Monday, October 31, 2011 at 9:37AM 
Rachel Weisz does Hallowe'en right - Vogue, October 2008
A Nicholas Kirkwood jack-o-lantern - Photo courtesy Vogue.com
Happy Hallowe'en my sweet things! Whether you dress up today or play it safe in your civvies, I implore you to eat as many mini chocolate bars as you can. Calories don't count today. Hooray! xo
Hallowe'en Vogue Sarah Francis. Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 1:45PM 
Versace for H&M's Lookbook - modeled by the glorious Abbey Lee Kershaw (images: KACPER KASPRZYK)
I wouldn't exactly call myself a Versace girl. If Donatella had her way with me, she'd dye my hair platinum blonde, pump collagen into my lips while adhering fake lashes to my eyes and, after throwing me to the floor and holding me down with her 6-inch heels, attack me with a bedazzler while screaming, 'VICTORYYYY!!!' Donatella has always scared me a little - see below: (not new but still funny..)
And yet, there's a side to Versace that's so OTT, that it's actually kind of good. And now that the label is coming to H&M, I might just get my glam on. The latest collaboration sees iconic Versace pieces, reimagined for H&M - think wild prints, bold colour and sexy dresses.
"The collection for H&M is the essence of Versace. For the collaboration we've brought back from the archives, as well as from more recent collections, some of the icons of Versace such as the bright prints, the Greek key and daring cuts. I can't wait to see how H&M’s wide audience will make these pieces their own." Donatella Versace.
In the market for a perfect party dress? The collection is available in Canada on November 19th at select H&M stores (Eaton Centre, Yorkdale, Bloor, Peel/St.Catherine (Montreal), and Pacific Centre (Vancouver) (just in time for the holidays) and prices range from $19.95 to $299.
Be sure to check out more from the Versace for H&M lookbook in my article at ivillage.ca
Fall 2011, H&M, Versace, Versace for H&M Sarah Francis. Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 2:16PM 
Joe Mimran, the man behind Joe Fresh, is calm, cool and always collected before his big show. The reason? He wears bad-ass skull slippers. Yargh! (Photos: Sarah Francis)
I wish I could find fault with Joe Mimran; I wish I saw his collection and thought, 'Yawn', or could be snooty about the fact that his line is sold at grocery stores. I've heard all the hater talk: that they're expanding too quickly and that maybe we should knock Joe Fresh down a few pegs before they get too big for their chinos; that the really great runway looks never actually make it past the big city stand-alone shops, leaving the rest of us with the basics.
But when it comes right down to it, none of those things bother me because I'm a true Joe Fresh fan. In only 5 years, Joe Mimran has created a bit of a fashion empire, in a country known for its talent, but not for its bulldozing rule-breakers. His collections are always sharp, sweet and refreshing, his models are always at the top of their game (this season, every one was Canadian) and for a girl like me who lives in a little town, his affordable clothes are my everyday fashion lifeline.
The Spring 2012 show proved that Joe Fresh just keeps getting better. The collection was full of no holds barred saturated brights which popped beautifully against crisp, bright whites. Juicy orange blazers (for him and her), went right to my mental must-have list, as did a pretty low-backed striped tank dress. A white shirt with a crisp yellow collar and an assymetrical colour-blocked yellow sleeve was far from average and a pair of floral-printed aqua pants looked anything but budget.
The real showstoppers came, most surprisingly, in menswear. Where once the Joe Fresh men's collection seemed a little bit like an afterthought (both on the runway and off), Spring brought the boys to the forefront. Checked pants worn with a navy trench and covetable blazers galore in super fun prints were a huge departure from seasons past. This new collection (assuming it comes to stores) should push some Canadian boys out of their comfort zone a little and since it's Joe Fresh, every guy will finally be able to afford to take some fashion risks.
Check out the collection below. It's not even winter yet, but I'm already yearning for spring. Thoughts?
Photo Credit: George Pimentel, courtesy Joe Fresh
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 4:17PM 
This new cable-knit sweater from Gap is just so pretty! I love the strategic navy stripes that give a traditional knit a little badass edge. The menswear-inspired lambswool fisherman's sweater ($64.95) also comes in jewel-toned and neutral stripes.
Shop your stripes now at gapcanada.ca or at Gap stores nationwide.
Gap, Gap Striped Cable Sweater Sarah Francis. Friday, October 21, 2011 at 4:43PM 
Pretending not to notice the camera, waiting for the ATTITUDE Jay Manuel by Sears show to start on Tues. night. That's me sitting with the editors of Sweetspot. (Image: Erin Simkin - Toronto Life)
If you read this blog regularly, you know that I'm the furthest thing from a fashion snob. Still, when it comes to stepping through the doors of Sears, I've always dragged my heels. Though it's tough to change people's perceptions (especially fashion people), ATTITUDE is making me reconsider the store. And, the ATTITUDE show has become one of the most coveted tickets of LG Fashion Week, especially since Jay Manuel took creative control of the brand.
Wednesday's show was packed with modern gypset looks, with tonnes of resort wear in punchy colours and prints, off-set by bold, graphic black & white looks. The styling, not surprisingly, was what really made the clothes shine. Yasmin Warsame & co. showed them off to their best potential, too. But when it comes right down to it, will the clothes really be as great under the harsh fluorescent lights of Sears? Hoping so...
Here are some of my fave looks from the show. I LOVE the white shirt with the pink pants. Pretty! What do you think?
P.S - Check back next week for a full recap of Toronto's LG Fashion Week. I've got behind-the-curtain pics, the latest fashion crowd favourites and, of course, a fun giveaway. Happy weekend! xo
(Images via Toronto Life: Jenna Marie Wakani)