FASHION Magazine

Amidst the mass hysteria (how else could one describe it?) that was the Dior succession saga of 2011/2012, you may have heard the name of a little-known French couturier, Maxime Simoëns, thrown around. And while those rumours may have been totally unfounded, today’s announcement that LVMH would be investing in his eponymous line has made it crystal clear that his is one name to remember.

In a surprising turn of events, LVMH head honcho Bernard Arnault has invested a significant but undisclosed amount in the 27-year-old’s two-years-young label. And while Arnault is famous for treating the global luxury market as one gigantic game of Hungry Hungry Hippos (hint: LVMH=the hippo, everyone else=the balls), the mogul almost never invests in new labels.

Despite his young age, Simoëns is no stranger to the fashion world. He studied fashion at the famed École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and then apprenticed at Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier, Balenciaga and—get this—Dior under Galliano. Not to mention his Maxime Simoëns line that shows during Paris Couture Week and his bevy of celebrity clients (mostly French) including Canadian Rachel McAdams.

Arnault must think the wunderkind has got some serious talent—and with his track record, can you blame him? This has people wondering if Simoëns is being readied to take the reins at one of LVMH’s more established labels. Could we see Simoëns at Givenchy post-Tisci? Or at Fendi post-Karl? Given this year’s intense, never-ending game of fashion musical chairs (Jil! Raf! Stefano! Hedi!), we can’t help but applaud Arnault’s foresight.

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Rachel McAdams’ hair looked so very pretty at the Los Angeles premiere of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Yes, there are dozens and dozens of ways to properly describe this updo, but “pretty” just about sums it up, right? It has a little bit of the perfectly messy, loose tease that was on the runway for Louis Vuitton Spring 2012 (otherwise known as: what happens only when you pull back your hair and are not trying) with enough volume through the crown to keep it modern and youthful. At the back, there’s a series of twisted buns that start at the middle of McAdams’ head and work down to almost the base of her neck.

Stripes, sequins, and polka dots? Yes please! John & Jenn, the new collection from Jennifer Wells and John Muscat, the designers behind Line Knitwear, have unveiled their first diffusion line of affordable must-haves all based on their first collection’s signature pieces. For Spring 2012, prints are mixed with pops of bright turquoise, coral, pink, and tangerine, with a fresh twist to lightweight cardigans, oversized sweaters and maxi dresses. Sequined nautical tanks and mini dresses are also included in the line, to take you from the beach to night. As well as on our backs, Line has been spotted on Taylor Swift, Emily Blunt, and Rachel McAdams, so we’re sure John & Jenn will have similar It girl appeal. And with the whole collection priced below $125, it’s sure to have all-girl appeal, too.

John & Jenn will be available at TNT, Holt Renfrew, and Mendocino.

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For the past week, the Hollywood A-list as well (as the impossibly-stylish set) have hit the French Riviera for the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival. As to be expected, the focus has been just as much about what the stars are wearing on the red carpets as it has been about the critically acclaimed films. With stars like Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams and Tilda Swinton changing outfits multiple of times per day, its been a job in and of itself to narrow down our 10 best dressed. We’ve done it though, and now we turn it over to you. Who’s YOUR favourite? Vote after the jump.

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By Laura deCarufel

Here’s a fashion fan party trick: Determine how many pairs of white jeans Olivier Zahm owns. The Purple Fashion magazine editor-in-chief wore a slim-fitting pair at every major event I saw him at during Cannes: The Chanel Cruise 2012 after-party, where he snapped photos of Kristen McMenemy dancing on a chair, and then nuzzled with It Brit Poppy Delevigne; the Calvin Klein beach-side extravaganza, where he wore his sunglasses at night, sipping champagne near Uma Thurman and Rosario Dawson; and, of course, at the late-night piano bar, which Le Baron, the iconic Parisian nightclub, has taken over during the festival, and over which Zahm presided like hipster royalty.

Whoever decided to shift the terminology from “romper” to “playsuit” is a genius. Rompers are for children and athletic people–but playsuits, those are for playing, and what other than playing comes to mind with this vintage swimwear–inspired piece (French Connection, $89)? Perhaps the scene in The Notebook where Rachel McAdams frolics on the beach and […]

The post The daily steal: Playsuit, $89 appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

We are going to need every brightly coloured, boldly printed piece from Derek Lam’s collection. [YouTube]

No shortage of prints at Diane von Furstenberg either. The collection pulled in everything from Egypt to the Pre-Raphaelites to hippie chic. Video and more NY Fashion Week news, after the jump.