FASHION Magazine

For Alexandre Despatie, diving is all about aesthetics. “Every time I step on the boards, I’m judged by how I look,” says the two-time Olympic medallist while on set at his Men’s FASHION cover shoot in Toronto. “It’s a fact I live with. My form has to be sharp. Every angle of my body is studied—it’s what I’m marked on.”

At a solid five-foot-eight and 155 pounds, Despatie’s frame is noticeably well toned. As he approaches the camera in a brief black swimsuit, an air of confidence radiates from his diamond-cut build. “Our bodies are our machines—our Formula One race cars,” he later says, after throwing on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. “They need to be perfect to run well.”

In the midst of preparing for the London Summer Games—his fourth Olympiad to date—the Montrealer is clearly running on overdrive. Heading to the gym six days a week, he maintains a schedule that befits his title as Canada’s 36-time senior diving champion. Yet his daily routine—which includes 1,000 crunches, one hour of strength training, 20 minutes of trampoline work, an indoor cycling program called PowerWatts and 50 sets of ab exercises called “pike-ups”—is something he feels “lucky” to be able to  do at all.

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VARSITY JACKETS | CUFFLINKS | PATTERNED PANTS | FOOTWEAR

It’s a cliché, yes, but age is just a number. To prove it, we’ve rounded up some of the most influential women in fashion and beauty and asked them about everything from how they celebrate birthdays to the products they swear by.

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Inès de la Fressange, 54 | Liu Wen, 24 | Olivia Giacobetti, 45 | Hanaa Ben Abdesslem, 22 | Jacqueline Bisset, 67 | Jenna Hipp, 30 | Linda Rodin, 65 | Gucci Westman, 41 | Rachel Roy, 38

This week, you’re in for a treat! Well, a few of ‘em to be precise. Not only are we giving you a peek inside the life of one of Canadian fashion’s head honchos, but we’re giving you a twofor bag snoop as well! Now presenting the lemon yellow Balenciaga Papier Tote AND the Prada pouch belonging to Holt Renfrew’s VP of fashion direction, Barb Atkin. At the helm of the luxury retailer, Atkin is to thank for bringing some of the most coveted brands to the country (ahem, Tom Ford?). Now for a bit more coveting, let’s explore all her amazing belongings.

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Beauty editor Sarah Daniel shares this month’s picks for hair, skin and fragrance, starting off with some mouthy lip glosses.

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Ball changes, box steps and skilful splits kicked off Holt Renfrew’s celebration of the Canadian catwalk as an enthusiastic tapper danced his way down the runway. It was an upbeat way to engage the crowd and usher in homegrown design talent, that’s for sure. Here’s the rundown of the best in show:

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We’re back to the style-spotting game with Lewis Mirrett’s first batch of shots from outside Toronto Fashion Week. Taken outside of two of last night’s biggest shows, Lucian Matis and Holt Renfrew’s Canadian showcase. As luck would have it, the skies opened for the night, leaving attendees to shield themselves from the elements in various ways. From headscarves to uncomfortable glances, see the best cover-ups (and outfits) here.

Leave it to the high priest of pricey to once again surpass the bar for what we thought of as luxe. Launching in April at his namesake boutiques, Tom Ford has created a special edition ‘50s-inspired eyewear collection using only the finest materials. Sure to become collector favourites, the water buffalo horn (because that is a real thing) frames include gold-plated metal “T” accents, and come packaged in a Bakelite box complete with chamois cloth and cleansing cream. And what do they retail for, you may ask? A whopping $2,950. All in a month’s income.

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Guerlain’s mascara fit for a spy, Jo Malone scents inspired by British blooms, and a hair accessory that lets you roll with it.

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Brassieres, briefs and other mid-century-style unmentionables help turn a chore-filled afternoon into a retro fashion affair.

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Fresh off her Spring 2012 exclusive for Givenchy in Paris, jetsetting New York–based supermodel Heather Marks (a Calgary native) took a few moments to chat with us backstage at Edmonton’s Fashion with Compassion breast cancer fundraiser and fashion show. Despite insider access to fashion for nearly a decade, this 23-year-old beauty with rockstar style still has an appreciation for the simpler things in life.

Where do you shop when you’re back in Alberta?
“I always stop by Aritzia and I like going to Gravitypope on 17th Avenue [in Calgary] for shoes. Holt Renfrew is also a favourite.”

What’s your favourite accessory at the moment?
“I got a new Chanel bag that I’m currently obsessing over. It’s not your classic shape. It’s a little bit more round, a little bit more funky.”