FASHION Magazine

Menswear designer Philip Sparks rang the opening bell, figuratively speaking, for two weeks of presentations leading up to Toronto’s LG Fashion Week, which starts March 28. As is the case with so many off-schedule presentations, it was as much cocktail party as fashion show with guests nibbling on cheese and drinking Hendricks gin cocktails before […]

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There was an unusual gathering yesterday on a massive ship docked at the Alexandra Quay in Montreal’s getting-hipper-by-the-second Old Port. Menswear designer Philippe Dubuc shot his fall campaign here and guests were invited to “jump aboard.”

Some journalists (I wasn’t the only one, was I?) didn’t read the invite carefully, and so gasped (read: freaked out) upon viewing the ladder (steep and tall) that was the only entry point of the unorthodox venue. Not such a big deal in flats, but for me in heels, another story. My friend Georgia, wearing a mini-skirt, was even more taken aback. Sorry G.! Besides the regular Montreal Mode crew, guests included National Post fashion writer Nathalie Atkinson, and local TV celebs, including Virginie Coosa.

Marni’s spring campaign features alien-like animated dolls dressed in Consuelo Castiglioni’s collection. See what we mean? Dolls are huge right now. [Grazia]

Models: Lying down on the job this spring. [NYT]

On December 9th, The British Fashion Awards 2009 will recognize the most influential players in the British fashion industry. Among the nominees are two Canadians: Winnipeg’s Mark Fast is up against Medham Kirchhoff and Peter Pilotto in the emerging ready-to-wear designer category, while Todd Lynn is nominated in the menswear category with Graeme Fidler of […]

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Maria Cornejo is working on a menswear collection to be launched this spring. The four unisex looks shown at the Spring 2010 Zero + Maria Cornejo show received such a great response that the designer has expanded the lineup. The clothes are set to appear in stores January 15. [The Cut]

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have designed a jewellery collection called The Protector for Asprey. The line features snake-themed necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings in gold and silver.  The snake coil jewellery was inspired by a ring worn by Jolie while pregnant with Shiloh that’s since become a symbol of protection to the couple. Profits will go to the couple’s charity of choice, Education Partnership for Children of Conflict. [WWD]

Greta Constantine designers Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong debuted their menswear line, Ezra Constantine, in Toronto last night, showing in tandem with their womenswear collection. Click the images below to see a gallery of the collection. Check out all of FASHION’s coverage of LG Fashion Week.

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It was a bittersweet farewell to the Canadian summer last night–it may have been cold in Toronto, but anticipation for next year was already riding high at Philip Sparks’ Spring 2010 collection of menswear. Immediately we were transported to our grandparents’ cabin, pristinely well-kept in classic 1950s Canadiana. The theme was a fishing trip in the Great Canadian wilderness–think seersucker, rain slickers, and the darling little wallpaper illustrations that adorned the printed “Gone Fishing” shirts. This detail popped up a few times: a fabric created in collaboration with textile designer Kerry Croghan that pays homage to Thor Hansen’s folk iconography. The schoolboy style—in rust, blue and green against neutral beiges–paired with flat canvas Toms shoes was enough to draw us into a summertime fantasy where fishing, portaging, and wood chopping are only what comes naturally to us Canucks.

Check out our gallery after the jump.

For many men, shopping is not exactly at the top of a to-do list, so when it comes to buying a gift for the man in your life, take the opportunity to sprinkle some style his way. My suggestion, check out the sleek and funky designs of Braithwaite Wallets (braithwaitewallets.com), created by designers Nick Stratichuk and founder Connor Ferster.

We’re currently putting together a men’s supplement, due out this fall. The timing is such that we’re working on it at the same time as our October issue so the FASHION offices are jammed–even more than usual. We don’t usually have any men’s fashion around these parts so the racks and boxes of merch are quite the novelty (though perhaps not as much as the male model currently down the hall). I took a few snaps of the (sorry, no model) action.

When it comes to fashion in the prairies, Henry Singer is king.  So, it should come as no surprise that Jordan Singer (president of the Henry Singer Fashion Group and the late Mr Singer’s grandson) is the indisputable crown prince of suits, denim and all things menswear.  As the legend goes, Henry Singer launched an eponymous clothing shop, specializing in contemporary men’s apparel, in 1938 with only $300 in his pocket.  Since then the Henry Singer retail empire has continued to flourish and now encompasses three distinct clothing stores.

Toronto menswear designer Philip Sparks showed his Fall 2009 collection ahead of the Fashion Week schedule at the recently refurbished Burroughes Building on Queen West. The local fashion community turned out in force—editors, buyers, bloggers and writers mingled over cocktails before and after the show in a display of friendly style accord.