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The FLARE Report
Flare Report Archives
January 2008
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Thursday, January 31, 2008
Ready Set Go
Hotel and flights are booked, invitations have arrived, chic ensembles selected, after-party decisions made. It only means one thing: The Fashion Week circuit is upon us. Here are a few of the things we’re looking forward to seeing for the fall/winter 2008 shows: London—the return of Ossie Clark.
NEW YORK
• Scottish wunderkind JONATHAN SAUNDERS will show in the Big Apple for the first time
• With this year’s announcement of a team of power players that includes Harvey Weinstein, Tamara Mellon, Rachel Zoe and Versace’s Marco Zanini, HALSTON is primed for a glamorous 21st century revival
• HERVE LEGER is returning to the catwalk. Now owned by Max Azria, the show will mark the first time that an American designer will produce three shows for three different collections during one fashion week.
• PETER SOM makes his debut as creative director for Bill Blass (see the gorgeous invite designed by Julia Restoin-Roitfeld)
• PROENZA SCHOULER is marking it’s 5th anniversary on the catwalk—expect to see the debut of their bag collection
• SEE by Chloe is launching a line of accessories to go with their covetable clothes
LONDON
• After a nine-year absence, Vivienne Westwood is returning to her roots by staging her more accessibly priced collection RED LABEL
MILAN
• All eyes will be on the first collection for Valentino by ALESSANRA FACCHINETTI
PARIS
• KARL LAGERFELD is launching his own line of handbags, small leather goods and luggage. We’re promised an emphasis on luxury materials, hardware and “high-tech” elements, so start saving now
• Designer wunderkind OLIVIER THEYSKENS has included a full collection of jewelry for Nina Ricci
Aya McMillan
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Monday, January 28, 2008
Value facials
A friend recently asked me where to go in Toronto for a good, reasonably priced facial. Coincidentally, I had just had a terrific facial at The Bay on Queen St. West. It’s no Stillwater Spa, but the Decléor counter has a treatment room on site, and facialist Helena Savosko is tops at her game. A skin expert who understands the dilemmas of a girl suffering from acne, aging, sensitivity and dehydration at once? I’m willing to trade in luxe frills for knowledgeable tips and personalized service. For example, did you know that washing your face with tap water can be too harsh on sensitive skin? To cut down on redness, she recommended I use a cleansing water that doesn’t require any rinsing.
Not to mention Helena’s apt facial massaging skills. But the true test of a good facial is how it holds up over the following weeks. And since I’ve been receiving “your skin looks great” compliments ever since, I’m giving it the thumbs up. Ask about facial packages for the best rates.
Carlene Higgins
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Friday, January 25, 2008
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Photography,
Anthea Simms |
Splurge vs. Steal
Miu Miu is one of those labels that’s a perennial fashion favourite among ingénue hearts (just ask Kirsten Dunst). They’re spring collection, in particular, had style setters chattering with their naughty French maid uniforms and little girl bloomers. Miuccia Prada finished her tempting looks with flirty silk shirt cuffs, but at a staggering $200 + a pair, they’re not in every fashion lover’s budget. Enter Cuff Luv Cuffs.
The Chicago based company has been crafting these lovelies for several seasons and at a mere $40, you can afford to order every style. Whether you choose the crochet trim, tulle, or antique lace, we think they’re just the thing to give any outfit flair (and flare).
Go to Cuffluvstuff.com for more information.
Aya McMillan
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Thursday, January 24, 2008
Ciao Bella
We must admit—TV has been a bit lackluster of late. So if Cashmere Mafia isn’t fulfilling your fashionable whims, surely Fashion Television’s on air special on Valentino will. Tune in to CTV at 7 p.m. ET tonight to say ciao to the designer himself—following his last-ever collection shown in Paris yesterday. Jeanne Beker will host the one-hour spotlight, Valentino: King of Couture, where she speaks candidly to Valentino from his Parisian studio in a worldwide exclusive. Grab a box of designer Kleenex and gather a group of your most fashionable friends to pay tribute to the style icon in this can’t miss feature.
Zdenka Turecek
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January 18, 2008
Precious Cargo
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| Pinel & Pinel |
Pinel & Pinel is synonymous with luxury. The bespoke label grew out of 1930s-style streamer trunks in the same vein as LV and Goyard and has since expanded to include haute leather accessories for urban jet-setters. Just in time for the brand’s 10-year anniversary, founder Fred Pinel is introducing a new collection of leather and exotic skin handbags. And in keeping with the company’s love of colour, these covetable designs come in a range of surprising shades—think vivid hits of violet, turquoise, and coral—making these sophisticated beauties a real standout.
Raquel Lowe
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January 17, 2008
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January 11, 2008
Meet Lagerfeld’s newest protégé
KARL LAGERFELD has a new protégé: Jean-Pierre Braganza. The Canadian-born designer—who launched his own-name label at London Fashion Week in 2004—has been chosen by the Kaiser to participate in The Protégé Project, a new initiative sponsored by the Australian Merino Wool Innovation with the aim of re-invoking the idea of patronage. Paul Smith, Franca Sozzani, Donatella Versace and Francisco Costa join Lagerfeld among the high-profile mentors taking part in the scheme, which has seen young designers from around the globe create a collection of Merino wool pieces. Our boy done good…
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| Jean-Pierre Braganza |
Looks from his Spring/Summer ’08 collection |
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–Aya McMillan
Photography, Anthea Simms
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January 10, 2008
Bright Ideas
Moschino is known for its tongue-in-chic style and now the whimsical label has taken its vision home with its new line of lamps. Without straying too far from its iconic wit, the Italian label’s new collection copies the garments that inspired them. In true-to-life dimensions, the dress, bag, bustier and boot lamps are available through special order.
–Raquel Lowe
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January 7, 2008
Trend Alert: cool rides
With the unseasonably mild weather as of late (how scary is it that January reached double digits?) and the debate over global warming rages on, some designers have chosen a timely launch for their newest covetable accessory: bicycles!
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Chanel’s luxe offering celebrates the heritage of the house, which is steeped in Coco Chanel’s love of sport. She’d be proud to ride in the hand-finished eight-speeder, which is accented with the house’s signature quilted leather and double-C logo.
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Gucci’s red-hot velo was designed as part of a special one-off collection for the Beijing summer games and comes with bold red double GG leather details.
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Cynthia Rowley went sportif chic for spring with a catwalk presentation that included floral bikes and a darling gold necklace. At cynthiarowley.com.
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–Aya McMillan
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January 3, 2008
Happy New Year!
TOPSHOP is one of those stores that we wish would finally make it’s way to Canada. From Kate Moss’s collection to a rumoured collaboration with model of the moment Agyness Dean, the London high street chain is the go-to for cheap and chic. Their latest designer capsule collections were just announced from the studios of Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab Richard Nicoll and(!) Canadian designer Todd Lynn. We love his androgynous aesthetic (so does Bono, PJ Harvey, Marilyn Manson and the Stones) and can’t wait to see it when it lands at the end of the month.
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Photos: Anthea Simms
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| FLARE had a chance to chat with the Smith Falls, Ontario native about his designs, obsessions and what turns him on. for the interview. |
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–Aya McMillan
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January 2, 2008
Haute Horlogerie
Andreas Von Zadora subscribes to the belief that time is precious. Literally. The Canadian designer’s latest collection features a dozen timepieces (one for every big hand stop), all made with gold, diamonds and a sapphire case backing. Each extravagant motif, from fairytale frog prince to pretty pink poppies, sits atop a guilloche decorated domed plate. No doubt inspired by his early training with Haida Indian arts, the enchanting and intricately crafted gems also manage to tell time. But with only 50 pieces available per year, you’d be wise not to waste another second.
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–Aya McMillan
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January 1, 2008
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