FASHION Magazine

Today’s debut of Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent cast a strange shadow over the entire day. Nothing else seemed to matter. Not Stella McCartney’s micropleated dresses with large blobs of blue, green or orange. Not Clare Waight Keller’s layered tunics and pleated ruffles. Not the sequinned Rorschach splashes on Roger Vivier’s platform mules. Not even Louis Vuitton’s new fine jewelry collection inspired by the locks lovers leave on bridges.

Everyone was counting the hours, waiting for Hedi.

Finally the front row of the Grand Palais filled. Marc Jacobs. Alber Elbaz. Riccardo Tisci. Kate Moss. Salma Hayek. Jessica Chastain.

Historic? You got that right.

See our Spring 2013 developing top 5 trends »

While the international collections are only half way through there is no doubt that some Spring 2013 trends have been set. London Fashion Week elaborated on some of the trends that we first spotted in New York making spring style seem clearer than ever. Spring 2013 promises bold fashion ready for risk takers. Those who thought the crop top was a phase seem to have been proven wrong. Look for bare bellies and plenty of skin throughout the collections—start those crunches now.

Skin is definitely in, as leather frequents the catwalks for Spring 2013. At Mulberry, leather-on-leather takes the typically non-summer fabric for a ride dropping it right in the middle of its sugary sweet sixties-inspired collection. Meanwhile, defined digital prints continue to develop for Spring 2013 in the hands of their mistress, Mary Katrantzou: vivid images take us on a trip with international banknotes and postage stamps.

View our Montreal Fashion Week Spring 2013 photo gallery! »

It sure wasn’t easy getting into the groove of fashion week the day after Labour Day weekend, but this season’s Semaine de la mode was a success on many levels. A brand new venue, the return of practically all of Montreal’s cult fave designers and the city’s first ever participation in the global event of Fashion’s Night Out made for four fabulous days that will be hard to forget—and difficult to outdo next year. Here’s our round up of the top moments from Montreal Fashion Week Spring 2013:

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 »

It was a whirlwind day of running between shows and showrooms, but I’ve managed to suss out five of the best offerings of the day, beginning with the most unexpected one from Oscar de la Renta. From a man known for glamorous gowns and ladylike day-wear, it was a surprise to see Karlie Kloss open the show in a latex top and skin-tight pencil skirt. Clearly courting a younger contingent, uncharacteristically punky coloured streaks were added to wispy beehives and billowy shorts suits were on offer for evening. Is Oscar abandoning his core clientele? I seriously doubt it, but it’s always refreshing to see a designer throw us a curveball and stretch his style beyond the expected.

See the rest of our picks »

By now, stripes have become just about as neutral as a white T-shirt, with everyone embracing the once sailor-specific look into their everyday wardrobes. With such popularity, the Toronto summer streets were just ripe for the stripe pickin’. Check out 38 of our favourite takes.

See the style snaps »

Echo the casual elegance of Jane Birkin when you head to the beach this Victoria Day by carrying a straw tote. Wear it with a vintage sundress and leather sandals for a Saint Tropez–inspired look. Joe Fresh stripe straw tote ($29, joefresh.ca)

The post Daily steal: Striped straw tote, $29 appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

By Elio Iannacci. Photographed by James White. Styled by Penny Lovell.

Read our interview with Anna Paquin »
See Anna Paquin’s shopping picks »

You can learn a lot about an actress by the way she steps on set for a photo shoot. Some stars require the armour of an entourage; others need a personality-devoid space and monastic silence. Anna Paquin is unquestionably neither of the above. Upon arriving at L.A.’s Smashbox Studios on a scalding Saturday afternoon, the Winnipeg-born, New Zealand-raised actress introduces herself to the FASHION crew without hesitation. Serving up a warm, Kiwi-accented “Nice to meet you” to photographer James White—and his troop of all-guy assistants crushing on her—the 29-year-old talent does the rounds as if she were hosting a cocktail party. Of course, there is a reason for Paquin’s accelerated social skills. Having won an Oscar at the age of 11 for her performance in Jane Campion’s The Piano, Paquin has grown up with cameras and handshakes at every corner, starring in a mix of family pictures (Fly Away Home), blockbusters (X-Men), indie flicks (The Squid and the Whale) and, most recently, a ratings monster of a TV series called True Blood.

After changing into her favoured cover look—a Jackie Onassis-like Marc Jacobs dress trimmed with silver studs—Paquin dashes in front of the lens, occasionally cracking jokes and posing without any forced fabulousness. Her good humour remains intact long after the array of designer heels and baubles are put away and we are left alone to talk.

With a boxy shape and exposed back zipper, this striped shirt is a new take on the classic T-shirt. ($25, thebay.com)

The post Daily steal: Striped navy tee, $25 appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

We love the super-stylish nautical stripes on these classic oxfords. ($55, gapcanada.ca)

The post Daily steal: Striped oxfords, $55 appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Worn with a pair of coloured jeans or a bright midi-skirt, the bold contrast of orange and white stripes on this sleeveless shirt adds a little flair to any outfit. ($58, thebay.com)

The post Daily steal: Striped shirt, $58 appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

A super stylish ivory trouser with black side stripes is an elegant way to complete an outfit. ($33, thebay.com)

The post Daily steal: Slim striped trouser, $33 appeared first on FASHION Magazine.