FASHION Magazine

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

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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.

Team Edward and Team Jacob came out for premiere of The Twilight Saga: New Moon at Toronto’s Winter Garden Theatre last night. The crowd ranged from tweens in kitten heels and crinolines (Suri Cruise in five years) to TwiMoms in satin and sequins. The accessory of the evening wasn’t sparkly jewels reminiscent of Edward’s sun-touched skin, but feathered headpieces that were more posh than goth. But back to the boys!

See photos from the New Moon premiere after the jump.

A few of us here at FASHION are True Blood junkies. Yes, we read the books (I’m on All Together Dead. You?); we wonder when Sookie is going to get it on with Eric; we’re happy to see the back end of the Maryann story line. And yet, we cannot understand the just-launched line of True Blood jewellery, available at the HBO store (truebloodjewelry.com).

Loeffler Randall, makers of delicious footwear, have hung out their online shingle. Yes, they deliver here. [Loeffler Randall]

The Moment parses the undead style on Being Human. For us, the best vampire fashion moment belongs to Eric’s tracksuit-and-highlights makeover on True Blood. [The Moment]

ANTM’s Miss J Alexander is releasing a book–Follow the Model: Miss J’s Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise and Power–that promises to be both helpful and juicy. We are most looking forward to the guide to Karl Lagerfeld. [Fashionista]

Finally, an excuse to share a clip from my favourite ever fashion doc, Signé Chanel. The director, Loic Prigent, followed Sonia Rykiel, Proenza Schouler, Jean Paul Gaultier and Karl Lagerfeld around for 36 hours before their runway shows for a new four-part series, The Day Before, airing this fall on the Sundance Channel. [Glamour]

Alessandro Dell’Acqua is publicly decrying his distributor for producing his spring men’s and pre-spring women’s collections without his approval. [FWD]

The British press is talking smack about Roger Federer’s Wimbledon outfit. True, it does include a white military jacket, waistcoat and duffle bag trimmed with gold lamé, but if you’re tight with Anna Wintour, you can wear whatever you want. [The Cut]

Missoni is bringing out these Chucks next spring. But not for the womenfolk, it seems. Boo. [Refinery 29]

A beleaguered Christian Lacroix is “absolutely” going to have a couture show in July. Of his company’s troubles, he adds: “To a certain extent I am paying for not having done what everyone else did, with their logos and It-bags. I never went down that route.” [Telegraph]

Holt Renfrew will unveil their fashion blogger-inspired windows this Friday in Toronto. Muses include Scott Schuman of the Sartorialist, Jane Aldrige of Sea of Shoes and hometown faves Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil and Anita Clarke of I Want-I Got. [Final Fashion]