Fashion File | CBC Television

New Season of Fashion File

2009-06-02T18:55:52Z

There's a new season of Fashion File, coming soon on CBC!

We have a new look, a new flavour, and plenty of new segments to bring the high-octane world of fashion home to you.

The Fashion 101 series explains the basics of the modelling world. Today's top models and experts in the field give us the inside story on Supermodel style, striking a pose, and tips for a fierce runway walk.

Runway For Real is our new makeover series, where we show you how to shop for looks right off the runway for a fraction of the designer prices. Some of the season's biggest collections from Marc Jacobs, Chanel and Alexander McQueen all get the Runway For Real treatment, proving that a little legwork and imagination can get you catwalk looks for less.

Who do the designers look to for inspiration? The Style Icon series highlights some of the biggest names in music, film, and fashion, whose personal style has given them icon status. Watch as we trace each style story from the beginning and breakdown the influence of people like Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker and Steve McQueen, with first person accounts and the analysis of style experts.

This season Fashion File went on location with Fashion Magazine to Miami, to shoot the trends for an editorial inspired by the 1984 film "Overboard". Mixing high fashion with the drama happening behind the scenes, our coverage makes for a sexy and fun series in the Florida sun.

All that, plus our unequalled coverage of the season's biggest collections, celebrity trends, and fashion news, all this coming this fall on CBC!

Fashion File on Hiatus

2009-06-02T18:43:27Z

Fashion File is no longer in production. However, if you have any thoughts or comments, or want to know more about the show, please contact CBC Audience Relations.

LG Fashion Week Day 4

2009-03-23T17:00:24Z

Aime Luxury Je T'Aime

To a soundtrack of whimsical French pop, Aime Luxury designer Monica Mei presented her "seasonless" 2009 collection very aptly named, "Paris Je T'Aime". An unconventional hybrid of classically Parisian themes (bib collars, ruffles, chiffon, a very 'Chanel' colour palette) mixed in with futuristic elements (metallics, piping, volume in the right places) made for a refreshing combination at Toronto Fashion week.

NADA Get's With the Times

Toronto native Nada Shepherd has been designing clothes for the past 9 years and wanted to take a very different approach this season. "The line is usually pretty feminine but this season we went a little bit harsher with the styling", -and harsher it was. As our interview progressed in a quiet corner of the backstage dressing room, I had a glimpse of her models out of the corner of my eye -hair pulled back tight, pale-faced, blocked out brows, black lips, chains, leather and feathers and I was immediately reminded of Rick Owens' creatures of the night. Not something your regular 30-45 year old woman (as she said her brand caters to) would wear, but would be more suited for the younger, fashion forward set. It was obvious this collection was a huge departure from her previous one where she showed flow-y caftan dresses in bright bold colours. This season, her inspiration was the idea of a dark futuristic world. "It's not a feel-good collection. It's called 'Utopia' but it's a dark utopia, it's more of a 'dis-topia'. I asked people to kind of put themselves into the future where science and technology has given us everything we think we've wanted as humans but there's sort of a consequence for that". The dark theme of this collection only prompted the inevitable question of whether the recession had anything to do with her final product. "[The recession] is global. This is a big deal. With that said, there's still an optimism there. Yeah it's dark, but there's that light at the end of the tunnel". Not limited to this collection, designers are coming to a very ironic conclusion, "I realized people are not going to buy the basic wool pant from me. Who are you kidding? They're going to buy it from the Gap, they're going to buy it at H&M, they're going to buy it from companies that could do it for a lot less, so I decided to take the other tack and just go the other way and do pieces that aren't 'easy', in the sense that they're everyday staples. They're special pieces, they're unique pieces". And the outcome? Innovative fabrics (the glossy leggings in several of her looks are not PVC but are in fact, a stretch leather), an incredible beauty look (my favourite so far this week), and something many Canadian designers lack in their collections -risk.

Photos courtesy Jess Baumung

Ed Hardy

I'm not exactly a fan of this brands garish aesthetic, and one might even question its place at a "fashion" event, but I must say that Ed Hardy's Swim and Snow collection was definitely entertaining and was a great way to conclude the evening! Rail thin beauties stomped down the runway in bikinis and cut-out swim suits bearing that distinctive graphic that actually didn't seem so gaudy in this context. And if you're wondering how a show with such contrasting themes (winter/summer) gets styled, it was exactly how you would imagine -a bikini-clad model wearing ski goggles and a brawny male model in a speedy holding a snow board were a few of the runway looks.

Get the beauty look:    Ed Hardy Swim and Snow

L'Oreal Paris' official hair artist and colourist Eric Del Monaco and the official makeup artist and artistic director for LG Fashion Week Beauty, Eddie Malterre, shows us how to get the Ed Hardy Swim and Snow runway beauty looks.

Hair:

"This look is very nice, it's very fresh. We're just taking a straightening iron, we're just going to make it very straight and very clean but instead of just taking the iron and going straight down, we're going to take it and iron it in all different angles so when she walks down the runway it'll have a veiled effect, it's not just going to hang there, it's going to flow. It's so easy to do!"

STEP 1: Start with clean, dry hair. Apply a small amount of L'Oreal Special FX Studio Architect Wax to the hair which will protect the hair from the heat of the straightening iron.

STEP 2: Use a hair clip to separate your hair into quarters. Take approximately 2 inch wide strands of hair and starting from the root, flat iron the hair pulling each strand in different directions rather than just straight down.

STEP 3: When completed, use a small amount of L'Oreal Studio Mineral FX Gel Cream and emulsify it between your hands. Pat the product into the ends of your hair. For longer wear, apply a bit of hairspray instead.

END RESULT:

Eric's hair tip for transitioning from winter into spring: "If your using any kind of a heated tool you should get some kind of a protector cream, spray, anything to protect against the heat of the blow dryer. You can use a bit of hairspray or the architect wax."

Makeup:

"We wanted it to look very feminine, very glamour with lots of emphasis on the eyes but with a beautiful frosty glow on the face and the cheekbones are fresh cheekbones and lips look like there is a pout."

Skin: Use true match foundation and powder all over face. For blush, apply a light peach colour to the apples of your cheeks. Use L'Oreal's pearl eye shadow as a highlight under your eyes and above your cheekbones for a frosty look.

Eyes: Using L'Oreal HIP Metallic eye shadow black and silver duo, apply the darker shade on the outer eye lid and then apply the silver on the inner half of the lid, blending the two shades together in the center. Apply black liquid eyeliner on the top eye lid and black mascara on the top and bottom eye lashes. Apply the same eye shadows on the bottom eyelid for a smoky effect.

Lips: Use L'Oreal Colour Rich lipstick in shade 339 or any pale pink lipstick. Apply a coat of clear lip gloss on top.

For an everyday look, Eddie suggests toning down the eyes by using the eye shadows as an eye liner instead of applying to the entire eye lid.

End Result:

Eddie's makeup tip for transitioning from winter into spring:
"Have two foundations, one a bit darker and one a bit lighter. Our skin always changes so it's good to play with two foundations. Sometimes you buy a foundation and think 'oh, it's too light', but keep it and buy one a little bit darker and you can blend it together."

Seen and Heard:

Adrian interviewing Ruffian designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais. The duo, along with Style.com's Nicole Phelps were in town to promote their new book "Ruffian: Inside Out"

The woman behind the brilliant style.com show reviews, Nicole Phelps

Nicole's amazing gold snakeskin shoes

Adrian introducing the designers and their models wearing pieces from Ruffian's Fall 09 collection

The amazing beauty look from NADA's runway show

Model Amanda Laine spotted backstage having some difficulty trying to remove the said beauty look

A fashion week attendee sporting a unique self-made head piece

Adrian interviewing designer Carlton Brown before his show

I spotted Young & the Restless' Dr. Olivia Winters (actress Tonya Lee Williams) in the crowd

L'Oreal's infamous Elnett hairspray spotted backstage. L'Oreal's official hair artist Eric Del Monaco informed me that this will finally be available in Canada this fall.

Posted by HAZEL

LG Fashion Week Day 3

2009-03-20T00:56:32Z

Waiting For Gaudet

Norm and Gio Gaudet's show opened the tent at Nathan Phillip's Square on Day Three of LG Fashion Week with Audio Bully's technicolour remix of Nancy Sinatra's Shot Me Down. A wardrobe of outerwear focused on bringing colour and life back to winter. Perfect for the 44th parallel where winter lasts for the better part of the year.

Textile: The key element in this collection, Gaudet used hand pulled felted wool featuring: embroidery, abstract and floral silk appliqués, and a subtle tulle overlay. Clean and well executed without being fussy (considering all the details).

Silhouette: A body-con collection in all the right ways. The cut is made for everywoman, but the colour is not for everday. The shape was forgiving and sweet - nipped waists with circle skirts and ¾ length A-line cuts were predominant.

Colours: canary yellows, powder blues, rust and sepia tones. The inspiration came from a blanket of wildflowers seen on a visit to Gio's native Georgia.

Style notes: Belts for all! Dropped hem coats (reminiscent of the skirts in Marni's SS 2008 collection), chain and cluster necklaces from H&M (the chains were a bit Givenchy lite?), and finally liquid leggings and skinny pants that weren't quite skinny enough. Overall, a collection of beautifully finished coats - though the details in the styling left something to be desired.

Comrags: Our lovely Mess

Coming out of their 25th year - this collection was made for the Comrags girl - one that is never quite right, but is never quite wrong and knows what she wants.

Textile: The first half of the collection was all about tweeds and tartans. Worn layered together, or over jersey and lace - it certain was a lovely mess. After all the great separates came the dresses - in beautifully crumpled nylon taffeta.

Silhouette: Something for everyone. The silhouettes were the usual suspects: blouses, cardigans, oversized oxfords, shirtdresses, and sumptuous wide leg trousers that added more length to the already lean Amazons strutting down the runway. The dresses were mainly shifty, though they did play with some volume and nipping of the midsection.

Colour: The separates at the beginning of the show were individually muted (rust, brown, grey and black), but the colours and textures layered together to create a more interesting look. It was very refreshing to see the jewel toned dresses in the second act of the show (sapphire blue, raspberry, poison ivy green).

Style notes: A great choice in the John Fluevog shoes, ankle socks and undone hair. Perfectly in line with the natural beauty of Comrags, for the slightly awkward/cool girl who wears her curly hair au naturel.

Andy Thê-Anh: Did you say recession?

Staying true to himself, Andy produced another sleek and sophisticated collection of wearable dresses and separates.

Textile: yards of silk, velvet, fur, and pounds of Swarovski crystals were used to create the FW 2009 collection, who said we were in a recession?

Silhouette: It was all about the legs - mini skirts, fitted maxi dresses, oversized blazers worn alone, all paired with Swarovski bejewelled leggings (Oh hey there, McQueen SS09)

The colour palette began in the gold/bronze and brown family. Chartreuse and more vibrant hits of green unleashed the other colours in the box - with canary yellow, rich reds, and fuschia all mixing with gold and black anchors.

Style notes: obi belts served to highlight the waist and provide a sharpness to contrast all the ruffles, and intricate folding on the dresses.

Posted by JACQUIE

The Heart Truth

2009-03-18T23:13:49Z

Fun, fabulousness, and heart health were the themes at the 2009 Heart Truth fashion show last night. The usual models sat this one out and instead, some of the nations most celebrated women strutted their stuff down the runway. Marilyn Denis, Sass Jordan, Amy Sky and Natalie Brown were some of the celeb models that took part. The red dress looks were contributed by some of the country's top designers including Pink Tartan, Greta Constantine, Joeffer Caoc, Evan Biddell, Pat McDonagh, Carlie Wonge and David Dixon. And we're happy to report that there were no spills this season!

Posted by HAZEL

LG Fashion Week Day 2: Seen and Heard at the Tents

2009-03-18T23:05:31Z

Adrian interviewing Holt Renfrew's Barbara Atkins

Elmer Olsen with Justine Chambers

Model Stacy McKenzie

Models Chantilly Scott, Elise Helene Gatschene, Justine Chambers

backstage hair and makeup

Adrian interviewing Linda Lundstrom pre-show

Andy The Anh and friend sitting behind us at the Heart Truth fashion show

Guest of honour, Laureen Harper (wife of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper) sitting front row at the Heart Truth fashion show (blonde hair).

Posted by HAZEL

Getting to know Ula Zukowska

2009-03-18T22:55:57Z

Minutes before showing her Fall 2009 collection, I spoke with Toronto fashion veteran Ula Zukowska about her new collection...

Tell us a little bit about you and your line.

Me? I'm almost like a veteran in fashion week. This is probably my 10th season, or actually my 10th year at fashion week and my line has always had an architecture influence from the beginning. I'm just changing the moods on the runway and I'm just adding a little bit of trend for the line but basically all you see on the runway is for strong independent woman.

Who is the Ula girl? Who is the Ula customer?

She's an independent woman who doesn't care what someone else would say about her. She looks how she wants to.

What are we expecting to see on the runway today?

Big hair, great makeup, big shoulders, long legs and strange cuts, but everything for a very high esteem model, girl, woman and mother

What were your inspirations for this collection?

The inspiration for me is always just a good day, nice architecture, nice interior design magazines but no designers, no trends. I'm just searching all the colours of my imagination, putting together fabric, shape, shape of the girl, that's it.

So after 10 years, what has changed in your design aesthetic?

It's always updating by the day. It always has elements of the contemporary fashion and what we need everyday. When the world is going crazy with wars everywhere, it has some influence in my collection as well. If it's going 'green' and everything is 'green', I have organic fabrics and sometimes it's going back to the previous 10 years fashion, it has some elements. All of these collections always have an architecture influence. My background is architecture - I'm an architect, I just switched for fashion so I always keep this as a place for my creation.

And how exactly does your background in architecture influence your designs?

Well I'm creating a shape again, but not for the buildings, but for ladies.

How important is the runway show for your business? Is it something you use to get your name out there or is it also important for buying?

It's two things. First, it's my award for all my hard work. Second is getting my name out there. The buying side, not always but it's much much easier if I show on the runway, but still I have to work out so much with the buyers.

What kinds of difficulties do you experience being a Canadian designer?

All the difficulties that are possible! To find a great fabric is the first main problem. To find a perfect production team is the biggest problem because everything is sent offshore so that's big problems. To produce a big collection here in Canada is very hard; everything is overseas. And I would still like to keep everything here in Canada. Other than that everything has been going smoothly. As soon as I accepted the invitation for LG fashion week I started penetrating all corners of my imagination and just go through with it.

Is the current state of the economy affecting the business aspect of your brand?

I think everyone is affected by the economy but I still have quite a substantial clientele who are not afraid of this big image of our economy. Basically they probably don't care. They're just buying and shopping until they drop, so it's still okay. But I do feel it, there is a big difference.

So how are you feeling minutes before your collection hits the runway? Are you nervous?

I'm trying to be very organized. The day before the show, I always have everything done and if something strange happens, I still have the time. So I'm not nervous, I'm just waiting for the show. Now is my enjoyment time. All those three months of hard work has passed. Today is my enjoyment day!

Lastly, what can we expect from you in the near future?

I have a show in Europe in Berlin a month after this one and after that I'm going for a big vacation!

Some looks from her collection:

Posted by HAZEL

Day 1: LG Fashion Week F/W 09

2009-03-17T17:32:47Z

Seen and heard at Holt Renfrew's Media Cocktail...

Degrassi TNG's Adamo Ruggieri, Stacey Farber and Lauren Collins

Fashion File host Adrian Mainella chatting it up with Joe Mimran

Robin Kay and Kimberly Mimran

Robin Kay saying a few words

Holt Renfew's Barbara Atkins looking fabulous with a new blonde 'do. Barbara announced that 5 capsule collections from Canadian designers Denis Gagnon, Greta Constantine, Mikhael Kale, Philip Sparks and Jeremy Laing will be sold exclusively at Holt Renfrew.

Here is a preview of some of the looks:

Mikhael Kale

Modelling the looks

Jeremy Laing

Denis Gagnon

Check out this lady's nails! Wow!

Fritz Helder & the Phantoms

Tommy Ton of Jakandjil.com, fresh from Paris!

Some of the displays in the new contemporary space at Holt Renfew.

Posted by HAZEL

Spotted At TFW - Louis Bompard

2009-03-17T17:30:12Z

Name: Louis Bompard
From: Paris, France
Spotted at: Holt Renfrew's media cocktail
Occupation: Fashion journalist for L'Officiel
What brings you to TFW? "I was invited by Robin (Kay)"
What are you wearing? Vintage trench coat, vintage leather jacket, Topshop shirt and Topshop trousers

Chloe F/W 09

2009-03-13T18:39:45Z

A parade of beautifully cut blanket coats and pea jackets at the top of the Chloé show for Winter 09 gave masculine class to a collection that was the second effort by the British designer Hannah MacGibbon. Masculine/feminine tension was gracefully played between the sporty outerwear and light as air girly dresses and frilly blouses combined with soft pants underneath.

There was a peaceful cohesion to the collection with flesh and earthtones and a surprise sequence of ivory pantsuits and dresses at the end.

As always, accessories are a strong point at Chloé: check out those sparkly sandals, high suede boots, and roomy bags!

It is good to see a young designer settle into the right groove so quickly!

Models rehearsing:

Anna Jagodzinska:

Elsa Sylvan:

Backstage:

Karli Kloss:

Liu Wen:

Taryn Davidson:

The Collection:

Photographed by Alice Crosara
Posted by Madeleine Czigler

John Galliano F/W 09

2009-03-13T18:27:56Z

Spectacular makeup, imaginative hair (or pieces), and an over-the-top light show all add up to a John Galliano extravaganza for Winter 09. The designer already celebrated royal Orientalism at Dior, now he has gone folksy at a Ukrainian wedding, that morphed into a sensual Arabian night swirl. It all added up to a colourful, exuberant fashion romp that reaffirms Galliano's rich fantasy and creative energy. The challenge: how does this translate into real clothes?

Backstage:

The Collection:

Photographed by Alice Crosara
Posted by Madeleine Czigler

Louis Vuitton F/W 09

2009-03-13T16:51:00Z

Music from the Moulin Rouge was the clue that set the tone for this very CanCan collection at Vuitton. Marc Jacobs had fun playing with those sexy Parisian fashion symbols: the frilly skirts, lace up in the back boots, daring bustiers, saucy hats, and colour everywhere: from absinthe green, to pinks, reds and oranges. Underneath all the frill and frivolity were some well cut vests and coats. "Perfection, this was the perfect collection," gushed Rachel Zoe after the show.

Marc Jacobs:

Models Outside After the Show:

Rachel Zoe and her reality show crew:

Scott Schuman aka The Sartorialist:

Tommy Ton of JakandJill

Vuitton Fan:

Photographed by Alice Crosara
Posted by Madeleine Czigler

Chanel F/W 09

2009-03-13T15:43:46Z

Chanel was one of the few shows of the Paris season that dared to go full steam ahead with a lush presentation, brimming with energy and the inimitable Coco charm. Held in the magnificent Grand Palais, the predominantly black and white collection drew from "dandy" influences, showing off little black Chanel hats, crepe and wool jackets, suits and dresses - all of which are this house's calling cards. Splashes of absinthe green and lively pink added zest to it all. As Karl Lagerfeld remarked at the end of the show, "I think green and pink are joyful colours, no? We seem to need it today." But what set every self-respecting fashionista's heart atwitter were the accessories: the casually flung knapsacks, see-through plastic purses, and the romantic embellishment of camelia corsages around the wrist and neck.

Freida Pinto:

Karl Lagerfeld:

Thai Princess Siriwanwaree:

Photos by ALICE
Posted by MADELEINE

Clothes For Sophistofunks, Aristocats...

2009-03-12T15:03:23Z

André Benjamin, better known as André3000, has a reputation for being one of the most stylish rappers in hip hop, so when this rapper decides to start his own clothing line, it makes sense. On Tuesday night, André Benjamin paid a visit to Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street in Toronto to launch his Spring/Summer 2009 Benjamin Bixby menswear collection. Aside from being part of the acclaimed rap duo Outkast, André Benjamin the designer is now receiving praise from fashion's rank and file. Earlier this year, he was a finalist in the CFDA's Best New Menswear Designer category. Quite a feat, considering the current success rate of the conventional celeb-turned-designer endeavours. This is Benjamin's second collection which he said was inspired by "colonial India". The collection focuses on clean, tailored looks mixed with a safari-like flair and a colour palette that reflects the natural desert landscape of India.

André Benjamin saying a few words about the collection. He said his favourite piece of the collection was the shirt he was wearing -the over-dyed button down oxford. What a great colour on him!

...and we can't forget a close up of his shoes -very apropos for the rainy weather that evening:

The atmosphere:

Holt Renfrew's VP of menswear Lanita Layton introduces Benjamin.

And lastly, some of the fashionable party attendees:

Posted by HAZEL

Stella McCartney F/W 09

2009-03-11T14:40:12Z

All the hallmarks of the Stella Style were present in this collection. Well cut vests, short and long, flirty slips of dresses and the casual knits. And those silver and black shag coats reaffirmed Stella's rock chic leanings. But one walked away feeling that this time the designer also gave a nod to British Mumsy nostalgia.

Beth Ditto, Sir Paul, and Selma Hayek:

Selma Hayek:

The Collection:

Stella McCartney:

Photographed by Alice Crosara
Posted by Madeleine Czigler