#stmSnippet: Top Picks of TOM* S/S17

Adding extra heat to our city, Toronto Men’s Fashion week was held last week and showcased some of the best menswear designers Canada has to offer. Each season these talented creators inspire us with their skill and vision. After carefully organizing and reviewing each Spring/Summer 2017 runway look, I have selected my top picks per category. Worthy of the editorial pages, yet highly retail ready, find who came out on top in the full blog post by clicking here.

See the full blog post and more photos from the runway by clicking here.

Photos: Che Rosales

#stmSnippet: Patio perfect essentials for him. [Outfit Post]

Summer nights are for patio dinners and patio dinners deserve comfort and style. It’s no secret, I love golf shirts. If you run into me on the street there is a good chance I am in a black or dark blue solid golf shirt. They are my uniform and a happy medium between a boring T-shirt and a dress shirt. All the comfort of a T-shirt, snazzed up a bit with a collar.

They are my uniform and a happy medium between a boring T-shirt and a dress shirt. All the comfort of a T-shirt, snazzed up a bit with a collar.

See more photos and the full post by clicking here.

Photos by: Chenessa Lam

#stmSnippet: Designing For Bigger Busts

I met Miriam Baker in early 2013 as she was preparing to enter a design competition with the Toronto Fashion Incubator. She seemed timid yet driven and poured her heart and soul into her work. Now, nearly three years later (and having won that competition no less,) this young designer is moving forward with her business and perfecting her craft as she tackles the Canadian fashion industry.

In this #stmINTERVIEWED Miriam Baker talks about growing bust sizes, what she sees coming down the catwalk next and what drives her. To see more photos and read the full interview, click here.

To see more photos and read the full interview, click here.

All photos are courtesy of the designer.

#stmSnippet: Canada’s MODA:KO Has You Stylishly Covered

Over on stephenthomasm.com I interviewed Kelly C. Lee, the woman behind the Canadian brand MODA:KO, which I have been following since it first launched. Her brand offers up stylish cases and bags for your precious tablets and laptops, all hand crafted here in Canada.

In this #stmINTERVIEWED Kelly talks about starting her line, gives a tip to entrepreneurs starting out and shares her opinion on Canadian top model Coco Rocha. Read the full post by clicking here.

Find out what Kelly had to say in her #stmINTERVIEWED by clicking here.

Top Photo: Marcus Kan

Bottom Photo: Courtesy of MODA:KO

#stmSnippet: Top 3 Picks: Big FAT Roundup 2016

The annual Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) fashion week is a lively week of events with fashion runway presentations at its core.  Creators of fashion, art, dance, music and beyond band together under the leadership of event organizer Vanja Vasic and the rest of the FAT team to present five evenings that celebrate creative talent. (Read the full post here.)



In this #stmCOVERED I divide the fashion into six categories (Womenswear, Menswear, Fashion Is Art, That Dress Though!, Feeling Naughty and Fun On The Runway,  and choose my top three looks for each. CLICK HERE to see the full post with more photos and decide if you agree or disagree.

Photos by Raymond Chow of CanadaWears.ca

#stmSnippet - The Fashionable Activist: Andrew Coimbra

In my latest #stmINTERVIEWED I chatted with designer Andrew Coimbra, a young Canadian designer who mixes activism with fashion allowing it to inspire each collection.
Find the full interview by clicking here.



If Andrew could collaborate with any retailer, who might it be? Which international magazine discovered the Andrew Coimbra brand recently via instagram? Why is the image of construction fencing printed inside his Fall/Winter 2016 bomber jacket? Find out on #stmINTERVIEWED.



See more photos on #stmINTERVIEWED by clicking here.

Photos by (in order of appearance): Mckenzie James, Adam Moco, Andrew Coimbra.

#stmSnippet: Top 3 Picks - Toronto Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2016

Another Toronto Fashion Week has come and gone.  Designers threw the last stitch on garments moments before shows began. PR teams ushered the crowds in and out of the runway room and everyone attended some of the year's best parties.

Now it is time to take a second look at the fashions and decide who came out on top. After attending the shows I tackled the daunting task of reviewing every look once again, image by image and put together my Top 3 Looks list. (Find the list with images of each look by clicking here.)




Who made the cut for Top 3 Womenswear, Menswear, Women's Outerwear, Men's Outerwear, Evening/Bridal and Show Stoppers? Find the results and photos by clicking here.

Photos by Raymond Chow of CanadaWears.ca

#StmSnippet: Journey To The Runway & Beyond

Toronto Fashion Week starts NOW! Appearing on the runway for the first time will be looks from Toronto designer Christopher Paunil and his business partner Chalo Hancock. Read my full #stmINTERVIEWED with them by clicking here.

Launched just over half a decade ago focusing on custom bridal dresses, the company has quickly grown and is now carried in Kleinfeld's Canada and other retailers. (See the full interview and more photos by clicking here.)

While still offering custom, Christopher and Chalo have also grown a ready to wear collection that has begun to turn heads. (See the full interview and more photos by clicking here.)

Christopher and Chalo will be presenting both their bridal and ready-to-wear line Monday March 14th at 8pm at Toronto Fashion Week. Find out more about this duo in the full #stmINTERVIEWED by clicking here.

Photos: Courtesy of designer.

#StmSnippet: The New Mother F****** Boss of Jewellery

Cat Janiga feels like a mother (pardon the F bomb) f****** boss when she wears her edgy, clean, avant-garde line of jewellery, and you will too! As a child she dreamed of growing up to be a vet or plastic surgeon. Thankfully the Star Trek loving girl discovered design and the rest is history.
(Continue to the full original post on STM by clicking here.)



In this uncensored #stmINTERVIEWED, Cat Janiga is open and honest about what it’s actually like starting a business in today’s Canadian fashion world.  Read on to learn her opinion of interning, what she considers her best move as an entrepreneur was and why she loves the industry and is excited for the next few years.

(Continue to the full original post with more photos on STM by clicking here.)

(Continue to the full original post on STM by clicking here.)

Top Photo by Peter Chatterton

Product Photo Courtesy of designer.

#StmSnippet: Top 3 Picks of Toronto Men’s Fashion Week #TOMFW16

Last week in Toronto models took to the catwalk clad in Canadian menswear for the fourth season of Toronto Men's Fashion Week. Find my Top 3 Picks for the categories of Tailored Gents, Playful Prints, Outerwear Adventures, Casual Street and Best Styling on STM by clicking here.

Find more pictures and discover which designers had my attention at Toronto Men's Fashion Week by clicking here.

Photos: Shayne Gray.

#stmSnippet: Finezza & The Family Man Behind The Brand

Born in France and now living in Canada, Ivan Lehec studied dentistry, a very different profession than fashion designer. The family man spent years working in a Montreal menswear boutique before launching his own line, Finezza, of men’s tailored clothing in mid 2012.

Photo: Che Rosales

While preparing to show his new ready to wear collection at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week, (February 25th at 7pm), Ivan took time to participate in this #stmINTERVIEWED. Head over to www.stephenthomasm.com to see the full interview and discover who he credits for giving him the most help launching, where his love for fashion came from and why he started his brand Finezza.

Photo courtesy of designer.

Find the full interview and more photos by clicking here.

Photo: Che Rosales

Find the full interview and more photos by clicking here.

#stmSnippet: Graydon Has Valentines All Bundled Up

Ugh I know... Valentine's Day again. If you're single it is that one day to avoid in the cold winter months. Go ahead call in sick. Find your favourite series on Netflix and bunker down. Feeling lonely? Have a friend over to dissect why your last relationship didn't work out. You need them to come over anyways... your corkscrew is nowhere to be found.

Oh wait, you ARE in a relationship? OK. Time to show your man just how much he means to you by finding the perfect romantic gift and card. At least Graydon Clinical Luxury is making it easier to shop for him with bundle packs featuring combinations of their products known for being gluten free, almost all vegan, organic and nut free, whenever possible. How can you go wrong?



The Valentine bundle includes the Hand+Foot Relief Cream for us guys with dry chapped hands and feet. The All Over Elixir Face + Body Oil is good for moisturizing him… well all over (wink wink)... As far as application goes, I suggest some one-on-one time. Just don't brag about it later to us single people! Find the full post on STM by clicking here.



Find the full post on STM by clicking here.

Photos: Stephen-Thomas Maciejowski

#stmSnippet: Throwing A One-Two Punch With Bench Canada

Every now and again I join Bench Canada for a fun #BenchAdventure. From ping pong to axe throwing, everything is game. Last week we had the chance to take a kickboxing class at Toronto’s Big Hit Studios. Bench’s Multipurpose City Performance Clothing line was well suited for this kickass activity.



Having never taken a kickboxing class before, I nabbed some basics I knew I would be able to move in and to stay hydrated scooped up a metal water bottle. You have to stay hydrated no matter if you are on a #BenchAdventure or an adventure of your own!


The class was tough but fun. Our instructor took the time to illustrate each combination and kept pushing us to go, “five more” as we neared the end of each set. The music was pumping and the sweat was flowing. We all had a blast and took out our kickboxing “Bobs.” Best group workout class I have done in years!

Get a better look at the Bench clothing packed in the bag above over on STM by clicking here and the next time you are in need of an exhilarating workout, head over to Big Hit Studios.

#StmSnippet: Paterson's Cabin Launches

Over on STM I recently stripped down and got a little wet for the latest #stmAPPROVED. Paterson’s Cabin is a new home-grown Canadian line developed and made out near the rockies. Founder Keri-Ann Paterson and her daughter are both part of small group of people who suffer from Celiac disease and are affected by gluten on their skin.  And you thought your skin was sensitive!

Keri-Ann handmade each product’s recipe and tested many times until landing on what she found to be the best formulation for herself and her daughter's needs. She experienced everything along the way. When creating her heritage soap she decided to use locally sourced suet (raw beef fat)... which led to a crockpot with 10lbs of sizzling suet and her entire house smelling less than desirable. It took a few days and a bit of bleach, but eventually Keri-Ann got her house smelling like home again. She soon after discovered bison tallow, with a more appealing scent, hence the bison image on the felted heritage soap I tested.

Check out the full post to learn about the three products I tested and are now #stmAPPROVED and find out just how long it takes to make a bar of soap, what I did with the scrub (hint it involves a spoon!) and how porch flowers are for guys too!

Find the full post by clicking here.

Photos: STM

#stmSnippet: PAÑPURI Wish List

As the holidays draw near, myself and Rachel Read of Through The Looking Glass and Rose MM of Elle China teamed up to create a wish list of our three favourite items from PAÑPURI.  The people behind PAÑPURI believe that beauty is more than skin deep and the three of us believe our wish list will help you feel beautiful, (and relaxed) inside and out.

Find our wish list below and fall in love with PAÑPURI.

Find our picks and more at www.panpuri.com and be sure to follow @panpuriofficial on instagram as well as Rachel Read, @rachttlg. Rose MM can be found on Weibo as rosemmzj.

#stmSnippet: #myKBstyle with Kaltenbock Opticians

On a rainy Tuesday night in November Toronto’s fashion lovers flocked to Kaltenbock Opticians for a private party hosted by two of the city’s respected fashion experts. Lance Chung and Afiya Francisco are both active in Toronto’s style scene have spent much time working for some of Canada’s hottest magazines.

Along with their hosting duties the two styled six models in fresh fall finds and added finishing touch eyewear from Kaltenbock Opticians.

Grey, oatmeal and camel were popular colour choices for both sexes, as were chunky knits for more casual ensembles. Known himself for always being well suited, Chung featured double breasted jackets in both suiting and outerwear. Selected fashion forward Kaltenbock eyewear was predominately rounded and added extra bold confidence.

Which pair of glasses above were my favourite? What was the special interactive art experience of the night? Find out by reading the full post with more images on STM by clicking here.

#stmSnippet: Top 10 WMCFW SS16

The tent at World MasterCard Fashion Week is down now. The set up and tear down for an event this size takes more time than one might realize.  It’s not your average party tent. This is something complex with a second level and heating system to keep all us fashion enthusiasts from freezing. It really is rather impressive for a temporary structure. That said, it does not compare to the magic seen on the runway. Canadian designers showcased their very best at the Spring Summer 2016 instalment of WMCFW here in Toronto. Marcus Kan, myself and some of our favourite fashion friends headed to the tent to see it all first hand.

Here Marcus and I have chosen our top ten looks from the entire week. Marcus sifted through the women’s looks while I handled the men’s looks. Having seen the majority of them live on the runway, we already had a good sense of which our favourites would be, but wanted to put a little extra time into the selection process. To see all of our Top 10 WMCFW SS16 on STM, click here.

Find all 10 on STM by clicking here.

Photos: CanadaWears.ca / Raymond Chow

#stmSnippet: Top Picks from Mercedes-Benz Start Up at WMCFW

Fashion is an expensive world to start a business in. Producing a collection, mounting a fashion show and marketing the brand to retailers, I am told by one Canadian designer, can cost $50,000 and up. All too often a designer gets close to the point of turning a profit, just to have to turn around and close up due to lack of funding. Design and business competitions like Mercedes-Benz Start Up play a vital role in helping new designers.

Developed by Mercedes-Benz Canada with IMG, the producers of World Mastercard Fashion Week and many other global sports, fashion and media related events, MBSU is open to designers across Canada who have been in business for less than five years. During the competition contestants connect with a panel of industry insiders who challenge them to be the best. The grand prize includes continued mentorship from the panel, a fully produced runway show at the following World Mastercard Fashion Week, $30,000 and more.

Discover our top three looks from each of the MBSU 2015 final six contestants over on STM by clicking here.

Photos: CanadaWears.ca / Raymond Chow

#stmSnippet: Kit and Ace Arrives On Bloor + Top Picks

Canada’s very own Kit and Ace celebrated the grand opening of their Bloor Street location in Toronto with a party packing the store in early October. We covered the event and along with stylist Talia Brown, have chosen our top picks from Kit and Ace's latest collection over on STM.

Which musician rocked the house at Kit and Ace on Bloor? Find out on STM by clicking here.

Along with the water resistant Walcott Blazer, what other items for men did STM choose as his favourite picks? Find out on STM by clicking here.

Toronto stylist Talia Brown chose the Page shirt as one of her top picks with its fun petal like hem. What else did she choose? Find out on STM by clicking here.

Where is the best new place to grab a cup of joe on Bloor Street? Hint, hint it's right inside Kit and Ace... learn more on STM by clicking here.

Product Photos: Courtesty kitandace.com

Store/Party Photos: STM

#stmSnippet: Simeone Napoli First Canadian Boutique

Earlier this month Simeone Napoli held a grand opening party for their first Canadian boutique. The Toronto fashion scene was treated to a preview of the brand’s latest collection, music and of course lots of bubbly.

Learn more about this brand, the store opening and find more images on STM by clicking here.