Soon, it will mark three years that I have been talking to you about trends, fashion finds, beauty looks and favourite items on Complexe Les Ailes blog, it’s crazy how time flies by! This year, we’re making a little change: Complexe Les Ailes is arriving on Pinterest. I will once again be in charge of sharing with you inspirational pictures, fashion and beauty finds and the best looks of the season, all within trendy and eye-catching boards.

So as of today, meet me at http://pinterest.com/complexlesailes/ and start pinning with me!

-Anik

Spring has inspired us a colourful promotional Campaign, with a fun and whimsical touch. Enter in Complexe Les Ailes’ “backyard”, where a magnificent grass path is waiting for you, at the entrance of Sainte-Catherine Street. Come downtown to feel under your feet Montreal’s first grass of the season!

Enjoy watching the making of video of the Campaign!

Every week, discover bright spring events designed just for you.

Beauty session given by Sephora: tips to take care of your skin for the new season and S/S 2013 make up tends.

Friday, April 5th, 2013 at 12:15 pm and 4:30 pm.

New Balance event: how to properly start training at Spring and the benefit of sport for the body.

Friday, April 19, 2013 at 12:15 pm and 4:30 pm.

Yoga session

Saturday, May 4, 2013, from 10 to 11:30 am.

Benefit of your visit to participate in “Cherche et Trouve” contest, you could win one of four Complexe Les Ailes gift cards in the amount of $250.

Rules and regulation

The new boutique LZ², located on the level 2 of the Complexe Les Ailes, opened its doors in the past months and I stopped by last week to check it out. In a black and white slick decor, you will find a selection of clothing from street wear brands like X-Large Clothing and Comme Des Garçons Play. You can also get some cool caps, the funny Ugly Dolls as well as the Converse x Comme des Garçons Play shoes. Check it out!

First, with lipstick trends, vibrant colours are still very much the way to go and an eye-catching palette of colours is offered this season. The shade to lighten up your look is definitely orange, as seen at Missoni. Wear it with a matte finish and a natural bare face. It is followed by a pretty fuchsia, like at Dries Van Noten, which will be perfect with romantic hair and a little floral dress. Finally, completely opposite oranges and pinks we have the nude lips trends, seen at Gucci. Try a very pale pink lipstick or creamy beige, which you can pair with a bolder eye makeup.

As for eye makeup, I got hooked on the bottom lash eyeliner trend done in green, as seen at Stella McCartney. How perfect, since emerald was named colour of the year by Pantone, so we will see a lot more of that shade.

Finally, for hair trends, add a little cutesy detail to your hairdo with bobby pins near the temples, like on the runway of Cacharel or seen on Katharine McPhee, star of hit show Smash. While straight and polished hairs are very much on trend for springtime, so are wavy and natural locks.  I personally like the tousled hair from Burberry Prorsum, which was created using the spray featured in the #6 below.

What do you think of these six beauty looks? Which one do you prefer?

1. Colorsensational Vivids from Maybelline in shade Vibrant Mandarin, $9.49 at Jean Coutu.

2. Chubby Stick Intense from Clinique in shade Plushest Punch, $19 at Sephora.

3. Lasting Finish by Kate from Rimmel in shade 113, $7.69 at Jean Coutu.

4. Metallic bobby pins kit, $7 at Sephora, and Goody package, $5.29 at Jean Coutu.

5. Emerald green graphic liner from Pantone + Sephora, $20 at Sephora, and Stylo Regard from Yves Rocher, $12 at Yves Rocher.

6. Does It All Spray from Bumble and Bumble, $18 at Sephora, and Surf Spray from Bumble and Bumble, $30 at Sephora

 

Stripes are back in full force for Spring 2013 and are playing it out in many different trendy looks depending on your sartorial taste: chic and classic, preppy, retro, etc. No matter what is the look you are aiming for, it’s going to be graphic, vertical, horizontal or diagonal and most likely black and white; a follow-up to the contrasting trend seen on this blog two weeks ago. Swinging Sixties inspiration at Marc Jacobs and Moschino, nautical and all-american at Tommy Hilfiger, nineties flashback at Balmain or loose and silky at Chloé, the stripes are sometimes fine, sometimes bold. Just like the black and white dress of actress Chloe Grace Moretz and the top of it-girl Olivia Palermo. Personally, I love Olivia’s more accessible look with its perfect touch of red.

The trick when you are playing with stripes is to balance your look with a plain colour, like by adding a cardigan or cool jeans, if you want to avoid a “Beetlejuice” style,. A pop of colour, either with an item of clothing or accessories, is also a great idea when wearing black and white stripes.

How do you wear your stripes?

1. Blouse, $23,80 at XXI Forever

2. Dress, $138 at Tommy Hilfiger

3. Black dress with striped bottom, $185 at Axara

4. Bag, $30 at Spring

5. Blazer, $29,80 at XXI Forever

6. Pants, $58 at Tommy Hilfiger

Mint green and soft turquoise, cotton-candy pink and buttery yellow, the fabrics are light and the cuts very feminine. Play with textures, like the mix of satin in powder pink seen on Celine’s runway, and layering of different shades, as perfected by Donna Karan. For a more modern twist, but still equally feminine, add a touch of black to your pastel look, like at Christian Dior. Immaculate white, a must during the warm seasons, is also very chic when paired with macaroon shades. You can dare the monochrome look and play with a gradient of one pastel colour in your look to give it some dimension. And finally, also try the trend with your beauty products, from your nails to your eyes.

As for you, how do you wear your pastel?

1. Sandals, $40 at Spring

2. Low-heeled shoes, $40 at Spring

3. Yellow blouse, $23.80 at XXI Forever

4. Cream eye shadow, $19 at Yves Rocher

5. Ring, $165 at Swarovski

6. Aqua dress with pearled collar, $35.80 at XXI Forever

7. Peplum skirt, $12.80 at XXI Forever

For its 5^th edition, under the theme « Labyrinth », Art Souterrain celebrates contemporary art and culture by offering an artistic path through the heart of the largest underground city in the world. 120 artworks of local and international artists will be installed among 14 buildings and three subway stations, through a 7 km underground path.

Complexe Les Ailes, will take part to the activities beginning March 2, from 6 pm to 3 am as part of the Nuit Blanche à Montréal of the Montreal High Lights Festival and will run to March 17, 2013.

Complexe Les Ailes proudly presents the following activities:

Atelier PostScriptum presents ICI, an urban graphic in situ / in visu / in motu. The installation, HERE, surpasses the boundaries of the map to print itself onto architectural space. Maps of the underground pose two questions:
"Where are we? "and" Which way do we go?" The workshop explores spatial reference by conflating the answers "You are here! "and" Follow here!" The layout of the installation suggests a similar reflection on space as it delineates the path of those who use Montreal’s underground system.

Oli Sorenson presents ANTIMAP29, a piece of art builds on a process commonly used in festive settings to presents monumental images with dramatic effects. The “architectural mapping” process is reinserted here in a more intimate context, within an aesthetic influenced by Op Art and Daniel Buren. By placing three-dimensional shapes between the projector and its more conventionally flat screen, a dialogue is created between the original video images and their distorted projections. This leads to an experience that is both cinematographic and sculptural. To this end, the absence of sound magnifies issues of spatialization and labyrinthian diversions.

Angora in collaboration with Artv presents ASSISE CREATIVE, a bench that will be covered with different recycled textiles. The public is invited to make themselves comfortable, while enjoying a moment of warmth and relaxation. Throughout the rest of the festival, the public is encouraged to collaborate on a collective artwork: after thinking about an image or word that evokes serenity and quietness, passerby can embroidery these onto the bench. Every addition will bring a new meaning to the installation and to the public space in which it stands.

Ivanov Stoeva / Atelier Postscriptum / Oli Sorenson

La Camaraderie presents ARBRE À SOUHAITS. At first the tree is bare, but gradually the spectators dress it up with their wishes or the wishes of their loved ones. The tree becomes the portrait of the people that have crossed its path at a specific moment. It anonymously collects the dreams, hopes or fantasies of the people who wish to express them, while the tree makes them accessible for those curious enough to read them. The wish tree is waiting for your contribution!

Ivanov Stoeva presents FOSSÉ, an artwork that emerges from a double encounter. The first is the result of a collision between a particular light source and a specific material. The second one, as a-tour-de-force, is a surprising clash between the spatiality of the artwork and the space created in the viewer’s mind. The installation offers a sensory experience that impacts our perceptions of matter and space.

Come visit us at the metro level, beginning March 2^nd, from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., then until March 17^th, during opening hours of the Mall.

Angora / Marc André Goulet / La Camaraderie

Saturday, March 9, from 1:30 pm to 6 pm, take part in the Spotlight Event during which interactive activities will be presented. Angora group will be back to continue their ASSISE CRÉATIVE artwork, and they will need your help to cover the Artv bench with words that evoke quietness. Moreover, you are invited to meet Albane Guy and Alexandre Renzo, part of La Camaraderie, to discuss their ARBRE À SOUHAITS or simply add your contribution to the tree. Finally, artist Marc André Goulet will present CAPTURE, a visual research that questions one’s connection with the other and presents a commentary on the culture of narcissism. Activities will be held at the metro level, it’s a rendezvous!

For more information, reserve a guided tour or to download the audio guide, visit ArtSouterrain.com. A free iPhone application is also available.

Of course, this duo is a real classic. Who never wore a white blouse with black pants ? This combo is so easy to recreate and this Spring, it is the coolest and trendiest contrast of them all. Cropped white top with black leather pants at Balmain,  black tuxedo blazer and white skirt at Lanvin, the look is minimalist, strong and graphic. It was also seen on the runways of Givenchy, Jil Sander, Alexander Wang and Chloe, to name just a few. Beyonce is also wearing a black and white creation from Balenciaga on the cover of the new American Vogue. Gorgeous ! As for actress Brittany Snow, known for her role in the movie Hairspray, she wears the cool trio of blazer, shorts and buttoned-up blouse. I also like the touch of neon to Hayden Panettiere’s look, a nice way to punch up a more basic outfit.

The key to successfully recreate this trend is to keep your black and white combo minimal and to not overdo it. Don’t put too many pieces of opposite tones together, stick with one key piece, like a blazer or jeans. Play with contrasting accessories, like a white belt on a black dress. Also, try pieces that have black and white details (see #1 and #5) for a graphic look. You can also play with the trend on your nails. If you are not a nail art pro, don’t worry, check out my fab find #6 !

My picks:

1. Short-sleeved sweater, $23.80 at Forever 21

2. White blazer, $145 at Terra Nostra

3. Wedge sneakers, $60 at Spring

4. White pumps, $50 at Spring

5. Black and white blazer, $33.80 at Forever 21

6. Essie Sleek Stick nail stickers, $15 at Runway Beauty Bar

7. Necklace, $280 at Swarovski

8. White skirt, $65 at Terra Nostra

9. Blouse, $27.80 at Forever 21

photo credit: Jimmy Hamelin and team

Designer Natasha Thomas opened fashion week with her line By Thomas and she showed us a clean collection with a discreet colour palette of black, grey, cream, burgundy and antique pink. Her strength: coats, which are always very well cut.

Melissa Nepton got inspired by the equestrian world for her collection rich in mix fabrics, graphic prints and layering. The silhouettes are loose, the cuts are comfortable and the woman, very confident.

Nadya Toto stayed true to her very ladylike signature with this baroque-inspired collection offering floral prints, embroideries and black lace. The sophisticated and chic woman will be pleased.

Pao Lim and Danielle Martin, the duo behind brand Martin Lim, dazzled us with their modern collection full of fringes brilliantly used. Fluidity, captivating cobalt blue and futuristic accents. My favorite show of the season.

photo credit: Jimmy Hamelin and team

Mariouche Gagné made a return on the runway to show her ecoluxe line Harricana and her collaborations with sport brand Rossignol and knits Rino Rossi. Fabulous recycled fur coats and accessories and after-ski looks that will appeal to men and women.

Toronto designer Rachel Sin presented a collection that was structured and feminine, with contrasting panels, perfect dresses for the office and cool tuxedo jackets.

It was a glamorous return on the runway for Rush Couture by Claudette Floyd with a first part of baroque-inspired pieces followed by evening gowns in black and white.

photo credit: Jimmy Hamelin and team

The Target Emerging Designer Award fashion show closed the 24^th edition of MFW and the five finalists, By Thomas, Anastasia Lomonova, Nisse, Unttld and Melissa Nepton, presented three looks each in front of a jury and the public. After much deliberation, Melissa Nepton won the $25,000 grant and will have the chance to design a collection that will be in the future Target stores in Quebec.

And this is what concludes my little resume of MFW! I invite you to check out  official photo galleries on the Sensation Mode website.

The pairing of black and white is one of main trend of the season. From Chanel, Givenchy, to Alexander Wang and Balmain, the combination of these two opposite shades is adding a minimalist and very chic allure to a look. Plus, it’s very easy to replicate, and the options are endless.

Vivid colours are once again inevitable, but this time, they are to be worn in a total look. Cobalt blue (one of the key colours of the season) at Elie Saab and Chanel, yellow at Gucci, green at Stella McCartney and orange at Carolina Herrera, monochrome is here to add some punch to those who will dare to try it on.

The mix of prints for the new season requires a sharp eye and a dose of boldness. Get inspired by designer Dries van Noten and his grungy mix of prints perfectly executed, by Marc by Marc Jacobs and his colorful patchwork or by Max Mara and his combination of leopard and plaid.

Charmingly feminine or with a classic austerity, ruffles are added to dresses, blouses and airy skirts at Chloé, Givenchy, Balenciaga, Gucci and Isabel Marant. Play with proportions and light fabrics for a very chic result.

And finally, graphic stripes established themselves as the essential trend of the new season. Vertical, horizontal, diagonal or curved, they dominated the collections of Marc Jacobs and Tommy Hilfiger and stood out at Michael Kors, Balmain, Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana.

Come back every week on the blog to discover more about each of the trends and even more from your favorite boutiques at the Complexe Les Ailes.

(photos via style.com)