FASHION Magazine

See all denim trend picks »

What better day to express our love for the basic blues than on National Denim Day! This street-style favourite provides endless possibilities when it comes to mixing and matching. From classic Calvin’s to Levi’s famous 501’s, this ultimate wardrobe must-have flatters all shapes and sizes. This spring, freshen up your wardrobe with the right accessories to doll up your favourite pair of jeans.

Call us Canadian, but denim on denim has never looked so good. This reliable wardrobe staple can be dressed up or down with the help of sophisticated silhouettes and crisp white accessories. Master of basics and J.Crew creative director, Jenna Lyons, has been known to pair a light-wash denim shirt with ankle-skimming skinny jeans and sky-high stilettos. Equally stylish Canadian tuxedo devotee, Leandra Medine, was recently spotted at New York Fashion Week with a patchwork denim shirt and rhinestone-studded boyfriend jeans. Phillip Lim proved he knew a thing or two about denimology when he sent models down his New York Fashion Week runway in a patchwork ensemble of varying shades of denim and chambray. Take your favourite flared, skinny, and bootcut pieces for a spin because the denim trend is one that’s here to stay.

We love the bright lips and mussed hair on J.Crew models. Kari Molvar meets the woman driving the brand’s beauty direction.

See what has influenced J.Crew’s look »
See Gayle Spannaus’ favourite lipsticks used at J.Crew »

J.Crew has launched many obsessions over the years: cashmere V-necks, brightly coloured capris and novelty ballet flats. But the fashion retailer, which began as a catalogue-only business in the eighties, has also been not so quietly causing a beauty revolution. Flip open the catalogues, or “Style Guides” as they’re now known, and you’ll find models with electro-pop lips, windblown hair and brushed-up brows, a signature look that went over well when the brand officially presented at New York Fashion Week for the first time with its Spring 2012 collection. Collaborations with indie makeup brands Face Stockholm and Lipstick Queen have led to sold-out collections of lipstick and nail polish (not even eBay-able anymore!), and beauty boldfaces such as Linda Rodin (she of the cult face oil Rodin Olio Lusso) star in the company’s latest ad campaign. All of which is to say: J.Crew is on a big beauty roll.

It was a whirlwind day of running between shows and showrooms, but I’ve managed to suss out five of the best offerings of the day, beginning with the most unexpected one from Oscar de la Renta. From a man known for glamorous gowns and ladylike day-wear, it was a surprise to see Karlie Kloss open the show in a latex top and skin-tight pencil skirt. Clearly courting a younger contingent, uncharacteristically punky coloured streaks were added to wispy beehives and billowy shorts suits were on offer for evening. Is Oscar abandoning his core clientele? I seriously doubt it, but it’s always refreshing to see a designer throw us a curveball and stretch his style beyond the expected.

See the rest of our picks »

Check out the street style photos from New York Fashion Week!»

Next up in our street style coverage of New York Fashion Week, our resident street style photographer Stefania Yarhi has captured more of the fashion flock from outside the shows on Sunday. Yarhi’s savvy camera skills caught the likes of Victoria Beckham (who chatted with us back in August), outside after her Spring 2013 show who looked as chic as ever in all black shorts, T-shirt (likely of her own design) and sunglasses. Also snapped: the enviously impeccable Courtin-Clarins girls looking as chic as ever with Claire wearing a black and burgundy long-sleeved dress, Prisca in a white dress, Virginie in a black shirt, and long blue and white striped skirt, and Jenna in a long sleeved printed dress on the streets of New York. J. Crew’s Jenna Lyons looked quite serious while taking a call, wearing a slick grey blazer and white pants. Model Erin Wasson who seemed to be in a hurry, was snapped in a grey button up and holding a furry (real or fake?) purse.

It’s official! Edmonton has made the J.Crew cut. West Edmonton Mall (8882 170th St. NW, Edmonton, 780-484-1590, wem.ca) welcomes this sought-after preppy label with a 5,657-square-foot retail space. Prepare to get your summer shop on: From nautical stripes to bright solid colours and statement-making accessories, this all-American brand headed by executive creative director Jenna Lyons has you covered from daytime stroll to sunset soirée.

Word: Intello-chic

Meaning: High-brow studies rendered stylish by design or by association.

Usage: “What distinguishes these 10 [literary journals] is that they’re not only intello-chic statements for your side table. They’re also really good reads.”  — The New York Times T Style Magazine

Early yesterday at the jam-packed J.Crew Fall presentation, I got a peek at what the mega brand was planning. In and amongst the delicious layered, multicoloured looks, I found out some little newsy nuggets that I’m sure you will be thrilled about:

1. J.Crew will open three new Canadian locations in 2012: Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto Eaton Centre, all three of which will carry both womenswear and menswear. There will also be a specialty menswear shop coming down the pipe.

We’re just getting started! Day three of New York Fashion Week brings us a look at some incredible colour-blocked pants courtesy of Jenna Lyons, a beyond-textured outfit from Michelle Harper (wearing the designer at Prabal, of course), and a peek at Queen Anna’s signature bob. Come see what else we spotted outside Hervé Léger, Rag & Bone, and Prabal Gurung.

See all the pictures! »

View the photo shoot »

He’s no lady. Boy wonder Andrej Pejic brings his dry wit and supermodel moves to the top Canadian designs for spring.

Watch our video with Andrej Pejic »
Read our interview »

Industry darling Joseph Altuzarra was named the 2011 recipient of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award for emerging talent last night in New York. Altuzarra, known for his complex seaming and fitted pants, won a $300,000 cash prize and a mentorship program from the CFDA’s Business Advisory Committee including Anna Wintour and CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg. Macabre jeweler Pamela Love and newcomers Shane Gabier and Chris Peters of Creatures of the Wind both won runner up prizes of $100,000 each.

Meanwhile, on the red carpet, the bright young things were out in full American-made force, decked out in everything from fellow nominees Cushnie et Ochs and Suno to the event’s title speaker Calvin Klein. Oh, and Jenna Lyons was there too. (“Nothing to see here, folks!”)

So, who wore it best? Vote for your favourite after the jump! »
View the photo gallery »

Attention J.Crew diehards: if you have US$3.75 million lying around, you have the chance to buy Jenna Lyons’ Brooklyn townhouse. Imagine, being able to sleep and eat where Jenna did the same? The house, which has been featured in an endless list of design magazines, is just as crush-worthy as Lyons herself, with multiple wood-burning fireplaces, an entirely-done-in-marble bathroom, and a perfectly manicured backyard.

See photos of Jenna’s style picks »

What was your first job at J.Crew?
“I started 20 years ago. I was an assistant to an assistant.”

Are you bringing back company loyalty?
[Laughs] “I never in a million years dreamed that I would be at the same [place]. I spend more time at my job than I do with my family, so my job does feel like a family.”

What’s your secret to becoming a fashion powerhouse? What advice would you give to someone starting out?
“Love what you do. The people who I see as successful [are those who] stay in the moment and try and do the best they can. Those are the people you want to promote. They’re the ones who are thinking about new ideas and trying to do their job better.”