Designer x Santa - Printable Christmas Cards

Joint London recently released this collection of printable Christmas Cards that give Father Christmas a much-needed makeover. Working with Coca-Cola's legendary Christmas illustration, the brand outfits Santa in designer looks from labels that include Saint Laurent, KENZO and Hood By Air among others.

The charming series dresses Santa in biker, hip-hop and hipster-inspired looks and is a style-conscious homage to the holiday season.

Authored by Jana Pijak

Images from  Designer x Santa

THE BRUNETTES @ the ‘Unfamous Man of Style & Influence’ Event

Hosted by fashionista-extraordinaire Gail McInnes of Magnet Creative Management, the ‘Unfamous Man of Style & Influence’ event celebrated world-renowned, Canadian artist Gary Taxali and the launch of his second pocket square collaboration produced exclusively for Harry Rosen.

Available in select retail locations and on www.harryrosen.com, the Gary Taxali for Unfamous ‘The Art of Flirtation’ collection is made up of five limited-edition pocket squares, all of which feature iconic prints by the artist and are crafted from 100% Italian silk. 

Designed to add a playful touch to any menswear look, Taxali’s prints illustrate the flirtatious side of both fashion and humanity.

Giving fans of art and fashion an opportunity to purchase a piece from the line and have it signed by the acclaimed artist, the ‘Unfamous Man of Style & Influence’ event was a lively way to kickoff the capsule collection and meet the man behind it all.

Authored by John Ibbitson 

Images from the THE BRUNETTES’ own collection *images from THE BRUNETTES’ collection not to be used without providing a source link to this posting

Excessively Elaborate Showpieces: The Art of Costume Exhibit Offers an Overdose of Liberace Glamour

When THE BRUNETTES travel, they always like to try to take in some kind of cultural experience related to the destination's fashion scene, history, and heritage. On his recent vacation to Las Vegas, John spent some time at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas admiring the artistry behind the intricately detailed costumes of one of Vegas's most iconic and revered performers, Liberace.

With a spotlight once again on the pianist's flamboyant wardrobe pieces at the Too Much of a Good Thing Is Wonderful: Liberace and the Art of Costume exhibit, it is easy to see how so many of today's pop stars' stage outfits have been influenced by Liberace's original wears. 

Pearls, rhinestones, beading, ruffles and lace are just some of the painstakingly adorned details of the entertainer's ornate costumes of which one can get an up-close-and-personal look in the intimate gallery space. A tribute to Vegas's past and present obsession with overstated glamour and excess, the Art of Costume exhibition not only offers insight into Liberace's love for resplendent opulence, but Vegas's as well. As Liberace said himself, "I didn't get dressed like this to go unnoticed."

Authored by John Ibbitson 

Images from THE BRUNETTES’ own collection *images from THE BRUNETTES’ collection not to be used without providing a source link to this posting

Artistic Adult Collectibles: The Design Exchange’s ‘This Is Not A Toy’ Exhibit Will Appeal to Your Inner Child

Opening to the general public today through to the 19^th of May, the ‘This Is Not A Toy’ exhibit is the latest art showcase from Toronto’s design museum, the Design Exchange. Curated by Sara Nickelson, John Wee Tom, and celebrity-guest curator Pharrell Williams, the exhibit displays adult collectibles and designer toys as artistic sculptures that comment on everything from pop culture to social issues.

Attending an advance, media preview and breakfast at the exhibit early yesterday morning, THE BRUNETTES enjoyed an exclusive sneak peek of the toy gallery’s private collections and funhouse-like surroundings. Familiar characters, celebrities, and original creations all presented in toy form inspired many at the launch to Instagram a pic of the toy that most appealed to their inner child, creating an air of playfulness that could be felt throughout the room.

Authored by John Ibbitson

Images from THE BRUNETTES’ own collection *images from THE BRUNETTES’ collection not to be used without providing a source link to this posting

Aesthetically Eerie Art Installations: THE BRUNETTES Attend the Launch of MOCCA's 'David Cronenberg: Transformation' Exhibit

We just had to wait until Halloween to post this one. Last month THE BRUNETTES made the trip over to Queen West's MOCCA (Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art) for a first look at the gallery's 'David Cronenberg: Transformation' exhibit, which is currently displaying traditional and interactive installations by six different artists who have all been inspired by Cronenberg's work and philosophies.

The event was held as a launch for the exhibit, which runs until December 29, 2013, and allowed for guests to drink, mingle, and engage in deep, existential conversations about the artworks' meanings in both MOCCA's gallery and courtyard spaces. 

Curated by MOCCA's Artistic Director, David Liss, and by Noah Cowan, the Artistic Director of TIFF Bell Lightbox, the 'David Cronenberg: Transformation' exhibit is the perfect compliment to the 'David Cronenberg: Evolution' exhibit, which opens at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on November 1, 2013, and had its VIP reception yesterday.

Authored by John Ibbitson

Images from THE BRUNETTES' own collection *images from THE BRUNETTES' collection not to be used without providing a source link to this posting

Ambiguously Disguised Catalogs: Manon Kundig's 'Bowerbird' Collection Showcases a Layering of Patterns

The Manon Kundig 'Bowerbird' collection features ambiguous and genderless garments that are enriched in a sea of painterly colors. The Antwerp-based designer takes visual inspiration from the world of popular culture and digital media and often experiments with technology to create her artfully conceived textiles.

From scarves and robes to oversized capes, models pose for this off-kilter catalog while hidden behind face-concealing disguises. Kundig's color-enriched creations are inspired by humankind and aim to blur the lines between artist and public, and stage and crowd. 

The unconventional designer experiments with strange materials and is known for working with inflatable latexes and hand-marbled silks.

Check out the above pieces and more of THE BRUNETTES' favorites from this collection here!

Authored by Jana Pijak

Images from Trend Hunter and MANON KUNDIG