whole new list of skills and talents as they design fabrics, hunt through thrift shops and pore over costume reference books to ensure the look and feel of the show is true to the era. Clearly, one of those talents is the ability to pay close attention to each and every detail.

Authentic means authentic from head to toe. Wig Mistress Elizabeth “Honey” Landry, takes on anything from a regular trim of the actors’ locks to the addition of, well, you name it. Need a bouffant? Honey’s your gal. The G! team also learned a bit about the fun and value of creative staging from milliner Nancy Hooper. A simple picture?  No way! A jewelled crown, a bowler hat, fruit, feathers and other elements certainly livened up the souvenir photo shoot! As we left, Hooper was giving a pair of shoes a colour makeover so they were more in keeping with the show’s historical era.

MacPhee says, “If you don’t love laundry, this is not the job for you.” Love? Is it possible to love laundry? I will quite frankly state here that I do not. In the wardrobe department, we’re talking heavy duty laundering, too. Every day. Ironing, too. Blasphemy! On double show days, you’ve got limited time to scrub away that make-up smudge; sometimes the ironing might be reduced to just the collar, cuffs and front if the actor wears a jacket and never plans on taking it off. But really, that’s not much of a consolation in my opinion. What ever happened to “Iron your own damn shirt”? I guess this just happens in my house…

These days, MacPhee shares her experience with the students of the School of Performing Arts program offered at Holland College. She says the work is much too exciting not to share. With definite hopefuls in the midst, she is excited about this new program. Her only fear might be the thought of losing these budding wardrobe geniuses to the stage itself.

Hectic yes, but MacPhee says she couldn’t imagine it any other way. “Leaving is unthinkable, but staying is impossible and the impossible is what we do (miracles take slightly longer)!”

She sums it up all too well.

Playing dress up with the wardrobe mistress of the Confederation Centre of the Arts, Karyn MacPhee Photography and Story by Kimberly Rashed As a former fashion student, I remember all too well my first trip to the wardrobe department of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. We were introduced to the Centre’s Wardrobe Mistress, Karyn [...]

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Roar!

Navigate the urban jungle with ferocious animal-inspired accessories

Photos and Story by Kimberly Rashed

I’m a little “wild” about animal prints (pardon the pun). I have many a dress, blouse and skirt dedicated to this fierce trend. It’s a very sexy style that requires confidence to carry it well; I’ve got to be feeling really good to pull these items from my closet. If you’re still working up the nerve to incorporate this daring look into your wardrobe, then you’re in luck. This season, the call of the wild is trending in bags, shoes and scarves.

Alligator and crocodile inspired bags are popping up in very structured looks. The animal skin gives this rather corporate shape some added sex appeal. Dior, Gucci and Valentino unleashed handbags in colourful and subdued python prints during their runway shows for fall and winter, while Dolce & Gabbana went wild with zebra. Party animal or beast in the boardroom, spice up any look with an exotic animal print.

Same goes for shoes; python adorned flats and pumps are big this season. While flats may not be considered “sexy”, by adding a little python texture into the mix, you can make any cute ballet flat super flirty. Dare to show your ladylike wild side.

Scarves are still considered one of the top accessories of the fall season; the variety of colours, styles and textures on the market is outrageous. Make a point of adding an animal print scarf in a leopard, cheetah, zebra or tiger print (or one of each, depending on what animal you feel like unleashing that day) to your fall collection. No question, this addition to your wardrobe can take an everyday look and give it some real sophistication and impact.

Animal prints can be worked into the most casual of looks or taken to the wee hours of the night. Don’t be weary to mix and match; it’s perfectly acceptable to pair elegant python pumps with a cheetah scarf. The look you want to achieve this season is sexy yet subtle. However, I don’t suggest going with a head-to-toe look – we’re not auditioning for the circus here. You’re goal is to attract your prey, not frighten them away. Keep your look simple with one or two prints, play with colour and you’ll look ready-to-wear fabulous!

Kimberly Rashed unleashes her wild side with the latest fashion trends and styles each month in G!

Navigate the urban jungle with ferocious animal-inspired accessories Photos and Story by Kimberly Rashed I’m a little “wild” about animal prints (pardon the pun). I have many a dress, blouse and skirt dedicated to this fierce trend. It’s a very sexy style that requires confidence to carry it well; I’ve got to be feeling really [...]

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