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Fashion - House of Etiquette

Pushing the boundaries of Canadian fashion; House of Etiquette rises to the top of alternative couture.
By Victoria Izzio

Latex clothing is not a well known material in the world of couture. It's skin-tight, shiny and screams sex. Yet, a Canadian design couple has managed to turn the material into elegant and beautiful (and, dare I say it, modest) pieces that would flatter your body in a way that feels like a second skin.

House of Etiquette is a latex fashion company run by Toronto designers Ashley Davies and Matthew Smart. The two decided to create their own latex line after noticing a significant lack of 'tasteful' latex pieces.
“We both got into designing with it because there wasn't a lot of really nice, classy stuff out there in North America. Most of it you could picture in leather in an 80s bar,” said Davies with a laugh. “And that's just not our style.”

With her background in lingerie design, and Smart's history of technical design, the two created sensual, curve-hugging and elegant pieces. A far leap from the typical fetishistic latex lingerie.
“Our brand kind of walks that fine line between both alternative and high fashion, but more leaning towards the latter. Everything you see is hand-made, in Canada, it's really high quality, it's not mass produced or anything like that. It's not sold in sex stores, we're more of a boutique brand,” said Davies. All of their designs are currently being sold through their e-commerce website www.houseofetiquette.com

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Fashion - Fabulous Fall

Be fabulous this fall; trends for your cold weather wardrobe
By Victoria Izzio

Just as soon as we get used to our shorts and brave up enough to slip on the bikini, it's time to start thinking about fall. Retail stores are already stocked with their autumn apparel and it's best to shop while there's still plenty available. Year after year, many women (myself included) remain in denial that winter is around the corner and cling to the light and breezy summer garb we've worn for the past few months. Next thing you know it, we're trekking through snow and stuck in last year's ill fitting and outdated clothes.

Let's break out of this habit, ladies.
Don't fret about hiding your new found tan-lines and giving up the beachy waves in your hair for yet another season. It'll be back before you know it and we'll be back to the frustration that is bathing suit shopping soon enough. I digress, here's what you should stock up on this autumn.

The emphasis on bottoms is very strong this time around, and there's guarantee that you can take one of these trends and own it, regardless of body type.
First and foremost, the hemlines of skirts have drastically fallen. And for the better. Maxi skirts aren't a foreign concept, many women have already taken advantage of the floor sweeping fashion as it's been a fixture on runways for the past few summers.
However, some still linger on the idea that this look isn't ideal, practical or all that flattering. Time to meet it's not too distant relative. Welcome back the midi skirt.