FASHION Magazine

By Allyssia Alleyne and Lauren Chan

Last Wednesday marked the launch of The Peacock Parade, the Canadian response to American flash-sale websites like Gilt Group. Though we’re itching to scour the site for deals, it’s by no means the only place to get your fashion fix online. Check out some of the best Canadian online shopping destinations. You may never schlep out to the mall again.

Address: thepeacockparade.com
Hometown: Toronto
Customers: Members of the flash-sale website; shoppers who love designer labels and home-grown Canadian brands.
Brands: High-end celeb favourites like Black Halo, Cynthia Rowley, Prada, and Yves Saint Laurent.
Bonus: Members can sample designer pieces created exclusively for the Peacock Parade, by renowned Canadian designer brands such as Jenny Bird, Biko Jewellery, C’est Jol!, and Claudia Accessories.

Couture Week in Paris came to a close today with Azzedine Alaïa showing his first presentation in ages. As we’ve been reporting, the past few days have been marked with highs (Givenchy) and lows (Dior). Regardless, the overall messages of unabashed luxury and attention to detail, inherent to haute dressing, were unanimously heard loud and clear from the handful of couturiers who showed.

It was a success story at Valentino, where designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli made a solid argument for the relevance of couture. The collection was inspired by the flight of the Russian aristocracy after the breakout of revolution, but it sometimes felt more like a medieval fantasy. Sheer, light fabrics, gilded ornamentation, and house signatures such as vibrant red, bows, and lace felt youthful not stuffy, proving that haute couture can still be fresh and exciting when modernized.

At Alaïa, things were more secretive. Showing during an organized fashion week isn’t usually the designer’s style, and today’s presentation wasn’t an occasion to attract endless media attention. Images of the clothing have yet to be released, however Jeanne Beker described strict lines, croc coats, and some pieces in Mongolian lamb. If the move towards exclusivity sounds strange in today’s world of democratized fast fashion, it does make sense in terms of couture’s traditional exclusive nature, only being accessible to a select few. Despite the scant media coverage, big names like Kanye West, Donatella Versace, and Sofia Coppola were in attendance. You can bet there were no members of Vogue present as Alaïa’s feud with Anna Wintour rages on.

After Monday’s Dior mess, we could only hope to have our faith restored by the rest of the collections at Paris Couture Week. And we got our wish with the stellar back-to-back Givenchy and Chanel shows last night.

In his typical presentation format, Riccardo Tisci showcased, yet again, why his designs could more accurately be described as works of art. Ten painstakingly detailed gowns were adorned with feathers, fringe, plumes, pearls, zippers and beading, and ranged in colour from beige to white (a break from the designer’s usual proclivity for darkness). Accented waistlines, bodice cutouts and sheer skirts exemplified Tisci’s own description of his collection as “pure couture.”

Later in the evening, Karl Lagerfeld’s collection for Chanel was showcased against a sparkling, neon-outlined recreation of Place Vendôme at the Grand Palais. In the centre, a glass statue of a suited Coco Chanel held court. A grand showcase of the enduring Chanel suit (shown in navy, fuchsia, grey and black), the collection effortlessly straddled the classicism of the storied house and the modern strides of its current designer. And did we mention that the heels lit up?

With today’s temps at a record high, it seems like Mother Nature is sending a pretty clear message that summer is finally here! In turn, we’ve scouted over 40 of the season’s best products. From bright glosses to shimmering bronzers, we’ve got you covered!

Check out the best of summer beauty now! »

BRONZERS | HAIR | BODY | MAKEUP | HANDS & FEET | FRAGRANCE

By Randi Bergman and Jordan Porter

There isn’t much else that can top a great pop song… except maybe the video. And the video for Beyoncé’s latest single, “Run The World (Girls)” has got us here at FASHION in a dance-infused tizzy. Forget working, we’re too busy trying to emulate the bangin’ choreography and the warrior-like costumes. While we’ll have to wait till never to get our hands on the Gareth Pugh, Emilio Pucci, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy Couture and Jean Paul Gaultier we’ve pulled together a list of readily available items to quench your Beyoncé thirst for the time being. WHO RUNS THIS MOTHER?

Shop the guide now! »

Is it just us, or along with the first purchase of a designer dud (or a say an H&M collaborative one), should a fashion pronunciation guide be handed over? In these times of the great globalization, the once mostly à la Français designer names are coming up Spanish, Indian and beyond and keeping up with the international Joneses is getting harder and harder. In efforts to save our poor ears from ever hearing Shoo-ler, Lan-vine or Give-en-chi again, we provide you with a guide to a few of the most difficult to pronounce designer names. While Tisci might always be a tongue twister (and for the record its Tee-shee), you’ll never get stand corrected on these ones ever again…

By Gillian Pryor

After making an unofficial statement on Friday, Balmain has just officially announced that Olivier Rousteing will take over from Christophe Decarnin. Here’s to guessing what the new era of Balmania will look like! [Nymag]

Chloé-philes, you can breathe easy: designer Hannah McGibbon is going nowhere for at least a year. [The Cut]

The Wall Street Journal turns the tables on Anna Wintour, who is covering the upcoming issue, as snapped by Vogue fave Mario Testino. [Fashion Gone Rogue]

By Corinne Perez-Abergel, Gillian Pryor and Renee Reardin

The now infamous sheer tube dress that Kate Middleton wore when Prince William apparently fell in love with her, just sold at an auction for over $125,000! But we don’t think it’ll look as good on the highest bidder: “Nick from Jersey.” [Fashionista]

Some of our favourites⎯including Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, The Row, Lady Gaga and Marc Jacobs⎯are up for CFDA Awards this year! [CFDA]