FASHION Magazine

Though spotting her in the front row is unlikely, you better bet that more than a few of those showing at New York fashion week are designing with a certain Mrs. O in mind. Michelle Obama is the definition of what a modern-day first lady should be: cool, confident and effortlessly-clad in hot American talents like Thakoon, Jason Wu and Narciso Rodriguez. In the new book documenting her style, Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style, in stores today, writer and former Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief, Kate Betts shines a light on the first lady’s lasting effect. We quizzed Betts on why she was so inclined to do Mobama justice.

My day starts on a good note (clear blue skies and I’m able to hail a cab without looking desperate/like a tourist) and it just keeps getting better. First stop? Jack Studios for an extra-large cup of Canadian cool at Jeremy Laing.  There are twenty-eight looks in total and each one is stunning in its own right. The highlights? The moonscape silk jersey gown (love this print, it’s so fresh!), the dolman coat in pebbled cotton and the starry night box sweater.  The gallery-like space is filled with buzz about Laing’s new collection (yes, he has done it again, congrats to Jeremy and Frank!) but I do miss the pomp and circumstance of an actual show.  Call me old-fashioned.

Model Lindsey Wixson is memorable for many reasons: her gap-toothed smile, her full pouty lips, her age (she’s only 16-years-old!) but we especially love her amazing off-duty sense of style (hello fur granny hat!)  Despite her young age, Wixson works the runway like a seasoned pro. Today, at Jason Wu, she hit the Baroque-inspired runway wearing a black dégradé pink tipped ostrich feather coat, carrying a Swarovski crystal-embellished clutch.  I spotted this adorable rising star on her way out from Wu, where she was, ahem, wu’ing the photogs on West 22^nd.

Next Spring’s Costume Institute Gala will open a retrospective of the work of the late Alexander McQueen, called “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. [Vogue]

Jason Wu is expanding his label: The Manhattan-based designer will be launching a five-piece bridal capsule collection to be sold exclusively on Net-A-Porter. [Racked]

Stylist and former America’s Next Top Model judge Nolé Marin has been accused of sexual harrassment by male model Nicholas Hamman-Howe. [Jezebel]

Karl Lagerfeld, who attended the International Herald Tribune’s 10th Annual Luxury Conference yesterday, on couture: “Buying couture is no worse than collecting expensive cars. People are rich enough to buy them. Others make a living from that. I have no fake guilt about couture.” [Styleite]

Lindsey Wixson is one lucky 16-year-old: Jason Wu will be designing her prom dress. [Vogue, via Fashionologie]

Rumi Neely of the blog Fashion Toast has teamed up with Dannijo to design a six-piece collection of edgy jewellery. [Refinery 29]

Mongolian granite sidewalks, Prada Hydro wires and a luxury shampoo recycler? The Globe & Mail spoofs Yorkville‘s facelift. (At least we think it’s a spoof.) [Globe and Mail]

Karl Lagerfeld seems to be in a very forgiving mood these days. First Ines de la Fressange returned to his catwalk and then Lily Allen, who was rumoured to have fallen out of favour, was spotted sitting front row at the Chanel Spring 2011 fashion show today. [Racked]

Model Brad Kroenig walked the Chanel runway with his toddler son wearing matching Chanel jackets and jeans. Is a childrenswear line in the works? [Racked]


1. Karlie Kloss’s signature walk

2. Grey with a pop of yellow

With apologies to Jason Wu, I think we’re all a little disappointed that Natalie Portman didn’t bust out the Rodarte for the Black Swan premiere. (Though, as our friends at Toronto Life have pointed out, this hasn’t been an exciting fest, style wise.) But let’s collect ourselves and consider the frock at hand. Do you like it?

One of the most hotly-anticipated movies of the year amongst the fashion crowd is Darren Aronofsky‘s ballet thriller Black Swan, which you may or may not have heard ad nauseum features costumes by Rodarte. Though star Natalie Portman wore Rodarte to the world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, at last night’s TIFF debut , […]

The post TIFF red carpet: Natalie Portman in Jason Wu and Winona Ryder in Vuitton at the premiere of <em>Black Swan</em> appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

1. Comeback collections (à la Tom Ford)

2. Wooden heels

One word sums up the first days of the Spring 2011 ready-to-wear collections at New York Fashion Week: Fresh. Eds, buyers and bloggers are glossed, fully powered-up (in every sense of the word) and ready for the runways. Models arrive backstage bright-eyed with clear complexions and nary a blister in sight (just wait until Paris….). Even our home for the week got a swish new makeover this season: Good-bye Bryant Park, hello Lincoln Centre. It’s tricked out and teched out (hey, it’s a bloggers world, baby). Want to avoid the long check-in lines? Just swipe the barcode on your show printout at one of the airport-inspired self-check-in stands. But be prepared for a snafu or two. (“Does this thing work?” rivals “Who are you wearing?” as the most overheard query.)

1. Ankle booties

2. Leopard print

3. Chanel 2.55 bag