Flare Report Archives - October 2007

Just got word that Hollywould just launched a line of handbags for ’08! Happy new year indeed…

– Aya McMillan

Trend Alert: Spats

Made popular in the late 19th century, Karl Lagerfled showed updated versions of the over-the-shoe accessory at Chanel. We found these more budget-friendly options from Posso (possothespat.com) and Kristen Lee (kristenlee.com) to instantly transform your simple sandals, ho-hum heels, and boring boots into runway-worthy chaussures.

-Aya McMillan

Scenesters

From plexiglass scaffolding at Fendi to a Pegasus-winged structure at Alexander McQueen, fashion show venues are fast becoming as much a spectacle as the shows themselves. Here’s an insider’s look at them pre-arrival of all the editors, buyers, celebs and PETA crashers. Think of it as the calm before the storm.

– Aya McMillan

We just got word that Sixty Canada is holding the sample sale of the season. Get in on fall/winter goods from Acne Jeans, Filippa K., Nudie Jeans, Denim Birds, James Perse, and Ever. Just make sure to bring cash as Interac and plastic aren’t accepted (they probably deserve a rest anyway).

460 Richmond St. West, #600
Thursday, October 25th – 11am to 8pm
Friday, October 26th – 11am to 8pm

-Aya McMillan

Costume Drama

You know him as a couture designer, but did you know he does costumes as well? Yves Saint Laurent, that is. To celebrate his work in the theater, the Pierre Berge Foundation is featuring original pieces like the black wool dress with white satin cuff Catherine Deneuve wore in Belle De Jour. How about the sequin mini-dress with bird plumes Madame Zizi Jeanmarie donned during her 1970 Casino de Paris show extravaganza. Until January 28. www.ysl-hautecouture.com

-Aya McMillan

Chew on this…

Our latest oral fixation? Wrigley’s sugar-free 5 gum (their first since Extra, which came out over 20 years ago). Perhaps it’s because of the sleek little black cases that every editor at the shows was whipping out, but we like to think it’s the orange one that got ’em hooked. It’s our fave flavour, ‘natch.

-Aya McMillan

	Patrick Cox

FLARE recently had the chance to sit down over appies with Canadian shoe guru Patrick Cox. The British-based designer started out creating shoes for John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood and Charles Jordan before launching his own label almost 25 years ago and, om, Madonna, Liz Hurley and Uma Thurman are all fans. Here’s a snippet of our tête-à-tête:

What can we expect for spring ‘08?
This is the collection that I thought, “this is for the consumer.” I just think something has to give, because I mean not everyone can be walking around in crazy fashionista heels and everything. So we’ve done a nice line, the heel is chunky—quite thick but no clunk no platform.

What’s up with women’s obsession with shoes?
I remember when I first launched my company, the listings in British Vogue listed my home phone number because I run my company from there. I used to get women calling up leaving ten-minute messages talking about their feet on my answering machine and hanging up. They just wanted to get it off their chest thinking I was an expert and call up about bunions and things like that. Women treat shoe designers like psychiatrists, someone they can pour their heart out to.

Who’s the Patrick Cox woman?
I think I’m addressing strong, independent women, not a wall-flower or someone shy or retiring. I think it’s someone who doesn’t mind being noticed because what I do is quite striking—an educated, fashion consumer because I’m not the most obvious thing. There are other brands that you would think of to go to before getting around to mine, so you have to understand and actually look for mine. I think my clients are not arm candy—she buys her own shoe. You know they may have relationships with men, this and that, but they don¹t need a man. They choose to have a man. I think there’s empowerment to my shoes. To me, if someone says something is so pretty, it’s just not what I want something to be. My shoes are sexy, bold, and dynamic.

-Aya McMillan

World Class

The fashion week circuit is officially over and we can’t help thinking how great a little vaca would be. While somewhere hot and tropical would be divine, a jaunt across the pond to jolly ol’ England would be ever more chic. Under the creative direction of the lovely Canuck Alannah Weston, and with a $20 million price tag, Holt Renfrew’s sister store Selfridges just launched the Wonder Room—a 19,000-square-foot space designed to showcase some of the world’s most luxurious items. Think super pricey Chanel watches and jewel-encrusted Theo Fennel jewelry. Not unique enough? How ’bout rare vinyls and fine wines from a self-serve wine ‘jukebox’ or a hand-crafted winged riding saddle by Hermes? With all that eye-candy, we’re considering it a wonder to behold. thewonderroom.selfridges.com

-Aya McMillan

Small Wonders

This year saw the debut of Fifi Bijoux at London Fashion week and the fash-crowd were instantly smitten. The British jewelry label crafts entire eco-friendly and ethically sound designs. All the gold and gemstones used by them are from community-owned, cooperative mines that are operating eco-sustainability programs. The baubles aren’t available in Canada just yet, but Fifi’s creative director and founder Vivien Johnson gave us a list of online retailers. Check out the range of designs at www.fifibijoux.com and see for yourself just how well fashion and ethics can mix. Available online at http://www.adili.com/, http://www.loulasboutique.com and http://www.fashionconscience.com

-Aya McMillan

Rumour has it…

That Thakoon Panichgul may be preparing for a design role at Hogan. The word in fashion circles is that the New York-based designer was in Paris over the weekend for talks with Tod’s Group boss Diego Della Valle, who is on the lookout for a creative director for his luxury leather label. Reports suggest that Della Valle has also been courting Giles Deacon to spearhead the resurrection of the house of Elsa Schiaparelli, which he bought the rights to earlier this year. Watch this space!

-Aya McMillan

Lady in Red

Hollywood starlet Ginnifer Goodwin was seen recently wearing a fab red frock, but while the design is credited to Toronto-born designer Jay Godfrey, the true inspiration goes to Gianfranco Ferré. The late designer was such a motivation to Godfrey that the he created a dress based around the Ferré knot after hearing of the designer’s passing. For all others with Ferré nostalgia, the dress is now available at Saks Fifth Avenue stores and online.

-Aya McMillan

Let’s hear it for the Girls

The British Fashion Council just announced the nominees for this year’s British Fashion Awards to be held on November 27th and it’s an unprecedented all-girl line-up for Designer of the Year. Luella Bartley, Stella McCartney and Anya Hindmarch (creator of the infamous I’m not a plastic bag) are all in the running for the title. Now that’s what we call girl power.

-Aya McMillan
Photograhy by Anthea Simms

A New Way to Denim

Denim has once again been designated the “it” fabric du jour, with scores of designers working new magic on the eternal favourite. At Chanel, the Kaiser sent out blue-jean everything down the runway at the spring collection, but here’s another unique and more accessible take: the newly launched Di-Amanda collection by Toronto-based jewelry brand D&D Creations. Created from plain-jane indigo, the baubles have been lavishly laced with hand-crafted sterling silver and diamonds and designed to be your new favourite all-purpose piece. Just don’t put them in the dryer. D&D Creations, 1-866-50-DENIM

– Aya McMillan

High Kicks

Hey all you foot fetishists, if you’re in the Boston area, stomp on over to the MFA to check out Walk This Way. The exhibit compares 30 or so shoes from over the years with noted art pieces. Can Celtic Kevin Garnett’s sneaks be compared to Greek athletes? How about a pair of Boston ballet pointe shoes to Degas’ ballerinas? You decide. MFA.org

– Aya McMillan

Get Clicking!

Samsonite has just launched a new e-commerce site, allowing customers to purchase its jet-set worthy luggage online. Collections available on the site include some of our faves, such as Alexander McQueen designed cases and the limited-edition Fashionaire collection. Definitely an excuse to start thinking about another trip. Samsonite.ca

– Aya McMillan