Whether you don a breezy dress, sneakers, a suit or an of-the-moment lace crochet top, you can’t go wrong with white this spring and summer. In all its many shades, from eggshell and frost to alabaster and vanilla, the classic neutral is popping up in everything from work wear to jeans and suiting. It’s eye-catching, versatile and statement-making, but watch out for puddles and don’t forget to carry a stain remover pen. Sha’Carri Richardson models this chic white dress that’s part of the Spring 2024 Nike x Jacquemus collection. A striking collab, it combines sportswear performance with the fl ..read more

It’s party season. Time to dress up, head out after dark and bring the shine. Whether you’re going to a gala or a New Year’s Eve soiree, to Paris or to Preston Street, have some fun with outfit combinations, styling options and touchable, tactile elements—from feathers and leathers to metallics and cocktail suits. Fashion-forward pink Tasha boots by Wishbone are absolutely furrific. brownshoes.com Put a new spin on party dressing by wearing kicky, embellished western boots with your glam outfit. You’ll stand out in the crowd, your feet will stay warm and you can dance (or ride) the night away ..read more

Award-winning actress and model Helena-Alexis Seymour is inspiring proof you can make dreams come true By Hattie Klotz With her wide smile, confident demeanor and easy-going mannerisms, you’d be forgiven for assuming that Helena-Alexis Seymour was always comfortable in the spotlight. After all, as the daughter of Angie Sakla-Seymour, CEO of Ottawa-based model and talent agency AMTI, stage presence likely runs in the family. Helena-Alexis Seymour plays a superhero in Chronicles of Jessica Wu. However, you’d be sorely mistaken. As a child, Helena-Alexis was bullied at school and crippled by shyn ..read more

Dream collaboration among fashionable friends leads to wearable works of art By Janet Wilson Photography by Richard Tardif Luc Martineau, former lawyer and Federal Court judge, was game to join forces on an art-fashion project with his good friend, photographer Richard Tardif. When well-known Ottawa photographer Richard Tardif had a bright idea for an artsy fashion project, he called up a few of his talented friends, who didn’t hesitate to jump onboard. So, what happens when you gather a renowned fashion designer, a visual artist and a milliner? An awe-inspiring collaboration that involved han ..read more

By Julie Beun Walking through the sliding glass door of Pat Flesher Luxury Outerwear feels familiar but completely foreign. Matching mini fur coats are available for your four-footed friends. Gone are the rows of rolling racks laden with beaver, mink, shearlings and fox coats and jackets that lined the floor-to-ceiling mirrored store for decades. No more is there a massive carved banker’s desk where former owner Stewart Chadnick once greeted every customer with a generous smile and a genuine inquiry after their health. The renovated space is sleek and contemporary, courtesy of the vision of ne ..read more

Mandy Gosewich’s Stunning style reigns over Ottawa’s ByWard Market By Julie Beun Photographs by Ashley Fraser Makeup: www.meredithlyman.com Of all the surprises one finds in walking into Mandy Gosewich’s world, the biggest is the size of her empire. It’s tiny. Like 329 square feet of tiny. Stunning!, Mandy Gosewich’s pocket-sized store at 6 York Street, is hard to walk past. You can’t miss the big silver gates or the mesmerizing purple lights. The owner is dazzling, too. Not that tiny is a bad thing. Stunning!, her pocket-sized store at 6 York Street—you can’t miss the big silver gates or the ..read more

Frederik is dapper in hues of blue. His slim-fit blazer, suit pants, merino wool sweater and loafers are from H&M, Rideau Centre. Jessica is beautiful in a deep blue, midi wrap dress, nude pumps and earrings from Banana Republic, Rideau Centre. Imagine a perfect day. A glamorous mansion. A beautiful couple who are effortlessly elegant in head-to-toe hues. This colour story, in shades of blue, mauve, teal, onyx and red, showcases the possibilities of monochrome dressing. Impossibly soigné and flattering to boot, the look projects confidence and poise. It’s also a classic fashion statement w ..read more

Tired of those same old outfits? Bust out of your comfort-wear cocoon and embrace some colourful, statement-making looks that spark joy. Skittles ScarfDesigner Anu Raina is causing a stir in art and fashion circles. This square silk satin scarf is one of her original prints, designed and manufactured in Toronto. anuraina.com Beautiful BluesThis shawl by Anu Raina was inspired by the wild and majestic beauty of lupines. Made with 70 per cent fine wool and 30 per cent silk, it’s a versatile accessory that will elevate your outfits long after the real blooms have faded. anuraina.com Iconic Yves S ..read more

Whether she’s on the runway or in the hallway at the Château Laurier, Herieth Paul shines. By Pam Dillon Photography by Kathi Robertson & Michael Lucy On a Sunday afternoon, Herieth Paul’s impossibly long, beautiful legs are flopped over the side of a chair in the presidential suite at Ottawa’s Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel. Her feet are bare and her smile is dazzling. Picture perfect: Herieth is beautiful in a dress and statement necklace from Anik Boutique. In one hand she’s twirling a toothpick with a cube of cheese. A pair of studded, black pumps are on the floor by the chair and the ..read more

Photos by Elen Marti Ruff Sophistication: This lacy confection is a modern iteration of the Elizabethan collar. The 16th-century version was a luxury item and status symbol. Today’s take is an eye-catching fashion statement.  In today’s selfie culture—filtered, retouched and edited to unrealistic perfection, there’s power in celebrating individuality. Former model Elen Marti knows all about it. That’s why, as a photographer, she’s using her camera to draw attention to uniqueness. When model Rachel Dickson isn’t posing for the camera, she’s studying for a degree in communications and publi ..read more