FASHION Magazine

We love arm candy (and arm parties!), and this week we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane and DIY us some of the oldest decorations in the book: the high-end friendship bracelet. We’ve seen these amped-up beauties on the runways (think Isabel Marant) and on the street (think blogger-approved Dannijo and Venessa Arigaza), with quite a hefty price tag attached, and so we decided to create some that ring in a little closer to what they used to cost back at summer camp: less than $10!

Let’s DIY!»

“Many of the interesting shapes featured in this photograph are duplicated,” says FASHION’s current art director, Maarten Sluyter. “The model’s hair mimics the volume of her skirt, and the V shapes are repeated. There’s a lot of contrast in this image—it’s stark white and jet black with very little grey. It makes me think of classic Man Ray or Herb Ritts photography. The model’s pose has a timeless, sculptural quality—it’s graceful, almost ballerina-like. Here, form takes the spotlight.”

Spring visit to the Wildfox Couture (wildfoxcouture.com) showroom in downtown Los Angeles ignited visions of summertime festival fashion at the Calgary Stampede and the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. This L.A. brand is available at Calgary’s Coco+Violet Boutique (17-2500 Fourth St. SW, Calgary, 403-244-6234, cocoandviolet.com), one of only a few shops in Alberta to carry this celeb-adored label. The light knit, strategically shredded sweaters (right, $320) and cowgirl graphic tees balance pretty Coachella grunge with the perfect dose of home.

Breaking away from a decade of designing for the fast-fashion industry, Vancouverite Andrea Wong has launched her own handmade accessories line, Aw by Andrea Wong (awbyandreawong.com). “It pairs my two passions—sourcing vintage and creating things with my hands,” she says. Bag one of her bright blanket totes, crafted from reclaimed serapes and leather belts, for the beach (shown, $165 each, at One of A Few, 354 Water St., 604-605-0685, oneofafew.com, and Much & Little, 2541 Main St., 604-709-9034, muchandlittle.com).

By Malwina Gudowska

While most childhood memories are composed of bosom friends and pivotal events, my youthful days can be mapped out in a connect-the-dots trajectory—literally. I rarely spent serious time in the sun, but I have plenty of little dark marks on my skin, including the four moles on one side of my face that I’ve had since birth.

At seven, when I dressed up as Madonna circa 1984 for Halloween, my mother drew a small mark above my lip with her brown eyeliner to mimic Madge’s signature mole. A couple of years later, as if I’d willed it to happen, a mark appeared above my lip, just a centimetre down from where the Material Girl’s spot had been. I was no longer a fake; I was part of the Marilyn (Monroe), Cindy (Crawford) and Madonna club. Plus, my mole quintet was complete! But what I thought was a blessing—who wouldn’t like the comparison to Cindy Crawford?—became a curse when a cruel classmate took notice and used it as a source of inspiration for his playground intimidation tactics. Upset and teary-eyed, I sought refuge near the balance beams, and a teacher came up to ask what had happened. “David says that if you connect all the moles on my face, they make an upside-down house,” I said.

“Those aren’t moles, my dear,” the teacher replied. “Those are beauty marks.”

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See our skincare picks »

Inspiration
The designer mandated sporty chic and full-bloom colour. Her beauty team translated that into fearless mouths and glossy ponies.

Collection
The striking beauty look stayed on point with the mesh tanks, cocoon-shaped dresses and cotton shorts in a colour palette inspired by Farhi’s visit to a blossoming Indian garden.

The Breakdown »

To those about to brave summer music festival season, we salute you. You’re about to enter the void of abnormally oppressive heat, witnessing filthy bodies flailing from side to side and a steady barrage of nudity, whether you like it or not. It’s all for the music, man—though for the sartorially inclined, it’s really all about the clothes.

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View the gallery and shop our festival picks »

It’s official! Edmonton has made the J.Crew cut. West Edmonton Mall (8882 170th St. NW, Edmonton, 780-484-1590, wem.ca) welcomes this sought-after preppy label with a 5,657-square-foot retail space. Prepare to get your summer shop on: From nautical stripes to bright solid colours and statement-making accessories, this all-American brand headed by executive creative director Jenna Lyons has you covered from daytime stroll to sunset soirée.

Because summer is the ultimate time for tunage, we’ve picked out a few of our favourite ladies to listen to while you’re busy sitting on the dock of the bay.

METRIC | GOSSIP | GRIMES | EMELI SANDÉ | MELANIE FIONA

By Sophie Walker

From slick new shops to gold medal–worthy gowns, Londoner Sophie Walker reports from the fashion frontlines at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Check out our editors picks for London »

You could say that beauty runs in the family of 17-year-old model Audrey Blondin-Rocheleau. The granddaughter of cosmetics magnate Lise Watier (who launched her beauty brand in 1972) stars in several fashion campaigns this summer, including Limité, Rad Hourani, Mimi & Coco and Parasuco. Beyond fashion, this wunderkind is prepping for medical school.

What was it like growing up as Lise Watier’s granddaughter?
“For me, she’s just my grandmother. She takes care of me, she cooks for me. She does what a grandmother does.”

When it comes to eyewear, Kathy Tran believes that one size doesn’t fit all. While completing her MBA, this Toronto-based designer conceived the idea of redefining fit in the eyewear market (think non-slip frames and indent-free cheeks). Her debut collection of Kaytran Eyewear (kaytran.com) features 20 reinvented classics.

What inspired you to launch an eyewear brand?
“I had been looking for years for eyewear that fit my Asian facial structure—I have a smaller nose bridge. I decided to design a collection that would offer a different fit. There are endless options for jeans to suit [various] body types—why should eyewear be any different?”