Chanel Barbie

Even Barbie can't get enough of Chanel!

We've previously mentioned that it is the 50th anniversary of Barbie. She's already had an entire fashion show dedicated to her for her birthday, and now Karl Lagerfeld has designed numerous Chanel outfits for the doll icon that range from swimsuits to jeans (does Barbie even wear jeans? I guess if they're Chanel she does.) to a wedding dress to the classic tailored black and white Chanel skirt suit.

Barbie will be joined in the photos by real life model Baptiste Giabiconi. Barbie and Ken will be on display at France's Colette boutique form March 9-28. On March 12 you can attend a "high security exhibition" of the first Barbie and Ken dolls ever created. You can also purchase the silkscreen pictures of Barbie and Ken. Karl Lagerfeld makes a special appearance alongside Barbie as a white teddy bear wearing Lagerfeld's usual uniform of black sunglasses, black suit, and tie.

Even though they're just Barbie clothes, we still probably couldn't afford these Chanel pieces. UGH! Barbie does have the perfect life.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Spring 2009 Collections

Since Frida Giannini has taken over as creative director for the Italian label, Gucci has certainly toned down the sex appeal of their clothing. The label has transformed into a more feminine and gentler brand.

The Gucci Exotica Collection 2009 was shown at this year's Milan Fashion Week. The line displayed colourful and loose skinny trousers and flowy print tops and dresses. The collection had a few safari elements with some looks topped off with a trilby hat. Cobalt blues, aquas, oranges, and purples seemed to be the colour du jours.

The collection also contained this really great purse-backpack hybrid (below) that we must get our hands on. It's the perfect bag for living in the city. It's big enough to hold your yoga gear, while sleak enough to wear it for a night on the town.

To check out more from Gucci's Spring 2009 Collection click here.

Writer: Kate Murphy

FASHION CIRCUS

Britney Spears is back!
Last night Britney Spears kicked off her new North American tour in support of her album Circus. It's the first time she's toured since well...marrying and divorcing K-Fed, having two babies, losing her two babies, shaving her head, flashing her little Britney, driving around at all hours of the night, going to rehab, dating a paparazzo, running over a paparazzo, locking herself in a room holding her son hostage, getting strapped to a gurney on the way to the hospital, and another rehab stint. WOW! That's one hell of a ride.

But let's forget about all of that for a few moments shall we. Because Britney Spears is back. She has a new album, her hair looks good, she's got her body back and she looks great.

To kick off the new and improved Britney, she sought out the talents of Canadian designers Dean and Dan Caten, aka DSquared2, to create their very own circus. "We searched for a different interpretation for this tour, starting with the traditional idea of the circus and then abandoning it". The twins said their inspiration came from wanting to create something "animalistic and primal".

“We wanted to create something provoking and indecent... We are confident that this partnership, an autobiographical tribute for one that has always been in the spotlight: scrutinised, watched, imitated, photographed, criticised and loved, will be an enormous success.”

"It's a a kind of metamorphosis from animal to ringmaster to slave, in keeping with the circus theme," DSquared revealed. "She starts off with the cheetah head, removes it to become the ring-master and lion-tamer, and then strips off the jacket to reveal a Swarovski-crystal corset, fishnets and thigh-high boots." While wearing the 'three piece vixen corset and pants set' Spears is thrown into a cage while chain bound.

This job was a dream for the designers who said they are "enormous fans of Britney, and have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to collaborate with her".

Some photos provided by Just Jared.
Writer: Kate Murphy

Toronto Finds...

the workroom is Toronto's first sew and craft by the hour space. For those up and coming designers who aren't so lucky to have a sewing machine, the workroom has you covered and comes equipped with everything to complete your designs.

To those of you who have never operated a sewing machine in your life the workroom offers classes and introductory lessons of Sewing Machine Essentials.

the workroom is a relatively cheap rental. It is $7/hour of independent studio time. The studio offers solid and printed cotton designer fabrics, as well as sewing patterns and books full of great ideas.

They have great community sewing events like Stitch-n-Bitch, where people show off their designs and gossip, and Quilting Sunday where people are encouraged to bring in their unfinished projects.

the workroom also has their own blog where they offer tips and great project ideas.

We love the idea of a cheap place where designers can get down to working on their own clothing. It's an atmosphere where people can channel their creativity and express their artistic sensibilities.

In our opinion, Toronto needs more places like the workroom where the city's future designers can hone their craft.

the workroom

1340 queen st. w

416-534-5305

makesomething@theworkroom.ca

hours:

monday: closed

tuesday: 11-6

wednesday: 11-6

thursday: 11-7

friday: 11-7

saturday: 10-6

sunday: 12-5

Writer: Kate Murphy

Spring 2009 Collections

Here at FABRIC we're Olsen twin apologists. We love them and their style. Even when they wear something that is absolutely ridiculous we are aware that they are not wearing it to impress us (the general public). Rather they wear those "creations" to impress the fashion big wigs (the Anna Wintours, the John Galliano's). We are well aware that they don't give a -- about what we think and we admire that. They wear what they want and look great doing so.

Lucky for us they have a line that is totally wearable and utterly amazing. Elizabeth & James is one of two fashion lines the twins have. It's Mary-Kate's baby. The Row is spearheaded by Ashley. Elizabeth & James' Spring 2009 Collection is a mixture of solid staples like white dress shirts, black pencil skirts and black vests. They use colour sparingly so it pops against the white and black pieces. The line has feminine, flowy, and fun pieces, but is also balanced with some menswear and tough metallic jewellery. The line is reminiscent of something Stella McCartney would design.

The lookbook is fun, showcasing models standing in kiddie pools, playing with a My Little Pony, playing bowling, and pushing a grocery cart. I assume they do this to show that the line can be worn in any situation and is adaptable to any lifestyle. I'm guessing, however, that you're not going to be seen picking up pony poop in a $1000 designer dress. It's just too risky.

Head on over to Elizabeth & James, click on Collection > Spring 2009 and enjoy!

We die!

Writer: Kate Murphy

Spring 2009 Trends

We paid close attention to Paris and New York Fashion Weeks and we couldn't help but notice some trends that were common among numerous designers. The first trend we noticed is something dubbed "Depression Chic". It seems as though these designers had a crystal ball and were able to predict the economic crisis that is currently plaguing our world.

The fashion is a mixture of sparkly flapper frocks (above, Miu Miu) and potato sack dresses.

Little House on the Prairie also served as inspiration for Spring 2009. Marc Jacobs (right) in particular showed this in his line. Models wore a mixture of plaid in numerous understated colours and were topped off with straw hats.

These trends certainly reflect our current cultural climate, however we hope that the clothes can stay and the economic crisis will soon be over.

So much to buy, so little money!

Writer: Kate Murphy

Vacay!!!

We're sorry for the lack of...well anything on the blog for the past week. FABRIC took a little vacation so we could rest up for the upcoming LG Fashion Week. It wasn't a planned vacation because we meant to keep blogging, but aparently there are still some places on Planet Earth that don't have wireless. My cottage two hours north of Toronto in Muskoka was one of those places.

We'll be back at it tomorrow with lots more to come!