Fashion

Photography by Michelle Nunes

Go inside Beckerman sisters’ bags here »

If there were an award for Toronto’s most fashionable twins, Samantha and Caillianne Beckerman would win it year after year. The identical duo’s love for a kaleidoscopic magpie blend of designer duds has not only become a staple on the Toronto fashion scene, but on the web as well, where they boast a cool 44,000 Instagram fans. To boot, the sisters are H&M’s official fashion bloggers and have previously collaborated with Coach, Aldo, Bulgari and Teen Vogue, just to name a few. So, how do they do it? The Beckerman sisters really seem to have fun with fashion. Definitive subscribers of a “more is more” sensibility, the duo are constantly dressing up for each other on their blog Beckerman Bite Plate and well, we just can’t get enough. The twins let us inside their fabulous Mary Poppins bags for a peek at what they carry with them on a daily basis. The results, as you would imagine, are some of the most vibrant and fun imagery we’ve seen all week!

See the Joe Fresh Fall 2013 makeup collection »

We’ve been hit with a slew of fabulous new cosmetic lines lately (ahem, RiRi [Hearts] M.A.C and Alber Elbaz for Lancôme!) and as excited as we are, these glossy goods are sure to put a big dent in our wallets. Cue Joe Fresh’s Fall 2013 makeup collection. A new line of stylish, fresh and affordable cosmetics that are just as worthy of our excitement and much friendlier to our pockets. The fall line offers new colours, upgraded packaging, trendier shades and improved formulations.

Simone Otis, Joe Fresh beauty director, says the playful collection promises “classic essentials for any beauty kit,” while offering fun and trend-oriented options as well. Via press release, creative director Joe Mimran credits customer feedback as the collections main inspiration, citing that designs were modified to cater to customer wants. Most importantly, this includes the introduction of removable caps on Joe Fresh nail polish—the new two-piece lids will allow for easier application of nail polish and painting percision. Other things in the mix include lipstick duos (because we all love options), lip glosses with a seriously reduced “sticky” factor, statement-making metallic polishes, saturated pastel matte lipsticks and a particularly fierce new cobalt-blue mascara.

The Joe Fresh Fall 2013 beauty collection line does not share the same Parisian punk theme as the label’s fall clothing line, but there are enough daring shades available to complement any of the edgier ensembles we saw on the runway. Fans of Joe Fresh’s long-wear lipsticks will be excited to learn about two new shades: “Smitten,” a feminine light-pink and “Sorbet,” a delicious tangerine. Nail art devotees are sure to enjoy all 11 of the new available shades. With names ranging from “Peacock” to “Ultra Violet” there’s sure to be something for everyone. Finally new additions to the eyeshadow quads offer makeup-lovers the perfect daytime and nighttime combos. With products ranging from $5 to $10 this is a definite win-win.

Itching to get your hands on these fabulous steals? The entire Joe Fresh Fall 2013 collection hits Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstores, and Joe Fresh shops starting September 2013.

Photography by Peter Stigter

Luxury fashion and fragrance have long gone hand in hand—after all, perfume bottles do make for the ultimate collectible item! And speaking of bottles that are sure to stand out, WWD announced this morning that Alexander McQueen will be launching a men and women’s fragrance line. The deal was made by P&G’s Prestige division, who also just announced a fragrance deal with Stella McCartney. (Could a fragrance deal with a third designer be announced by the week’s end?)

Since its last perfume was discontinued in 2008, Alexander McQueen has stayed away from the beauty market. The first Alexander McQueen fragrance, Kingdom debuted back in 2003 via YSL Beauté. Two years later, the second fragrance, My Queen debuted, however when L’Oreál took over YSL Beauté, the line was unfortunately dropped.

Better late than never, Jonathan Akeroyd, president and CEO of Alexander McQueen, said to WWD: “We’ve been taking our time to re-enter the market, to make sure we picked the right partner at the right time.”

While no details have been announced on this new venture, it doesn’t stop us from speculating what Sarah Burton and the Alexander McQueen brand has to offer. As a label known for its theatrical designs, we hope to see the fragrance bottle’s aesthetics reflect recent runway looks. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the bottle replicate the signature honeycomb motif from the Spring 2013 collection—or perhaps the Catholic and Elizabethan inspired looks from Fall 2013 collection? The face guard headpieces, which were heavily embellished with pearls in a crisscross fashion, would certainly make for a showstopping bottle topper. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Photography by George Pimentel

See Luminato opening party photos »

On Friday night, Toronto’s arts elite flooded the sprawling canopied lobby of Brookfield Place for the opening of the Luminato arts festival. The event was activity-stacked, with Yves Saint Laurent handing out engraved Touche Eclat pens and branded cigars and a gigantic claw arcade machine in the centre of the room. The machine, entitled Stockpile, is actually one big performance art piece, with the part of the claw being acted out by nine different artists and the curious items in the cage being donated by the community. Naturally.

Fresh off the debut performance of The Life and Death of Marina Abramovic, Marina Abramović and Willem Dafoe joined in on the festivities alongside Luminato creative director Jörn Weisbrodt and husband Rufus Wainwright, who wore a custom made Jean-Charles de Castelbajac cloud-print suit. Elsewhere, Knot PR’s Amy Burtsyn-Fritz was making her own festive statement in a shimmering 3.1 Phillip Lim cocktail dress alongside freshly minted husband, Graham Smith.

Does this little taste of weirdness strike your fancy? Get thee to one of Luminato 2013′s events.

Photography by Peter Stigter

The highly anticipated verdict is in for the Dolce & Gabbana case tax evasion case. After a three hour jury meeting held today the judgment has been finally delivered, guilty. Ouch. Much speculation is being raised over the consequences that the decision will have on the designers’ Spring 2014 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week. Orange suits on the runway?

The Italian designers were charged with tax evasion and sentenced one year and eight months in prison, WWD reports. Dominico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, who have fervently denied the accusations since the beginning, are expected to appeal the decision. Today’s ruling is the first of three legal proceedings, which will determine the final verdict of for case. Whether jail time is actually in the works for the designers and the members of their team is therefore yet to be determined.

If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve probably been subjected to the drama surrounding this recent fashion scandal. If not, allow us to fill you in: This past May, the Italian design duo were accused of tax evasion in a particular business situation dating to 2004. The prosecution demanded that the pair and select members of their team (including their finance director and accountant) be subjected to prison sentences varying from 2 to 3 years.

The investigations, which began in 2008, were based on the charge of tax evasion amounting to $540 million relating the 2004 sale of the D&G label to a Luxembourg-based company. Italian authorities credit the choice of company to an attempt to evade Italy’s high corporate taxes. Despite a judge’s decision to dismiss the case in 2011, an appeal six months later led to the case being reopened.

What could be more representative of the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer than a braided updo? When the hot sun is doing its sweaty, sweaty thing, there’s nothing better than keeping your hair off your face—and this braided updo does just that while also looking super pretty. (Also, if you’re headed to music festival, why not weave your hair into a braided crown instead of wearing a flower headband?)

I met up with Moroccanoil artistic director Antonio Corral Calero at the Quartz Crystal Spa at Toronto’s Trump International Hotel to talk about his work at New York Fashion Week and summer hair trends. It’s the fashion-forward appeal of the braided updo that made this look sit at the top of his summer hair list and he showed me how easy it is to do. (Just two French braids, some hairspray and bobby pins are all you need!)

I’m tempted to call this look a waterfall braid updo because the French braid technique used has a similar finished look. But unlike a waterfall braid, this braided updo doesn’t “drop” pieces of hair, as it’s all about keeping volume and thickness in the braid.

First, you want to start by prepping your hair with Moroccanoil Hair Treatment, applying it from the middle to the ends of your hair. Part your hair in the middle and begin to French braid along the side of your head, pulling in pieces from the crown of your head as you go. Once you’ve finished this braid, secure the ends with a hair elastic or bobby pin and start to French braid the other side of your head. Then, pin both braids together at the base of your neck.

Now it’s time to loosen up your handiwork. As Antonio explains, you don’t want this braided updo to look tight and formal—you want to open up the braids for a more fashion-forward appeal. By pulling at the edges of the braid, you’ll get more of a messy texture to the style—perfect for matching any loose baby hairs that may have not made it into the braid. Once you’ve adjusted the braided updo to your liking, finish it off with a generous spritz of Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray–and your summer hair is ready to go!

Photography by Jen Saunders

See the Bonnaroo 2013 fashion photos »

While music lovers in Toronto were enjoying their sounds in breezy, comfortable settings, their southern counterparts were sweating it out at Bonnaroo, the 3-day music festival held just outside Nashville, Tennessee. As performers including Paul McCartney (Paul McCartney!), Wilco, Björk and R Kelly hit the various stages, so did their legions of hippie’d out fans. Bonnaroo attendees often take aesthetic inspiration from their country surroundings, with flower child meets cowboy style running rampant throughout the weekend. Bonnaroo 2013 was no different, with that carefree fashion extending to their attitudes as well. Need proof? Just peep the chick mid hula hoop dance! Good ole’ Bonnaroo.

See the Dannijo anniversary collection »

For a young, aspiring business, a 5-year anniversary is something worth applauding. But when you’ve had as much success as bohemian jewellery label Dannijo has had in their first 5 years of existence then you’ve really got something to celebrate. In honour of their lucky number 5, Danielle and Jodie Snyder, the sister act behind the NYC based business, have announced a limited-edition anniversary capsule collection featuring six of their most coveted bracelets, earrings and necklaces.

Dannijo tweeted their excitement over their big day: “It’s our birthday! We’re celebrating with a limited-edition collection.” At $295 to $425 the pieces are priced slightly lower than the brand’s average, encouraging their fans to indulge in the colourful celebratory bling. A black and white version of their adored Lovisa earrings are part of the collection, as well as a gold version their basic Etta bib necklace. The glamorous Darby necklace, the resort-ready Margaux bracelet, the day-to-night Elena necklace and the delicate pastel coloured Ava earrings are also included in the collection, which is sure to be as successful as anything else the sisters touch.

Despite its young age, Dannijo’s designs are available in over 120 stores including Bergdorf’s, Holt Renfrew and Harvey Nichols. Pretty impressive considering the businesses humble beginnings in a fourth-floor Lower East Side walk-up just a few years ago. Dannijo’s race to success is often credited to the sisters’ smooth social media skills, with models Jessica Stam, Hilary Rhoda and fashion blogger extraordinaire Leandra Medine frequenting their Instagram and Twitter feeds.

Get your hands on the anniversary collection at dannijo.com.