1. Vince Camuto Contrast Trim Cheetah Spots Blouse $89, available at Girl Friday (740 Queen St W) www.GirlFridayClothing.com 2. Vince Camuto Corsage Floral Skirt $140, available at Girl Friday www.GirlFridayClothing.com 3. Vince Camuto Petal Sandals $130, available at Brocks www.brocks.ca in Port Perry (168-178 Queen Street).

Victoria Day Weekend. The official start of patio season and white pants. This year, whether we celebrate it with or without a beer in hand pending the LCBO strike, we had better look – and smell – fabulous. That’s why I’m giving one lucky reader a full size bottle of Vince Camuto fragrance! All you have to do follow the rules at the bottom of this post to win.

I’ve scoured some local boutiques to assemble this long weekend outfit with pieces by Vince Camuto. Girl Friday, on Queen St West in Toronto, tempted me to mix cheetah with florals, unapologetically. I match-clashed it with a pair of sparkling flats, also by Vince Camuto, available at Brocks in Port Perry. Voila, you’ve got yourself the perfect Eurotrash outfit for a Victoria Day that you’ll, finally, remember.

(But if you’re like me and have stockpiled bottles of champagne and Pinot Grigio, please drink responsibly and wear SPF.)

Contest Rules:

1. “LIKE” Whatever Eurotrash on Facebook here

2. “LIKE” Girl Friday and Brocks on Facebook  here and here

3. Leave a comment at the bottom of this post with your email address and your must-have summer item.

4. The contest closes at midnight on Saturday, May 26, 2013. The winner will be selected randomly and will be notified by e-mail.

5. Contest open to readers in Ontario only.

 Disclaimer: I’m obsessed with The Great Gatsby in all its manifestations. This post cannot even begin to elucidate how much more there is to know about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s canon. Pictured here: Carey Mulligan on the cover of June 2013 Harper’s Bazaar UK and Mia Farrow on the cover of People Magazine, March 1974.  

Sunday was the last day to view the 40 bespoke Prada dresses on display at the Prada boutique in Soho. The crystal beaded gowns were designed by Miuccia Prada and Catherine Martin, costume designer and wife of Baz. On the big screen, they go by in a flash. Worn by no-name characters (to us) but each has a story, name and personality, revealed as part of the travelling exhibit, whose next stop is Japan.

But enough about fashion, let’s talk about the film.

Photo courtesy of Prada

The film, oh. Apart from the external context, in which Nick Carraway, stricken by some variety of mental illness, is asked to write down something – anything – by a Doctor Crane type (which results in him penning “The Great Gatsby”); the story that corresponds, faithfully, to Fitzgerald’s novel can only be described as spectacular.

A dash of H.O.V.A. on the Queensboro bridge reminds the spectator that what’s happening on the screen was created for us – the Mrs.Carter Del Ray generation. I wouldn’t go as far as to call it Brechtian, but the deep, muted bass that shakes the walls of Gatsby’s library, during that famous scene, renders Owl Eyes’ discoveries much more inconsequential. People in the theatre actually laughed when Jordan Baker says “I like large parties, they’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy”; she seems superficial and dumb to say such a thing. But when read in the novel, there was never a statement so apt.

I mean, I for one think of that library scene, and that scene only, in my own synecdochal recollection of The Great Gatsby. The pages were never cut! I remember my heart breaking for Jay Gatsby upon the discovery of his literary fraud. And I was only thirteen years old.

And then there are moments of complete wonder that made me wish I had pictured Luhrmann’s East and West Eggs in my imagination when I was re-reading the book last week in preparation. The parties exceeded my wildest imaginings. At a moment’s notice, dub step. Whisperings, champagne and stars. And the Prada costumes. Little jewels jingling to the clanking of champagne flutes and beads, everywhere. My senses came alive. Under my skin, I could feel the sweat on that last, hot day of summer. The valley of the ashes. How grey it was in comparison to Gatsby’s yellow car, “a labyrinth of windshields that mirrored a dozen suns”.

And then there was Leo. My first literary crush incarnated by my first movie star crush. I loved Jay Gatsby for so long – the man who sacrificed everything to attain an unattainable ideal of the woman he loved. Leo brought all those schoolgirl desires to life. His embarrassment, rather than repel, incites that feminine urge to love like a faithful wife, or mother, even.

Some parts were amusing, and other parts, the audience laughed at anyway, arrested in a collective ignorance. When the shirts fly off Gatsby’s shelves and rain down like dollar bills on Daisy below, she cries. The audience laughs when she says, “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such beautiful shirts.” Don’t they realize that in that moment (and Nick narrates over the scene to explicate what she means to say) Daisy Buchanan realizes it’s all for her, and in a selfish instance of guilt, she can only say that the shirts are pretty. Like a pat on the back. A woman who regretfully understands, and simultaneously, rejects the impact she has had on this man. “A beautiful little fool”, is all she hopes for her daughter to be. Like the audience, for Daisy, too, ignorance is bliss.

In the end, all I hoped for, was to have lunch with Meyer Wolfsheim.

Overall, the film sensationalized Fitzgerald’s novel, in the best of ways. But now I’m afraid I have a slight problem. After indulging in the poetry of his prose, I can’t read other writers! They fall flat. Their writing is flat where F. Scott Fitzgerald charges inward, dancing deeper and deeper into my soul.

I highly recommend seeing this film, but not before reading the novel (high school doesn’t count) so you don’t laugh when you’re not supposed to in the theatre. Thank you. For further reading, please see Sabrina Maddeaux’s take on the irony of Gatsby as a consumerist trend in The Toronto Standard. And if you like, my article in the same publication, Sad Men: Masculinity, Melancholia and The Dandy written in anticipation of the film’s first, first release.

Some sketches of the Prada costumes to lighten the mood:

The other Chiara. About the time I started following the blonde Chiara Ferragni in 2009, I also had my eye on her Betty counterpart, Chiara Biasi. Obviously, the former became the world’s greatest fashion blogger and Biasi, well, she remained the other Chiara of Italy’s fashion scene.

Not to downplay her ability to inspire, after a brief blog hiatus, I was happy to find out that she recently re-opened her site with a new name: ChiaraBiasi.it and just this weekend, she shot an editorial with Mr. Eurotrash himself, Mariano Di Vaio (read all about him here).

What I find so irrevocably eurotrash about Biasi is her unaffected, zingara approach to style. Zingara means gypsy in Italian (and so much more if you follow the eurotrash manual on life). Tanned, tattooed and a tainted. Looking at her, you’re nearly overcome with a latent desire to take a clean washcloth and wipe off her face. Like a superficial variety Turin’s Shroud.

She’s from Pordenone but looks like she’s right out of Naples. If you see her in a bikini you’ll know exactly what I mean. I summered with her in Amalfi, all caffeinated and lovely. Gold earrings dripping from her ears. Precocious to a point; kisses boys on motorini and later writes about it in her agenda delle ragazze. Don’t ask her why she smokes, but she drinks to get drunk. While The Blonde Salad went form eurotrash to haute couture, the other Chiara keeps keepin’ it real for all those girls who add a dash of vulgarity to everything they like.

Her super sexy swimwear line is available at Bikini Lovers.

Luisa Via Roma Limit.ed Luisa Loves You Canvas $157 CAD (shipping and taxes included) available at LUISAVIAROMA.COM 

If there is one summer bag that we can all splurge on, it’s a printed canvas bag with leather straps. This inexpensive wardrobe update can add a splash of hot sun and popsicle juice to any outfit. A beach essential ‘cuz it’s no big deal – if and when- your Hawaiian oil breaches the confines of its precarious, spraypump bottle into a pool of tanned gooeyness at the bottom of your bag. Nothing a little Tide and elbow grease can’t remove. I love to see this bag with denim shorts and a long sleeve, paper-thin, knit sweater. Line Knitwear does some lovely versions with subtle stripes. And I particularly adore Talula’s Avenue A Sweater in a loose, delicate knit available at Aritzia.com for just $75 CAD.

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Wearing Everlane crew t-shirt; Zara black cotton skirt; Wilfred grey sweater; Swarovski crystal and leather wrap bracelet; Nella Bella clutch and teardrop rings by LAB by Laura Busony)

Last weekend, Alexander Liang and I drove to Buffalo for Buffalo State Runway 6.0. I’ve already posted a bunch of pictures from our street style out and about the town. For the Runway show, I was in search of the perfect white t-shirt to go with my lackadaisical outfit. Enter, Everlane white crew that costs $15 CAD. It’s 100% Supima cotton, made in Los Angeles and fits exactly how the perfect white t-shirt should.

My outfit illustrated by SUNY grad, Jenna Murray that same evening!

The Runway show was a huge success. Buff State campus was transformed into a glamourous soiree complete with a VIP section serving hor d’oeuvres and wine! But the real treat was to see all the collections the grad students had been working on.

My favourite collection was by Nisaa Azeem. You all know I’m just WILD about the roaring 20s and appropriately, The Great Gatsby. (I’ll be dedicating an entire post in the coming weeks to my re-reading of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece). So, you can imagine my delight when Nisaa Azeem sent a model down the runway in a scintillating, white flapper dress that was one inch too short of being called a “mini”. I was so impressed, and all that jazz.

Rozalia Russian is an Australian socialite. Her husband, Nick Russian, is a successful entrepreneur and owner of the Melbourne nightclub, Eve. Judging by the marble in their kitchen and the Cartier love bracelets adorning Mrs. Russian’s arms, they’re living the luxe life and I’m totally envious.

Let’s get down. Rozalia (Rosa Demb) – I dunno when the name changed happened a la Beyoncé – but she is carrying Nicky’s baby, and quite possibly the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen at 5 months pregnant. Her baby bump is like a cute little accessory. A little Chanel-type bag bundle of joy. And she’s not a label-whore, which is kinda nice, because her style doesn’t necessitate money from the get-go. (Unlike some bloggers who look like they robbed the 2nd floor of Bergdorf Goodman).

Oh, Rozalia. I hate her. No, I really do love her. Her style is in line with all my favourite Aussie bloggers, sharp angles with feminine touches. Lots of grey and leather. Her ombre hair inspired me to do my ombre hair. You see where I’m going with this, don’t you? I’ve essentially been transforming into the Canadian version of her – just really, like, slowly. I’m getting there, guys, don’t worry.

In the meantime, Google has really failed to document Rozalia’s presence online so pics of her are a rarity. The best way to drool over her and in turn, hate your life, is via Instagram. Please follow her and join me in my silent obsession.

Side note: She got married in a J’aton Couture dress that is too much for my life. Actually, she got married in two J’aton dresses. One for the ceremony, and one for the reception. She later flew off to the Maldives – NBD – that same night.

Some of my faves from her Instagram feed

Riding around Buffalo this weekend wearing LOFT necklace, Swank boutique Purring Feline top, Free People jeans available at eLUXE.ca and my chucks… obviously. There’s some really great pockets of the city that make the perfect backdrop for some street stylin’ road trip pics. Retro signs, deserted lots and parks. With the sunroof open, shades on and Little Boots playing on the radio, we probably had the most enchanting time in Buffalo.

Our trusty vessel with all her little quirks…

So fresh and so clean with Kenton Magazine‘s creator Alex Liang

Drinks menu at Vera Pizzeria in Elmwood Village

Gazpacho in a glass (gin, lemon juice, st. germaine, crushed cucumber, sriracha hot sauce)

Outside the KC You There PR office. Big thanks to Karina and Curt for hosting us this weekend!

Live Free.

Sometimes, just sometimes, I feature males in the Eurotrash People section of the blog. This gorgeous specimen was a recommendation from my friend, Alex Liang. And apart from his handlebar moustache, Mariano Di Vaio is impossibly – ridiculously – good-looking. A eugoogalizer, even.

Ok, let’s look past the many Zoolander riffs and into his piercing eyes. The guy has a perfect face, framed by luscious locks. I’d love to know what his beauty regime is. I picture a morning shower scene out of a day in the life of Patrick Bateman. Lotions, oils, conditioning serums. Actually, I’d just like to picture him in the shower…

Mariano on his style: “I am a bit of a hippie but with care, bohemian yet somehow classic.I think everyone looks for their own style, mine is a balance between comfort and elegance.” I like that, a balance between comfort and elegance. Every guy should aim for that in his own way. Let’s face it, though, not everyone can look as great as Mariano in a t-shirt and jeans, a few yarn bracelets and Zeus’ likeness.

And like every Eurotrash boy, Mariano is in all the right places, in with all the right people. You can find him walking the runway in Milan, street styling in New York, and playing with pretty models in Roberto Cavalli’s perfume ad. The best way to keep tabs on him, in case you’re wondering (and I’m sure you are) is on his blog www.MDVstyle.com. Don’t be a square, follow him!

Click here to view the embedded video.

I am totally digging the latest collection by Rodebjer. Even if insects give me the heebee jeebees. These are my bubblegum picks for a pleasant summer splash! Shop this print here:

http://www.rodebjer.com/en/artiklar/new-arrivals/index.html 

Augustina store windows are perennial treats. Image by Kaerucomm.

Nestled along a quaint, cobblestone path in Yorkville, Augustina has been a favourite treat of mine since I started seeking out cool shops in Toronto – circa grade 9. And it was love at first sight. The only store to have ever stocked accessories by the prestigious Italian ski fashion brand, Postcard (don’t even go there, Moncler), I’ve always had a deep admiration for Augustina’s keen eye on cool things. Always a bit more recherché, a bit more eurotrash, if you will.

And finally, we can shop these goodies online as Augustina has just launched its e-commerce website across Canada at http://augustinaboutiques.com. I’ve got my eye on the Augustina brand laser-cut leather pouches ($195 CAD) and dreaming of the Anita Ko rose-gold leaf ring with diamonds ($5,750 CAD). Operative word: dreaming. 

Matta scarves, pretty basics for Spring. Love the blush hue. ($195 CAD).

Python envelope clutches by PHLOX. ($550 CAD)

Augustina pouches ($195 CAD).

Yarnz pop-art scarves. ($225 CAD).

Anita Ko leaf rings. ($5,750 CAD).