FASHION Magazine

See the Far and Wide Collective collection »

If this month’s catastrophic factory collapse in Bangladesh were any indication, the fashion industry is in need of a major shift. As demand for our favourite retailers only seems to keep growing worldwide, where and how their items are made is sure to change. And while this kind of change may take ages to take place on such a large scale, one thing that may help it along is increasing the demand for authentic handmade goods from craftspeople around the globe.

Answering that call is Far and Wide Collective, a newly launched online retailer that gives access to a unique products crafted by some of the most talented artisans from post-conflict and developing countries around the world. Sourcing workshops in rural villages of these developing countries, Far and Wide Collective discovers talented artisans, including one of the last authentic ikat designers in Uzbekistan, Rasuljon Mirzaahmedov, who collaborated with Oscar de la Renta, using his handmade ikat fabrics in the designer’s Fall 2008 collection.

With the help of the Collective, artisans from countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan now have the opportunity to turn their works of art into a viable economic future and get the necessary assistance to help sustain small businesses. Exposing their craftsmanship to Western consumers, the Collective hopes to provide these gifted artisans the marketing opportunity they unfortunately lack in their country.

Go inside Oscar PR Girl’s purse »

If the name Erika Bearman doesn’t ring a bell, the Twitter handle @OscarPRgirl certainly will. The newly turned blonde beauty (insider info: blondes do have more fun according to Bearman) came to visit Holt Renfrew last week and gushed about working for fashion legacy, Oscar de la Renta and the movie Truth or Dare. Seriously, if you want to hang with Bearman, it’s highly recommended you watch that film first. It has shaped her entire life (her words, not ours!)

With only a clutch in tow, Bearman showed how to edit a bag to only the essentials but just because it’s small doesn’t mean it didn’t pack a punch. We learned that in Oscar PR Girl’s world, “bigger is better and more is more” when it comes to her cellphone and eyelashes. And if you expected Bearman to be a total girly girl because of ODLR’s signature frothy gowns, you would be mistaken. The face behind the handle loves men’s scented fragrances and even wears Old Spice.

From men’s scents to Jacqueline Kennedy to Korea, Bearman had us captivated by her every word so read on and snoop around her clutch to learn all things Oscar PR Girl.»

See the biggest Fall 2013 fashion trends »
See all our fashion month coverage »

Fashion month may have finally wrapped, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to forget about the trends that emerged for Fall 2013 on the many runways of New York, London, Milan, Paris and Toronto—In fact, it’s time for them to take front and centre. While shoppers everywhere are snapping up the best of the selling floor’s offerings for spring and summer, designers, buyers and editors alike are busy prepping ahead. And since we know y’all like to keep ahead of the curve, we’ve sorted through hundreds of photos and selected 10 of the top Fall 2013 trends so that you can mentally prep (and save) too!

Next season, it’s all about fur, which landed in both faux and real on runways including Marni, JW Anderson, and most strikingly at Fendi, where it was combined in a dizzying multitude of punky ways. The 1990s were back for another resurgence, continuing Spring 2013’s grunge trend at Saint Laurent in Paris and Chloé Comme Parris right here at home. On the street, the look was easily created by many fashion week attendees who layered plaids on waists, under jackets and even on tights. And while practically speaking, it may be no major surprise that outerwear was one of the top Fall 2013 trends, this show season we saw jackets take on new forms with quilting, oversized shapes and bold colours which were mirrored outside the shows, with equally interesting choices hitting the pavement

Here are 100 images to help jog your memory of the top Fall 2013 trends spotted inside and outside of the fashion week stents, so sit back, click through, and relive the fashion month in all its street style and runway glory.

View by trend: 1. 1990s |2. SKIRT SUITS|3. FUR | 4. HATS | 5. OUTERWEAR | 6. PINK | 7. PLAID | 8. STATEMENT ACCESSORIES | 9. CRAZY COMBOS | 10. UNIQUE PRINTS

See the Spring 2013 Accessories trend report »

OR JUMP TO A TREND: WEDGES | DANGLE EARRINGS | CLUTCH | SUNGLASSES | GLADIATOR SANDALS

The easiest way to update your wardrobe is by adding a new accessory. This season, designers updated old classics to create new statement pieces that can take any outfit to new heights. Everything from jewels to shoes and even sunglasses has been given an overhaul for a fresh take on Spring 2013 accessory trends.

Jewellery is always a go-to for putting the finishing touches on any look. After previous jewellery trends such as the statement ring and the statement necklace, this spring all eyes are on oversize earrings. Another summer must-have – sunglasses – have also been updated. Prada’s quirky frames have been decorated with graphic floral prints. While at Missoni and Just Cavalli, sunglasses were designed in vibrant hues.

See the full spring beauty trends gallery »

Jump to: 1990s BEAUTY | THIN HAIRSTYLES | STATEMENT LIP | NAIL TRENDS | BLUE EYESHADOW | SKINCARE | BRAIDS | HAIR ACCESSORIES | BEAUTY ADD-ONS

It’s time to say goodbye to fall’s dark lip colour, vivid eyeshadows and unforgiving hat-head. Spring is finally here, and we’re ready to freshen up with the latest spring beauty trends. Amidst the myriad of Spring 2013 beauty looks on the runway, nine key trends stood out. From minimalist 1990s beauty to vibrant blue eyeshadow, spring beauty has something for everyone. We’ve rounded up the top beauty trends for spring: Click through the best hair, makeup and nail trends from the Spring 2013 runway shows as well as the products you’ll need to get the looks. This fresh new beauty inspiration is sure to carry you through the season and right into fall.

See the best dressed on the Oscars 2013 red carpet »

The yearlong reign of Angelina’s Right Leg has officially come to an end. Oscars 2013’s fresh crop of red carpet wows is sure to erase that blunder from our minds, at least for a few days.

Last night’s red carpet was awash with the spectrum’s palest shades. From the serene to the layer cake-like, white and pale pink took top A-list honours. And starting at the very top, Academy Award winner for best actress, Jennifer Lawrence, did Christian Dior proud in her latest look from the house. Plucked from the house’s Spring 2013 couture collection, the frothy pale pink dress was a much more feminine look than we’re used to for Lawrence, but beautiful just the same. As for that pre-acceptance speech slip up the stairs? We’ll just file that, along with this list of her epic Oscars facial expressions, away with all the ways she’s endeared us to her. Another in the pink corner, was supporting actress award winner Anne Hathaway, who stunned in a sleek petal pink Prada dress. And where the extreme side-boob pleats made for some easy jokes by many, we are head-over-heels for the look, especially its open back detailing which Hathaway paired with Tiffany & Co. jewels worn backwards.

Charlize Theron made the strongest case for white, wearing one of the night’s best dresses, another Christian Dior Haute Couture, featuring a deep V-neck strapless cut and a slight peplum waist. Babe, to say the least. Also sporting pale shades, were Zoe Saldana, Kristen Stewart and Amanda Seyfried, in varying shades of grey and cream, and Oscars 2013 nominee Jessica Chastain, who did her best Jessica Rabbit in a stunning light copper and white custom Giorgio Armani dress.

And speaking of Armani! While the rest of red carpet season seemed to be deadset on introducing the world to younger talents like Erdem, Marios Schwab, Simone Rocha and Alexander Vaulthier, Giorgio Armani made a big statement last night, with Chastain, Naomi Watts and Quvenzhané Wallis helping to reclaim its red carpet domination.

So, who came out on-top? Vote in our Oscars 2013 red carpet poll!

See our photos from the Golden Globes 2013 red carpet »

Last night’s 70th annual Golden Globe Awards was a pretty epic lesson in red carpet trends. From the bright colours to the mermaid tails to the boob shows, the A-list all seemed to have consulted with each other’s stylists before arriving at the event. Red rose to the top of the colour charts, making bright appearances on Golden Globe winner Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture, Zooey Deschanel in Oscar de la Renta and Claire Danes in Versace. Richer shades were worn by Naomi Watts in Zac Posen, Taylor Swift in Donna Karan Atelier and Lena Dunham in Zac Posen (the verdict’s still out on Dunham’s dress, though we really don’t like to speak negatively about such a precious human).

Pastels also seemed a strong message on the red carpet, with every hue in the candy coated rainbow being tested against the natural beauty of the night’s various stars. Jessica Alba‘s signature bronzed glow was offset by her creamsicle orange Oscar de la Renta trumpet gown. Meanwhile, Golden Globe winner Jessica Chastain chose the most ideal aquamarine on the colour wheel for her Calvin Klein gown. Bravo!

On the flip side, stark black and white (and even a combo of both with Julianne Moore’s graphic black and white Tom Ford column dress) predictably showed up en masse on stars like Anne Hathaway in beaded white Chanel, Amanda Seyfried in stunning white Givenchy and Kate Hudson and Nicole Kidman, who were both clear standouts in statement-making black Alexander McQueen dresses.

And the mermaid tails, oh those mermaid tails. Thought they were retired? Think again. The ole pyramid hem is proving to be on a clear comeback, as worn by Amy Adams, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift and Jessica Alba.

As for the aforementioned boob-show, one flip through out Golden Globe red carpet gallery would show quite the bountiful selection. And really, is there much wrong with that?

See the Critics’ Choice Awards red carpet photos »

The week of award shows continued last night with the prestigious Critics’ Choice Awards. On the red carpet, celebrities upped their fashion A-game with embellishment, sequins, and other eye-catching adornments. Classic black gowns were updated with daring cutouts and pattern mixes.

While many of the stars chose designers we’re used to seeing during award season, the love for Brit designers continued with Amanda Seyfried wearing a lace blue dress with a-symmetrical hem by Marios Schwab. Yes.

It-girl Jennifer Lawrence stunned in a black Prabal Gurung dress with leather detailing, showcasing that one 10/10 red carpet look from her is good enough to combat a whole season of mehs. Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway went for a more traditional look, shining in an intricately beaded dress by Oscar de la Renta.

By Randi Bergman and Meredith Gillies

2012 has been quite the year. We’ve waited for Carly Rae Jepsen’s phone to ring since what feels like forever, we developed major girl crushes on Girls director/writer, Lena Dunham, and we felt like we’d never be as cool as Azealia Banks. Jepsen, Banks and Dunham may have rocked our worlds this year, but in the world of fashion, important things that have gone down too. There have been soaring highs, crashing lows, and shocking changes for celebrities, designers and even journalists.

Designer shifts at Balenciaga and Dior that are just a sampling of what seems like an endless list of fashion shakeups that went down over the past 12 months including Stefano Pilati and Hedi Slimane at Yves Saint Laurent, YSL becoming simple Saint Laurent Paris and more. And speaking of shakeups, Kristen Stewart’s rise from a teen queen to a heartbreaking fragrance face has been epic to say the least. So let’s look back, reflect, and count down together the events that made 2012 so real.

See our list of 2012’s top influencers »

Go inside the Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style Exhibition »

Fifty years is just enough time to coin some classic cinematic phrases. We all know “shaken not stirred” and “Bond, James Bond,” no matter if you’ve seen one or all 22 (23, now that Skyfall has been released) films, everyone knows something about James Bond. But today in Toronto at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style opens and lets film lovers into the world of Bond.

For us, it’s about the costumes and design sketches. Bond is known for taking a tuxedo and making it timeless yet modernized with every new film. From suits that were worn by Pierce Brosnan to the Tom Ford tailored suit Daniel Craig wore in 2008 in Quantum of Solace, the exhibition shows off how the costuming and tailoring has advanced as time goes on.

As for the Bond Women (we were corrected after calling them Bond Girls), Bronwyn Cosgrave, guest curator of the exhibition sad it best, “They [Bond Women] have always had to epitomize beauty and style and consistently they’ve done that.” And that’s precisely what Designing 007 shows. Instead of making the Bond Women play a supporting role in the exhibit, the women’s costumes are mixed in with all of James’ gear and suits. But let’s be honest, it’s their outfits that really steal the show. The dresses span from an Oscar De La Renta in a classic ODR crimson red to a hooded Alaïa (who’s a totally important designer) that was worn by a super villain, May Day (played by Grace Jones) in A View To Kill. And the added bonus, the Bond Women’s diamonds, which really make the casino looks, are on display to be ogled.

See the Versailles ’73 party photos »

Though it marked a monumental shift in fashion history, November 28, 1973 has passed through history with none of the mythological treatment as 1962’s Black and White ball or even a single Met ball. Until now that is. Brought to life by director Deborah Riley Draper, Versailles ’73 tells the story of a fashion show of French and American designs which was originally meant to simply fund the palace’s much needed repairs but became the moment that brought American fashion into the forefront. With legendary fresh-makers Liza Minelli, Kay Thompson and Pat Cleveland at the forefront of the American presentation, the show of designs by Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Stephen Burrows and Anne Klein rocked a guestlist of Princess Grace of Monaco, CZ Guest, Andy Warhol, Lee Radziwell and Baroness Marie-Hélène de Rothschild and more to its feet with simplistic and impactful presentation and lively African American models (spearheaded by Pat Cleveland, who literally spun from one end of the stage to the next).

Even though New York Fashion Week’s Spring 2013 show season is only just winding down (and there are still three fashion capitals left to visit!), it’s never too early to predict trends. Here’s my breakdown of the top 10 trends from the runways this week:

See the top 10 Spring 2013 trends at New York Fashion Week »