As a mother of two boys, I’ve been asked if I’ve ever regretted not having a girl. With my great love of shoes and an affection for powders, creams and lipstick, I’m sure I would have adored picking out dresses and heels for a daughter’s first formal.

What I discovered last week was that shopping with and for my 13-year-old son would prove just as fun, and just as memorable.

With a Catholic confirmation and eighth-grade graduation within a month of each other, the idea of renting a suit, which we would only be able to keep for 24 hours, was unsavoury – I’d have to spend a few hundred dollars on a suit my son couldn’t keep. My friend and colleague, Amanda Reid-Muldoon of the local blog Rose City Style Guide, urged me to visit Freeds, where I could select from a few suit packages ranging in price from $199 to $299. Each package comes with the suit, tie, shirt, belt, socks and shoes. Score.

Dane Clifton, suit specialist Freeds

We visited Freeds on a weeknight shortly before closing, and fully expected that we would be on our own to find a suit and shirt, as well as all the coordinating accessories. I felt sudden panic. While I’ve easily curated my own wardrobe over the years, knowing just the right colours, fabrics and fit to complement my golden skin tone and slight frame, I realized I didn’t know the first thing about shopping for a men’s suit.

Fortunately, we were greeted by suit specialist Dane Clifton, a young gentleman I can only describe as ‘dapper.’ Dressed impeccably in a two piece navy suit, Dane represented what I think my Matteo all of a sudden longed to look like – contemporary, confident and put together, a man in modern design. Simple. Streamlined. Sharp.

The first order of business was selecting a colour. Matteo requested a grey suit, and Dane returned with a sleek Sean Jean suit in a beautiful shade of light grey. He paired it with a crisp white shirt and a deeper grey tie, and recommended that we select shoes and a belt in brown, a combination Dane said was fresh for spring.

In the near hour we spent with Dane, we got a thorough education on how to shop for this wardrobe cornerstone: that the sleeves should hit the wrist at a certain point, that a two-button suit with a narrow lapel is classic, that flat-front trim pants are most flattering for most body types, and that a tailor should be a man’s best friend.

As he walked Matteo through the rules of suit-dressing, I knew I was witnessing a coming-of-age moment, when my not-so-little boy’s sense of fashion was expanding beyond Adidas kicks and Aeropostale cargo shorts.

Suddenly, Matteo’s idea of a suit wasn’t that of a polyester blend purchased as a package off the rack at a department store; this suit (which he told me later he would wear every day if he could) was tailored to fit his athletic 5’11 frame perfectly.

With one suit and one visit to this legendary store, Matteo quickly learned to get the basics down, and later, with the continual help of Freeds’ suit specialists, will perfect the details.

Freeds is an advertiser with The Windsor Star. Anna Cabrera is the Custom Content Producer for The Windsor Star.

Darlene Hachey’s new line of gowns, hats and formal wear including a crocheted wedding dress will dominate a New York fashion runway later this month.

It’s haute couture for canines. Dogs on a catwalk in the American fashion capital.

“I’m nervous,” Hachey said of her designs fitting the four-legged models. “I’m bringing needle and thread and hoping I can adjust them.”

Her pink dress for a Bouvier with a 39-inch waist and matching attire for a Yorkshire Terrier will kick off the third annual Paws in the City pet fashion show May 30 at the Copacabana in New York City.

Six months ago she didn’t know dogs had fashion shows. What started as a hobby making pretty clothing for her cold Yorkie turned the retired Windsor hairdresser into a designer for dogs.

Hachey couldn’t find fancy dresses to fit her tiny Yorkie, Princess Lilly. Her first outfit was pink glitter yarn with rhinestones and ruffles. Four people in a local pet store followed her daughter around asking about the dog’s decorative duds. Hachey posted some of her designs on her Facebook page and quickly gained the attention of dog owners and Celebrity Catwalk, Paws in the City producer Jennifer Bartok.

Fashions for our furry friends are huge in New York, California and Florida. Bartok sees it as a natural progression in the world of fashion. Fashionable people wanting fashionable pet wear. “I think the world of doggie couture was born out of necessity of creative people wanting to put something on their dog that they couldn’t find in the store,” Bartok said.

Darlene Hachey’s Yorkie Keiki-Boy is shown with a hat she designed for the tiny dog at her Windsor, ON. home on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)

Hachey will have the most outfits at 20 of any of the 15 designers and will open the fashion show, Bartok said. Not a lot of doggy designers crochet and the details with ribbons, bows, crystals and sequins make her pieces unique, Bartok said. “She definitely sets herself apart with the way she’s able to turn around incredibly crocheted pieces.”

New York dog rescue groups will be fundraising during a reception and to help cover event costs, dog owners pay $100 to $150 to have their pooches in the show. The dogs get to keep the outfits they flaunt even though some could sell for up to $800, Bartok said. Dog models from Mississippi to Miami are catching flights to the show. “This is the true definition of couture because each item that these dogs in the show are wearing have been made specifically for them based on their measurements.”

Hachey and her daughter Dawnya are spending a couple thousand dollars to fly and stay for the show. Dawnya sees it as good marketing.

At first, her mom thought the letter from Bartok about the fashion show was a joke. Now she calls it an honour. The woman who started crocheting ponchos and toilet paper cover dresses 43 years ago has been up until 2 a.m. perfecting her designs. She doesn’t use patterns. She envisions the style after seeing a picture of the dog and her Yorkies, Keiki-boy and Princess Lilly, often serve as models.

“I’ve got to do fancier. This is runway,” she said to herself as the May 30 show approaches. “So I just did fancier and fancier. I always wanted to do lace, fancy stuff and I love mixing stones and ribbons and glitter.”

The Bouvier’s attire looks like a teen’s pink prom dress and contains material that costs US$40 a yard. That dress and a silver crocheted dress with rows of ruffles could fetch $150 if they weren’t donated to the show, Hachey said.

The wedding dress, which lights up, took about two weeks to complete. She would want at least $500 for it since the gown is crocheted and knitted, has more than four metres of lace and ruffles, and is adorned with crocheted roses and more than 500 pearls and crystals.

And yes, dogs do get married or at least dress like it. Two pugs in the May 30 fashion show were “married” in a lavish pink-themed New York wedding. And dogs have to be decked out appropriately when their owners get married or need their favourite fur ball as a ring bearer.

Mother and daughter are hoping celebrities will see the Princess Lilly and Co. designs in New York. Celebrities like Lisa Vanderpump of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and her well-dressed Pomeranian. The Hacheys have emailed Paris Hilton five times about the show.

Darlene Hachey’s Yorkie Princess Lilly is shown with a wedding dress she designed for the tiny dog at her Windsor, ON. home on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)

Judging by what the women see online, there’s no limit to what fashionista dog owners want or will pay for their pampered pets. Hachey’s dresses will start at $85. She said she’s been contacted by dozens of people who were waiting for her to finish her designs for the show so she can start on their orders.

She made her first dog dress a year ago and wasn’t expecting any of this, she said.

“I don’t think it’s really sunk in me yet what I’m making. I think once I hit the runway maybe it will sink in.”

shill@windsorstar.com

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TORONTO — Attention all women who have spent the last few years wearing yoga pants and sweats in your downtime: men are finally homing in on your stretchy-waisted turf.

Looking chic for prom and want the world to see? Send your photo jpegs to tips@windsorstar.com and we’ll add it to our gallery. It’s important to include the names of the people in the photo, school, photographer’s name and date of the prom. See Volume 1 and Volume 2

Ashley Zimmerman at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Dylan Zimmerman/Special to The Star)

Zac Fritsch and Kiana Deehan at the St. Thomas of Villanova High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Jody Fritsch/Special to The Star)

Myke Phillips and Sierra Pomerleau at the Walkerville High School prom. (Caroline/Special to The Star)

Ashley Zimmerman at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Dylan Zimmerman/Special to The Star)

Zac Fritsch and Kiana Deehan at the St. Thomas of Villanova High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Jody Fritsch/Special to The Star)

Shannon Zarka and Trisztan Horvath at the Villanova High School prom. (Catherine Zarka/Special to The Star)

Jaida Lambkin and Eric Godin at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Lise Lambkin/Special to The Star)

Felicia Tamasovics and Nick Maceroni at the Villanova High School prom. (Catherine Zarka/Special to The Star)

Marie-Ève Dufrene, Chanelle Champagne, Jaida Lambkin and Miranda Strong at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Lise Lambkin/Special to The Star)

Jaida Lambkin and Eric Godin at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Lise Lambkin/Special to The Star)

Shannon Zarka and Trisztan Horvath at the Villanova High School prom. (Catherine Zarka/Special to The Star)

Morgan Turner, Jaida Lambkin, Jillianne Quennell and Megan Holland at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Lise Lambkin/Special to The Star)

Melanie Sajtovich and Alex Baraoniciu at the L’Essor High School prom. (Maureen Sajtovich/Special to The Star)

Lauren Braido and Hailey Prieur at the Villanova High School prom. (Jill Braido/Special to The Star)

Samantha Beach, Kelly O’Donnell, Jessica Yaciuk at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Kelly O’Donnell/Special to The Star)

Payton Ferrone and Samantha David at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Sam David/Special to The Star)

Ashley Hartleib and William Belanger at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Dave Hartleib/Special to The Star)

Nicholas Maceroni and Felicia Tamasovics at the St.Thomas of Villanova High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Selina Maceroni/Special to The Star)

Melanie Sajtovich and Alex Baraoniciu at the L’Essor High School prom. (Maureen Sajtovich/Special to The Star)

Nora Merhi, Motasem Awad, Jaysa Lennox, Nour chukr, Russell Elliott And malak Bassam at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Nora Merhi/Special to The Star)

Hannah Fyke, Feiona Penney, Dylan Hussey, Nina Korac, Mackenzie Deneau at the St Thomas of Villanova High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Natalie Korac/Special to The Star)

Daniella Resendes and Adam Lang at the St Thomas of Villanova High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Jenna Resendes/Special to The Star)

Ashley Cline-Paré and Daniel Boucher at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Victoria Meluso/Special to The Star)

Daniel Chinea Garrido , Ali Atkins, Cole Hughes, Kelly O’Donnell and Kane Morneau at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Kelly O’Donnell/Special to The Star)

Dana Rosaasen, Kevin Neuts, Payton Ferrone and Samantha David at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Sam David/Special to The Star)

Hope Forman and Noah Beemer at the Cardinal Carter High Schoo prom on June 6, 2015. (Sandra Orsini/Special to The Star)

Felicia,Nicholas,Trisztan and Shannon before the St.Thomas of Villanova High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Selina Maceroni/Special to The Star)

Payton Ferrone, Samantha David, Jay Mills, and Tiffany Silva at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Sam David/Special to The Star)

Josie Fontana, front, and Jacob Coulson at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Debbie Coulson/Special to The Star)

Nicholas Maceroni and Felicia Tamasovics at the St.Thomas of Villanova High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Selina Maceroni/Special to The Star)

Dani, Derek, Hannah, Nicholas, Kassie, Justin, Katy, Colton on June 5, 2015 at the General Amherst High School prom. (Mark Robinson/Special to The Star)

Hope Forman before the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Sandra Orsini/Special to The Star)

Lauren Braido at the Villanova High School prom. (Jill Braido/Special to The Star)

Aleyna Rocheleau and Brendan Renaud at the St.Thomas of Villanova High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Ashley Cyrenne/Special to The Star)

Ashley Hartleib and William Belanger at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Dave Hartleib/Special to The Star)

Trent Resendes, Brianna Oliveira, Hope Forman, Noah Beemer,Vanessa Longo and Brett Rickeard at the Cardinal Carter High Schoo prom on June 6, 2015. (Sandra Orsini/Special to The Star)

Kaitlyn and Adam at the L’Essor High School prom. (Kaitlyn Cote-Caron/Special to The Star)

Ashley Cline-Paré and Daniel Boucher at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Victoria Meluso/Special to The Star)

Justin, Colton, Nicholas and Derek on June 5, 2015 at the General Amherst High School prom. (Mark Robinson/Special to The Star)

Sheldon Foldesi, Celeste Dancel, Hope Forman and Noah Beemer at the Cardinal Carter High Schoo prom on June 6, 2015. (Sandra Orsini/Special to The Star)

Amy Nabbout and Christian Conciatori at their high school prom. (Amy Nabbout/Special to The Star)

The boys at the Kennedy High School prom. (Marcel Chartrand/Special to The Star)

Trent Resendes, from left, Brianna Oliveira, Hope Forman, Noah Beemer,Vanessa Longo and Brett Rickeard at Cardinal Carter’s Prom on June 6, 2015.

Payton Ferrone and Samantha David at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Sam David/Special to The Star)

Ashley Cline-Paré and Daniel Boucher at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Victoria Meluso/Special to The Star)

Ashley Hartleib and William Belanger at the L’Essor High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Dave Hartleib/Special to The Star)

Marcel Chartrand, Kylie Perry, Amy Davis and Kenny Dickens at the Kennedy High School prom.

Nicholas Robinson on June 5, 2015 at the General Amherst High School prom. (Mark Robinson/Special to The Star)

Amy Nabbout Rylee Welsh at their high school prom. (Amy Nabbout/Special to The Star)

Breanna Pilutti and Daniela Duench, at the Riverside High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Daniela Duench/Special to The Star)

Dani, Derek, Hannah, Nicholas, Kassie, Justin, Katy, Colton on June 5, 2015 at the General Amherst High School prom. (Mark Robinson/Special to The Star)

Michelle Lutsch and Tom Drake at l’Essor prom on June 12, 2015, (Sadie Tremblay/Special to The Star)

Kaylee Marontate and Cristian Duran at the Villanova High School prom.

Marcel Chartrand, Kylie Perry, Amy Davis and Kenny Dickens at the Kennedy High School prom.

Josie Fontana, front, and Jacob Coulson at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015.

Lauren Braido, left, and Jake Radjenovich at the Villanova High School prom.

Katie Nantais, left, and Dylan Turton at the Essex District High School Prom.

Kaitlyn and Adam at the L’Essor High School prom.

Nick Busch and Mercedes Ranjit/Pelkey at the General Amherst High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Loretta Budway/Special to The Star)

Cassandra Wachna and Dylan Morin at the St. Thomas of Villanova High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Donna Morin/Special to The Star)

Alisa Dauti, left, and Julia Ralko at the Riverside High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Taylor Campbell/Special to The Star)

Nick Busch and Mercedes Ranjit/Pelkey at the General Amherst High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Loretta Budway/Special to The Star)

Jenesse, Mercedes, Dana and Sydney at the General Amherst High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Loretta Budway/Special to The Star)

Denise Pelaccia and Brannon Beaudoin at THE General Amherst High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Kim Iler/Special to The Star)

Best friends Leah Crowder and Mercedes Ranjit/Pelkey at the General Amherst High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Loretta Budway/Special to The Star)

Brad, Faith, Cassandra and Dylan at the St. Thomas of Villanova High School prom on June 12, 2015. (Donna Morin/Special to The Star)

Alisa Dauti, left, and Julia Ralko at the Riverside High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Taylor Campbell/Special to The Star)

Ayak Guet at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Ayak Guet/Special to The Star)

Alisa Dauti, left, and Julia Ralko at the Riverside High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Taylor Campbell/Special to The Star)

Emma, Jessica, Julia, Kelsey and Elise at the Amherst High School prom. (Victoria Hunter/Special to The Star)

Kylie Perry and Marcel Chartrand at the Kennedy High School prom on May 29, 2015. (Sharon Perry/Special to The Star)

Darius Claxton at the Assumption High School prom. (Darius Claxton/Special to The Star)

Isaac Seifarth and Alison Mundle at the Riverside Secondary School prom on June 5, 2015. (Johanna Seifarth/Special to The Star)

Jessica and Julia at the Amherst High School prom. (Victoria Hunter/Special to The Star)

Nora Merhi and Malak Bassam at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Nora Merhi/Special to The Star)

Darius Claxton and Romel at the Assumption High School prom. (Darius Claxton/Special to The Star)

Robbie Angione and Anna Diamante at the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Donna Diamante/Special to The Star)

Sara Toukan, Nour Chukr, Jaysa Lennox and Nora Merhi at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Nora Merhi/Special to The Star)

Darius Claxton and Romel
at the Assumption High School prom. (Darius Claxton/Special to The Star)

Darius Claxton at the Assumption High School prom. (Darius Claxton/Special to The Star)

Jessie George and Shanel Ricci at the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Patsy Ricci/Special to The Star)

Nora Merhi, Motasem Awad, Jaysa Lennox, Nour Chukr, Russell Elliott and Malak Bassamat at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Nora Merhi/Special to The Star)

Vanessa Skyers and Jaime Hernandez at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Vee Skyers/Special to The Star)

Malak Bassam and Nora Merhi at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Nora Merhi/Special to The Star)

Jaclyn Suder, Jenna Gray, Rylee Griffiths and Shanel Ricci at the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Patsy Ricci/Special to The Star)

Hanna Nguyen and Tony Vo at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Vy Nguyen/Special to The Star)

Ayak Guet and Jonathan Mangin at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Jennifer Mangin/Special to The Star)

Jonathan Mangin and Dianne Rejolio at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Jennifer Mangin/Special to The Star)

Anthony Agorilla, Marianne Soy, Casey Arguelles and Aaron Agorilla at the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Casey Arguelles/Special to The Star)

While technically this isn’t an actual prom photo, five-year-old Sylena Afif wanted to get all dressed up and take pictures with her cousin for the prom. See the photo below.
(Gary Dodich/Special to The Star)

Elysiah El Ahmad and her little cousin Sylena Afif before the Catholic Central High School prom on Jun 6, 2015. (Gary Dodich/Special to The Star)

Shaelynne Fowler, left, and Vania Jimenez at the Walkerville Collegiate prom on June 5, 2015. (Elias Khoury/Special to The Star)

Girls; top row – Angela Cacanindin, Marianne Soy. Bottom row – Haylee Begin-Dyck, Bela Antonio, Dianne Rejolio, Joebelle Roldan, Katerina Pace
Boys; Anh Tran, Daniel Haeussler, Krischan Nicolas, Kyle Cacilhas, Anthony Agorillaat the Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Casey Arguelles/Special to The Star)

Students attend the Catholic Central High School prom. (Makasan Kromah/Special to The Star)

Makasan Kromah before the Catholic Central High School prom. (Makasan Kromah/Special to The Star)

Marianne Soy, Bela Antonio, Dianne Rejolio, Katerina Pace and Joebelle Roldan at the
Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Casey Arguelles/Special to The Star)

Marianne Soy and Anthony Agorilla at the
Catholic Central High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Casey Arguelles/Special to The Star)

Zac Fritsch and Ryley Clifford at the General Amherst High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Jody Fritsch/Special to The Star)

Zac Fritsch and Ryley Clifford at the General Amherst High School prom on June 5, 2015. (Jody Fritsch/Special to The Star)

Curtis Campbell and Juliette Chimienti at the Walkerville Collegiate prom on June 5, 2015. (Desiree Campbell/Special to The Star)

Celina Ineyici and Zachary Baltzerbefore the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Deanna Bertrand/Special to The Star)

Alberto Figliomeni and Megan Kuli before the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Deanna Bertrand/Special to The Star)

Alberto Figliomeni and Zachary Baltzer before the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Deanna Bertrand/Special to The Star)

Alberto Figliomeni and Megan Kuli before the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Deanna Bertrand/Special to The Star)

Shanel Ricci, Dulce Maria and Erica DeFranciso at the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Patsy Ricci/Special to The Star)

Nicole Andary, Alexa Vagos , Jessica Andary Shanel Ricci at the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Patsy Ricci/Special to The Star)

Nicole Andary and Shanel Ricci at the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Patsy Ricci/Special to The Star)

Students attend the Cardinal Carter High School prom on June 6, 2015. (Patsy Ricci/Special to The Star)

Grade 12 graduating class at the Walkerville Collegiate prom on June 5, 2015. (Vania Jimenez/Special to The Star)

Holly Laasanen, Vania Jimenez, Jaida Knight, Lauren Alexander, Nina French, Elias Khoury, Peter Hua and acob Sweet at the Walkerville Collegiate prom on June 5, 2015. (Vania Jimenez/Special to The Star)

The Do Good Divas auctioned off hundreds of purses for charity at the Caboto Club on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015.

Bishop Ronald Fabbro was in Windsor at the Ciociaro Club Thursday night for the annual Bishop’s Dinner.

It’s taken just a handful of clothing collections and a lot of hard work for

Chris Gelinas

Gelinas is in the running for this year’s

Council of Fashion Designers of America Vogue Fashion Fund

Gelinas, 31, who grew up between Tecumseh and some far-away places like Mexico and South Korea, was hand-picked from dozens of emerging designers in the fashion world to work directly with the likes of Vogue’s Anna Wintour and J Crew’s Jenna Lyons.

The winner and two runners-up will be announced Nov. 2 at a gala dinner in New York. The winner will receive $400,000 US to help expand their business, while the two runners-up each will receive $150,000 US.

Gelinas started his fashion career when he was still a student at the University of Windsor, netting an internship at Marc Jacobs in New York. He went on to study at Parsons School of Design and work with the likes of Proenza Schouler, Balenciaga and Olivier Theyskens before going solo and launching his women’s wear label CG.

Since June, Gelinas has had meetings and worked on a series of projects — sometimes referred to as “challenges” — designed by the prize committee to get to know each of the finalists and test their confidence in their brand’s identity.

For example, he worked with the folks at Kate Spade on an experiential marketing concept and brought his collections to Los Angeles to see how the west coast fashion business responded.

Gelinas and his work are also featured in a

photo spread in the November edition of American Vogue

It’s a real test of your strength, he said. “You have to put your head down and work.”

Among the most important things he’s learned — aside from juggling that work load with maintaining his regular work as a designer, including putting out his spring 2016 collection in September — is how his brand is perceived through others’ eyes.

His brand is rooted in classic American sportswear, Gelinas said, but that doesn’t trump good clothing design and quality construction.

Indeed, Gelinas talks about his clothing in terms of something that has to be worn and felt in order to appreciate it. It’s definitely not fast fashion.

His 2016 spring collection shows a tension between being dressed and undressed and finding something powerful in being vulnerable.

“I wanted to embrace this idea of vulnerability as an empowering trait,” he said. He worked with floral motifs and grass greens, for example, to convey the call to nature.

Making it as a finalist has definitely given his name a boost in the business, Gelinas said. He’s had more media attention and interest from famous women (whose names he can’t disclose) who want to wear his designs.

The prize has also brought him into more retail environments, including in Canada and farther across the U.S. He’ll be in Toronto for a trunk show at The Room and in Birmingham, Mich., for a private trunk show at Tender on Monday, Nov. 9.

He’s not exactly a stranger to the spotlight, however. Gelinas is also a nominee for the

2015/2016 International Woolmark Prize

LVMH Prize

2013 Peroni Young Designer Award

“You’re really in the Vogue family now. That is the ultimate inner circle you want to be in,” he said, adding that he didn’t see the past months as a competition with his fellow designers, but rather as a learning experience and a chance to make new connections in the fashion community.

“The process is the real prize,” Gelinas said. “Whatever happens on Monday is icing on the cake. Very rich icing.”

bfantoni@windsorstar.com

Twitter.com/bfantoni

Think there isn’t a place for a high-end streetwear retailer in downtown Windsor?

“Think again,” says Ali Ahmed, owner and CEO of

Pushers Collective

“We’re an international brand. We ship all over the world. We try to inspire and motivate.”

This weekend, Pushers Collective will mark its one-year anniversary of hustling urban outfits and accessories with a fashion show and after party.

More than just a clothing boutique, Pushers Collective is a veritable mini-empire under Ahmed’s leadership.

Along with carrying streetwear brands and collectors’ edition sneakers unavailable anywhere else in the region, Pushers Collective is a brand unto itself — boasting a full line of shirts, hats, letterman jackets, socks, and even skateboard decks.

“For women, our bodysuits did very well this year,” Ahmed says. “Everything we put out is limited, exclusive, and sells out right away.”

Through connections in the hip hop and sports industries, Pushers Collective gear has been worn by rap stars like Future, Big Sean, YG, and Soulja Boy, and pro athletes like Tyrone Crawford, Nick Hayden, and George Selvie of the Dallas Cowboys.

Retail is just a part of the Ahmed’s ambitions. The brand’s Ouellette Avenue location (formerly the offices of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra) has been completely renovated to include a barber shop, recording studio and print shop.

Work is already underway on an entertainment lounge and additional recording facilities. Ahmed says he also plans on developing a mentorship program for underprivileged youth next year.

Asked to explain the brand’s name, Ahmed replies: “We push boundaries. There’s a pusher in everybody. You might be an athlete, an entrepreneur, a student, a single mother. We all gotta push. Push or starve.”

Pushers Collective (487 Ouellette Ave.) celebrate its one-year anniversary with a fashion show on Saturday night. Featuring the latest streetwear by Pushers Collective, evening wear designed by Ana Stulic, and more urban gear by Detroit’s Blvk Clothing. Beats by DJ Evolution. Doors open 8 p.m., fashion show begins 9 p.m. Admission is $10, 19 and older only. See more at www.pusherscollective.com.

dchen@windsorstar.com

Twitter.com/WinStarChen

John Halford got tired of not being able to find affordable wax for his handlebar moustache so he decided to make his own.

That wax made in his Maidstone kitchen soon turned into a company that’s banking in part on the renewed interest in moustaches and beards that each November brings.

“It’s a growing trend,” Halford said. “In the past five years or so since Movember has been a thing it’s really up and coming. You know, men have facial hair. It’s a thing to celebrate, not a thing to shave.”

Now at the end of November, when men will decide to keep or shave the facial hair they grew to raise money or awareness for prostate cancer, Halford has it covered. Moustache wax and beard balm for those keeping the hairy look and brushes, bowls and shave soap for those who want to shave off their November growth.

“Women look at facial hair again and it’s like, ‘That is manly. I like that.’ But at the same time they don’t want a scruffy, gross looking, scraggly beard.”

Halford, a 33-year-old carpenter, and his wife Robin started R&J’s Circus Grooming Company in January. They have natural and locally made grooming products for men.

Last year he was stunned by the $24 cost of a half-ounce tin of wax. His stovetop mix of beeswax, coconut oil and essential oils (for a scent) sells for $10 and is half price this month.

The couple decided to call it Strong Man moustache wax since the classic strong man in the circus had a handlebar moustache. The whole circus theme was born and the pair had names before they had products.

Halford won’t divulge figures from his first year of business but said it’s doing very well through the

company’s Facebook page

ShopEco

Halford likes to participate in the Michigan Renaissance Festival and it seemed appropriate to have some facial hair if you’re dressing up in medieval garb. People stop him on the street to ask him about his handlebar moustache.

For those who like a clean-shaven look, he’s trying to convince more and more men to go back to the old school single-blade razor or straight razor. He said it’s cheaper than cartridges and the first blade does the cutting anyway. Men are realizing the drug store gels and foams dry out your skin, are bad for the environment and are overpriced, he said.

“A lot of people are going back to the old-time, shave-like-your-grandpa movement.”

shill@windsorstar.com

twitter.com/winstarhill

The Windsor-Essex County Association of Realtors held their annual Christmas gala at the Ciociaro Club on Dec. 4, 2015.

If you are like most, you are excited about Christmas and the chance to catch up with friends and families over some yummy food and drinks. But, you are probably also wondering how to make it through the next couple of weeks without putting on some serious pounds and undoing your months of hard work to look great for the holidays. 

It really is such a slippery slope. But rather than going into the holidays determined you are not going to let a Quality Street chocolate or a yummy glass of egg nog pass over your lips, you need to be realistic. It really isn’t the end of the world if you indulge in some tasty holiday finger foods or desserts. It’s all about moderation. So here’s a few tips that will hopefully help you tackle the holidays with a plan.

1. Never, ever go to a party famished: This, my friends, is a sure fire recipe for disaster because we all know exactly where you are headed the moment you get through the pleasantries — right to the buffet table. An hour or so before the party, have a small snack and a few glasses of water. Having something in your stomach will help you be more selective with what your are chosing to eat and being hydrated while hopefully stop you from over drinking. Nothing worse then waking up with a sugar and alcohol hangover! 
2. Focus on socializing, not the food: Parties and social functions are numerous over the holidays and often the whole point of them gets lost. The holidays are about traditions and togetherness, but food has somehow become the centrepiece. The best way to attack this is to step away from the buffet table to stop mindless munching. Nothing good ever comes from hanging out at the food table. When the food is within reach, it’s natural to just keep grabbing one more chicken wing, chocolate or cracker. And, to put things in perspective five Quality Street chocolates are 250 calories and five crackers and cheese are a whopping 780 calories.
3. Seasonal goodies: Sometimes it’s hard to pass up and walk away without a bit of egg nog, short bread and a taste of all those yummy dips. Sometimes knowing that our Christmas favourites will only be here for a short time make it easier to rationalize overindulgence. So how do you combat the urge? Don’t deprive yourself. Instead grab a small plate for your snacks, eat slowly and take time to enjoy the treat. 
4. Don’t push exercise aside: Exercise seems to fall off the plate during the holidays — a time when you really need it for the calorie-blasting, stress-reducing benefits. It’s important to remember a little exercise is better than nothing at all. So instead of beating yourself up about not being able to get to the gym or out for an hour run, lace up your shoes and go for a brisk 30 minute walk. The walk will clear your mind, get your heart pumping and won’t be a challenge to squeeze into a tight holiday schedule. 
5. Have a plan of attack for after holidays: Set a realistic goal for yourself. If you go into the holidays knowing you’re going to be falling off your fitness routine, make sure you have a plan to get it back in motion. Don’t be unrealistic. Don’t plan to work out seven days a week because you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead aim for 3 – 5 days a week. Don’t forget, my annual 30 for 30 challenge in January is just around the corner. Mark Jan. 1 on your calendar and join me for 30 days of 30 minutes of exercise.

ksteele@windsorstar.com 

twitter.com/winstarkelly

The cold weather may have arrived but that’s no reason to lock yourself indoors. Windsor-Essex has plenty of great things to do with your family and friends. So why not pick an event and raise money for some of the charities that give back to our community. Or just come out and discover all the cool things our area has to offer.

Jan. 16-17:

dreamclimb.ca

Jan. 16:

https://raceroster.com/events/2016/6635/4-plus-4

Jan. 29-30:

Jan. 30: