Kanye's LV Kicks

Kanye West's new sneakers he designed for Louis Vuitton hit stores tomorrow, July 1st (Canada Day!). The shoes come in 3 styles, The Mr. Hudson, The Jasper, and The Don, and will come in a wide array of colours. You should be warned that the kicks aren't cheap. They start at $700 and work their way up to $1140. There is no doubt that sneaker collectors will be lining up bright and early to get their hands on them.

Mr. Hudson:

The Jasper:The Don:More pictures of the sneakers can be seen here.

Photos provided by If It`s Hip, It`s Here.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Head Bitch in Charge

Back in January we told you about the new documentary that focuses on the creation of Vogue's most important issue, The September Issue. The documentary also offers viewers a side of Anna Wintour that very few have seen. The trailer was just released and it's really interesting to see the daily goings on in the offices of Vogue. You see how much detail is spent on every issue right down to the font on the front cover, details that most readers rarely notice. It's clear Anna Wintour really is the HBIC (Head Bitch in Charge!)

Click on the photo for the trailer.

Photo grovied by Google Images.
Writer: Kate Murphy

Madonna Overdone

I wish fashion houses would go back to using actual models in their campaigns.

At this point I don't know if this is an ad for Louis Vuitton or an ad for Photoshop! I mean did Madonna even pose for these shots or is she purely computer generated?

Writer: Kate Murphy

Toronto Sample Sale

Beckerman Spring/Summer '09 Collection! Lots of dresses and tshirts, perfect for summer! Credits cards and cash accepted! We are also selling our vintage collection! Come early! See you in the Backyard!

Saturday June, 27, 2009 11am-6pm
82 Magpie Crescent, Toronto, Ontario (Leslie and Yorkmills)
647-293-8719

Posted by Kate Murphy

Twenty8Twelve

Twenty8Twelve debuted it's Fall/Winter 2009 Ready-to-Wear collection. The line is designed by actress Sienna Miller and her sister Savannah.

Sienna Miller became famous for two things: dating and being cheated on by Jude Law, and for being a trend setter, most notably being the leader of the boho-chic revolution which saw a lot of imitators from Mary-Kate Olsen to Lindsay Lohan.

"It started off as a grunge collection in one direction, then as a glam collection in the other," said Sienna, "and then it all met somewhere in the middle."

The line certainly hasn't struggled like most new designers. It helps to have a noticeable name attached to a brand. It also doesn't hurt to have the financial backing of a Spanish jeanswear manufacturer that is also behind Pepe jeans.

There's nothing extremely innovative with the collection. It consists of tights, skinny jeans. leather jackets, vests and t-shirts. The colour palatte is minimal, consisting of mostly blacks, nudes, and greys.

The staple of the line is their leather jackets, which don't retail for more than $500.The other standout of the collection is a great emerald green sparly backless dress, which Sienna wore to the 2009 MTV Movie Awards.

Canadian collection alert! One of the models is hockey player turned runway model and Brooklin, Ontario native Taryn Davidson:

To view more of the collection click here.

Photos provided by Style.com

Writer: Kate Murphy

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang is using technology to debut his new show and bag collection for the Fall/Winter '09 season. The young designer debuted his collection on his very own Facebook page last week.

The collection is very rocker chic, with lots of black leather, studs and buckles. The shoes are sky high and have a gothic/S&M sort of feel.

To view more of the collection, click here.

Photos provided by Alexander Wang.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein has done it again!

The famous designer has added to his long list of sexy/controversial advertisments with his Fall/Winter 09 underwear campaign starring actors Eva Mendes and Jamie Dornan.

"I loved shooting with Steven [photographer Steven Meisel], and we had a great time on set with Jamie."

The ads will start running this summer.

Photos provided by LA Times.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Sneak Peak

Here's a sneak peak at the Jimmy Choo collection for H&M.

Photo provided by People Magazine.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Jimmy Choo for H&M

Jimmy Choo is the latest designer label to design a collection for H&M.

The collection will be for both men and women. The women's line will include ballet flats, pumps. and over-the-knee boots. Prices will range from $59.95 to $299.

The line will also includes women's clothing, bags and accessories.

"We adore Jimmy Choo's shoes and bags," H&M's Creative Designer Margareta van den Bosch said in a statement, "I like the way we have worked with clothes to accessorize the shoes and bags rather than the other way around".

This will be the first time H&M will be collaborating with an accessory brand. Jimmy Choo founder and President Tamara Mellon says the collection will be "sophisticated, fashion forward, accessible and glamorous...".

Photo provided by Google Images.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Matte Finish

(top left, clockwise: Alpine Snow - french white creme, You Don't Know Jacques - mushrooom taupey creme, Russian Navy - Navy blue shimmer, La Paz-itively Hot - hot pink creme, Lincolon Park after Dark - midnight purple and Gargantuan Grape - greenish yellow lime)

OPI has created a new collection of matte nail polish.

Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI executive vice president and artistic director, say “OPI Matte is cutting edge for nails in terms of sophistication and style". "An all-matte nail is fresh, confident, and very fashion runway, and OPI Matte is meant for those moments when you want to make a major fashion statement. OPI Matte does not wear as long as original OPI Nail Lacquer – but its impact is long remembered!”

The collection hits shelfts July 1st.

Photos from temptalia and nitroclicious.

Writer: Kate Murphy

MANGO MODEL

Scarlett Johansson is the new face of Mango for their Fall/Winter 2009-10 advertising campaign. She takes over the Barcelona-based company from her "Vicki Christina Barcelona" co-star Penelope Cruz.

Mango described Scarlett as: "extraordinary personality, fun, young. She's Mango's ideal urban woman, independent and cosmopolitan."

Here are some behind the scenes shots of the photoshoot. Scarlett even sports a wig for the shoot.

The images were shot in Los Angeles by Mario Sorrenti and will be in magazines this summer.

Photos provided by WWD.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Deals

Crocodile Tears

French fashion label Hermes has decided to make the controversial decision to breed its own crocodiles in Australia in order to meet demands for their famous bags.

Chief executive of Hermes, Patrick Thomas told Reuters: “We are now breeding our own crocodiles on our own farms, mainly in Australia. We cannot face demand. We have massive over-demand. We are limited by our ability to train new craftsmen.” Thomas even went on to condescendingly say that "the world is not full of crocodiles, except the stock exchange!”

It can take up to three or four crocodiles to make just one purse. The breeding is expensive because crocodiles are put in isolation from one another in order to ensure the skin isn't damaged and is free from bite marks etc. Hermes is already having trouble producing 3,000 bags/year, which means anywhere from 9,000-12,000 crocs are killed every year for the sole purpose of being turned into an accessory for the rich and the famous.

The success of the bags is crucial to the success of Hermes. The bags account for 40% of Hermes' business. Customers of Hermes are willing to wait years and spend up to $50,000 in order to get their hands on a bag. Allegedly Victoria Beckham has spent $1.5 million dollars on Hermes Birkin bags.

Photos provided by Eccorazzi and Google Images.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Burberry Beauty

Harry Potter's Emma Watson is the face of Burberry's Fall/Winter '09-10 collection. The ads were shot by Mario Testino in Westminster, England near Burberry's global headquarters.

Watson is seen modelling the iconic British brand's staples such as scarves, trench coats and handbags. Joining Emma in the ads are fellow British actors and models, including Tom Guiness, Tom Hughes and Charlie France. Burberry's creative director Christopher Bailey said he "felt Emma would be strong enough to hold the campaign as the only girl, and I loved the idea of her being surrounded by these young, cool British guys.”

Bailey went on to say that they chose Emma as the line's new face to “reinforce the brand’s rich heritage”. He said that “having known and admired the lovely Emma Watson for some time, she was the obvious choice for this campaign. Emma has a classic beauty, a great character and a modern edge. Her charm and intellect and brilliant sense of fun made the whole shoot feel like a picnic on the Thames.”

“I wanted the images to represent both the rich history and the modernity of the Burberry brand whilst at the same time reflecting a quiet beauty, timelessness and strength that is particularly significant today.”

The ads will hit magazines this summer.

Photos provided by FabSugar.

Quotes from WWD.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Floral Power

Love these tulip dresses from the Elizabeth and James line. They are so boho chic, very Mary-Kate and Ashley. Think wearing them to an indie music festival this summer, or going out for dinner on your summer holidays. Dress them up with a statement necklace like this one from Emilio Pucci’s Spring 2009 collection or dress them down with a great denim or leather jacket. They’re perfect for any summer occasion, and floral is definitely a trend to look out for this summer.

Elizabeth and James is available at Holt Renfrew and you can buy online at shopbop.com.

Speaking of floral, if you are not a fan of these tulip dresses, check out these other fab finds in floral.

Left: Banana Republic Right: Forever 21

Urban Outfitters:

Whitney Eve:
Writer: Lauren Massaar