In recent years designer Lucian Matis has taken Canada by storm with his various fashion design awards, and of course appearance as a contestant on “Project Runway Canada”. He is my favorite Canadian designer for many reasons, but above all because of his capability to flatter a woman’s shape through the use of masterful drapery and fit. His taste and sense of quality are impeccable, and differ from those of fellow designers in its unique source of inspiration.

          Lucian Matis was born in Romania in 1979 to a businessman father, and tailor shop owner mother. He spent many of his early years helping out in his mother’s shop, which explains his expert technique and knowledge of structural fashion. He moved to Canada in 1999 to pursue his passion for design and attend Ryerson University in Toronto. Though his settings changed, his love of traditional Romania remained, and is repeatedly reflected in his collections. I especially find this an intriguing draw towards his designs because of my own background, which is very similar to his. I personally, have a fascination with history and international cultural influences; incidentally this appears to apply to Matis as well. I also love the range of color used in his collections, for they can be both colorful and bright, but continuously have a sophisticated elegance that is appropriate for the customer. I find his work very unpredictable yet at the same time containing a certain recognizable quality, which I believe is crucial and necessary for any designer label. I first noticed this designer and his creations on the popular show “Project Runway Canada, season one”, like many other fashion-loving Canadians. I immediately fell in love with his pieces, and anxiously awaited seeing his full collections. He made it into the top 3 contestants, which in itself is an incredible achievement, and ended his reign on the show as runner-up.

In summary, out of all the amazing Canadian designers, I relate most of all with Lucian Matis, a young Toronto resident whose reputation in the industry is already impressive, but in perspective, only just beginning to bloom. I have been inspired by both his lines “Lucian Matis” which is very innovative and artistic, and “Daphne” a more wearable, yet still fashion-forward line. I look forward to seeing his future accomplishments.

Well it’s starting to feel like summer is finally here, and it’s most definately noticable in Paris’ Fashion Week. Dior’s new 50′s nautical inspired collection is reshreshing, coming out of a gloomy winter depression. Despite his personal controversies, no one can say that John Galliano didn’t manage to pull together a great line for us to enjoy and hopefully summer weather allows us to take full advantage of it soon!

Gwen Stefani is ‘no doubt’ the perfect celebrity to pose for UK Elle Magazine’s April 2011 cover. She is always effortlessly cool, and this quality translates into everything she does. Check out the behind-the-scenes clip of Gwen talking about her career and personal life, while doing this stunning shoot. She sports a classic Hollywood glamour look, one of her signatures that  no other celebrity can pull off quite as perfectly as she can.

Tom Ford, not usually one to use actresses and singers to showcase his collections, has gone against his norm. This exclusive video of the Spring/Summer 2011 fashion show, which took place in September, has finally been released to the public, and features Beyonce, as well as Lauren Hutton, Julianne Moore and Natalia Vodianova. The line is very sophisticated and luxurious, and his choice of models suits it perfectly.

Coinciding with our recent addition to Fashion Victory, the “makeup tips” page, here’s a video tutorial from the reputable fashion guru, Dulce Candy. This video gives you a visual guide to the basics of eye makeup, one you’ve mastered this, you’ll be able to to go for any look you want. Good luck!

We are quickly approaching the end of this decade, if you can believe it, so end the year with a bang. Go all-out in your fashion choices to mark this farewell to 2010 as it goes and as 2011 replaces it. Happy New Year fashion victims!

Also, FashionVictory.com is now on twitter too, so be sure to follow us and stay updated!