Headpieces, my latest obsession

m3s feathered fascinator

I think that my favourite way to add intrigue to an otherwise plain outfit is a great headpiece. I'm a pretty big fan of fascinators of all sorts- my personal collection includes a variety of feathers, oversize bows, and flowers- and it's getting to the point where I feel a little naked without one. And I'm certainly not the only one embracing this attention-grabbing hair accessory.

Diane von Furstenberg, Chanel, and YSL, just to name a few, all showed some stunning headpieces in their SS2010 collections. So far the ones I've been creating have been relatively small and simple, but these designers are inspiring me to construct huge, show-stopping pieces. For me, it's pretty much the bigger, the better!

They work for all occasions, drawing attention to your face and salvaging bad hair days. The feathered pieces shown here are super-versatile and great anytime- peacock feathers are gorgeous too. When I was in Mexico a few months ago, I didn't go anywhere without beachy flowers in my hair; they're so sweet and girly and are a great way to add colour. Giant bows are adorable in the daytime, and the dramatic veiled pieces or hats are beautiful as an evening look. Wearing one of these gives you a touch of old Hollywood glamour and instantly pulls your outfit together. Head-to-toe-black can be monotonous, but a headpiece makes that same ensemble super chic.

Hairpieces on headbands are tricky, as a lot will give you headband headaches- be careful with these, and always try them on first. I personally prefer combs, which have impressive staying-power in my thick hair and tuck easily into an updo, or snap barrettes, which work on everybody. Smaller versions on bobby pins are great too, and are usually the least expensive way to explore this trend.

Check out the Mes Trois Soeurs headpieces- I'm updating this collection daily in my Etsy shop, and many of them are also available in-store at Victoire Boutique in Ottawa, Boutique Unicorn in Montreal, and the Coal Miner's Daughter and Freedom Clothing Collective in Toronto. Keep checking in, because knowing me, I'll probably have one the size of my own head for sale by the end of the week. Love it!!

m3s headpiece, photo by Celeste De Mueleneare

Toronto shopping: Coal Miner's Daughter

I'm not an expert on shopping in Toronto, as I don't visit nearly enough. The boutique Coal Miner's Daughter makes me want to change that. The tiny shop was recommended to me by the lovely Nathalie-Roze (of Nathalie-Roze & Co boutique), and I'm so glad she introduced me!

Janine Cockburn and Krysten Caddy run Coal Miner's Daughter single-handedly, and do a damn good job doing it. Entering is like walking into your dream closet- skirts, dresses, rompers, handbags, jewelry, fascinators, etc- and everything is gorgeous. Designers include Mes Trois Soeurs (of course!), Sui Generis, Josiane Perron, and Janine's own label Clementine & Tweed, to name just a few. Janine and Krysten have a knack for finding pieces that exude effortless style while mixing feminine and edgy, for a selection that will suit just about any fashion-forward shopper. And considering they carry only small local labels, the prices are incredible- these ladies make sure that everything they stock is high-quality and affordable.

Coal Miner's Daughter is located on 587 Markham in Mirvish Village, a super-cute little area with a great selection of restaurants and vintage shops.

Photos by Alex Russel, from the Coal Miner's Daughter website

Montreal shopping: Headquarters Galerie & Boutique

Every time I meet a stylish Montrealer who hasn't heard of Headquarters, I cry a little inside. It's without a doubt one of the best stores in the city, and if you haven't been before, you're seriously missing out.

The boutique is run by the amazingly talented duo Tyson and Angie. Tyson's an artist and Angie's the designer behind the fantastic label Norwegian Wood... and they're the nicest people you'll ever meet.

HQ carries a carefully handpicked selection of clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, home decor, and all sorts of fun stuff from designers all over the world, as well as a great selection of vintage items. (Tyson does some hand-painted vintage shoes that I'm especially fond of!) The pieces they carry aren't available at big retailers and are even sometimes one-of-a-kind... you'll never run into someone with the same outfit as you! And when you enter the basement, you realize that they're also an art gallery, with a new exhibit every month or so.

They're located at 1649 Amherst, really close to the Beaudry metro. It's pretty much impossible to leave without buying anything.

Mes Trois Soeurs in the window at HQ

Mes Trois Soeurs: the blog!

That's right- I've decided to jump on the blogging bandwagon. I guess it's a good way to keep interested parties updated on Mes Trois Soeurs news, and for me to let out my feelings about fashion... so here we go!

In case you have no idea who I am or what "Mes Trois Soeurs" is, here's the story of how I got to where I am now.

I've been sewing and knitting pretty much my whole life (I started when my mother thought it was safe to give me needles and scissors). Throughout high school I just made my own dance costumes, but I didn't really think anything of it. Fast-forward a few years later, to my second year of university, when I needed a formal dress for an event and had pretty much no money to spend on it. I decided to attempt to make one- I wanted a sort of Marilyn-Monroe-meets-ballerina look. I altered the pattern so much I vowed never to use commercial patterns again, but the dress was gorgeous nonetheless.

Here it is, my very first dress, courtesy of photographer Tristan Brand:

Pretty, right? So I thought, I should keep doing this! I taught myself to draft and drape patterns, repeatedly upgraded my sewing machines, got my clothing into fashion shows, and a little over a year ago, my label, Mes Trois Soeurs, got stocked at boutiques. Hurrah!

It's grown immensely since then, and it's now available at:

Montreal

Boutique Unicorn- 5135 St Laurent

Headquarters Galerie & Boutique- 1649 Amherst

Ottawa

Victoire Boutiques- 246 Dalhousie, and 1282 Wellington

Toronto

The Freedom Clothing Collective- 939 Bloor

Coal Miner's Daughter- 587 Markham

Nathalie-Roze & Co- 1015 Queen East

Vancouver

Twigg & Hottie- 3671 Main

and in my Etsy shop, which I admittedly don't pay enough attention to:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mestroissoeurs

So that's what Mes Trois Soeurs, or m3s, is... feminine, girlie clothing and accessories that are easy to wear, flattering, and generally make you feel pretty.