It was a madhouse. I walked into H&M on Dundas and Yonge and clothes were flying all over the place. There was a "mad rush" of people trying to get into the Viktor and Rolf collection which was packed into a very small display area. It was far too small of an area if you ask me.

Is it common? Hardly! Common Cloth was my favourite addition to the spring 2007 show at L'OREAL Fashion Week. The clothes are feminine and masculine all at the same time, often practical, and definitely have a lot of sex appeal. This line definitely pushes the limits of what is Canadian cool.

Sisters Melanie Talbot and Kristina Bozzo are the driving force behind these dynamic designs. Melanie studied Marketing and Merchandising at the International Academy of Design and Kristina went to York University to study Mass Communications.

After a school field trip to Holt Renfrew yesterday I sauntered on up to the denim section. I'm used to seeing the $300 (plus) price shockers on the receipt but one thing I have never been able to wrap my brain around is paying full prices for holes. Seriously, holey jeans!

Why would I pay full price for holes? I know they look cool but how long would I really be able to wear holey jeans around? I certainly can't wear them to my parent's house. I can just imagine my mother saying, "Nicole, did you know there are holes in your jeans? You shouldn't go out of the house like that."

So now the guilt involved with buying reconstructed or distressed denim can be dissolved because we can do it ourselves. Vancouver denim company, Dish Jeans, has created a cool Finishing Guide on their website with step-by-step instructions on how to create a vintage fade, whiskers on the front of the jeans, surface abrasion, creases, tints, stains, and yes, even those darn holes. The online guide has video demonstrations but if you need to have a handy copy of your own just use the printable pdf copy.

It's an edgy sophistication that fuses all that is mod with all that is modern. House of Spy has an aesthetic that makes me weak in the knees. I absolutely love this Toronto based label that pushes the limits while remaining feminine and flirty.

Wendy Wong, the mastermind behind this label, is creative, fun, and definitely a lot of fun to talk to. "I love designing because I've always wanted to have clothes that stand out from the typical mall store selection," Wendy said. "It lets me combine my love for vintage design with more modern fabrics, and the fact that other people like it too is great!"

Pick up House of the Spy gear at Paper-Doll, Trixie, Pho Pa, Little Black Dress Shop or Trove. Continue reading the inside scoop with House of Spy's Wendy Wong below.

Get FAT. It will be the art of fantasy, seduction and the street featuring local underground fashion designers, artists and musicians. Toronto Alternative Fashion Week (affectionately known as FAT) will be at The Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District this week from October 17 to 19. There will be free art exhibitions everyday from 12:00-7:00pm. The fashion shows, live music, and performances will be from 8:00pm to 1:00am everyday. If you want to check out the shows, it is $10 at the door ($5 for students).

It's about time FAT wasn't a bad word. Check out GetFAT for more details on the participating artists, designers, and performers.

Picture extracted from Toronto Alternative Fashion Week.

It's gloomy out again which means it is the perfect day to go shopping. If you are out and about looking for a great deal check out the Fall Fashion Sale and Brunch at the Gypsy Co-op on 817 Queen Street W. between 12:00pm and 6:00pm today. House of Spy, Hyphen, Wonderlust, Uppercut, and Milk will be there.