FASHION Magazine

See all the backstage pics from Chloé Comme Parris Spring 2013 »

It was dewy skin like we’ve never seen before for Chloé Comme Parris Spring 2013, where the theme was California’s Venice Beach and models looked like they’d just emerged from the water. “It’s all about layering different kinds of textures to create this really beautiful, metallic skin,” explained M.A.C makeup key Melissa Gibson. To start, she used M.A.C Cosmetics Mineralize Charged Water Face and Body Lotion ($40, maccosmetics.com) followed by Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer ($22, maccosmetics.com)—though dabbed only where necessary. The almost supernatural glow, however, came courtesy of Mineralize Skinfinish in “Soft and Gentle” ($34, maccosmetics.com) which Gibson generously applied with a brush “literally all over the face.”

View Jeremy Laing’s Spring 2013 collection »

Jeremy Laing knows what’s up for Spring 2013 and his collection shown last night on the final day of The ShOws was undeniable proof. With details straight out of the ‘90s (think cargo pockets, tear-away buttons and cornrows), the collection of neutrals was layer upon layer of glory.

Laing found the season’s sweet spot—the spot where five layers are none too many and where a metallic slate button down looks downright staple. Mid-way through the show, a two-tone grey and white button down dress (ahem, the new tear-away?) helped it reach a sporty high. Other than the sporty slouch that Jeremy Laing perfected, the collection mixed in structure and many pieces had a sort of body armour vibe with cut-outs, exposed zippers and thick fabrics. Laing used beaded shoulder pad-esque pieces connected by thin black straps to create a sultry yet refined neckline like that of a futuristic sport playing goddess.

See the Tanya Taylor Spring 2013 collection »

Toronto native Tanya Taylor returned home from current home base in New York to show her sophomore collection as the first to be presented in this year’s expat designer portfolio at The ShOws. And it couldn’t have been at a better time. Since starting her career designing for Elizabeth and James after degrees from McGill University and Parsons New School for Design, Taylor’s star has been rising, and since launching her first solo collection last season, we daresay it’s surging to the top.

See every look from Sid Neigum’s Spring 2013 collection »

Colour for spring? Pfft. Or at least, that’s what Sid Neigum’s Spring 2013 collection has convinced us. The Toronto-based Albertan showed a collection with long jersey dresses, fashion doo-rags, and majorly smoky eyes which when combined, created the ultimate cool girl look (look out Wang, Sid Neigum’s coming for you).

Neigum welcomed the reverse mullet cut to the runway—long in the front and bootyliciously short in the back—which is a necessary change from the current mullet craze out there on the mainstream market. The standout pieces of the show were the unexpected knits, ranging from a turtleneck dress to a grey oversized sweater piped with leather, the pieces were kind of a fashion reality check that made us realize knits are not only for fall.

See the looks from Jean-Pierre Braganza’s show!

Way East at Toronto’s Andrew Richards Design, London-based designer Jean-Pierre Braganza returned home to present his third show as part of the ongoing offsite effort The ShOws. Once again, he played master of geometry, only this time, offsetting his zigzagging prints with loose flowing material that created a big city babe vibe.

The embodiment of Braganza’s sharp/slouch play was a three-piece tuxedo suit in which crisp lines at the top and flowing loose pants at the tips elongated models bodies (as if they needed the help). In Jean-Pierre Braganza’s signature style, he used asymmetry to create unique lines and shapes in every single look that walked down the runway.

See all the backstage beauty photos from Jean-Pierre Braganza! »

If you’ve been working on your braiding skills, good news! The popularity of plaits will continue through Spring 2013—however the variation shown at Jean-Pierre Braganza brings a whole new level of complexity to the style. Featuring a stark middle part and two braids—one interior, one exterior—the double look was described as “pretty, but weird at the same time” by Pantene Pro-V consulting stylist Justin German. After prepping the hair with Pantene Pro-V Normal to Thick Straighten and Smooth Crème ($6, at drugstores) he separated a section of hair at the crown for the interior cornrow braid, which ran down the back of the head.

View the full Chloé Comme Parris Spring 2013 collection »

The twisted sisters behind favourite Toronto-label Chloé Comme Parris were back with a decidedly sunny disposition for Spring 2013, deep diving into California culture last night with their latest show at Toronto Fashion Week. Chloé and Parris Gordon prove their envious skills season after season (need an age refresher? They’re just 24 and 22 respectively), and this time around it was no different.

Opening with the CCP take on the three-piece suit (think neutral-on-neutral and a button-up to boot), the 23-look collection flowed from one to the next with soft shades, airy layers and floral watercolour prints. The duo’s signature double-layer effect was as well done on a navy shirtdress as it was a short pair of slit leather shorts. The piece de resistance, however, was a pale pink motorcycle jacket that featured a thin elastic strap through the back. (Maybe you’d never actually tie a motorcycle jacket up, but hey, it sure looks modern).

View the first batch of Toronto Fashion Week Spring 2013 street style »

Hopefully having a couple of weeks to relax and refresh after the end of Paris Fashion Week did you well, because Fashion Week Spring 2013 continues on. This time the shows are just mere steps from our front doors as Toronto Fashion Week gets underway.

Officially World MasterCard Fashion Week doesn’t start until next week, but that doesn’t mean Fashion Week is already in full swing. Our resident street style photographer Stefania Yarhi was out yesterday snapping all the fashionable Torontonians as they rushed from The Collections to The ShOws. And rush they did! Going from Chloe Comme Parris and Label at the Burroughs Building to Tanya Taylor and Jean-Pierre Braganza at Andrew Richards Design in a small amount of time is no easy feat, but the fashion crowd did their best to not miss these presentations.

View the Laura Siegel Spring 2013 collection »

Just add a desert and you’ve got the perfect background for Laura Siegel’s Spring 2013 collection. Instead of bring sand storms indoors; the first show of the inaugural year of The Collections featured models perched (some teetering) on wooden boxes with colourful cacti at their feet.

Adding to the pops of colour on the floor, the models had a case of pink eye—lids were lined in a bright verging on neon pink shadow and messy updos and braids were completed by streaks of fuchsia.

September may host some of the biggest fashion weeks—London, New York, Paris, and Milan—but come October, it’s Toronto’s time to shine. Considering that Toronto is the home of the second biggest North American fashion week, it goes without saying that the city hosts an influx of shows, parties and fashionable events. From World MasterCard Fashion Week to The ShOws to the just-announced The Collections, there’s so much going on between October 15-26. As the event calendar starts to build (and explode) we’ll keep updating this guide to Toronto Fashion Week—so check back often and stay in the loop.

Jump to: WORLD MASTERCARD FASHION WEEK | THE COLLECTIONS | THE SHOWS

It’s hard to believe that in the space of 13 years, Robin Kay has taken Toronto Fashion Week from a single-sponsor, $25K-budgeted event to the second largest fashion week in all of North America. With today’s huge news that IMG Canada (in collaboration with IMG Fashion) has bought World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto, it truly seems like the event has fully come into its own.