Famous for his silver hair, impeccably groomed eyebrows and sharp tailored clothes, Canada native and all-around glamorous guy Jay Manuel was in Toronto recently to promote his Attitude Jay Manuel line at Sears.

I had the chance to speak with him about fashion, trends and his personal style icons. Of course, I started off strong by telling him I was nervous because he is so beautiful (yes, that's a direct quote - sheesh).

ChickAdvisor: When you were designing this line and thinking about who would wear it, who did you have in mind? 

Jay Manuel: The Attitude woman is really every woman. I was looking at the working woman to the mom who is doing everything and also wants a bit of fashion and style. Fit is paramount, [and] our sizes range from 0-18 which is so important. Even with our fit models we had a full size range and made sure we were truly capturing that look on every model. My grandfather was a tailor: a lot of people don't know that and so I grew up with the mentality that fit was so important.

My moment with Jay

ChickAdvisor: What inspired the collection and who inspires you? 

Jay Manuel: There are so many designers and artists. With the initial launch, I started looking at some of the great silhouettes of the late '50s and the luxury of the '70s and it just so happens that that's what is in fashion for fall 2011 so it was on target. Who really inspired me a lot in my career is Yves Saint Laurent. If you look at some of the suits that I have, the wide leg trouser and tailored jacket, those were inspired by Yves Saint Laurent who was hugely creative.

Highlights from Attitude Jay Manuel

ChickAdvisor: If you could make over any celebrity, who would it be and why? 

Jay Manuel: There is someone I would like to work with, but I don't think she needs any style help: Cate Blanchett. She gets fashion, she is supremely talented. I think if I were ever to shoot a fashion editorial with her, just in terms of her as an actress, I think she would take that creativity to the level that I wanted. 

ChickAdvisor: Do you have a personal style icon? 

Jay Manuel: Today (and he knows this, I know him well) it's Tom Ford. He's a mega-brand, the way everything is rolled out- menswear, womenswear, jewelry, fragrance and now cosmetics.  His attention to detail, the way he creative directs everything, even right down to the retail environment. I admire him mentally and kind of pattern myself after him. 

ChickAdvisor: Is there one trend you cannot stand?

Jay Manuel: Right now everything has gone back to this world of glamour and people are really taking pride in the way they present themselves and dress.  So it really does bother me [when] you see women wearing those very casual, fur lined, floppy boots. They're fine to have around the house or running errands but when you tie them into fashion, it just doesn't work for me.  Especially right now the way fashion is going. Save that for home and kick it up a notch when you're going out!

ChickAdvisor: How has growing up in Canada influenced you? 

Jay Manuel: It's very surreal standing here in the Eaton Centre, I would come down on the weekends and shop at Sears. Growing up here, and knowing the culture and the people so well and then coming back and giving them a taste of what I've learned in the world of fashion. I've been all over the world and now to bring that back home, is just huge for me.   

Attitude Jay Manuel is available at Sears.