FASHION Magazine

Billy Idol‘s “Hot in the City” played on soundtrack as Donatella Versace‘s modern mermaids paraded the catwalk in under-the-sea neoprene gold studded scuba jackets, white hot short suits, and bandeau brassieres with slim pencil skirts in pretty pastel, sea shell and sea-horse prints. Save for the pageant worthy finale gowns, it was short, sexy and ultra feminine—certainly fit for a new-age Ariel.

The ladies have spoken, and it’s leather they’re after to fill their closets this fall. Not just for biker babes anymore, the season has us swimming in feminine options that are equal parts naughty and nice. From body-con dresses to pencil skirts, the new way to wear leather is all about ladylike silhouettes, mixing fabrics, and layering luxe textures like cashmere and fur.

Let’s get leather-d! »

Despite the long list of megawatt celebs (Clive Owen! Leighton Meester! Emily Blunt!) that rolled through the Variety Studio at Holt Renfrew this week, the vibe was decidedly relaxed. We stopped by on Saturday to do a bit of celeb stalking and instead of the flurry of stress we thought we’d be met with, the celebs were easy breezy, spending a couple of minutes in front of the camera, and then schmoozing, playing the new Nintendo DS, drinking wine or tea, and accepting gift bags full of swag from Moroccan Oil and Canadian jewellery company Anzie.

While we were there, we spotted Rachel Weisz, alongside her Deep Blue Sea co-star Tom Hiddleston, looking breathtaking (we mean that literally) in a Giambattista Valli resort leopard dress, with a simple shape and sky-high black pumps. Leighton Meester, who was interviewed alongside scene-pros Allison Janney and Oliver Platt for their film The Oranges, was looking sweet in a Louis Vuitton resort 2012 pleated dress, a blazer by Nonoo, and pink and black Pierre Hardy wedges. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Olsen and Sarah Paulson sported matching prints.

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Overheard: While arriving the Variety studio at Holt Renfrew yesterday, Leighton Meester points to the elaborate headband of one of the store’s greeters and says, “That. Is. So. Cute.” If they know what’s good for them, the folks at Holts better get on making about a million more of those. Whatever Blair Waldorf says goes.

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Overheard today, as onlookers watched Rachel Weisz being interviewed at the Variety Studio at Holt Renfrew: (Girl 1) “It looks like her shoes weigh more than she does.” (Girl 2) “And she certainly doesn’t laugh like an actress.” We didn’t think it was possible to ever be nasty to (or about) Weisz, but apparently it […]

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Last night, Holt Renfrew fêted Erin Kleinberg, Stephanie Mark, and Jake Rosenberg, the home-grown trio behind voyeuristic style site The Coveteur. Held in the the shoe department of the Bloor Street flagship store, the soiree debuted a new photo exhibit previewing the store’s fall footwear collections, as well as the closets of Canadian taste-makers Dee Dee Taylor Eustace, Gabor Jurina (whose closet was guest-edited by our very own Susie Sheffman), Sylvia Mantella, and Lynda Latner. The three Coveteurs (get it?) looked as chic as the venue, with Kleinberg in a flowing DVF and Céline choker, Mark in Alaïa, and Rosenberg in Hugo Boss. Natch.

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Style dynamo Rachel Zoe hit Holt Renfrew in Toronto yesterday for the launch of her eponymous new fashion line. As you’d expect, a swelling crowd of “bananas”-crazed fans flooded the store, waiting for the chance to meet and greet their maker (we overheard lots and lots of “die”s in the crowd… just saying). Pre-mayhem, we sat down with the Zoe Report for a little Q&A about what makes her tick. Baby Skyler included.

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For fall, we love feminine briefcase bags, hands-free carryalls and exotic skins.

Shop the best bags for fall »

View by trend: Animal Instincts | Great Outdoors | Business Class

By Poonam Kaur Billing

Ever taken a gamble on a new shampoo that didn’t uh… perform as well as you thought? Well, this weekend you have a chance to rid yourself of buyer’s remorse. This Saturday, August 6, Holt Renfrew and Frédéric Fekkai are teaming up to host a one-day-only shampoo swap! Yeah, like the get-free-things kind of swap.

Mixing prints is a fun way to liven up any outfit. It can be a bit tricky, though, so be cautious and don’t overwhelm your body. Wild, mismatched patterns are in desperate need of a slim, well-fitted silhouette to draw the eye in—the wrong fit risks making you look more like a bulk bag of gummies than eye candy. Don’t be shy with colour. For the perfect pop, extract one shade from a print in the form of a shoe. And limit your accessories, keeping the chosen few minimal. If you’re still weary about mixing prints, get your feet wet by wearing one strong pattern on the body and incorporate another with a bag. Novices beware: Leave mixing more than two prints at a time to the experts.

Let’s get mixing! »

Follow our ongoing coverage of the Royal visit! »

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge haven’t even reached our shores yet and Kate has already nailed the Canuck fashion connection. Spotted at Heathrow boarding a plane to Ottawa earlier today, the Duchess donned her signature colour in a knee-length dress by Roland Mouret and a blazer by Toronto’s own design duo Smythe. Hoping to get your hands on the same thing? Get thee to Holt Renfrew, fast! The blazer is available at locations nationwide, but word on the street is that they’re selling out fast. Is it too early for lunch? ($550, holtrenfrew.com)

Check out the rest of our Canadian design forecasts for Kate’s trip »

Attention Yorkdale shoppers: You are the luckiest ducks in Toronto. As if Holt Renfrew’s expansion and Topshop’s entrance at the Bay weren’t enough, It brand J.Crew has chosen the mall as its first Canadian and international location. According to president, creative director and overall girl-crush Jenna Lyons, the company is now finalizing the store’s design, carefully creating the perfect setting to house its collections.