By Crystal Carson

Photography
Fiona Garden for NOBASURA.com
Makeup and Hair
Caitlin Callahan for NOBASURA.com
Stylist and Producer
Crystal Carson for Mode Models
Models
Danielle Kremeniuk for triskotalent.com
Woody for richardsmodels.com

We all love to feel beautiful. Nothing makes you glow more than a romantic night with the one you love. This season, wrap yourself in the sexy fabrics and sparkling details, perfect for every special occasion.

SHOT 1
Danielle
Lotus kimono robe/$2,795
Cranberry body sugar/frillylilly.ca/$28
Grapefruit bubble bath/frillylilly.ca/$20

SHOT 2
Danielle
Gold Bouquet baby doll/D&G/$285
Floral Mary Jane pump/Prada shoe/$885
Silver crystal-encrusted heel/Roger Vivian/$1,495
Black Whisper satin blouse (Bettina)/Una Bella Boutique/$455
Black jersey gown with cascade (Miranda)/Una Bella Boutique/$890
Gold dot jersey cocktail dress (Blaire)/Una Bella Boutique/$720
Silk cotton voile pebble-print gown (Samira)/Una Bella Boutique/$980

SHOT 3
Woody
Pajamas/Burberry/$275

SHOT 4
Danielle
Silk cotton voile pebble-printed gown (Samira)/Una Bella Boutique/$980
Diamond necklace/Tiffany’s/$21,500
Diamond drop earrings/Tiffany’s/$7,150

Woody
Martini pinstripe suit/Dolce & Gabanna/$2,195
Twill white dress shirt/Armani/$295

SHOT 5
Danielle
Satin and crystal anklet sandal/Manolo blanik/$1,250
Black sequinned cocktail dress (Madison) /Una Bella Boutique/$1,200

Woody
Tuxedo/Armani/$2,050
Twill white dress shirt/Armani/$295
Black patent leather shoe/Salvatore Feragamo/$520

COVER SHOT
Danielle
Gold dot jersey cocktail dress (Blaire)/Una Bella Boutique/$720 CAD
Shoes: model’s own

Woody
Martini pinstripe suit pant/Dolce & Gabanna/$2,195
Wool vest/Paul Smith/$229
Twill white dress shirt/Armani/$295

By Caroline Gutierrez

The Valley may not be home to Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive, but our residents step out in style every day wearing creations from both local and international designers. Turn back any collar and you’ll see a label that you may have hanging in your own closet, or one you’ve never heard of. Regardless, Valley women know how to dress and stay fashionably cool in the rising heat.

Misty Lee
Dress: Croll Blue
Jewelry: Local designer Carol Lee

Jerin Harvey
Dress: Wet Seal
Shoes: Bandolino

Melayna Lokosky
Dress: James Perse for Heidi Boutique
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Jewelry: Ethan Arpell
Bag: Chanel
Sunglasses: Chrome Hearts

Vicky Namihas
Pants: Nordstrom
Top: Old Navy
Shoes: Banana Republic
Bag: Nordstrom

By Theresa Willbye

Temperatures are heating up all across the country, and this spring’s 2008 collections are hotter than any of them. This year, there seems to be something for everyone. From vibrant, electric statements to laidback bohemian chic, fashion staples are available to all, regardless of age and body shape.

Fashion as art takes form with hand-painted flowers and designs embellished on garments. Tribal, tropical, and floral prints accentuate outfits. Palette choice is a key to this season. According to the Pantone Fashion Color Report for spring 2008, top season colors include Golden Olive, Spring Crocus, Rococo Red, Pink Mist, Croissant, Freesia, Cantaloupe, Daiquiri Green, Snorkel Blue, and Silver Gray.

Stylish fabrics of silk, chiffon, and lace adorn top models as they maneuver gracefully down the catwalk. Denim has taken a shift from the traditional dark blue, and style icons will now sport shades of light-wash denim.

Dresses are a strong feature in all the 2008 collections. More figure-enhancing shapes are replacing the mock dress, which has graced our closets throughout previous seasons. Think Grecian goddess, as maxi dresses and skirts hit the runway hard, enveloping sensuality and feminism. The spring maxi is more close-cut than the 2007 version. Many designers are employing tiering, allowing them to add extra dimensions to their style, and dresses also favor one-shoulder or halter-neck styles. Shorts are another popular choice this spring. They are shorter than usual, and the most fashionable trend is wide and loose with a smart, casual feel.

The fashion-savvy businesswoman can avail herself of the new in-style sharp tailored lines designed for the work environment. The new asymmetrical cuts are in the new black: silver gray. Pencil skirts make a refreshing comeback, ending either slightly above or below the knee. Trousers wave goodbye to the low hip-hugging style as highlighted in previous seasons and say hello to high waists, low crotches, and wide legs. Shirts make dramatic statement with high or ruffled necklines.

Feet will slip into changes, too. The wedge sandal is the trendiest footwear of the season. Like the previous flat styles, the wedge heel offers great comfort and support, making it a must-have for the extra height and glamour we have been waiting for.

Keeping with current trends, no outfit is complete without the use of accessories. Belts are thin, and worn to accentuate the narrowest part of your waistline. You will still see plenty of oversize tote bags in bright, daring colors, but the clutch bag is making a comeback on the runway. Silk scarves, gypsy hair bands, and hats are all used to adorn the head. Jewelry remains large and chunky, in various colors.

The spring 2008 trends are the most diverse seen in a long time. This season, everyone will be able take their favorite catwalk look to their local high streets.

By Kanksha Mehta

Danese Creations’ unassuming corner location contrasts with the bridal chest of nostalgia-inspiring trousseau items awaiting the new bride, when owner Sylvia Danese-DiCola welcomes her into her elegant shop.

Since 1971, Danese-DiCola has followed in her grandmother’s and mother’s footsteps, having learned the art of dressmaking in Mexico, where she spent her childhood and youth. She is known as the Fairy Godmother of Fashion, and rightfully so: She managed to save a wedding by making a full-length, fully-lined wedding dress from start to finish in just two hours and fifty minutes. Her boutique reflects her expertise and flying fingers in the hand-sewn fineries that are her very own. One of her original dresses, worn to the 2005 Emmys, created such publicity that the nationally syndicated Inside Edition featured Sylvia and her dress on their next episode.

Pure passion goes into every gown she makes, and that passion has landed her a spot as a semiregular guest on Channel 3’s Good Morning America. But there are plenty of other reasons for a bride to get excited about Danese Creations. Any bride entering the shop will feel an immediate flurry of delight similar to what a child feels in a candy store as she takes in the handmade treats inside: drapes of white silk and taffeta, vintage mannequins, ball gowns, beading, flower girl dresses, embroidered gloves, and gracefully netted veils. Hundreds of fabric rolls from around the world, in every material and color, overflow in the fabric room among jewelry cases and bustier fittings.

Danese Creations, says Danese-DiCola, is a place where brides hear, “Yes, we can. Just say when.” Custom everything is the specialty, and every woman walks away with exactly what she desires. Danese-DiCola envisions a dress the moment she lays eyes on her client, including even such details as the shape of her eyes in the creation of the bride’s wedding dress. She can make a garment from a picture or drawing, and is an expert at redesigning heirloom gowns and finding ways to make gowns that are too large or too small fit.

Any new bride would surely love to find herself inside this enchanted shop, being draped in rich material during a fitting for one of Danese-DiCola’s luxurious one-of-a-kind creations; and later, walking down the aisle looking like the queen that she is.

Visit danesecreations.com for more information.

By Meaghen Ng

For some, motivation to hit the gym, take an exercise class, or do any other form of working out is as simple as envisioning oneself in a two-piece barely there bikini. Not the best mental picture. Yes, this is most often the best incentive to drive oneself to exercise; this year, however, with a focus on fashion sportswear, we now can add a healthy dose of fashion into our fitness regime.

Summer makes navigating your local gym parking lot onerous—all the more reason to bike or jog there. Once inside, lengthy gym lineups make it easy to blow off the elliptical in favor of hand-to-mouth repetitions on sun-filled city patios. To the extent that many of us are health conscious, we’re also prone to staying indoors once the weather becomes undesirable. If we do manage to scrape ourselves off the couch, usual exercise apparel may consist of old college sweats and oversized tees that doubled as nightgowns.

At least, it used to be. Stella McCartney has recently launched a sportswear line for Adidas, and she has followed the trend to design casual counterparts for the sophisticated set wanting to look their best at lunch-hour workouts. There are many innovative athletic apparel pioneers, and mangy gym gear just doesn’t cut it anymore. Our elevated standards demand the right fit, function, and fabric, all part and parcel to our healthy lifestyle mantra. Recently, there has been a shift in designing activewear, whereas years past saw fit and function take precedent over fashion.

Perhaps because of our lifestyles that are active in every sense, being busy requires style collections to take us from exercise class to afternoon tasks without a wardrobe change in between. At the forefront of this shift are styles to suit every body. For men and women of all ages and every shape and size, athletic ateliers have answered the bell.

Start with quality fabrics in sustainable options: hemp, organic cotton, soy, and bamboo are excellent picks for activewear. Surprisingly, they’re also luxuriously soft and can add a feminine flair to a largely masculine-centered field. With natural abilities to breathe better than what processed fabrics have, they’re fast drying and wick away moisture, and also have antibacterial properties that are resistant to mold and mildew. In addition, ecofibers are hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and UV resistant—great for outdoors summer activities.

Invest in quality basics (trainers, pants, sports bras) and supplement with funky accessories, tees, and tanks. Yes, the ’70s short-short is back, but only sport this trend if you’re actually sporty. Summer also means the start-up of beer leagues and baseball. This could be the time to let your inner fashionista shine, even if your baseball swing doesn’t. Don’t be afraid to step up to bat in a creation all your own. Headbands, wristbands, knee-high socks, whatever—the key is to have fun.

In building a good gym wardrobe, look for styles that suit your lifestyle. At the very least, looking the part may help to get you to the gym (and bypass the beach). If all else fails, at least you’re dressed appropriately.