Elle Canada - The Elle Word

Penelope Cruz, Paris, 2003.

Ellen von Unwerth, the rock star of fashion photography, is glancing around the Izzy Gallery in Yorkville, where life-sized photographs of her iconic shots cover the walls. She’s struggling to select her favourite snap. “They all have something I love in them,” she muses after a moment of hesitation. Then she points to a photograph of Italian actress Monica Bellucci, stripped down to a matching leopard-printed bra and panties. “This shot is from the first photo shoot I ever did with [Monica],” von Unwerth recalls with the sentimental attachment of a proud mother. “And she was actually just changing in the motor home. It was really its own moment. I’ve shot her so many times since but those pictures are still my favourite.”

That’s because von Unwerth— named one of TIME’s top 100 all-time fashion icons—prefers to capture “stolen moments” rather than posed portraits. For the first time since von Unwerth shot to fame in the ‘80s, the self-taught German photog is displaying a retrospective of her work in Toronto. A selection of the frisky, bombshell icons von Unwerth has snapped over the years, Caught! is a decadent visual walkthrough of old-school female glamour.

Rouilly le Bas, 2002.

A von Unwerth signature

The thing about a von Unwerth photo is that it’s instantly recognizable. Take the iconic Claudia Schiffer Guess campaign from 1989, a prime example of von Unwerth’s trademark moody, eroticized aesthetic—a gorgeous woman teasing the camera with a mix of innocence and cheeky come-hither sensuality. “I always go for glamorous,” says von Unwerth, a vision herself in a gold sequined blazer and side-swept, piecey blond bun. “I don’t like the girl-next-door look.”

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Here are a few of our most memorable celeb moments—so far—from the New York Fashion Week trenches.

One of the last looks from Zac Posen's Fall/Winter 2012-13 collection.

Before we could check out all the Canadian models at the Zac Posen show—Coco Rocha opened and closed, with appearances from Anais Pouliot, Lisa Winkler, Herieth Paul, Alana Zimmer and Heather Marks—Anthony had a close encounter of the Dita (and Anna) kind. “You won’t believe what just happened!” Anthony gushed almost breathlessly to me before the start of the show. While coming down the steps of the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Centre, he literally bumped into Dita Von Teese as she attempted to climb the stairs in a very fitted dress (Zac Posen, of course). Thankfully, no one took a tumble. “She could hardly move, but she looked great. Her makeup was impeccable,” he said. “Then, just as I was coming back to my seat, I suddenly felt like I was being surrounded by men in suits talking into their wrists. Then Anna Wintour appeared in front of me! I felt so disoriented. I don’t know if I can take all the drama!” he said with a laugh. We settled in for an Oriental-architectural themed show full of glamorous hourglass gowns thankful that most (see below) of the celebs were seated a safe distance away. Read the rest of this entry

In the rattle and hum of the holiday shopping whirlwind, a special someone often slides off the gift list: You. This year, why not splash out on a little personal sparkle? Investing in a statement necklace makes you feel sensational and adds instant glamour to your holiday party look. After all, even the most dedicated follower of fashion needs a shortcut now and then—think of it as a present to your future self.

This winter, opt for the season’s smash hit: short necklaces which frame the face, like the chokers originally made famous by ‘90s 90210 fashion plates Brenda and Kelly. Add mistletoe, and your Dylan equivalent won’t stand a chance.

Biko Mimi Necklace in Purple, $125, ilovebiko.com

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Iconic American fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger chats with ELLE about his signature style, modern families and why his brand shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

ELLE Canada: Tommy, you have had an illustrious career in the world of fashion. Do you ever wake up and think to yourself: “I’m over it!”

Tommy Hilfiger: Actually, that’s a great question, and I do have an answer. I work more now as an editor because I surround myself with a team that inspire me and bring new ideas to the table constantly. Am I over it? Absolutely not.  They are what keeps me going; you’re only as good as your team.

EC: How do you keep your brand relevant in today’s fashion landscape?

TH: It just keeps moving ahead, and we always have to modernize our ideas. Make it fresh, but make it familiar; make it fun and stylish and make it affordable and wearable. Those are very important goals for the Tommy Hilfiger brand; more important than anything else.

EC: Given today’s economic climate, there has been a shift in fashion towards a more democratic approach in buying and selling. Do you think there is any place for democracy in fashion? Or should it always be aspirational?

It can most certainly be both. Aspirational can still be very affordable, you know. As a designer brand, we have a duty to the customer to bring “newness” out in a continual sense. This newsness can be in the form of colour, fabric, detail, shape, the way you mix and match pieces together; a nuance you may not have originally thought of.  It’s important to offer your customer a new surprise each time.

EC: Who was the original Tommy woman and how has she changed over the years?

TH: Well, there are more of them now, that’s for sure (laughs).  At the beginning she was a very specific, young, 22-year-old that liked trendy fashions. But now, we dress her mother, her sister, her aunt, her cousin. She’s an everywoman in the sense she wears black tie, she wears gowns, she’ll wear something to school, to work, out for drinks. The Tommy brand has a signature look: the nautical, preppy, red-white-and-blue, so our woman can buy these classics that will last forever, but she’ll also buy what may be fashionable this season, and not necessarily the next.  She’s fun, wholesome. Read the rest of this entry

Their jet-set lifestyle means they relax on the run. Here’s how top models chill after a long day

COCA ROCHA

Channel surfer: “I love watching a good crime drama, like CSI, NCIS or Law & Order. I love the intrigue and suspense.”

City escape: “There is this tiny park with a great view; you can see up the river to Queensboro Bridge and Long Island City. I’ve been going to the park with my husband, James, since we started dating three years ago. It’s where he first asked me out, and it’s my favourite spot.”

Quiet time: “I’m constantly bombarded with people, lights and sounds, so I love escaping into the peace and serenity of the countryside.”

Best beauty fix: “Lancôme makeup remover and moisturizer are good for clearing away the grime and stress of the day. I also rely on L’Oréal Paris Derma Genesis to help me relax.”

Soundtrack: “I love to play early ’80s shoe-gazing music when I’m trying to unwind. Anything by the Cocteau Twins puts me in a good frame of mind.”

Comfort food: “I love mashed potatoes, mac ‘n’ cheese and shepherd’s pie.”

-Barbora Simek

Yasmin Warsame

Must-indulge spa: “I love the Hacienda Don Justo Hotel Spa in Cólon, Argentina! After a 60-minute head-to-toe massage, they cover you with thick clay and you sit in the sun to bake for 60 minutes. Then you’re washed under a hot ‘sweet water’ waterfall. They finish by applying a rich moisturizing cream and giving you a glass of chilled, filtered lemon water.”

Secret Toronto hideaway: “When I’m home in Toronto, I like the water treatment at the Body Blitz Spa. They have pools filled with sea water and Jacuzzis filled with freezing-cold water. It’s amazing!”

De-stress with… “My bath. I use Epsom salts to sooth muscles and Kiehl’s vanilla body wash, and I always light a Jo Malone candle.”

Favourite scents: “I love lavender and patchouli oils; these smells melt the day away.”

Loungewear: “I love my red Ralph Lauren robe.”

-Amanda Wenek

CHANEL IMAN

Spa specialty: “There’s nothing better than a private seaweed wrap or a Swedish massage with hot rocks — ideally in the Caribbean!”

Evening ritual: “I turn off all the lights, light a few Diptyque Feu de Bois candles and run a nice, hot bubble bath with a couple of drops of Rodin Olio Lusso.”

Soundtrack: “Sade is my go-to choice; her music really soothes my soul.”

Soothing scents: “The smell of jasmine always makes me feel free and at peace.”

Comfort food: “I love warm chocolate cookies with milk, herbal teas and honey biscuits.”

Loungewear: “An oversized boyfriend hoodie with a great pair of underwear.”

Dream trip: “My next relaxation retreats are these two breathtaking resorts: Le Moana Bora Bora in French Polynesia and Viceroy Bali, in Ubud, Indonesia.”

-A.W.

What is your best tip to de-stress after a long day? Share in our comments section below!

Exclusive behind-the-scene video of the upcoming H&M Dragon Tattoo Collection by Trish Summerville

Heidi Klum clad in red-hot Michael Kors (Photo courtesy George Pimmentel)

Prepping for my interview with Heidi Klum on Tuesday (the supermodel mom spent a whirlwind 24-hours in Toronto to launch her first fragrance, Shine) I was,  not unexpectedly, bombarded with a million and a half questions to ask her. ELLE colleagues wanted to know her skincare secrets; our Facebook fans are curious about her commitment to fitness and my sister, well she was just dying to know if Heidi is as much of an amazon as we all imagine her to be (Tina, if you’re there: She is.)

So it’s safe to say I came to the Hazelton Hotel at the ready for my 10 minute one-on-one. But, upon arrival, there was obstacles: Makeup touch-ups, a somewhat sussed Jeanne Beker  (“When they say 3 o’clock sharp for an interview, they should really mean it”) and a burgeoning MTV News crew that somehow lost their microphone post-interview. My tête-à-tête with Mrs. Seal ended up being whittled down to a 6-minute round table. Classic.

The good news in all of this is that Heidi is wonderful. She really is. She radiates warmth and an unapologetic goofiness – despite the fact she looked positively extraterrestrial in a red-hot 3-piece Michael Kors suit and sky-high leopard Louboutins (The word “amazon” doesn’t even do this woman justice.)

I managed to blabber out your questions whilst keeping Heidi’s sprightly press manager at bay… no easy feat. Herewith, her answers!

What are you super-diligent about in your skincare routine?

“It’s a pretty simple philosophy: Always (always) take your makeup off and give your skin a break. I think the most important thing for me is to go to sleep with a very clean face — and make sure it really is clean! Nothing worse than waking up the next morning with remnants of the night before. ”

What is your fitness routine?

“I don’t work out as much as people may think I do.  I am very active because of my children, but I’m more dedicated to my diet; I eat very healthy. In the summertime I ran 4 miles a day ( with my Summer Run program) and encouraged people to go out and run everyday. I ran over 120 miles this summer. You should all join me next time!”

What are some of your favourite scents?

“Lily of the Valley carries the most memories for me. This may sound cheesy, but growing up in Germany my parents would always ask me to go out in the forest and pick bunches and bunches of them. I’ve incorporated the fragrance into my perfume Shine along with pink peppercorns, mandarin and pear; it’s a great mix of spicy and sweet.”

Speaking of which, why launch a fragrance? Why now?

“I wanted to recreate that moment when a woman walks into the room and you stop and think, “Hmm, what is she wearing?” It could be an amazing dress or, in my case, a lasting scent. The biggest challenge was coming up with a fragrance that no one has really smelled before; something that was unique and a real head-turner. My husband loves it; my children can’t really tell the difference!”

Is there a special meaning behind the name, Shine?

“I had a whole bunch of names, but most were taken. The word “shine” resonates with me mostly because of my husband. He’s said to me many times before: “You shine, babe.”"

Check out the behind-the-scenes images of the Shine campaign (shot in Mexico) here:

Could you ever put a price on owning a piece of fashion history? Of course you can! And your best shot at snapping up iconic celebrity garb – think a Marilyn Monroe cocktail dress or Madge’s bustier -  is at exclusive auctions hosted by world-renowned houses.

Today, the luminous ivory lace gown Audrey Hepburn wore in the 1953 film, Roman Holiday – and then to Academy Awards that following year where she won for “Best Actress” – goes under the hammer by Kerry Taylor Auctions. The famous frock, designed by legendary Hollywood costume designer Edith Head, is expected to fetch anywhere from £40,000 – £60,000 ($64,330-$96,495).

In that spirit, we take a look back at some of the more illustrious celebrity auctions and what the infamous pieces eventually sold for. Although we may never be able to actually afford the purchase of a Liz Taylor jewel, what’s the harm in a bit of fun bidding?

Audrey Hepburn’s Hubert de Givenchy dress, Christie’s, London.

The satiny LBD Hepburn wore as Holly Golightly in the opening scene of the 1961 film, Breakfast At Tiffany’s, fetched £467,200 ($923,187) in 2006. Its original cost was estimated between £50,000 – £70,000 ($98,800 – $138,320).

Kate Middleton’s sheer dress, Kerry Taylor Auctions, London.

In April, the see-through number that the Duchess of Cambridge wore to the university fashion show in 2002 (and allegedly caught Prince William’s eye) sold for £78,000 ($125,443) – 10 times its expected worth.

Princess Diana’s Victor Edelstein dress, Waddingston’s, Toronto.

Speaking of princesses, Princess Diana’s midnight-blue silk-velvet dress by Victor Edelstein  – worn to the White House state dinner in 1985 during a dance with John Travolta – sold in Toronto for $800,000 in June. It was auctioned as part of collection that included 14 of the Princess of Wales’ dresses.

Elizabeth Taylor’s luxe jewelry collection- Christie’s, New York.

The New York-based auction house just added a special online-only sale of 950 pieces from Elizabeth Taylor’s regal closet. With four categories – fine jewelry, fashion and accessories, costume jewelry and decorative arts and memorabilia – the online sale, which includes 22 handbags by Dior and Valentino, takes place on Christie’s website from Dec. 3-17th.

La Liz’s most iconic pieces -  including the 33.19-carat diamond ring Richard Burton gave her in 1968 – have been journeying on a three-month international tour since September and are available through a live auction on Dec. 13 at Christie’s. The collection of 269 fine jewels up for bid is estimated to be worth more than US$30 million.

If money were no object, which item above would you want to personally own?

Photo courtesy of BANG Media

When you think about it, Swedish retailer H&M is one of the biggest game-changers in the fashion biz. It all began on that one, fateful day somewhere in 2004 when the brains behind the cheap chic brand came up with the clever idea (god knows how) to align themselves with some seriously luxurious brands. First – and quite fittingly – came Karl Lagerfeld. The exclusive collection of super-starched white shirts, boyfriend blazers and LBDs sold out within hours and the frenzy induced cast a legion of other notable fashion designers to follow suit: Next came Stella McCartney, then Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf, followed by Roberto Cavalli and… Kylie Minogue? (Admittedly we’re still a bit confused on that last one.) Read the rest of this entry