FASHION Magazine

Cozy woolen sweaters and knits make dressing for winter fun. We show you how to wear four pieces inspired by the Scottish technique, Fair Isle.

View the slideshow »
Jump to:
OUTERWEAR | SWEATER COAT | ALPINE SWEATER | THE VEST

By Leah Semple

The holidays are officially here, as are the many parties and events the season brings. Instead of stressing out over your wardrobe choices, we’ve put together the best ways to incorporate this season’s trends—including colour blocking and metallics—into your all of your soireé outfits, whether you have a holiday brunch with the fam, cocktail party after work, or ringing in the New Year with your besties.

View all the looks »
Jump to: HOLIDAY BRUNCH | HOLIDAY COCKTAILS | NEW YEAR’S EVE

We’re putting our own spin on the ole’ partridge in a pear tree with some seriously amazing holiday giveaways! Each weekday from December 8 through 23, we’ll count down by giving away 12, 11, 10… (well, you get the picture) gifts. Each giveaway will only be open for 24 hours, so be sure to check back every day starting tonight at 12:01 a.m.

Here’s what you can win! »

When dressing for a formal affair, the rules aren’t so black and white. Electric furs and feathers add spark to the classic evening pantsuit. Get inspired by our electric photo shoot from our Holiday issue.

View the photo shoot »
Shop the shoot: LOOK 1 | LOOK 2 | LOOK 3

By Randi Bergman and Paige Dzenis

While all of us may be dreaming of a Birkin bag for the holiday, shopping within a budget AND shopping with a variety of gift recipients in mind can be pretty rough. And because the ole bottle of wine can become a little boring, we’ve rounded up 25 of our favourite gifts that are sure to please, all for less than $25!

View our picks »

After months of searching for the chicest gifts to share with you, our dear readers, we’ve come across more than a few items that have made their way onto our own lists! For even more holiday inspiration, check out the items we’re lusting after as well as what we’ve got coming for our nearest and dearest.

View the list »

Jump to an editor: Bernadette Morra | Susie Sheffman | Caitlin Agnew | Lesa Hannah | Sarah Daniel | Randi Bergman | Emilie Dingfeld | Jordan Porter | Rani Sheen | Nicole Stafford | Sarah Casselman | Rachel Simpson | Caitlan Moneta | Paige Dzenis | Michael White

A cropped knit sweater is an easy way to complete an almost-there outfit and to add an extra layer of warmth—which is especially appealing as temperatures continue to drop. The trick to this trend, seen everywhere from runways to the hallways of our office, is finding the right pieces to pair your with your sweater; after all, no one wants to see bare midriffs in November! There are many ways to mix up this look—we suggest layering over a button-up top and then pairing with flared or printed pants. Worn well, the cropped sweater will carry you through the season in style. Happy layering!

Check out the cream of the crop! »

If not for the many male accoutrements and red lips, we’d have spotted the largest convergence of stylish man repellers in the city at Holt Renfrew on Tuesday night. Gathered to meet their maker, Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine, at the launch of Holts’ in-house blog, Holts Muse, said repellers looked, well, unfortunately sexy, gussied up in many a layered shirt/sweater/skirt combo. The most un-man repellent of the bunch, Holts fashion gal Mackenzie Yeates, wore a set of lace-veiled bunny ears atop an all-black getup, while Holts PR’s Amina Said donned a pair of skin-tight leather pants. Meanwhile, the Man Repeller herself—in the MOST amazing bejewelled Dannijo necklace, we might add—rattled off her top five tips to dressing just like her:

1.     White t-shirt
2.     Crop top over t-shirt
3.     Chambray button-up unbuttoned
4.     Leather jacket
5.     Sequin pencil skirt

Well, if there’s a man out there who doesn’t get sequins, then we don’t want him anyway.

View the photo gallery »

Stripes, sequins, and polka dots? Yes please! John & Jenn, the new collection from Jennifer Wells and John Muscat, the designers behind Line Knitwear, have unveiled their first diffusion line of affordable must-haves all based on their first collection’s signature pieces. For Spring 2012, prints are mixed with pops of bright turquoise, coral, pink, and tangerine, with a fresh twist to lightweight cardigans, oversized sweaters and maxi dresses. Sequined nautical tanks and mini dresses are also included in the line, to take you from the beach to night. As well as on our backs, Line has been spotted on Taylor Swift, Emily Blunt, and Rachel McAdams, so we’re sure John & Jenn will have similar It girl appeal. And with the whole collection priced below $125, it’s sure to have all-girl appeal, too.

John & Jenn will be available at TNT, Holt Renfrew, and Mendocino.

View the collection »

View the photo gallery »

Holt Renfrew kicked off LG Fashion Week with a noisy, crowded bang last night—editors and buyers (and a one Mr. Jay Manuel) got to know each other really, really well, all squished in together on benches in the tents at David Pecaut Square. As is their wont, Holts sent out micro collections from eight of their Canadian best—for whom the question of whether their collections will actually make it to stores has already been settled. The best bits, in order…

While she may be our little secret now, we’re dealing with the fact that soon we’re going to have to share Toronto’s Maryam Keyhani with the rest of the world. Keyhani, a self-taught jewellery designer, is making it to the big time. Last month, Keyhani was selected to show her Spring 2012 collection as part of Vogue Italia’s annual new talent showcase in Milan (guests included fashion power players like, ahem, Anna Wintour). And just last night, one of Keyhani’s pieces was spotted on Freida Pinto, worn with a Calvin Klein cocktail number at the ELLE Women in Hollywood Tribute Event!

Keyhani is an artiste in the true sense of the word, and as such, the work that goes into her pieces is just as beautiful to look at as the pieces themselves. Check out some of the sketches for her Fall 2011 collection, which is available exclusively at Holt Renfrew (for now, that is).

View the sketches »

Westons, Mimrans, Budman and Green. There are some Canadian fashion families that are so well documented, their faces are as familiar as Brad’s and Angelina’s. It’s not that we don’t revere these brilliant style mavericks for putting Holt Renfrew, Club Monaco, Joe Fresh and Roots on the map, but in this issue, we wanted to turn the spotlight on some Canadian fashion families you may not be as familiar with. We always assumed there was a Laura, for whom the chain is named, but we didn’t realize she opened shop in 1930. The story of how 100 Jacob stores were born out of a dream is an inspiration. And how marvellous that the Cherry family passed their knowledge of retail down like a precious heirloom to Barry and Deena Weinberg, who run the Max Mara flagship in Toronto.