Toronto Fashion Week Day 2 - Laura Siegel, days in the desert.

The Laura Siegel studio runway show was all about heavy layering, knits, distressed leather, dusty earth tones, and acid-washed pieces. The models, who looked as though they'd just walk out of the Sahara desert ( obviously more fashion-chic and less dehydrated and sweaty...) with huge messy beehive hairdos, thick black eye makeup, and chunky rope accessories with brass accents. Laura Siegel also showed amazing maxi skirts and dresses in monochromatic prints paired with either beige-grey or black combat boots. My favourite piece: a salt and pepper knit sweater complete with novelty holes! The collection was edgy and eclectic but totally wearable. Definitely one of my favourite shows of the week.

Thanks to the beautiful Cannon camera my lovely editor-in-chief at Ryerson Folio lent me for Fashion Week I was able to take some great photos! Too bad I had to give it back.... Anyone want to send me $600 so I can buy myself one? No? ...Okay. Worth a try.

Winter street style at Ryerson University - Elayne Teixeira-Millar for Ryerson Broadcast News

Cold weather is here and it's time to get out that winter coat. Fashion reporter Elayne Teixeira-Millar takes us on a style tour around the Ryerson University campus to see what student's are wearing this season.

Big knits to fight the cold - we're not the only ones who need them

October's almost over, which means the winter chill is on its way. Luckily for us fashion followers that means big chunky knits are also on their way. Big knits are number one on this seasons must-have list thanks to designers like Rag & Bone, Marc Jacobs, Celine, Chloe, etc. If you haven't gotten yourself an oversized chunky knit sweater yet, I have the following questions for you : where the hell have you been, are you blind, and have you heard of a magazine? Anyway, if you are one of these late and secluded people you better hurry on over to Zara or H&M because the knits are going fast and in some cases probably already gone. 

Vince chunky knit wool blend sweater in light sand
net-a-porter.com

Preen Line oversized knit cardigan in gray
net-a-porter.com

As it turns out, we are not the only members of the animal kingdom who need a chunky knit sweater to fight the cold...

After yet another oil-spill in New Zealand, a local yarn store is asking for a donation of teeny penguin-sized sweaters to help keep the sad little birdies warm until their oil-soaked feathers can be properly cleaned by wildlife volunteers. So ask your grammas to get to work! These guys need help and are most definitely too cute to ignore.

photo: www.cbc.ca

For more information about penguin sweaters:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/10/new-zealand-penguins-in-need-of-sweaters/

http://www.skeinz.com/

http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/alt-news/calling-all-crafters-penguins-need-sweaters.html