Gucci, fall/winter 2011-2012 (Image courtesy ImaxTree.com)

Fur has been one of the biggest (and most controversial) fashion trends of the past few seasons and its dominance shows no signs of slowing down. The international fall fashion shows prove it: From the vibrant dyed toppers at Gucci, DVF and Louis Vuitton to the remixed sable, fox, chinchilla and mink numbers at Fendi, designers pushed this classic cold weather look to the next level.

So whether your fall fashion style is sleek and shine-y or wild and shaggy, there’s no shortage of furry options to choose from, including fabulous faux-fur pieces that offer all the cozy chic warmth of the real thing, without the guilt. This is however one fashion trend with style landmines a-plenty from questions of colour and pattern to the oh-so dangerous issues of proportion and volume.

Want to avoid looking like Chanel’s famous fashion show fur monster? Here are our tips on how to make the fur fashion trend work without channeling Where The Wild Things Are.

Barbara Bui, fall/winter 2011-2012 (Image courtesy of ImaxTree.com)

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David Dixon and Denis Gagnon

David Dixon, Spring 2012

It’s the fifth and final day at LG Fashion Week and the FDCC saved two of Canada’s best designers for last in David Dixon and Denis Gagnon. At David Dixon, Malcom Mclaren’s genre blending tunes served as inspiration for a spring collection that celebrated the art of creating harmony from a mix of different fabrics. Italian matte jersey, silk organza, Chantilly lace, embroidered cotton, metallic paisley, tulle, leather, sequins, silk wool—it was all there and as dizzying as it sounds the results were, for the most part, elegant (white cocktail dress with black lace overlay), chic (super high-waisted pencil skirt with sheer black blouse) and utterly feminine (buttery yellow skirts embellished with laser cut silk flowers). In other words, quintessential Dixon. Read the rest of this entry

Caitlin Power, Krane, Bustle and Vawk

Caitlin Power, Spring 2012 (Photo courtesy Jenna Wakani)

Newcomers Goinaz Ashtiani and Caitlin Power were finalists together in last season’s TFI New Labels Competitions (Ashtiani took home the crown) and this season they’ve teamed up for a joint presentation, pitting Ashtiani’s feminine sophistication against Power’s futuristic androgyny. Highlights included Ashtiani’s violet-hued silk charmeuse jumpsuit and Caitlin Power’s Blade Runner-esque silk blouses with blue or orange contrast seaming.

Krane, Spring 2012 (Photo courtesy Jenna Wakani)

Krane designer Ken Chow gave the boys something to cheer about with his signature waxed cotton and leather pieces including tailored blazers, moto-inspired jackets to casual toppers with hidden straps for a hands-free way to throw your coat over your shoulder. Leather harnesses, Doc Marten boots and Chow’s expertly constructed carryalls, messenger bags and totes completed the collection. Read the rest of this entry

Marie Saint Pierre, Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh

Montreal designer Marie Saint Pierre offered Fashion Week attendees just what we needed on a miserable, rainy at the tents: a hot cuppa tea courtesy of sponsor DavidsTea plus pastel-hued French macarons to lift our spirits. For her spring collection Saint Pierre ditched the runway in favour of a more casual walk-through presentation. Mannequins sporting simple black jersey dresses and gold swim caps set the stage for live models who joined them one at a time before walking off and disappearing backstage without warning. Silk cotton voile, organza and jersey fabrics were draped, gathered, layered and knotted into fluid, modern dresses in a neutral palette of black, white and grey with pops of red, green and gold. Read the rest of this entry

Amanda Kew Lee, Joeffer Caoc and Chloe Comme Parris

Amanda Kew Lee, Spring 2012 (Photo courtesy Jenna Wakani)

It’s day two at the tents and Amanda Lew Kee kicked things off by  picking up right where yesterday’s designers left off, continuing the  increasingly ubiquitous trends of bold multi-hued prints, sheer float-y  chiffon and contrast zipper detailing which, from  the way they were buckling and pulling, could probably have benefited  from a couple more days finessing.

Joeffer Caoc, Spring 2012

Typically known for his posh eveningwear, tailored pieces and  architectural details, veteran Joeffer Caoc surprised audiences by  taking a decidedly sporty turn on the runway with fresh takes on classic  athletic wear for spring. With the long distance runner  as his muse, Caoc created edgy 80s-inspired sportswear from fuchsia hoodies and mesh racer skirts to electric blue shorts and shimmering  silver track pants. Read the rest of this entry

Holt Renfrew preview, Juma and Arthur Mendonca

Not unlike the predictable cast of fashion victims and wanna-be socialites trolling its front row every season, the opening night of LG Fashion Week was, as usual, a bit of a hot mess. For most of us the evening was characterized primarily by long cues (checking in, entering the show, leaving the show, entering the next show, etc. etc.) punctuated by even more waiting (no, the shows did not begin on time) and occasionally a runway presentation or two.

Holt Renfrew kicked the week off with its spring preview (There’s No Place Like Holts), featuring key pieces from its stable of Canadian designers including Jeremy Laing, Smythe, Lida Baday and a sneak peak at Denis Gagnon’s collection, which is scheduled to close the week on Friday. Highlights included Laing’s balloon-like silhouettes in prints by local artist sensation Niall McClelland, Smythe’s neon colourblocking and Denis Gagnon’s tea party florals. Read the rest of this entry

By Nancy Won, Photography by JJ Thompson for Audi

Dubbed “The Art of Progression” this swank Audi-sponsored group show was the most highly anticipated presentation of Pre Fashion Week with heavy-hitting designers like Nada Shepherd, Joeffer Caoc and menswear designer Dimitrichris joining forces. Read the rest of this entry

By Nancy Won, Photography by Jenna Marie Wakani

I’m standing in a dark, moody warehouse space, sipping Vitamin Water, watching a trippy video installation of paint floating through water and I can’t help but feel more like I’m at a hipster art party in the Lower East Side than at a fashion presentation in Parkdale. But then again, this is Ashley Rowe: young, rogue designer and lover of paint splatters. Read the rest of this entry

By Nancy Won

It may have been cold and dreary last night but inside Philip Sparks’ Queen West showroom it felt like the first day of spring. Picnic plaids, watery blues and sunshine-y digital prints appeared as classic trench coats, chambrays and slim-cut blazers for spring 2011 and (perhaps most exciting of all) flirty feminine takes for us ladies added blouses, shirtdresses and jumpers to the mix for the first time. Read the rest of this entry

By Nancy Won

Last night I found myself stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic in what appeared to be a random suburban wasteland, desperately seeking anything resembling a fashion show venue. LG Fashion Week doesn’t start until next week but this year the usual one week of fashion insanity has been stretched to two thanks to a large contingent of designers who’ve struck out on their own, including Evan Biddell whose highly-anticipated presentation was the first of the pre-fashion week bunch. By all accounts it was going to be fabulous. But I had to find it first. Read the rest of this entry