FASHION Magazine

From ladylike lace to colourful clashing prints, we present your complete guide to Spring 2012’s freshest new runway looks.

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Word: Austerity

Meaning: In economics, an un-fun time of deficit-cutting through strictly curbed spending; in fashion, a modest, almost severe style of dress.

Usage: “The public will only accept continuing austerity if it is seen to be fair.” ― Vince Cable, U.K. business secretary, via the Guardian

Today was a day of standouts at London fashion week, from Peter Pilotto to Christopher Kane and Erdem. The other shows today? Burberry, Mark Fast, and Giles, all of which included some great pieces. Burberry had cropped parkas, African-inspired geometric beading, and straw riding hats with pompoms, while Mark Fast featured looser knits—almost crochet-like, in some cases—on dresses. At Giles we saw swan headpieces by Stephen Jones and laser-cut red leather gown worn by our very own Kate King.

The British Fashion Council just released the nominations for this year’s awards and surprise, surprise Kate Middleton favourites Sarah Burton and Erdem (yay!) are up for the Designer of the Year award alongside the always-thrilling Christopher Kane.

Other big nominations include Victoria Beckham for Designer Brand of the Year, even after last year’s controversy started by industry veterans over her nomination in the same category. (But, hey, she can sing, dance, and be pregnant in heels, so that’s got to count for something, right?) This time around, she’s up against Burberry, Stella McCartney, and Tom Ford. (In the case of Ford, apparently living part-time in London makes you a British designer?)

In the Model of the Year category, rockstar and supermodel offspring Georgia May Jagger will battle it out with Chanel muses Stella Tennant and Kristen McMenamy. Meanwhile, we’ve got a soft spot for all nominees in the Emerging Talent category. How can you choose between Mary Katrantzou, J.W. Anderson, and Peter Pilotto? The winners will be announced at a ceremony on November 28.

They’re here! They’re here! Well… almost. The royal couple will be in the land we call home in t-minus four hours, and we can barely contain our excitement to see what Kate’s wearing when she steps of the plane. Will she fly our flag or hers? We’re dying to find out. To help you kill the next few hours of anticipation, we’ve compiled a detailed list of Brit and Canadian designers we think Kate should wear at the occasions she’s slotted into her schedule over the next eight days. If we’re right, we’ll be treating you all to crumpets.

View the styled itinerary now! »

While it’s impossible to pick a favourite amongst the fresh crop of talents virtually transforming the fashion scene in London right now, Peter Pilotto is surely one the brightest. The brainchild of Pilotto and co-designer Chris de Vos who met while studying design at the Antwerp Academy, the line has become known for its hyper-coloured digi-print dresses that feel very much like sculptural works of art. The duo broke new ground for spring, experimenting with trompe l’oeil printing on light and airy fabrics. Amidst a seasonal transformation (and over a lobster lunch last month at Holt Renfrew in Toronto), we sat down with the pair to talk all things pattern, collaboration and meeting the Queen.

The Olsens are adding another facet to their fashion empire⎯with an e-commerce styling service. [Vogue UK]

Check out our London fall 2011 fashion week photo gallery »

Fashion week hazard: Getting caught up in the moment, suddenly realizing you have no idea what’s going on with Libya. Insiders say fashion week looks glamorous but the reality is: there is no reality here.

So it was strange, in a good way, to read Peter Pilotto‘s show notes on revolts past (the Russian Revolution, the Paris Riots of ’68) and present (Egypt). Pilotto and partner Christopher De Vos promised to translate these into “seditious shirting details.” Forgive my skepticism.

When Todd Lynn moved to London in 1998, we doubt the Smith Falls native guessed that he’d one day be atop the British fashion scene. Already beloved by the likes of Rihanna, Mick Jagger, Courtney Love and fellow Canuck Coco Rocha, the tailor with a hard rock edge was recognized by the British Fashion Council […]

The post Q&A: Todd Lynn’s toughed out tailoring hits the big time appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

The British Fashion Council awarded the coveted Fashion Forward awards to Meadham Kirchhoff, Peter Pilotto and Canadian Todd Lynn! Go team go! [BFC] Goddess/model Lara Stone stars in Calvin Klein‘s first collection commercial. Minimalism for everyone! [Fashionologie] Vivienne Westwood has redesigned the Brit Awards statuette with her signature rebellious flair. [This is London] Gareth Pugh […]

The post Fashion news: Attack of the Brits + one Canuck! Vivienne Westwood, Gareth Pugh, Todd Lynn and more! appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood is designing two styles for London label Peter Pilotto, set to debut at London Fashion Week. Though Kirkwood has designed shoes for design duo Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos for the past two seasons, this is the first time the world at large will be able to get their hands on the collaboration. [WWD]

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer has introduced a bill that would seek to protect fashion designers from infringement. The Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act is supported by the CFDA. If the bill passes, those seeking damages “must show that his design provides “a unique, distinguishable, non-trivial and non-utilitarian variation over prior designs” and show that the copy is nearly indistinguishable from the original. [ NY Times]