Oakridge Style

Fashion houses aren’t giving up without a fight. Determined to continue to send the latest looks out and deliver us all from recessionista chic, major brands are taking initiatives to save their lines. Here, a rundown on who’s taking action, who’s looking for help, and who’s not worrying about it. 

Looking for Help
Yohji Yahamoto has filed for bankruptcy, but might have a buyer.
LaCroix has finally secured a buyout offer.  
Escada has secured a buyer.

Taking Action
Versace has laid off much of its staff.
Major layoffs are expected at Gucci.
Zac Posen eliminated a very senior position.
LaCroix has plans to turn into a lifestyle brand.
Proenza Schouler is doing a lower-priced line.

Not Worrying at All
Armani, taking the Palm tree-lined way out, might be retiring. He is 75 years old, after all.
Bulgari reported profits of about $10 million for the third quarter, after two quarters of straight losses.

Their tenacity is a huge relief, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed they all stay afloat.

LET’S HEAR IT
Tom Ford is doing it, too. Does turning into a lifestyle brand decrease a designer’s prestige?

When fashion designers lend their skills to technology, we take interest. And when said fashion designer is none other than Giorgio Armani, we do research.

Armani–he of the celeb-filled entourage and one of the largest privately owned fashion companies in the world–has completed his third phone for Samsung. Calling it “functional” yet “elegant”, Armani said: “I simply aim to create a Smartphone which is not only an elegant tool but also functional and useful, perfect for today’s managers.” The phone is bronze–perfect, says Armani, for coordinating with his suits.

Other designers and fashionistas have joined the high-tech meets high-fashion trend. Prada joined forces with LG in 2007, and Betsey Johnson, Anna Sui, Diane von Furstenberg and Versace have all worked with Samsung.

Others, such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Donna Karan, are turning their craft into iPhone applications.

Get the Look
Find your phone solutions at Oakridge’s new Apple store, Bell, Fido, Koodo Mobile, Rogers Wireless, Solo Mobile, and WirelessWave.

Valerie Tiu

Black is back. If you were at this year’s Oakridge Fall Fashion Affair, you may have noticed an absence of colour, but make no mistake: a little hint never hurt anyone. Colour is not just a way to liven up an ensemble. It can also enhance your features, express your personality, and create a style statement. 

Fall 2009 runways–from Dolce and Gabbana to Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior to Versace–all featured pops of colour. The hot trend for fall is colour blocking, a la Marc Jacobs, and mixing brights to contrast with stark shades (think Gucci and Louis Vuitton). This trend is great for those that may typically shy away from colour or, if you’re like me, have a wardrobe full of black.

Check out Crisca, Femme De Carriere, Jacob and Teenflo (pictured) for some stylish separates that can be easily mixed with basic dark pieces. All of these retailers are also great for classics like pencil skirts and trousers.

The key colour of the catwalk was most certainly red, in any shade: cherry, burgundy, scarlet and crimson. This classic hue was showcased with head-to-toe ensembles, simple pops of colour on accent pieces, and beautifully-mixed textures. My dream look for fall consists of a cherry red knee-length sheath dress, scarlet double-breasted funnel neck coat, and dark shades from DKNY–along with black thigh-high boots from Browns–very classic, sleek and mysterious.

Cool shades of purple, blue and emerald, and warm tones like orange, yellow and pink, were all seen as perfect accents on avant garde accessories, unique headpieces and fierce footwear. Just remember to choose colours that work well with your skin tone and flatter your figure. Aldo, Coach and Blue Ruby are sure to satisfy your colour craving with their charming bangles. Nine West, Ingledew’s and Jwalk also have fabulous footwear in a wide-range of palettes.

Yes, these famous faces, seen stalking down the runway in everything completely gorgeous–or is it that they are, and so the looks seem that way?–are really, truly Canadian. Watch for them on the hottest magazine covers and in the world’s fashion capitals.

Top Famous Canadian Faces

1. Heather Marks
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
Claim to fame: debuted at the spring Givenchy couture show in Paris

2. Jessica Stam
Birthplace: Kincardine, Ontario
Claim to fame: uber photog Steven Meisel’s muse

3.Coco Rocha
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Claim to fame: Doing an Irish jig down the runway at Jean Paul Gaultier

4.Linda Evangelista
Birthplace: St. Catharines, Ontario
Claim to fame: Chopping her hair into a crop, causing cancellations from all important runway shows that season, and then shooting her to fame as the face of Versace

5.Lisa Cant
Birthplace: Alberta
Claim to fame: Walked Fall shows for Chanel, Christian Lacroix, Marc Jacobs, Nina Ricci, Dolce & Gabbana, and many others in February 2004

6.Daria
Birthplace: Poland, but moved to Mississauga, Ontario at age 3
Claim to fame: Holds the record for opening and closing the most shows in one season

LET”S HEAR IT
Which face is your fave?

We’d done our research, we’d perused all the top shows, and delivered our list of five big fall trends for fall. But we can’t ignore these five more–and you’ll be glad we didn’t.

Five More Trends for Fall

Fabulous Forties
We adore the Forties: Glamour, glitz, and movie stars. True, tailored madness. Thank goodness designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, Aquilano.Rimondi, and Alexander McQueen agree. They sent out 40s-inspired looks including skirts, jackets with enhanced shoulders, and double breasted dress-coats that any MGM tailor would be proud of.

Biker Babes
Suddenly, being bad is good again. This season sees biker-inspired toppers, cropped or shrunken and often in black leather, taking the spotlight. We saw it at Balmain, Alexander Wang, and Roland Mouret.

80s Hits
Marc Jacob did 80s New York nightclub nostalgia, Gucci’s Frida Giannini did sharkskin suits, and Antonio Berardi did crystal-studded mini dresses. Donatella Versace delivered, of course, the sexiest party dresses.

Ruche It
It’s elegant, it’s fresh, and it harkens back to Grecian goddess dresses. It’s ruching-and we love it. From mini skirts to evening dresses to jodhpurs, outfits at Balenciaga, Donna Karan, and Oscar de la Renta were draped and gathered. 

Classic Cuts It
Camel hair, pinstripes, double-breasted jackets, tweed. Designers from Christopher Kane-yes, even rule breakers were following age-old tips this season-to Miuccia Prada, Ralph Lauren and Consuelo Castiglioni for Marni delivered classic pieces to be invested in and worn again and again.

Get the Look
Find truncated toppers at Aritzia, ruched dresses at After Five, and tailored looks at Banana Republic.