FASHION Magazine

Next January, Jason Wu will add his name to the long list of designers that have forayed into contemporary fashion when he unveils his diffusion line, Miss Wu. The collection, which Wu describes as “slightly more downtown, and with a more relaxed attitude” than his signature line, is sure to garner a loyal following amongst trend-savvy women who like their fashion feminine and classic. Timeless ‘60s beauties—think Marianne Faithfull and Jane Birkin—served as inspiration for the Miss Wu’s 40-piece Spring 2013 line-up, which features mod silhouettes, groovy graphic prints and covet-worthy floppy hats. Wu, who gained experience designing affordable fashion with his Target capsule collection, told WWD that Miss Wu isn’t just about doing ‘Jason Wu-for-less.’ “I always see Jason Wu [the collection] as my aesthetic, my design sensibility,” the designer said. “Miss Wu is my personality.”

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 »

By Leah McLaren

In my view, every bathing suit shop in the civilized world should be legally obliged to post one of those orange signs you see beside the doors of saunas. WARNING: Exit immediately if uncomfortable, dizzy or sleepy. Avoid if pregnant or in poor medical health. Bikini shopping in conjunction with alcohol or drugs may cause unconsciousness. By the time I found out, it was already too late. I was naked, weeping, red-faced and five-and-a-half-months knocked up, under the fluorescent lights of a fast-fashion change room on Oxford Street in London, England. A discarded pile of solid colour bandeau and triangle bikinis lay in a wilted pile beside me. No, it was not a good look. But then again, what was I thinking? Swimwear shopping is a self-esteem crapshoot at the best of times, let alone with a sore back, swollen tummy and bazooka breasts.

Since then, upon much sober reflection, I have compiled a list of wisdom gleaned from years of swimwear-shopping trauma. Whether you are a gangly tween contemplating your first padded two-piece or a post-partum mum longing to reclaim your inner Gidget, the following advice will help guide you seamlessly from change room to checkout.

Following her back-to-back showstopper appearances at Cannes, Diane Kruger has now officially proven that she is physically incapable of looking anything short of perfect. From a gold gilded Vivienne Westwood number to a subtly sexy Jason Wu lace wrapped dress, Kruger hit the sartorial jackpot during her tenure as a judge at the film festival. Click through to see her best red carpet moments at Cannes and vote for which one you think should come out on top.

Click to see all of Diane’s red carpet looks! »
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Elections are big business across the border, meaning that the rich and famous are quick to publicly support their choice candidates. But when you’re Barack Obama, you get some pretty fashionable names—one look at Obama’s fundraising shop and you’d think that American political merch was the latest H&M or Target collaboration! Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang are just a few of the many designers who have created official custom campaign items, from printed sweaters to tote bags to…nail polish?

Last week it was announced that Jason Wu would bring his Target collab to Toronto for one-day-only at a pop up on King Street on Thursday. Today, we’re briefing you on exactly what to expect. Check out these looks, as promised to be available in full (handbags excluded). While the prices for each piece are not available yet, the entire collection will range between $10 and $45 and proceeds of the sale will go to the United Way of Toronto. And don’t fret if something you want is missing from our list—more items will be available on Thursday!

View the photo gallery »

As I get ready to hand the reigns over to Rebecca Tay for her coverage of London Fashion Week, let’s take a moment to digest what went down this week in New York. From the top trends developing to some of the best moments, I attempt to break it down in an orderless top 10:

Read up on the week »

Holy moly, this city just keeps getting better and better! Just when Torontonians thought we’d been shut out of the Jason Wu for Target madness, it seems that we had it coming all along! Next Thursday February 23, the golden boy himself will be bringing his collab to the city, for a one-day-only shopping event at a pop up location at 363 King Street West. Doors will open at noon, but we suggest you start lining up right about now. If the hullabaloo south of the border earlier this month taught us anything, it’s to get in early and bring our fashion warrior attitudes along with.

By Lesa Hannah and Sarah Daniel

Hair accessories have been elevated beyond the basic bobby pin or pedestrian ponytail fastener. At Jason Wu, Odile Gilbert decorated updos with skinny black feathers for a punk touch. “We don’t want them to look romantic,” she says. At Chanel, pearls were pinned into wet-looking chignons; at Yves Saint Laurent, buns were encased in gold cage barrettes. Embellishment didn’t end there, though; faces were fully decorated too. To characterize “giant living dolls” at Viktor & Rolf, makeup artist Pat McGrath used thick, pink false eyelashes. At Givenchy, she responded to the designer’s request for “metallic flashes of light” by cutting sequins in two and placing one half above the eyes and one half below. When “[models] walked and blinked, it would capture the light,” says McGrath. But makeup maven Peter Philips wins the award for best showmanship: At Fendi, he affixed bits of gold and silver leaf from lash to brow. The look blew our minds.

See the backstage beauty »
See our editors’ product picks »

By Lesa Hannah and Sarah Daniel

Bold, statement-making lips have legs: Witness the tomato-red mouth topped with neon orange powder pigment at Jason Wu, the eight acidic shades at Mary Katrantzou and the magenta mouth with a darkened centre at Prabal Gurung, meant to look like “an orchid coming out of the lips,” says makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury. Whatever the hue or texture, what’s important is that it makes a major impact. But this season, colour wasn’t confined to the face; it migrated to the head. It was first spied at Thakoon, where hairstylist Odile Gilbert applied powdered clay, either dry or mixed with water, to models’ heads in a nod to Holi. Then at Narciso Rodriguez, coiffeur Eugene Souleiman spray-painted conical twists in one of five temporary colours. Three weeks later, Souleiman was at it again at Issey Miyake, referencing the flowers in the collection with tinted, tulip-shaped hairstyles. We especially liked the ones that resembled Triple Rockets popsicles.

See the backstage beauty »
See our editors’ product picks »

See all the pictures from backstage »

When I arrived backstage at Jason Wu, the designer himself was receiving a touch-up from makeup artist Diane Kendal. These are the things you witness if you get to the venue early enough. Once he scooted out of her chair, Kendal proceeded to rhyme off all of Wu’s references for his Fall 2012 collection: the Ming Dynasty, the Chinese military, and ’40s Hollywood.

NYFW continues, and we have more than 90 pictures from the crowds at Peter Som and Jason Wu! Day two brings even more bright colours, pattern mixing, and some of the best shoes yet. And from Olivia Palermo to Joanna Hillman, furry toppers continue to dominate the streets of New York.

See all the pictures! »