By Nadia Mostafa and Ada Yakobi Photography by Chris Davison, Armada Music and courtesy of Markus Schulz They travel the world and have millions of dedicated fans. Their creativity is guided by their passion for music. They often work together and bounce ideas off of each other. For more than 15 years, Armin van Buuren...… [more]

By Katia Ostapets Photography by Tara West A wife, mother, world traveler and principal dancer for The National Ballet of Canada — Greta Hodgkinson finds time for it all. The Warwick, Rhode Island, native has made Toronto her home, and as one of the most distinguished dancers at the National Ballet of Canada, she has performed all over the...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon Sitting in a high-ceiling space with no windows, Arisa Cox and I are joking about lightning. It’s a Sunday afternoon, and we are surrounded by rows of chairs in the “elimination area” of Big Brother Canada. To put things in perspective, we aren’t discussing a phenomenon of nature...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Robin Gartner There are many things that people don’t know about Robin Kay. It’s important to preface this statement with the fact that, as a public figure, she has played an essential role in the Canadian fashion industry, especially in the last 13 years. Kay founded Toronto Fashion Week, launched...… [more]

By Katia Ostapets Photography courtesy of Vince Camuto High heels don’t normally pair with comfort – but Vince Camuto knows how it’s done. Since co-founding the internationally recognized brand, Nine West, he has been truly unstoppable in his international fashion collaborations. After launching four footwear brands for Dillard’s Department Stores, Camuto acquired footwear licenses for BCBG Max Azria and...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon It all started in the kitchen. One day, Heather Reier decided to do some research on beauty products. She browsed the Internet and read a couple of books. The next thing she knew, Reier was mixing ingredients in a large bowl with a hand mixer, trying to create...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Tara West She is quiet and polite, with a warm smile. Meg Tilly came to our interview with her husband, writer Don Calame. She wanted to take a cab, but the weather was terrible and Calame decided to drive her. He sat on the other end of the venue and...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon Models strut down the catwalk. Hundreds of photographers argue in the photo pit. Designers frantically run around to make sure everything is ready. Reporters share gossip and file stories from their computers in the media lounge. Televisions everywhere broadcast the latest from the runway. People. Fashion. New York....… [more]

By Katherine Ellis Photography by Aleyah Solomon Speaking in a beautiful accent à la Montréalaise, Valérie Dumaine chats about her love for languages, including Russian and Italian (which she would love to learn) and German (in which she is fluent). Switching easily between languages, we chat about her fateful trip to Germany, which gave Dumaine...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Robin Gartner Hair and make-up: Joanne Parks Caitlin Cronenberg’s pictures speak for themselves. Although she has photographed some of the most prolific actors of our time, arguably the most memorable part of each photo is its photographic presentation. The pictures are creative, they convey emotion and feeling. They speak to...… [more]

By Katia Ostapets Photography by Kareen Mallon Sitting in their warm and colourful Queen West apartment and studio, Chris Tyrell and Jim Searle of Hoax Couture chat with FAJO about their incredible decades-long journey in the fashion world. As founders of the popular charity fashion show Dare to Wear Love Gala, they strive for social justice...… [more]

By Katherine Ellis Photography by Tara West Following her latest television shoot, Janette Ewen’s energy and infectious laugh punctuate our interview, as we chat about furniture, tips on how to put a personal touch on your home and ways in which a personal style can evolve over time. A familiar face in the media, Ewen...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon Yannick Bisson and I sit down for an interview at Barberian’s Steak House in Toronto – a venue he and his wife like to frequent. I feel like I’m travelling back in time and immediately think about Bisson’s Murdoch Mysteries. After all, the venue is home to artifacts and...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon Ainsley Kerr is soft-spoken and feminine, while her friendly nature makes her extremely down-to-Earth. A well-known figure on the Canadian fashion scene, Kerr is frequently in attendance at many high-profile shows, often accompanied by her equally stylish mother. She is also a supporter of the charity sector and...… [more]

By Julia Eskins Over the years, FAJO has featured some of the most influential people in the worlds of fashion, art, beauty and culture. From top Canadian designers to trailblazing entrepreneurs, we’ve sat down to chat with the successful and stylish industry leaders of today. In light of the New Year, our editorial team has...… [more]

By Katherine Ellis Photography by Tara West Since she opened her first store in Toronto, Ines Di Santo has grown to become a Canadian evening gown and wedding dress magnet whose designs are sought all over the globe – from Canada to Dubai. Di Santo was born in Italy, raised in Buenos Aires and she...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Robin Gartner Hair by Rose Corbo Make-up by Dawna Boot Suzanne Rogers greets us in her living room. She is wearing a Dolce & Gabbana dress with a floral pattern, her make-up is flawless and she has her hair up. A little puppy runs around, but then politely stops and...… [more]

By Katherine Ellis Photography courtesy of Ekaterina Kukhareva Ekaterina Kukhareva burst onto the fashion scene using a fabric seldom seen in high-end couture. Kukhareva’s knitwear – conceived, designed and created by the designer – offers her unique pieces dimension, structure and feeling. Her Russian roots, love of history and interest in powerful women are also...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon In a jam-packed venue, the audience eagerly clapped, nodded in approval and shouted words of support after the show. It was a long runway presentation that was a true feast for the eyes – plenty of silks, trendy oversized eyewear and funky stilettos. A stylist next to me...… [more]

By Julia Eskins Photography By Aleyah Solomon, Javier Lovera and courtesy of Redken From Oct.22 to Oct.26, style savvy eyes were on the World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto. Runways were set ablaze with head-to-toe glamour created by Canadian fashion designers, Maybelline Canada, Redken and their teams. Throughout the five-day spring/summer 2013 showcase, notable beauty trends...… [more]

By Julia Eskins Photography by Tara West You hear it time and time again, “It’s supposed to be the best day of your life.” Ask any woman: the perfect wedding dress is a big part of the equation. But when the pressure is on, Val Stefani delivers. For designer duo Valerie and Stephanie Chin, the...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography provided courtesy of Kobi Levi First, there was a cardboard shoe. Then, over the years, others appeared and they all had peculiar shapes: cats, bananas, coffee cups and even Madonna’s iconic cone bra. Striking, colourful and fun, they could excite any woman. They certainly excited Lady Gaga, who asked for a...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography courtesy of Clarins In 1954, Jacques Courtin-Clarins opened his first beauty institute on rue Tronchet in Paris. The philosophy behind his company was to develop a dialogue with women that would satisfy their desires for well-being and offer them a range of the best plant-based skincare products. Fast forward almost six...… [more]

By Julia Eskins Photography by Aleyah Solomon Tyler Hilton is surrounded by screaming fans. Behind the bobbing bouffants, a camera crew films his breakthrough performance as Elvis in the Academy Award-winning film Walk the Line. He’s playing his idol, but at this moment, Hilton could not be more true to himself. Fast-forward seven years and...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon Rick Campanelli has incredible energy. When he enters a room, his optimistic vibe immediately diffuses in the air and we are all suddenly drunk on enthusiasm. I’m used to seeing him in a suit, glancing at the audience from the TV screen, but here he is – in...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Aleksandar Antonijevic, Andrew Oxenham, Sian Richards and Bruce Zinger Karen Kain is an epitome of grace. She has a firm handshake, a thoughtful gaze and a warm smile. She is also one of the most gifted classical ballet dancers of her era. Kain’s career highlights range from dancing for many...… [more]

By Julia Eskins Photography by Sarah Mongeau-Birkett Montréal outerwear label Mackage has transformed the way North Americans bundle up. Onscreen, on the runway and on freezing winter days, celebrities and fashion followers alike turn to the brand to brave the cold in style. For designer duo Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan, spotting their signature tailored...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon She is one of the most recognized women in the fashion world: formerly the executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and senior vice-president of IMG Fashion, creator of 7th on Sixth Productions (now known as the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York), and...… [more]

By Liana Shlien Photography courtesy of Jennifer Fisher Jewelry If you have scanned any American fashion magazine over the last few years, you would have surely been exposed to the jewelry work of Jennifer Fisher. A decade of outfitting Hollywood’s finest on TV and film sets has allowed the designer to build a strong base...… [more]

By Nicole McLaren Photography by Alex Mouganis Accomplished entrepreneur and seasoned world traveler, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti’s recent role as a mentor on Project Accessory capitalized on her passion for inspiring people to find their unique sense of personal style. Named one of the “10 most stylish women in fashion” by VOGUE, Jeanbart-Lorenzotti is behind the internationally...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon Truly unstoppable since his Project Runway debut, Lucian Matis’ name has been on everyone’s lips for the last five years. His collections carry a lot of artistic flair and creativity, and the award-winning designer is never afraid to experiment. In the midst of another busy week, Matis tells...… [more]

By Julia Eskins Photography by Tara West As the president of sales and marketing for Luxury Life Brands, Yana Perlmuter is well-known in Toronto for her business prowess, boundless energy and keen eye for upcoming trends. Together with her husband and business partner Roy Perlmuter, she has been responsible for launching, promoting and distributing designer...… [more]

By Nadia Mostafa Photography by Alex Mouganis Pink-lipped and donning her signature “crazy hair,” Kelly Dooley is the woman behind Body Rock Sport. In business with her brother and mother, this Southern California native realized a gap in the athletic-wear industry and filled it with floral prints, embellishments and practical features. Today, Kelly has dressed...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Alex Mouganis She is a woman of many talents. Charming, talented and a great fashion designer – five years after starting her own business, Stephanie Paterek has already dressed Lady Gaga and has worked with Nicola Formichetti. Her big runway debut was at famed designer and stylist Patricia Field’s yacht...… [more]

By Julia Eskins Photography by Kalynn Friesen The Mimran family is a driving force behind many of Canada’s most successful fashion brands. From internationally acclaimed Club Monaco and Joe Fresh, to favourites like Pink Tartan and Alfred Sung, the Mimran influence is reflected in their characteristically clean and modern designs with retail-staying power. It all...… [more]

By Katia Ostapets Photography by Kalynn Friesen A renowned fashion illustrator and painter, Frederick Watson sat down with FAJO Magazine for an Exclusive interview in early May, to regale us with his tales of fashion, art and an incredible career. Watson is known for his depictions of the silver-screen siren, the femme fatale who haunts...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Greg Swales, and Raina and Wilson One of the most recognized stylists in Canada, Amy Lu has worked with some of the top photographers, designers and celebrities. In 2008, her work with photographer Barb Cole won Grand Prix of Fashion Photography at the International Festival of Photography in Cannes. In...… [more]

By Justine Woolcott Photography courtesy of Marie Saint Pierre Marie Saint Pierre is a Montréal-based fashion designer known for her avant-garde work and highly technical pieces. She generally focuses on shape and proportion than on what is deemed to be in style for a given season. It is this attitude that has helped her become one...… [more]

Photographer series – part 2 By Julia Eskins Photography by Kareen Mallon Fashion photographer Mario Miotti is known for actively going beyond the role of being just “the man behind the camera.” Over the span of six years, the Toronto-based photographer has made his mark on the Canadian fashion industry with editorial shoots for many...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon Wesley Badanjak’s name is synonymous with classic tailoring and sophistication. His talent and dedication to the fashion industry have helped him become one of Canada’s most beloved designers in less than four years. In the midst of final preparations for several shows, Badanjak sits down for an interview...… [more]

By Aleyah Solomon Photography by Kareen Mallon Celebrity DJ Alexandra Richards was recently in Toronto, where she performed at the Right to Play charity party. Earlier in the day, she met with FAJO Magazine and chatted about music, fashion and her incredible international success. ALEYAH SOLOMON: What projects are you currently working on? ALEXANDRA RICHARDS:...… [more]

By Katherine Ellis Photography by Maximilian Engel Bruno Racine, one of the leading hairdressers in Canada’s capital, is the current creative director of the Ottawa Fashion Week. His talent, energy and leadership have helped OFW grow over the years. In this Exclusive, he chats with FAJO Magazine about the process of putting together a fashion...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon Sunny Fong makes clothing that most Canadian women dream about. Since winning Project Runway Canada, which he called his “second chance” at restarting a fashion career, Fong has created his own brand – VAWK – which has become one of the most established fashion names in the industry....… [more]

By Julia Eskins Photography by Kareen Mallon |FAT| Arts & Fashion Week is a Toronto-based multi-art event that brings together innovative fashion designers, musicians, filmmakers and artists from across the globe. The event is renowned for pushing boundaries and celebrating the range of creativity in fashion. This April, the four-day fashion week will mark its...… [more]

By Katherine Ellis Photography by James Park Making a splash on the Ottawa fashion scene more than six years ago, Sid Cratzbarg, owner of Accessories by Sid, local television personality and fragrance stylist, believes that every perfume has a story. Originally a teacher and motivational speaker touring the U.S. and Canada, Cratzbarg wanted to follow...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Alex Mouganis Nolcha Fashion Week in New York is a leading award-winning event for independent fashion designers. Attracting talents from all over the world, Nolcha helps them showcase their collections to a global audience of press, retailers, stylists and industry influencers. Since its launch in 2006, the event has become...… [more]

By Katherine Ellis Photography by Stephen Scott, courtesy of CBC/Temple Street Productions Pursuing her career in the Canadian television industry, Jasper-native Erin Karpluk has appeared in shows like The L Word and Godiva. Most recently, she starred in Being Erica as Erica Strange, a down on her luck young woman who has a life-altering encounter...… [more]

By Hananh Yakobi Photos courtesy of CTV One of the leading celebrity experts in Canada, Lainey Lui is a Vancouver-based reporter of ETALK on CTV and is also behind the well-known celebrity gossip blog LaineyGossip.com. Lui is often invited to other media outlets across North America – both print and online – to provide her...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Kareen Mallon Joeffer Caoc is one of the most established and respected fashion designers in Canada. His career started with his first collection in 1995 and since then he has dressed fashionistas across the country, as well as in the United States. Many celebrities have also worn his pieces, including...… [more]

By Ada Yakobi Photography courtesy of Kevin Cossom Management A Grammy-nominated songwriter, Kevin Cossom has worked with renowned artists, such as Ne-Yo, Mary J. Blige, Usher and Justin Bieber. FAJO Magazine chats with him about his latest single, shopping in Florida and his favourite accessories. ADA YAKOBI: What inspired you to get into music? KEVIN...… [more]

Photographer series – part 1 By Katherine Ellis Photography by Kareen Mallon Arash Moallemi’s passion for photography began when traveling with his father, an architect who worked abroad. During that time, Moallemi wished he could better communicate the sites he saw to those around him, feeling that words failed to capture their beauty. After buying...… [more]

By Katherine Ellis Photography by Kareen Mallon David Dixon has a varied female customer base, from dressing soccer moms to celebrities including Catharine O’Hara, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Meg Ryan. What interests him is that it keeps his interactions diversified. And what connects all of his clientele is the fact that they like timeless clothing...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Paul Venoit is a man of many talents. An accomplished make-up artist and hairstylist, he is renowned in Canada and abroad for his incredible work in the beauty and fashion industries, with a focus on making women feel empowered. Venoit has worked with many celebrities, including Claudia Schiffer, The Rolling Stones, Kate...… [more]

By Ada Yakobi Photography by Kalynn Frisen You may know David Clemmer because of his incredible styling and makeover skills, his work on Style by Jury or simply because of his enchanting personality. Clemmer is a CEO of one the most successful Canadian artist management companies, called Judy Inc, that has recently gone national with...… [more]

By Alessandro Berga and Ada Yakobi Photography by Maciek Wilkos Lanvin Glasses. Black. Zippers. ODASI. Androgynous. Khoa Lê. Wordplay? No – just an attempt to sum up the perpetual evolution of the talented Denis Gagnon. Gagnon’s creativity has awed and permeated the Canadian culture, with his personalized take on high leather and no-holds-barred glamour. As...… [more]

By Katherine Ellis Photography by Kareen Mallon With almost 25 years in the fashion industry, Farley Chatto says it is his private clients who keep him on his toes, rather than the many celebrities he has designed for, including Chris Noth, Andrea Martin and Toronto’s own Marilyn Denis. Learning how to sew at a young...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi With a journalistic career that spans over three decades, Jeanne Beker is a Canadian fashion icon. Host of CTV’s FashionTelevision, she is an author of several books, a strong supporter of Canadian designers and a winner of Fashion Group International’s Vantage Women of Originality Award. Every season, Beker travels to various fashion...… [more]

By Sarah Dion-Marquis Photography by James Park Photos of models courtesy of Angie Sakla-Seymour Inside Ottawa’s largest modelling agency Every five minutes, aspiring models show up at the door of Angie’s Models & Talent International on Clarence Street in Ottawa’s Byward Market. That’s why the owner of the agency, Angie Sakla-Seymour, put a huge sign...… [more]

Text by Justine Woolcott. Photos by Kalynn Friesen. Janet Han is renowned in the Canadian fashion industry for her unique personal style. In 2009, Han opened Fashionably Yours (FY), a high-end consignment store in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood. In the last month, FY launched an international online store and was also recently voted the number...… [more]

By Sarah Dion-Marquis Photography by James Park One afternoon, James Jefferson and Daniel Mackinnon were having a glass – or two – of Dom Pérignon with Ottawa’s socialite Marlen Cowpland. The former Celebrity Pets TV host, who’s known for having dyed her dog fuchsia, had them over in her Rockcliffe’s home domain, to catch up....… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photos provided courtesy of Mary Jo Eustace and taken by Arash Moallemi Mary Jo Eustace is a Canadian actress, singer and sous-chef, renowned for her fashion sense. She is a two-time Gemini award-nominee and has recently launched her fifth book, Cooking for Your Cub. Eustace also used to co-host What’s For Dinner...… [more]

Text by Sarah Dion-Marquis. Photos courtesy of Sandra Sing Fernandes and the Western Canada Fashion Week. Sandra Sing Fernandes, producer and creative director of the Western Canada Fashion Week, tells all about the upcoming fashion week, her life and why being a designer in Edmonton can be a real blessing. Mark your calendars. In mid-March,...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Brendan Ross Pam Chorley, one of Canada’s most sought-after fashion designers, began her career in the early 80s. She designed jewelry for Le Chateau’s accessory line, and soon after started her very own store, which was one of the first on the now-famous Queen Street West in Toronto. Chorley’s company...… [more]

By Holly Archer Sisters Rima and Dina Zahran pride themselves in setting trends with Dinz Clothing, an accessories and clothing line based in Dubai that has reached international success and currently sells its products in Dubai, England, Spain, Lebanon and Egypt, to name a few. Before 2007, when Dinz Clothing was launched, the concept of...… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photography by Cody Bokshowan It is rare to see fashion pieces by some of the top Canadian and international fashion designers put together on a single rack. Even more so – lined up next to each other on many, many racks. Yet this is exactly what happens once a year, when The...… [more]

OFW spokesperson, Julianne Robicheau, chats with Hannah Yakobi about all that can be expected and provides a peek into this season’s line-up. Photos by James Park. How is the Ottawa Fashion Week different this year? We are expanding. Last time, the OFW took place at the Arts Court. This season we will be holding it...… [more]

A winner of many prestigious awards and the executive director of the Toronto Fashion Incubator, Susan Langdon speaks exclusively with Hannah Yakobi about fashion finance, promotion, creativity and what the future holds for the Canadian fashion industry. Photos by Paul Toogood Photography, Donna Santos, Verve Photography and Angela Y. Martin. The Toronto Fashion Incubator was born in 1987. An innovative and highly respected non-profit organization, TFI has over 300 members, who range from starting designers to experienced professionals. The first official "fashion incubator" in the world, TFI plays a central role in the growth… [more]

By Hannah Yakobi Photos courtesy of John Fluevog John Fluevog is an independent fashion designer and retailer of forward-thinking footwear and accessories. Since 1970, he has been steadfast in creating shoes that have been seen everywhere, from the feet of Madonna and the Scissor Sisters to the runways of high fashion. His company was named...… [more]

Toronto, July 24, 2010: Think about fashion and, immediately, images of clothes, colour, fabric and texture come to mind. It seems impossible to vividly picture fashion without actually seeing it. But, as Love, Loss and What I Wore proves, it’s not only impossible but, in fact, rather easy. Based on the book by Ilene Beckerman, the play was written by renowned Nora and Delia Ephron. Each sister has quite an impressive list of credits to her name. Nora Ephron’s work includes When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, while Delia Ephron’s portfolio has The Sisterhood of… [more]

His exclusive interview with Hannah Yakobi and a sneak peak into his latest collection. Photography by Dmitri Moisseev. Videography by Dmitri Moisseev and Hannah Yakobi. Richard Robinson has been one of Canada’s top designers for 41 years, but his work never ceases to amaze fashionistas. The audience at his latest show clapped, oooh-ed and aaah-ed endlessly and with great enthusiasm. This year’s collection – Grande première 2010 – was held at the lavish Hilton Lac Leamy. It attracted hundreds of top fashionistas from the… [more]

Renowned Canadian bridal wear designer, Justina McCaffrey, chats exclusively with Hannah Yakobi about trends, life and her biggest passion aside from wedding dresses.… [more]