Ladies Let’s Go!

 Ottawa Life Magazine is calling all women to enter for a chance to win! Our readers shall seize the opportunity to win tickets to The National Women’s Show. This event is taking place March 29th & 30th at the Ottawa Convention Centre. This means you should definitely cancel any prior

Ask Alex: Call of the Wild

 Q: Alex, I’ve been seeing animal prints everywhere lately. Is it too late buy into this look? A: Animal print is not going anywhere any time soon. It’s just one of those trends that won’t go out of style. So what are you waiting for? If you haven’t already been

Standard Apparel Launches Eco-friendly Nau Line

  This month will be an exciting one for you Ottawa eco-friendly fashionistas! Standard Apparel is distributing their Nau line: Portland-based apparel and accessories, in Ottawa. Nau creates modern and fashionable urban and outdoor apparel and accessories for both men and women. They have committed to reducing their carbon footprint by

In search of Style

 New Year, Fresh Skirt If there’s one key piece of clothing to update in your 2014 wardrobe, it’s the skirt. From A-line and pencil to trumpet and fit and flare, there’s a skirt silhouette to flatter every figure. Take your pick and pair it with a sweater or cardigan for

Scottish Designer Alice Palmer Debuts Intergalactic Collection

 Inspired by the extravagant costumes of comic book superheroes and villains, Scottish knit-wear designer Alice Palmer’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection is all about bold expressions of colour and marbled patterns. Reminiscent of thermal body scans that outline the contours of the body with bright colours, the collection uses knitted jacquard techniques

Too cool for school

 Campus or classroom, hit the halls in style. Offering over 60 brand names, NRML Femme on Rideau Street in the ByWard Market is the place to go for hip clothes, shoes, even backpacks and headphones! PHOTOGRAPHER: Paul Couvrette, Couvrette Studio www.couvrette-photography.on.ca ASSISTED BY: Christina MacPherson STYLIST: Alessandra Gerebizza ASSISTED BY:

Mad for Mod

 Want an edgier look? Stylize your final weeks of summer with a nod to the mod squad. This trend originated in London, England, peaking in the early to mid-1960s, with multiple resurgences since. There’s no denying why this trend continues to pop up on runways and this season, there’s no

Classy & Cool

 Easy and breezy is the way to dress for summer in Ottawa. Head to BGGO boutique in the Glebe for the latest hot fashions that will keep you looking cool this summer. While you're there, spend $200 or more and you'll automatically become a VIP member. Members receive 15 per

Q and Alex

 Q: I’m a woman in my fifties and I’m trying to navigate the new styles. I’m hearing that white & black is going to be popular and that it’s appropriate for all ages. Is this true? A: You can rarely go wrong when opposites attract. The black and white trend

Put Your Best Foot Forward at Dress for Success’ Annual Stepping Out Fundraiser

   Dress for Success Ottawa, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women, is hosting its third annual Stepping Out fundraiser on Thursday May 30th starting at 7pm at Lago Bar & Grill in the Dow’s Lake Pavilion. In the words of Marilyn Monroe: “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.” Dress

The Resurgence of the Knitted Look – A Pattern for Fashion Success

 By Laura Chapman The archetype of knits belonging alongside antiquated domestic drudgery and the art of housewifery has been dispelled for good. The growing trend back to this almost lost art has been taking place subtly and quietly behind the scenes and had its moment of renascent glory at the

Flat-Out Fabulous Spring Fashion

 Feel grounded this spring with these eye-catching fashions from BGGO Boutique in Ottawa's Glebe.  Photographed at the soon-to-open Fauna restaurant and bar located at 425 Bank Street in Centretown. Chef/owner Jon Svazas's menu will be seasonally driven with locally-sourced ingredients. Be sure to check it out!   STYLIST: Alessandra Gerebizza PHOTOGRAPHER: Brennan Schnell

Prints with Personality

 Unexpected graphic prints and fresh detailing equip the modern woman with stylish separates that can be tucked into a pencil skirt for work or paired with skinny jeans and boots for weekend wear. Blouse from Joe Fresh $49   Chiffon blouse at Winners $24.99   Double print blouse available at

Fashion Resolution: Be resolute in making 2013 your most fabulous year yet!

 “When opportunity knocks, answer the door in a timely fashion.” Start the New Year in style by making an effort to dress your best and take new fashion risks. Take a look at your closet and see what needs to go and what items you’ll need to invest in as

ASK ALEX: Trend Report

 Q: What three items should I add to my wardrobe this season? A: Be bright, be bold and stand out in the cold! Invest in some quality winter accessories that will make a fashion statement and function to keep you cozy. Modern updates can make over an entire look and accessories are a

‘Tis the Season for HOT OTTAWA FINDS!

           This holiday season is all about local shops. Give a gift that’s one of a kind! Check out these great looks and more at BGGO Boutique and Unique Accessories. All Clothing from BGGO Boutique in Ottawa's Glebe. www.bggo.ca HATS AND ACCESSORIES: Unique Accessories in the

Persona Non Grata: Art by Lesotho’s Orphans

 Persona Non Grata is an art show to benefit the orphans of Rachel’s Home taking place on October 10th, 2012 from 7-10 PM. This event will be held at Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts, 310 St. Patrick St., Ottawa, to raise funds for post-secondary scholarships and awareness about the

A New Face for Ottawa’s Fashion Scene

 Ottawa is home to a fashion week, fashion magazine and many fashion bloggers. Each member of this tight-knit community has their own niche, superior networking skills, and often works for free. Breaking into this microcosm is no small feat, but it is a challenge Rosina Mahlangu has accepted. On Aug.

Summer Sizzlers: Summer Loving in La Vie en Rose

 La Vie en Rose’s summer swim line channels 60’s Hollywood glam fused with the influence of an exotic getaway. Brittania Beach is the perfect back drop for summer romance in La Vie en Rose’s flattering, fun and fashionable swimwear. Stylist: Katarina Kuruc Assistant: Stephanie Vizi Photographer: Quame Scott (Q3 Studio) Models:

DIY: Cut-Out Shoulder Blouse

 The cut out shoulder blouse is one of this summer’s hottest essentials and fortunately it is very easy to make. The cut-out shoulder blouse is versatile as it can be worn with dress pants or with a pair of shorts for a weekend brunch, lunch or simply for a day around

Searching for Style on Two Wheels

 Last year, Michelle President and Zara Ansar, were bouncing at trampoline class as they gabbed about fashionable cyclists they encountered during their commutes to work. The avid cyclists realized they had found a hole in the blogosphere, which would later manifest into their biking fashion blog, Ottawa Velo Vogue. “It was

Marni Set to Collaborate with Mass Retailer H&M

 Move over Versace!  There’s a new designer set to appear in stores of the mass retailer H&M in the New Year. The high fashion label Marni is set to release its Spring 2012 collaboration on March 8th and it is without a doubt that there will be a similar reaction

LG Fashion Week Wrap-up: Wu and Micalla

 Adrian Wu Spring/Summer 2012: Creatures of Photons We all remember our firsts. First fashion show, first time reading Vogue, first designer purchase, well maybe that's just me. I will also remember Adrian Wu's first runway show at LG Fashion Week. Following Wu's career for the past year, has been a

Boutique Le Local: A true local treasure

 Clothes nowadays rarely have Made in Canada printed on the label. Marie-France Roy and Marc Gagné, owners of Boutique Le Local on Eddy Street, are working hard to change this reality. In this historic working-class neighbourhood, Roy and Gagné “provide a place de chez nous, suggesting quality and originality,” said Roy. It’s also an exclusive shop

Quadrille’s Fashion Forward Fabrics

 A unique and fashion-forward fabric and wallpaper company, Quadrille Home Couture based out of New York,  is worthy of mention especially as Fashion Week gets underway here in Ottawa this week.  Quadrille includes exquisite patterns, typically large in scale and bold in color not to mention all of which are