Elle Canada - The Elle Word

By Jaclyn Tersigni

Move over, Justin Bieber. There’s a hot new Canadian item inspiring women coast-to-coast to broadcast their love on YouTube.

Enter the Luxe Box.

 Luxe Box by Loose Button is a subscription service that introduces women to beauty products they might not have used before, by brands like Consonant, Benefit, and Shu Uemura. Read the rest of this entry

By Amanda Wenek

I headed to Montreal this past weekend for Osheaga and Parc Jean Drapeau was taken over by the stylish set, showcasing some of the season’s hottest trends in an effort to stay cool: sheer tops, high-waisted shorts, and maxi dresses. A few of my musical highlights from the weekend? Performances by Death From Above 1979, Bright Eyes, and Ellie Goulding, and an interview with City and Colour (which you can read here).

Check out my style snaps below.

More pics after the jump! Read the rest of this entry

By Amanda Wenek

For ELLE Canada’s April issue, I spoke with designer Romona Keveza about the many beauties who have recently rocked her dresses on the red carpet. Turn to page 78 in our special 10th Anniversary April issue to see how she got Christina Hendricks and others into her dresses for some of Hollywood’s biggest nights.

According to the designer, the Romona Keveza woman is “classically understated with a certain ‘je ne sais quoi.’” So it’s no wonder Hollywood’s leading ladies are drawn to her frocks. But now that she’s conquered red-carpet royalty, she has her sights set on a different kind of Royal. And in this year of the Royal wedding, who can blame her.

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Ugly sweaters are a staple in my closet—Fair Isle jumpers, cardigans with massive shoulder pads and mohair appliqués were all the rage in my mother’s heyday—but given the nature of my current internship at ELLE Canada, these relics don’t often see the light.

Today, however, might just be my day: WWF-Canada is calling on all Canadians to sport “funky” (read: tacky) sweaters and turn down the thermostats to raise awareness on the effects of climate change. Read the rest of this entry

Our favourite looks from last night’s Golden Globes? Mila Kunis – one of several nominees who opted to go green – sported an emerald one-shoulder Vera Wang gown.  Read the rest of this entry

Image courtesy of Greenpeace

According to a report released by Greenpeace last week, Xintang and Gurao—two textile towns from China’s southern Guangdong province—are widely polluted with toxic industrial waste. From April to October of this year, the environmental organization investigated soil and water quality in Xintang—whose factories manufacture more than 260 million pairs of jeans annually (roughly equivalent to 40 percent of all denim sold in the U.S. each year)—and Gurao. Read the rest of this entry

Image courtesy of Women's Wear Daily

Christian Louboutin has taken investment dressing to new heights with ‘Peace of Shoe.’ Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus‘ Creating A World Without Poverty, the shoe designer produced a limited-edition look to benefit microfinance on behalf of the Grameen Foundation. All proceeds from the sale of the shoes aid the nonprofit organization – a leader in the fight against poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East/North Africa and the Americas – in providing small loans to individuals, especially women, seeking to establish or expand small and self-sufficient businesses. The silk peep-toe platforms retail for US$1,495, and are available in different colours in three of Louboutin’s stateside stores: pink in Los Angeles, lavender in Miami and champagne in New York. Fashionable philanthropy? I’m soled!

By Lauren Grosberg, Image courtesy of WWD

Lanvin for H&M media preview at the Art Gallery of Ontario

By Christine Lau

When I asked Tommy Ton of JakandJil.com, at the Lanvin for H&M media preview last night, which piece somebody would have to wear in order for him to “pic them”, he gave me an answer that perfectly summarizes fashion right now:

“It doesn’t really matter which one, it’s a matter of how that person wears it. I think what’s amazing is you can probably put someone who has amazing style in one of these dresses and then put someone who doesn’t have any style in the real thing, and you’ll probably think that the H&M one is wearing the Lanvin.”

Alber Elbaz was surely thinking the same thing when he designed this “greatest hits” collection of ruffled one-shoulder dresses, ‘50s tulle party frocks, and signature bow and sequin adorned tees. With price tags starting at $99.00 for dresses and $39.95 for t-shirts, there’s no reason why you can’t have your Lanvin and eat too.

Obviously, like everyone else and their Twitter followers during the sneak-peak at the AGO, I was meticulously planning which pieces I wanted. I decided that I absolutely need this dress in my life (It’s only $199.00, which is like one tenth of the price!):

And these shoes (At $99.00 a pair, I can buy the black ones too!):

See more Lanvin after the jump!

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Victoria's Secret models Lily Aldridge and Alessandra Ambrosio

By Christine Lau

When I met Victoria’s Secret models Alessandra Ambrosio and Lily Aldridge, I expected larger-than-life glamazons who would tower over me like giraffes and make me feel as curvaceous as a ruler. Instead, I was surprised to find they were so normal. Alessandra scooted over on the couch so I didn’t have to walk all the way to the other side, and Lily touched up her lip gloss by herself. There was no cell phone throwing at all.

Here’s how it went down: I arrived at the Thompson Hotel and was escorted to a 9th floor corner suite. I was whisked through the tall, dark door flanked by burly security guards. And there in front of me, lounging daintily in the centre of the room, were the two girls and the infamous $2 million Fantasy Bra (34B, in case you’re interested). I cozied up to chat with the Angels, who turned out to be really friendly and down-to-earth.

How did I get so lucky? The models flew in by helicopter last week for the opening of the Victoria’s Secret store in the Toronto Eaton Centre . The 142 carat, jeweled Fantasy Bra by Damiani was on a nationwide tour for the annual VS Fashion Show airing November 30. And guess who got to hang out with the beauties at the media preview? All 5-foot-2 (plus 4 inches of heels) of moi. Here’s the scoop on Alessandra and Lily:

Alessandra…

What’s your definition of sexy?
A: Sexy is all about the attitude, about being confident.

What’s your favourite Victoria’s Secret bra?
A: The Fantasy Bra. You know, it’s only 2 million dollars. I could wear it every day!

Right now my favourite is the Swarovski crystal Miraculous bra, that adds two cup sizes. When you put it on, your boyfriend’s gonna be like ‘Wow!’.

How many bras do you own?
A: Who knows! I’ve been collecting Victoria’s Secret bras for 10 years. I definitely own every style bra that Victoria’s Secret has, and every colour from white to black, and every different fabric, so…definitely more than a few hundred.

What’s it like backstage at a Victoria’s Secret show?
A: It’s like a huge party. There’s so much energy and people and press, and we’re trying to do makeup and hair and people are asking us questions all the time. All the girls are together having fun and we all have these crazy huge outfits. The music is always super alive, so we’re always dancing backstage and we can’t wait to get out on the runway. It’s the best show you could be at backstage.

What is one thing you learned from working for Victoria’s Secret that you would pass onto your daughter?
A: Being confident in your own skin. We’re all different shapes and sizes, but there’s always something unique about each of us. We all have something special. Everybody does.

What’s the secret to feeling comfortable in your own skin?
A: For me it’s to just have a great attitude. I love to be confident. I love to have energy to enjoy my life. And of course a great piece of lingerie makes me feel pretty good. Or a swimsuit. I just love to be in a swimsuit. When I feel good, I feel like myself.

See what Lily dishes after the jump!

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Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

By: Ava Baccari, Photography courtesy of Priscilla the Musical website

In the world of showbiz, all that glitters isn’t Gaga— in fact, the singer stands to learn a thing or two about performance from the original stage diva extraordinaire: the drag queen. With more false lashes and crinoline than a 1980s prom, the ladies arrived in town last night, Toronto— just follow the trail of glitter and pink feathers all the way to the Princess of Wales Theatre for the jaw-dropping, foot-stomping North American premiere of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. (FYI fist-pumping is still not cool).

When the shiny disco ball drops, the Drag Ladies sing. Three divas (and we’re talking actual ladies here) are lowered on to the stage, helming a belted-out, electrifying performance of “It’s Raining Men,” with a cast of androgynous superstar characters that could keep Cher in retirement for a few more years. Read the rest of this entry