Recommended: The Elle Show

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the gala night of the Elle Show with the Toronto Fashion Incubator. I wasn't sure what to expect. There are so many trade shows and events happening in this city that it's inevitable to stumble on a few misses. However, this one did not disappoint.

I had the pleasure of meeting some fabulous people, including Toronto up and coming designer, Carrie Hayes. She was decked out one of her own chic creations, a little black dress with green capped sleeves. She is a sweet and humble person and it was fun watching people approach her to compliment the dress, not realizing she was the designer. She would bashfully reply, "Oh thank you! It's one of my own."

Who wouldn't love to be able to say that. "Oh, this? Ya, thanks... I made it!"

Throughout the venue are little booths selling jewelry, hats, clothes and makeup.

Pick Up Sticks is a line of reversible photo jewelry that is just too cute to pass up. The cherry charm is one of their best sellers.  Prices start at around $28 and there are so many options, you're sure to find something.

a&l Jewelry displayed a delicate assortment of precious and semiprecious stones, Stirling silver and gold leaf dipped jewelry. The young and hip montreal based duo, Ashley Shaanan and Lindsay Flegg launched the line while still in school at Concordia University.



Their designs are carried in a number of trendy boutiques and now they are taking on Toronto. www.aandl.ca

Vancouver based Sugarlime jewelry will make you want to blow off this month's rent. You will drool all over their booth. The collection is made with hand-selected semi-precious and precious stones, Swarovski crystals and glass beads. Necklaces and earrings are crafted from sterling silver and 14 kt. gold fill.

Designer Karen Buder has made Sugarlime Jewelry into one of BC's most successful businesses, and has captured the admiration of a number of celebrities including Tori Spelling, Sarah McLachlan, Rebecca Romijn, Gabrielle Miller, Susan Sarandon, Steven Spielberg, Roger Bart, and Daryl Hannah (to name a few).


You can buy Sugarlime Jewelry online or sign up to attend their wine and cheese jewelry parties. www.sugarlime.com

With a glass of wine in hand compliments of Vin de Pays D'Oc, the TFI fashion competition was the perfect way to cap off the evening. Models strutted down the runway in collections from 4 TFI designers competing for a $25,000 prize.





The Elle Show
Friday April 25 11am - 10pm
Saturday April 26 11am - 8pm
Sunday April 27 11am - 6pm

Get tickets
www.elleshow.ca