Fall/Winter 2009 Collections

One of the most star studded fashion shows at this years Paris Fashion Week was courtesy of Stella McCartney. Sure it helps when your father is a a rock 'n' roll God, but Stell McCartney sure has created a name for herself within the fashion world.

Stella McCartney's Fall/Winter 2009 Collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week. McCartney's signiture looks (oversized blazers, slip style cocktail dresses, detailed tailoring, smoothe curves, and her beloved jumpsuits) were front and centre on the catwalk. McCartney certainly has become confident in her designs and it can be seen during the show. Models were given permission to smile and have fun, something that is usually frowned upon in Paris (Karl Lagerfeld is dying right now!).

McCartney's clothes are always sexy, powerful yet feminine. The lingerie inspired collection used opacity, lace, transparency and spaghetti straps to show off a woman's silhouette. The lace "is nice to remind you there's a human element underneath the clothes, nice to get skin," McCartney told reporters backstage. "It's a nice way of finding femininity and sensuality and delicacy, but when it's black lace, there's something a little edgy about it, as well." When asked if nighty dresses are wearable Stella coyly replied "for some people, I think definitely".

Other eye popping pieces include a great purple glam rock faux leather jacket, a structured gray oversized blazer, and the accessories, something that has been a challenge for McCartney in the past. Accessories are usually a designers go-to moneymaking staple because of the luxury and accessibility of the products. But Stella manages to stay true to her beliefs of not using any fur or leather in her collection, a clear by-product of her late mothers influence upon her. This creates a challenge of trying to sell her accessories to the mass public who associate fur and leather with status and money. On the positive side, when other designers such as John Galliano and Christian Lacroix have to deal with PETA representatives and staged protesters, McCartney manages to avoid such negative publicity.

"I'd like to give women something they get noticed in but won't be overwhelmed by," McCartney told reporters backstage. And that is the genius of Stella McCartney. The woman wears the clothes, the clothes don't wear the woman.

Here are some of our favourites from the collection.

Click here for more from Stella's collection.

Click here to watch the fashion show and here to hear what Stella herself has to say.

Writer: Kate Murphy

LG FASHION WEEK SCHEDULE

Fall 2009 Calendar- SUBJECT TO CHANGE

The Market- Fashion Environment
Fall 2009 wholesale collections available for order

Tuesday March 17th
9AM- 12PM

Wednesday March 18th
9AM- 1PM

Thursday March 19th

9AM- 1PM

The Market is CLOSED to the Public. Access granted exclusively to accredited Buyers and Media

Monday March 16th

5:30PM – Holt Renfrew Bloor Street
• Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail (BIO)
7:00 PM- Fashion Environment
• Barbie Cocktail Party (BIO)
8PM- Runway
• David Dixon
• Barbie by David Dixon (BIO)
9PM -Fashion Environment
• Barbie After Party (BIO)

Tuesday March 17th

1:30 PM- Fashion Environment
• LG Event “Love Your Clothes”
3PM- Runway
• Ula Zukowska
4PM- Runway
• Travis Taddeo
5PM- Runway
• Zoran Dobric
6PM- Runway
• Joeffer Caoc
7PM- Runway
• Lundström (BIO)
8PM- Runway
• Bustle

9PM - Runway

• The Heart Truth Fashion Show (BIO)

Wednesday March 18th
3PM- Runway
• Gaudet
4PM- Runway
• Cheri Milaney
5:30 PM- Fashion Environment
• Plus Size Model Search Cocktail Party (BIO)
6:30PM- Runway
• Comrags (BIO)
7:30PM- Runway
• Andy The-Anh
8 PM- Fashion Environment
• LG Event: “The NEW Handbag”
8:30PM- Runway
• Pink Tartan (BIO)
930PM- Runway
• Joe Fresh Style (BIO)

Thursday March 19th
4PM-Runway
• Aime Luxury
5PM- Runway
• Project Runway Canada (Closed House)*
6PM- Fashion Environments
• Ruffian “Inside out” Published by Assouline,
Official Canadian Launch (BIO)**
7PM- Runway
• NADA
7:30 PM- Fashion Environment
• LG Event “Charity Challenge”
8PM- Runway
• Carlton Brown
9PM – Runway
• Ed Hardy Swim and Snow
10PM- Fashion House
• WOMEN X WOMEN at Fashion House (BIO)
11PM- Offsite
• Fashion Week 10th Anniversary Party (BIO)

Friday March 20th
12PM-2PM- InterContinental Toronto Center
• FDCC Media Love -In (BIO)
5PM- Runway
• School of Fashion, Ryerson University
6PM- Runway
• Carlie Wong
7PM- Runway
• Evan Biddell
8PM- Runway
• Lucian Matis
9PM –Runway
• Valentino: The Last Emperor Exclusive Screening

Saturday March 21st
7PM- Location to be Announced
• LG Fashion Week Closing Night Party

***(BIO)By Invitation Only***

Coming to Canada...

One of Britain's most popular stores is now coming to Canada. TOPSHOP has been a major style authority in the UK since 1964 and has been slowly creeping its way into North America in recent years. They recently opened their North American flagship store in New York City and a lot of their clothing is sold in Canadian department stores such as Holt Renfrew. TOPSHOP's brand really started to take off across the pond when supermodel Kate Moss designed a collection for the store.

Sir Phillip Green, the owner of the popular megachain which sees 2,000 stores in 30 countries, expects TOPSHOP to open in Canada "within six to nine months". The location of the Canadian flagship store has yet to be revealed, but most expect it to be in either downtown Toronto, or a mall such as Yorkdale or the Eaton Centre.

Start saving now!

Writer: Kate Murphy

Fall/Winter 2009 Collections

'Why doesn't anyone have any class? Why is everyone such a pain in the ass?'

Those were the words that opened DSquared2's Fall/Winter 2009 collection at this year's Milan Fashion Week. The purpose of the words helped create a setting of attitude and entitlement that would serve as the focus of the fashion show.

Once looking at the fashion show and seeing the props used it becomes quite obvious to see who were the inspirations for the collection. With layers and layers of clothing and a firm hand clutching a Starbuck's coffee, blackberry, or gossip mag, Dean and Dan clearly based their collection on two other famous twins; Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

The fashion show was a tongue and cheek look at excessive consumerism and our obsession with celebrity culture. DSquared2 are known for their elaborate and fun fashion shows, and they are always willing to poke fun at themselves and the industry that they work for.

DSquared2 are a much more casual brand compared to other couture designers, meaning a lot of their pieces are completely appropriate for the average girl to wear while walking down the street. The collection focuses on oversized scarves, plaid, large dark shades, oversized beanies and the oversized boyfriend jean. DSquared2 often create collections that are very hard, dark and masculine. This can be seen with the models makeup, the shoe collection, leather and chain accents, and feather and fur details. A rock 'n' roll feeling was created with the sounds of Robert Plant belting out Led Zeppelin tunes. The essence of rock 'n' roll was established with the use of leopard prints and oversized concert tees. An homage to Kurt Cobain was apparent with plaid shirts being tied around the waist accompanied by a light denim jacket. There is also a very feminine aspect of the collection that is seen in the long flowy dresses and the use of bright colours such as pink, blue and purple.

DSaquared2 created a nice dichotomy within their collection by pairing oversized and baggy jeans and cargo shorts on the bottom with shrunken cropped leather and jean jackets and vests on top.

The fall/winter line is odd in a way because none of the pieces are particularly innovative nor groundbreaking. In fact most of the pieces are trends that have previously been worn by the masses, yet DSquared2 manage to create an overall feeling that is spot on for the time that we're living in. Their clothing allows for reinterpretation and personal creativity. So in that case it becomes hard to tell who the designers were; Dean and Dan or Mary-Kate and Ashley?

To view more of DSquared's 2009 Fall/Winter collection click here.
To view DSquared's 2009 Fall/Winter fashion show click here and here.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Sell It

"In today’s economy, everyone is looking for ways to make a few extra bucks and a true fashionista won’t let the economy effect her style. Style is eternal and the shopping must go on!! Let us help you turn your shopping habit into cash and at the same time keep you looking fashionable." ~Fashionably Yours

Fashionably Yours is a high end consignment store focusing on young, trendy and high end designer clothing (Chanel, LV, Gucci, YSL, etc.). Fashionably Yours is located inside MODA @ 632 Queen St. W. They are opened everyday of the week, but you are asked to make an appointment if you are planning on selling your clothes.

Fashionably Yours is looking for fun party dresses, designer purses, shoes and sunglasses, and trendy accessories for resale. The clothing needs to be in good condition (no rips or stains) and relatively new (1-2 years old). They outline what they're looking for here.

Fashionably Yours splits the profit 50/50 and after 90 days you can choose to come get your unsold clothes back. You can also choose to donate them to a local women's shelter or any charity of your choice.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Writer: Kate Murphy

Birthday Barbie

Happy Birthday Barbie!

Today the iconic doll turns 50 years old. She looks pretty good for being half a century old.

I have to admit that I feel like Barbie's been celebrating her birthday for months now. Between all of the fashion shows, doll recreations, new designer outfits, and parties thrown in her honour I'd say it was a helluva bash.

Here's hoping for another 50 years!

Photo: left, original Barbie is 1959; right, modern day version of Barbie.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Fair Skin Is In

Did you know that clear, clean skin is one of the few universally recognized signs of beauty in the world? What people consider beautiful is often subject to cultural differences, but clear skin is held in high regard all over the world and is one of the physical attributes that the opposite sex looks for in a mate. My sociologally degree is finally panning out for me!

With this being said, we at FABRIC were absolutely perplexed at the notion of Lindsay Lohan creating her own spray tan line for Sephora called SEVIN NYNE. It is set to hit Sephora stores on April 15th.

If you've followed the train wreck that is Lindsay Lohan for the past couple of years you would have noticed that Lindsay should not be the poster child for tanned skin. Lindsay fights against her genetic features to become a cookie cutter California girl. She's dyed her hair blonde and rocks a super dark tan. In reality Lindsay Lohan is a redhead with freckles. Redheads with freckles tend to be pretty fair skinned. Redheads often have the loveliest, most milky skin on the planet. Most people would die to have fair skin.

So instead of Lindsay Lohan embracing her genetics she's been fighting them tooth and nail. When Lindsay Lohan uses a spray tan she looks like she just rubbed a bunch of dirt on her face. Her tan is blotchy and far too orange. Like does she look in a mirror before she leaves the house? According to these pictures she doesn't. Lindsay Lohan is certainly not the greatest spokesperson for her own spray tan line.

So before everyone runs to Sephora to get their pre-summer glow remember not to stray too far from your original colouring and that clear, clean skin is one of the universal signs of beauty.

Nothing in a bottle can recreate what the sun can do for your complexion. So in our humble opinion save yourself some money, slap on a load of SPF 30+ (reapply often!), go outside, get some vitamin D, and have some fun in the sun!

Look at these photos. You'll thank us later.

Writer: Kate Murphy