FASHION Magazine

Given that we were already in fits of excitement-induced squeals over the mere rumour of a Spice Girls comeback, today’s pictures of the fab five rehearsing has sent us right over the edge.

We love arm candy (and arm parties!), and this week we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane and DIY us some of the oldest decorations in the book: the high-end friendship bracelet. We’ve seen these amped-up beauties on the runways (think Isabel Marant) and on the street (think blogger-approved Dannijo and Venessa Arigaza), with quite a hefty price tag attached, and so we decided to create some that ring in a little closer to what they used to cost back at summer camp: less than $10!

Let’s DIY!»

With the explosive popularity of Isabel Marant’s heeled sneakers, Pierre Hardy’s colour-blocked high tops and various high-fashion collabs in the works with iconic sportswear brands like Nike, Adidas and Keds, it’s clear that sneakers are having a moment. We’ve spotted some seriously stylish kicks about town — from Toronto sidewalks to the cobblestones in Paris — and we’re loving the sporty vibe these comfortable shoes bring to any outfit.

Whether they are coming, going or waiting their turn for hair and makeup, models show their savvy in both clothes and attitude. Check out our August issue ode to model off duty style.

View the photo shoot now »

To celebrate fashion’s biggest season, we’ve put all of the most major ads (So much image slicing!) together in one space. We’ll be adding new creatives as they become available, so be sure to check back for all the biggest and best.

See all the campaigns »

To those about to brave summer music festival season, we salute you. You’re about to enter the void of abnormally oppressive heat, witnessing filthy bodies flailing from side to side and a steady barrage of nudity, whether you like it or not. It’s all for the music, man—though for the sartorially inclined, it’s really all about the clothes.

Read the story »
View the gallery and shop our festival picks »

By Elio Iannacci. Photographed by James White. Styled by Penny Lovell.

Read our interview with Anna Paquin »
See Anna Paquin’s shopping picks »

You can learn a lot about an actress by the way she steps on set for a photo shoot. Some stars require the armour of an entourage; others need a personality-devoid space and monastic silence. Anna Paquin is unquestionably neither of the above. Upon arriving at L.A.’s Smashbox Studios on a scalding Saturday afternoon, the Winnipeg-born, New Zealand-raised actress introduces herself to the FASHION crew without hesitation. Serving up a warm, Kiwi-accented “Nice to meet you” to photographer James White—and his troop of all-guy assistants crushing on her—the 29-year-old talent does the rounds as if she were hosting a cocktail party. Of course, there is a reason for Paquin’s accelerated social skills. Having won an Oscar at the age of 11 for her performance in Jane Campion’s The Piano, Paquin has grown up with cameras and handshakes at every corner, starring in a mix of family pictures (Fly Away Home), blockbusters (X-Men), indie flicks (The Squid and the Whale) and, most recently, a ratings monster of a TV series called True Blood.

After changing into her favoured cover look—a Jackie Onassis-like Marc Jacobs dress trimmed with silver studs—Paquin dashes in front of the lens, occasionally cracking jokes and posing without any forced fabulousness. Her good humour remains intact long after the array of designer heels and baubles are put away and we are left alone to talk.

By now, you must know that Pippa Middleton was in Paris this weekend. And her friend was pointing a gun at some paparazzi.

“Gungate,” as it is now known, blew up over the past few days with people wondering: Was the gun real? Will Pippa go to jail? Is Queen Kate mad? Will the royal sister be plucked from the front row at Temperley and thrust into Balenciaga’s Fall 2012 spy-themed collection ads? And what about Isabel Marant’s cowboy collection?

Before you get your knickers in a knot, apparently Jr. Middleton was not impressed with the violent act—at least, according to a rather gentlemanly public apology from Pippa’s carmate Viscount Arthur de Soultrait who said, “Obviously Philippa had no idea that he was going to do that and told him to stop immediately…She did not find it funny.”

Luckily for The Royal Family and Pippa, the scandal has slowly fizzled into nothing but a small pile of inert gunpowder. For starters, it’s since been discovered the gun was, in fact, a toy (though why any grown man would be carrying one of those around anyway is completely beyond us). It also appears no one has actually complained to the French police about the incident, so Pippa is not likely to face any criminal charges. Phew.

While she may not have committed a real crime this weekend, she most definitely committed a fashion one. The royal sister-in-law was in Paris for the 1700s-themed birthday party of the aforementioned Viscount and wore an unforgiveable fucshia, bow-covered, corset thing (there is no better word) atop cropped lace leggings that had some questioning her status as a fashion icon. This apparently paled in comparison to the other partygoers who, according to E! Online, wore “dog collars, chastity belts and surround[ed] themselves with dwarves.”

View the peekaboo on the runway »

Peekaboo. It’s probably the first game many of us ever played. And designers here in Paris are proposing that we play again, at least with our clothes. Panels of sheer and opaque, choppy layers, and tops and dresses with split sides have been strutting the catwalks here on day three of the Fall 2012 collections in Paris.

Hussein Chalayan showed a black shift with giant oval cutout over red crepe and a brown leather jacket sliced at the side to reveal another layer of the same skin. Thighs swished under sheer panels at Vionnet. Vests with abbreviated backs were belted over dresses at Roland Mouret. Today at Isabel Marant, suedes with laser-cut western motifs were shown.

And here is your quick jot of more top trends in the making:

Whether it’s between shows or between castings, top models are often snapped in laid-back outfits that include lots of leather, a good pair of boots and of course, an It bag. We wish we knew their secret on how to make dressing on-trend look effortless. Here’s our guide of cool-girl essentials that will have you looking like you are a model off duty.

Shop the guide now! »

By Randi Bergman and Jordan Porter

When we hear the old ditty “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” we’re not exactly thinking Christmas. More likely, we’re dreaming of fashion week. Well, friends, the time has come for New York to take the first turn for Spring 2012. What to wear? Do? See? With those pressing questions in mind, we present our foolproof guide to everything in-between attending wham-bam shows from the likes of Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Michael Kors, and DVF. Checking the shows out from the comfort of your own home? Have no fear, we’ll be bringing you the best from the runway, backstage beauty, and street style daily!

Shop the guide now! »

This dress reminds us of one from ultimate cool-girl label, Isabel Marant (but, for a fraction of the price)! Pair it with tights and an oversized cardi until spring has sprung. ($19, forever21.com)