Survival Guide for Toronto World Mastercard Fashion Week

Tomorrow kicks off Toronto’s own World Mastercard Fashion Week! Although less punishing in duration and days’ work than international fashion weeks, Toronto’s annoyingly unpredictable temperatures and smaller scale mean that you must pack smart to avoid discomfort and disorganization. Here’s what always comes along with me for the ride for maximum efficiency and well-being.

Water & Snacks
It’s no secret many sweethearts turn real grizzly, real quick, with a single hunger pang; I’m certainly no exception to the rule. But who has time for a leisurely lunch when there’s often mere minutes between shows? Clever fashionista’s know to skip the line at their favourite coffee shop, lunch spot or guilty pleasure (fish and chips, anyone?). But how, you ask? They use the Ritual App — download it and get ready to wonder how you ever lived without it.

With tons of restaurants and cafés around David Pecault Square and all over downtown participating, the app shows each spot and their menu on the home screen (or search by proximity or cuisine type). Simply click on the item of your choice, specify any special requests (half skim, half soy. Got it?) and your item will be in queue without you needing to leave your seat runway-side. And don’t worry: they’ll tell you when it’s ready for pickup in a few short minutes. Also awesome? Since the app is connected to your credit card, there’s no in-store transaction, which simplifies things even further. Bonus: the app saves your history, making re-ordering your ritualistic morning java a breeze, and they sometimes offer secret menu items and an occasional discount.

iPhone Charger
Which can also double as your iPad charger — bring multiple cords. No one wants to be left electronically stranded from a low battery emergency. Can’t find a nearby outlet? A smile and few extra coins goes a long way at Starbucks.

Easy, Breezy Hair
Waking up to a blaring alarm at 7am after a night of too much champagne at the afterparty is exactly no one’s idea of fun. Skip the hour-long blow out and still look runway-ready with a few spritzes of Shu Uemura’s Wonder Worker. This stuff really lives up to its name — work a little through mid-lengths to ends post-shower and its specially formulated air-dry perfecting properties ensure stands are flawless, sans hairdryer or heat tools. The Moringa-rich formula instantly hydrates, smooths, conditions, tames frizz while boosting radiance and silkiness, and the addictively luxurious scent makes it perfect for an afternoon refresh.

For a quick shot of sleekness, flick a tiny bit of Kérastase PARIS Solid Serum in Oil through the ends. An innovative solid serum infused with beautifying (and beautifully scented) oils, this balm can be tossed in your bag for a mid-day pick me up — it’s like a solid perfume for ends that scents, smooths and boosts shine. Define ends with a small dab warmed between fingers; it instantly melts, making it a perfect anytime, anywhere hit of hair nutrition and definition.

When you need a quick swipe of frizz-fighting hair help (hi, October freezing rain), look no further than Kérastase PARIS’ Carré Lissant. They’re like bounce sheets, but waaay better: specifically designed for hair (and not, you know, cotton tees), these delightfully scented wonder wipes make unruly Fall hair perfect: not only are they supremely easy to use and leave strands delicately scented, they eliminate frizz, control static, tame flyaways, block humidity, and combat dullness. Plus, they are easy to toss in your bag — no matter how small (love you, Chloé Drew mini) and use as a hair pick me up anytime of day to boot.

Flats
Not necessarily ballerina flats – I’m a high top girl all the way – but a pair of flat shoes is an absolute necessity for long days. Toronto’s presentations are all really close in proximity, but that doesn’t mean standing around for five shows will feel good with pinched toes and no circulation below your ankles. Totally not worth it, no matter how chic your Saint Laurent Janis pumps look with your outfit.

Notebook & Pens
I prefer to write all my notes from the shows in a notebook with a pen, the old school way. I find iPads can be distracting during a presentation and take up precious time when correcting a typo; scrawling notes is far quicker and more efficient for me. I just ensure it’s hard cover, as its crammed in my bag and must withstand sharing real estate with said bags’ contents, and always leather bound for a touch of luxury. And if you’re wondering, the iPad is for email catch up between shows and sneaking photos of my business partner and strikingly handsome husband. #modellooks

Touch-Up Kit
I have never been one to carry makeup around with me, even though I find powdering your nose with a little Chanel compact impossibly chic. Rather, I collect mini perfumes and touch up my scent numerous times throughout the day and love mixing and matching. Tinted lip balm like Dior Addict Lip Glow, or even better, a good moisturizing stain, like Tarte’s LipSurgence Lip Tint, is also a good staple to freshen up your look throughout the day, as is throwing up your hair and adding a few dazzling pins — see: Dolce & Gabbana. A few other touch-up tools, like a Tide to Go Pen, minty chewing gum and a moisturizing skin refresher, like Pai Skincare’s Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Tonic, go a long way for making you feel comfortable and refreshed. See you in the tents!