FASHION Magazine

From the prim to awesomely improper, yesterday at New York fashion week was another dizzying day of back-to-back-to-back shows. Let’s drill it down:

The liner notes at Tory Burch’s show yesterday referenced a proper girl who’s come undone by falling in love with the wrong sort of guy. Well, it might have been wrong for the girl, but on the runway it was very, very right. Self confessed, I’ve never prayed to the Burch alter, but the designer’s beautiful Fall collection might just have me changing my tune. Featuring pencil skirts, lacey dresses in wine, emerald, navy, and dusty rose, and some of the loveliest floral appliques and pearl details on done-up cardigans, the collection entered Carey Mulligan territory.

The style snaps continue from the streets of New York! This time around we’re outside Donna Karan and 3.1 Phillip Lim, catching colourful shots of neon—like Sarah Rutson’s bright demin jacket and Miroslava Duma’s tie-dyed Proenza top. Also worth noting: from Rachel Zoe to Joanna Hillman, the statement sunglass still reign supreme.

See all the style snaps! »

Early yesterday at the jam-packed J.Crew Fall presentation, I got a peek at what the mega brand was planning. In and amongst the delicious layered, multicoloured looks, I found out some little newsy nuggets that I’m sure you will be thrilled about:

1. J.Crew will open three new Canadian locations in 2012: Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto Eaton Centre, all three of which will carry both womenswear and menswear. There will also be a specialty menswear shop coming down the pipe.

It took less than a split second for me to fall in love with the manicures at Rachel Antonoff’s Fall 2012 presentation. CND tweeted a close-up of the design—which was created to mimic the printed flowers found throughout the collection—and I was hooked. It looks like a cross between a hibiscus and a lotus: wide petals that extend up from the moon of your nail and into a bright-red background. And once you sort out what colours to use it’s an extremely fun design to paint.

See the Rachel Antonoff floral moon mani! »

As we’ve alluded to in our daily NYFW diary coverage, there’s a lot of rushing around during fashion week. From backstage to front row, from one show to another (and not a moment too late!) it’s safe to bet that most editors and attendees are well versed in dashing from place to place—gracefully of course! We capture some of the rush with today’s style snaps, taken outside Diane von Furstenberg and inside Y-3. Sit down and relax for a moment… and enjoy!

See all the style snaps »

From a raw start (apparently a one-hour flight has me jetlagged?) to many fantastical shows (read: Marc Jacobs does Eliza Doolittle at the Ice Capades), here’s my countdown of yesterday’s hits:

1. The Kate Middleton factor: Yesterday morning, Kate-favourite Jenny Packham showed 33 shimmering previews of what’s certain to be on the HRH’s back come fall. While most looks were the kind of predictably pretty that we’ve come to expect from the Duchess, this creamy pantsuit is one I’d love to see her try.

Day four and we can’t stop won’t stop! We predicted that the scene outside Alexander Wang would be full of bustle and we were right. Lewis Mirrett captured fellow photog Terry Richardson, the Very Classy Derek Blasberg, and Gisele, amongst others, all waiting to get into Wang. (Well, Gisele walked the show, so no wait for her!)

Hit the streets! See all the pictures »

See the full backstage beauty gallery! »

“The inspiration is Audrey Hepburn,” said makeup artist Diane Kendal backstage at Thakoon. But that didn’t translate into liquid liner, one of the beauty signatures of the screen starlet. “We didn’t want it to be too literal,” explained Kendal. Instead, she did a bold red lip using Nars lipstick in “Heat Wave” and added neon-pink pigment on top for “a bright, luminous quality.” (Later I heard the designer himself doing an interview in which he mentioned it was the first time they’d done a lip at the show.) Cheeks were enhanced with Nars Multiple in “Undress Me,” (launching this fall), while lids were treated to a bit of white shimmer in the form of Nars eyeshadow in “Tibet.”

We’re taking a little break from our usual street style beat to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the goings-on before, during, and after Jeremy Laing’s Fall 2012 show. As you might have already read, we loved Laing’s collection—from his fresh denim velvet abstract print to the rear-view zippers, it’s easy to see why he’s one of Canada’s strongest exports.

Go on, get a front row seat at his show! »

Barely any makeup is par for the course at Alexander Wang, where his downtown girl is so cool she doesn’t need to wear much. In keeping with this recurring idea, makeup artist Diane Kendal created “a very sculpted look, keeping it almost kind of androgynous,” using M.A.C Pro Sculpting creams. With “Coffee Walnut,” she contoured the cheekbones, temples, and the side of the nose, and then added highlights in the same areas with “Accentuate.” Brows were kept straight and boyish, and lip balm was dabbed on models’ mouths. “He just wanted the girls to be strong and a little bit warrior-like,” said Kendal. Manicurist Jin Soon Choi applied “Bandage,” to the nails—a beige shade from the designer’s second collaboration with Sally Hansen.

The constant rushing between back-to-back shows (and shows, and shows, and shows) can make fashion week feel like somewhat of a big blurry journey. Uptown, then downtown, then—where are we again? Amidst that kind of chaos, it’s nice to switch it up with a few friendly faces, which was the scene at Jeremy Laing’s show yesterday morning. Everyone from photographers Tommy Ton and Jason Hudson, to writers Amy Verner and Sarah Nicole Prickett, to cool kids Eva Michon and Matt Jackson turned out to root for one of the strongest home-team players. Cue his splendidly architectural collection, with its attention to the backside (rear-view zips, backwards button-downs, and capes) and its awesomely fresh denim velvet abstract print interspersed throughout the collection, and you’ve got one helluva brunch replacement (to thankfully be followed by one actual brunch).

We’re just getting started! Day three of New York Fashion Week brings us a look at some incredible colour-blocked pants courtesy of Jenna Lyons, a beyond-textured outfit from Michelle Harper (wearing the designer at Prabal, of course), and a peek at Queen Anna’s signature bob. Come see what else we spotted outside Hervé Léger, Rag & Bone, and Prabal Gurung.

See all the pictures! »