FASHION Magazine

By Jordan Porter

When thinking about the fashion greats, Yves Saint Laurent is one of the first to come to mind. Inspired by Morocco, Mondrian, and so much more, the designer’s influence is still heavily felt throughout the industry.  YSL: L’Amour Fou, the documentary focusing on Saint Laurent’s private life (out on DVD next month), has got us thinking more about his personal style though. Even though he was responsible for dressing style icons such as Catherine Deneuve, we think the designer was an icon in his own right. It’s also fitting that in 1966 Saint Laurent introduced the androgynous Le Smoking tuxedo, putting women in the traditional garb of men. Flip through our favourite boyish picks and see how to do menswear in true Saint Laurent style.

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There’s no questioning fashion’s love of tomboys. From Diane Keaton’s iconic Annie Hall moment to Paris Vogue editor in chief, Emmanuelle Alt’s pants-only uniform, a little gender bending always has a place among the style set. So what’s next in the way of androgynous dressing? Introducing J.W. Anderson, the Northern Irish designer who graduated from the London College of Fashion in 2007, specializing in menswear. After designing exclusively for the guys, Anderson ventured into womenswear in 2010.

Nicola Formichetti made his Thierry Mugler debut in Paris earlier today to the curated and all-new sounds of Lady Gaga. Watch the video! [V Man] No this isn’t exactly news, but did you know that Cristobal Balenciaga’s first model was his cat? Meow! [Nymag] For those of you who shed tears for when Andy Thê-Anh […]

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Do you ever feel like you have to choose between your love of fashion and your love of epic space operas? We agree it should never come to that, but now you don’t have to. Hong Kong illustrator John Woo has spiffed up your favourite Star Wars characters in more earthly gear: Darth Vader sports […]

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When your first sight is a quartet of male models in shiny trunks, fake tattoos and sandals paired with work socks (toes and heels excised for summer) posing by a pool spanned by Grecian columns, you know you’re at a Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill production. The pair, known best for their women’s line, Greta Constantine, decided to throw a party to officially launch their menswear effort Ezra Constantine.

My dad lives in Calgary, which makes Father’s Day gifting a bit difficult (a friend once shipped her pop a box of home-baked cookies, but she always wondered if he actually ate them). Just in time for this year’s celebration of all things paternal, though, Indochino (indochino.com) has launched Indochino Blueprint, a collection of custom-made suiting (from USD$279) with new and expanded customization options.

I have a new job: hairdresser. I’m shaving my husband’s head with the Wahl Signature Series/Charge Pro Clipper Kit ($60) and his beard with the Wahl Lithium Ion Rechargeable Trimmer ($60, both at Sears and Canadian Tire). No, I’m not nuts, just cheap. His haircuts/shaves cost $20 a pop. Sure, it’s peanuts compared to highlights, cut and a blowout. But he goes to the barber: Every. Single. Week. I did the math.

Seeking a deeper appreciation of the world of dead stock, salt washing and denimheads, we went straight to our neighbourhood jeans expert. Matt Robinson, owner and designer of Toronto’s Klaxon Howl (694R Queen St. W., 647 436 6628, klaxonhowl.com), sat down with us to talk about raw denim, selvage and shrinkage.

What is raw denim?

Raw denim is basically unwashed denim: Dead stock, rigid, raw, dry denim.

What does the washing process do to a pair of jeans?

Washing changes the handle, the feel of the cloth. When it’s raw, denim has a stiffer, scratchier feel—and it’s un-shrunk. Even with samforized denim there’s usually shrinkage. Early Levi’s stuff was shrink-to-fit, so you had to buy according to how you would launder them. Depending on the fabric, you would get one to two inches of shrinkage in the waist and length, and had to know to size up.

The messenger bag is a classic and we’ve found one in everything from classic canvas to pop art prints. READ: 10 great messenger bags Get more fashion picks in our Men’s Spring Style Guide.

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Around this time of year I usually need a new pair jeans, because frankly I can’t be bothered to steam out road-salt stains on already frayed hems. And for $39, I don’t feel like too much of a lazy spendthrift when I mosey over to Joe Fresh Style (joe.ca) and nab a pair of their […]

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Finding a tailor—like a good mechanic, or accountant—may not be the easiest task. But a there are a few tips that will set you in the right direction, and into the best fitting suit you’ve ever worn. We spoke with Don Fabien Lee, owner and head tailor at Toronto’s Trend Custom Tailors (306 Sherbourne St., Toronto, 416-596-8744, trendtailors.com)about what a good tailor does, how bespoke beats off-the-rack and how a tailor treats his trade.

If you’re planning on spending a lot of time out of doors this spring and summer, you’d best cover your melon. Try this short-brimmed straw fedora from Gap (gapcanada.ca). It’s clean, simple and, at $30, well priced. See more of our fedora picks at fashionmagazine.com/men.

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