FASHION Magazine

Go inside Beckerman sisters’ bags here »

If there were an award for Toronto’s most fashionable twins, Samantha and Caillianne Beckerman would win it year after year. The identical duo’s love for a kaleidoscopic magpie blend of designer duds has not only become a staple on the Toronto fashion scene, but on the web as well, where they boast a cool 44,000 Instagram fans. To boot, the sisters are H&M’s official fashion bloggers and have previously collaborated with Coach, Aldo, Bulgari and Teen Vogue, just to name a few. So, how do they do it? The Beckerman sisters really seem to have fun with fashion. Definitive subscribers of a “more is more” sensibility, the duo are constantly dressing up for each other on their blog Beckerman Bite Plate and well, we just can’t get enough. The twins let us inside their fabulous Mary Poppins bags for a peek at what they carry with them on a daily basis. The results, as you would imagine, are some of the most vibrant and fun imagery we’ve seen all week!

Go inside Milly designer Michelle Smith’s tote bag here »

In celebration of Milly‘s exclusive collection for Banana Republic, we got to rendezvous with designer Michelle Smith when she hit Toronto last week. Only hours from just getting off the plane from her Memorial Day long weekend vacation, Smith was all smiles while greeting media and diehard fans that eagerly anticipated her visit. With no time to clean out her bag from her holiday travels, we got an honest and filter free look into what the designer carries with her from day to day. From Smith’s daily cravings (granola bars) to her Instagram obsession (follow her @MillybyMichelle) to her love for science, we got see a whole new side of this designer mom’s life through the items in her bag.

See our 50 summer accessories must-haves »

With the sun finally showing its face big time, we are more than ready to break out our summer wardrobes. Cue a season of jean shorts, little white dresses and crop tops. And while we’re sure you’ve been stocking your closet with these wonderous items, we want to make sure you’re covered in the accessory department as well.

From sunset printed heels to a popcorn-inspired purse, we’ve rounded up 50 ultimate summer accessories, both inspired-by and ideal for this season and the many activity potentials it brings with it. Beach bags! Straw hats! Jelly flats! They’re all here, folks. So what are you waiting for? Get clicking!

Ah, the sneaker trend. Once upon a time (and by that we mean junior high), runners felt like the only source for footwear, but while we resorted to them for efficiency, it certainly wasn’t for style. Nowadays, sneakers are the hottest shoes on the block, thanks to designers like Isabel Marant and her ultra lust-worthy sneaker heel hybrid. Who knew?

Whether colourful, embellished or super athletic, sneakers have definitely made their way in to the mainstream. Even high-end footwear designers like Christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Jimmy Choo have included a pair or two into recent collections.

And while sneakers may be hotter than heels (for the time being, that is), wearing them without looking like you’ve just hit the gym proves a bit of a challenge. Naturally, we turned to our Style Panel to teach us how to tackle the trend without making it too literal.

Our two newest members, Leah Says’ Leah Gust and Velvet & Vino’s Becky Kung sure know how to start off with a bang by mixing a pair of bold colourful sneakers with bright coloured or printed pants. Getting into the summery swing, both Barbara Ann Solomon (who appears in twofold) and Inherited Jeans’ Stephanie Koch showed off in neon-accented or leopard-printed sneakers while jumping for their photos.

Question 49: How would you pull off the sneaker trend without making it too literal? Read the answers now! »

Or see fashion by age: IN YOUR 20s | IN YOUR 30s| IN YOUR 40s | IN YOUR 50s | IN YOUR 60s | IN YOUR 70s

How important is it to dress age appropriately? This is a question that, when asked, will generate a variety of different answers. Fashion by age is hardly a new phenomenon, but the contrast between what is or is not appropriate for certain ages has changed overtime. There may be some styles that are thought to be more suited to one age over another, but as we all know by now, fashion is never that black and white.

Keeping that in mind, check out our selection of the best spring pieces that work for a variety of different ages. From bright printed pants to classic blazers, these beautiful bouquet pieces can work for any age.

See our sneaker shopping picks »
See sneaker style on the street »

A designer’s runway bow rarely generates buzz—that is, unless it’s Phoebe Philo’s. Since the 39-year-old British fashion phenom took the reins at French luxury house Céline in 2008, she has been popping out post-show in Paris to thunderous applause for her stunning minimalist-driven collections. But lately it seems all eyes have been focused on her feet. Adidas Stan Smith trainers, Nike Air Max 90s in pink—when it comes to game-day dressing, Philo prefers to rock a pair of runners rather than a haute pair of heels. So does Kristen Stewart. At the Toronto International Film Festival in 2012, she appeared on the red carpet in a body-skimming, floral-embellished Zuhair Murad dress paired with black stilettos, which she quickly ditched in favour of her Barbara Bui leather high-tops. First Lady Michelle Obama has slipped into metallic cap-toe Lanvin sneakers to carry out her White House duties. Even fashion’s favourite street-style star, Italian clotheshorse and editor-at-large of Vogue Japan Anna Dello Russo, who is never spotted without her five-inch spikes, was photographed wearing sky-blue New Balance trainers in Milan in January.

This spring, kicks are taking a walk on the wild side on runways, including Junya Watanabe, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Ruffian, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Ashish, and at luxury footwear labels like Christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo and Pierre Hardy. At $500 and up, these new sartorial stars won’t be clocking any time at the gym, but they might give your wallet a workout. Surprised? Don’t be—this shift toward high-end sneakers hasn’t exactly snuck up on us. Running shoes first emerged as status symbols during the 1970s. “They were worn not just in the gym or to do athletics but for shopping and on your leisure time,” says Elizabeth Semmelhack, senior curator at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto and for its latest exhibition, Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture (April 25, 2013 to April 22, 2014). Mixed-media and graphic designer Karim Rashid, famous for colourful, eclectic designs that range from furniture to footwear, also knows a thing or two about retro sneakers. As the creative vision behind this exhibition, and an avid runner, he believes that “the running shoe [conjures up] nostalgia” and that currently, “there’s a big revival going on.”

Editor: Randi Bergman. Stylist: Eliza Grossman. Photographer: Carlo Mendoza. Hair and Makeup: Margot Keith. Model: Enry, Plutino Group.

How to dress for prom, the budget-friendly way »

One could argue that a prom dress is one of the most important dresses that you’ll buy in your life. At least that’s how it feels when the event is approaching and you have no idea what to wear.

To help out, we’re throwing back to our days of FASHION18 (our old teen mag!) and we’re teaching you how to dress for prom for less with 9 super stylish looks for $500 or less (some are even way less!). And while the dress may be the number one priority on your mind, we’ve rounded these looks out with cute accessories (cat ears, anyone?) and heels that will have you dancing all night long.

Not only will these prom dresses turn heads; they are pieces that will stand the test of time in your closet. If you’re headed to a wedding, garden party, or any formal event, these fancy frocks will transition effortlessly to any event that life may throw at you.

Go inside Oscar PR Girl’s purse »

If the name Erika Bearman doesn’t ring a bell, the Twitter handle @OscarPRgirl certainly will. The newly turned blonde beauty (insider info: blondes do have more fun according to Bearman) came to visit Holt Renfrew last week and gushed about working for fashion legacy, Oscar de la Renta and the movie Truth or Dare. Seriously, if you want to hang with Bearman, it’s highly recommended you watch that film first. It has shaped her entire life (her words, not ours!)

With only a clutch in tow, Bearman showed how to edit a bag to only the essentials but just because it’s small doesn’t mean it didn’t pack a punch. We learned that in Oscar PR Girl’s world, “bigger is better and more is more” when it comes to her cellphone and eyelashes. And if you expected Bearman to be a total girly girl because of ODLR’s signature frothy gowns, you would be mistaken. The face behind the handle loves men’s scented fragrances and even wears Old Spice.

From men’s scents to Jacqueline Kennedy to Korea, Bearman had us captivated by her every word so read on and snoop around her clutch to learn all things Oscar PR Girl.»

When it comes to Spring 2013’s sunglasses trends, frames need not be boring. In fact, the louder the better because statement sunglasses are all the rage as the sun begins to come out from winter hibernation and shines bright. We’ve always loved sunglasses for their health benefits (going blind due to sun damage isn’t very cool) but recently we’ve been embracing bold frames in a big way. We DIYed our very own Prada floral pair and found 14 of the best and most affordable frames around and now we’ve asked our Style Panel to teach us a thing or two about styling the latest sunglasses trends without looking like a clown.

Karen Walker sunglasses proved to be a fan favourite with the likes of Stephanie Sterjovski and Krystin Lee of Suburban Faux-Pas with their super oversized and thick-rimmed tortoise frames. And if you’re not ready to embrace over the top shapes then perhaps a printed leopard pair will be more up your alley like Whitney Cosgrave, who kept it simple pairing leopard print with a basic black tee.

If there’s one take away from the Style Panel’s statement sunglasses tips, it’s to keep your look simple so your shades can truly shine.

Go inside Roksanda Ilincic’s bag »

There are a few things you can safely assume about a designer just by looking at their stuff. And in the case of London-based designer Roksanda Ilincic, you can figure this: She’s arty. Between the inspiration behind her Spring 2013 collection (an Opposites Day combo of Niki de Saint Phalle and Josef Albers) and Fall 2013’s fabric play (she blended baby pink PVC and taffeta on evening coats and used laminated lace on dresses), she’s a regular renaissance girl. You can also figure she’s ladylike inclined, given her consistent leanings towards dresses, collared coats and embellished eveningwear). One thing, however, that you (or at least I) couldn’t have known, is how breathtaking she is to behold IRL. I met the Serbian-born beauty last month when she was in town at The Room at Hudson’s Bay and was completely confounded at first glance. The violet eyed, porcelain-skinned, raven-haired designer is over six feet in heels. She’s the perfect model for her clothing, (she wore the opening look from her spring collection during daytime press interviews and this dress from fall for dinner later that night at the buzzy Bent restaurant) as is the similarly slender Duchess of Cambridge, who has worn her dresses in the past. “It’s a huge privilege and such honour and to have somebody like her wearing my dresses. I’m just really, truly honoured I must say,” she raved. To boot, she carries a beautiful purse—a purple satin clutch from her own collection that mirrors the effects of Mary Poppins’ bag. So, as if this ado hasn’t enticed you enough, have a look for yourself.

See all 12 of Charlotte Olympia’s zodiac shoes »

This spring, Charlotte Olympia is focusing her attention on astrology. The near-iconic British shoe designer has launched two new collections of shoes and clutches inspired by horoscope personalities and zodiac symbols. The new Cosmic Collections titled “Birthday Shoes” and “Zodiac Pandora,” which include designs that each represent the 12 star signs and are available in stores and online today.

Handmade in Italy, the 12 zodiac signs are displayed like jewellery on suede flat shoes and colourful clutches. They were created with Swarovski crystal embellishments and hand painted for an extraordinary attention to detail. Each design reflects the personality of the particular zodiac sign. We love the blonde-haired Gemini twins and the golden Leo lion. Now, if only, we were all born under those signs…

See our 15 clutch must-haves »

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to Spring 2013 accessories and this season we’re holding on to statement clutches in all shapes, sizes and patterns.

While those larger than life body bags were the ultimate standard only a few seasons ago, Spring 2013 is the time to edit what’s inside your bag and retain only the essentials (iPhone, lipstick, wallet and that’s about it).

The clutch purse was everywhere on the international runways, and its appeal ran the gamut from quirky (a candy button style turquoise number at Fendi) to 1990s-inspired (a plaid fold-over bag at Dries Van Noten) to the really old school (Céline’s take on the classic brown lunch bag, which was reinvented in bright red leather.)