FASHION Magazine

By Stephanie Trendocher

Always impeccable in Dior, France’s first lady (and former supermodel, for those who’ve been under a rock), Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, knows how to make a fashion statement. But her latest fashion accessory comes not from the hands of couture designers, rather a sewing cooperative in Khayelitsha, South Africa, where Bruni-Sarkozy was given the multicoloured hessian and cotton bag.

When looking for the next greatest accessory, I often find myself flipping through magazines, drooling over the latest Italian or Parisian export. So it is such a treat when the item on your ‘it’ list happens to come from your own backyard.

I like to think of myself as a bit of an urban hippie.  Not the rainbow flip-flop, tree-hugging, non-shaving kind; just a woman who wants to be part of the environmental solution, not the problem.  So, when I have an opportunity to make an affordable eco-chic purchase, I jump at the chance.

In a season where ‘it bags’ are on the out, and updated classics are investment worthy, Jessica Jensen (shopjessicajensen.com) is a go-to designer. A Ryerson graduate with previous stints at Calvin Klein and Michael Kors, Jensen has honed her talent with the best of them. Her collection is a stunning selection of clutches and totes that are both luxurious in quality and timeless in their appeal. 

Named after the ancestors of King George the IV, the city of Guelph possesses a certain old-world flair, not just in its nomenclature, but in the posture of the downtown as well. Distinctly European street design—quaint or chaotic, depending on whom you are asking—necessitates a slower pace than the shopping malls of the suburbs. In the city’s core, the independent boutiques reign supreme, and the big-box stores have been held at bay for years. The sentence that typically follows “I like your outfit!” is “Where did you get that?” rather than “I have the same one in blue!” or “Isn’t Gap the best?”

If you don’t like the weather in Halifax, they say, wait half an hour. Same goes for fashion finds, it seems. After a fruitless shopping trip to one of my fave boutiques left me feeling boxy and deflated, my sluggish steps took me smack into my next splurge, right there on the sidewalk.

By Jennifer Campbell

Around here, I am sometimes known, style wise, as the sexy secretary. I assume this is because of my predilection for pencil skirts as opposed to my filing skills, which are nil. Happily, the fall runways (to say nothing of Mad Men) were full of strict, administratively-inspired outfits.

Hi, everyone! I’m home from my travels and back on the online desk. After I returned from Spain, I immediately hopped on a plane to California for a road-trip odyssey across the southern U.S.

Last year, there was the grand opening of the new Vancouver Holt Renfrew flagship—where, along with plenty of other fawning fans, I caught a glimpse of Marcia Cross, Zooey Deschanel and 90210’s Kathleen Robertson (who, 12 months ago, was already rocking a crown of braids).

See more photos from this event

There is nothing a FASHION editor likes more than a touch of luxe after a long day at the office.  And when it comes to luxe, two bon mots come to mind: Michael Kors.  Some may know him from Project Runway, but he is best known as one of America’s pre-eminent designers of luxury sportswear.  His ad campaigns (think aviator-wearing, python bag–toting, sun-kissed, glowing glamour girls) perfectly capture the essence of the luxe lifestyle, PJs (that’s private jets, love) and all.   So, when MK opened his third lifestyle store in Canada at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, the Tinsley Mortimer set from north of the border came out in droves. 

We open, once again, at the church, which is now full of sofas, chairs and trees (which certainly cannot be mistaken for tabletop arrangements–Amy Astley will be pleased). Lisa Love greets Lauren and Whitney as they enter, then hands out their Young Hollywood party assignments: Lauren will work backstage while Whitney handles things out front.

Despite the parade of bomber jackets, ribbed tights and ankle boots, spring is in the air. Held at their brand new digs at Exhibition Place, the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) held their annual press and buyer’s breakfast to showcase 18 up-and-coming designers on the Canadian scene. The fashion pack was looking for two things that morning: caffeine and the coolest new collections. FASHION spotted a lot of fab new things, but there were a few standouts in this vast sea of style.