FASHION Magazine

It’s that time again! The semi-annual ushering in of awesome new things we can’t afford but want SO badly. The month of running around like a headless chicken in shoes that feel “just okay” but look “so amazing!” And so it began yesterday morning with a ceremonious full-body search at Billy Bishop Airport and a quick Porter jaunt over to New York City (the flight was like a FASHION invasion, with our editor-in-chief Bernadette Morra and features editor Elio Iannacci both coincidentally on board). Arriving with just enough time to plop my stuff down, overdo it with the Elnett, and pop into a cab for Jason Wu, I was off.

By David Livingstone

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Louis Vuitton show for Spring 2012 opened with the tinkling of a music box and the rising of a scrim to reveal a carousel carrying girls in pale dresses on cream-coloured ponies. It might have seemed a saccharine set-up, but such a response could just be a bad case of not getting it. The news of the season is gentle news. That’s what Marc Jacobs got so right at Louis Vuitton. All the white and those whitened pastels—a key colour trend, favoured by both traditionalists such as Ralph Lauren and more experimental types such as Christopher Kane and Hussein Chalayan—might have appeared to be borrowed from a bag of miniature marshmallows. But the candied palette was not there simply to satisfy a sweet tooth. It also appeals to a Bluetooth appetite when dished out in fabrics that are marvels of modern technology—things like foam organza, silk cellophane and laser-cut leatherette. For the theory-minded, it’s tempting to conclude from the fact that we live in times when you see toddlers dressed in skull patterns and infants swaddled in camo-print blankets that it’s only logical their moms should start playing with pink and baby blue.

Jason Wu for Target hit the stores and the web yesterday at 12:01 a.m., and much to the chagrin (but perhaps not the surprise) of fashionistas everywhere, so did hawk-eyed resellers.

The reselling phenomenon is by no means a new one—need we remind you of the countless H&M collabs?—but a particularly aggressive couple in a Miami Target has managed to capture everyone’s attention.

The clothes-snatching Bonnie and Clyde managed to buy out the store’s Jason Wu stock, scooping up $7,000 worth of clothing into two huge Costco-sized shopping carts (all very handily caught on video by a fellow shopper). It’s pretty obvious the couple was going to resell (we mean, we love Jason Wu too, but who really needs 20 of the exact same baby-blue blouse?).

It seems that diffusion lines are destined to an eBay fate. As it stands, over 12,000 Jason Wu for Target items are already being sold on the online bidding site. What can really be done, though? Should stores produce more? Some are pushing for a reselling boycott, which we are all for. But at the end of the day, if you really want a Jason Wu striped skirt, you’re going to buy the striped skirt—whether it’s from Target or eBay or Bonnie and Clyde.

From ladylike lace to colourful clashing prints, we present your complete guide to Spring 2012’s freshest new runway looks.

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VIEW BY TREND: SUGAR HIGH | WATER WORLD | GOOD SPORT | FULL BLOOM | CONCRETE JUNGLE | MIX MASTER | GRAPHIC CONTENT | ORANGE CRUSH | WAISTLAND | FINISHING TOUCHES

Victoria Beckham’s newest line with the very James Bond-esque name, Victoria, Victoria Beckham has caused a major fashion ruckus, selling out of Harvey Nichols on its first day in stores.

Inspired by cartoon character Emily the Strange, the line is decidedly mod with ‘60s shifts and Mondrian-worthy colour blocking. The “affordable” collection starts at £395 (which according to our rough calculations is upwards of $600). That’s Carven worthy, people! Yet somehow the steep pricing hasn’t deterred the masses, as there are already waitlists for three dresses, priced at almost $1,000. Canadians have no fear though, the collection is going to be available at Holt Renfrew very soon, and there’s no wait list to report as of today!

It’s that time again! Oscar has spoken, and the nominations are in. Although we would’ve liked to see Tilda Swinton, Elizabeth Olsen, Kirsten Dunst, Shailene Woodley, and Charlize Theron be part of the Best Actress hoopla, it’s probably on Meryl lock anyway. We combed the Pre-Fall collections (with one couture exception) and plucked the gowns we think Oscar’s Best Actress nominees should consider for February 26. Let the countdown begin!

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From Charlize Theron‘s feminine froth, to Reese Witherspoon‘s red hot, to Rooney Mara‘s black-on-black, last night’s red carpet at the 2012 Golden Globes was certainly a kaleidoscopic feast for the eyes. (A feast that will usher in countless trends, to be sure.) Amidst all the showstopping beauty, who came out on top? To help narrow it down, we’ve got the trends down to an ombré effect. Check out our mega slideshow, and tell us who was your favourite of the night!

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Jump to Trend 1: Icy Hot »
Jump to Trend 2: Frothy Pastels »
Jump to Trend 3: Brights »
Jump to Trend 4: Jewel Tones »
Jump to Trend 5: Black on Black »

It’s time to tango! »

Pantone has announced the colour of the year for 2012 and our future is looking bright. Tangerine Tango (that’s Pantone number 7625C for the designers out there) is a punchy mix of orange, coral, and red—making it an extremely versatile shade for all skin tones. And, considering that Sephora and Pantone are rumoured to be working on a Tangerine Tango–inspired makeup collection for March 2012, it’s a good thing this chosen colour is so multifaceted.

November has not been Marc Jacobs’ month. After the Spring 2012 samples from his own line in London and now Louis Vuitton merchandise stolen in Paris, it’s being reported that he is not going to replace John Galliano at Dior after all those rumours. Earlier this month it was speculated that talks between Jacobs and Dior had come to a halt because of Jacobs and business partner Robert Duffy’s unreasonable demands. Now, a source close to the situation, who has remained anonymous, has confirmed with Fashionista that negotiations had stopped by mid-November due to money issues and due to Jacobs’ wanting to transfer his team and aesthetic over to Dior.

Jason Wu returned to Vancouver, his childhood home and the place he first learned to sew, to woo the waists of many a grown woman with his Kaws-inspired Spring 2012 collection. The Thursday night preview and cocktail party at The Room drew a mix of fashion folk and moneyed madams. Models in Wu’s punchy frocks worked the room, as did Wu himself, snapping photos with his fans. A few even paused to notice the Kaws-drawn pink paws worked into some of the floral prints.

What are the designer’s recollections of the city? “I had a tutor here named Muriel, she taught me English through reading fashion magazines, because that was a subject I was interested in,” says Wu. “That’s how I got bit by the fashion bug.” It’s safe to say the Wu bug infected more than a few at the bash—the only cure, a cascading gown of neon green.

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And the plot thickens. WWD is reporting a breakdown in the rumoured talks between Dior and Marc Jacobs. Quelle surprise! Well, not really, if you ask us. Since talks began in late August, there have been reports of exorbitant demands made by Jacobs as well as his business partner Robert Duffy, which lead us to believe that perhaps the designer never wanted to leave Louis Vuitton at all?

Meanwhile, with rumours of Dior approaching everyone under the sun to take the helm, from couture master Riccardo Tisci to street maven (and totally inappropriate for the role in our minds) Alexander Wang, it seems that the designer carousel won’t be stopping anytime soon.

So, what do you think? Who would you most like to see at the helm of the legendary brand?

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We’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about Miss Piggy lately, and we couldn’t be happier. This is the pig that taught us to love fashion, to go after what we want, and that self-confidence is everything. Her fashion tastes have always been a little dramatic for our tastes, but with a new movie coming out next month—in which she plays Vogue Paris’s editor in chief wearing Zac Posen and Christian Louboutin—Miss P. is being given a modern makeover.

Our favourite little diva has been busy recently: she’s collabed with M.A.C and Opening Ceremony—she even appeared at the brand’s Soho store during Fashion Night Out, agreed to be a judge on the much-anticipated Project Runway All Stars (will she be sassier than Michael Kors?), and inspired OPI to create a Muppet-themed nail polish collection. Most exciting, however, is the news that several of fashions biggest names have designed outfits for her—Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung, Suno, Opening Ceremony, Brian Atwood, and Giles & Brother—and that an editorial of her in the wears will appear in the November issue of InStyle mag. We’ve got to admit: we are very excited.