Earlier this week, I met up with many of the editors and publishers from our 43 sister ELLE publications from around the world. The conference was held in Versailles—which meant I got to indulge in croissants and take in the Joana Vasconcelos Versailles exhibition at the Palace of Versailles. My favourite piece was the giant pair of stainless steel stilettos made from saucepans that were set up in the Hall of Mirrors. The Portuguese sculptor said the piece—which is called Marilyn in honour of Ms. Monroe—captured the “collision of great style and everyday life.”

The ELLE conference offered up its own collision of great style with editors from around the globe. Like any family reunion, you see that you share a common DNA, but each member of a tribe expresses it differently.

Click through to read more about the international ELLE editors!

Read the rest of this entry

TomKat split
Katie Holmes filed for divorce from Tom Cruise today after almost six years of marriage. Word is, she’s filing for sole custody of Suri. Spin doctors, start your engines. [CNN]

Field Day
Everyone is being mean to Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field over her comments before the screening of Bob Fosse’s film Sweet Charity at the W in Manhattan. It all started when Isaac Mizrahi, who curated the evening, said that New York City “has inspired everything I’ve ever done. The idea of something raw and ugly next to something really polished and beautiful.” Derek Blasberg, who was a panelist, agreed. “Gritty glamour,” he said. That’s when the Pat Field, in the peanut gallery, chimed in. “It’s nothing new, you know!” She shouted from the audience. “Gritty glamour was in the 1940s in the war, it was in the depression!” Later, when Mizrahi mentioned he had seen some nude scenes in films when he was a child, and it was too young for it to be appropriate, Field shouted “Me too! My parents too! It was no big deal. Life!” Here’s the thing: Pat Field is an icon and a national treasure. Once I went to her house and we talked about periods and it was awesome.  [Page Six]
Verdict: Vigorous clapping interspersed with loud heckling.

MDNA
Now, in news so crazy that it absolutely has to be true: Madonna is concerned that her DNA could be left behind in dressing rooms so she employs a “sterilization team” to carefully remove all DNA traces. Alvaros Ramos, her Portuguese tour promoter, told the press: “We have to take extreme care, like I have never seen for any other artist. We cannot even look at the dressing room after it is ready, or even open the door. We can only enter after her sterilization team has left the room. There will not be any traces of Madonna’s DNA, any hair or anything….In the end it is all to protect her and make her feel comfortable.” Okay then. [Vanity Fair]
Verdict: One single Madonna tear that drips off the chin and is promptly vacuumed up by someone in a Haz-Mat suit. 

Body Talk
Elle Macpherson is out as the host of the weirdest reality TV show of all time, Fashion Star. The leggy supe will stay on as executive producer, and is also apparently developing a new show called “Goddess with Guts.” (Someone’s read 50 Shades of Grey!) Meanwhile, H&M has severed ties with Fashion Star (they must have read the reviews) but Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos are staying on as judges. [Us Weekly]
Verdict: One inner goddess clapping politely.

Click through for more gossip talk!

Read the rest of this entry

Photography by Savo Sok.

Sonia Boskov, snapped in Toronto

Day job: Student

Wearing: Zara blouse, Zara shoes, Vintage bag from London, Vintage skirt from France

Style inspiration: Travel, magazines, movies, celebrities and street style.

Click through to see our Montreal street style pic of the day!

Read the rest of this entry

Just one week to go until the start of the centennial Calgary Stampede! I’m a born-and-raised Calgarian, but sadly I’ll be in Toronto next Friday, and not in downtown Cowtown to watch the parade, feast on free pancake breakfasts and celebrate in western style.

To combat my homesickness, I might just enter to win one of these limited-edition commemorative white hats created by Calgary designer Paul Hardy. It’s a Smithbilt—made from rabbit fur with a custom shape and a hand-woven Italian leather belt. “Westernwear done right is all about subtlety,” Hardy told ELLE Canada recently. And this hat certainly qualifies.

*40 famous Canadians will be receiving the hat, and five more hats will go to people who share their memories online. Enter to win at http://globeandmail.com/whitehat

The Coveteur co-founders Stephanie Mark and Erin Kleinberg. Photography by Jake Rosenberg.

This Canada Day, we’re proposing that along with beaver tails and maple syrup, we celebrate Canadian fashion as one of our iconic national symbols. And with an endlessly talented well of Canadian designers, models and supporters to draw from, we’re pretty sure our homegrown style has earned its national pride status. But don’t just take our word for it: Here’s how some of the most influential and creative fashion personalities in the country celebrate, well, the most influential and creative aspects of Canadian fashion this year.

The Coveteur, Erin Kleinberg (co-founder and designer) and Stephanie Mark (co-founder and stylist)

Erin Kleinberg

Canuck-style celebration: “I love to spend Canada Day having brunch (and a BBQ!) with my family and boyfriend. We usually spend the day lounging by the pool and relaxing. This year, I’ll be heading to NYC with my boyfriend for a weekend escape. Ideally we’d be going to Palm Springs – my home away from home – but this will do! I lived in NYC for a while so it’s always nice to go back when it’s not for work purposes, especially during this time of year. I’ll definitely be hitting up our favourite spots – Gemma, La Esquina, Otto and The Spotted Pig – strolling Central Park and likely doing some damage at Barneys.”

Candian fashion love: “I think Canadian fashion is a bit underrated and undiscovered. Being a Canadian designer (once upon a time), I know first hand how hard it is to make a name for yourself and be successful. I love that Canadian fashion is celebrated by the community on a local scale and praised by the global fashion crowd, too. My line, erinkleinberg, was carried everywhere from Holt Renfrew in Canada to Barneys, Saks and Neiman’s in the US, to Lane Crawford in Asia. It was really gratifying to see my stuff sell around the world alongside other Canadian designers like Erdem, Mark Fast, Smythe and Jeremy Laing. It’s a true testament to the fact that Canadian designers are having an influence on the global fashion market.”

Read on for more stylish Canada Day celebration details!

Read the rest of this entry

Dear Joe Manganiello,

We heard a rumour that you’re dating someone from Toronto. I’m so embarrassed! I knew we had a connection when you came to do press for Magic Mike (which opens tomorrow ladies—bring your dollar, dollar bills), but I didn’t realize that you felt it as strongly as I did. I can’t wait to tell my family!

…Oh, what’s that then? You meant someone else?

In that case, thanks for taking your shirt off a lot.

Call if me if you change your mind!

love,
Kat

Photography by Savo Sok.

Emma Keegan, snapped in Toronto

Day job: Marketing

Fashion pet peeve: Leggings on the wrong body types

Most recent purchase: Backless top from Club Monaco

Click through to see our Montreal street style pic of the day!

Read the rest of this entry

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of visiting the cellars of Moët & Chandon, in Epernay, France. Amid 250 years of history and millions of dusty bottles of champagne, I tasted Moët & Chandon’s Grand Vintage 2002. While I love the stuff, I’m no champagne connoisseur, but as soon as the incredible aroma hit my nose, I could tell this was a cut above the bubbly I usually quaff. Although you may not get the chance to sip this vintage in quite so apt surrounds, just close your eyes and imagine you’re in a cave-like, romantically lit room with dashing Frenchmen, and you’ll have a pretty close approximation.

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2002 is available at the LCBO.

Image courtesy of Aranwa Hotel & Spa Sacred Valley

Misky Exfoliation treatment, $99, 60 minutes.

Where: Unno Spa at Aranwa Hotel Sacred Valley, Urubamba, Peru

Spa vibe: Hello, South America! You’re in the heart of the Andes, so why not embrace the philosophies and traditions? That’s the main goal and atmosphere at the Unno Spa at the Aranwa Hotel. Set in the stunning Sacred Valley of Peru (aka, the middle of the snow capped Andes and next to the ancient Urubamba River), it’s the first wellness centre in Peru and draws on tradition from the ancient Inca civilizations that roamed the valley years before. Be sure to arrive early so you can practice a bit of meditation or relax in the aromatherapy oxygen room. Or go through a traditional sauna cleanse with your own shaman who will help you cleanse through ancient rituals ($300 for a one-on-one session).

What: After lounging around the spa and sipping some coca tea (ideal for soothing a upset stomach from the altitude), I head into the treatment room set for an invigorating scrub. The treatment starts with a relaxing massage to ease the muscles and get the skin prepped for the hydrating exfoliator. Then a mixture of yellow corn flour, honey, salts and aguaymanto is gently rubbed into the skin and allowed to sit and soak. For my slightly sunburned skin (I quickly learned that at such a high altitude the sun’s says required more frequent SPF application), the honey was calming and moisturizing, while the fine salt and corn lifted just enough of the dry skin off to reveal a fresher, more glowing version of me. A quick shower to rinse off the exfoliant and a slather of rich cream and oil and I’m ready to relax on my Peruvian vacay.  Read the rest of this entry

It’s supposed to be approximately 100 billion degrees outside tomorrow so I want three things: a patio on which it’s possible to actually catch the waitress’s attention, a frosty pitcher of white sangria, and these covetable sunnies.

A perfect mix of unexpected textures (exotic skins on sunglasses?) and vintage-inspired glam, they’re just big enough to keep you looking fab when your makeup starts melting off.

Let that mercury rise.

Linda Farrow sunglasses retail for $768 at Karir Eyewear.