FASHION Magazine

Winter is on the verge. The temperature is sliding and the sun no longer peers into my window to greet me in the morning. Saskatchewan winters can be pretty unpredictable and to stay fashionable during this time, when everyone should be hibernating, you need to plan ahead. Mukluks are the perfect way to stay stylish during the colder months (and a great alternative to Uggs).

It’s been a dizzying and hectic week at the Marché Bonsecours: shows, champagne cocktails (champs + raspberry puree = ecstasy!), and more shows.

More often that not, jewellery tends to be an afterthought in my morning routine. I often push it aside, like brussell sprouts at a Thanksgiving dinner. Before I hit up dessert (in this case, a delicious pair of pumps), I quickly adorn myself with little thought or consideration. It recently occurred to me that I may have missed out on that whimsical fairy phase that most pre-pubescent girls go through. I have never considered diamonds to be my best friend. More like a great aunt, twice removed.

I like to think of myself as a bit of an urban hippie.  Not the rainbow flip-flop, tree-hugging, non-shaving kind; just a woman who wants to be part of the environmental solution, not the problem.  So, when I have an opportunity to make an affordable eco-chic purchase, I jump at the chance.

In contrast to her stark white collection from spring ’08, Ashley Rowe has taken a dramatic departure for fall with a collection simply titled “black.” With an invite from the former FASHION intern to the Miss Rowe trunk show taking place October 4th at Exhibition Place (285 Manitoba Dr) and all the buzz surrounding her label, I was eager to check out what she would have in store.

In a season where ‘it bags’ are on the out, and updated classics are investment worthy, Jessica Jensen (shopjessicajensen.com) is a go-to designer. A Ryerson graduate with previous stints at Calvin Klein and Michael Kors, Jensen has honed her talent with the best of them. Her collection is a stunning selection of clutches and totes that are both luxurious in quality and timeless in their appeal. 

It must be a year of anniversaries: besides Blo Blow Dry Bar turning one year old, 2008 is the 20th anniversary of not one, but three fashion editors: Anna Wintour (of Vogue, duh), Franca Sozzani (of Italian Vogue) and Suzy Menkes (of tall hair fame and the International Herald Tribune). Closer to home, it’s also the 30th birthday of Banana Republic (bananarepublic.com).

Fresh and tanned from a 10-day holiday on the Mediterranean, I’m back on the fashion circuit, energetic but frustrated with the weather (where will I flaunt my new gold Paule Ka micro-bikini and flirt with beach bums?) But thankfully I’ve got a bunch of cool things to do this month. I can’t complain. After eating like a pig in France (they now drink champagne on ice!) and Lebanon, it’s time to get a bit of a workout and get ready for those uber-tight leather leggings I’m dreaming of. (Haider Ackermann at Les Createurs is what I’m aiming for, if you must know.)

When you think of Geox shoes, stylish, swanky footwear isn’t what normally comes to mind—try granny-variety loafers and not-so-chic driving shoes as images that pop up instead.

By Sarah Casselman

Shown: Stella McCartney Fall 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.

Started the day with Stella McCartney – big celeb draw (Kanye et fiancée, Twiggy looking very chic in her beret, Sir Paul), although judging from the mélange of oversize sunnies, there had definitely been some late-night revelry.

By Susie Sheffman

Shown: Pringle of Scotland Fall 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.

Seventeen hours in heels and still counting–now that’s a personal record for me! This is a marathon of a fashion week with an insanely jam-packed schedule that everyone is bitching about. I can barely recall the shows this morning, but seem to have a distant memory of mannish military inspiration and lots of lean leathers at Belstaff.