FASHION Magazine

Shopping for a fashion-lover can be a little nerve-wracking. Will the sweater you’ve selected go with their carefully curated closet? Do they like scarves? How about bold patterns? Style can be such a personal thing and–even if it is the thought that counts–it can be overwhelming to try and get it right. We suggest you ditch […]

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From wearable art to playful pieces, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite independent Canadian jewellery designers. Inspired by a transparent fashion movement which prioritizes craft, creativity, and ethics, discover these five designers that will make you want to add slow fashion pieces to your wardrobe. Eugenia Chan Eugenia Chan is a Toronto […]

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If there’s one thing we know about Canadian duo Laurence Li and Chico Wang, it’s that they’re not afraid of colour. The Parsons-trained team created their self-titled brand Laurence & Chico in 2015 and since then, they’ve turned out some pretty incredible looks. From Big Bird-esque yellow fur to loud polka-dotted prints, every outfit is […]

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“We’re living in a world of loud fashion right now,” says Simon Holloway, creative director at Agnona, an Italian luxury fashion house. The English-born Holloway is holding a cup of tea in his hand as sun drifts through the label’s bright, modern and massive showroom in Milan. “My vision of what’s editorial is probably a […]

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Pippa Middleton may know a thing or two about choosing the right decorations for the perfect party, and now the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister has proven her sartorial design skills as well. Middleton has collaborated with designer Tabitha Webb to create a limited edition dress and scarf to help raise funds for the British Heart […]

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See which sign your favourite designers belong to »

Ever wondered why so many designers share similar signature styles? Well, you shouldn’t, because it’s written in the stars. Since astrology is the trend du jour, it seems only fitting to explore the different aesthetics of our favourite labels by looking into the signs of the designers behind them. In other words, we present to you a guide to the fashion zodiac.

From dark and mysterious Scorpios to elegant and refined Libras, we can learn a lot about fashion’s elite by studying the zodiac signs they belong to.

After John Galliano’s infamous anti-Semitic rant in Paris last April, many wondered how his sudden departure from Dior would affect the French fashion house.

According to the Financial Times, not only did Galliano’s departure leave the company relatively unscathed, but they actually ended up with their highest earnings per annum ever, hitting $1 billion in 2011. “I never considered that,” Sidney Toledano, the president of Dior said. “I always thought we absolutely needed an artistic director.”

It makes you wonder: how important is a charismatic designer to a fashion house? Is it worth the potential risk that sometimes accompanies a more flamboyant style of creative genius?

Toledano seems to think so. Though he admitted that Dior still fared well financially without Galliano, he did stress how important he felt designers were for shaping a label’s identity, likening designers to “a shorthand to help consumers understand the brand, and to embody it.”

Does that mean someone like the more demure Raf Simons, who is taking over Galliano’s post for Dior, might not have the same capacity to “embody” the brand? According to Toledano, it all comes down to the individual.

“If [charisma] works for the designer, then fine . . . but if not, it can be counterproductive, and it is better to avoid it. In the end, luxury is judged not by whether a designer’s face is on X number of posters, but by their work.”

Our bet is that if Simons’ tenure at Jil Sander was anything to go by, his work will more than speak for itself.

Strategic cut-outs, thigh-high slits and body-con shapes: Sébastien Peigné and Nicola Formichetti of Mugler are bringing sexy back.

Reviving Mugler is a monster task. After designer Thierry Mugler took his final runway bow at his couture show in July 2000, this kinky house of cool (remember Demi Moore’s bondage-style dress in 1993’s Indecent Proposal?) started flatlining. Ten years later, the resuscitation began. In 2010, following months of speculation, Nicola Formichetti (Lady Gaga’s stylist) was tapped to lead the revival of the French house known for its over-the-top theatricality and sex appeal. Besides outfitting Mother Monster, this 34-year-old half-Italian, half-Japanese, techno-savvy superstar is also the fashion director for Vogue Hommes Japan and global retailer Uniqlo. His debut Mugler womenswear show during Fall 2011 Paris Fashion Week had the twitterverse buzzing about its latex-dipped leggings, body-stocking dresses and the catwalk pièce de résistance: Gaga, smoking in every sense of the word.

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Yohji Yamamoto Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection today against debts of 6 billion yen (about $69.4 million CAD). An investor, Integral Corp., has already stepped up with funds and the Japanese company with continue to operate during restructuring.

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It’s the kind of success story that’s made in Manhattan—only it all began in Brooklyn. Over the past 20 years, jewellery designer Alexis Bittar (alexisbittar.com) has gone from being a street vendor in SoHo to a fixture on Michael Kors’ speed-dial. Bittar’s signature bright, bold Lucite designs have made him the candy man of the […]

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Though we’ve long loved Renata Morales (renatamorales.com), the Montreal designer came screaming back into our consciousness last October with her Spring 2009 show–full of ethereal dresses made of candy floss and the feathers of imaginary birds (we assume). The frocks in Morales’ Fall 2009 collection were inspired macro photographs of moths and rendered with feathers, sequins and knit metal mesh. The tough edge and handmade, demi-couture details make Rodarte an easy comparison, though Morales always seems to take it one step creepier. More images after the jump.

Ashley Rowe is quickly becoming the go-to designer for cool girls on the event circuit. You don’t have to look too hard to see someone sporting one of her Miss Rowe signature bustiers or modish mini-dresses.

For the next two Saturdays (June 13 and 20, missrowe.com), the designer is hosting a customization event at her studio in the Toronto Fashion Incubator’s Exhibition Place home (285 Manitoba Dr., Pod 3). During a 30-minute appointment, you can choose your favourite style—an A-line top or dress, bustier or bustier dress—and Rowe will help you put together your dream piece.