“I want this place to look like a garden, but a garden in hell,” Vogue’s iconic editor Diana Vreeland, famously said about her red apartment. “I can’t imagine being bored with it – it would be like becoming bored with the person you love.”

Hot on the heels of the launch of Vreeland’s documentary, Eye Has to Travel, couturiers personified said garden, adding ingenuity to Spring’s floral trend. Valentino, Chanel and Margiela’s runways all saw an ethereal aesthetic, where Great Gatsby glamour meets A Midsummer Night’s Dream mystique. Designers used novel accouterments to elevate the magic, including gilded brocade, tiered silk chiffon lace, and even custom-made organza false eyelashes – the latter by Karl Lagerfeld, no less.

To channel this enchanted garden party, opt for elegant yet unique pieces with bold embellishments, like the leather bodice on Free People’s floral maxi dress, or Haute Hippie’s sequined mini.

1. Style inspiration, Chanel Couture Spring/Summer 2013, image courtesy of Style.com
2. Style inspiration, Margiela Couture Spring/Summer 20113, image courtesy of Style.com
3. H&M Jacket, $50
4. Free People Maxi Dress, $401
5. Zara Blouse, $60
6. J. Crew Gilded Brocade Bomber Jacket, $340
7. Haute Hippie Skirt, $648, available at Kiss & Makeup
8. Isa Tapia Pumps, $467, available at Shopbop

By: Ali Leier, Vancouver

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The New Year is an opportunity to reinvent your personal style, so why not welcome 2013 by standing out from the crowd? When I feel inspired to experiment with new looks, I reset by going back to the basics. Black and white is a timeless combination. Whether you’re dressed up for a night out or casually chic, the outfit will always keep you looking sharp. My favourite way to wear classic pieces is to add some edge, and blacks and whites are the perfect neutrals to mix with. With all the trendy patterns out right now, such as Aztec prints, bold stripes and classic polka dots, the options are endless! Mixing patterns can be a bit intimidating at first, but with a few simple rules you can gain many new outfits from your closet and beginning with a black and white palette is the best way to start:

(1) The first and most important step when creating your ensemble is having a starting point. Choose a piece you want to build off of, for example, a pair of floral trousers or a polka dot blouse.

(2) Rule number two is exactly that! Do not mix more than two prints together, three or more combinations will be too much and look sloppy.

(3) Accessorize accordingly to bring the outfit together by adding some jewels or a cool clutch paired with some pumps!

The world is your red carpet, so be bold and walk it with confidence from head to toe! Which prints are you excited to mix first?

1. Style Inspiration: Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2013, image courtesy of style.com
2. Style Inspiration: Olivia Palermo at the Montblanc Private Party, image courtesy of fashionscanner.onsugar
3. BCBGMAXAZRIA Simone Ikat Power Skirt, $178
4. H&M Blouse $30 and Trousers $50
5. Joe Fresh Optic Print Silk Shirt, $49
6. Elizabeth & James Stella Loafer Pumps, $358, available at shopbop

By: Michelle Morton, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @MichelleEMorton.

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Inject some life back into your closet to cure your winter wardrobe woes with a bright burst of haute hues to spruce up your seasonal style. When the January blues kick in, fight back with colour blocked heels that’ll warm up all cool conditions. Instead of fading into the background this winter, go bold and bright to command the season’s attention. Step out in pretty pumps with a colourful combination of vivid fuchsias, racy reds, playful pinks and royal purples to freshen up your fashion funk. Resort ready or not, put your best foot forward and dip your toes into colour block heels to come alive with colour and keep your sunny disposition in check until the new season.

1. J.Crew Colorblock Pumps, $185
2. Guess Color-Blocked Pumps, $47.99
3. BCBGeneration Purple Colorblock Heels, $114, available at Heels.com
4. Sergio Rossi Colorblock Pumps, $590, available at Shopbop
5. Charlotte Russe Color Block Heel Bootie, $20
6. Topshop Colorblock Platforms, $80

By: Megan Correia, Managing Editor, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @MeganAlyssaC.

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Make your grand gala entrance and step into the New Year with a pair of party perfect pumps to ring in 2013 in show-stealing style. It’s time to celebrate and get your festive feet moving to perfect all your party steps in holiday heels to keep you glamourously going all night long. When the clock strikes midnight, be camera ready and work your poses to let them stare, as your fancy footwork won’t go unnoticed. Dazzle dance floor onlookers with staggering heights, sexy straps, festive trimmings, dramatic detail designs and a bejeweled blitz to get the party started. Pump it up and own the soiree season with celebratory cheer in the shape of these megawatt statement shoes set to shine while you do a little dance in your favourite festive footwear.

1. Mattijs x United Nude Fan Shoes, $725, available at United Nude
2. RACHEL Rachel Roy Glitter Platform Pump, $83, available at The Bay
3. Dsquared2 Gold Pointed Toe Pumps, $620, available at Shoe Scribe
4. Irregular Choice Bow Heels, $80
5. Jeffrey Campbell Feather Heels, $210, available at Solestruck
6. Dsquared2 Crystal Embellished Pump, $610, available at Farfetch
7. J.Crew Sequin Pumps, $350
8. Miu Miu Crystal Embellished Heels, $495, available at Net-A-Porter

By: Megan Correia, Managing Editor, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @MeganAlyssaC.

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Inject a dose of high holiday glamour into your wardrobe this season with a little shoe shine in the shape of a molten-hot metallic heel fit for dazzling a crowd. Make your grand entrance into the holiday season with shoes that get the glam-rock treatment in traditional heavy metal gold or silver and modern metallics in pewter and bronze for lustrous finishes that offer a brilliant footwear update this winter. Whether you’re stepping out on the town or celebrating at a chic cocktail soiree, own the party by putting your best foot forward in shimmering statement shoes that add drama to all your festive ensembles. High-octane finishes and polished metals come alive to make metallic shoes blazing hot for day or nighttime wear.

During your celebratory fashion fetes, sub out basic black shoes for something a little more fun like a metallic party heel and guaranteed you’ll be belle of the ball in a gleaming pair of prismatic pumps, keeping you shining in the sartorial spotlight. Metallic tones work as a neutral piece and can be worn with a wide variety of festive frocks while still adding a special touch of sparkle and shine suitable for all occasions. Adding a little sparkle and shimmer into your outfit sets a fun and playful tone for the holidays that’ll have you dancing the night away. Complete all your party-perfect looks with fancy footwear that injects festive holiday glamour day or night. After all ‘tis the season to step out in style, so keep the holidays hot on your heels with shoes that shine.

1. Aldo Multi-Metallic Pump, $100
2. River Island Silver Caged Heels, $96, available at ASOS
3. BCBGMaxAzria Metallic Platform Sandal, $250
4. Topshop Metallic Gold Booties, $50
5. BCBGMaxAzria Silver Strappy Heels, $225
6. Topshop Rose Gold Metallic Heels, $78
7. ASOS Metallic Strappy Heels, $62
8. Jimmy Choo Metallic Heels, $775, available at Net-A-Porter
9. Mango Metallic Strappy Heels, $110
10. Steve Madden Silver Pumps, $100

By: Megan Correia, Toronto

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There has been an endless amount of buzz ever since the biggest international Topshop/Topman opened a few weeks ago at the Bay in Vancouver. A few steps into the store and you will be positively overwhelmed by the clothes, style, and energy filling all 33,000 square feet of British fashion. But the real star of the store is the grand shoe wall: rows and rows of shoes for every trend of the season are waiting to walk right into your closet. Here are some of our favourite picks for every occasion; from hi-tops, pumps, boots, and slippers.. prepare yourself for a total shoe makeover.

1. Topshop Accost Pin Stud Boots, $160
2. Topshop Gabbi Toecap Pointed Courts, $95
3. Topshop Aerobic2 Hi-Top Wedges, $80
4. Topshop Vectra5 Gold Studded Slippers, $50
5. Topshop Loaded Black Platform Heels, $120
6. Topshop Delaware Fur Lined High Boots, $160

*Available at the Bay

By: Janina Sarmiento, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @Janina__S.

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