FASHION Magazine

View the Fashion Cares performance and party photos »

The 25th annual M.A.C Fashion Cares gala set off with a bang on Sunday night, with a sequin-suited Elton John performing alongside Janelle Monae, Scissor Sisters, Chantal Kreviazuk and others in support of the the AIDS Committee of Toronto and Elton John AIDS Foundation. Co-chaired by Michael King and Elton John’s husband David Furnish, the show, aptly billed as a night of glitter and light, also featured speeches (and even a little runway work-out) by Linda Evangelista and Dean and Dan Caten of Dsquared.

Sir Elton John stood before the Weston family and scores of onlookers in Holt Renfrew‘s Bloor Street shoe department on Saturday morning and gave the crowd a highly-charged pep talk.

“I have been coming to Canada since 1970,” declared the singer, in a pink-spangled shirt and dark suit. “I have always found that Canadians give very much not only with their pockets, but with their hearts and their voices. And I’ve always been very touched. And it’s kind of ironic that I’ve ended up with a Canadian,” he said, glancing around to his Scarborough-raised husband David Furnish.

See all the anniversary pieces! »

We might as well pitch a tent and set up camp outside Holt Renfrew’s sleek Bloor Street entrance, because come September, it will be the place to be. Not only is Holt’s taking part in Fashion’s Night Out festivities September 6 (stay tuned for details!), but the store is also ringing in it’s monumental 175th birthday. In true Holt’s fashion, the Hot @175 anniversary will be rung in in style, with a slew of designer collaborations for sale in (what else?) signature magenta.

From its start in 1837 as a hat and cap shop in Quebec City to the go-to luxury mecca it is today, Holt’s has undeniably had a starring role in Canada’s retail legacy. To fête the occasion, everything from high-fashion designs like Christian Louboutin’s magenta-platform sling backs to fun finds like Pantone’s “Holt Renfrew Magenta” notebook will prove that even at 175, Holt’s still has it.

M.A.C Viva Glam Fashion Cares is one of Toronto’s hottest annual tickets, so it comes as no surprise that the fundraiser gala’s roster for this year’s event does not disappoint. From longtime HIV/AIDS activist Elton John (whose partner David Furnish co-chairs the event with Michael King) to new faces like Sky Ferreira (who we spoke with last month) and Janelle Monáe, the routinely sold-out gala is shaping up to be the go-to event of the fall.

Not only will there be enough musical talent on hand to easily keep you distracted all night (think everyone from Scissor Sisters to homegrown talent like Kreesha Turner), but in true Fashion Cares style, there will be an abundance of amazing fashion as well. Dean and Dan Caten of DSQUARED2, who are teaming up with legendary supermodel Linda Evangelista for hosting duties, are sending their designs down the runway at the gala, alongside looks from Vivienne Westwood, Elie Saab, Pink Tartan and more. On that style note, it’s worth mentioning that some of Elton John’s most memorable, famously flamboyant costumes will be on display as well as a quarter century retrospective highlighting the event’s most glamorous looks.

Victoria Beckham was recently spotted lunching with Marc Jacobs and LVMH exec Edo Jae, whom tweeted that “they’re talking about a line with fur” post-meeting.
[Elle UK]

Chanel has a secret club of fashion friends who are tapped for feedback on collection previews. DJ Leigh Lezark revealed she test-drives products for Chanel, along with Caroline Sieber and Poppy Delevigne. How do we sign up? [The Cut]

The release of Mattel’s So in Style collection of black dolls, the first ever with wider noses, fuller lips and in a variety of skin shades, has been met with disappointment. Parents are saying the prevalence of green and blue eyes as well as long, fine hair is not representative of the race. Mattel is listening though, and is working on the fall 2010 collection, adding a doll with more of an Afro hairstyle. [WSJ]