FASHION Magazine

See all the Christmas gift ideas for men »

Whether or not he’s your paramour, choosing the right gift for the man in your life can be tricky: Gents are not exactly known for being communicative, so you’re pretty much on your own. And because a bottle of Scotch can get tiresome, we’ve got 61 ways to add a little chic to your man’s everyday.

Dr. Martens are back and they are better than ever with this season’s twist on the Pendelton-infused traditional dress shoe. For those of you with a musical man in your lives, an amp styled iPhone dock will add the perfect old school vibe to his digs.

Our take on Fall 2013’s coat trends »

Coats on coats on coats. Fall’s necessary evil has turned especially trendy with Fall 2013’s many very cool takes on the must-have weather protector. Whether pink and girlish is your thing (and this season it most definitely should be) or borrowed from the boys items run rampant in your closet, we’ve got 43 coats and their essential accoutrements.

Jump to trend: CAPES | OVERSIZED | PINK | PLAID | TAILORED

If you’ve gone through our 500-item holiday gift guide and have yet to find perfect Christmas gift ideas (impossible!), perhaps the personal picks of FASHION’s staff might get you inspired. Our editors are sharing the luxury gifts they are hoping to see under the tree come December 25, but have also given us some ideas as to what their loved ones will be receiving. From fashionable books, jewellery and clothing to opera tickets and spa gift certificates, our editors are lusting after many things this year. But Christmas is a season of giving, and judging from the items that our editor’s will be giving this year, we know it will be a very lucky holiday season for all.

View the list »

Jump to an editor: Bernadette Morra | Nicole Stafford | Elio Iannacci | Rani Sheen | Lesa Hannah | Randi Bergman | Paige Dzenis | Sarah Daniel | Sarah Casselman | Caitlan Moneta | Jacquelyn Francis | Caitlin Agnew | Eliza Grossman | Brian Fleming | Sonya Van Heyningen

See all the Christmas gifts
for best friends »

Buying a Christmas gift for your best friend should come as one easy task. You know your best friend inside and out, and chances are that you have similar tastes and shopping habits. But for those out there that don’t have a clue where to start, we have many ideas for Christmas gifts for best friends (and sisters and girlfriends too!) included here in our 2012 gift guide.

Christmas is a season of giving, and why not choose a Christmas gift idea for your best friend who you’ll likely be spending some of the holidays with? The affordable gift ideas for best friends featured here are all under $100, so even if the Christmas season is draining your wallet there are still cute, but cheap options out there for your best friend.

While diamonds may have been named a girl’s best friend, we think that a girl can never have too many sparkly accessories in her jewellery box—diamond or otherwise.

Just in time for fall, we present seven of the glitziest jewellery trends that will cause a flashbulb frenzy. Whether you’re ready to show off your astrological sign with a starry piece from luxury jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels, always wanted an excuse to wear opals even if they aren’t your birthstone or enjoy mixing intense geometric shapes with precious stones à la Kara Ross, these trends will make all the difference when it comes to getting dressed this fall. From bedazzled brooches to rare coloured stones these luxurious accessories will bring your wardrobe to life.

See the 7 jewellery trends for fall »

We’re back into the thrills and bloodspills of True Blood, and last week we saw season four’s cliffhangers resolved with Tara becoming a vampire thanks to Sookie and Lafayette (and a begrudging Pam), Bill and Eric (and his sister Nora) getting captured by the Vampire Authority trying to escape punishment for their Nan Flanagan execution, Sam almost getting killed by Marcus’s pack until Alcide stepped in and confessed, and the return of a now-vamp Steve Newlin and Russell Edgington (we think). Let’s get our fangs on…

Tara Attack
– Vamp Tara is about to drain Sookie until a joyful Pam puts an end to it—she wants to redeem her future favour.
– Tara whirling dervishes around Sookie’s house, won’t drink any True Blood, until finally Lafayette and Sookie have to force her into the cubby using silver.
– At Stake House (we love stores with punny names), Sookie goes shopping for anti-vamp supplies as the clerk watches Steve Newlin come out on TV: no, he doesn’t announce he’s a gay vampire-American, just a vamp.
– Sookie stops Lafayette from staking a sleeping Tara, explaining to him that all baby vamps have growing pains. (Uh, Tara is seething, not teething, Sookie.)
– A pissed Tara wakes up, stares daggers at Lafayette (he has don’t-be-mad puppy eyes) and Sookie (I-love-my-best-friend eyes) and says she’ll never forgive them before shooting off into the night.

Read the rest of our recap »

Luxury watches have a haute new home at the Rolex shop-in-shop at Birks in the Core shopping centre (317 7th Ave. SW, Suite 270, Calgary, 403-260-8700, birks.com). This location is one of only three across Canada to have introduced this prestigious Swiss brand. Looking to make a timeless statement? The Oyster Perpetual Datejust in 18-karat Everose gold with diamonds (shown, $13,510) says forever.

Brassieres, briefs and other mid-century-style unmentionables help turn a chore-filled afternoon into a retro fashion affair.

View the photo shoot »
Go behind the scenes »

Take a thematic cue from the runways to put a little extra fizz in your holiday party à la Gucci’s, Louis Vuitton’s, and Jil Sander’s Fall 2011 collections.

View the slideshow »

Jump to theme:
FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER | ADULTS ONLY | NUEVO APRÈS-SKI

After months of searching for the chicest gifts to share with you, our dear readers, we’ve come across more than a few items that have made their way onto our own lists! For even more holiday inspiration, check out the items we’re lusting after as well as what we’ve got coming for our nearest and dearest.

View the list »

Jump to an editor: Bernadette Morra | Susie Sheffman | Caitlin Agnew | Lesa Hannah | Sarah Daniel | Randi Bergman | Emilie Dingfeld | Jordan Porter | Rani Sheen | Nicole Stafford | Sarah Casselman | Rachel Simpson | Caitlan Moneta | Paige Dzenis | Michael White

View the photo gallery »

A 15-minute film that had us whispering qu’est ce que c’est? to our seatmates wasn’t an ideal way to close out LG Fashion Week (though the dramatic sponsor shots—champagne and Birks jewels—undoubtedly pleased certain peeps in the crowd) but all was forgiven when Montreal designer Denis Gagnon finally marched out his stellar Spring 2012 lineup. We saw flirty mini floral prints, avant-garde versions of the traditional tux, satin rompers, sharp capri pants, blouses with sheer backs (perfect for making dramatic exits), kicky checks, parachute dresses, and dominatrix-style leather straps and harnesses. Gagnon mixed up a garden variety of masculine and feminine looks, a nice departure from his signature dark and moody aesthetic. Models skipped and twirled down the runway, and even blew a few kisses. Optimism? Joy? Spirit? Now, that’s something we hope blooms year round.

View the photo gallery »

For his Spring 2012 presentation, Montreal’s fetish designer Denis Gagnon switched gears from his usual stoic strut to a playful prance. Creative mise-en-scene by master Dick Walsh in the ultra-luxe environs of Birks jewellery store saw exuberant smiling models whizzing through a rotating doorway and parading before the camera pit before dramatically shimmying up and down the aisles as if searching for a runaway Pomeranian. All the while, a vintage French soundtrack added a retro feel to the “Marlene Dietrich meets Laura Ashley” look. One model looked ready for a game of tennis in her white sneakers and strapless drop-waisted silk jumper that was belted just above the chest—tennis, that is, in Gagnon’s universe. Despite the show’s Holly Golightly-like optimism, Gagnon’s cutesy floral separates never strayed too from his familiar avant-garde vibe, which surfaced here and there in black and white dominatrix detailing. After the gender-bending finale where the bride and groom shared a sweet kiss, nobody argued that 11 a.m. was too early for Champagne!