FASHION Magazine

It must be a year of anniversaries: besides Blo Blow Dry Bar turning one year old, 2008 is the 20th anniversary of not one, but three fashion editors: Anna Wintour (of Vogue, duh), Franca Sozzani (of Italian Vogue) and Suzy Menkes (of tall hair fame and the International Herald Tribune). Closer to home, it’s also the 30th birthday of Banana Republic (bananarepublic.com).

As fall draws near, Calgarians tend to hold their breath, bracing themselves for a quick and abrupt end to summer. While savouring every last moment of warm weather can be disheartening to some, for others it means an opportunity to check out the latest in fall fashion. In autumn, the air is crisp and leaves are a riot of colours. For me, it’s a perfect recipe for handholding and a warm embrace.

By Tammy Eckenswiller

For me, Fashion Week kicked off with BCBG Max Azria: Nice, fluffy jumpsuits and sexy dresses with a decidedly ’90s minimalist vibe served to confuse me as  I tried to sport some of my hot new fall purchases while sweating profusely in the muggy NY heat! I hate to look at spring collections when it’s so damn hot. It just doesn’t make sense. It needs to be cold so I have something to look forward to!

By Stephanie Trendocher

Being the fashionista I am, I eagerly peruse store websites for previews of upcoming styles that haven’t yet hit the sales floor. If you’re like me and you’re seeking an online style fix, look no further. Today, homegrown purveyors of chic, RK (rkstores.com), launched their new e-boutique, which carries a well-edited selection of sleek looks. With their easy-to-navigate web site, you can shop the season’s most coveted pieces on your lunch break.

There is something so easy and effortless about summer dressing. Throw on a cute floral dress, stack a few bangles, slip into a fabulous sandal and out the door you go.

Lovely in…Girly classics

Spotted: Bellair Street

Lovely in…Pairings fit for a chic Parisian.

Spotted: Queen and Shaw Streets

All of my big plans to head to Montreal to check out the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts may be a bust, but I got an email last week that promised to satisfy the couture craving. This past Friday, I ventured up to Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street (my second home of late, not that I’m complaining) to take a spin around a new in-store installation of vintage YSL.

Tanned and glowing after a trip to the tropics, I was finally ready to take in some serious summer culture when I showed up at Sophie Calle’s opening cocktail party at DHC/ART, my new favorite art hangout. What a party! Everyone was there: the artists, the fashionistas (many of them flaunting gorgeous Renata Morales dresses), the colorful students. Yes, a real Paris-style happening. The cherry on the cake: a surprise concert by Feist. You weren’t there? Just don’t miss the exhibition, it’s phenomenal.

The countdown is officially on.  I am leaving for Nantucket in less than four weeks and my packing panic has already set in. On top of my basics—Ralph Lauren swimsuit, J.Crew T-shirts, Milly sundress and Michael Kors woven tote bag—I know that my bags will also be stuffed to the gills with every lotion and label in my closet.

Lovely in…Beautiful blooms

Spotted: Trinity Bellwoods Park

What’s your Sex and the City fashion personality?

These days, when it comes to a girl’s closet, it is de rigueur to have multiple fashion personalities.  We change up our looks like stylish chameleons.  In my case, er, closet rather, a week doesn’t go by without the Three Faces of Sarah making an appearance: The Prepster (think seersucker, stripes and sailboat-loads of navy), The Seductress (LBDs, killer heels and notice-me-now jewellery) and The Minimalist (monochromatic dressing with statement extras).