FASHION Magazine

See the fur at Fall 2013 fashion week »

Fur was everywhere at Paris Fashion Week for Fall 2013. The French translation, la fourrure, features a purring intervocalic R; it’s almost a meow. At one show, four editors in a row, each wearing a mammoth animal coat, resulted in an awkwardly comical seating arrangement. We also noticed that fur didn’t just mean coats; we saw it as pocket detailing, handbags, collars and evening gown trim. And the good news, if you’ve made that hair-raising investment, is that fur will be back in full swing for Fall 2013 and into winter.

Here are our fabulous fur picks:

See the complete Chanel Fall 2013 ready to wear show »

The Grand Palais in Paris was the centre of the universe, at least for five minutes this morning. Chanel‘s lustful Fall 2013 prêt-à-porter show staged a giant rotating globe in the main hall, which was illuminated by a rare sunny sky, gently bathing the atrium roof in a light mellow glow. The globe, as it turned, showcased little Chanel flags indicating the iconic brand’s international reach. The Chanel soundtrack began with classical music that eventually tripped into a hip hop number with the lyrics “Around the world” pulsing over and over again.

And then the clothes! All the expected ingredients were there: suits, chain purses and double C logos. The tweed jackets this season were cut lower on the hip, in many cases with a hem of mini-pleats. Some ensembles shimmered with metallic accents, while others popped in bubblegum pink. Newer silhouettes included the roomier, ubiquitous coat body with dropped sleeves, matched with a fuller ruffle miniskirt, as well as balloon sleeves that tightened at the forearm like gloves. For a playful addition, patent thigh-high leggings (in black and white) coordinated with matching boots adorned with chains. Also, several models sported furry helmets in cobalt, mint and pastel pink for a look that resembled a kooky version of Lego hair.

See Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2013 collection photos » Exquisitely tailored leathers, patchwork fur and punky toupées (that coiffed the models with wild two-tone hair): all the ingredients you might expect from a Jean Paul Gaultier show and then some. The stage at Place Wagram was set like a Broadway production of Chicago; a double-tiered […]

The post Paris Fashion Week: Jean Paul Gaultier’s fierce muse for Fall 2013 appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

See the Uncle Otis and Levi’s party photos »

Levi’s, the iconic denim brand, has launched its first pop up shop with Uncle Otis in Toronto. To celebrate, over 125 guests filled the space for a launch party last night. In attendance were Hiroshi Awai from Creep Clothing; United owners Sydney and Michael and The Crow’s Nest barber shop boys. The event included a chance to peruse the Spring 2013 collection. The pop-up shop, which officially opened today, was designed by the Uncle Otis team. The space is based on the current Levi’s theme, so expect lots of rugged interiors that Levi’s is known for. The Levi’s shop in shop will be going on for all of 2013, including the spring 2013 and fall 2013 Levi’s collections.

See the Spring 2013 Accessories trend report »

OR JUMP TO A TREND: WEDGES | DANGLE EARRINGS | CLUTCH | SUNGLASSES | GLADIATOR SANDALS

The easiest way to update your wardrobe is by adding a new accessory. This season, designers updated old classics to create new statement pieces that can take any outfit to new heights. Everything from jewels to shoes and even sunglasses has been given an overhaul for a fresh take on Spring 2013 accessory trends.

Jewellery is always a go-to for putting the finishing touches on any look. After previous jewellery trends such as the statement ring and the statement necklace, this spring all eyes are on oversize earrings. Another summer must-have – sunglasses – have also been updated. Prada’s quirky frames have been decorated with graphic floral prints. While at Missoni and Just Cavalli, sunglasses were designed in vibrant hues.

See the Paris Fashion Week Fall 2013 photos up-close »

There’s no city that the expression “the beauty is in the details” relates to more than Paris. In the city of lights, you don’t have to look too far to find exquisite minaudière-like jewels on an evening coat, a brightly festooned cashmere sweater or tight origami pleats on a day skirt. Paris’s claim on couture and the couture-like shines bright again with the Fall 2013 shows. From the delicate additions of Andy Warhol’s early fashion sketches seen earlier today at Christian Dior to the aforementioned feathers at Dries Van Noten, Paris proves once again, Fall 2013 is a visual feast.

See the Balenciaga Fall 2013 collection photos »

I’ll be the first to admit: I did not see this coming. Alexander Wang debuted his first full collection as creative director at Balenciaga earlier today in Paris, and it’s inspiring. When the French house announced Wang as Nicolas Ghesquière’s replacement late last year, it was thought by many (myself included) that Wang did not have the chops to follow such a downright titan. While Wang is credited with elevating the importance of streetwear to virtually claiming the style of the aughts, there is almost a century of history to compete with at Balenciaga, of which, Ghesquière redefined so well, so consistently.

See our favourite shoes from Fall 2013 »

Forget diamonds, everybody knows that shoes are a girl’s best friend. As the Fall 2013 trends begin to emerge, so too do the must-have heels, boots and flats of the season. This round of fashion week has brought with it oodles of new shoe trends to look out for. From strappy suede booties to architectural high heels, the New York, London, Milan and soon-to-be Paris runways are filled with quirky designs that can certainly be the finishing touch on any outfit.

So far, many designers are reinventing old classics and updating them with modern details. Case in point: high-heeled loafers, seen at Mulberry, Rag & Bone and Moschino, which gave a new feminine twist to menswear’s most classic shoe by using fresh yellows, and unexpected patterns. Speaking of unexpected combinations, one of the most unusual footwear trends is the emerging sandal-boot. Open-toe booties are nothing new, but this time designers such as Prada have created a boot customized with cutouts around the sides and front of the shoe.

See the photos from Milan Fashion Week »

FASHION’s March cover girl Hailee Steinfeld made a splash in a pretty pink coat, sitting directly opposite me at MaxMara yesterday. I couldn’t get near her to say hi, though, unless I wanted to risk breaking a toe. There’s no competing with paparazzi, especially the Italian variety.

Here are four key trends from Day Two of Milan Fashion Week to add to your fall hit list:

See our street style shots from London »

And with that, it’s finito! As fast as they came to London, the fashion flock has dashed off to Milano to take in a week of sure-to-be-epic shows from heavy hitters like Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace. But before we get to that, let’s have one last look at London Fashion Week, where once again, the quirkest dressers showed off their street style. Amongst the zany trends, bright colours once again stood out—especially the cobalt and burgundy patchwork fur coat, eyeball printed sweater, sequined palm tree blouse and rainbow-bright fur clutch we snapped. Not to mention the Prada-esque Geta Geisha platforms we caught in bubblegum pink. Madness! Feast your eyes on these last few lingering street style photos. We daresay the rest of fashion month won’t be anywhere near as wild.

For as long as we can remember, stripes have been in. Whether associated with a jailbird’s uniform or Coco Chanel, those good ole lines have proved themselves versatile. And while stripes are many things, we wouldn’t have thought modern—until Spring 2013.

Breathing yet another life into the everlasting trend, designers including Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana sent stripes down the runways in their own varied brands of sporty, sixties-inspired and painterly. On the dressed-up end of the spectrum, Oscar de la Renta and Raf Simons at Christian Dior splashed stripes across floor-length gowns and metallic party dresses.

For today’s Style Panel feature, we asked our gals how to wear stripes now. Is it possible to think out of the box where fashion’s oldest trend is concerned? As ever, the answer was a resounding yes. A Fashion Love Affair’s Cara McLeay went the Dior route, dressing up stripes in with a dress and tweed blazer combo. Miss Melissa’s Melissa Knight paired her bold and graphic skirt with her feminine floral blouse. Even though her skirt is bold and striped it is black and white so she smartly used the skirt as a neutral to allow the pairing to work. Curvy Geekery’s Mo Handahu went all out wearing three pieces with stripes in one outfit. Her pale tone-on-tone pants ground the look allowing her striped blouse and sweater to play off each other.

Question 39: What are your favourite tips for how to wear stripes now? Read the answers now! »

Or jump to: ALYSSA LAU, EDMONTON | BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO| CARA MCLEAY, VANCOUVER | CHRISTINA CRAVERO, TORONTO | IVA GRBESIC, TORONTO | KASSANDRA CAMPONI, EDMONTON | KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KRYSTIN LEE, TORONTO |MELANIE MORAIS, EDSON |MELISSA KNIGHT, VANCOUVER | MO HANDAHU, HALIFAX | STEPHANIE KOCH, KELOWNA | WHITNEY COSGRAVE, LOS ANGELES

See the street style photos from London Fashion Week »

The fashion flock has flown the coop! With Fall 2013 already at an almost-end in London (there’s no such thing as a long weekend during fashion week) this offbeat batch of street style photos from London-based photographer Shirin Fathi will have to quench your street style thirst (until tomorrow that is). Certainly the quirkest city style on the fashion show map, London showed its true colours once again with fashion week showgoers wearing bright colour blends of cobalt blue, pylon orange and acid green as well as being the first to try a head-to-toe Mary Katrantzou from the designer’s postcard-heavy Spring 2013 collection. London showgoers were also the first (we’ve seen in daylight) to break out the champagne while gawking outside the shows, and to them we offer a toast right back. To Fall 2013 (and those adorable Mickey Mouse ears spotted here!)