#NYFW: Hayley Elsaesser My Little Pony Fall 2017

Rejuveniles rejoice! Hayley Elsaesser created the flamboyant My Little Pony collection of your dreams! The Canadian designer is known for her bright graphic prints and wildly fun attitude. The toy brand approached her for collaboration, finding their mutual aesthetic to be a great fit.

This color palette for this season was the most saturated shade of pretty much any color you can think of. Motifs included rainbows, clouds, hearts, plaid, lightning bolts and the star ponies themselves. You could find cute shift dresses, knit dresses, sweaters, short skirts, ruffled cropped pants for the ladies. Men were offered woven shirts, pants, hoodies, jackets and overalls.

The candy-colored hues didn't stop at the clothing. Male and female models were styled with the same colors in their hair and eye makeup. I loved that the abundance of color was also reflected in the casting. Models represented all ethnicities and body types. When I spoke to Elsaesser, this was very important to her. She wanted to make sure her presentation reflected her fans and customers.

The event was planned as a party. Guests were treated to nibbles and a sticker photo booth. Gift bags included a My Little Pony Pez dispenser, along with stickers, nail art and cookies. I love seeing fellow Canadian fashion peeps make their way down to NYFW. Her boutique is located on Queen Street West a few block away from my first internship in fashion when I still lived in Toronto.

Thank you, Hayley Elsaesser, for starting NYFW off with a joyful bang. I cherish shows that bring a giddy smile to my face. My Little Pony is an easy way to do that. The clothing is so fun, I am shopping on her site as I write this.
Photos by Mariana Leung

Also on Ms. Fabulous:

Betty and Veronica at Rachel Antonoff Spring 2017

Barbie's 50th Anniversary Fashion Show

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Canadian Designer Spotlight: Hilary MacMillan

Happy Canada Day my fashion peeps!  I thought I would introduce you to another Canadian fashion designer this July 1^st.  Hilary MacMillan is a relative newcomer to Toronto Fashion Week.   Her Fall/Winter 2014 was her second appearance at World Mastercard Fashion Week.

Her collection is sourced and manufactured locally and designed in Toronto.  Hillary and her sister Lindsay MacMillan also own a popular accessories boutique Elle Hardware in the trendy neighborhood of Queen West (Hubby and I always love to shop this area when we visit).

The family connections don’t end there.  For her inspiration this season, Hilary MacMillan looked to her Scottish ancestry as her muse.  The birds, tartans and hunting culture may be from the Highlands, but they are also very much a part of Canadian heritage as well.  The first Prime Minister of Canada was a Scottish gentleman named Sir John A. MacDonald.  I only know that because my high school was named in his honor, and I saw tartans everywhere.  Also, history textbooks had old black and white photos of Canadian fur trappers.

The graphic illustration print of pheasants is both elegant and whimsical.  It works really with the sleek suits and sheath dresses.  The traditional tartan pattern is used in updated fashion silhouettes, giving it a fresh look.  The fur accessories, whether it is the over-sized handbag or neck wrap, has a raw, unfinished pelt quality.  Instead of the polished glam collars of other collections this season, the pelts look like they were freshly hunted, reminding you of where they came from.  I like that idea.  If you DO choose to wear fur, why shy away from its origin?  It is kind of like the farm to table idea in cuisine, but applied to fashion. 

On this great Canada Day, get to know your design talent up North.  Hilary MacMillan is a fashion designer to watch!

Photos by George Pimentel

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