Inside E! @ Spice Route

In the land of Oz Dorothy discovered that the guaranteed path to happiness happened to be yellow and comprised of carefully laid brick. In Toronto, around this time of year the paths to happiness are being rolled out all over the city in a much more passionate shade of red.

No tornado necessary we arrived at the 2008 Inside E Canada party in classic Toronto style- the cab. Stepping out onto the burgundy shag, lightly misted in dew from what can only be described as one of the cities dampest summers it was more than clear that TIFF (Toronto International Film Fest) was in the air. Fashionably early, which has undoubtedly become the new fashionably late, the FF boys mingled outside the King west local Spice Route (499 King St. W). The venue, a mix of combined talents from chic club gods, Charles Khabouth and Nick Di Donato is the closest thing to Shangri-La in this hemisphere. A paradise of great fashion finds as well, the crowd delivered and was an appropriate mix of understated glam. With so many drab tuxedos dragging themselves down red carpets from here to the Oscars the FF boys were pleased to catch guys stepping up their game. Tips from the night that most certainly should inspire your next red carpet look include paying attention to detail in the lapel of your jacket and wearing the bow tie out of context. With the return to the bow tie, a formal staple, we are seeing many lads embracing the old-school relic in great new ways, and designers in fantastic new colors and fabrics.

Not that everyman is ready to start draping himself in lace but classically feminine fabrics are being spun into sexy masculine structured garments for guys. Silk blazers, shirts and even pants are making a return to the gentleman’s closet. Prada’s fall collection is saturated with the sheened lux fiber. Following in suit are other top menswear designers Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, and labels such as D&G, which was pulled off flawlessly by FF’s, own Jeff Rustia at the Inside E party.

The festival continues for a week or so more boasting many more parties to attend, and several outfits to wheel out. Umbrella in hand, martini in the other we will bring you inside the fashion of the fest and prove that thanks to the TIFF there really is no place like home.



Cheers,

~J