Not a salt or pepper strand out of place, Mimran appears to live his life under the soft glow of a Floridian sun rather than the harsh glare of fluorescent lights. His navy suit fits like a cashmere-lined leather glove, and his feet look just as comfortable in his signature velvet Church’s slippers. In an industry where image is everything, Mimran gets a standing ovation. The conversation moves to a sleek long table in his contemporary glass office, where all the planks in the runway start to form a story. It’s there, glancing out into the expansive factory workspace reminiscent of a dressed-up New York newsroom, that one wonders how this silver fox pulled such a lucrative rabbit out of his hat.

With more than 300 locations across Canada, Mimran’s semi-eponymous Joe Fresh label debuted under Loblaw Companies Limited in 2006 as its private apparel line that would bring affordable fashion to the masses. Similar concepts had brushed the ears of consumers in the past, but this time the promise of more-for-less was being made by a man who co-founded upscale minimalist brand Club Monaco, which he sold to Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. in 1999. Needless to say, Mimran’s name was literally on the line. Collection after collection, he proved that classic cuts with trendy touches don’t have to empty clutches – not to mention the convenience of paying for peas and a peacoat in one swipe. “Joe is a strong visionary with an incredible talent for thinking outside the box,” says his designer wife, Kimberley Newport-Mimran of the Pink Tartan brand.

In an effort to further relay his message to the masses, Mimran put his unisex collections on the catwalk: an atypical business move that turned out to be one of his brightest. “There was nobody really doing runway at that price point here in Canada and to me it was important because it showed that we’re very credible in terms of fashion, that we wanted it to come from a very real place,” says Mimran. Today, his shows are at the crescendo of Toronto’s LG Fashion Week, featuring top models like Crystal Renn and Tiiu Kuik and consistently garnering crowds with front-row fashion editors from New York and London.

A few years after the inception of Joe Fresh, Loblaw’s announced that its in-house clothing line was on track to becoming a billion-dollar brand. The fiscal forecast foreshadowed the line’s next logical steps: stand-alone stores in Toronto and Quebec, and the precarious decision to test its selling power under a star-spangled banner. “The United States is sort of a graveyard for Canadian retailers, and so it’s always been a difficult decision to make,” says Moroccan-born Mimran, adding that the stigma of failure worries him far less than the thought of not trying. “There’s a limit to how much more we can grow in the market and I think to have reached the amount of penetration that we have over such a short period of time, we would be doing ourselves a disservice in not trying to take it internationally.” Joe Fresh kicked off its American crawl with permanent stores in New York and New Jersey this fall, including a fixture on Fifth Avenue.

If you consider Mimran’s genes, Canada’s flourishing fashion icon fits right in. “My mom was in the business and there was always fabrics around everywhere and she was always sewing and there was a form,” he says of Esther, who made sure her son was the most fashionable in school. His deep brown pupils expand as he remembers himself as the 11-year-old kid with the Beatle boots, Glen Check suit and made-to-measure lumber jackets sewn with love. “There was this amazing, navy suede sweater vest that I had to have – navy suede, can you imagine? I asked my mom, ‘Oh, would you mind making me a navy suede sweater vest with the double-knit back and the double-knit sleeves? She would whip them up for me.”

Busy expanding the runway of his apparel empire, Mimran manages to find time for golf, scrabble, and even sleep. “Kim says I sleep too well. She says a bomb could go off and it’s just incredible,” says the 59-year-old. He also finds time to collect contemporary art, but at 13-by-9 feet, his most recent Julian Schnabel piece is too big for his Toronto home. Perhaps it will soon follow Joe Fresh with a move to the U.S. “That’s what happens when you start to collect, you become a little bit obsessed, a little bit like slippers,” he says, looking down at his feet. It’s a rare moment to see Mimran without his chin up – it’s just not his style.
www.joefresh.com

Dripping with glitz and glam, this couture cocktail dress by Tony Ward catches the eye with gold sequin embellishments and a train that will leave admirers starry eyed. www.tonyward.net

As the blush fabric seems to dance on its own, the sequined bow takes the lead in a ballroom full of suitors. This quietly flirtatious dress from the MLH Luxurywear Collection is swathed in self-confidence, a signature touch by designer Maria Lucia Hohan. www.marialuciahohan.com

Sparkle your way through the crowd with the season’s beauty must-haves. Perfect on its own or over lipstick, the Festive Gold gloss adds glints of stardom to a holiday pout, while a complementary palette of gold, smoked brown and burgundy eyeshadows and mascara smudge mystery across your eyes. www.lisewatier.com

Accessorize in luxurious warmth with Sutra’s 18-karat yellow gold natural rough diamond earrings. www.fragments.com

Ring in the new year with yellow gold and chocolate diamonds. www.levian.com

With a strong infatuation for ’40s and ’50s fashion, award-winning designer Huy Vo’s creation awakens the old soul with a contemporary kiss.
Dress by Huy Vo Atelier, Bracelet by Jewelmak, www.jewelmak.com
Photographer: Eniko Szucs, www.enikoszucs.com
Fashion Editor: Cameron K. Carpenter, http://cargocollective.com/cameronkcarpenter/
Makeup: Jennifer Nam, www.jennifernam.tumblr.com
Model: Marina P. at Red Model Management
Hair Stylist: Nicholas Shatarah
Fashion Assistant: Rossi Martini

Whispering shimmers of seduction, this gilded metallic gown surrenders to the floor in effortless glamour. www.ghadahparis.com

The luxurious !Xam Diamonds gallery showroom is a mere preview to the stunning stones it offers. www.xamdiamonds.com

What better way to express your admiration than with an ethically mined diamond ring? www.xamdiamonds.com

Silence may be golden, but the clink of Tiffany Locks bangles is music to your ears.
www.tiffany.com

Olivia Wilde, Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry have all turned to the design talents of Reem Acra for gowns that exude grace. A Hollywood look is as easy as slipping on this sequin show-stopper. www.reemacra.com
Dress by Reem Acra, necklace and earrings by Andy Götz, clutch by Paola Dangond.
Photographer: Eniko Szucs, www.enikoszucs.com
Fashion Editor: Cameron K. Carpenter, http://cargocollective.com/cameronkcarpenter/
Makeup: Jennifer Nam, www.jennifernam.tumblr.com
Model: Marina P. at Red Model Management
Hair Stylist: Nicholas Shatarah
Fashion Assistant: Rossi Martini

A symbol of longevity, the Jean Schlumberger Orchid clip blooms with emeralds, diamonds and a platinum turquoise pin in 18-karat gold. www.tiffany.com

Special Thank you to staff of Natuzzi Furniture showroom store for the gracious use of their space.

Tusks and Cuffs
Strong, bold and distinctively daring, the patriarchal authority cast by these silver, pink-crystal-eyed elephant cufflinks adds an unforgettable accent to formal wear.
www.vivre.com

Eton Formal Wear
From Eton, a Swedish menswear designer since 1928, comes the black ribbon formal wear. Injecting purple and grey into the standard black-and-white formal formula blends class with style to create a striking look. www.newyorkshoppingdiary.com

La Queue de Cheval
With Frank Sinatra-like charm, La Queue de Cheval is a classy Montreal dining experience that embraces that classic-cool mentality. A must-visit for the nostalgic man. www.queuedecheval.com

The Golden Age
With an art deco-inspired bottle designed by Italian architect and artist Lucca Scacchetti, the golden Colonia fragrance is light, fresh and ideal for the suave individual. www.holtrenfrew.com

Ruggedly Relaxed
Sporting a worn, pre-aged esthetic with a button-fly, the rocky denim of Levi’s Vintage line is both stylish and rugged, perfect for casual socializing with the boys. www.mrporter.com

Rock the Crocs
Rough brown crocodile skin adds a hint of edge to these swanky Gucci moccasins, while a silver horsebit balances the look with debonair detailing. www.gucci.com

Patek 5298P
The baguette diamonds lining the bezel frame of Patek’s 5298P Platinum face provides an element of extravagance to a sophisticated yet understated look. www.patek.com

Lucky #13
Tom Ford’s Look 13 evokes trendy refinement. An amber cashgora brings prominence to the earthy base of the camel-silk cashmere tailored country jacket and beige cotton corduroy pants. www.tomford.com

Crystal Clear
Awash with transparent feminine elegance, this sea green gown oscillates with lace, sequins and light embroideries.
www.jackguisso.com

Make waves with over 300 carats of faceted emerald beads.
www.rasko.com
416.226.5000

A magnetic meadow of gems and diamonds unite in this 18-karat white gold dazzler.
www.rasko.com
416.226.5000

Eavesdrop on a whisky coloured trifecta of 18-karat white gold, trillium-cut lemon stone and round brilliant-cut diamonds.
www.rasko.com
416.226.5000

CULTURED COUTURE
Art, fashion and novelty culminated in an exhibition of neo-couture at Rome’s Limited/Unlimited event. A collection of designers revealed its own interpretations of dressmaking, with limited-edition items ranging from clothes and accessories to shoes and jewelry at the Palace of Italian Civilization.

Running Wild
The raw talent of Jack Guisso receives howls of approval with a gown that prowls the runways of Rome with animal instinct.
www.jackguisso.com

Dipping seductively into womanly curves, this white gold necklace weds onyx with black and white diamonds (707 of them!) for a mysterious trail of luxury.
www.rasko.com
416.226.5000

Your finest crystal collection couldn’t put a finger on this. Gleaming with 16 princess-cut diamonds, why would it even try?
www.rasko.com
416.226.5000

Standing tall and dignified, these white gold earrings with four rose-cut black diamonds add ear-catching glamour for a night on the town.
www.rasko.com
416.226.5000

Rub shoulders with Jean Schlumberger’s stunning conique necklace, swathed in exquisite diamonds and red spinels set in 18-karat gold and platinum.
www.tiffany.com

The diamond drop earring steps outside the box with dazzling blue tourmaline and a platinum backdrop. www.tiffany.com

Plunge into the depths of untold beauty with renowned jewelry designer Jean Schlumberger. The Four Flowers ring blooms with marquise diamonds and a cushion-shaped tanzanite set in 18-karat gold and platinum.
www.tiffany.com

A passionate pursuit in persimmon orange radiates warmth and seduction for a modern woman inspired by history.
www.abedmahfouz.com

Brumani Earrings
Your life will be anything but simple with these white gold, white diamond Brumani earrings with smoky and pink quartz stones. www.brumani.com

Brumani Ring
An elegant cluster of glistening gems set in pristinely polished white gold, this marvellous Brumani ring will turn heads at those formal spring galas. www.brumani.com

Matthew Campbell Laurenza Earrings
With three tiers of dangling pink sapphires, these lovely pavé drop earrings from M.C.L. by Matthew Campbell Laurenza will have you sparkling under the soft lights of those sultry summer events. www.mcldesign.net

Semi-transparent Gown
Embroidered with royal blue floral arrangements, this flowing, semi-transparent gown is a graceful display of divine beauty that is sure to floor potential suitors. www.abedmahfouz.com

Sutra Earrings
These eye-catching Sutra earrings rest bold pink tourmaline gems on a fantastic field of petite diamonds. Become a Jewel of India with these fabulous accessories. www.sutrajewels.com

Cocktail Dress
As if from a chic contemporary ballet, Abed Mahfouz dazzles audiences with glittering gold on this frilly and unforgettable cocktail dress. www.abedmahfouz.com

Abed Mahfouz Soft-pink Gown
Designer Abed Mahfouz adds a refined touch of elegance to AltaRomAltaModa with this graceful, soft-pink gown. So stunning, even Cinderella would be jealous.

Le Vian Earrings
Sparkling with soft and sweet colour, a sizeable cotton candy amethyst is draped with pink topaz and chocolate diamonds on these dazzling earrings from Le Vian. www.levian.com

Summer Dress
Soft champagne-coloured fabric gracefully dances around the body, while feathery frills accent the single-shouldered strap of this darling summer dress. This light and breezy outfit showcases the splendid designs and beautiful mind of Tony Ward, and is certainly worth raising a glass to. www.tonyward.net

Amrapali Cuff
Sharp pink tourmaline triangles blend beautifully with the gold frame of this marvellous Amrapali cuff. This golden band will make you the centre of attention at any black-tie affair.
www.amrapalijewels.com

Tony Ward Cocktail Dress
A flock of wildly scattered and silky squares juxtapose sophisticated yet sexy embroidery on this unique cocktail dress from Tony Ward. www.tonyward.net

Tony Ward Gown
Tony Ward’s smart and sophisticated style radiates from this elegant piece of haute couture – an ideal piece for any formal affair. www.tonyward.net

Pavé Drop Earrings
An endless array of sapphires and diamonds rival the evening’s twinkling twilight on these gorgeous pavé drop earrings. www.vivre.com

Christian Louboutin Pumps
Electrify the night with Christian Louboutin’s sparkling Swarovski Crystal-encrusted peep-toe pumps. www.net-a-porter.com

1. Be proud of the man in the mirror with edgy Italian fashion that reflects your unique personality. www.palzileri.it

2. Pal Zileri’s 2011 Cerimonia collection will make the memories linger for a lifetime. www.palzileri.it

3. Tie the knot in high style with a bespoke suit from Corneliani. www.corneliani.com

4. Expect the grass to turn greener when you start swinging with the new Idea Tech V3 Hybrid. www.adamsgolf.com

5. With a background in set design and music video production, artist Mikal Hameed, a.k.a. M11X, composes musical masterpieces from everyday objects. www.mikalhameed.com

6. Say yes to the suit. Stand tall on that special day with style that strays from tradition. www.palzileri.it

7.Wrap this Chapter One white gold timepiece around your wrist to truly enjoy the present moment. www.maitresdutemps.com

8. The iron soul of Ecco’s Golf Street shoe is simply a par above the rest. www.eccocanada.com

9. This Diesel-designed Ducati brings two Italian brands together for a smooth ride. www.ducati.com

10. Since the ’50s, Isaia has been adorning men in striking Neapolitan tradition. www.isaia.it

11. Italian designer Massimo Iosa Ghini conceptualized this striking glass gallery for Ferrari’s Factory Store in Serravalle Scrivia, Italy. www.iosaghini.it

12. Embrace the nautical look and set sail with modern menswear from Paul & Shark’s Yachting collection. www.paulshark.it

Unabashed by bright colours, earthy prints and subtle hints, Riva chose to satisfy, rather than taunt, an audience that yearns to be fashionably fulfilled.

Italian designer Riva has a talent for timeless bridal wear that notably transcends through each of his collections. With an impressive ability to esthetically enhance the female structural physique, Riva proves to also have the refined eye of an architect.

www.altaroma.it

SERGIO ZAMBON
The Limited/Unlimited exhibition, featuring the designer of Soft Core, swept imagination throughout La Pelanda at the latest edition of AltaRomaAltaModa. He began as a fashion designer for Fendi, designing women’s prêt-à-porter and the Fendi Uomo collection. Today, Sergio Zambon continues his craft by creating Made-in-Italy garments for the hectic, responsible traveller. Dressing the likes of Madonna, Zambon continues to find inspiration from the women who apply class and casualness to contest the barriers of convention.

TONY WARD
Contemporary designer Tony Ward masters the grey area by merging feminine frill with sophisticated supremacy. Sleek and smooth with subdued feminine touches, this backless power dress flaunts confidence, carrying a bold yet warm woman to command a starlit evening. A renowned designer with a jet-set clientele, Ward structures his artistry from time spent studying in Paris and working with the industry’s best – Gianfranco Ferrè at Maison Dior, Karl Lagerfeld at Chloé Couture and Claude Montana at Lanvin. His signature is a refined silhouette that fits today’s modern woman with fluidity and sophistication; the Ward label has been lauded throughout the U.S., Russia and the Middle East.

At 33, the Madrid native has brought 23 of her own original collections to life, including spring, summer and fall wear, bridal wear and even couture handbags. In 2001, Aguilar became the youngest designer to participate in Madrid’s Fashion Week and has since had her collections showcased in other Fashion Weeks held in Barcelona, Russia, New York and Paris.

Her designs have been worn by actress Salma Hayek and displayed in the Dress Museum in Madrid, the Reina Sofia Art Museum in Madrid, the Ethnological Artistic Heritage’s national collection in Madrid and the Trump Soho Hotel Condominium in New York.

As the youngest of the 30 members of the Association of Spanish Fashion Designers (ACME), which honours esteemed and influential designers such as Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta and the Balenciaga Foundation, Aguilar remains a noticeably inventive and prominent contemporary Spanish designer.

Aguilar says fashion is an integral part of her life, especially because of the time she dedicates to it. “I consider my life lucky because my work is my true passion. It is a way for me to channel my feelings and it is a path that once started, cannot be finished,” she says.

Having grown up with a father who was a jazz musician, a mother who was a painter and poet and a grandmother who was a dressmaker, Aguilar’s upbringing was very rich in the arts. She continues to give art, design and fashion a special spot in her life. “In my opinion, dolce vita is the ability to enjoy free time with family and friends and if I can combine this with something that I enjoy, such as being by seaside, even better,” says Aguilar.

She studied design, illustration and pattern designing at the Industrial Design College in Madrid and worked as a freelance illustration and pattern designer for two years. Then, in 1998, the 23-year-old Aguilar launched her own eponymous company and her first ready-to-wear spring collection. She has since experienced nothing but success and growth in her career. “I knew that I had to work for some time in another designer’s studio, but from the beginning I wanted to start my own company. Just when I started to feel comfortable at the design company I was working for, I thought, either I leave now while I have nothing to lose, or I will never do so,” says Aguilar. “I gave it all up to start my first collection -– either way it turned out, I believed that the experience was worth it.”

Aguilar’s work has evolved and attracted a lot of buzz over her 10 years as a designer. Having been chosen as one of the 50 best international designers for the Harper Collins Book, Young Fashion Designers, in 2007, it is clear that Aguilar’s pieces aren’t waiting to be pulled off the racks just by women in Spain.

With her new Spring Summer 2010 collection, Aguilar will have women strutting around in dazzling colours, patterns and fashionable folds as the seasons roll around. She says the inspiration for the collection came to her after a trip to India that she said impacted her more than she initially thought it would. “The people, the aromas, the colours and sounds – aside from that, it is a natural evolution of my previous works,” says Aguilar.

The collection features cantaloupe orange and popping pink ensembles as well as pieces in intense sea greens, bold blues and sparkling whites that give off a very feminine, fresh summer’s day look. A few long, flowing floral dresses provide an elegant version of the classic wardrobe staple that every woman takes off the hanger and puts on in spring and summer. A reappearing trend in the line seems to be a new twist on the use of pleats. They are no longer just formally placed straight along skirts. Pleats appear cascading from shoulder to shoulder, in stacked layers, lining collars and molded into flower embellishments on dresses. Aguilar also eliminates the use of the standard buckled belt and introduces a new type of waist encircling accessory – rope with tassels hanging at the ends – which are tied around the waists of pants and dresses in the collection.

The company, Alma Aguilar, is now located in a new 350 square metre space in which Alma presents her bridal collections, haute couture, Alma Aguilar and Allegra by Alma Aguilar. The latter was named after her daughter, who was also Aguilar’s inspiration for a future low-cost children’s clothing line called Mini Alma Aguilar. The entire 2010 spring summer collection can only be found in Madrid in Aguilar’s store. Some items can be found in the rest of Spain, the UK, Japan, Russia and the U.S. Aguilar says she hopes her pieces will shortly become available in more locations, including Canada.

To get a sneak peak at Aguilar’s spring summer 2010 collection as well as other collections, visit www.almaaguilar.com

Not-so-normal neutrals. Plain Jane may have had a reputation for steering clear of colour, but a neutral dress that’s driven by edge is capable of stopping traffic. Though the classical clean look has drastically developed over the decades, it has always remained in style. A soft crisp outfit with a modern modification is one of the best ways to make a black, beige or cream-coloured ensemble stand out. A backless maxi or tie wrap skirt might just be the wake-up-call your wardrobe needs. With some subtle variation, the minimalist look can actually make a massive impact that seems effortless.

Go with the flow. Have you ever had the urge to wear something slightly out of your element? This is the time to release your reservations. The recession has triggered a runway trend that’s spreading down the streets: fearless fashion. The liberation of style is a sign that all is not lost. It is a portico to a more fruitful future – fashion-forward, if you will.

Bolder colours, higher high heels and ornate jewelry provide a sense of escapism for those seeking to break free from monotony. Though basics are always a safe choice, bolder statements are not only accepted, they are now celebrated. This movement towards experimental fashion sends the optimistic message that an economic downturn will never shackle the spirit of style.

Love or lust? Adding length to the little black dress and complementing it with a precious piece will make an infatuated crowd radiate reverence. Sometimes it’s the little things that don’t count. Dominating the runways, the maxi has managed to garner extreme praise and recognition for its versatile capacities. From classic casual, to classy elegance, a floor-dropping dress can take you from dusk to dawn in style. You can enhance the look with a pair of fancy flats, but don’t be afraid to let your hair down and slip on a simpler sandal.

1. Carmen Marc Valvo unleashes summer style with this sleeveless floral-print dress with an embellished neckline. www.saksfifthavenue.com

2. This sophisticated David Meister pleated bow collar dress provides a soft silhouette that can take you from work to play. www.saksfifthavenue.com

3. As a leader in the luxury jewelry frontier, De Grisogono creates inventive pieces with spectacular cuts and combinations of dazzling gems. www.degrisogono.com

4. Achieve classic flair with a swooping caramel tie wrap skirt like this Antonio Pernas version. www.caramelo.com

5. Slip into crisp, clean elegance with this cream-coloured dress cinched at the waist. www.caramelo.com

6. This jaw-dropping, floor-sweeping black backless maxi by Antonio Pernas is a seasonal must-have. www.caramelo.com

7. These stunning circular-cut diamond ear pendants with suspending briolette-cut emeralds exude supreme grace. www.christies.com

8. Auctioned off at The New York Sale by Christie’s for $1,650,500, Catherine the Great’s Emerald and Diamond Brooch is a rare historical gem. www.christies.com

9. Wrap your wrist in Bochic’s black Bakelite cuff with jade and gold flower detailing to enrapture. www.bochic.com

10. Antonio Pernas sweeps us off our feet with this sleek, sleeveless maxi. www.caramelo.com

11. This striking Tiffany & Co. diamond necklace was sold by Christie’s auction house in April for $362,000. www.christies.com

12. This detailed mini-dress with Juliet sleeves by Caramelo is designed to flatter. Slip on a pair of stacked heels to take the look to new heights. www.caramelo.com

13. Cartier’s dazzling hexagonal-cut sapphire ring bounded by diamonds makes all other rings sound lacklustre. www.christies.com

14. Make a momentous move by slipping into this vibrant maxi and all eyes will gaze green with envy. www.caramelo.com

15. This intricate emerald and diamond ring by Bhagat is just one of the many exceptional beauties auctioned by Christie’s. www.christies.com