FASHION Magazine

Before we get started, let us just say that The Outnet, Net-a-porter’s outlet site, launched today. We’ll just wait here till you get back from shopping….

Hermès nose Jean-Claude Ellena’s scented memories. [WSJ, via Now Smell This]

All the pretty horses with hair extensions. [Daily Mail, via Glamour]

Wanna open a store in a recession? Move to London. And get some customized M&Ms. Seems to be working for Rick Owens. [Hypebeast and Fashionista]

Miss Rowe: Up to 75% off samples and new merch from Spring 2008, Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 (April 16 and 17, 6 to 8 p.m., 285 Manitoba Dr., missrowe.com) Lucian Matis: Up to 80% off. (April 18 and 19, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 300 Campbell Ave., Suite 201, lucianmatis.com)

The post Sample sale alert: Miss Rowe and Lucian Matis appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Frugalistas everywhere will agree that $50 is the perfect number. Whether it’s a pair of shoes, jeans, a jacket, a sweater, a dress, if you can get it for $50, you know you are paying a very reasonable price. Any more you’ll probably think twice about it, but $50—now that is a nice round number. That can easily be justified.

Buying locally designed clothes from boutiques is something we all probably wish we could do more of, but in reality small labels can often only produce small quantities and boutiques pay high rents—both of which drive up prices.

So what if you could get the best of both worlds—locally designed and boutique items for under $50?

When swapping thrift shopping info with a girlfriend, she told me about Stasia Consign and Design Boutique (1002a Central Ave., 306-931-2250, stasiaboutique.ca) a consignment shop that donates its unsold merchandise to charity. Passersby often miss this tiny boutique, but I couldn’t wait to check it out.

There are some clothing items we’ve purchased that are well-worn, well-loved and that cause a bit of heartbreak when we realize it’s time to let them go. But the truth is, those few precious pieces make up only a fraction of what’s in our closets.

I’ve long accepted that painting my own nails is not for me. I’m not very good at it and I’m also extremely irritated by the tiniest imperfections—the splotchy edge, the painted cuticle. So I graduated to the occasional manicure, but my pickiness remains, and as soon as I see the tiniest chip, it’s off with it all. So it’s sort of an expensive extravagance, given that my manis usually only remain perfect for three days—four, tops (I tend not to curtail my dishwashing activities). But this has all changed since I paid a lunchtime visit to Catherine Pacak at Poa Studio (98 Church St., Toronto, 416-364-2761, poastudio.com).

I’ve always been bad at keeping secrets. My favorite thrift shop, Ruby Slipper was one of them…until now. I decided that sharing is caring and wanted to show everyone with a little video of where half of my closet is from.  Behind the doors of Ruby Slipper Vintage Shoppe (970 Sargent Ave., 204-237-4976) is a plethora of fantastical finds for every girl and boy (especially for someone in the penny-pinching mood).

Watch a video of Sarah’s finds after the jump.

I have a confession: The seemingly permanent real estate that the blackheads on my nose have claimed makes me fear they’ll never go away and I’ll have to start referring to them as freckles to avoid the shame of being a beauty director with clogged pores. Even with a finely applied layer of foundation I can’t hide them—a midday shine gives me away, uncovering my dirty little secret. So, in utter despair and, I’m not going to lie, 11 months of unwanted abstinence, I booked a facial ($95) with Jennifer Cueto, aesthetician for Concepts Salon & Spa (60 Bloor St. W., 416-922-1558, conceptstoronto.com).

With its big bay window, sleek racks and clean decor, Sweet Pea (1542 Queen St., 902-423-0975) sure looks like a boutique. With its ever-churning traffic of midday shoppers, big bags elbowed and hanger-sifting fingers poised, it sure feels like one. And with a only a few of each style in a library of dresses, it sure holds its nose like a boutique. But the price tags dangling from those adorable little frocks will make you think otherwise.

First: New York Fashion Week starts today. Our own Sarah Casselman hops on a plane tomorrow. She’ll be filing daily updates from the shows so tune in at fashionmagazine.com/attheshows.

In what may be the least outrageous interview Karl Lagerfeld has ever given, the luxury designer says he is not a fan of luxury shopping on the Internet. [WWD, via NYMag]

How does one keep up? Models are changing their hair left right and centre: Ali Stephens and Coco have both gone short and now Ikeliene Stange has gone blonde. At least we can still count on Agyness Deyn. [Modelinia, Oh So Coco, Hint]

Anyone feeling the pinch this January after a season of power-shopping can take comfort in Guelph’s impressive selection of vintage and consignment shops.

Recessionista (noun): Person who looks wicked awesome even during times of economic crisis.

I usually have trouble getting behind blend words. (I have one friend who always chirping about the latest bromance or tramedy she saw at the theatre, and I find it to be one hundred per cent cringe-worthy.) But recessionista is slang I can get behind, because it perfectly describes the money saving way I do Christmas. Read on for my favourite thrifts and crafty tips.