FASHION Magazine

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.

A wise woman from Michigan once said, “Music makes the people come together.” Those six words have never rung truer than this weekend, when thousands from across the land will assemble in parks for a tradition as old as time: the music festival. And for those more into crowd-dodging than crowd-surfing, there’s summer fireworks by the ocean and a cuter-than-cute rom-com at the movies. Take your pick.

Find out what to do this weekend »

Marco Greco—a Toronto based hair stylist who coiffed the hair of some of the city’s most stylish women—passed away suddenly at the age of 46 on Tuesday. Greco was an editorial staple at FASHION, where he produced looks that were both stunning and memorable. Susie Sheffman, our fashion editor-at-large, remembers Greco’s gentle nature saying, “Aside from a talented hairdresser, the world has lost a lovely gentle soul in Marco. It was always a treat to sit in his chair, and an honour to collaborate with him creatively on shoots.”

Plippity-ploppity goes the rain, and pippity-poppity goes the shopping. This weekend, when we’re not watching designer-clad athletes dodge raindrops in London, we’re checking out temporary shops across the country. Popping up in unlikely locales, get your wardrobe fix everywhere from frescoed-in-spray-paint back alleys to restaurants best known for their house-music brunch service. But who wants house music when you have the latest band from Edmonton on your Rdio?

Find out what to do this weekend »

“It’s a blessing and a curse,” Sky Ferreira opines about the conflicting aspects of her sound, a duality in tastes that has seen her through gritty Debbie Harry–esque melodies to raw Jon Brion–produced ballads. The 19-year-old singer is a bit of a dichotomy herself: she will unabashedly profess her adoration for Britney Spears in the same breath as her love for David Bowie, and makes no apologies for being tricky to label.

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?”

Not sure what to pack for your summer vacation? Two words: Tory Burch. The queen of boho-prep has (finally!) opened her first Canadian boutique at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre (3401 Dufferin St., 416-783-0698, yorkdale.com). Swing open her signature orange-lacquer doors and you’ll find a glam 2,500-square-foot space filled with Burch’s ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, jewellery and more. This summer, snap up a white collarless jacket, an effortlessly cool drop-waist frock (inspired by ’20s-era Deauville, France) and a juicy-hued top-handle bag.

From graphic stripes to flirty florals to polka dots, the spring runways were awash with bright, bold prints. Now’s the time to trade your tried-and-true solid-coloured swimsuit for one that truly makes a splash, like this colourful brushstroke-print bikini from George (shown, $7 per piece, fashionbygeorge.ca). Whether you prefer to match or play mixmaster with the pieces is up to you.

It’s been a long time coming, but retailer Ann Taylor has announced that it will open two Toronto-based locations in time for fall. The stores—designed with the inspiration of the modern home—will stock classic wear-to-work pieces and elevated weekend wear (yet another reason yoga pants are an unacceptable Saturday uniform).  Mothers and daughters alike will […]

The post Ann Taylor announces Canadian launch with two Toronto stores appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

With sport utility making the spring runway rounds, now’s the time to get your game on. Victorinox Swiss Army’s first North American flagship store (95A Bloor St. W., 416-929-9889, swissarmy.com) houses an impressive selection of womenswear, including anoraks, bright polo shirts and colourful ankle-grazing trousers (shown, $145 each). The maker of the Original Swiss Army Knife, this 128-year-old global company also makes timepieces, travel gear, fragrances, menswear and those famous knives.

From Nanette Lepore’s neon bags to Nicole Miller’s eye-popping print dresses, ’tis the season to turn up the lights. Acid-bright accessories, like these mini cross-body bags from H&M ($20 each, hm.com), take an ensemble from ho-hum to high-watt. More into monochrome? Stick with classic white.

See our vintage-inspired slideshow »

By Samantha Shephard

It’s a sunny Saturday morning in West Hollywood and Rita Ryack, the Oscar-nominated costume designer known for her work on Casino and A Beautiful Mind, is on a hunt for sequined dresses. Production on the film Rock of Ages is wrapping and she needs one more piece for Catherine Zeta-Jones’ character. Judging by the racks she’s browsing, which are filled with this season’s hottest labels and trends—Versace print T-shirts, heavily embellished Moschino jackets, sweeping red carpet–worthy gowns—you’d think she were shopping at an upscale department store. Think again. She’s at The Way We Wore, a vintage-clothing mecca that attracts A-list clients like Angelina Jolie, Dita Von Teese and Katy Perry. The shop is full of high-end designer pieces, like little black dresses from Chanel, elegant Christian Dior gowns, Pauline Trigère party dresses and Pucci pyjama pants, all dating from the 1930s to the early 1990s.