Photo courtesy of Keystone.

By Sarah Thompson

Attention all Beyoncé fans! In addition to watching Queen B work it on stage at her Mrs. Carter World Tour, you’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of some of the most prestigious fashion designers in the world. Joining the lineup of amazing designers is the work of Pucci’s Peter Dundas who created custom outfits for Beyoncé’s stage performance. The looks are drawn from Pucci’s Fall 2013 collection and have Beyoncé singing her hit tunes in glamorous ensembles including fitted tops, sexy shorts and tall boots. Among the sartorial stars of the show are the chic designs of Canadian fashion team Dsquared2 who have contributed styles from the 90s to the tour. [WWD] [FabSugar] [BlackBook]

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Christopher Kane hints at leather goods expansion [Telegraph UK]

Mulberry opens first store in Berlin [Vogue UK]

This week’s happenings: 4 fashionable ventures to check out [ELLECanada.com]

Text by: Masha Gladchenko

I was thrilled to be at World MasterCard Toronto Fashion Week for Adrian Wu’s unique collection, inspired by the threat of a nuclear war in the 1950s. Wu’s vision was immensely dystopian and reminiscent of the dark days when nuclear weapons had spread fear throughout. Wu presented a collection of sculptural pieces that explain the aftermath of biological weapons. He balanced deformity with elegance (as seen in the slicked back 50s updos and wonderful librarian frames). It was a ‘neat disaster’ as models gracefully strolled to romantic tunes by Ella Fitzgerald and Glen Miller. My personal favourite included ‘I’m a Fool to Want You’ by Billie Holiday.

Read more to see Ashtiani’s exquisite 60s inspired collection:

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Jamil and Alia at Singapore Fashion Week,  Pre-Spring 2013.

After a recent trip to Singapore to show their Pre-Spring 2013 collection at Singapore Fashion Week, Canadian design duo Jamil and Alia of JUMA dish their top spots for clothes-hunting, dining and sight-seeing in this fashion-forward city.

JUMA hearts Singapore
“We love going to Singapore for the diversity of cultures that co-exist including Malay, Chinese and Indian,” the designers explain. “For us it’s an opportunity to learn how they integrate together while maintaining their individual identities. It was inspiring to see all the vibrant colours and rich patterns inherent in South East Asian clothing. We look forward to putting some of those ideas into our upcoming collections.” We can’t wait to see the inspirations come to life!

Jamil and Alia Juma’s top 5 things to do in Singapore
1. ”Walking through Little India to explore fabrics and trinkets in the markets.”
2. “Going to Dempsey Hill area for brunches on the weekend.”
3. ”Visit Flabslab, an art and design collective featuring local and international design.”
4. ”Enjoy the sunshine at the Orchard central rooftop gardens overlooking the city.”
5. ”Heading to Haji Lane for tea and hooka.”

Click through for Jamil and Alia’s favourite spots to shop and dine in Singapore!

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Brother-sister duo Jordin and Tamara Mimran (of the Mimran family fashion dynasty) at a preppy-beach themed party.

With their summer collections in stores (and the Fall/Winter 2012-13 runway shows behind them), Canadian designers are taking some much-needed beach recovery time and bringing along their favourite summer reads and playlists to help then unwind. We caught up with a few of our favourite homegrown designers behind some of Canada’s hottest labels to find out what fashionable books and summer tunes—would you expect any less?— they’ll be relaxing with under the sun this season.

MOON, designers Tamara and Jordin Mimran
Based in: Toronto

Summer read: Tamara, The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy by E L James
Beach playlist: Tamara and Jordin:
1. Dragonette, “Let it go.”
2. Ellie Goulding, “Lights.”
3. Calvin Harris, “Feel so Close.”
4. Young Galaxy, “We Have Everything.”
5. Vacationer, “Good As New.”
6. M83, “Mightlight City.”
7. Recloose, “Can it Be.”

Read on for more beach reads and summer tracks from Canadian designers…

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An Audrey Hepburn-inspired look for Starkers! Corsetry runway show at |FAT| Arts and Fashion Week.

As if stepping right out of a scene from Corpse Bride, the corseted models with feminine, cupcake flares on Starkers! Corsetry runway exuded darkly classic Tim Burton grandeur. “It’s Audrey Hepburn meets The Munsters!” designer Dianna DiNoble tells me backstage after the parade of her underwordly bridal gowns at FAT Arts & Fashion Week.

The theme for day three of the city’s edgiest alternative fashion event is fittingly, Body Scapes. Early on in the evening Vanja Vasic, FAT executive director, warned us there would be corsets and DiNoble’s collection of silk, chiffon and satin gowns boldly lived up to Vasic’s claim.

“My inspiration this year was actually offbeat brides,” says DiNoble, the corsetiere behind the whimsical line of one-of-a-kind couture bridal gowns, made out of her Toronto-based studio since 1992. Her standout piece? The closing black chiffon gown with a giant headpiece, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s My Fair Lady doppelgänger. “My fingers are still bleeding from the beadwork!” she adds, laughing.

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Paris closed out the “Big Four” fashion-week shows with international trendsetters displaying true Parisian chic throughout the entire week. Stylish accessories and attention to details were on everyone’s fashion list this season.

THE GIRL: Ceylan is a fashion editor at Turkish Marie Claire and a blogger on www.thestylebyme.com

SPOTTED: Jardin des Tuileries.

HER STYLE: Haute minimalist.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  The sophisticated monochrome look is rich in textures in a VSP of Vespucci wool and leather coat, VSP suede pants, VSP boots and Marc Jacobs clutch.

Click here for the French spin on being a mod eclectic. 

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Chanel’s fashion show is one of the highlights of Paris Fashion Week. The fashion style setters always save their best for Karl. This year, regal flair was in the air at Le Grand Palais as everyone made their way through the dramatic entrance. Here are some of the best looks from that morning:

THE GIRL: Ana is a handbag designer at www.analeena.com

SPOTTED:  Le Grand Palais, Rue Winston Churchill before the Chanel show.

HER STYLE:  Cavalier chic.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  The Alaia feminine-waisted coat is beautifully accessorized with the cardinal red fur boa and Analeena crocodile handbag.

What other chic-lets caught Nicole’s eye. Click here.

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As we check in with the Greta Constantine team, the Canadian design stars are locked out of their Paris studio apartment. Read their first dispatch here.

Chère ELLE Canada,

We were locked out. No documents, no change of clothes, no toiletries. And most challenging of all, seulment un petit peu de français. We were however, armed with 10 hours of sleep across four people and sore feet (those cobblestones can do some damage!).

The hotel beside our apartment was fully booked. The manager did, however, let us use the washroom. A few blocks north, the large bright word HOTEL — we love when French words resemble English words — shone from a distance. We found our next best option (or last resort, depending on how you look at it).

There were two rooms, 205 and 311. Together they were 350 square feet and suddenly, the absence of a shower curtains didn’t seem to matter. Knowing that a few blocks away, the city’s premiere fashion editors, buyers, designers, and models were celebrating the start of Paris Fashion Week didn’t faze us.

The hotel did, however make a phenomenal breakfast baguette. It was so good that Stephen smuggled one of them so that he would be able to find his way back, should we ever get locked out again. He’s our very own Hansel.

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Whether the style mavens met on the right or left bank of the Seine this weekend, their looks were impeccable. The overcast skies didn’t dampen the fashion scene. Here’s who caught my eye.

THE GIRL: Caroline is an executive fashion director at Tank Magazine.

SPOTTED: Jardins des Tuileries.

HER STYLE: Uptown girl with an edge.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  The meticulously paired lace-detailed Burberry trench, Louis Vuitton shoes and cool Alexander Wang sweater give this look an unexpected edge.

Need some more streetstyle fashion inspiration? Click here.

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The fashion elite met a few times over the weekend in the beautiful Jardins des Tuileries where many shows took place. Here are some of my weekend favorites:

THE GIRL: Ulyana is a Russian photographer and designer www.ulyanasergeenko.com

SPOTTED:  Jardins des Tuileries.

HER STYLE: Haute cowgirl.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  The jeans and shirt get an upscaled look with Ulyana’s own cape design. Bonus: the boa feather detailing.

For more casually chic Parisian style (the reason this city inspires us so!) click here.

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