Bt. Looks that kill: a fashion-forward look at 2010 By Stephanie Trembath lushy rain, muddy streets, dreary S grey skies; just because this season looks boring doesn’t mean you have to! As fall comes to an end and winter 4 emerges with bare branched trees ) and the promise of snow, so does this season’s fashion trends for 2010. Throw | out your rubber boots and blazers, because this winter classic black is back and it doesn’t include anything that isn’t sleek, sexy, or fitted. With the Olympics right around the corner and the gradual end of the economic recession, 2010 brings a whole new line of fashionable pieces, ideas, and creations that are sure to impress at any Christmas parties or New Year’s celebrations. Forget finding the perfect LBD— “little black dress” —this year finding a signature little black jacket will complete your look and add flair to your winter wardrobe. Combined with the LBD and ankle boots, or leggings and a chunky necklace, the leather jacket is this season’s staple piece as it can pull off any look. Glamorous, polished, or grunge, no matter what your personal style may be the LBJ is versatile enough to go with any outfit. In 2010 the look of leather will be taken to the next level; in Paris leather pants, skirts, and dresses Amanda Trembath sporting an LBJ winter trends are all being worn on the catwalk in a variety of subdued colours. Along with the LBJ this season the thigh high heel is taking a step ina completely new direction to complete a look that screams sex appeal and confidence. The thigh-high boot that is making its appearance this fall is the hottest shoe trend this season but should be worn with caution. Do not wear the “The thigh-high boot that is making its appearance this fall is the hottest shoe trend this season but should be worn with caution. Do not wear the thigh-high boot with a leather dress unless you want to be paid after your date.” thigh-high boot with a leather dress unless you want to be paid after your date. Do not wear these boots if you intend on getting anywhere quickly; they are hazardous to run in. And do not wear this boot if you have short legs; your entire lower body will be consumed by your shoes. Otherwise, thigh high heels are extremely stylish this season and are a piece that can add flair to almost any outfit. They are, however, an investment piece as they are extremely expensive. In following the retro trend of torn jeans, laddered stockings and ripped tights are very trendy this winter despite the drop in temperature and snow. Baring bits of skin and glimpses of leg is tres chic when paired with the right outfit. To look neo-grunge or rocker chic, pair your shredded tights with a pair of boots and mini skirt, and top it off with a cute winter beanie. Avoid wearing bright colors and too much jewellery or you’ll wind up looking like one of the Olson Twins; stick to softer tones in greys and blacks and pale creams. To complete the look for this season the style mantra seems to be following the Twilight phenomenon. Black nail polish, deep red lips, and rich dark hair is the trendsetting appearance chosen for this winter, and mirrored by Stephanie Meyer. It’s the look of the vampire. Okay, so fangs and red eyes are not the latest style secrets but with all the latest media hype surrounding Twilight, Vampire Diaries and True Blood, a look of mystery and seduction is definitely “in”. Smokey eye makeup, blood red lipstick, and a style that encompasses that rough “bad boy” edge in leather, torn tights, and thigh high’s is definitely reminiscent of 7wilight and sets a tone for a more powerful and provocative style. Finding a perfectly fitted LBJ or a matte black nail polish to add the final touches to your outfit will define your signature look whether you go perfectly poised, or neo-grunge your quest to impress this season; just stick to the basics and have fun playing with the latest fashion pieces. Moulin Rouge ballet keeps it classy with a sas ‘ Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production dazzles By Stephanie Trembath melodramatic love triangle, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of Moulin Rouge was definitely a “spectacular spectacular” as one of the Diamond Dogs might say. ' Held at the Vancouver Center for Performing Arts from November 19-22, ; the Royal Ballet’s performance of Moulin i Rouge embraced the bawdy promiscuity of ' the cabaret while maintaining the elegant poise of classic ballet. ; Complete with rainbow and ruffled corseted outfits that were worn to the saucy cancan, the dancers maintained their grace S lightly altered from Baz Luhrmann’s best friends with Toulouse. Toulouse and sy twist in their depiction of the Moulin Rouge Diamond Dogs; the girls, who did the splits in the air and flips off of male dancer’s shoulders, captured the razzle-dazzle and sassy attitude of the vampy Moulin Rouge Dancers despite their point shoes and tights. In the opening scene Nathalie, who is a poor maid, is discovered dancing in the streets by Zidler, the wealthy owner of the Moulin Rouge. The costumes and setting of the Paris streets are quite bland and boring, which helps in the dramatic contrast of the vibrant light and color that explodes off the stage in the next scene inside the cabaret. Before Natalie leaves her home in Paris, she gives her red scarf to her love, the struggling artist Matthew, who is 14 Matthew play the poor painters in the play, which is tastefully shown and allows a bit of comic relief between scenes when the two compete to see who is a better painter. Amid pirouettes and long-legged leaps, the two men wave their paintbrushes and play tug-of-war with the female model who is posing for them. After the painters had finished, the curtain opened to inside the cabaret where Natalie, who once wore a long brown dress, is now in a shiny white ruffled gown and decorated in diamonds from head to toe. With dozens of colourful dancers in jewels and feathers, and an illuminated background of blazing orange and fiery red, the stage Delian i was now brilliantly lit up with sound and color. Even the characteristic windmill that symbolizes the Moulin Rouge fills up the stage as the female dancer’s chasséd and stomped and can-canned across the stage. Unlike the Diamond Dogs, these prima ballerinas do the can-can on point—and high kick up to the heavens. Natalie highlighted the sultry dance of the cabaret when she pirouetted multiple times center stage, her arms and feet held with certainty; she whipped her dress up and ended with an elegant jeté into Zidler’s arms. Following the story, a heartbroken Matthew shows up at the Moulin Rouge and tries to whisk Natalie away. A most romantic scene, reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, showcased the two lovers standing on a white-lit bridge with the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background. In traditional white ballet formal wear, the tiny sparkling lights and two dancers shone against a deep blue background in an elegant duet portraying their love for each other. A favorite scene of mine was of Toulouse and Matthew; after Zidler threatens to kill Matthew if he does not leave, the two get wickedly drunk on absinthe and hallucinate as they paint. With creeping shadows and curling smoke decorating the stage, three of the green fairies appear in chiffon and lace and tiny green sparkly wings. They begin a playful dance as they tease and provoke the painters while they chug down more absinth and wobble confusedly against their portraits. Still skilfully done, the ending didn’t quite capture the tragic death of the cabaret star by consumption; rather, a loud shotgun misaimed by the jealous Zidler caused the death of Natalie in the ballet’s rendition. Having seen the movie and numerous ballets done by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, I must say that their take on the melodramatic love story in Paris was performed quite well. The contrast in costumes, the dramatic change in scenery, and the"practiced movements of the burlesque dancers was everything the Moulin Rouge promises. It’s a shame most cabaret dancers can’t get their can-cans going that high—or fast.