FASHION Magazine

See our street style photos from Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2013 »

And on the third day of World MasterCard Fashion Week Fall 2013, show goers said, “Let there be colour! And florals! And studs!” (Or so we imagine.) The pavement was alive yesterday outside of the fashion tents and as predicted, everybody upped their game.

The pantsuit edged its way off of the runway and into the Toronto streets as we saw one gal wearing a hot pink version topped off with a leather jacket slung over her shoulders and a Lucite clutch. A+ for her look! And it’s safe to say our Style Panelist, Mo Handahu, doesn’t fear colour whatsoever because we spotted her in multiple bright floral patterns mixed together and finished off with purple clutch.

See the street style photos from Toronto Fashion Week »

Day two of World MasterCard Fashion Week Fall 2013 is all about the transition. With the weather teetering between winter and a chilly spring, those attending shows at David Pecault Square turned to leather and fur yet again for the answer to the question, “will I be warm enough in this?” (Chances are, those only in leather jackets were still cold.)

Faux fur collars were seen on multiple attendees including I Want, I Got’s, Anita Clarke, who had her thinking face on as she stared into her iPhone on day two. Gotta send those tweets, y’all! Our Style Panel‘s Krystin Lee took serious inspiration from Marc Jacobs’ spring collection in a well, Marc Jacobs T-shirt and a stark black and white striped floor-length skirt. This look was accented with a red bag and statement necklace so we think it’s safe to say she’s been keeping up with our Spring 2013 trends guide.

See all the Holt Renfrew party pictures »

Not even a micro-blizzard can stop Toronto from celebrating the start of World MasterCard Fashion Week in style. Open-toed shoes and floor-grazing hemlines were spotted on many of the attendees at Holt Renfrew’s cocktail kickoff party, with barely a salt stain or goose-bump in sight.

The party, which started after the last of Monday’s shows, transplanted the front row set—that is, a mix of editors, designers, photographers and buyers—onto the third floor of Holt Renfrew. Ambient music (courtesy a Bellosound DJ in a white Jeremy Laing dress) mixed well with on-brand magenta lighting, making for quite the party den far away from the tents at David Pecaut square. And magenta wasn’t just everywhere thanks to the lighting: from Ashley Rowe’s dip-dyed hair and bright caftan to Lisa Tant’s magenta bolero jacket to a pocket square (that may have actually been a pair of panties, according to one onlooker) worn by a crafty male guest, the evening was filled with shades of pink, purple and red.

See the Pink Tartan Fall 2013 Collection »

Marnie Edgar meets Betty Draper meets American Horror Story’s Constance Langdon—a troika of off kilter blondes make the perfect heroines for Pink Tartan’s Fall 2013 collection. “There’s something a bit off about these girls but they are really put together,” said designer Kimberley Newport Mimran backstage after the show. A bit off? Maybe. Perked to perfection? That’s more like it. Newport-Mimran’s signature sunny approach shines through in any collection, and this season, particularly so—even despite its influence. Below the blond bob wigs and wide black headbands, the label’s latest wears proved ladylike once again while hitting all the Fall 2013 trend marks. Faux fur was one, which stood out as a bright cobalt blue coat. The winter floral was another, which renewed the label’s requisite shirtdresses for another season. And because faux fur may not satiate the luxists of the city, real fur appeared as well, most notably as thin black trim on a long, backless evening gown.

Check out our latest street style gallery Toronto Fashion Week »

World MasterCard Fashion Week Fall 2013 has begun in Toronto, but let’s be honest, Mother Nature is definitely the fiercest force taking over the city. Show goers were greeted on day one with an unexpected snowstorm making our first batch of street style photos—shot by photographer Stefania Yarhi—all about the layers.

Leathers, wools, and a whole lot of toques graced the wet pavement outside of David Pecault square and we won’t even try to deny how happy we are to spot three different mini backpacks which fills our hearts with 1990s nostalgia.

See our street style photos from Toronto Fashion Week »

At night two of Toronto’s The Shows, three impressive collections had the fashion scene raving. Up-and-coming designers Tanya Taylor and Steven Tai both made their home-turf runway debuts, and Toronto-based designer Jeremy Laing closed the evening with a flashy collection (I’m looking at you, gold trench coat) previously shown at New York Fashion Week. As our own fashion week continues, so does the Toronto street style. The setting sun gave attendees a certain glow as they arrived at the east-end venue Andrew Richards Designs, many of them keeping warm and stylish in transitional leather jackets. Yes, it’s still cold out, but let’s just pretend it’s not!

See the complete Tanya Taylor Fall 2013 collection »

Here are the places I want to go with Tanya Taylor: On a road trip through the midwest USA. Back to the ’60s. To a rumble in the parking lot of Rydell High. All of these ideas and places permeated the designer’s Fall 2013 collection, which was brought from New York to The Shows in Toronto, Taylor’s hometown. An ambient Trentemøller remix of Bruce Springsteen’s “State Trooper” echoed throughout the room as models in thick cat-eye liner came down the runway, some wearing leather driving gloves which only added to the retro road trip fantasy.

Tanya Taylor is a champion of feminine style with cool-girl edge. Waistlines were defined with three skinny strands of elastic-looking cord, usually colour coordinated with the fabric below (a mustard-yellow leather tunic being the most show-stopping of them all). On dresses, forward-folding pleats and side cutouts made for flattering silhouettes—especially so on a black A-line dress with beaded detail that was worn over a white turtleneck.

See the Jeremy Laing Fall 2013 collection »

Jeremy Laing knows how to churn out cool-girl clothes. For fall 2013, the Toronto-based designer, who also shows at New York fashion week, delivered a strong 31-look collection that focused on languid layers, colour-blocking (mustard is having a moment) and experimental fabrics like gold laminate seersucker. Known for his architectural shapes, Laing sent out a chic quilted cocoon coat–a key outerwear trend for fall that said snap-me-up; while his painterly smocks and shirtdresses nailed the concept of effortless dressing. As for this artiste’s palette, muted shades of grey, cream and rust ruled, though the occasional flash of gold (primarily splashed on jackets) lit up the runway. A graphic black and white stripe-and-cross print also ran throughout the line-up–a collaboration with friend, and artist, Vanessa Maltese. Looks like cool girls everywhere will be lusting after Laing’s latest hits come Fall 2013.

See all the party pictures from the Canadian Stage Theatre Ball! »

Based on an informal poll of FASHION’s online department, an event that allows you multiple chances to talk with Jason Priestley is the best event of all. Such was the case at last week’s Canadian Stage Theatre Ball, which celebrated 25 years of the company—a company that just happens to include Priestley in its forthcoming season. The gala event was more cabaret than fundraiser, with Canadian Stage performers singing hits from classic productions as partygoers found their seats for dinner. As an oversized birthday cake was wheeled on stage, Hair’s “Let the Sunshine In” echoed throughout The Carlu. (Though to the dismay of this attendee, no naked hippies jumped out.) “Every time they say CanStage we have to drink!” shouted one guest at the Corus Entertainment table during host Seamus O’Regan’s opening remarks of the evening—and the energy stayed just as palpable until the last guests shuffled off the well-used dance floor at the end of the night.

See Miu Miu’s Fall 2013 front row »

Paris Fashion Week Fall 2013 is drawing to a close, and what better way to end the week than with another stellar runway presentation from Miu Miu? The label is increasingly becoming a red carpet mainstay (see: Kerry Washington’s Oscar dress last month), so it should come as no surprise that the front row at today’s Miu Miu show was a who’s who of Hollywood’s It-girls.

With stars like Renée Zellweger, Lea Seydoux, and Rebecca Hall in attendance, Miu Miu’s front row was like a mini fashion show all on its own. In particular, all eyes were on January Jones and Zoe Saldana who wowed us in their head to toe Miu Miu looks.

Investment pieces mean different things to different people. To some, it means a piece of clothing that you save up for, buy every so often, but love forever. To others, it simply means a classic piece that never goes out of style, fits well and can be worn in a multitude of ways.

This week, we asked our Style Panel to talk about their favourite investment pieces that they plan on wearing this spring. None of the answers were too surprising, the styling however, was top notch as always.

The Style Mogul’s Christina Cravero likes to invest in a statement shoe every season. She likes to make a big impact on an outfit with her footwear. Stephanie Sterjovski’s gorgeous white blazer definitely renews our love of winter whites. Who says white can’t be worn after Labour Day? Krystin Lee of Suburban Faux-Pas shows off her high-low look. Her top, purse and sunglasses were all investment pieces, but she lets us know she is on the hunt for more: a vintage Chanel brooch, a pair of Christian Louboutins and an Hermès bangle are all on her list.

New panellists, Zoe Smythe of Zoe’s Fashion Feed and Nicole Wilson of Dainty Girl, each went for an item that they feel will be worn often this season. Smythe, a footwear designer living in New York City, loves vintage and thrift shopping so it’s no surprise that she chose a vintage Panetto necklace. Wilson, a fashion loving blogger from Toronto, chose a classic Kate Spade handbag in a bold pink colour. But knowing the above, we don’t doubt this piece will be a classic in her wardrobe.

Question 41: What investment pieces will you be wearing this season? Read the answers now! »

Or jump to: AMBER DESILETS, LONDON | BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | CARA MCLEAY, VANCOUVER | CHRISTINA CRAVERO, TORONTO | IVA GRBESIC, TORONTO | JACQUELYN SON, VANCOUVER | KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KD FAUSTINO, CALGARY | KRYSTIN LEE, TORONTO | NICOLE WILSON, TORONTO | STEPHANIE KOCH, KELOWNA | STEPHANIE STERJOVSKI, TORONTO | WHITNEY COSGRAVE, LOS ANGELES | ZOE SMYTHE, NEW YORK CITY

See the complete Chanel Fall 2013 ready to wear show »

The Grand Palais in Paris was the centre of the universe, at least for five minutes this morning. Chanel‘s lustful Fall 2013 prêt-à-porter show staged a giant rotating globe in the main hall, which was illuminated by a rare sunny sky, gently bathing the atrium roof in a light mellow glow. The globe, as it turned, showcased little Chanel flags indicating the iconic brand’s international reach. The Chanel soundtrack began with classical music that eventually tripped into a hip hop number with the lyrics “Around the world” pulsing over and over again.

And then the clothes! All the expected ingredients were there: suits, chain purses and double C logos. The tweed jackets this season were cut lower on the hip, in many cases with a hem of mini-pleats. Some ensembles shimmered with metallic accents, while others popped in bubblegum pink. Newer silhouettes included the roomier, ubiquitous coat body with dropped sleeves, matched with a fuller ruffle miniskirt, as well as balloon sleeves that tightened at the forearm like gloves. For a playful addition, patent thigh-high leggings (in black and white) coordinated with matching boots adorned with chains. Also, several models sported furry helmets in cobalt, mint and pastel pink for a look that resembled a kooky version of Lego hair.