Existing at the intersection of style and responsibility is the newly launched label, &Or Collective. Developed by a female-led team hailing from Montreal and Toronto, the zero-waste, fully recyclable knitwear collection is a meticulous curation of women’s and men’s staples. The goal? To create a sustainable evolution of wardrobe wonders that outlive fleeting trend cycles. Think quiet luxury, but make it ethical and accessible.

There’s a Fendi beach club in Spain

Two words: European summer. It’s all anyone can talk about! And if you thought the idea couldn’t get more tempting, the world’s first Fendi beach club has just popped up in Spain. Located at the Puente Romano Beach Resort, the cabana-clad, daybed-dotted escape has been remodelled and personalised with vibrant colours, prints and emblematic stripes, all of which are Fendi signatures.

RELATED: 10 Swimwear Brands to Have On Your Radar

Smythe releases its pre-Fall 2023 collection

We know summer has only just begun, but let us entertain our love for sharply tailored blazers and rich, luxurious fabrics for just a moment! Smythe’s pre-Fall 2023 collection is out now and the vibes are where they should be. A pop of colour here. A floral pattern there. It’s got all the marvellous touches that make Smythe finery such a hit.

Enter a dream state with the Coach x Observed By Us release

Coach’s collaboration with Observed By Us is the perfect excuse to get reacquainted with your inner child. Whimsical illustrations are embroidered and printed onto handbags, footwear and ready-to-wear, igniting a certain joie de vivre. Designed with the ingenuity of L.A.-based artist Jessica Herschko and Hollywood icon Kirsten Dunst, all of nature’s beautiful wonders come together for a truly one-of-a-kind collection. Pictured above is the cute and compact Rogue Crossbody 12.

Spiritsaver’s debut merch combats waste and pollution

 

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We love Fridays, and we love new music, and we love fashion. What happens when all three of these things are combined, you ask? We celebrate! Today, psychedelic R&B duo Spiritsaver’s single “Magnolia” is launching in tandem with their debut merch collection, which features a T-shirt, a snapback hat and branded mints. But this isn’t any ordinary merch. It’s been designed in collaboration with This Is Your Brain On Plants using upcycled, unreleased Yeezy Gap pieces.

ICYMI, when Gap cut ties with Kanye West, they decided to incinerate his entire collection. Spiritsaver’s team pulled some strings to rescue the deadstock. So not only will you be supporting Toronto-based musicians, you’ll also be helping to combat waste.

Knix and The Birds Papaya release a new Thigh Saver collection

Knix and The Birds Papaya are like that dynamic duo you find in a cute coming-of-age film — each time they come together, you can’t help but smile. Take their latest brainchild: A limited-edition Thigh Saver collection that has the same chafe-preventing super powers as the original Thigh Savers, only with stylish stretch lace. The pieces are available in black, papaya pink, beige and leopard print, and range from sizes XS to 4XL.

This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

The post Meet Sustainable, Female-Founded Knitwear Brand &Or Collective + More Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Barbie this, Barbie that… it seems like none of us can get enough! And certainly not Lizzo’s shapewear brand Yitty which just released the ultimate Barbiecore capsule. Aptly named the Summer Doll House collection, bright pinks and neon yellows feature boldly on the brand’s best selling styles, which of course are made to fit every size and body type.

Allbirds releases a visual of the M0.0NSHOT

Allbirds has given us a first look at a world’s first. Just three months after announcing the big news that they’d be releasing M0.0NSHOT, a net zero carbon shoe coming in spring 2024, the sustainably focused brand has released a photo of what the kicks will look like. Clean and minimal is one way to describe this first-of-its-kind shoe.

But Allbrids isn’t just interested in breaking records. They’re clearing a path for others to follow. Case in point: the recipe to making this shoe has also been made public, so anyone can access it and use their work. After all, according to Allbirds, the shoe’s “meaning is the same as its footprint — zero — if it’s just [us] using these breakthroughs.”

Séda drops its summer capsule

Canadian outerwear brand Séda has released a limited-edition luxury capsule for summer. Featuring four silk bombers and a tailored jacket in seasonal colourways like lakeside blue and sunset gold, the breezy collection is perfect for capturing summer’s brightest moments.

“Summer is a time when the warmth of the wind touches your skin, and when our eyes and souls cannot get enough of magnificent sunsets on the lakes,” shares Seda Rafilovich, founder and designer of Séda. “Our short-lived summer days are cherished here, and I wanted to create a luxury offering to capture that feeling, which you can wear lakeside, cityside and through all your summer adventures.”

Piper & Skye and Inversa Leathers are raising the bar for luxury leather goods

Accessories label Piper & Skye is known for creating sustainable luxury bags, ethically sourcing materials like pirarucu and alligator leather. Now, to push the boundaries a little bit further, the brand has partnered with Inversa Leathers, a regenerative materials company that strategically and responsibly creates leather from invasive, ecosystem-destroying species. The main focus of this collaboration? Reclaiming the Florida Everglades.

The new collection features two eco-conscious Burmese python handbag designs, which work toward reversing the grave effects the Southeast Asian python has had on the Floridian wetlands. Ultimately, this trailblazing brand alliance marries luxury and style with a commitment to healing the planet and restoring affected ecosystems.

This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

The post Lizzo’s Yitty Taps Into Barbiecore + Other Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Jewellers Are Using Kintsugi to Upcycle Broken Gems

It’s usually big

A signet ring can be a chunky thing, often worn on the pinky (like King Charles III), index finger or thumb — or sometimes all (like Liberace). Its singular characteristic is a flat top or bezel of varying shapes with some symbol of authority inscribed into the gold face or sometimes into a hard stone, like jasper. For example, a family crest in intaglio could serve as a signature. By being pressed into sealing wax, the engraving on the signet ring invested documents or letters with the authority of the ring holder, essentially encrypting them. This was true up until the 19th century.

Millennia earlier, Egyptian pharaohs had their names set in signet rings made of stone, like steatite, or sometimes solid gold. Earlier still, the Mesopotamians in 3500 BC wore signet rings that they pressed into tablets of wet clay as a way of signing them. Centuries later, beginning in 2900 BC, the Minoans did the same with signet rings carved out of ivory. This is why we kiss the ring — because the signet ring is power jewellery for the ages.

It functioned as a signature until…

Unlike some other jewellery, the signet ring was never merely ornamental. Instead, it expressed the self, especially the legal self. Signet rings were stand-ins for one’s identity and, by extension, conferred that identity to land deeds, loan declarations, wills — anything that required validation from someone influential.

This is why, in some cultures, signet rings were destroyed when their owner died rather than handed down. The papal signet ring was always smashed with a ceremonial hammer with each passing — and still is. Historically, the signet ring’s potential for wreaking posthumous havoc was too dangerous.

…more people learned how to read

By the 17th century, many people were literate enough to authenticate documents with their written signature so signet rings became less of a functional item and more of a fashion statement. And like the signet rings of old, the 19th-century versions were personalized with the owner’s initials or monogram and began to be set with showy gems, both precious and semi-precious.

It’s sexy, too

“He spent the time examining Dickie’s rings. He liked them both: a large rectangular green stone set in gold on the third finger of his right hand, and on the little finger of the other hand a signet ring….” In The Talented Mr. Ripley, Dickie Greenleaf’s pinky ring represents family money. It signals to Patricia Highsmith’s sociopath, Tom Ripley, that Greenleaf is his for the taking.

Besides wealth and influence, signet rings telegraph quintessential maleness, too (the homosexual undercurrents between Ripley and Greenleaf notwithstanding). Historically invested with wealth, power and maleness, a signet ring worn on a woman’s finger suggests radically enticing things, like empowerment and of-the-moment gender fluidity. Highsmith, herself an out lesbian, wore a signet ring on her pinky. And signet rings worn on the thumb read as idiosyncratic and sexually unconventional.

So, why are signet rings so in? Because they’ve never been out. Of fashion, that is — or anything else.

Below are nine stylish signet rings you can wear forever.

1/9

Tiffany & Co.

Makers Black Onyx Signet Ring in 18k Gold

($5,550, Tiffany & Co.)

Buy Now

2/9

Hermès

Ex-Libris Signet Ring, Small Model

($1,650, Hermès)

Buy Now

3/9

Jemma Wynne

Prive Emerald Signet Ring

($8,000, Jemma Wynne)

Buy Now

4/9

Maison Birks

Birks Bee Chic Silver and Black Enamel Signet Ring-10

($520, Maison Birks)

Buy Now

5/9

Dior

Oblique Signet Ring

($620, Dior)

Buy Now

6/9

David Yurman

Sculpted Cable Pinky Ring in 18K Yellow Gold

($1,650, David Yurman)

Buy Now

7/9

Ming Yu Wang

Primer Ring

($365, Ming Yu Wang)

Buy Now

8/9

Grown Brilliance

1 1/2 ctw Emerald Lab Grown Diamond Polished Solitaire Ring

($3,810, Grown Brilliance)

Buy Now

9/9

Mejuri

Jenna Lyons Vermeil and Onyx Pinky Signet Ring

($148, Mejuri)

Buy Now

This article first appeared in FASHION’s Summer 2023 issue. Find out more here.

This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

The post The Surprising History of Signet Rings appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Get to Know Zaldy, the Designer Dressing RuPaul

 

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You are an artist, an activist, an ambassador, a filmmaker and now, with the birth of your son in February, a mother of two. In all your work, the goal is about empowering Indigenous voices. Has that goal changed over time?

“I would say it has evolved. In the beginning of my career, I saw very little representation. When the Canada Goose campaign with me and my mom came out five years ago, it was the first time that multiple Indigenous people had been featured in an international billboard campaign — ever. Indigenous content wasn’t as hot as it is right now. You look at Ashley Callingbull and Quannah Chasinghorse…. When an Indigenous person has something amazing going on, we’re really seeing that get amplified now.”

Why are documentaries the best form of storytelling right now?

“When Rise [a TV series hosted by Fox] came out in 2017, I was very aware of the impact it had, how young and old people alike felt instantly seen and empowered and how non-Indigenous people felt motivated to learn more and connect. Now, the two things I’m obsessed with capturing are young people and elders. That’s not by accident. My son and my daughter only have my auntie Mary and my mother, so I really only have a decade to capture as many pieces of who I am, who this world is and who our elders are before it’s all lost forever. Man, I don’t know if many people live with that kind of pressure, but my reaction to it is to make documentaries and put them out as quickly as possible.”

 

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Your latest documentary, Veracity: Indigiqueer, follows Banaise-Kwe Henry, a youth from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. What did it feel like to make this film?

“It confirmed what I’ve always known: that colonization brought the labels and English terminology about gender, and it even brought the closet, metaphorically and literally — we didn’t have closets. I also really felt the weight of the responsibility of carrying Banaise’s story. We were going to follow her as she came out to everyone, but that never happened, and I love that it didn’t. Because that’s not how it happens. These big moments happen slowly and bit by bit.”

In June, we’re celebrating Pride and National Indigenous History Month. How do you view this time, being both queer and Indigenous?

“I always call it my busiest month of the year. As I reclaim my identity more and more, I don’t separate my Indigeneity from my queerness. I want to embody Pride and Indigenous peoples month as one identity. Even in the queer community, we are starting to see more space being made and more acceptance and more curiosity about how our two communities can align with, protect and become allies for one another.”

Did you have any queer Indigenous representation to look up to?

“No. When I was 15, I moved to Toronto’s Church Street in the heart of the Village, and my protectors were all queens. So much of the magic of that moment for me and my safety was a queer community. I think less about Indigenous queerness and more like the whole scene was what I had to look up to.”

What has your own queer journey been like?

“I identify as fluid. LGBTQ2S+ is an English acronym, and I’ve really found my freedom in letting go of the colonial ideas of queerness, which have been very hurtful. Within my own family, I’ve always felt like I belong. I don’t have some big coming-out story because I just feel like I’ve always been as I am. I was exposed to queerness from a very young age — queer couples and queer families. I’m grateful for that narrative existing because I’ve always felt normal in my own skin.

“I was bullied because I’m Indigenous, so for a very long time, there was no way I was going to identify as queer because I was already fighting the othering of being Indigenous. I had to find how to blur that intersection in my own life to find freedom. I feel like society can see my queerness and accept it when I’m with a woman and they have a hard time seeing and accepting it when I’m in a relationship with a man who doesn’t identify as straight. That’s been the hardest for me, as I have the family I love.”

 

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You have what looks like a “traditional family” on the outside, but how should we understand that?

“Queer folks are trying to dismantle binaries, yet we are still trapped in them. For me, the only way that I can really explain this is through my Indigenous identity. I identify as a Kwe, which is the traditional Anishinaabe word for ‘woman.’ It has nothing to do with sexual identity and everything to do with who I am as a life giver. My children will have the opportunity to identify however they need, and, more importantly, my home will always be open to all human beings.”

How has the birth of your son changed your family dynamic?

“With the second baby, there’s still that joy and excitement, but it’s a little more laid-back and your priorities get very clear. That’s been a beautiful gift for me, as an artist, because it’s given me a laser focus. And then there’s the fact that I will never be on time again.” [Laughs]

Lastly, which Indigenous designers should we have on our radar?

“Right now, I’m obsessed with The Beaded Hero; she makes incredible depictions of pop culture in her beadwork. I love Emme Studio. I’ve been working with people who are more known for regalia and traditional garments, like master beader Roberta Anderson, and Michelle Reed of MReed Designs just made an incredible strap dress for me; we collaborated on the design. The strap dress really represents the first form of the garment we wore in the 1800s that was a real mixture of who we would have been and who we were becoming.”

This article first appeared in FASHION’s Summer 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post Get to Know Anishinaabe Activist and Storyteller Sarain Fox appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Leave it to a successful supermodel to turn pop culture’s most iconic red carpet moments into a lineup of evening wear. Elsa Hosk has designed seven exclusive gowns that nod to the ’90s and early 2000s for her newly launched collection, Helsa Atelier. Sharing her sketches to Instagram earlier this week and teasing samples of the Elsa Hosk dresses at the Cannes Film Festival back in May, Hosk has been building buzz around these frocks for some time — and rightfully so. Each one is a breathtaking compilation of lovely fabrics and romantic silhouettes that are hand-sewn, hand-beaded and made to order. The collection can be shopped through Revolve and Fwrd.

Aldo and Barbie team up for an exclusive collection

How much pink is too much pink? According to Aldo, who is *stepping* into the Barbie universe, the limit does not exist. The footwear and accessories brand just announced they will be launching an exclusive collection in collaboration with Barbie on June 29, and it’s definitely pretty in pink. From eye-catching rhinestones to playful “B” charms, the assortment of Y2K-inspired pumps, handbags and costume jewellery are turning up the heat in anticipation of the Barbie film’s big release next month.

Louis Vuitton and Sotheby’s auction off 22 unique Artycapucines

Louis Vuitton’s ongoing Artycapucines Collection gives a diverse range of contemporary artists the opportunity to bring their ingenuity to an iconic style: the timeless Capucines handbag. Now in a partnership with Sotheby’s, 22 one-of-one Artycapuchines will be auctioned off to benefit a wide range of charities and non-governmental organizations, chosen by the artists themselves, that support poverty reduction, disaster relief, education, refugee rights and other pressing issues. The auction will be open for online bidding between June 28 and July 12 at Sothebys.com, and winning bidders will receive their collectible keepsake in a Monogram Louis Vuitton Boîte Chapeau, signed by the artist.

Reformation releases a high-end capsule collection

Is someone willing to invite us to their Italian wedding? Because we need an excuse to wear Reformation’s new high fashion capsule. Designed in collaboration with Laura Vassar, co-founder of Brock Collection, this curated assortment perfectly toes the line of elevated yet minimalistic (yes, you could say it’s a wink to quiet luxury). Titled The Collection, each piece is created with sustainability top of mind using deadstock fabrics, linens and Naia silk.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is Tiffany & Co.’s new ambassador

Tiffany & Co. has welcomed model and entrepreneur Rosie Huntington-Whiteley into the family as its newest house ambassador. Known for her sophistication and glamour, Huntington-Whiteley is photographed in the brand’s latest high jewellery collection, Blue Book 2023: Out of the Blue, wearing an incredible diamond-encrusted shell necklace. It features an innovative clasp that can be worn in four unique styles.

Make space for Frank And Oak’s Circular Denim collection

In the wise words of Frank And Oak, “sometimes going in circles means moving forward.” With that, the label has released a lineup of shorts, high-rise jeans, a skirt and a jacket as part of their Circular Denim collection, which is made using 95 per cent less water, 50 per cent fewer chemicals and 79 per cent less energy than standard denim-making methods. Each piece is entirely recyclable, and crafted with organic and salvaged cotton fibres.

Uniqlo opens its first store in Ottawa

Uniqlo has officially opened the doors to its very first Ottawa location, and it’s got quite the list of fixings. To start, the CF Rideau Centre store spans over 15,000 square feet and features its lineup of LifeWear for men, women and kids. The brand has also partnered with the Ottawa Art Gallery as an official sponsor this summer to make art more accessible to the community. And for anyone who finds themselves in the Canadian capital this weekend, shoppers will experience a variety of fun-filled in-store festivities and exclusive gifts with purchase through to June 18.

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The post Elsa Hosk Drops Her Atelier Gowns + Other Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Who Can Wear Gender-Fluid Fashion?

When I came out as queer and pansexual, and then later as non-binary, it was deeply confronting — it felt like an existential style crisis! After a lifetime of conforming, I wasn’t sure if my entire personal style had to change. This Lydia didn’t have to look a certain way — they were exactly who they should be, whatever felt right in the moment. But when I take a look at the “gender-fluid” collections on the market, they feel very limiting. And I’m certainly not the only person who feels this way.

According to The Business of Fashion, about 56 per cent of global Gen-Zers have shopped for clothing that is not classified as a specific gender, and research conducted by Klarna has found that around 70 per cent of consumers state they’re interested in buying gender-fluid fashion in the future. With that in mind, brands have risen to the occasion.

Everyone from Adidas to Nordstrom has created a unisex collection, the most recent of which is Lizzo’s Yitty gender-affirming shapewear. (It was announced in March and launches this summer.) And while this is all great (and it really is great!), there’s a lot that these brands still get wrong.

The gender norms we’ve come to know (women wear skirts, dresses and heels; men wear suits and flat shoes) became popular around the 19th century in Western countries, with strict rules for who gets to wear what. Before that time, there was far more flexibility in Europe with regard to gendered dress. Children of all genders wore floofy little dresses, and it was fashionable for men to wear heels.

As Europeans colonized most of the globe, they encountered many cultures that embraced clothing with gender norms that differed from those of Europe. Deeming these norms primitive and uncivilized, Europeans made sure they disappeared. More than a hundred years later, society is seemingly stuck in these rigid ideas. Even worse, somewhere along the way, it has created these “rules” for what gender-fluid fashion should look like.

For example, why does gender-fluid fashion always have to be drab? Where are the bright colours? Where are the fun patterns?

The “neutral” in gender neutral is often taken quite literally! Fluidity doesn’t exclusively mean a lack of colour or patterns! And yet there have been endless gender-neutral sweatsuit launches in a unisex version of khakis, creams and charcoal.

Not everyone who is gender fluid wants to wear clothes that are the “opposite” of their gender assignment at birth.

There is also an onslaught of menswear under the gender-fluid banner — jeans, collared shirts, overalls and trousers. To suggest that someone gender fluid only wants to find men’s clothing sized down is quite a limited view. This perspective reflects the idea that the default desired gender expression is as close to a cis male as possible. It’s ridiculous to leave out items that are more feminine; gender-fluid style should be inclusive of all clothing.

And let’s make one thing clear: Not everyone who is gender fluid wants to wear clothes that are the “opposite” of their gender assignment at birth (for example, a “woman” wearing men’s clothes). Those who identify in the gender-fluid spectrum have a multitude of approaches to how their gender is expressed — a fact that is not any different from folks who identify as cis.

We all navigate our relationship to gender in differing approaches and importance, regardless of our gender identity. My love of pink and tulle doesn’t nullify my identity as a non-binary person; it is my own personalized expression.

My gender journey has involved loosening the reins on what I think I should wear with my body type. I feel most incredible when I allow myself to be imaginative — to let the stylist in me explore looks that are less prescriptive. Some days, my outfit is loud and over-the-top; other days, a tee with jeans feels amazing. It’s not one or the other — much like a non-binary viewpoint.

Clothing is inanimate and without a gender unless we assign it one. It has taken some time, but I’ve realized that my personal style doesn’t have to conform. And I’m hopeful for a future in which everyone is able to express themselves exactly as they want to, without judgment, in whatever clothing is right for them.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s Summer 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post What Do We Get Wrong About Gender-Fluid Fashion? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Louis Vuitton’s iconic and storied trunk is launching into the metaverse. In this new voyage, so to speak, the French fashion house is carving out a space on Web 3.0 to house digital collectibles within the VIA Treasure Trunk. It’s basically a luxurious NFT. Through ownership (which comes at a cost of €39,000), you will have special access to new products and experiences that will be revealed through immersive launches at regular intervals throughout the year. What’s more, each of these very exclusive Louis Vuitton goodies — quantities will be limited to just a few hundred — are unique and, like a tangible trunk, come with a key to secure it.

Aaniin arrives at Stackt Market in Toronto

What better way to celebrate Indigenous History Month than to learn the stories of Indigenous brands and shop their goods? Newly launched department concept shop Aaniin is coming to Toronto’s Stackt Market on June 10, and it features over 35 brands by Indigenous makers. From Lesley Hampton and Section 35 to Aaniin’s very own merch, there’s much to see.

Fendi wants to know your star sign

Astrology aficionados, listen up. Fendi is introducing an astrology capsule collection this summer, and it’s catered to all of the zodiac signs. The assortment of swim and beachwear features astrological prints originally drawn by the late Karl Lagerfeld in a chilled-out colour palette of white, pink, blue, brown, orange and black.

Duer sets up shop on Ossington Avenue

Vancouver-based apparel brand Duer, known for its environmentally conscious Performance Denim and other comfort driven lifestyle pieces, has opened up a new location on Toronto’s buzzy Ossington strip. Perched within a bright orange building, the store is stocked with the brand’s entire lineup of pants, tops, jumpsuits and outerwear.

Canada Goose opens an immersive art installation

Canada Goose has partnered with local multidisciplinary artist Moya Garrison-Msingwana to create an immersive installation inspired by craftsmanship and sustainability. Titled Stitched in Ages, the figures are constructed out of upcycled Canada Goose fabrics and materials to mimic humans and draw attention to the importance of the human impact on our environment. See it for yourself at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre; it’s on display from now until June 26.

Mindful Pigs’ new collection will have you thinking

 

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Genderless vegan brand Mindful Pigs is releasing its second-ever collection, Wonders of the Cosmos, and it’s inspired by the interconnection of everything in the universe. But don’t be fooled by the sounds of its otherworldliness — the pieces are understated enough to be timeless wardrobe staples. Bonus: They transcend seasons and can be worn all throughout the year.

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The post Louis Vuitton Launches Digital Collectibles + More Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

As the discourse around the new Barbie movie reaches a fever pitch (I mean, have you seen the trailer!?), Gap has gone ahead and made it a family affair. In a new collaboration, Gap and Barbie join forces on a bold and bright-pink collection, featuring a range of apparel and accessories for the whole family, including pet clothes.

Mejuri has a new flagship

Like FASHION, Mejuri calls Toronto home, and now the beloved and buzzy Ossington Avenue is site of its stunning flagship store. Stop by this weekend to check out the new space and add some bling to your spring wardrobe. Need a recommendation? Launching in tandem with the shop is the Toronto Mosaic Dôme Ring, which was inspired by the city and will be sold exclusively at the Ossington location.

Joyin Rey wants you to get that bag

 

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Everyone needs a mammoth-sized bag that can carry all of their belongings, hopes and dreams, right? This week, Toronto-based label Joyin Rey has unveiled upcycled vinyl handbags that can fit just about everything, including the kitchen sink! But what makes the That Bag collection (available on May 30) truly special? It began as an array of vinyl scraps sourced from a local upholstery manufacturer, so each sack is uniquely one of a kind.

This Toronto-based event is all about sustainability and fashion

Conscious fashion enthusiasts, listen up! On May 28, non-profit organization Fashion Takes Action is hosting ReMode, an event focused on promoting the longevity and circularity of clothes. Taking place at Evergreen Brickworks in Toronto, the full day event will feature industry leaders discussing a range of sustainability topics, as well as a market full of vendors that expertly reuse, resell, repurpose, upcycle, rent and repair garments. Bring the well-loved pieces that you’re ready to part ways with, as the event will also have a ReFashion clothing swap.

Lululemon releases a powerhouse running shoe

Lululemon’s latest running shoe, Blissfeel Trail, has got you covered on all terrains, from smooth pavement to rugged turf. As the brand’s first-ever road-to-trail women’s running shoe, these kicks address the gender gap in performance athletics and celebrate just how capable women are. It’s a perfect pairing if you’re planning to run the brand’s six-day ultramarathon next International Women’s Day (March 8, 2024). Let the training begin.

Lambert launches a new line of bags for summer

Our wish for a never-ending summer may never come true, but Lambert’s arguably more attainable Soleil Soleil collection certainly helps. The fun, colourful assortment of purses is versatile enough to withstand the following: summer activities, travel plans and nights out on the town with your besties.

This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

The post Gap Joins the Barbieverse + More Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Fendi has had some major designer collaborations in recent years (think: Versace, Tiffany & Co. and Skims), but its new partnership with Marc Jacobs is an undeniable highlight. As part of the Fendi Baguette’s 25th-anniversary celebrations, the Italian luxury house enlisted the talents of the American designer to reinvent the iconic bag and other Fendi staples. The result is a marriage of uptown chic and downtown cool that adds new life to old favourites.

Aurora James’s new book Wildflower: A Memoir is available, wherever books are sold

 

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Call it a labour of love. After two and a half years of writing, re-writing and editing, Wildflower: A Memoir has finally hit shelves. Newly-minted author Aurora James (FASHION’s April 2023 cover star) recounts her life so far as she navigates a world of uncertainty in the fashion industry and beyond. Through sharing the challenges she’s faced, the entrepreneur and activist hopes to provide inspiration and guidance for each and every reader.

Smythe unveils a Love is Love blazer ahead of Pride month

Can one blazer save the world? No. But Smythe’s new shrunken blazer is giving us the energy we need to do so. Embroidered with the words “Love is Love” in rainbow thread, this new release comes just in time for all of the Pride activities on the horizon this summer. What’s more, a portion of profits made will be donated to It Gets Better Canada, a charity focused on uplifting the nation’s 2SLGBTQ+ youth.

Séda and the SHN Foundation work towards improving geriatric healthcare

Say philanthropic fashion partnership five times fast. Quite the tongue twister! Another great challenge? Caring for the elderly. In a new joint mission between outerwear brand Séda and the Scarborough Health Network (SHN) Foundation, geriatric healthcare is brought to the forefront. For the rest of 2023, a portion of proceeds from the sale of any Séda garment will be donated to the SHN Foundation to recognize the importance of caring for an elder.

An outdoorsy collaboration has blossomed

Whether you’re a hiking hero or pitching a tent for the first time, Roots and Alder Apparel want to welcome you to the great outdoors. The collaboration combines the outdoor heritage of Roots with Alder’s ingenuity to challenge old-school stereotypes of who is considered “outdoorsy.” Expect to see 11 size-inclusive pieces that serve both form and function like this fresh spin on a classic sweatshirt.

With files from Annika Lautens

This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

The post Fendi by Marc Jacobs Is Here + More Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

It’s hard to believe that Pleats Please Issey Miyake turns 30 this May. The iconic label — which, since its inception, has strived to create clothes full of freedom and joy — is celebrating with a special series of pleated pieces that are covered in abstract lettering and colourful hues. Combined with its stretchy, comfy and easy-to-care-for fabric, you’ll surely be hitting the dance floor in these wares.

Kotn arrives in Toronto’s Leslieville

 

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Right on cue with Toronto’s spring awakening, Kotn is opening its second retail location in the city on May 6. Set in the heart of Leslieville, locals and visitors alike will be able to peruse the relaxed yet polished storefront, which not only features the latest Kotn styles, but has a rotation of artisanal rugs, textiles and other unique home goods. What’s more, the shop is connected to a new Maha’s café. So as sunshine strolling and outdoor shopping resumes, re-up your summer wardrobe with the best quality tees and tanks (cotton-blended, of course) with an Egyptian-inspired cardamom latte in hand.

H&M’s Curvy Collection is here

Flattering, comfortable and irresistible is how H&M describes their newest release. Made to embrace every curve, the Curvy Collection is designed with extra room at the hips and thighs, with a tapered waistline for a sculpted effect. Prepare for a summer of fun, because this array of dresses and fresh fits come in the brightest of neon hues.

Holt Renfrew is offering Obakki home goods (and more) for a limited time

 

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What’s so good about home goods? They’re an extension of our style and personality, of course. In an exciting collaboration, Holt Renfrew’s Bloor Street location in Toronto is hosting an Obakki pop-up featuring a beautiful selection of thoughtfully designed and handmade homeware. Whether it’s a new vase or a set of stemmed glasses, it may just be time for a little redecorating.

Inland’s Spring 2023 pop-up is a must-visit

Inland’s founder and director Sarah Power is elevating the Canadian fashion shopping experience, one curated pop-up at a time. This year’s marketplace will be held in a gorgeous space at 157 Bloor Street West within Toronto’s premium shopping district and will run from May 5 to 7. Not only will more than 70 of Canada’s most defining brands be showcased (think Dorian Who, Heirloom Hats, Lesley Hampton, Narces and Christopher Bates), but Toronto Metropolitan University fashion students and alumni will be showcasing and selling their concepts and designs, too.

The post Pleats Please Issey Miyake Turns 30 + More Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Mention the first Monday in May to any fashion lover and they’ll immediately know what you’re talking about. Each year, the star-studded Met Gala takes place on this date, in partnership with The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and brings with it some of the most incredible fashion looks we’ll see in the year. From larger-than-life ballgowns to radical suits, there’s no limit on self-expression on style.

RELATED: The Best Met Gala Beauty Looks Ever — Period

Ahead of the 2023 Met Gala, we dove into the event’s archives to relive some of the Met ball’s most memorable fashion moments. Ahead, see more than 90 of the Met Gala best looks of all time.

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

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Photography courtesy of Getty Images

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Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photography courtesy of Getty Images

Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

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Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage

Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Photo by John Shearer/WireImage

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Photo by John Shearer/WireImage

Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Photo by Jennifer Graylock/PA Images/Getty

Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG19/Getty

Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG19/Getty

Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG19/Getty

Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage/Getty

Photo by John Shearer/Getty

Photo by Kevin Tachman/MG19/Getty

Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic/Getty

Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Photo by Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage/Getty

Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan/Getty

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Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty

Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty

Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty

Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty

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Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty

Photo by John Shearer/Getty

Photo by Jackson Lee/FilmMagic/Getty

Photo by John Shearer/Getty

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

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Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty

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Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty

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Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty

Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty

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Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty

Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty

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Photography via Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Cardi B in Atelier Versace

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Hailey Bieber in Saint Laurent

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Janelle Monáe in Ralph Lauren

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Blake Lively in Atelier Versace in 2022

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Emma Chamberlain in Louis Vuitton

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Alessandro Michele and Jared Leto at the 2022 Met Gala

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Teyana Taylor in Iris Van Herpen

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Gigi Hadid in Atelier Versace

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Paloma Elsesser in Coach

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Michelle Yeoh in Prabal Gurung

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Alexa Chung in Christian Siriano

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Jodie Turner-Smith in Gucci

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Kate Moss in Burberry

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Bad Bunny in Burberry

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Dakota Johnson in Gucci

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

SZA in Vivienne Westwood

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Bella Hadid in Burberry

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2022 – Gilded Glamour

Lizzo in Thom Browne

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Hunter Schafer in Prada and Evangeline AdaLioryn

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Kim Kardashian in Balenciaga

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Sophia Roe in Halston

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

A$SAP Rocky in ERL, Rihanna in Balenciaga Haute Couture and Bulgari

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Zoe Kravitz in Saint Laurent

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Lil Nas X in Versace

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Kaia Gerber in Oscar de la Renta and Omega

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Iman in Gucci and Harris Reed

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Kendall Jenner in Givenchy

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Barbie Ferreira in Jonathan Simkhai

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Justin Bieber in La Maison Drew, Hailey Bieber in Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co.

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Bilie Eilish in Oscar de la Renta

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2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Timothée Chalamet in Haider Ackermann and Rick Owens

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Lizzo in custom Marc Jacobs

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Billy Porter in The Blonds and Baz Luhrmann in Prada

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Celine Dion in Oscar de la Renta gown and Noel Stewart headpiece, Law Roach, and Zendaya

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Michael B. Jordan in Coach, Cara Delevingne in Dior and Jared Leto in Gucci

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Lena Waithe in custom Pyer Moss and Kerby Jean-Raymond in custom Pyer Moss

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Cardi B in Thom Browne

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Kim Kardashian West in Thierry Mugler, Jennifer Lopez in Versace, Kylie Jenner in Versace, and Kendall Jenner in Versace

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Ciara in Peter Dundas

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Darren Criss in Balmain

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Awkwafina in Altuzarra

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Laverne Cox in Christian Siriano

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez in Versace

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Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell in 2019

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2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion

Harry Styles in Gucci and Alessandro Michele

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2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination

Katy Perry in custom Versace

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2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination

Lana del Rey in Gucci and Jared Leto in Gucci

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2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination

Rihanna in Maison Margiela

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2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination

Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier

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2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination

Jasmine Sanders in custom H&M

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2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination

Cynthia Erivo in custom Valentino

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2017 – Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between

Ashley Graham in custom H&M

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2017 – Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between

Blake Lively in Atelier Versace and Ryan Reynolds

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2017 – Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between

Zendaya in Dolce & Gabbana

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2017 – Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between

Cara Delevingne in Chanel

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2016 – Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology

Lupita Nyong’o in Calvin Klein

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2016 – Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology

Florence Welch in Gucci

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2016 – Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology

Kanye West in Balmain (jacket) and Fear Of God (jeans)

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2015 – China: Through The Looking Glass

Grace Coddington

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2015 – China: Through The Looking Glass

Kim Kardashian West in Roberto Cavalli

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2015 – China: Through The Looking Glass

Beyoncé in custom Givenchy

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2015 – China: Through The Looking Glass

Rihanna in Guo Pei

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2015 – China: Through The Looking Glass

Katy Perry in Moschino

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2014 – Charles James: Beyond Fashion

Lupita Nyong’o in Prada

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2014 – Charles James: Beyond Fashion

Mary-Kate Olsen in vintage Chanel and Ashley Olsen in vintage Gianfranco Ferré

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2013 – PUNK: Chaos To Couture

Kerry Washington

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2012 – Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations

Karolina Kurkova

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2011 – Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Beyoncé in Emilio Pucci

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2011 – Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Blake Lively

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2011 – Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Naomi Campbell in Alexander McQueen

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2010 – American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity

Jessica Alba in Sophie Theallet for Gap

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2008 – Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy

Anna Wintour in Chanel

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2007 – Poiret: King of Fashion

Jennifer Lopez

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2006 – AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion

Victoria Beckham in Roland Mouret

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2005 – The House of Chanelves

Rolf Snoeren, Karolina Kurkova in Chanel, Viktor Horsting

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2004 – Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion And Furniture In The 18th Century

Scarlett Johansson in Calvin Klein

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2003 – Goddess: The Classical Mode

David Bowie and Iman

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1999 – Rock Style

John Galliano

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1999 – Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron

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1999 – Rock Style

Whitney Houston in Dolce & Gabbana and Bobby Brown

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1997 – Gianni Versace

Iman and Ferré Gianfranco

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1997 – Gianni Versace

John Galliano

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1997 – Gianni Versace

Salma Hayek in Versace

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1996 – Christian Dior

Donatella Versace and Gianni Versace

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1995 – Haute Couture

Naomi Campbell

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1994 – Orientalism: Visions of the East in Western Dress

Iris Love

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1990 – Théâtre de la Mode: Fashion Dolls: The Survival of Haute Couture

Naomi Campbell and Francesco Scavullo

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1985 Costumes of Royal India

Cher and Bob Mackie

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1981 – The 18th Century Woman

Diana Ross

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1981 – The Eighteenth Century Woman

Calvin Klein and Iman

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1979 – Fashions of The Hapsburg Era

Jackie Onassis

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1974 – Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design

Anthony Perkins, Berry Berenson and Marisa Berenson

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1974 – Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design

Cher in Bob Mackie

The post A Look Back at the Best Fashion Moments in Met Gala History appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Hot off the heels of its successful debut, Simons boutiques are rolling out a second Édito collection. The assortment is spring-focused and features 10 pieces made out of high quality textiles, rich colours and timeless silhouettes. From the botanical watercolour silk dress to the sophisticated poplin collared shirt, the discreet-yet-luxurious clothing is surely a sign of the times.

Knix releases new leak-proof swimwear

Knix has debuted their 2023 swimwear and it’s got everything you need for a carefree summer. From built-in Leakproof Technology to proper bra support, these vibrant bathers are both fab and functional. What’s more, the collection comes in sizes XS to 4XL, with a cup range from A to G.

Pucci and The Webster launch a festival-inspired capsule collection

Here’s a partnership that is as groovy as it is chic: Italian fashion house Pucci and luxury multi-brand retailer The Webster have come together for an exclusive collection. Inspired by one of the most attended music festivals in the world, Coachella, and aligning with the opening of The Webster’s Palm Springs location, the Iride capsule perfectly captures a vibrant, free-spirited and playful energy.

The Terry Fox Foundation collaborates with Ryan Reynolds on a limited-edition T-shirt

Ryan Reynolds has teamed up with the Terry Fox Foundation to make an impact on Canadian cancer research. With the help of the Fox family, Reynolds has designed a limited-edition #DearTerry T-shirt which has already helped raise over $1 million dollars in pre-sales alone. What’s more, it’s kicking off a series of inspirational #DearTerry messages from the nation. In Reynolds’s own message, he said, “I’ve been taking part in the Terry Fox Run since second grade and can’t think of a more enduring and lovely legacy for one person.”

Joe Fresh and Roxy Earle launch a vacation-ready collection

Whether or not you’re jet-setting this summer, get ready for some pre-vacay jitters. Hotel Roxy, Joe Fresh’s latest collection in collaboration with long-time partner Roxy Earle, is a one-stop shop for all your summer travel needs — from swimwear and activewear to accessories and footwear (which now goes up to a size 11!). “For many, it’s not easy finding great vacation wear that is size inclusive and [at] a great price point,” said Earle in a press release from the brand. “I have always found ‘girls trips’ and bachelorettes difficult… I have worked hand-in-hand with Joe Fresh so you don’t have to feel that way.”

Zoë Kravitz stars in the This is Tiffany campaign

In Tiffany & Co.’s latest campaign, This is Tiffany, individual style leads the way. Just take a look at the house ambassadors donning pieces from the Tiffany T and Tiffany HardWear collections. Zoë Kravitz is rocking an edgy-yet-feminine chain link, BTS’s Jimin is sporting cool, white gold tones, and Gal Gadot is dotted with dainty diamonds.

The post Simons Taps Into Quiet Luxury + More Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Eloquii has just launched a swimsuit collection that deserves applause for its unique designs and fiery colourways. Designed in collaboration with Gabi Fresh, one of the first influencers to provide a resource, voice and safe space for fashion lovers sizes 14+, the statement suits and graphic resort wear will have you looking for the soonest flight south.

The Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama collaboration continues

Doting fans of Yayoi Kusama will be pleased to hear about Drop 2 of the Japanese artist’s collaboration with Louis Vuitton. Even more handbags, like the iconic Capucines and monogrammed Neverfull, are covered in new variations of radiant pumpkins, flowers and infinity dots, welcoming the brave and bold into Kusama’s avant-garde world.

Allbirds creates the world’s first net zero carbon shoe

While aiming for a greener future, Allbirds shot for the moon — and didn’t miss. The eco-conscious brand has created the world’s first ever net zero carbon shoe, aptly named M0.0NSHOT, and it’s completely restructuring the footwear game. “We believe this will revolutionize the path to net zero, and act as rocket-fuel for the entire industry,” said Hana Kajimura, head of sustainability at Allbirds, in a press release. “The scientists have shown us what’s possible — now it’s time for the fashion industry to carry the open-sourced learnings from M0.0NSHOT forward.” The shoe’s official reveal will be in June 2023 at Copenhagen’s Global Fashion Summit.

Lululemon is running for mental health

To many, running is a form of therapy, which is why Lululemon has tapped L.A.-based lifestyle brand Madhappy to co-create a run collection in support of mental health. Launching on April 4, the limited-edition assortment of technical products features a sunset-inspired palette and tie-dye prints, driving home the idea that there’s joy in a balanced lifestyle. What’s more, both brands will be making a collective donation of $40,000 USD in support of the JED Foundation, a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults across America.

Make way for an On x Ssense exclusive

An Ssense exclusive is a pretty big deal, and Swiss sportswear brand On is the latest to receive this treatment. Its high performance Cloudflash running shoe has been refreshed through the style-centric lens of Ssense, and features a new colourway of earthy brown with neon lime accents. Consider the shoe both practical and cool.

Own the moment with Bulgari’s new Octo Roma releases

The refreshed Octo Roma collection is a flawless example of modern-day haute horlogerie. Best characterized by its versatility, sophistication and elegance, these new Bulgari timepieces embody a contemporary style while still staying true to the technical precision of Swiss watchmaking. Plus, they’re distinct enough to stand out amongst the masses: the octagon-shaped case — and name — is a nod to the city of Rome, where the high jewellery brand was founded.

The post Eloquii Drops Its First Swimwear Collection + More Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Thrifting Tips for Spotting Rare Gems Amid the Duds

Common Sort

 

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LOCATION: Toronto
SPECIALTY: Trendy fast-fashion and designer-label gems
WHY WE LOVE IT: Like most consignment stores, Common Sort can be a grab bag when it comes to style, catering to both Gen Z Y2K enthusiasts and designer snobs alike. Despite the disparate racks, what everything has in common is an affordable price tag; high-quality vintage pieces can be had for less than $30, and designer items rarely go for more than $100. With three different locations across Toronto — each catering to its unique neighbourhood locale — Common Sort will fulfill any bargain hunter’s bloodhound-like nose for a deal.

Stella Luna

LOCATION: Toronto
SPECIALTY: Pristine rare 1960s vintage
WHY WE LOVE IT: Open only two days a week, Stella Luna is perhaps Toronto’s best-kept vintage secret. Owner Crispian Underwood has been hawking Oleg Cassini blouses and sleek alligator pumps to discerning Torontonians since the mid-’90s from her west-Parkdale storefront with its celestial motifs painted on dusty-orange walls. Prices are scandalously affordable; a stunning 1960s beaded cardigan clocks in at only $30. Ask nicely and Underwood may let you into her treasure trove of a basement for a peek.

Mintage Mall

 

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LOCATION: Vancouver
SPECIALTY: Novelty graphic tees and perfectly-worn-in denim
WHY WE LOVE IT: As the name suggests, Mintage Mall is a mall full of vintage. Located in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, it houses wares from some of the city’s most reputable vintage sellers under a single roof. You’ll find Billy Joel concert tees among kitschy salt and pepper shakers, sports jerseys, wedding dresses and much more spread out over several floors. With its penchant for ironic novelty items, it caters to a younger audience, but root around for an afternoon and you may leave with something wholly unexpected. Also, keep an eye out for the $20-or-less sales!

Seconde Vintage

 

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LOCATION: Montreal
SPECIALTY: Designer clothes in bold, brazen silhouettes
WHY WE LOVE IT: Opened in 2021, Seconde Vintage is a newcomer to Montreal’s brimming second-hand-store scene. Its well-curated selection of high-end vintage makes it the perfect place for anyone who wants to find pristine Prada pumps without looking too hard. The inside is jam-packed with unexpected and quirky pieces from Thierry Mugler, Chanel, Issey Miyake and The Row that you might not find anywhere else. Some of the outré styles on offer are not for the faint of heart, but a statement piece or two will elevate your wardrobe to the next level.

Collective Will

 

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LOCATION: Vancouver
SPECIALTY: A covetable designer handbag selection
WHY WE LOVE IT: Shopping at Collective Will is like going to a clothing swap with your most stylish friends. The sunny, light-filled boutique in Vancouver’s historic Gastown district boasts the city’s most impressive selection of vintage and second-hand designer goods, including an abundance of Prada, Furla and Gucci bags. Most of the offerings are fairly pricey, but the store has frequent markdowns to clear out space, so with enough patience, you can snag a great deal on something you love. Perhaps the best news of all? They ship online orders worldwide.

Boretski Gallery

 

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LOCATION: Belleville, Ont.
SPECIALTY: Antique accessories and jazzy formalwear
WHY WE LOVE IT: Owner Marina Boretski’s crowded downtown-Belleville shop is ripe with treasures, and she often lends out her unique wares to wardrobe and prop stylists for use on Netflix shows. Dazzling 1920s evening gowns, lace bonnets from the Victorian era and 1950s cotton swimsuits are all items you might stumble upon while combing the racks. Boretski, whose boutique has been open since 2003, has an encyclopedic knowledge of her stock and can help locate pieces you might have missed on your first pass through the store.

Swish Vintage

 

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LOCATION: Edmonton
SPECIALTY: Flirty, femme vintage dresses
WHY WE LOVE IT: In a city not typically known for its stylistic prowess, Swish Vintage is a rare gem. Owner Angela Larson is a self-described “treasure hunter, storyteller and stylist” who has been uniting special items with their rightful owners for 20 years. (The name comes from Larson’s grandmother, a fashionista who used to describe stylish people as “so swish.”) The store specializes in the feminine and eclectic: Jackie O. dresses from the 1960s hang on racks next to floral cotton dresses from the 1980s. Some finds — like a custom-made leopard-print three-piece skirt suit from the 1960s ($395) — must be seen to be believed.

La Petite Boutique/The Little Shop

 

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LOCATION: Montreal
SPECIALTY: Antique textiles and costume-y clothes
WHY WE LOVE IT: Located outside of Montreal’s crowded vintage scene, La Petite Boutique may be the most beloved friperie (French for “thrift store”) of them all. Spanning three floors, the crowded shop boasts an eclectic array of handmade quilts stacked all the way up to the ceilings and a hodgepodge of hats. Nearly everyone who goes in — from puff-sleeved-prairie-dress lovers to ironic e-girls — will find something to satisfy their sensibilities. And lucky shoppers may end up being treated to a tray of tea and cookies in the afternoon by store owner Jill Moroz.

Elsie’s Used Clothing

 

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LOCATION: Halifax
SPECIALTY: Quirky high-end jumble sale
WHY WE LOVE IT: With its canary-yellow exterior and racks of clothing enticing customers to come inside, Elsie’s Used Clothing is a mainstay on Halifax’s Queen Street. The interior looks like the dressing room of a quirky aunt, with walls covered in vintage tapestries, thrift store framed photos and hangers displaying some of the frothier wares. You’ll find an assortment of luxury goods, like a 1980s Balenciaga purse ($350) and a vintage fur-collar coat ($280), at standard (read “not cheap”) vintage prices. Head there soon because the building is slated for demolition sometime in 2024.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Canada’s Best Vintage Stores appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Introducing Canada’s Most Stylish Thrifter, Aldeneil Española

Still don’t believe us? Below we’ve rounded up 11 sustainable upcycled pieces that prove our point.

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Top Scarves Long Sleeves 03

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2/11

Maguire

Bai Ice Blue Sunglasses

($95, Maguire)

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3/11

Ganni

Small Occasion Hobo Bag

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Colville

SY Upcycled Skirt

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PH5

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Nike

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Collina Strada

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A version of this article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post Elevate Your Wardrobe With These Upcycled Pieces appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Former Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott is known for his cheeky, irreverent style, so it’s no surprise that his latest gig designing a couture collection using upcycled car waste is a bit “outside the box.” Shown at Seoul Fashion Week on March 22 as part of Hyundai Motor Company’s Re: Style initiative, the project addresses the environmental impact of both the fashion and automotive industries and proves that treasure can be created from trash. The designs effortlessly transformed windshield wipers, wheels, seat belts, tail lights and wires into something shockingly beautiful.

Fashion Art Toronto returns with its biggest event

 

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Fashion Art Toronto is back for its Spring 2023 showcase. From April 27 to April 30, 50 Canadian designers (including L’Uomo Strano, Lesley Hampton and Narces) will present their creativity in a variety of runway shows and presentations. Taking place at Black Creek Assembly, the venue will also feature a fashion playground filled with interactive areas for guests to enjoy. Get your tickets now.

Dior goes for gold in its latest capsule collection

Everything Maria Grazia Chiuri touches turns to gold — figuratively and (sometimes) literally. Just look at her latest reinterpretation of the Dior Or capsule, a selection of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories that have been laced with a gilded touch. You’ll find subtle yet luminous gold tones featured on items like the iconic Lady Dior bag, the Bar Jacket and the Walk’n’Dior sneakers. And since gold has been a key pillar in the brand’s identity since the late Christian Dior was designing, it’s the perfect marriage of old and new.

Van Cleef & Arpels paints a picture of spring

Many think of spring as a time of new beginnings. Van Cleef & Arpels agrees, adding four new pieces to its Lucky Spring collection. An expression of luck and joy, ladybugs and dainty floral motifs adorn the hardware of two necklaces, a ring and a bracelet. Drenched in a palette of rose gold, white mother of pearl, onyx and carnelian, you can expect this jewellery collection to shimmer as elegantly as a dewy spring garden.

Veronica Beard arrives on Canadian soil

Chic and contemporary ready-to-wear label Veronica Beard has touched down in Canada for the very first time. Founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard (no, you’re not seeing double) in 2010, the modern, feminine label fits right in within Toronto’s Yorkville village where the storefront is open and ready for perusing. “Toronto happens to be one of our favourite cities, with an energy unlike any other,” shares Miele Beard in a press release. “We wanted VB Toronto to capture the distinct spirit of Veronica Beard as well the spirit of Toronto — warm, lived-in and inviting.”

Ashlee Simpson-Ross joins Ashley Freeborn in designing a new Smash + Tess collection

Now, if you think you’re seeing double this time, rest assured you are not. Ashlee Simpson-Ross has collaborated with Smash + Tess founder Ashley Freeborn on a retro-inspired collection of rompers, dusters and dresses for men, women and children. Canadian-made and slow-fashion focused, these size-inclusive pieces are fit for the whole fam.

The post Jeremy Scott Designs Couture for Hyundai + More Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: 8 Things To Know Before Buying a Watch

While in this salvaging frame of mind, I noticed a rivulet of gold on an old brown espresso cup after dinner at a friend’s place. The cup looked like it had had a mini volcanic eruption. Gleaming 24-karat “magma” slithered down from the rim in a meandering diagonal. My friend, a ceramic artist, said: “It’s bootleg kintsugi. The cup was cracked so I just mixed some gold powder with epoxy and glued it back together.” Had any masters of the 15th-century Japanese art form been at the table, they would have spit out their tea. But to the rest of us, who didn’t know any better, gold glue made for a nifty repair job.

“Kintsugi” means “to join with gold.” As the legend goes, a shogun named Ashikaga Yoshimasa’s favourite celadon-glazed bowl was broken so he sent it to China to be repaired. What returned was a Frankenstein-style mend job held together with metal staples. Yoshimasa ordered his own people to come up with a better patching technique.

Thus was born kintsugi — a slow-as-molasses fix that uses gold-dusted urushi lacquer to glue broken pieces of pottery together. The lacquer is made from the sap of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum tree, a member of the sumac family, which grows in Japan, China and Korea. Urushi trees are finicky and can only be harvested when they are between 10 and 12 years old. Each tree produces roughly a single cup of pale urushi sap, and once that sap has been extracted, the tree is cut down. So, urushi is like the blood of trees. Obtaining it requires a botanical sacrifice, true, but one that is not irrevocable. Nature kicks in, the slain tree regenerates shoots from its stump and the slow cycle begins all over again the following spring.

Immense work goes into tapping urushi trees and processing the sap, which is done by hand. The sap will have different qualities depending on which season it’s collected in: Spring sap contains more water, while summer sap has a higher concentration of urushiol, the chemical compound that gives urushi lacquer its indestructible hard glossiness. The sap is poured into wooden vats and placed under a heat source or outside on hot days. Workers stir it continuously by hand.

Kintsugi has traditionally been used to mend pottery, but jewellers have borrowed the technique to dramatically upcycle flawed and fractured gems. The well-trained lacquer master carefully cleans each fragment of stone. Deftly, they coat the surfaces of the fissure, join the pieces together and leave the glued-together gem to set, which requires a high humidity of up to 80 per cent and a temperature of 24°C. It takes the lacquer several weeks to form a matrix of molecules over the surface, bonding the gem pieces together for what will now be thousands of years. The urushi glue is then sanded down, and gold is dusted over the lacquered cracks.

Besides the immeasurable value of time and skill poured into patiently reconstructing a broken object, it is the materials — the gold, of course, but also the lacquer — that make the repair as precious, if not more so, as the thing being repaired. Perhaps this is what Japanese jeweller Milamore is hinting at in its kintsugi-inspired (but not kintsugi-repaired) floating pavé diamond gold rings and necklaces.

Italian jewellery house Pomellato has introduced a kintsugi collection consisting of reclaimed broken gemstones. Tokyo artist Maya Higuchi is collaborating with Pomellato to create rings, pendant necklaces and earrings from damaged jet and volcanic opals called kogolong. Her gold-slashed repair work gives the pieces their contemporary abstract chocolate-box aesthetic. The kintsugi also makes each piece absolutely one of a kind.

Many fine-jewellery clients who buy “nothing but the best” won’t understand plunking down a few thousand dollars for a glued-together ring. But kintsugi philosophy is seeping into a West that is trying to be more sustainable and less blinkered about perfection. More than just a way to fix broken things, kintsugi is a philosophy about broken things — that we don’t discard them, that we fix them and that we fix them by elevating their brokenness, not concealing it. People are taking kintsugi to heart and baring the unique chips and cracks of their life experience to others. And in high jewellery, where poorly placed flaws reduce gemstones to a sliver of their worth, kintsugi is turning trash into shimmering treasures.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post Jewellers Are Using Kintsugi To Upcycle Broken Gems appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Introducing Canada’s Most Stylish Thrifter, Aldeneil Española

For me, the bounty represented not just an accession of style but an escape from the confines of social class. When I was growing up, my mom sewed most of my wardrobe herself, which at the time marked me as someone unable to afford brand-name labels. But at the thrift store, I could find Lacoste sweaters and vintage Armani suits for less than a pair of jeans at the Gap. All of a sudden, I was dressing better than my classmates. The entire world opened up when I no longer had to choose between quantity and quality. Over countless hours — no doubt at least the 10,000 that Malcolm Gladwell says are required to achieve true expertise — I developed a truffle-pig-like ability to spot treasures, like made-in-England vintage Dr. Martens and Brooks Brothers button-downs. Apparently, all it takes to look expensive is to have a good eye.

While I still love thrifting in theory, in practice, the fluorescent overhead lighting has begun to feel less like a symbol of promise and more like a harbinger of doom. Nowadays, the overwhelming thought I get upon entering a thrift store is “How can I get out of here as soon as possible?” I used to be able to walk into a second-hand shop and stumble across a pair of knee-high made-in-Italy leather combat boots that fit perfectly for $20. Now, all I can find are pilling mall-brand knits and flammable halter tops from Fashion Nova or Shein that fall apart after three wears. After a few minutes of half-heartedly rifling through the crammed racks, I head to the housewares section, do a quick scan for Le Creuset and kitschy figurines and then leave.

This precipitous drop in inventory quality isn’t because more people have caught on to thrifting — though according to a ThredUp study, the second-hand market is projected to experience more growth than any other clothing sector (including fast fashion) between now and 2031 — it’s because clothing brands have engaged in a race to the bottom with regard to garment construction in order to turn a profit. Clothing is one of the rare consumer categories that has actually decreased in price over the past 30 years, even with inflation. When a T-shirt costs less than a carton of eggs, you know there’s a problem. Thrift stores are not just places where unwanted garments move on to their next stage of life; they’re a graveyard where inferior clothing goes to die.

The reality is that thrifting has become such a poignant reminder of the dilemma of consumerism that I would rather avoid it altogether. Instead, I find joy in saving up to thoughtfully acquire new pieces from ethical independent designers.

That said, it isn’t impossible to find good stuff while thrifting; it’s just become much more difficult. If you know what you’re looking for, you’ll still be able to walk away with a few rare gems. Here’s how to spot first-rate finery amid a sea of trash.

Avoid synthetics

Always keep your eyes peeled for items made from natural fibres like wool, cotton, silk and linen. Organic materials are often more breathable than synthetic ones, and they typically have a smaller eco footprint than materials made from petroleum by-products.

Check fabric quality

Designers refer to “the hand” to describe the sensation of a fabric against your skin. For example, how does it feel in your hand? Is the material silky and soft or slippery and staticky? The way a garment feels helps determine how often you will wear it, so be sure you like the fabric just as much as — or even more than — the style before putting it in your cart.

Learn to read labels

A clothing label provides almost as much information as a book — if you know how to read it. It can tell you the age of something, whether it’s high- or low-end and where it was made — all important clues for determining a garment’s quality. Clothing made before 1990 and items made in Italy, England, the United States and Canada tend to be valued for their superior quality (bonus points if the piece is union-made). Notice a designer label? Congratulations! You’ve hit the jackpot.

Assess the workmanship

Examine the garment to see if there are any loose threads; if so, pull them to make sure the piece doesn’t fall apart. Look at the stitching. Is it perfectly straight or wonky? If there’s a pattern, does it line up at the seams? Cheaper-quality garments are usually held together by looping serged hems instead of stitched seams.

Practise patience

Thrifting isn’t like heading to the mall and picking a shirt out of a lineup of acceptable options. Instead, try to have an open mind and allow yourself to be surprised. Keep an idea in your head of what you’re looking for, but don’t get discouraged if you don’t find it immediately. Sometimes it takes years of searching before the Thrift Store Gods deliver on their promise.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post Is the Golden Era of Vintage Shopping Long Gone? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

I’ve always had a fixation on and a love for hair. I can even remember being four years old and drawing stick figures with super-long hair. My parents were always very into beauty and fashion, so I think they were a big influence when it came to me being expressive with my looks. My sister was also a huge contributing factor, especially when it came to my colourful aesthetic. She used to have locs, and I would watch her colour them all sorts of hues. I always thought that that was cool, and as I got older, I wanted to be able to do something similar but in my own unique way.

RELATED: Texture Talk: How to Repair Heat and Colour Damage

My colour choices are very reflective of where I am in my life. Spiritually speaking, colours have their own energies and vibrations. For example, my hair was pink last summer — a time when I needed to embrace more self-love. (Pink is associated with love, inner peace, balance and harmony.) I’ve also rocked brown to be more grounded and blue for more calming and healing energy. As I go through transition periods and phases in life, my hair colours mirror them.

 

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When it comes to my curls, I’m a volume girl; I like to add extensions to my natural hair to accentuate it but mostly to achieve my colours — I’m terrified to dye my own hair, especially any bright shade. Extensions are fun, versatile and safer for the health and longevity of my hair. I love wigs for these same reasons. I’ve learned to make braided wigs — plaiting my own hair isn’t always the most convenient thing for me because I like to switch up my style a lot — and I’m in the process of learning to make lace-front wigs.

With my hair-care routine, I try to be mindful of not over-consuming products; I try to stick to a plan — like deep conditioning once a month and investing in good hydrating oils — and not go overboard with formulas. And I’ll reuse wigs and certain types of extensions until I basically can’t anymore. I think that it’s important to buy quality products that will last, as opposed to constantly purchasing new ones.

A hair-care routine can be such a spiritual thing, too. Like, at night, I wear a really big bonnet — I often laugh at myself when I have it on because it kind of looks like the mushroom hat from Mario — to preserve my curls, but I’ve also noticed that when my hair is covered, I feel protected in a way. I think that comes from my experiences: Rocking really big curls out in public, I’ve had random people touch my hair without asking and ask me questions like “How do you sleep?” or “Is your hair heavy?” For the most part, I understand that those types of encounters are coming from an innocent place, but sometimes, unfortunately, there are situations that feel like microaggressions.

When I was younger, I was very insecure about my looks — I literally thought I was ugly. But once I entered my 20s and did a lot of self-reflecting, healing and growth work, I felt a shift — a transformative perception of myself. It’s taken a while, but I’ve learned to really appreciate my style and my beauty, even if I do have days where I’m like, “Am I too much for people? Too expressive, too flamboyant?” I have to remind myself sometimes that the right people will appreciate me for who I am. I’ve learned to accept myself, and I know that I wouldn’t want to be any other way.

 

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Love to experiment with wigs or extensions? Check out 5 brands bettering the hair-extension game:

The wig and hair-extension market is a multi-billion-dollar global industry. But many are made with landfill-bound strands of plastic (which often have an alkaline coating that can cause skin irritation), while various human-hair versions raise ethical issues surrounding sourcing. Here, discover brands bettering the game with their transparency and practices, like using premium Remy hair (strands cut or shaved straight from willing donors who are compensated in return, plus all the protective hair cuticles are preserved for sleekness and shine) and recyclable alternatives.

Photography courtesy of Ayune Hair

Photography by Colin Gaudet courtesy of Luxy Hair

Photography courtesy of New Village Braid

1/5

Ayune Hair

Body Wave

(From $111, Ayune Hair)

This Australian company sources hair from Southeast Asian women who collect their naturally shed strands for additional income. The extensions are piped (a chemical-free process) to create signature “body” and “water wave” textures.

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2/5

Larin

Yaki Straight

(From $146, Larin)

Based in the United Kingdom, Larin offers dye-friendly styles, all of which are made of Remy hair from Vietnam. Donors are compensated fairly, and the brand’s partner factory ensures fair working conditions.

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3/5

Luxy Hair

16" Peekaboo Halo Hair Extensions

($250, Luxy Hair)

Beloved by A-listers like Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Lopez, this Salt Lake City-based Remy hair extensions brand has a recycling program for old units through Matter of Trust, an organization that felts hair into absorbent mats used to help clean up oil spills.

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Mulberry Hair Extensions

Topper

(From $1,490, Mulberry Hair Extensions)

This made-in-Canada brand offers hand-crafted, tailored human-hair extensions sourced responsibly both domestically and internationally.

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New Village Braid

NVB Eco Pre-stretched 26" in “Platinum Blonde”

($11, New Village Braid)

This PVC- and alkaline-free faux braiding hair won’t cause irritation and can be sent back to the brand’s Virginia headquarters post-use to be recycled instead of tossed in the trash.

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This article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post Colourful Hair Is the Ultimate Form of Self-Expression for This Astrologer appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Sylvia Mantella’s Gucci-Filled Closet is an Ode to Alessandro Michele

This thinking explains how Karas (known on social media as @lordwarg) has compiled a collection of over 500 Jean Paul Gaultier pieces, all of which line the walls of his small Chelsea living room. “I like to see everything,” he smiles, sitting cross-legged on the floor, looking up at his stockpile. “I promised myself I would never get a storage unit because then my collection would truly be endless.” Yet already, you can’t open a drawer, turn a knob or lean on a wall without hitting various Gaultier garbs. The space is overflowing with enthusiasm and dedication to the French designer, and Karas and his husband have been reduced to working, living and sleeping in one room. (Don’t worry! They’re in the process of moving to a bigger space.) But Karas wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

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His experience growing up in Cannes, France, was more “grungy motels, food banks and homelessness” than international film festivals. He began shopping at vintage stores for practical purposes (read “cheaper clothes”), not passion. Still, even from a young age, he’s always had a particular aesthetic, which his mother encouraged. “I once got sent home from school because I had spikes on my shoes,” he laughs.

It was actually his mom who introduced him to Gaultier when he was around 10 years old. The local French news would often report on the designer’s collections, and she would call Karas down to watch. After his years of being violently bullied for “looking effeminate” and “dressing flamboyantly,” watching Gaultier’s creations walk down the runway changed his life. “There was not a lot of gay representation back then, so to see him — a proud gay man — being celebrated was very powerful,” Karas says, getting emotional. “He was the first person who showed me I could wear whatever I wanted and still be accepted. So my collection is very much a labour of love.”

 

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While Karas initially found a few $1 Gaultier T-shirts and other basics in thrift stores and on eBay, it wasn’t until he moved to New York in 2010 — and gained some financial security — that his hobby became his way of life. He admits that he sometimes searches through his “catalogue of online bookmarks” from morning until late at night for rare Gaultier finds. “My collection is made of patience and then some money,” he shares, revealing that he found most of the wares in his wardrobe for about $200 each. “I don’t drink. I don’t do drugs. I take the subway. Gaultier is what I spend my money on.” As such, Karas considers himself an archivist and one day hopes to host an exhibition at The Met with all of his finds, most of which hail from the ’90s, his favourite Gaultier decade.

Despite his devotion to vintage, Karas doesn’t think of himself as an environmentalist. “My clothes come wrapped in plastic,” he says. “I don’t know how they were produced. And by posting on social media, I make people want to buy more clothes. I don’t feel comfortable with that.” But his gaggle of Gaultier does deliver endless joy. “I think because I was broke when I was younger, I’ve always tried to surround myself with stuff,” he shares. But upon reflection, he adds: “It’s just amazing to think about the hundreds and hundreds of people who worked on these clothes and that the items are still in use today. I’m just so proud to make them live again.”

Click through the gallery below for a glimpse of Karas’s Jean Paul Gaultier collection.

Makeup, Tia Rivers/Dior and Goldfaden MD. Photography by Nathan Sweet

Photography by Nathan Sweet

Photography by Nathan Sweet

Makeup, Tia Rivers/Dior and Goldfaden MD. Photography by Nathan Sweet

Photography by Nathan Sweet

Photography by Nathan Sweet

Makeup, Tia Rivers/Dior and Goldfaden MD. Photography by Nathan Sweet

Photography by Nathan Sweet

Photography by Nathan Sweet

Makeup, Tia Rivers/Dior and Goldfaden MD. Photography by Nathan Sweet

1/10

Wildest Dreams

Karas briefly met Jean Paul Gaultier at the French designer’s Fall 2022 couture show wearing this iconic tattoo print. After Karas thanked him for changing his life, Gaultier looked at Karas’s outfit and replied: “Oh yeah. I can tell you love Gaultier.”

2/10

In the Heights

Karas loves a platform, so as soon as he saw these boots — created in collaboration with Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing — coming down the catwalk at the Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2022 Couture show, he knew he had to have them.

3/10

Never Enough

Coco Chanel said you should always take one accessory off before you leave the house, but Karas argues: “You should add two! You can never have too many.” This explains why the collector has over 100 pieces of Gaultier jewellery.

4/10

Multiple Choice

With so many Gaultier garments, it can be hard to decide what to wear, but Karas reveals that his daily ensembles are all about how he’s feeling. “I love these pieces, but there are some days when I can’t go outside in a skirt — your confidence level needs to be really high.”

5/10

Plaid, Please

Karas is a walking Gaultier encyclopedia. He can not only name the year and the collection of each garment (Fall 1997 for these plaid pieces) but also recall the inspiration for it (in this case, the British skinhead subculture).

6/10

To the Point

There would be no cone bra without Jean Paul Gaultier. While the designer first debuted the piece in his Spring 1984 collection — and Madonna made it famous in 1990 — Karas purchased this pink velvet iteration in 2021.

7/10

Comic Sans

It took Karas over 10 years to find all the pieces in this comic-book look. The first, the blazer, was purchased in 2011, and he bought the shirt in the fall of 2022.

8/10

Seeing Dots

Besides bustiers and sailor-inspired attire, Gaultier’s cyber-dot print is one of his most recognizable signatures. Though it made its runway debut in 1995, the pattern has recently had a resurgence, thanks to the Kardashian-Jenner family.

9/10

World Wide Web

Karas has met Gaultier fans all over the world. During a trip to Carcassonne, a small medieval town in France, he purchased this faux-denim shirt on eBay from someone who lived five minutes from his hotel.

10/10

Follow the Leader

“If too many people like me, I’m doing something wrong,” Karas says of his eclectic punk wardrobe. “I don’t follow fashion; the story behind the clothing is much more important. Just don’t ever tell me I look pretty.” [Laughs]

This article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post This Jean Paul Gaultier Devotee’s Collection Is About More Than Clothes appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Stylist Cary Tauben’s Vintage Track Suit Collection Will Make Your Jaw Drop

We found all of that and more in Aldeneil Española, a 24-year-old university student in Saskatoon. His submission — which included a full-on fashion shoot inspired by Frida Kahlo, among others — put him at the top of a very impressive list of entrants from across the country. But what set Española apart was his artistic eye and deep connection to what he wears.

“Clothes are so much more than just fabric covering the body,” Española wrote in his application. “I am a queer POC artist who uses clothing to tell stories. Clothing is one of the quickest ways to communicate who you are without uttering a single word. I hope to show the younger generations behind me that it’s important to be visible and that clothing can be an extension of your personality and being.”

When I meet Española on Zoom, he is dressed in a vibrant floral shirt from Value Village that seems better suited to a beach in Maui than his small apartment in sub-zero Saskatoon. His cheeks are glowing thanks to a combo of Fenty Beauty and E.L.F. blushes and Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb highlighter. He describes how he began thrifting menswear and then shifted to the women’s aisles. “My earliest women’s find was a fur coat with the label, the year and who the coat was made for,” he says. “I felt like I had a connection to the person who wore it and I was carrying on their legacy. That was a big shift in my mind.” Española also began to see the value in vintage clothing, which was made to last, as opposed to the fast fashion that fills so many thrift-store racks. “I love the feel of vintage leather,” he says. Among his treasures is an armadillo bag, complete with head and feet, that he carries like a football because of its shape: “I have never seen anything like this, and it probably cost way more than what I had to spend for it.” The first designer item he thrifted was a pair of Calvin Klein boots from the Raf Simons era that he wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise.

As Española shares his story, it becomes clear that at one time he dressed for necessity, not personal expression. Born in the Philippines, he was 12 when he landed with his family in the tiny town of Gravelbourg, Sask. “It was the middle of nowhere and we didn’t have a lot coming into Canada,” he recalls. “We arrived in March, so it was still pretty cold. The Filipinos in that community gathered a lot of second-hand clothes, coats and stuff — things we didn’t need when we were in the Philippines because it’s always hot.”

There was little “fashion” in Gravelbourg, population 986, or among Española’s very conservative churchgoing family. “I definitely just dressed to fit in,” he says. But that first experience of wearing only second-hand clothing had a profound impact. “It opened my eyes to the possibility that it’s literally fine for me not to have anything new,” he shares. When Española moved to Saskatoon at age 19, he continued to thrift but began to notice a difference in how people dressed. Social media expanded his world even further, and that, combined with the freedom to break away from his parents’ constraints, ignited a passion for experimentation. Around the same time, Española saw a documentary on Alexander McQueen that confirmed what he had already been sensing. “McQueen was the first person who showed me that clothing can be an art form and a visual language,” he says. “And that really inspired me to explore this part of myself.”

It was also the beginning of his path to self-confidence. “Fashion was the first place I saw evidence that I was good at something,” he says. “And then I thought I could apply that same principle to other forms of art.” Española is now in his second year of a fine arts degree, and he often shares his expressive drawings on Instagram and TikTok, interspersing them with the fashion shoots he collaborates on with other Saskatoon creatives. He is also part of a stylish small group counted on to bring energy to brand events and parties. “This helped me have endless belief in myself,” he declares. “I know that no matter what I want to do, I will always be there to catch myself and bring myself back up.”

Española would love to find a way to combine his passions by creating wearable art and is experimenting with prints, dead stock and painting on blazers. Turning found fashion into art is just one of the reasons he believes thrifting will always have a place in his life. The other is his unapologetically exuberant style. “Clothing costs a lot of money, and thrifting is a really good way for me to be able to create extravagant maximalist looks without going broke.”

Aldeneil Española shares his top thrifting tips:

1. “I don’t shop online a lot unless I’m looking for a specific piece. Clothing acts differently on different bodies. You need to be able to try it on to see if it lies properly, if it moves the way you want it to move.”

2. “Feel the fabric with your hands, and then try the item on. The more senses you bring to clothes, the more you’ll appreciate and understand them.”

3. “I wear basics that cling to my skin so it’s easier to try clothes on overtop. It also feels better to wear something underneath as you don’t know where the clothes have been.”

4. “Travel light. I sometimes bring my own grocery bags and maybe a handbag. Other than that, I rarely carry anything.”

5. “I’m not very fun to go shopping with. I’m very specific, and I need to think. I can’t be having a conversation with someone. So I like to do it alone.”

6. “I prefer it when there are less people in the store, so I go in the evening. It’s usually the only thing on my agenda as I like to take my time to look through the whole store. No time constraints makes the experience more enjoyable.”

7. “Staff in smaller stores are more likely to strike up a conversation. This way, I’ve found pieces that are not yet on the floor. Even though a store is filled, they likely have more stock in the back.”

8. “It’s powerful if you can do alterations. That’s how I got into sewing. I hem pants and take in shirts, and I’ve reconstructed thrifted pieces for other people, usually to make them fit.”

Photography by MOLLY SCHIKOSKY. Makeup by KACIE HANCHEROW. Photo assistants: BERIT JOHNSON. 

This article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post Introducing Canada’s Most Stylish Thrifter, Aldeneil Española appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Canadian Race-Car Driver Samantha Tan Shares Her Beauty Must-Haves

The Brazilian-born influencer has Hanhart syndrome, a condition that can lead to missing limbs at birth; her birth mother abandoned her, and her birth father “had already left her for another family.” Plans were put in place to send Adams-Wheatley to America for medical treatment, but what actually came next was an adoption by a family in Utah. And she hasn’t stopped since, pushing herself to evolve from teenage dance enthusiast to motivational speaker and, more recently, makeup-tutorial maven.

“I first got into makeup because I used to be a dancer in high school,” says the Salt Lake City-based entrepreneur, who only recently came out as trans. “I remember coming home one day and telling my parents I needed to get some makeup. I come from a very conservative religious background, and the reaction was ‘Men don’t wear makeup.’ I explained that every TV actor and news anchor wears it. So, they let me buy some products and said, ‘You can only wear them when you’re performing.’”

But Adams-Wheatley found herself sneakily putting it on before she’d leave for school. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” she admits of her initial attempts to apply blush, bronzer and beyond. It was one of her brothers (Adams-Wheatley is one of 14 kids and the only adoptee) who motivated her to get more serious about the pursuit. “That jump-started my interest in wanting to get better,” she says. “I watched a bunch of YouTubers and saw how they were doing their makeup. Then I modified it in a way that I was able to do myself.”

Adams-Wheatley uses a tool called a dressing stick for wardrobe changes, which vary from sequined frocks to sweater vests. But she doesn’t typically use adaptive makeup tools during her videos, since not everyone with a disability would find them of use. “Each person’s disability and needs are different,” she says.

Yet that doesn’t mean she hasn’t let viewers in on her technique. Folks who follow Adams-Wheatley’s tutorials, which range from “Let’s Do a Euphoria Makeup Look” to special-occasion transformations, are familiar with how she rests various products and tools on a tabletop to help her apply them. Her husband, Adam, was crucial in helping her finesse her routine.

“When I first started doing my makeup, I would do it while lying on the floor,” recalls Adams-Wheatley. “I’d have a towel placed under me, so I wouldn’t get product on the carpet or on the hardwood floors, and I’d have a mirror right in front of me. For my 22nd birthday, my husband surprised me by buying an Ikea desk and chopping its legs down to my height. He then bought me a ring light and a few products. That’s when TikTok really started happening for me.”

 

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A post shared by Gabe Adams-Wheatley (@no_limbs_)

Adams-Wheatley has since found herself sitting front row at New York Fashion Week, walking the red carpet at Loveloud Festival, visiting the White House last year for a Pride celebration and working on major campaigns. “A year ago, you wouldn’t see somebody like me doing an ad for Dermalogica or Estée Lauder or other brands that are marketed to the everyday person,” she says. “It’s so nice to be able to be the face for so many different communities and know that they all have my back and support me. It’s also rewarding when younger kids come up to me and say they watch my videos. Or parents who say they use my videos to teach their children that it’s OK to be different and that we need to celebrate that.”

Adams-Wheatley does admit that, with over four million followers on TikTok, being in the public eye comes with its challenges, including online bullying and fans who don’t respect personal boundaries. And even though she describes her success as “overnight,” she admits that she takes it one day at a time. “I feel that proving myself is something I’ve been doing my whole life,” she says.

And she encourages others to follow her lead — and try out her tips for a perfectly blended smoky eye — as they accompany her on her journey. “People are always going to tell you that you can’t,” she says of what has kept her motivated over the years. “But you can. And the ‘sky’ is not the limit — you create your limits.”

Browse the gallery below for the beauty products Gabe Adams-Wheatley can’t get enough of.

1/6

Dermalogica

Daily Milkfoliant

($25, Dermalogica)

“It’s so satisfying to watch this exfoliating powder turn into an oatmeal-y texture, and it’s really fun to put some on with a brush and pretend you’re at the spa.”

Buy Now

2/6

One/Size

Turn Up the Base Butter Silk Concealer

($37, One/Size)

“It lives up to its name — it’s very buttery!”

Buy Now

3/6

Kristin Ess

Moisture Rich Curl Shampoo and Curl Conditioner

($19 each, Kristin Ess)

“This shampoo and conditioner are my favourite hair products. They leave my hair smelling good for days and strengthen my curls.”

Buy Now

4/6

Haus Labs

Triclone Skin Tech Foundation

($59, Haus Labs)

“This foundation has a skinlike finish and isn’t heavy.”

Buy Now

5/6

NYX

Wonder Stick

($19, NYX)

“This contour meets highlighter is really good for everyday use.”

Buy Now

6/6

Marc Jacobs

Daisy Eau de Toilette

($146 for 100 ml, Marc Jacobs)

“The scent is divine!”

Buy Now

This article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post Content Creator Gabe Adams-Wheatley On Her Makeup Journey appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Michael Kors is nodding to the noughties with the revival of the Astor bag, a 2004 style that was crafted as an homage to New York City’s Astor Place block. The handbag’s distinctive stud hardware gives the handbag a chic edge while staying true to the posh glamour known to the label, and although the Astor is nearing its 20th birthday, it still feels relevant to the way we are all living and dressing today. “The Astor bag is truly one of those things in your wardrobe, like a great pair of jeans, that gets better and better with time,” shares Michael Kors in a press release from the brand.

Hilary MacMillan reveals the first drop of its Rococo Revival collection

Spring is here and Hilary MacMillan is celebrating with drop one of its Rococo Revival. The collection, which is inspired by lush foliage and the whimsical characteristics of birds, features unique lace detailing, contemporary cuts and asymmetrical designs. With a focus on being eco-friendly, the Canadian label’s captivating dresses and co-ords are a one-stop shop for basking in the spring and summer weather that’s just around the corner.

Julia Roberts is Chopard’s newest brand ambassador

 

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A post shared by Chopard Official (@chopard)

Chopard loves cinema — just think of all the Chopard jewels that get to attend movie premieres, film festivals and the Academy Awards. Now, the brand is tapping one of Hollywood’s most beloved icons, Julia Roberts, as its newest brand ambassador. To debut Roberts as the face of the maison’s entire women’s Jewellery and Timepiece pillar, they’ve created a series of videos (debuting March 19) capturing the very essence of the star. You’ll see her joking around off-camera, knitting, finding something nice to say about everyone, trading in glamorous shoes for trainers and cuddling her adorable pup Myrtle.

Tommy Hilfiger and Shawn Mendes collaborate on a capsule collection

If there’s one thing we can all agree to love, it’s a timeless classic. Tommy Hilfiger’s latest release is just that, but with the added magic touch of Canadian musician Shawn Mendes. The partnership recreates the brand’s most iconic clothing items with high-quality fabrics and recycled and innovative materials, embracing Mendes’s and Hilfiger’s shared vision of sustainability.

Ahiri’s Spring 2023 collection is here

Toronto-based ready-to-wear label Ahiri has dropped its entire Spring 2023 collection, and it’s full of holographic prints and playful hues. Think pastel pinks, blues and purples on a variety of skirts, blouses, dresses and lightweight coats. With a focus on elevated beauty and escapism, there’s no better way to welcome warmer weather.

The post Michael Kors Revives an Early Aughts Archive + More Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Aurora James On the 15 Percent Pledge, Almost One Year Later

As we chat, the 38-year-old appears effortlessly fresh-faced and energized. She has just spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day contacting and announcing the 10 grant semifinalists of her game-changing non-profit organization, the Fifteen Percent Pledge (15PP). James’s life, like the lives of so many others, was drastically altered in May 2020. As North America reeled amid the racial disparity following the death of George Floyd and citizens on both sides of the border were looking for a way forward to greater equality, her now-historic Instagram post created seismic change in a flash. In it, James put forth a simple ask: that a handful of major retailers commit 15 per cent of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. She chose that number because it represents the percentage of Black people in the U.S. population. “When an institution is broken, you have a few options: You can leave it as it is, you can try to burn it down or you can try to rebuild it,” she says. “So, how do you use that structure to lift up more people?” With that goal in mind, 15PP was born. Having since gathered commitments from 29 notable retailers, including Hudson’s Bay, Indigo and Sephora Canada, 15PP has become one of the fastest-growing social-justice non-profit organizations while redirecting $10 billion in revenue to BIPOC-owned brands. But the effort it takes to reform a retailer with upwards of 80 stores plus a robust online business is not lost on James. “The Bay taking the 15 per cent pledge was big for them because it’s a lot easier to just not do it,” she acknowledges. “The Bay has to confront all these different things that, quite frankly, are painful. That first step is really what it’s about, because so many people are afraid to take it.”

Forward-thinking, fearless leaps and a love of fashion are part of James’s DNA. She recalls bantheplasticbag.org as one of the first URLs she bought as a teenager. “That was a lifetime ago, but sustainability and thoughtfulness around consumption have always been really important to me,” she says. James, whose father passed away when she was a young girl, was raised in Mississauga, Ont., by a single mother who instilled in her a deep appreciation for sartorial craftsmanship. “My mom was adopted at birth, and she spent a lot of time trying to understand different cultures through apparel,” James says. “She would collect all kinds of different things, like Japanese kimonos, Danish clogs and cowboy boots. She would talk to me about them — why they were made and how their materials were sourced. She really taught me about fashion almost through an anthropological lens of understanding different groups of women — where they came from and how they use clothing and accessories as tools of communication.”

Jeanne Beker is another female figure who played a key role in James’s journey. Watching Fashion Television, hosted by Beker, was a regular family affair in James’s house. “The way that Jeanne covered fashion, she was very serious about it, like a war correspondent backstage,” says James. “That was really when I felt that fashion was something I would likely spend large swaths of my life working on.” Years later, Beker and James would connect IRL at a Yorkville gym in Toronto, where James worked the front desk. Their casual conversation led to Beker’s offer of an internship, which landed James behind the scenes of the iconic show. “Canada really nurtured the fashion lover in me and made it happen,” she says.

In 2013, James founded the Brother Vellies accessories brand with $3,500 of her savings. Her premise was to create sustainable jobs for African artisans by featuring traditional African design practices and techniques at the luxury level. “For me, at least, it’s so much better to find joy in community and to win together,” she says. “I’ve always had a tough time advocating for myself. I do a lot better advocating on behalf of others.” She started selling her designs at a New York City flea market and just two years into her venture was named a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards winner. The $300,000 award, plus a year of mentoring, elevated James’s brand on every level. “When you’re an entrepreneur, you throw your heart and soul into it,” she says. “I was probably working 18 to 20 hours a day. Half the time would be spent on my business and the other half on part-time jobs to be able to cover my bills.”

These days, her work hours are just as hefty as she splits her time between L.A. and NYC. But the tasks that demand her attention have evolved. Last December, in a full-circle moment, James was elected one of the vice-chairs of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), along with Nepali-American designer Prabal Gurung. In addition to creating opportunities for new designers to enter the fashion space, her to-do list includes helping shape the future of luxury. “With the rise of the conscious consumer, our standards are changing,” she says. “We’re really starting to redefine luxury under a new set of criteria. It’s not just about interlocking letters anymore.” The exclusionary era of branded logos and the values behind them is over — a message loudly broadcast by the Brother Vellies gown emblazoned with “Tax the Rich” that James designed for Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for the 2021 Met Gala. For James, who counts Christopher John Rogers and Canada’s Greta Constantine among her fave labels, ensuring that people are paid sustainably and fairly, leaving the planet in better shape than you find it and advocating for the rights of consumers and the community are integral to her definition of a modern luxury brand. “In our company, it’s something that we’re always going to be working on,” she says. “People are always going to want to buy things. I just want to make sure that consumers have more positive options.”

James’s impact on the lives of others is only destined to amplify, especially with the first Fifteen Percent Pledge Achievement Award given out this year. Five Black business owners, including Christina Funke Tegbe of beauty brand 54 Thrones and red-carpet hitmaker Sergio Hudson, received nearly $400K in grant support to scale and grow their companies. “It’s really difficult for people to become successful entrepreneurs and even more difficult for Black Americans, people of colour and women,” James says. “Trying to do anything that we can to level that playing field is critical.” This latest initiative — celebrated during the star-studded second annual gala in February with a dress code of black tie and Black designer — underscores James’s biggest accomplishment to date. “I’ve talked to a lot of those women,” she says, referring to the growing number of Black female founders who have raised a million dollars or more in venture capital in recent years, “and they tell me how much the pledge has impacted their business, their access and their opportunities. Knowing that the work the team’s doing is actually driving change — that part is everything to me. Having actual receipts for the work is really what I’m most proud of.”

James hopes that sharing her own challenges in Wildflower: A Memoir will provide inspiration and guidance while encouraging perseverance. “Part of the reason I wrote my book is so that people can track the journey of my life — see how I did it — and maybe learn both what to do and what not to do,” she says. The book’s title serves as a gentle call to action, summoning others to reach their full potential. “It’s about being able to bloom in places where no one would ever expect it, under the harshest climate, and blooming in your own way,” she says. “Be wild about it, because it’s your own personal self-expression. That’s really where the beauty of life is.”

Photography by ROYAL GILBERT. Creative direction by GEORGE ANTONOPOULOS. Styling by TIMOTHY LUKE GARCIA. Hair by JACOB AARON DILLON. Makeup by UZO for A-FRAME AGENCY/NARS. Photo assistants: HUEY TRAN and TIMOTHY FERNANDEZ. Fashion assistants: ALEC MALIN, BROOKLIN PHELPS and ANYESE KIRKLAND. Producer: NALIMA TOURÉ.

The full April 2023 issue will be available March 20. Click here to learn more.

The post Aurora James Is <em>FASHION’</em>s April 2023 Cover Star appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Enter Your Villain Era with These Patent Leather Pieces

Achieving the aesthetic is quite simple. A cool pair of shades is the safest entry point, while a good racer jacket (new or vintage) completes any look with minimal effort. And for a little extra va-va-vroom, opt for a checkerboard print or some stripes.

Below we’ve curated a starter kit to help you nail the racing fashion trend.

1/9

House of Sunny

The Racer

($340, House of Sunny)

Buy Now

2/9

Dior

Dior Snow S1U

($960, Dior)

Buy Now

3/9

Stella McCartney

Workwear All In One in Citrus

($3,745, Stella McCartney)

Buy Now

4/9

Rhude

Rhude Racing graphic-print hoodie

($1,183, Rhude)

Buy Now

5/9

Diesel

Denim Dress

($1,395, Diesel)

Buy Now

6/9

Tarin Thomas

Samuel Ring - Checkered

($510, Tarin Thomas)

Buy Now

7/9

A Better Mistake

L.F.O. Cropped Racer Top

($294, A Better Mistake)

Buy Now

8/9

Theophilio

Stripe Leather Trouser

($1,716, Theophilio)

Buy Now

9/9

TAG Heuer

Carrera X Porsche Orange Racing

($8,800, TAG Heuer)

Buy Now

A version of this article first appeared in FASHION’s March 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post Get Up to Speed on Motorsport Style appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Cartoon Fashion Is In

Try mixing pinks, pastels and other light hues for a dose of dopamine. Douse yourself in pearls — real or costume — and add a pair of candy-coloured sunnies to complete the look. If you’re aiming for a high-fashion approach, look to the accessories seen on the Spring 2023 runways: Chanel revealed a pink quilted purse with a heart-shaped buckle, while Moschino paired earrings to headpieces that can be mistaken for Malibu Barbie’s pool toys. The choice is yours.

Below are our favourite doll accessories, fit for a fun-filled season ahead.

1/9

Chanel

Leather Flap Bag

(Price Upon Request, Chanel)

Buy Now

2/9

Celine by Hedi Slimane

Set of 3 Triomphe Coloured Hair Claws in Varnish Brass and Steel

($620, Celine by Hedi Slimane)

Buy Now

3/9

Aldo

Nevada

($198, Aldo)

Buy Now

4/9

Moschino

PVC Teddy Studs Pumps

($865, Moschino)

Buy Now

5/9

Kate Spade

Pearls on Pearls Statement Necklace

($265, Kate Spade)

Buy Now

6/9

Emmanuelle Khanh

Square Acetate Sunglasses

($625, Emmanuelle Khanh)

Buy Now

7/9

Acne Studios

Chandelier Charm Earrings

($290, Acne Studios)

Buy Now

8/9

Dior Men

B9S Skater

($2,700, Dior Men)

Buy Now

9/9

Louis Vuitton Men’s

Clutch Box Rainbow Playground

($14,200, Louis Vuitton Men's)

Buy Now

A version of this interview appeared in FASHION’s March 2023 issue. Find out more here. 

The post Channel Your Inner Child with These Doll-Inspired Accessories appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

I confess that I’m a former gloves hater. Every mor­ning before school, my mother would beg and plead with me to put them on, and every morning, I’d meet her with a resounding “No!” It took years of my fingers verging on being frostbitten before I gave in and real­ized she might be onto something.

RELATED: How to Style a Maxi Skirt 

Fast-­forward a few years (OK, more than a few!) and long gloves have had a grown-up makeover. Demna first dreamed up mitt mania at the Vetements Fall 2018 show before making the accessory a mainstay at Balenciaga, where he’s been the creative director since 2015. (He worked for both brands until 2019.) Two years later, the pandemic promoted gloves — albeit latex, not leather, ones — as personal protective equipment, which sparked a brightly­-coloured­-hand-­covering trend on the runways that was known as “surgical glove couture.” And soon after, Bridgerton broke the internet and the renaissance of Regency­-era looks commenced.

But despite the countless celebs (Kim Kardashian, Dua Lipa, Lizzo, etc.) who have since rocked gloves on the red carpet and the designer brands (Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton Men’s, etc.) that have promoted them on the runway, it’s taken a while for the general public to embrace the accessory as a fashion statement. Why? Admittedly, this is a hard look to pull off. When it’s done well, you look like a character from Euphoria, but when it’s done wrong, you look like a discount debutante.

So, for anyone looking to avoid a major fashion faux pas, I’ve broken down how to make this opera accessory more accessible. Trust me, you — like my former (and stubborn) self — will thank me later.

Short Story

I love a good short sleeve, but since I live in Canada, most of my arm­-exposing clothing hibernates until June. So, to get the most out of your closet, marry one of your pieces with a pair of neutral long gloves. You’ll be warm enough to survive the early days of spring but cool enough (pun intended!) to blend in with the chicest of crowds.

The Cold Shoulder

Does anything ever truly go out of style? Not according to Gen Z TikTok creators who are bringing Y2K and 2010 trends back to life. If it helps, think of over-­the-­elbow opera gloves worn with sleeveless tops as 2023’s version of the cold-shoulder cut-out — just more refined. Bonus points if your arm accoutrements match the rest of your ensemble.

A Pop of Colour

I know how easy it is to wear only black (hello, I work in the fashion industry!), but to be honest, it’s a little basic. So, if you’d like to elevate your midnight-­hour attire, try a pop of colour. I recommend choosing a warmer hue, like pink, red or orange, to add some oomph to your outfit.

Thinking of giving the glove a go? We’ve rounded up a few playful picks to get you started.

1/4

Dries Van Noten

Green & Black Long Crushed Velvet Gloves

($410, Dries Van Noten)

Buy Now

2/4

Collina Strada

Pink Floral Fingerless Gloves

($175, Collina Strada)

Buy Now

3/4

Simone Rocha

Turbo Crystal and Faux Pearl-Embellished Ribbed-Knit Gloves

($1,120, Simone Rocha)

Buy Now

4/4

Uncuffed Leather

Fringe Elbow Length Leather Fingerless Gloves

($266, Uncuffed Leather)

Buy Now

This article first appeared in FASHION’s March 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post How Do You Wear Opera Gloves IRL? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Euphoria Star Hunter Schafer on the Joy of Playing With Makeup

I’m a Nakota Sioux from Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation near Edmonton in Treaty Six Territory, and I grew up going to powwows. Powwow makeup can be many things, but one of the main looks I would see women in my community do as fancy-shawl and jingle-dress dancers is really graphic liner along their eyes, using a lot of dots in different colours and sizes. That makeup was the pinnacle of beauty to me, like the upper echelon of what it meant to be pretty.

I was a powwow dancer myself when I was young, except I was a men’s traditional dancer and I wasn’t being me. I was really scared of what people would think, so I stifled myself a lot and would always say to myself, “Damn, when I grow up, I’m going to try that kind of makeup.” Now that I’m older and not ashamed of who I actually am — I’ve come into my Two-Spirit identity holistically, and I’m really self-actualized as a person — I don’t place those restrictions on myself anymore. I allow myself to have a ton of fun recreating all of the looks that I saw as a kid and that screamed “beauty” to me — but unique beauty that you would only see if you were on the powwow trail along Treaty Six Territory.

The colours I choose to wear hold deep significance for me as well. When the Nakota, Dakota and Lakota peoples went to war, they painted their faces, and red was a colour they used to signify blood and power. In a more contemporary sense, red has been associated with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People movement, which is something I speak a lot about in my online content. So when you see me wearing red, I’m paying respect to and raising awareness for that movement in particular. Orange is also an incredibly important colour because it represents Orange Shirt Day and the Every Child Matters movement — calls of justice for Indigenous children who were taken to residential schools. And I love turquoise so much. Turquoise stones are like diamonds for Indigenous people. They represent wealth, power and luxury and have a very regal air about them. Turquoise jewellery pieces are usually handmade, and a lot of them come from the Navajo Nation. When I wear turquoise, it’s like the equivalent of wearing canary diamonds.

I also really like to match my makeup to my beadwork. I’ll build an entire look around a piece, whether it’s beaded earrings, rope, a choker, a headband or a jacket. Beadwork from Treaty Six Territory is really unique (it often represents the wild florals that grow in the prairies there), and a lot of my pieces, most of which my husband creates, incorporate materials like abalone and dentalium shells, bone, horsehair and quill work.

It took a long time for me to think I was beautiful; I was always teased and beaten up for my femininity. But now that I’m older and I’ve come into my body and how I look, my makeup really helps me package that all together and express myself in a way that pays homage to my roots and my upbringing. No matter where I go, I feel like, in a way, I’m bringing home with me.

Below are some of Potts’s makeup kit staples.

1/4

Prados Beauty

The Matriarch Palette

($66, Prados Beauty)

“This Xicana and Indigenous-owned makeup company has really beautiful palettes. This is my favourite one because it has two of my go-to colours: orange and turquoise.”

Buy Now

2/4

Cheekbone Beauty

Sustain Blush/Bronzer in “Medium"

($24, Cheekbone Beauty)

“Cheekbone Beauty is the first Indigenous-owned makeup company to be carried by Sephora Canada.”

3/4

RezGal Lashes

Auntie

($10, RezGal Lashes)

“RezGal Lashes founder Brandi Woodhouse is from Pinaymootang First Nation, and she creates really beautiful premium mink lashes with the coolest names. These ones are fluffy and dramatic — they’re perfect for drag.”

Buy Now

4/4

Binny Cosmetics

Pride Palette

($40, Binny Cosmetics)

“My good friend Brittany David is an up-and-coming Indigenous makeup and special-effects artist. She creates really vibrant pigments and beautiful glitters, which I’ve used so many times in my content.”

Buy Now

This article first appeared in FASHION’s March 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post TikTok Star Kairyn Potts’s Makeup Looks Honour His Indigenous Culture appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

In an effort to celebrate women all over the world, womenswear brand Smythe has tapped garment graffiti artist Chiara Catalano to hand paint empowering messaging on the backs of jackets and blazers. But this is no ordinary collection. The pieces are meant to continue making noise about the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran, and will be auctioned off online from March 30 to April 2 to raise funds for Amnesty International. The collection’s big reveal is set for International Women’s Day (March 8), and will be on display at Smythe’s Toronto store all month long.

Introducing luxury outerwear brand Séda

Luxury meets outerwear with Séda, a new Canadian-made label launching worldwide on March 6. Blending the north’s diverse weather spectrum with unmistakable European design, each Séda coat takes tailoring to a new level. Think cozy wool, clean lines and surprising silhouettes. Plus, all their pieces are ethically produced in small batches.

Canada Goose protects the polar bears

Canada Goose’s latest release is all about the protection and conservation of polar bears. The brand has collaborated with Italian artist Paola Pivi who uses her whimsical lens to place vibrant colours and adorable baby bears on spring essentials like fleece zip-ups, puffer vests and bucket hats. What’s more, a portion of every sale from the collection will be donated to Polar Bears International in support of their efforts to preserve the threatened animal.

Lizzo’s blossoming shapewear brand reveals a new headlining collection

Lizzo really is a breath of fresh air. The four-time Grammy Award winner’s shapewear brand Yitty is using florals and bright tones across its all-new Baddie in Bloom! collection, and it’s giving us major spring fever. The shapewear has level two compression to hug and celebrate every inch of you.

Aritzia celebrates women this March

“There’s no one correct way to approach being a woman,” says D’Ara Nazaryan, an artist tapped by Aritzia for their International Women’s Day collection. Building off of the brand’s annual Women to the Power of Women campaign, Nazaryan and two other artists, Huyen Dinh and Carmi Grau, have designed illustrations for T-shirts and hoodies, each interpreting what it means to be a woman. The entire proceeds from this collection will go toward Aritzia Community partners who support women and girls, with a maximum donation of $60,000.

The post Smythe Supports the Women’s Movement in Iran + More Fashion News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

How to boost your hair’s volume

Dealing with droopy, limp hair? The art to amplifying fine, flat strands with volume that lasts includes layering the proper products and finessing your styling techniques. “Fine hair needs something to adhere to,” says Greg Gilmore, global colour ambassador for Moroccanoil and an L.A.-based celebrity colourist who’s worked with Toni Braxton, Tiffany Haddish and Storm Reid. The road to big things begins in the shower. “A volumizing shampoo will give you a good base to start with,” says Jennifer Dubois, hairstylist and owner of Miyosiwin Salon Spa in Regina, which offers services that are sensitive to Indigenous culture. She recommends traditional conditioner for all hair types, to help reduce frizz and ease tangles, but those with superfine hair can pivot to a lightweight leave-in conditioning mist. “Spray it on your hands and rub it into the ends first, and then work your way up,” she says.

Using a hot tool helps build structure for fine strands; just be sure to use a thermal protectant before layering in a styling product with hold. A volumizing mousse and a two-in-one dryer brush can add amazing volume, Dubois explains. “Those tools are easy to use,” she says, noting that elevation can make or break fuller results. “At the crown, you want to pull the brush straight up, pushing the hair forward.” To create voluminous curls that last, Gilmore uses a curling iron with an extra-hold hairspray. “Spray a little bit on each section before you curl it; then allow the section to sit there or pin it up,” he says. “And don’t touch it until you’re ready to comb out the whole style.” Whichever hot tool you choose, adjust the setting to below 400°F. “High heat closes the cuticle, which makes hair sleeker and smoother,” says Gilmore. “But that doesn’t give fine hair the opportunity to have curls that last. They will have a hard time standing up against gravity.”

Try these:

1/4

Dove

Hair Therapy Strength & Fullness Boost Shampoo

($9, Dove)

Buy Now

2/4

Amika

Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner

($39, Amika)

Buy Now

3/4

Authentic Beauty Concept

Amplify Mousse

($31, Authentic Beauty Concept)

Buy Now

4/4

Conair

3Q Ionic Hot Brush

($90, Conair)

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How to deal with excess oil

If your hair seems set on being perpetually greasy, here’s how to course-correct. To help a client with an oily scalp, Dubois switches up the basics. “It could be your shampoo that’s causing the problem, so you need to change it and find one that works better,” she says. “But you also need to give the new formula a sufficient trial period. You can’t just try it for a couple of weeks; it’s going to take a few months for your scalp to adjust.” Phasing out daily shampoos is another part of her protocol. “Using dry shampoo in between washes will help combat oiliness while also giving your scalp a break,” she says. “Some formulas have a gritty feeling, which is good for fine hair but not for coarse strands, while others have a clean feeling.” Different varieties address different hair types, so find your “fit” by experimenting.

For best results with dry shampoo, product placement counts, too. Gilmore suggests parting the hair, holding the can several inches away from your head and spraying directly toward the scalp area, not necessarily on the hair itself. “Let it sit for a second and then start to comb through the hair,” he says. “The product will start to distribute; you will see how it’s moving and can then determine if you want to add a bit more.” Where you put other stylers can also help or hinder the issue. Sprays with a dry matte texture can diminish the look of stringy strands overall, but Dubois suggests avoiding a concentration of thermal protectants on the roots and warns against using too much hairspray. “It might add to the greasiness,” she says. The quickest foolproof fix? Work with what you’ve got and lean into a fashion-forward updo. “Any extra grease gives you an opportunity to have a really nice slicked-back ponytail or a sculpted chignon or bun,” says Gilmore.

Try these:

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KMS

Dry Texture Spray

($29, KMS)

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Batiste

Naturally Green Tea & Chamomile Dry Shampoo

($13, Batiste)

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Neutrogena

Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo

($15, Neutrogena)

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How to keep your curls intact

Do you dream of having frizz-free, ultra-springy curls that can withstand multi-day appearances? A few key steps can make that dream a reality. Infusing your texture with hydration at every stage is an ideal strategy, and Dubois considers cleansing products made exclusively for curls to be game-changers. “Conditioner makes the big difference,” she says. “It smooths the cuticle down so it’s not frizzy and helps the curl form better.” Applying a leave-in conditioner as soon as you finish your cleansing routine, followed promptly by a styling product that suits your texture, is also a must. Light creams or gels are best for finer curls, while thicker creams and balms tend to be a good match for coarser ones. Either way, be generous with product application and diligent with distribution.

Gilmore creates definition by going section by section using a wide-toothed comb. “Then I’ll go through each section using my fingers like a rake to separate the curls that are saturated with product,” he says. From there, air-drying or gently blow-drying using a diffuser will lock curls in. “Air-drying is the longest way to dry, but it will give you the best curls afterwards,” says Gilmore. If you’re diffusing, reduce excess moisture only around the roots and use low heat and a low airflow to avoid disrupting curls, says Dubois. And at night, protecting your curls while you sleep is crucial for style longevity. Gilmore recommends wrapping a silky scarf around the hairline, to protect edges, and then putting a satin bonnet on top. “The headband pushes the curls back, so when you’re lying on your side, you’re not necessarily on your curls,” he says. For a quick morning refresh, mix a bit of leave-in conditioner with a bottle of water and lightly mist to reactivate the curling product.

Try these:

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Kazmaleje

KurlsPlus Comb

($30, Kazmaleje )

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Maui Moisture

Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie

($12, Maui Moisture)

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Shaeri

Co-Wash

($46, Shaeri)

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How to strengthen colour-treated hair

The biggest pitfall for colour-treated strands is breakage, but with a few pro tips, you can navigate through the fragile phase and regain strength. “You will always be compromising your hair by using colour, but this shouldn’t deter you,” says Gilmore. “Hair colour comes with so many great benefits, like the opportunity to have freedom of expression.” Preventive measures are best. “If you’re investing in a colour service, you need to be investing in your home routine with colour-treated products as well,” advises Dubois. Should breakage occur, consider it a sign that something is missing. “All colour-treated clients need a [professional] protein treatment every six to eight weeks for strengthening,” says Gilmore. “Protein helps build up the hair strand and make it sturdy.”

In between salon treatments, which offer more potent formulas that help restore hair integrity, an at-home routine focused on moisture will help, too. You need to find a balance between strength and softness, says Dubois. Her go-to SOS lineup for breakage includes shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner for brittle hair and a biweekly reparative mask or treatment. For blonds experiencing breakage, Dubois suggests alternating between shampoos that neutralize brassiness and more moisturizing formulas. Purple shampoo keeps blond tones bright, but it can also be very drying, she says. And excessive exposure to hot tools is another drying factor to watch out for. “Limit the amount of heat styling, and always use a leave-in conditioner and thermal protectant on colour-treated hair before blow-drying,” says Gilmore. For those using at-home hair colour, he also recommends watching out for breakage caused by overprocessing. If you start by applying dye in the same spot on your head every time, it will always be sitting there the longest while you finish the rest of your hair, he explains.

Try these:

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L’Oréal Professionnel

Serie Expert Metal Detox Professional Concentrated Oil

($43, L’Oréal Professionnel)

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Moroccanoil

Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner

($30 each, Moroccanoil)

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Redken

Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment

($34, Redken)

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This article first appeared in FASHION’s March 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post How To Hack Your Way to Good Hair Days appeared first on FASHION Magazine.