Fashion Au Courant- March 22-28

I. The Power of Style- LG Fashion Week

Today began the first day of LG Fashion Week in Toronto. How I wish I was there... however tonight the guest list was by invite only. Designer IZMA opened the week, followed by a launch party with DJ Honey Dijon.

Design by IZMA

[photo source: life.com]

Designers that will be featured this week will be Ryerson's School of Fashion (my favorite), Preloved, Pat McDonagh & Pink Tartan.

To see the full schedule, click here.

II. Weezi- London Ontario's Very Own

Local beloved designer Weezi (Lisa Gaverluk), was featured in the London Free Press this week sharing how she uses social media to promote her designs.

For those who don't know Lisa, she went to Fanshawe, graduate of '89, and her shop is here in downtown London:

Lisa's designs are inspired by the 40's, 50's and 60's, and she often uses re-used/recycled fabrics in her designs.

For anyone wishing to support local designers, or vintage recycled fashion, check the store out.

Fashion Au Courant- March 15-21

I. Fashion Gone 3D

[Photo source: BlogTo.com]

Toronto based designer, Nada Shepard (photo: left side), who has a self-titled women's line, Nada, unveiled her Fall 2010 collection- on the big screen. The designer's collection was viewed at Scotiabank Theatre using 3D film, the seven minute movie entitled Future Fashion/Fashion Future, featured fierce Fembots in combat.

This exploration of using different media to exhibit collections isn't new, as Gareth Pugh has shown us, displaying entire runway shows in short abstract movies, Nada has taken it to the next level with the 3D addition.

[Photo source: BlogTo.com]

You can check out the film here.

II. Forget Ken, I want to Play with Draper

So for all those fans of Mad Men, (those who aren't, you should be), you will be able to take home your very own Don Draper, or my favorite, Joan Holloway, doll this summer.

[photo source: fashionista.com]

Mattel has acquired licensing rights to create four Mad Men character based dolls. These dolls are being targeted to the 'adult collectors market'. The collection will be entitled the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, they'll be retailing for $74.95, and only a limited edition amount of 10 000 dolls will be manufactured per character.

III. CFDA 2010 Nominees Announced

This week, the CFDA nominees and honorees were announced. Of the few, Alexander McQueen will be honored with a posthumous Tribute award, Marc Jacobs is up for womenswear, Proenza Schouler is competing for accessories and Michael Kors will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.

CFDA President Diane Von Furstenburg and Host Nadja Swarovski

[photo source: vogue.uk]

To view a complete list of the nominees/honorees click here.

Fashion Au-Courant- March 8-14

...What happened in Fashion this week.

I. Paris fashion week

Miu Miu

Wunderkind

Louis Vuitton

So who didn't love Paris Fashion Week? Designs from Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Chloe, Dior, Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, and many many more were caught strutting down the runways. Overall the designs seemed very feminine, always with exceptions of course...such as the 70's powersuit.

Fall trends: Suits, Appliqués, knee length skirts, and of course... lots of layers

Colour Trends: Browns and Off White's, with pops of Purple and Electric blue

[photos from: style.com & refinery29.com]

II. Chanel- KL Tackles Global Issues, Fashionably Of Course

Karl Lagerfield is now joining Stella McCartney by taking the stance with green fashion. Chanel had their models strolling through a wilderness of icebergs and splashing through icy waters, wearing plenty of fur- all faux. Lagerfield says, "Fake is not chic – we have got a new Chanel tweed to stop copies – but fake fur is."

I didn't think that such a large fashion house would make such a bold statement, but Karl always knows what the young kids like. Now all we need is LV to jump on the bandwagon.

[photos from: style.com]

III. Telephone Video- Smart Fashion?

What do cigarettes, diet coke and a phone hat have in common? Lady Gaga. Apparently, any material given to the right designer, can be turned into high fashion. Although, the look will probably only be able to be pulled off by the Lady herself of course.

Lady Gaga released her new track this week, Telephone, featuring Beyoncé. The video was outrageous of course, but the fashion was even crazier. I wondered what Lady Gaga would wear after the death of McQueen, and here are some of the eccentric replacements...

Crime Scene Tape by Brian Lichtenberg

Chain and Jumpsuit by Viktor & Rolf

Cigarette Sunglasses and Shoes by Haus of Gaga

Telephone Hat by Fred Butler

Overall I wasn't personally a fan of the fashion in the video, although I did think the phone hat was quite cute. Even though Lady Gaga's outfits are all normally very avant-garde, you can still see the art and thought in the pieces. I found that lacking with these outfits.

Fashion News Au-Courant :March 1-7

...What happened in Fashion this week.

I. Temporary Fashion- Chanel Tattoos

So this week, Chanels temporary tatoos became available to purchase on their website.

Designed by Peter Philips, the Global Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, they sell for $75 USD for a set of five tattoos.

II. LV Mon-Monogram

Louis Vuitton has introduced a new service, Mon-Monogram, which allows you to personalize your bag and order it online. Upon choosing a bag, you have the option to choose a striped colour combination and/or a three initials.

I love this idea since a purse for most is a very personal item, why not completely make it your own?

III. Rodarte Off the Runway- Short Film

This short entitled Aateni (Nowness) was inspired by, "the pioneering spirit of the space race," says the Rodarte sisters. The film is quite abstract with a space shuttle taking off and Model Guinevere van Seenus running through the streets in a SS 2010 dress. This thoughtful film was

created by Todd Cole.

You can watch and read more about the video here

Fashion News Au-Courant: Feb 22-28

What happened in Fashion this week...

I. Parfum D'Oxford

So you thought wearing purple was cool, Oxford University is now considering making their own brand of perfume and after-shave products. There is no specific mention of what the products will smell off- sophistication and intellect maybe? They have said that the scent will, "Embody the core essence of the University".

The idea is not from the University itself, but from Oxford Limited, which promotes the name of the University.

Hmm, maybe one day we'll wear Eau de Université Western?

II. Viva Viva Viva...GLAM!

So tomorrow at 11am, grab your computers and watch the live interview of Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper who will take part in an interview to promote MAC's Viva Glam. This year the campaign is entitled, "From our Lips"...

The Interview will be moderated by the eccentric Sharon Osbourne, and the discussion will allow the audience to have questions answered regarding HIV/AIDS.

If you want to ask a question, you need to tune in on facebook via the MAC Facebook Page

Watch the Interview here

*To promote the AIDS mission of this campaign, it is a reminder to all students that testing can be done at the Student Health Services in the UCC

Fashion News Au-Courant: Feb 18 - 25

....What happened in Fashion Last Week.

This is the first fashion news feature (of many to come), that will be posted as a weekly highlight of current articles all related to fashion and the industry. Excluding this current post, we will update it every Sunday, so it will cover anything that happened during the week. We hope that it will aid you all in staying stylishly informed, and bring about insightful discussion!

I. The Legacy Lives On - McQueen - What will happen with the Fashion house...

Alexander McQueen an eccentric designer famous for his unconventional design aesthetic died earlier this month, but it seems that the brand name he built has not. So what will happen with the brand...?

The Gucci Group announced that it will continue to finance the brand, and will still show the collection during Fashion Week. The show will not be an open runway show, but rather a private one held for editors only.

It is still unclear who will take over the design process of McQueen, although everyone knows that perspective McQueen brought to fashion, can never be replaced. Hmm, so who will make Lady Gaga's clothes now?

For a photo summary of McQueen's extraordinary work, go HERE.

II. LONDON FASHION WEEK

Februry 19th -24th was the London Fashion Week for FW 2010. Burberry Prorsum, Jonathan Saunders and Paul Costelloe (the opener) were only a few of the many talented designers whose collections were displayed. This was their 25th Anniversary, and the designers definitely lived up to expectations!

Antonio Berardi

Osman

Colour Trends: Slate Grey, Camel, Pastel Pink, Teal

Fashion Trends: Trouser Pant, High Waisted Skirt

III. FILM MEETS FASHION- ALICE IN WONDERLAND

So it seems that there is some sort of trend where movies are now inspiring fashion. Opening Ceremony did a line back in the fall for Where the Wild Things Are, and District 9 became inspiration in Narciso Rodriguez 2010 runway show. I don't know about you guys, but I am ecstatic about the Alice in Wonderland movie coming out soon, cannot wait to wear a character inspired outfit to the opening. And it seems that I am not the only one...

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Ramdaq Photography

Alice by Temperley London

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