FASHION Magazine

The night before Kate Middleton walked down the aisle in a lace-sleeved McQueen confection, Vancouver-based brand Obakki (44 Water St., 604-669-9727, obakki.com) wed church and lace (cobwebby knits and diaphanous silks too), adorning St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church with a runway to debut its Fall 2011 collection. As pieces hit the shop floor this month, snag your own lacy number, the Amelia dress ($440, shown). Wear it now with bare, bronzed legs, and with tights when the weather turns cool.

Featured from left to right: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream skin protectant ($25, at Shoppers Drug Mart) was used to give skin a sheen in A Single Man. Shu Uemura Essence Absolue nourishing protective oil ($68, shuuemura.com) makes damaged strands “shine like baby hair,” says Cornell. Chapstick ($3, at Shoppers Drug Mart) in “Cherry” is offers’ go-to lip tint.

Almost every season, Hollywood has a way of asserting its influence on the runways, with leading ladies from contemporary and iconic films inspiring makeup and hair at several shows. For Fall 2011 alone, makeup artist Val Garland painted a smoky eye at Sophie Theallet to evoke a modern-day Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde, while at Dsquared, she channelled Nicole Kidman in Cold Mountain. And Garland wasn’t the only one mining imdb for muses. Hairstylist Eugene Souleiman had Hailee Steinfeld in mind while he weaved what he refers to as “Amish/True Grit braids” at Kenzo.

Elie Saab’s first scent, juicy blush made for sunkissed skin, lip tints that taste like beach cocktails, and more »

Inspired by three decades of fashion, check out our round up of the best denim for fall »

Montreal-based womenswear designer Stacey Zhang is spreading her fashionable wings, recently opening a second flagship boutique (the first is located in Montreal) on Toronto’s popular Queen West shopping strip (292 Queen St. W., 647-346-2889, staceyzhang.com).

Want a taste of the Big Apple right here at home? South Granville boutique Violet (3012 Granville St., 604-569-1514, violetboutique.ca) is the first to bring three handsome New York–based labels to Vancouver: Erin Fetherston, Whit and, my current obsession, Suno. This pattern-happy line, produced in Kenya, showcases the nation’s artistry and encourages social and economic change. August deliveries bring fall items to the store, including a beautiful floral button-down blouse ($415, shown above, centre) and a graphically gorgeous tie coat ($1,465, shown).

It’s time to get fit! Custom fit, that is. At Zenobia (205 8th Ave. SW, Unit 201, Calgary, 403-831-3080, zenobia.ca), Montreal designer Pina Iannelli cuts, sews and alters garments to suit each customer’s body type. “Our fall collection epitomizes attention to detail and luxurious fabrics,” says western sales director Jackie Hickson. “The use of a variety of fabrics such as suedes, leathers, alpaca, cashmere and tweeds creates a look that’s chic yet distinct.” Prices range from $150 to $3,500.

From celebrity stylists to models, this chic group of Canadian expats is painting the big apple red (and white).

See these women and read about their fashion careers, their favourite New York haunts, and what they miss the most about Canada »

Rachel Fortin is the creator of earth-friendly accessories line Rachel.F. (514-544-6518, rachelf.ca). This Montrealer (who cut her design teeth at Mackage) is fast becoming the eco–It girl for one-of-a-kind purses, statement hats and eclectic jewellery—all crafted from recycled furs.

How would you describe your line?
“Timeless. Comfortable. Ethical.”

With its sleek, sophisticated shapes and signature asymmetric details, Ela Kowalewka’s debut handbag collection, Ela (elabyela.com), is sure to be on every stylista’s lips—not to mention shoulders—this fall. “I wanted to focus on essential must-haves that also offer great functionality,” says this Canadian designer, referring to her M.I.L.C.K. (money, ID, lipstick, cell and keys) envelope clutch (shown).

View our favourite moments from the Fall 2011 Paris collections now »

Karl Lagerfeld, Miuccia Prada and Michael Kors are just three of the many designers who championed flat platforms (a.k.a flatforms) this season, offering height without the ouch factor. Get on board with Aldo’s (aldoshoes.com) design, the Ganzer sandal (shown, $90)—a perfect way to test drive the trend.