FASHION Magazine

All of you H&M fangirls (and boys) will be happy to see that the retailer has released a preview of their Fall 2012 collection in video form. We’ve already posted bits and pieces of H&M’s Fall 2012 collection, but the freshly released videos give you a better idea of how the clothes actually wear. For […]

The post Check out H&M’s fall collection in video form! appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

See all of our editors’ pick for spring »

FLORALS
Bursting bouquets of oversize buds are ready for the picking.

TRIBAL
Layer bold, graphic patterns and subtle wooden accents for a global traveller feel.

FEMININITY
Wicker, gingham and eyelet are the perfect ingredients for sweet afternoons spent in the sun.

BRIGHTS
Take a graphic approach and opt for thick blocks of bright, saturated colour.

SPORTY
Gear up for the summer in mesh, metallics, drawstrings and stripes.

After coming under fire for a swimsuit campaign featuring a darkly bronzed Isabeli Fontana, Swedish retail giant H&M has released an apology.

“We are sorry if we have upset anyone with our latest swimwear campaign. It was not our intention to show off a specific ideal or to encourage dangerous behaviour, but was instead to show off our latest summer collection,” they said in an email to AFP. “We have taken note of the views and will continue to discuss this internally ahead of future campaigns.”

Those still in doubt about the legitimacy of the blogging business may be whistling a new tune after hearing today’s news. Fairchild Fashion Media, a subdivision of Condé Nast that owns Women’s Wear Daily and Style.com (among other publications), just acquired the style-blog-driven media company Fashion Networks International.

FNI is best known for NowManifest, a curated blog platform that brings in 1.2 million unique visitors each month. The platform has a roster of A-list bloggers including Elin Kling, BryanBoy, Anna Dello Russo, Derek Blasberg and Rumi Neely (the site also hosts Industrie Magazine and Diesel).

Though there is still some resistance from traditional media purists who see bloggers as would-be journalists, the bloggers who make up the NowManifest clan are proving that blogging can mean big dollars and big exposure.

Perhaps the best example of a blogger-turned-brand is Elin Kling, who co-founded FNI along with business partner Christian Remröd. Kling has used Style by Kling, her personal style blog, as a launchpad for successful business ventures that most media personalities could only dream of.

Aside from running her blog and FNI, the lithe, blonde Swede also launched her magazine STYLEBY, collaborated with H&M on a well-received collection, designed the edgy minimalist label Nowhere and managed to squeeze in a big campaign for Net-a-Porter shot by none other than Patrick Demarchelier.

So what does this move by FFM mean for media as a whole? As Fashionista.com says, online media is obviously coming into its own more and more each day, and companies such as FFM are wising up to bloggers’ ability to drive this influx of traffic.

“FNI . . . is a great example of a new media company that fundamentally ‘gets’ the Internet,” wrote Hayley Phelan. “No doubt it’s this expertise (and ability to drive traffic) that FFM, a media company with a more traditional background, wants to harness.”

Though FFM’s acquisition of FNI definitely marks a new day in media, BryanBoy and Rumi Neely of Fashiontoast have both recently revealed that they found out about the deal less than 24 hours before it was announced. It seems odd that BryanBoy, Neely et al were not consulted about the negotiations (especially since NowManifest’s success is largely thanks to the contributing bloggers’ involvement), but both stressed that their content would remain solely their own.

From Nanette Lepore’s neon bags to Nicole Miller’s eye-popping print dresses, ’tis the season to turn up the lights. Acid-bright accessories, like these mini cross-body bags from H&M ($20 each, hm.com), take an ensemble from ho-hum to high-watt. More into monochrome? Stick with classic white.

Yesterday, we hit H&M’s Toronto headquarters for a sneak peek at what the brand is cooking up for fall. As it turns out, they’re not quite cooking: they’re bedazzling. Everything. Gold and crystal baubles adorn sweaters, skirts, heck, even a harness. Meanwhile, Erdem-esque floral digi prints show up on sweaters and leggings, layers are long and lean and the heels are of the need-it-now variety. This collection will begin to hit stores in July, but in the meantime, have a look at some of the items you’ll be fighting to get your hands on.

View the photo gallery »

In honour of Miuccia Prada‘s birthday (it’s today!) and her retrospective at the Met, we’re getting into our second Prada DIY of the season (check out our flower earring DIY). This time around, we’re fashioning our own fiery accessory inspired by the stylized fifties flames that were shown throughout her Spring 2012 collection.

Let’s DIY! »

The spectrum’s sunniest shade made its appearance not once, but thrice on the red carpet at last night’s Met Gala—full-lengthed and peplumed a la January Jones‘ Versace and Solange Knowles‘ Rachel Roy numbers respectively—and thoroughly modernized in the form of Coco Rocha‘s vintage Givenchy jumpsuit, a proud purchase from the estate of none other than Elizabeth Taylor (NBD)! Today, we’re showing you how to get the look for near-bottom basement prices. Get inspired!

Shop the looks »

View the photos »
Watch the video »

Talk about waking up to good news! H&M announced Anna Dello Russo as their latest collaborator early this morning. The Italian editrix-cum-street style icon has co-designed a collection of glittering, shimmering, dripping-in-jewels accessories for the Swedish brand, which will launch on October 4, just as fashion month comes to a close. “Anna has a fantastic eye and bold taste, apart from being a veritable fashion icon. The collection is a celebration of excess, fantasy and decoration,” says Margareta van den Bosch, H&M creative advisor via press release.

The collection of jewellery, sunglasses, shoes and bags will surely take from Dello Russo’s famed flamboyance (Muppet jacket–inspired heels, anyone?) and we’re sure we won’t be able to get enough. Stay tuned for more news and in the meantime, check out the photos and video.

H&M is launching its inaugural “Summer Lounge” pop-up shop curated by the super-blogging Beckerman sisters of Toronto’s Beckerman Bite Plate. Set in Yonge-Dundas Square, the lounge will feature select pieces from the Swedish retailer’s summer collection. Given the Beckermans’ notoriously fun take on street style, we can’t wait to see what they’ve picked out (we […]

The post Party time! H&M and the Beckerman sisters will be popping up in Yonge-Dundas Square next week appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

See all of the trends for spring »

Jump to trend:
VARSITY JACKETS | CUFFLINKS | PATTERNED PANTS | FOOTWEAR

See all 55 shopping picks now »

Keep it light and airy in your twenties. Sport bright yellow in your sixties. Give the colour wheel a spin! This season, it’s time to try a brand-new hue no matter which age bracket you fall under.

Jump to age:
20s SUGAR RUSH | 30s SCARLET FEVER | 40s VEGGIE PATCH
50s BLUE CRUSH | 60s FRESH CITRUS | 70s CLEAN SLATE