FASHION Magazine

By Tammy Eckenswiller

For me, Fashion Week kicked off with BCBG Max Azria: Nice, fluffy jumpsuits and sexy dresses with a decidedly ’90s minimalist vibe served to confuse me as  I tried to sport some of my hot new fall purchases while sweating profusely in the muggy NY heat! I hate to look at spring collections when it’s so damn hot. It just doesn’t make sense. It needs to be cold so I have something to look forward to!

The countdown is officially on.  I am leaving for Nantucket in less than four weeks and my packing panic has already set in. On top of my basics—Ralph Lauren swimsuit, J.Crew T-shirts, Milly sundress and Michael Kors woven tote bag—I know that my bags will also be stuffed to the gills with every lotion and label in my closet.

By now, most of the female gender is in a tizzy over the hautely-anticipated Sex and the City: The Movie. By some higher power, this fashionable girl was invited to the Canadian premiere and after party in Toronto. After attending a beauty press launch, it was off to the Scotiabank Theatre at Richmond and John to join the throngs of sexy, young Torontonians dressed in their SATC best. Seriously, one girl was even wearing heels, a bustier and a not-so-little hat à la Carrie Bradshaw—made even more hilarious when she was later spotted carrying gummy candies and a greasy bag of popcorn!

All of us fashionable ladies in the office can hardly contain ourselves when talk turns to Sex and the City: The Movie. (We’ve already bought our matinee tickets for May 30th!) So when I was asked to come by Davids on Bloor Street for an intimate little cocktail party to show off their Sex-themed windows, I could not pass it up. For the first time ever, Davids decided to unveil a window theme for their flagship store, with well-thought-out selections showing off the style of the four major females in the film (as well as the four leading men). Sponsored by Skyy Vodka, the low-key affair also showcased five yummy cocktails based on each of the women and one for Mr. Big, natch. The Samantha was naturally tarty, the Carrie was more refined, and so on.  

Before heading to New York to reportedly marry Beyoncé, his girlfriend of six years, Jay-Z stopped by Lobby on Bloor Street in Toronto for what people were calling his bachelor party. Arriving after his Hogtown concert with Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, a.k.a. Shawn Carter, was escorted in through the back door and held court with his mostly male entourage including Roots public relations guru Raymond Perkins.

As the show opens, Whitney is busy recapping her New York trip for Lauren, detailing all of her backstage duties. "That’s like my ideal job," Lauren says wistfully. "I know," Whitney replies. "I mean, while I was doing it, I was like, ‘Lauren would be loving this right now.’"

We open in Lauren’s computer class at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Her instructor is calling the roll. "Lauren? Hey, Lauren. Daniella, her last name is Usher? Hi. Stephanie Pratt?" Lauren’s eyes widen as Spencer’s sister makes a fashionably late entrance and takes a seat only two down from hers. "The first day, it’s difficult for some people," the instructor says. Lady, you don’t know how right you are.

By Kate MacLennan

While flicking through the prattle and the doom that is cable television today, I recently landed on TLC’s What Not To Wear. It had been a while since I watched Stacy and Clinton trash a fashion victim and her poly-blend wardrobe, so I hung in to catch the finale—I’m a sucker for a good makeover. Sadly, that warm, fuzzy “isn’t she beautiful?” moment never happened. In fact, I think I yawned when I saw the reveal. The poor woman looked like…everyone.

By Leah Rumack

Shown: Christopher Kane Fall 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.

Right, so I’ve been told to speed things up here in blog-land, so if you want the full force of my deep thoughts, you will just have to take me out for dinner.

In the meantime…

By Tammy Eckenswiller

Shown: Rad Hourani Fall 2008. Photography by Tammy Eckenswiller.

Feel a bit sad that it’s the last day of N.Y. Fashion Week but my feet and my liver are thrilled. I’m sporting the YSL leopard Tributes again just to make sure my feet will remember this magical week for a long time to come.

By Tammy Eckenswiller

Shown: Vera Wang Fall 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.

Thursday kicked off with Vera Wang and this season it looked cooler–more sexy and street–than usual. Wang’s rich palette of gold and burgundy mixed well with the variety of luxe textures, accented by sparkly silver cuffs. The look was inspired by portraits by Dutch artist Kees van Dongen. Emerging trend: Detail on the back of looks–think silk bustles, tails of tulle and fur. See photos from this show.

By Tammy Eckenswiller

Shown: Michael Kors Fall 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.

People are talking about: How much collections are catering to the red carpet; Miuccia Prada’s latest animated feature “Trembled Blossoms;” Karen Elson’s fringe (super short); the cancellation of the Vanity Fair Oscar party; the Year of The Rat!!!