Yesterday I learned that our beloved Fashion Television has come to an end after 27 years on the air. 27 years of inspiring content, insider interviews with the most talented of the talented and enough fashion to keep us dreaming until the next episode aired. I, like many, found my [...]]]>  

Yesterday I learned that our beloved Fashion Television has come to an end after 27 years on the air. 27 years of inspiring content, insider interviews with the most talented of the talented and enough fashion to keep us dreaming until the next episode aired. I, like many, found my inspiration to be involved in fashion at a young age from Jeanne Beker. I worshipped her, I wanted to be her, still do. At first the news came as a shock, but I understood why and had wondered for some time what the health of the show was in terms of viewership. While I love Fashion Television, the channel that aired it (Fashion Television Channel – subscription based), was never up to the same standard and thus attracted a very small number of subscribers, meaning a small viewership for the show. So it was a financial decision – but still I feel Jeanne and the FT crew are leaving the party while it is still full. Today Jeanne published a look back at what her journey with FT has been like here; it is a positive remembrance of the show that changed her life.

Published yesterday in the The Globe and Mail:

Fashion news is now the same sort of cheap commodity that so much other news has become, and the taste-making outlets that helped turn it into a pillar of pop culture are being squeezed between an influx of bootstrapping bloggers and fashion houses producing their own branded content for eager, credulous consumers.

The power in fashion coverage now belongs largely to those who were not even born when Fashion Television, hosted by Jeanne Beker, first hit the air in 1985 as a series of 15-minute specials on Toronto’s downtown independent CityTV station.

Fans can now watch runway shows beamed live to their smart phones from fashion capitals around the world at the very moment magazine editors are seeing them in person. Spending tens of thousands of dollars on travel is no longer considered a smart investment when access to designers and tastemakers, which was both Fashion Television’s calling card and its currency, is now as common as base makeup.

“I remember going to the Paris runway shows 25 years ago, when hers were the only television cameras – and maybe a couple of other crews,” said Bernadette Morra, the editor-in-chief of Fashion Magazine. “But today you have a crush of people, television cameras, who are lined up to interview designers after the shows. Jeanne really pioneered that.”

But Fashion Television, which had moved to CTV, like the synthesizer-heavy 1984 tune Obsession by the New Wave band Animotion that played atop its opening credits, had become more beloved than beheld. Marooned in the Saturday night doldrums of the TV schedule, new episodes barely broke past 1,000 viewers on the show’s main home, the subscription-only Fashion Television Channel. While the show’s poor performance was due partly to the low penetration of that 11-year-old channel, which is in about 800,000 Canadian homes, a recent Sunday afternoon airing on the main CTV channel attracted a puny viewership of 171,000.

The irony of Wednesday’s announcement that the show is cancelled is that Fashion Television, which expanded to a half-hour weekly format in the fall of 1986, kicked itself into existence with the same scrappy independent spirit that is now the province of the new media outlets that have supplanted it. Ms. Beker’s assertive charm helped open doors to previously unseen redoubts, like the designer Valentino’s Paris atelier.

Its original network, CityTV, which was ruthless about using new technology to reduce the size of its crews, helped prove production could be done on the cheap. As viewers became accustomed to the new cut-rate aesthetic, the field was primed for the rise of individuals toting flip phones. Many fashion labels began to produce videos of their own shows, further squeezing the established outlets.

So now we wait and watch for what is next for our dear Jeanne Beker. Bell Media stated, “‘Ms. Beker will remain with the parent company. A spokesman said: ‘She still will be the face of fashion for Bell Media.’”

Saturday, February 13th the boys of DSQUARED² did a meet and greet at Holt Renfrew to launch the release of their new men’s fleece hoody sold exclusively at Holts. Jeanne Beker hosted the event, and looked très chic in a fabulous bomber jacket, jodpur style leggings and knee high [...]]]>

Saturday, February 13th the boys of DSQUARED² did a meet and greet at Holt Renfrew to launch the release of their new men’s fleece hoody sold exclusively at Holts. Jeanne Beker hosted the event, and looked très chic in a fabulous bomber jacket, jodpur style leggings and knee high black Louboutin boots avec 5″ heels! (I’m having a bit of a french moment).

Running home from work I was panicking because I knew I was going to be late for the 5 pm start time and that the line would be murder, but luckily the boys didn’t show until 5:30 as they were busy with media interviews until then. The line to meet the famous twins was as crazy as expected; it wove around the racks of the men’s department and went on for ages. So rather than wait, I snapped a few pics of Dean, Dan and Jeanne, and then when Jeanne left them to the signing, I wandered off to see what else was going on and met some wonderful women!

With Erin Ireland, host of TV show FMA. One of Erin’s signatures is her hot pink YSL lipstick, très joli! (Want to talk fabulosity? This woman’s lipstick sponsor is YSL!!). Want to see more of Erin, click here!

Jeanne and I go way back, at least 8 years! Which was when I started watching her on television. Fashion Television quickly became my favourite show and everything in my world stopped when it came on. It was just me, Jeanne and a whole lotta fashion. Saturday I met her for the first time, and this was a true celebrity sighting for me. (Where I work celebs seem to come in all the time, but have no effect whatsoever on me. Jeanne however, made me shake and fumble my words; “Jeanne, oh, Jeanne I uh I just admire you so much, oh my god you’re sooo nice! Eeeeee!” Something like that). I shall frame this picture and put it along side my Anna Wintour Post-It note. 

Upon meeting one of my idols, I became useless. I could hardly walk I was so excited, so I fumbled around trying to regain my composure, when I spotted a very well-dressed DJ… All DJs should really consider dressing like this. 

DJ R I C C O spinning at the event.

Making the champagne proud was Dax G, model and friend from our bartending days!

After Dean and Dan finished signing pictures, they left the table to meet the fans and came upon a star-struck blogger…

Another star(s)-struck moment! How perfectly festive and patriotic we are! These boys have got to be some of the sweetest and most down-to-earth designers I’ve come across. And those jackets!! I am now wishing for a cherry red blazer. 

The photo of Dean, Dan and I was kindly taken by Chris Naidu, pictured above. Chris and I also met on Saturday after numerous tweets sent back and forth, see his post about the event here! As if the day couldn’t get much better at that point, I met Jose Luis Reyes, Editor-in-Chief of The Fashion Guard! Click here for his twitter photo, because sadly the picture of Jose and I features me with my eyes closed. Not a good look.

After all of this excitement, I ran home to get ready for a birthday shin-dig at Venue Night Club. Here comes an impromptu photo shoot by blogger and stylist turned photographer Danielle Barnes! 

Posing alongside the very colourful Kate Moss, (a painting my sister did when we were in 12th grade. Impressive right?!!). Wearing: H&M denim vest, B.B. Dakota white tiered skirt, LaSenza tights, Michael Kors leather boots, H&M gold bracelets and Zara sequin purse. 

My complete look for Saturday night. Vintage reversible cape from Woo Vintage in Gastown. (One of my all-time FAVOURITE vintage shops!)

The always fun and fabulous Danielle Barnes!

And there you have it! One of the most crazy and wonderful days in my life! Hope you enjoyed the read!

XO StyleStruck