Elle Canada - The Elle Word

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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Paris is at its stylish best during fashion week. Although the sartorial scribes and sages have been at it for the last four weeks, Paris is where the “ante goes up.” Here are some of my favorites from yesterday:

THE GIRL: Elodie is a stylist.

SPOTTED: Quai Andre Citroen before the Balenciaga show.

HER STYLE: Boho ballerina chic.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  Elodie creates an edgy feminine look with her vintage Comme Des Garcons asymmetrical dress paired with a Balenciaga leather jacket and studded Prada shoes. Bonus: the tulle accent.

FASHION WEEK FAVOURITE ADDRESSES: ” I love to hang out at Colette in the library area. They have great fashion books.”

Who says wearing black is boring? For more inspired stylish takes on this fashion staple click here.

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Paris Fashion Week kicked off on Tuesday. The city will host the international style set for a week of haute fashion and street chic. Here are some of the looks that caught my eye on this first day out style hunting:

THE GIRL: Sonia is a buyer for a concept store in Shanghai.

SPOTTED: Quai Malaquais in Paris.

HER STYLE: Art-gallery chic.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  Sonia shows her creative touch with this clever combo of textures and patterns, from her Burberry skirt, vintage sweater and Marni clutch to her bracelets and Givenchy shoes.

For more Paris street chic, click here.

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It’s a wrap! I’m Paris bound. Here are my last shots from Milan’s stylish streets.

THE GIRL: Giovanna is a contributing fashion editor at W magazine and a freelance stylist.

SPOTTED: Via Senato prior to the Moschino show.

HER STYLE: Rocker chic.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  She’s ready for any grand entrance wearing this Junya Watanabe leather statement coat and Sergio Rossi embellished booties.

For more fab coats. Click here!

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The frequent-flying fashion set are jetting to Paris for another nine days of air kissing and style gazing. They ended Milan’s week on a high style note. Here are a few of my favourites.

THE GIRL: Elisa is a stylist at Cha Cha agency and a shoe designer in Paris. 

SPOTTED: Via Bergognone before the Emporio Armani show.

HER STYLE: Retro chic.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  The art deco inspired printed Mila Schon coat and statement necklace set off the retro mood paired with Dries Van Noten silk pants and a vintage handbag.

Don’t miss my final picks from Milan. Click here.

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