Although it has been a decade since Rad Hourani last visited the streets of Toronto (choosing instead to march the grounds of Paris and New York), he decided the right time to return would be to celebrate his five year anniversary collection. He is, after all, “an adopted Canadian” by way of Montreal via Jordan.

Since the launch of his line, his main connection to Canada has been only through the factory where his Paris-designed clothing line is made, for the sole reason of it “being a well-oiled operation,” that he would do anything but change. With such a deep-rooted loyalty to us canucks, it really is a wonder that it has taken him so long to finally grace us with one of his shows (and presence). We caught up with Hourani to inquire about his much-anticipated visit, but, via email since he hopped a plane straight back to Paris right after his final bow.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR 5TH COLLECTION, WHAT’S THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT.

The inspiration always starts by what I feel like wearing. I have spent a lot of time recently in the forest and in nature, so the collection reflect that thought. I feel like wearing green, so I have designed some continuous silhouettes of my Unisex style in black and green, using some new materials and techniques.

SHORT FILMS OPENED A NUMBER OF SHOWS THIS SEASON. WHAT LED TO YOUR DECISION TO INCORPORATE FILM INTO YOUR CREATIVE VISION?

It is not something new for me, since the very first season I have used that medium to project what I had to say and feel. I have used film in my exhibition, as well, and I have used film also to present some of the Rad Hourani shows instead of producing a formal show, and I just felt that the projection of the 5 Yrs of Unisex made sense to be projected before the show.

DO YOU THINK THE INTEGRATION OF SHORT FILMS/DOCS HAS TO DO WITH THE AUDIENCE’S HUNGER FOR A MORE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP? IS IT A WAY TO FILL A GAP THAT’S MISSING FROM THE RUNWAY EXPERIENCE, OR MODERNISE IT?

I think it it just part of an evolution process where it is more accessible to do so. However, to me it is part of my self expression as I don’t define myself to be either a designer, a photographer, nor an artist, nor a filmmaker ,nor an art director. I consider myself all of that at the same time, so using all the mediums accessible is natural for me.

NOT BEING DICTATED BY TRENDS OR SEASONS, DO YOU HOPE SOMEONE TO HAVE A RAD HOURANI PIECE FOREVER, NOT JUST DISPOSE OF IT ONCE DEEMED “LAST SEASON?”

I think we are conditioned to think that what I do by not having seasons, time, gender is not traditional for a start. So I would say that its not traditional in that sense if you want to use theses words… I avoid all stereotypes in my life. I don’t use theses words, traditional,trends etc. What’s drives me is to create a signature piece of work and a garment that can be worn by anyone at anytime.

DO YOU THINK MORE DESIGNERS WILL BEGIN TO SHOW MORE “SEASONLESS” COLLECTIONS WITH THE CHANGES IN THE GLOBAL CLIMATE? NOW WE’RE SEEING SNOW IN SUMMER AND SUMMER IN WINTER…

I’m sure that it could be an influence, as it gets worse the consumers will need to adapt themselves. I was the first one to do that, and the first to design a high end unisex line, I did it because it made sense to me and hopefully the whole world understand one day the exact massage.

CONSIDERING YOU HAVEN’T BEEN TO TORONTO IN A DECADE, WHY DID YOU SAY YES TO SHOWING AT TORONTO’S WORLD MASTERCARD FASHION WEEK THIS SEASON?

I said yes because this season it is the 5th anniversary of the brand, and as we are travelling and producing events around the world to celebrate it. I thought to celebrate in Canada should be a part of it as I am an adopted Canadian.

AS YOU ARE BASED IN PARIS, WHY DO YOU HAVE YOUR CLOTHING MADE IN CANADA?

As a pure business point of view it is because our factory is located in Canada, and that it is a very well-oiled operation, and as the saying goes: ” why change something that works well?”

WITH ALL THE TRAVELING YOU HAVE DONE RECENTLY FOR YOUR 5TH ANNIVERSARY, HAVE YOU DECIDED UPON A FAVOURITE CITY IN THE WORLD?

I don’t have a particular city that I prefer, but I enjoy the way that I am stimulated by different environments, by different cities. New York makes me feel very productive as of Paris inspires me and make me think out of the box. Each city I go to can be my favourite, as I’m not a nationalist.

(interview as seen in FILLER Magazine)

“How am I supposed to get dressed for work when it’s too hot for clothes?” This is a style question we’ve been asked one too many times in the midst of summer’s hot hot heat. Looking easy, breezy and beautiful actually isn’t so easy when dealing with sticky humidity and high temperatures in Toronto.

Even harder is trying to arrive at work looking put-together and stylish (and not a sweaty disheveled mess). We bring this up now because if you don’t stock up on the right pieces in advance, you’ll be left kicking yourself in front of bare racks.

A key piece for summer is a sharp button-up blouse with the right cut outs that allow for, well,ventilation. From bike ride to office, this pleated open-back blouse by TFNC London will keep you cool and looking cute.

$58. Available at Shoppalu.com 

(post as seen on postcity.com, images via TFNC London)

This is embarrassing to admit, but up until last week, I didn’t know what National Denim Day was. Admittedly, I’d seen and heard little bits and bobs about it, but never processed what it was really about. This is ridiculous for a couple of reasons: one, why would a girl who loves denim ignore National Denim Day? And two, the annual day has been going strong since 1997!

After crawling out from under my rock, I discovered that National Denim Day was created by the CURE Foundation and occurs annually on the Tuesday after Mother’s Day. So what happens on this day of denim? Businesses, organizations and institutions across the country are encouraged to allow their employees, members and students to wear denim, donate $5 and help save lives in Canada. Did you know that an estimated 23,400 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in women, 190 new cases in men, and that 5,155 persons died of this disease last year alone?

Rest assured, I gave myself a good smacking on the wrist for previously ignoring such an important day. Like many others, breast cancer is a disease that has affected my immediate family and friends. Thankfully, these people are still with me today, but not everyone can say the same. This is why I partake in Run for the Cure, which I have vowed to run every year with my best friend since our first go at it last year.

This is what I wore for National Denim Day. Yes, that is a head-to-toe denim look you are seeing. What I’d like to point out most is the pair of cobalt blue jeans. If you think they’re a $200 pair from J Brand, they’re not. They’re a pair of $25 jeans from Bluenotes.

What is special about these jeans is not just that they look great, fit great and cost less than an average lunch date, but that purchasing these jeans meant $1 went to CURE and that a new pair of jeans was donated to a local charity. When was the last time spending $25 did that for you?

For every pair of jeans sold until Sunday, May 20, Bluenotes will continue to donate $1 to CURE and donate a fresh new pair of jeans to those in need.

Besides the fact that I think everyone needs a pair of these in their summer wardrobe (they come in array of other bright colour options too), how could you say no to supporting such a great cause through shopping?

What I Wore: Jeans from Bluenotes, sleeveless denim shirt from Fitzroy Boutique, vintage denim jacket by Wrangler, shoes by ALDO Rise, necklace by Blackbird, and sunglasses by Swarovski.

 (post as seen on PostCity.com, all images by Jillian Botting)

When I asked my mom what she wanted for Mother’s Day, she requested that I cook her dinner. Always down to feed my loved ones with tasty goodness, I was eager to try something new.

In need of some inspiration, I looked to Saveur, where I found their spotlight on different recipes using kale. I am absolutely 110% obsessed with kale, and found myself very intrigued by this Kale and Chicken Brown Rice Salad with Cherries recipe.

Due to seasonal produce limitations, and the fact that I didn’t want to just serve a salad for Mother’s Day dinner, some adjustments to the recipe were made.

The result was still incredible, so much so that my mom (who is the most brutally honest person in the world) told me it was the best salad she’d ever had (and seriously not just saying that because she’s my mom) and that this salad should be called “The Gracie Kale Salad” (nice one, mom).

Here’s how to make my version:

INGREDIENTS (to serve 4 as main, 6 as side)

1 cup loosely packed sweet Thai basil leaves

4-5 large garlic cloves

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tbsp. sugar

1 cup cooked brown rice

Fresh-ground black pepper

1 8 oz. can quartered artichoke hearts, rinsed and drained

2 cups chiffonaded lacinato kale (stems removed, leaves chopped into thin horizontal ribbons)

1/2 cup roughly chopped/ground almonds

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make the dressing: In a food processor, pulse the basil, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and sugar until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, mix together the rice and kale, toss with dressing until well coated. Gently fold in the artichoke hearts and almonds. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Keep chilled until serving.

As you can see I made a roast chicken to go with this salad but served them separately. Mixed together the next day was an excellent lunch as well. I’m eager to see how this will taste with cherries in the summer, they were obviously left out of the recipe since 1lb of cherries is currently $15 in Chinatown. This recipe is the best thing to happen to my cooking skills in quite some time, and it was so easy – try it!!

This may come as a surprise to some, but I am a huge fan of the GAP. It is mainly because I am obsessed with basics and denim, but one of my earliest back-to-school shopping memories is going to the GAP with my dad and buying a denim shirt. I think I’ve purchased that same shirt every year since then.

Needless to say, I was very excited when SheDoesTheCity.com challenged me to create an outfit around a GAP t-shirt, to celebrate their relaunch of the classic T. Perhaps you’ve noticed their new global campaign for #BeYourOwnT in your city?

This is me in my tee and it is a classic Gracie look. Why? Because it is laidback and casual, but still chic because of the twisted take on the basic t-shirt and jeans look. Incase you hadn’t noticed, this pair of “jeans” is made from 100% leather.

Tomorrow evening at GAP on Bloor St. myself and four other stylish Toronto bloggers will be hanging out in our #BeYourOwnT looks at a shopping event hosted by SheDoesTheCity from 5-8pm to celebrate the launch. Come by anytime to have a drink, have a snack, and enjoy 25% off regular priced merchandise with the chance to win a collection of GAP Ts and a Bobbin bicycle worth $700!

For further details please click HERE.

Check out all five #BeYourOwnT blogger looks – from me, StyleBlog, SidewalkHustle, UrbaneBloc, and LaurenOutLoud – below! (for outfit credits please visit SheDoesTheCity.com)

On Tuesday night, The Bata Shoe Museum opened their doors to a select crowd for a sneak peek at their latest exhibition featuring a curated collection of divinely beautiful shoes by Roger Vivier. Process to Perfection is now officially open to the public, and will be running through to April 7th, 2013. This may give you some time to go see it, but why wait to drool over shoes this exquisite? Here’s a taste of what I saw…

1. my favourite pair of shoes

2. bubbles & nibbles

3. there are no words.

Take a look through my little gallery adventure below, and be sure to note the amazing cards by Eighty Seventh ST! Designed especially for Bata’s Roger Vivier exhibit and sold exclusively through their gift shop.

For quite some time now, the dainty stud has dominated earlobes. The fash pack, it seems, favours the oversized statement necklace (and plenty of arm candy) over flashy earrings. But fashion works in a cycle, and when our desires for high-impact ear wear washes out, it is sure to come right back in again.

There’s just something that feels oh-so-right about reintroducing “the statement earring” into our wardrobe this season. But the challenge, when dealing with chandelier-esque style, is to make it look fresh and cool: meaning, we don’t recommend reaching for just any old pair you’ve still got lying around.

The girls behind Toronto-based jewellery label Blackbird agree, and have filled their latest collection with covetable earrings to boot. Most notably, we can’t take our eyes off these dagger earrings, a Navajo-inspired pair that combines black plexiglass with natural porcupine quills.

To quote the girls, they’re a “weapon of choice.”

$140. Available at Blackbird’s online store 

(post as seen on postcity.com)

Remember the days when being a skate kid was cool? Then you probably also remember when Avril Lavigne came rolling along and ruined the entire culture for everyone. Luckily, after enduring way too many years of the white tank top and black tie combo, it seems that the Avril effect has finally phased out.

Even mega skate chains, such as West 49, have switched back to their bohemian roots to catch up with their trendy teen clientele. Thanks to the Internet (and all the social media outlets that come with it) the style of our younger generation is maturing, and evolving, faster than ever. Thankfully, the latest slew of cool role models include girls like Vanessa Hudgens, Kristen Stewart andEmma Roberts, who appear less in the tabloids stumbling out of blacked-out SUVs and more at hot-spots of cool, such as Coachella.

This has resulted in an overall positive effect in terms of style, for both teens and the retailer. I’ve openly written about my past as a “skater girl” and my undying dream of one day becoming a professional surfer who lives in L.A. (even though I’ve never surfed in my life). Another important style motto of mine (which may or may not have come across so far) is that I. Will. Shop. Anywhere.

So when West 49 called to tell me about their new, revamped girl’s collection, they challenged me to check it out and see if I could style myself in a Gracie Carroll-ified outfit (that I would actually wear). If I would shop from Wang to Wal-Mart, why not West 49 too?

Upon arrival, there is no doubt that West 49’s Avril girl is long gone. In her place is a cool, beachy girl-next-door. It is clear that everyone from the staff to the customers is ecstatic about the change.

And why wouldn’t they be? Even I find myself getting giddy over the super-cute floral printed rompers from Billabong that retail for a mere $44. A frill-hem and a cut-out back? Yes please! What better item to wear while frolicking on the beach, pretending to take a rest from my hardcore surf session earlier that morning?

It isn’t often that you’ll catch me without an extra layering piece stashed in my bag during the spring and summer months (hey, it gets cold at night!), which is why I fell in love with Element’s printed Eva tunic at a reasonable $50. Rocking print-on-print has become a bit of a signature for me, and I love how these two pieces work together as much as I love each one separately.

This is an ideal summer outfit because I can see myself wearing it everywhere, from the park to the cottage to the beach. The white cat-eye sunglasses also give the overall look a splash of ’90s that, combined with the surfy-babe look, really captures my ideal me quite well.

What I Wore: floral playsuit by Billabong $44 at West 49, Eva tunic by Element $50 at West 49, sunglasses from Buffalo Exchange in Brooklyn, shoes by Cacharel, puppy from a friend.

(post as seen on PostCity.com, all images GracieCarroll.com)

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Prom Princess Power!

Yesterday I received a Facebook event invite from a high school friend that contained the word “prom” in the title. Considering we both attended our Jarvis Collegiate prom at The King Edward hotel many years ago, my brain first thought she was trying to go to a prom this year, and I was all like “Honey, oh no…”

Since she’s not actually one of my fashion weirdo friends, she is neither trying to re-live her last days of high school or date someone  the same age as Justin Bieber. What Sylvia is trying to do is help spread the word of a great charity effort to help make someone’s prom come to life!

Currently she is interning at an all-girls’ school called Heydon Park in Toronto. Their student council is participating with New Circles to help collect gently used clothing, shoes, accessories and makeup for their Prom Boutique.

The Prom Boutique is created to help families in Toronto who face financial barriers to attending the milestone event that is THE PROM. Personally, I think it is ridiculous how out of hand prom pressure can get – how much your dress cost, where you got it, is it the most expensive of all your friends – it’s like a recipe for prom-zilla!

Like I always say, money can’t buy you style, and I don’t think anyone needs a designer dress to look amazing. We’ve all got a dress or two that  haven’t been worn in years, shoes that never came out of the box, jewellery from the ex you no-longer wear, and gifted makeup that’s totally not your colour. Boys too! Find those suits that don’t fit, shirts and shoes that are too small.

Clearing out your closets could help make someone’s prom dreams come true so please help donate!

Sylvia is trying to collect everything for the week of May 14th. Please connect with her through the event page HERE to organise a pick up, or you can email me at gracie@graciecarroll.com for more info.

**Nathalie Roze & Co. boutique has generously offered to act as the east end drop off location until Sunday May 13th. They will also offer 10% to any customers donating clothing. The shop is located at 1015 Queen Street East at Pape in Leslieville http://www.nathalie-roze.com/**

Ta daaaaaa, look! It’s me in clothes and not for What I Wore! Confused? Fair enough. This picture is from the just-launched Spring/Summer lookbook of Toronto-based designer LEILANNI. Leilanni Todd is of half Filipino, half Canadian descent, and went to great lengths to make sure her mixed heritage was represented in her new collection. So, she approached myself, and three other half asian girls to model her new season looks. I think we all look like a half asian version of the Lisbon sisters from The Virgin Suicides, which is obviously a huge plus to me.

LEILANNI is one of my favourite lines coming out of this city and you simply must check out the super cute full lookbook (shot by the amazing Alice Xue) on her website www.Leilanni.com. She’s also offering 25% off if you like her Facebook Page – EASY DEAL ALERT!

Check out some more shots from the lookbook below.