Elle Canada - The Elle Word

Image from Zoologist by Charlotte Linton collection courtesy of Anthropologie.

Jason Wu did it for Target; same for Marni with H&M. Now eleven established and upcoming designers will roll out capsule collections created exclusively for Made in Kind, Anthropologie’s new online platform for seeking out one-of-a-kind talent.

The hybrid shopping/gallery one-stop site launches today (April 5) and includes upcoming as well as some well-known New York Fashion Week faves (yes, there’s a Gregory Parkinson capsule line in there).

Here’s an intimate look at the 11 curated new and vintagey collections culled by around-the-globe designers available only at this online gallery of the best kind of art: the kind you live in.

Drawings by Florence Balducci
An artisan of all trades creative—illustration, fabric design and acting—Parisian designer Florence Balducci is naturally an Anthropologie vet. Her hand-sketched printed scarves and silhouette-engraved chinaware have been available at the fashion-forward retailer for years. Now Balducci releases a collection of vintage-inspired military jackets (approx. $300)—the kind her dad wore—only embellished with ornate floral detailing and whimsical animal sketches.

Gregory by Gregory Parkinson
A British expat, Parkinson understands the colourful prints and air-light fabrics of his adopted L.A. homeland—in fact, he designed most of them. For his capsule collection created exclusively for Anthropologie (from approx. $214 to $464), he departed from the all-white, minimalist dresses that defined his Spring/Summer 2012 for a kaleidoscopic smattering of tie-dyed fabrics.

Image from O by Organic collection courtesy of Anthropologie.

Hi There! From Karen Walker
Rarely does a designer perfectly embody both of her polar style opposites: feminine and downtown edge, demure and eye-catchingly bold. Yet such is the trademark of New Zealand-based designer Karen Walker, whose collection, only available at Anthropologie, is a New York Fashion Week staple. Hi There! From Karen Walker (from approx. $140 to $160) is made up of six classic, paisley-patterned frocks with a distinct, vintage wallpapery twist. Read the rest of this entry

 Image by Savo Sok.

WHO: Michelle Gerrard, film student
STYLE ICONS: Taylor Momsen (for some pieces) and Rachel Bilson
TREND YOU’D NEVER TRY: High-waisted flared jeans because I’m short and could never pull it off.

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I started off my day with a double dose of Canadian style. First up was Jeremy Laing who presented his collection in a glossy white loft space in Chelsea.

The show opened with a zip-back jacket and skinny pants in bleach-print velvet, which reflected the starting point for the collection: tailored jackets and textures. “I frequently will start my design process with dresses but you can kind of get bored with the way you work, so it’s nice to try a different approach to see what happens,” Laing told me. This season, he made a conscious decision to opt for “something with a more tactile sensitivity” rather than the digital prints, for which he is well-known. “Bleach printing is a reactive process that removes dye and ink from the fibre, so it’s harder to control. But that’s the beauty of it, you get variety, which is cool.” Read the rest of this entry

Finally, my first full day of shows … and it did not disappoint. I woke up to snowflakes outside—and inside—at Lacoste, my first show of the morning. The center of the runway showcased giant rectangular snow-globe boxes filled with flurries. The soundtrack? Sleigh bell music. The look from Lacoste artistic director Felipe Oliveira Baptista was “rugby dress meets ski suit” inspired by pics of the French national men’s ski team circa 1966 (outfitted by Lacoste, of course) and a mountain motoring expedition from the 1930s. The oversized “egg-shaped” parkas with morphing hoods and multiple zippers were standouts. And the ski sweaters with alligator patterns were a nice touch.

Later in the day I met up with ELLE Canada’s Anthony Mitropoulos for the Herve Leger show where equestrian corset-harnesses added a layer of complexity to Leger’s famous bandeau dresses. Plenty of pleats, fringe details, and models sporting true PONY tails, swished and swayed down the runway.

Anthony’s take: “Leger had Gladiator women emerging from the Colosseum ready to fight for fashion in knee-high, stappy stiletto boots!”

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I arrived in New York with just enough time to pick up my accreditation pass for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and catch the Rebecca Taylor show at Lincoln Center. As I waited for the doors to open, I had my first chance to check out the crowd.

Stand out in the crowd: Some eccentric looks at New York Fashion Week

Fashion week is always full of eclectic dressers—the people-watching is one of my favourite parts. And I didn’t have to look far. I couldn’t help but notice the man standing beside me wearing a colourful graphic suit. “I picked out the fabric and had it custom made, I have lots of colourful suits in my closet,” he told me as he handed me his card. His name is Shail Upadhya and he’s a freelance stylist from New York. While he’s not the typical subject of high-fashion-focused street-style photos, he’s definitely one of the people that keeps fashion week interesting. Read the rest of this entry

Members of the stylish set were primped and ready for Day 1 at New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The spacious plaza outside the Lincoln Center was the unofficial catwalk for scenesters on the fashion prowl. Here’s who caught my street-style eye.

THE GIRL: June is a celebrity stylist.

HER STYLE:  She’s channelling a marching band look—perhaps a fashion nod to the Giants’ big win last Sunday.

WHY WE LOVE IT!  Creative mix of designers with a L.A.M.B. plaid suit, DSquared skater boots, Hermes bag and tasteful arm candy.  Bonus: Her posh lid! She’s ready to prance out at this week’s fashion parade.

FASHION WEEK MISSION: “I’m here to get ideas for my VH1 style show, which is launching this summer.”

THE GIRL: Toronto-born Joanna lives in New York and is a senior fashion market editor at Harper’s Bazaar.

HER STYLE:  Upper East Side, urban, casual chic.

WHY WE LOVE IT: She’s on trend for spring/summer with her light pink fur coat, rose polka dot shirt, accessorised with retro tortoiseshell sunglasses and her signature red lipstick.

FASHION WEEK MISSION: “I’m a regular here—I can’t wait to see my favourite designers.”

For more street style shots from Day 1 of New York Fashion Week, click here.

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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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What should I look out for?

Strict, classic-cut coats with a masculine appeal; tailored and belted ’60s styles that snugly accentuate the female figure (fur collar and cuffs optional); voluminous, rounded, cocooning blanket types; and floor-sweeping ’70s versions.

Who did it best?

Celine, Dolce & Gabanna, Fendi and Jil Sander.

Celine, Fall 2011-12

What about sporty styles?

The runways showed lots of fur-trimmed utility parkas — either cropped or maxi length — toppers that can be worn 24/7.

Burberry Prorsum, Fall 2011-12

Top colour choices:

Lots of black, obviously, as well as grey and chestnut. Prefer colour? We also saw some in cherry red and pumpkin orange.

Paul Smith, Fall 2011-12

Was there a lot of fur?

Designers let fur fly, whether full-on or in the tiniest of trims. Leather was often paired with short or long-haired fur (Mongolian lamb or fox) making the cool coat of the season ’70s inspired. If fur is your doe and faux your friend, you can still enjoy this fab frenzy in diverse styles from posh and pretty to blow-out beastly (Text by Anthony Mitropoulos).

Aquilano.Rimondi, Fall 2011-12

Feeling inspired? Click here to view our shopping gallery on coats you can buy now.

The best way to start a work week? Being introduced to a seriously amazing shopping website: theoutnet.com. Our friends at whowhatwear.com have begun to sing its praises, and even our own features editor Kathryn Hudson has been spotted sporting her most recent Alex Wang finds.

The deals are outrageous: Balmain at 80% off, Jimmy Choo at 65% and Bottega Veneta at 50% off … Where to start? Well, considering it’s my birthday next week I think these platform boots (shown above) will be the only way to ring in my 34th year.

Fall 2011-12 fashion trends: The 4 looks you need to own now.

The new season is literally days away and with it comes new styles and new attitudes. Fall/Winter 2011-12 embraces autumnal florals, a flashback to the ’60s mod scene and the return of an elegant bourgeois style. While we’re always inspired by the offerings shown to us in glory on the international runways, nothing makes us crave a closet of new possibilities more then when checking out women on the street capturing the looks we love.

Armed with our Fall/winter 2011/2012 Fashion Runway Report and with cameras at the ready, ELLECanada.com photogs snapped shots of streeters from London, Milan, Paris and New York who best interpreted the season’s covetable fashion trends. We’ve highlighted four of our favourites here, but stay tuned to The ELLE Word blog where we’ll be posting more spirited images in the weeks to come. Read the rest of this entry