FASHION Magazine

Quick post today, since a gazillion traffic accidents prevented me from actually getting to half my shows on time—or at all. Regardless, catching Mary Katrantzou’s stunner of a show (which, for the second season in a row, kicked off the last day of London Fashion Week) made it all worth it. Deceived by the first few looks, which were dominated by silvers and shadows, I imagined that this would be a toned down collection (at least in palette). Boy, was I wrong. Stiff pleats and equally stiff peplums were bolstered by every shade of blue, green, and pink you could imagine; if anyone can invent a new colour or colour combo, it’s Mary. Also new were her prints: spoons, pencils, curtain tassels, typewriters, and other household items were blown up and their digitized versions lent the collection a quirky air. The standout pieces for me, however, were the dresses fashioned from layers and layers (I counted four on one dress) of printed mesh—each had a half inch–thick banded hem that curled the edges of each layer, lending enormous volume to the pieces. Nicholas Mellamphy of the Room at the Bay called this series of dresses “mille-feuille,” and that is exactly how they appeared.

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.

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FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER | ADULTS ONLY | NUEVO APRÈS-SKI

In our DIY Nails series, we take the average manicure to the next level by including an element of nail art. Last time around, we channeled Prabal Gurung‘s Fall 2011 textured black-on-white nail, and now we’re moving on to the V-gap nail done by nail genius Sophy Robson at Antonio Berardi‘s fall show. Elegant yet […]

The post DIY nails: Recreating Sophy Robson’s V-gap nail at Antonio Berardi Fall 2011 appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Ottawa-born, Montreal-based designer Clayton Evans is the creative mind behind Complexgeometries (complexgeometries.com). When he presented his playful, gender-bending Fall 2011 collection in a gentlemen’s club, it was obvious that Evans’ talent knows no bounds.

Valérie Dumaine (valeriedumaine.com) has been outfitting Montreal’s style set since 2004. Known for her sleek, sophisticated separates, she carries this pared-down aesthetic into her own closet too. Here, she shares her spooky sources of inspiration.

Michael Kors on celebrating his 30th anniversary, staying plugged in and becoming an adjective.

All-American. Spirited. Jetsetter. You can spot Michael Kors from a mile away. Over the course of his 30 years in the fashion industry, the man and the brand have become one and the same, morphing into a mega-empire that, as rumour has it, hit a billion dollars in sales this year. Not bad for a boy from Long Island, New York. Adored by Hollywood A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lopez, soccer moms and First Ladies alike (Michelle Obama wore Kors for her first official White House portrait), his rise to fashion royalty took off in 1981, when he launched his eponymous womenswear line.

Only one year in business and Big Apple–based label Primary (primaryny.com) has two big benchmarks bagged: the endorsement of a star style blogger (The Glamourai’s Kelly Framel) and a resort collection. Raised in Vancouver and schooled at Parsons, designer Cleo Schroeder talks West Coast roots and quirky fashion hits.

Cool, statement-making footwear line Fluevog (shown above, from $310) is now available in Calgary (207 Eighth Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-265-1970, fluevog.com). Update your collection this fall with a stylish (and surprisingly comfy) pair of stacked-heel ankle boots. Opt for a bright pop of colour or a rich autumnal hue, and make sure to go hard on the hardware. Studs and chunky buckles are this season’s hottest new embellishment.

With our bronze glows fading and days turning brisk, it’s time to haul out the hosiery. Hoseanna (hoseanna.com) takes the legwork out of buying it. This online store, co-founded by Vancouverite Katrina Carroll-Foster, replenishes your stockings automatically every one, two or three months. Take a cue from the Fall 2011 Marc Jacobs runway (shown) and don a polka-dot pair by Hanes ($10).

From base layers to varsity jackets, we’ve got your 21 must-have wardrobe updates for fall.

View our lust list now »

Need more proof that Alberta has hit its shopping stride? As of this month, Amsterdam-based label Scotch & Soda has opened not one but two stores in the Wild West (West Edmonton Mall, 8882 170 St., Edmonton, 780-666-1072; Chinook Centre, 6455 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, 403-770-7942; scotch-soda.com). This eclectic brand’s specialty is original, fashion-forward garb. Known for its classic silhouettes and pared-down colour palette, Scotch & Soda’s must-have fall looks include harem-style wool trousers, photo-print tees and puff-shoulder cropped blazers.

Popcorn at the ready, we’re looking forward to a season of intriguing fare.

FALL FILMS

OUR IDIOT BROTHER
Paul Rudd as a cheerful stoner.
A grinning, bearded Paul Rudd—clad in baggy attire and Crocs—sweetly agrees to sell a little non-sanctioned herb to a despondent police officer in uniform while manning a farmer’s market stall. Promptly carted off to jail, he gets out early on good behaviour and returns to the fold of his three successful sisters—Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer and Elizabeth Banks—where family life proves to be entertainingly discordant.