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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—Designer Wesley Badanjak, laughing, backstage after his Basch/LOVAS double-bill runway show Tuesday night at 99 Sudbury.

1. Luxurious detail—think feathered earrings and chunky gold bling—ruled at Wesley Badanjak’s LOVAS show. Our takeaway must-have? Shaved-down leather gloves lined with dyed-purple python-skin, designed by stylist Luis Rajiv.

2.  Badanjak’s fall/winter 2012 LOVAS collection, called “Waterless Flood,” was inspired by The Year of the Flood, Margaret Atwood‘s 2009 novel. The intertextual—and textile—line comprises rough-spun knits, warm fabrics and snakeskin prints that mimic the character Brenda, who escapes a Stepford Wives world to brace the elements and becomes a fur-toting dancer in an exotic club in the meantime. We think this aptly sums up the narrative for the looks we saw, which include fabrics made from ostrich feather tulle and chunky ombré tweed.

3. Sarah McGowan, a graduating George Brown College fashion student (and Greta Constantine intern), was crowned the winner of  Basch It Up!, the student design competition and runway show held last night. Eleventh Floor Apparel invited designer hopefuls from across Ontario to create an original garment to be incorporated into Basch’s fall/winter 2012 collection. Among other prizes, McGowan won a $700 clothing allowance from Eleven boutique in Toronto, where her winning outfit will be sold. Bonus: Her  two-piece mini-collection will be marketed across North America through Basch agencies.

4. Spotted: Up-and-coming Canadian model Hayley McKee backstage at LOVAS getting primped by M.A.C senior artist Melissa Gibson (@MAC_Melissa_G). Follow Hayley from catwalk to curtain call during Toronto Fashion Week with her insider Model Diary, coming soon to the ELLE Canada site.

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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