We first met this week’s Girl of the Week, FRANCES IGNACIO when she worked as a dresser at The Style Spy’s Fashion Show back in June. nFran’s multi-talented, she’s a fashion student and freelance stylist who also rocks out in an all-girl band (in real-life and on TV). Catch Fran jamming in a Kohl’s commercial (that’s her on the left).

What are you wearing: Dress from Winners, belt from Aldo, tights from American Apparel, shoes from Urban Outfitters, apple necklace from nParker Place, and hair by Daisy at Axis on Georgia!

My favourite designers: Anna nSui, Betsey Johnson, Gwen Stefani, Dace Moore, Samantha Treacy and Jill Stuart.

My favourite nlabels: I’m not too big on labels but I like Dace, Harajuku Lovers, Medicine and Stussy.

My favourite stores or shopping places: Parker Place and Aberdeen Centre in Richmond because they have the best/ unique nclothing from Asia!, One of a Few, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, vintage stores and boutiques/vintage shops in Gastown.

What’s your go-to look: A shirt dress or American Apparel tops (because they come in every colour!), leggings/tights and cool nboots.

What would you never wear: Ugg boots and MC Hammer pants.

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What can you never get enough of: Boots, shoes and cool necklaces.

Your most prized accessory: My bling apple necklace.

Favourite girls with style: Agyness Deyn, Leigh Lezark from the Misshapes, Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Blondie, Pat Benatar, Gwen Stefani and girl street style from Japan and Europe.

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Every season, it seems that a new “It” bag hits the market and everyone goes a bit nuts.

Well, this fall, there is definitely a plethora of new must-have bags out there (the YSL Downtown is still making waves, as are the Hermés Lindy and basically anything ombré by Prada), but a lot of the fall “bag story” has been about clutches.

From your traditional “clutch”—read: a small-ish, envelope-shaped bag just large enough to fit the hand but not so huge that your fingers are outstretched like you’re holding a football—to huge, convertible styles such as the Carlisle by L.A.M.B., there really is something for everyone to clutch onto this season.

My low-end favourite this season is definitely Urban Outfitters’ take on the wallet clutch, complete with pockets and compartment for credit cards and change. I particularly like the snake-print snap variety and the quilted, Chanel-inspired patent collection, available in almost every colour of the rainbow.

And in the higher end of the clutch market? Well, I finally caved and bought the Carlisle in the classic L.A.M.B. monogram. Although I have yet to use it (I’m one of those girls that carries her entire life around with her, although come to think of it, my laptop DOES fit in the Carlisle), I have gazed lovingly at it almost everyday since I purchased it. What can I say? Looks like this is one bag that’s—ahem—clutched onto my heart.

Rebecca Tay, The Style Spy
Rebecca@thestylespy.com

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Listen up Hollaback girls! Gwenny has a new little L.A.M.B. - a fragrance! Yes, after three short years designing the L.A.M.B. (Love. Angel. Music. Baby.) line, Gwen Stefani (goddess pop star-cum-head of cult collection) has added a fragrance to her empire through a partnership with Coty Inc., the world’s largest fragrance company. "L”, which of course, stands for love is as pleasantly sweet as her dulcet ballads.

But, while the name “love” may sound innocent, the provocative tag line for the debut fragrance, “I want you all over me” is enough to make a harajuku girl blush. A soaking wet Stefani pops out of the box dressed as a modern and sexy pin-up girl complete with signature red lips, short shorts and a sassy blouse. And, although the fragrance is very feminine, the packaging is very unisex. Cool, rasta-inspired red, yellow and green just like her bags. All I can say is, ‘ya mon’!

I gave it the quick sniff test. Girly, fresh, fruity! A spritz here, a spritz there (read: apply to the pulse points: nape (behind the ears), inner elbows, wrists and behind the knees) revealed a delicious ‘pear’ note. But, while I may not be a fragrance aficionado, the scent is not as edgy or unique as I might have expected from an icon with such killer individual style. However, seeing Stefani interviewed smacks of chilled-out, easy-going and cheerful. So, perhaps the fragrance then does reflect her personality. The fragrance is light and happy. A great year-round, very wearable soft scent that has been described as having top notes of sparkling green freshness, leafy water hyacinth, white freesia, fresh pear and violet leaves (Women’s Wear Daily).

As the celebrity fragrance competition rages on, I suggest you don your gold rimmed aviators, the bowler bag (L.A.M.B., of course) and dab on a bit of this ‘sweet escape’. It’ll be yummy from head to toe! Oh…one more thing…rumor has it a collection of L.A.M.B. body products will follow.

Ah…if I was a ‘rich girl’.

Nicole Harvie, The Style Spy
nicole@thestylespy.com

Check out Nicole’s “Diary of the Week” coverage for Vancouver in HELLO! Magazine!

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After way too much sun this summer, I started to develop tiny little bumps on my forehead. Oh the horror. I knew something was going haywire with my skin so I promptly hightailed it to the nearest beauty counter in seek of help. It was pointed out that even a bit of sun can cause a thin layer of dead skin to develop, leading to the clogged pores and the tiny bumps. What to do? Origins Modern Friction, nature’s gentle dermabrasion.

Dermabrasion is often done at spas or clinics, it’s the removal of the dead outermost surface of the skin by light abrasion. It removes sluggish cells, sun-damaged skin or lessen scars and dark spots on the skin. Now companies like Origins have home versions which are more convenient and less costly.

Modern Friction is made up of skin-refining rice starch cushioned in cream, mixed with Aloe to keep skin calm and scents like Bergamot and Peppermint for a perk-me-up scent.

It’s quite simple, two to three times a week, massage the product over your dry, clean skin in circular motions. Add a splash or water and work the product into a gentle lather. Rinse well and follow with your other skin care (toner, serum, moisturizer, etc.). Your skin will come out feeling smooth, polished and glowing.

After using the product just twice, I got a compliment from my friend, a makeup artist who is adamant about a good skin care routine. He stopped me to ask me what I was doing to my skin cause it looked healthy and smooth. Origins Modern Friction baby!

Modern Friction is available at the Origins counter at The Bay.

Erica Lam, The Style Spy
erica@thestylespy.com

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