Late last year, our Resident Stylist Amalia and I were having brunch in Toronto’s west end. Brainstorming ideas over a latte at a quaint café, Amalia suggested we add a new creative element to my Editor Access section: she wanted to style a photoshoot, but she wasn’t thinking of models. She wanted to style me.

I was immediately excited by the idea, partially because I used to model and was with an agency for five years. Amalia and I thought of fun angles for this story. Since Editor Access tends to focus on things I personally love and recommend, we decided to pick my favourite brands and hold the shoot at a restaurant that I thought had one of the best decors in the city.

We chose to shine the spotlight on outerwear, statement jewelry and funky sunglasses, and pulled items from both winter and spring collections. This resulted in a collaboration with Holt Renfrew, Swarovski and Josephson Opticians, with the shoot being held in the heart of Toronto, at The Chase.

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be unveiling the four looks we put together – adding photos to the article as we go. Each look will be unveiled on a Friday, so make sure to come back to check them out!

Special thanks to FAJO’s Artistic Director Marcus Kan, and to Andrew Miller for photography assistance.

Look 1

Shop the look: Marni coat and Jimmy Choo shoes from Holt Renfrew; Blacklight necklace from Swarovski.

Look 2

Shop the look: Rick Owens jacket from Holt Renfrew; Pebble ring from Swarovski; Gold & Wood sunglasses from Josephson Opticians.

Look 3

Shop the look: Alexander McQueen jacket and Prada shoes from Holt Renfrew; Robert Marc sunglasses from Josephson Opticians; Balthus ring and Billion necklace from Swarovski.

Look 4

Shop the look: Dolce & Gabbana coat, Blacklight ring and Breeze earrings from Swarovski.

A little more about the featured brands

Holt Renfrew: Celebrating a Proud Canadian Heritage

Celebrating a 177-year heritage, Holt Renfrew is recognized worldwide for an inspired shopping experience.

Once a purveyor of fashion to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Holt Renfrew began in 1837 as a modest hat shop. Over the years, the brand developed and expanded across Canada. In the 1930s, Holt Renfrew began exclusive accounts with leading European designers and, in 1947, hosted Monsieur Christian Dior when he launched his “New Look.”

After many years of foreign ownership, Holt Renfrew was bought in 1986 by W. Galen and the Hon. Hilary M. Weston. Under their ownership, Holt Renfrew has become Canada’s destination for luxury retail.

Connect with Holt Renfrew: web, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Swarovski

In 1895, Daniel Swarovski, a Bohemian inventor and visionary, moved to the village of Wattens, Tyrol in Austria, with his newly-invented machine for cutting and polishing crystal jewellery stones.

This beginning revolutionized the fashion world and Swarovski has grown to be the world’s leading producer of precision-cut crystal for fashion, jewellery and more.

Connect with Swarovski: web.

Josephson Opticians

Josephson Opticians has become a Toronto landmark for carrying fashionable, cutting-edge eyewear for over 80 years. The company offers six conveniently located boutiques, where the team passionately works to fulfill the optical and fashion eyewear needs of the clients.

Over the years, the stores have also hosted some of the world’s top eyewear innovators and designers to custom fit their collections to Josephson’s clientele.

Connect with Josephson Opticians: web, blog, Facebook, Twitter.

The Chase

The Chase is casual elegance, defined by small plates with big flavours, entrées that are adventurous and healthy, and experiences which exude sociability and interaction with staff.

The restaurant and rooftop terrace feature upscale dining, presented in a modest and thoughtful way. The cuisine couples the finest ingredients from around the world with simple, uncomplicated flavours.

Connect with The Chase: web, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.