MAC meets DSquared2

Canadian design duo, Dsquared2's Dean and Dan Caten, have collaborated with MAC Cosmetics on a new fall makeup line that will include everything from lipsticks, blushes, eyeshadows, powders, brushes and much more. They've even created a product named Greasepaint Sticks (sounds cool enough!).

“DSquared2 and MAC are on the same trip!” says Dan.

The cosmetics are reasonably priced from $14 for lipsticks to $34 for brushes.

The line will be available October 12th.

Photos provided by Fashion Indie.

Writer: 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

Gisele's Versace Ads

A few weeks ago we told you Gisele decided to wear Versace to the Costume Institute Gala. Her dress was inspired by the dress she wears for Versace's Fall/Winter 2009 campaign. The ads were shot by famed photographer Mario Testino.

Photo provided by The Fashion Spot.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Gisele for Versace

Gisele Bundchen got the idea for her MET Costume Institute Gala dress when she was posing for Versace's Fall/Winter 2009/10 advertising campaign.

Her requests for the dress were blue and short. “I thought it was because of the whole thing of models as muses,” she said. “Models are about high heels and short dresses. And you can actually go for it in this kind of theme. It’s like, why not? Show some legs.”

Expect to see Gisele gracing the ad campaigns in magazines this summer.

Sources: New York Times Photo: Socialite Life

Writer: Kate Murphy

Posh in Panties

Victoria Beckham has joined her husband David Beckham for Emporio Armani's Fall/Winter '09/10 underwear advertising campaign.

Posh had previously said she has "saggy skin" and looks "really awful" naked. These ads beg to differ. "It's an honor to have been selected by Mr. Armani to represent the Emporio Armani Underwear brand and to execute his vision with the incredibly talented team of Mert & Marcus," she said.

The ad's will run in magazines and a 20 foot banner hangs at Macy's Herald Square in NYC.

Photo provided by US Weekly.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Brandon R. Dwyer Fall/Winter '09 Launch

On Friday night the CFA family got to see the debut collection of Project Runway Canada contestant Brandon R. Dwyer at the Devil's Martini Bar and Lounge in downtown Toronto.

The show had a really great vibe. It was intimate and fun with dance music and a giant disco ball that centred the runway. This show was a little more excitable than most because it featured a prominent model in the fashion industry. Victoria's Secret model and Dwyer's muse (pun definitely intended!) Andi Muise opened and closed the runway. She's the face of his collection and is dear friends with the designer.

Even though a Victoria's Secret model was prancing down the catwalk, Dwyer's clothes were definitely the focal point. The line includes quality made stuctured pieces but still maintains an edgy feel, best seen in the leather mini dress. He chose quite a dark pallet of colours with black, deep purples, and a jewel-toned green. The line is sophisticated and is best suited for evening wear. The most important aspect of Dwyer's collection is that every piece is wearable.

We were thoroughly impressed with Dwyer's collection as well as the atmosphere for his debut. You can expect to see great things from Brandon. His collection is expected to be available at Holt Renfrew across Canada.

He certainly has a bright future ahead of him.

Jewelley by Karen McFarlane. A post on her is coming soon!

Writer: Kate Murphy

Some photos provided by Terry Ting/ Southcreek EMI / Zuma Press.

Designer Gwyneth

Gwyneth Paltrow is the newest celebrity to design her own collection. The Acedemy Award winner is set to design a line for the upcoming Fall/Winter 2009 season. Paltrow is collaborating with French label ZOEtee's for a capsule collection entitled ZOEtee's Loves Gwyneth.

The line will be a casual jerseywear based collection. It is inspired by the 1970's and will feature masculine tailoring, and sophisticated yet wearable pieces. Knowing Gwyneth the pieces will be quite pricey!

Not much is known about the line yet, but it is rumoured that the proceeds from every piece sold will be donated to the London's Kids Company, a charity that is apparently very important to Gwyneth.

The line is set to debut next week in London.

Writer: Kate Murphy

Rockin' Runways

We wanted to share with you the videos of the fashion shows from LG Fashion Week.

- Pink Tartan
- Evan Bidell
- Joe Fresh
- Carlie Wong
- Comrags
- Ed Hardy
- Bustle
- Lucian Matis
- Travis Taddeo
- Ula Zukowska
- Joeffer Caoc
- Andy The-Ahn
- Lundstrum
- Ryerson School of Fashion
- David Dixon - Barbie Collection

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