Isabel Marant Teams Up with H&M

Designer, Isabel Marant, with Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor at H&M.Photo courtesy H&M

OMG. OMG. OH EM GEEEE. H&M has teamed up with Parisian designer Isabel Marant for Fall! The Parisian chicster has attracted legions of devoted fans (myself inclus), hoping to achieve effortless style with her perfect mix of boho ease, urban attitude and rockstar spirit. For H&M, Marant will create a wardrobe of must-have clothing and accessories for women, men, and teens inspired by her signature style. 

“I am flattered by this collaboration. H&M works with the best designers, and this invitation is an exciting honour. I aim at creating something real – something women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carefree style. I think this is very Parisian: you dress up, but don’t pay too much attention to it, and you still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be combined following one’s own instincts, and my take on fashion is all about personality,” says Isabel Marant.

No word yet on exactly how the collection will look (I expect Marant is laissez-faire like that), but I hope there are sweaters, tees, and minis and tonight, I will be dreaming of booties. Not Marant's booty - I mean, her shoes, évidemment.

Mark your calendars (and prepare to queue up): The Isabel Marant pour H&M Collection will hit select H&M stores worldwide on November 14th, 2013. Check out the vid below for a glimpse:

Jason Wu Named Artistic Director of BOSS Womenswear

Since Jason Wu busted onto the fashion scene in 2007, I've loved his modern, distinctly feminine designs. So I was super thrilled to hear that Wu has just been named the new Artistic Director of BOSS Womenswear since it means I might finally be able to afford his clothes. Yay! Starting June 15th, Wu will assume responsibility and creative direction for all product and image related aspects of BOSS Womenswear from the HUGO BOSS headquarters in Germany.  Wu will continue to grow his eponymous RTW and Accessory Collections as well. 

“I have long been a fan of HUGO BOSS’ vast tradition and lineage in extraordinary tailoring. With the state-of-the-art facilities that are unique to the HUGO BOSS design labs, I plan to develop a strong, feminine womenswear collection that reciprocates the brand’s authority in menswear,” says Jason Wu.

The first BOSS Womenswear Collection under Jason Wu’s artistic direction will debut in New York during Pre-Fall 2014 and he'll stage his first runway show during the New York Fall/Winter Fashion Week in February 2014. Can't wait to see how Wu puts his own stamp on BOSS come Fall. Pretty exciting, huh?

Where There's Smoke, There's Fire: Pics from the Greta Constantine Fall '13 Show

My favourite look from the collection - super fun way to edge up a formal dress...

A model gets primped and polished backstage by the M·A·C Cosmetics beauty team

The crowd gets a little judgy (it's their job) as a model struts it in lime green at Toronto's Parts & Labour

The Beckerman sisters (aka, the life of every fashion party)

The gorgeous host of Top Chef Canada, Lisa Ray

As one of Canada's leading design duos, Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill are renowned not only for their figure-hugging frocks but for their over-the-top runway shows. In seasons past, I've been on the Greta Constantine guestlist because the guestlist has numbered in the 100s, not 10s, with impressive shows held in places like Toronto's Distillery District or The Century Room. For their Fall '13 presentation held last week in Toronto, Stephen and Kirk kept it decidedly more exclusive. And so, while a handful of Toronto's top editors and socialites headed to Parkdale's Parts & Labour for the formal runway show, the rest of us flocked to The Hoxton for the Stoli-fueled after-party. Whether A-list or B, I must admit that I feel pretty lucky to be on GC's list at all - dudes know how to throw a party. Click on the thumbnails below to see which well-heeled VIPs made the cut to the main event and, of course, get ready to lust after the lovely Greta Constantine Fall '13 collection. I am loving that maxi dress with the belted fur stole and the hide and chic origami-like vest with the wide-leg white trousers. Oh, and dying over the fierce jewel art by Dandi Maestre. Et tu? Any faves? Be sure to also check out the video below - a super interesting glimpse at the triumphs and challenges of building the Greta Constantine brand. Enjoy!

All photos by George Pimentel

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Holt Renfrew Launches New H Project Shops in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver

The new H Project shop at Holt Renfrew Bloor St. launches today. Photos courtesy Holt Renfrew

We can always count on Holt Renfrew to keep things fresh, forward-thinking and fashionable. Case in point: Holts' brand new in-store shop, H Project, featuring a curated assortment of apparel, accessories, home décor items and beauty products with a focus on culture, craft, and global artisans, 

Leading the charge of H Project is the store's always-on-top-of-it Director of Brand Strategy, Alexandra Weston. “We are thrilled to partner with exciting international designers – some well-known and others just making their mark,” noted Weston. “H Project offers a stage to help tell their unique and compelling stories."

The shop will offer exclusive designer collabs, often with an element of sustainability or a charitable component. H Project shops will launch with over 30 covetable brands that have been scouted from around the globe including Acca Kappa, Cornelia Guest, FEED, Jenny Bird, Lemlem, Lizzie Fortunato, Me to We, Proof, Rodin, S’Well, The White Briefs, Virginia Johnson and WeWood. 

As for the shop's design, Holt Renfrew collaborated with Janson Goldstein to design a modern gallery-like space where customers can discover elements of theatre, art and culture. The open flow shops will inspire with artisanal installations, cultural music, and videos on a listening wall where customers can learn about the stories behind the products. So, it's kind of like a mash-up of MoMA and Ten Thousand Villages, then?

H Project pilot shops are open this week at Holt Renfrew Toronto (Bloor), Calgary, and Vancouver, with the first full concept H Project shop set to open at Holt Renfrew’s Yorkdale location in fall 2013. See you there - I'll be the one getting my Lemlem on. x

Back in Black: The Joe Fresh Fall '13 Show

Canadian supermodel Heather Marks goes Parisian punk at the Joe Fresh Fall 2013 show

The crazy pre-show scene at World MasterCard Fashion Week

My mad matchy-matchiness from last night (Joe himself approved - yes!) 

All runway photos by George Pimentel, Video made by me on Vine

I'm back from World MasterCard Fashion Week and ready to sort out all of my pics from the tents but before I do, had to post photos from last night's Joe Fresh show.  For Fall '13, Joe Mimran was influenced by Paris, the Sex Pistols, and the '90s punk movement, done up almost entirely in black -  a decided departure from the happy brights so synonymous with Joe Fresh.

Though maybe not as universally likeable a collection, it was a really nice change of pace for the brand and I loved the edginess of it all. The studded pieces, the white chunky turtleneck and that liquid black blazer will all be moving into my closet come Fall.  Thoughts? Loves? Leave your comments below and let me know!

Check back soon for more Fashion Week pics from David Dixon, LINE Knitwear, Mackage (amazing show) and more, plus street style snaps I shot at the tents, and a few pics of what I wore. K, time to nap - last night's after-party completely did me in. Zzzz.... 

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