This week’s style savvy celebrity is Diane Kruger. German born model and actress, Diane knows how to be in the spotlight, not to mention, how to look good doing it. Red carpet to city streets, Diane’s style is always in check, and she is most definitely not afraid to take fashion risks. YSG has chosen Diane as our style icon this week to provide you with some fashion inspiration, and highlight her envy worthy style which oozes self-confidence and creativity. Speaking of envy worthy, did we mention she is dating Canadian actor Joshua Jackson!? Some girls just have it all!

This week, YSG has selected a look from the Joe Fresh Fall/Winter 10 collection. We love this look for its utilitarian appeal, and versatility. As mentioned in previous weeks, shorts have been reinvented, and are no longer only a casual weekend  or vacation item. A good pair of well tailored, mid-length shorts, can be worn in many occasions. Shorts made of thicker materials, such as wool, or worn over tights and stockings, can carry through every season. Pair your fabulous fall shorts with a simple top, such as the white blouse shown above, and they can even be appropriate attire for work or a night out!

YSG tip: Pair this look with the right accessories to change the mood of the ensemble. When shown with cute heeled booties and a side slung clutch, this outfit can take you right into the evening!

This week YSG has selected the one and only Gwyneth Paltrow for our - just in time for the weekend- dose of inspiration. Gwyneth is timelessly elegant and highly regarded for her red carpet glamour. Movie premiers aside, this busy mom has more then floor length gowns in her fashion repertoire and is able to look amazing both day and night, casual and dressed to the nines. Although her leggy figure and beautiful face make it possible for her to look good in almost anything, Gwyneth has managed to maintain her own sense of style which always suits her body, the occasion and her age.

This week’s look is from the J Crew Fall/Winter 10 collection. YSG likes this preppy look for its versatility (day or night) and simply for its chic, stylish appeal. The plaid cardigan worn over a white collared shirt has full-on prep school charm, while the sequined shorts update the outfit and make it appropriate for day or night! Mixing patterns and textures with classic, staple pieces works to build an interesting, multi-layered ensemble!

YSG tip: Don’t rule out shorts for fall. Pair them stockings and they can be worn all season. Heavy wool stockings make shorts a winter item too!

For a little weekend inspiration, YSG will be highlighting icons of style: Enter Rachel Bilson. We love her for her casual cool, easy going style that always manages to look effortlessly chic. Bohemian meets high street in Rachels electic look, and we love the way she mixes pieces to develop her own unique outfits.

Hard to believe in this 30 degree heat, but Its almost that time of year when we can pull out our favourite sweaters, jackets and booties. Fall is quickly approaching, and although the summer weather is still going strong, retail floors are not wasting anytime. Example, the look of the week from Zara’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection. This simple everyday look, cable knit sweater and jeans, is spiced up with a funky, oversized, animal print clutch. I like this look because it is so versatile and can be worn by everyone at every size, price-point and age. A neutral coloured, cable knit sweater is a must for all fall wardrobes. It can be paired with all types of slim fitting denim, in blue, black or even white washes. A funky clutch is a good accessory to add, in order to keep the outfit youthful and current.

YSG Tip: When looking for the perfect sweater, make sure to purchase one that is fitted, not oversized or baggy. Because of the cable knit, and typical thicker material, you want to avoid adding any extra bulk to your frame.

Summer in Montreal means one thing: festivals. Serious festivals. Every week I feel like there’s a new festival going on somewhere in the city and Montrealers flock from one exciting event to the next, from the hundreds of shows at Jazz Fest and Just for Laughs to the concerts and plays at Osheaga and the Montreal Fringe.

One event that I’m particularly interested in attending is part of the (what else?) Festival of Mode & Design 2010. From June 10 to October 29, Galerie Place Ville Marie presents “Montreal and Fashion: So Many Years, So Much to Show,”  an historical retrospective on the Montreal fashion industry and its artisans from the 1850s to the present day. The exhibition recounts the development of the fashion industry and the history of Montreal’s garment manufacturers, retailers and designers, as well as its educational institutions, models and photographers. Count on vintage collections, photos, videos, artifacts and profiles of Montreal designers such as Andy The-Ahn, Denis Gagnon and more. If, like me, you love to pretty much inhale any and all historical information about the Canadian and international fashion industry and try to read as many fashion non-fiction books and articles as you can get your hands on, this exhibition is right up our boutique-lined alley. So, if you’re in Montreal at all this summer, be sure to check it out. It’s most definitely being added to my list of Montreal Summer Things To Do (I honestly do have this list, is that nerdy?)!

Montreal and Fashion: So Many Years, So Much to Show
From June 10 to October 29 – free admission
Monday to Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 5 p.m.

www.placevillemarie.com
From Montreal,

Lindsay

Any time my friends come to Montreal for a visit, they always, without fail, say the following words to me: “I want to go to Simons.” I don’t blame them – of course they do and I want to go with them. Simons is THE one-stop, two-floor shop for all your everyday needs, from clothes, bathing suits and pyjamas to hats, scarves and gloves. The department store’s house brand, Twik (psst…originally modeled after Twiggy’s signature style), has great casual and affordable pieces that are perfect for mixing with your higher-end items. On the second floor is where you’ll find names like Sonia Rykiel, Armani Exchange and Kenso for dressier options. And as for accessories, you’ll be overwhelmed by all the bags, belts, glasses, jewelry, hats, scarves and stockings you can find.

From Montreal,

Lindsay

For this one week in June, Off InterArts Studio will be turned into a delightful playground of vintage treasures. This boutique will feature men’s and women’s vintage clothing, shoes and accessories from the ’60’s, ’70’s, ’80’s and ’90’s and will be open daily from 11am - 7pm. CAN’T WAIT to browse through the many racks of unique, hand-selected pieces in the collection. And try everything on, obviously.

There’s also an opening event to kick-off the week on June 18th at 7pm where you can shop ’til you drop, have a drink or few and get your dance on to music by DJ Mitz and DJ Aaron Nathaniel Standen.

See you there?

5143 St. Laurent Blvd, June 17th - June 23rd, 11am - 7pm. http://sevendaysofvintage.blogspot.com

From Montreal,

Lindsay

This white, airy space provides the perfect background for showing off the Italian-crafted, 100% cotton t-shirts, tank tops, camisoles in every colour imaginable (seriously, baby blue, ocean blue, light pink, hot pink, bright yellow, pale green, orange sorbet, deep red - it’s overwhelming). Not to mention the label’s classic white tee, which is a standard complement to any well thought-out wardrobe. So versatile, perfect for layering, great with jeans, shorts or skirts and exactly what you want to be wearing on those hot, sweaty summer days. A bonus: everything is machine-washable - LOVE this. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to be doing is stressing about how to care for my clothing when I could be drinking sangria on a terrace, having a picnic in the park, drinking sangria on a terrace, taking a long walk in the sun or drinking sangria on a terrace. The clothes are pretty, the material is comfortable, the care is simple; I’m not sure it could get any better. Wait - on top of the t-shirts and tanks, Mimi & Coco also does dresses, men’s shirts and children’s clothing, so I think it did just get better. Really, how many places can you visit to find beautiful, Italian-made clothing for everyone other than…you know, Italy? I can speak for Montreal and tell you of three, as that is how many Mimi & Coco boutiques there are in the city. Find them at 201 avenue Laurier West, t: 514.906.0349; 6717 boulevard Saint Laurent, t: 514.274.6242; and, 4927 rue Sherbrooke West, t: 514.482.6362.

Ps. I love Mimi & Coco for more than just the clothes - at the Laurier and Sherbrooke locations, you can find, tucked away at the back of the shop, a seriously delicious and healthy lunch in Mandy’s Salad Bar, which is, yes, exactly as it sounds. But, not just your average, run-of-the-mill, garden salad bar. No, I’m talking customized, homemade, organic, healthy, so-good-you-can’t-focus-on-anything-else-while-you’re-eating salads. There are a ton of choices, but my favorite is the Raegan-Danielle: avocado, strawberries, baked pita chips, organic greens, shaved Parmesan and balsamic vinaigrette. Yummy much? No wonder I like Mimi & Coco so. They took two of my favorite activities, shopping and eating and put them together in one room. Now I’m certain that things couldn’t get any better. If they build in a terrace and start offering sangria, I’m done for.

Happy summer shopping!

From Montreal,
Lindsay