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See Prada’s Great Gatsby Costume sketches »
With each new sneak peek, Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby looks to be every bit as visually spectacular as we hoped. Today, that sneak peek comes via Prada, who just released sketches for her costume designs for the film, designed in collaboration with Luhrmann and his wife, costume designer Catherine Martin.
Four sketches of the over 40 Great Gatsby costumes have been released and are all adapted from the Prada and Miu Miu archives. Reminiscent of many recent collections, the pieces are heavily embellished with beading, sequins, stones, pearls and feature Prada’s signature bright colouring. Luxurious fabrics such as velvet and fur help create the look of the roaring twenties, with many flapper hems and shift shapes in focus.
Prada’s Great Gatsby costumes mark the third collaboration with Luhrmann and Martin—the three previously worked together on the 1996 film Romeo + Juliet and the 2012 Costume Institute exhibit Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.

“Our collaboration with Prada recalls the European flair that was emerging amongst the aristocratic East Coast crowds in the Twenties,” said Martin. “The fashions of the time saw the development of a dichotomy between those who aspired to the privileged, Ivy League look of wealthy Long Island and those who were aspiring to European glamour, sophistication and decadence. Our collaborations with Prada reflect the collision of these two aesthetics.”
We cannot wait to see this masterpiece when it is released on May 10, 2013.

See Vivienne Westwood’s work with the English National Ballet »
UK fashion icon Vivienne Westwood has collaborated with the English National Ballet on its spring season campaign, and we daresay the results are mesmerizing.
To showcase the cross-section of modern and classic influences in the company’s latest re-brand, dancers were styled in both archive Vivienne Westwood pieces, and those from the Dame’s Spring 2013 collection. While Westwood’s famed punk pieces are unsurprisingly absent, company dancers wear goddess dresses, chiffon layers, and corsets all showcasing her theatrical signatures.
“It’s a dream come true to be able to collaborate with someone of such stature. Her designs capture the creativity and ambition of our dancers who, in turn, add drama and movement to the clothes,” said English National Ballet artistic director Tamara Rojo. Rojo has said the plan is to work with a different designer for each campaign and we can’t wait to see who is next.

It looks like the new lip colour for spring may not even involve lipstick at all. At today’s Dior Couture Spring 2013 show, makeup artist Pat McGrath adorned models’ lips with red or pink gemstones for a look that was very reminiscent of ruby red slippers. This sparkling take on lipstick might look complicated, but in terms of a DIY, it’s easier to test out at home than the newest nail art trend.
To get this look, you’ll want to adhere tiny gemstones overtop of a tinted lip. Traditional lipstick will be too slippery—instead go for something without a sticky texture or added shine, like Tarte LipSugent Matte lip tint ($31, sephora.com). Let the lip tint dry for a few minutes before you start adding the sparkle. Now the fun part: use eyelash adhesive, such as Ardell Brush-On Adhesive ($5. well.ca), and start to stick the gemstones to your lips. Add the gems—such as Make Up For Ever Strass crystals in “Siam Red” ($23, sephora.com)—the the outline of your lips first and then fill them in. Also note that the lips at Dior have an almost exaggerated bow, so if the gemstones sit slightly outside your natural lip line, that’s okay.
The key to making the Dior gemstone lip last is all in the timing: this look is ideal for a night out where no eating is involved—and preferably one where any drinking can be done through a straw. (So skip the Valentine’s Day dinner and go for cocktails instead.) Think you’ll try this at home? Share pictures if you do!

Enter now to win a gift basket from SkinCeuticals! »
Brrr! Don’t let winter weather get you—or your skin—down! We’ve got just the thing to make sure that you look and feel your best even when it seems like the cold, dry air just won’t quit: SkinCeuticals is giving one lucky FASHION reader a winter essentials gift basket that contains $250 worth of skincare goodies. Whether you’re trying to combat dry, itchy and chapped skin or just want a mid-season boost for your complexion, this contest has you covered.
Here’s what the gift basket contains:
- SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer: Reduces redness and provides soothing relief by cooling skin temperature.
- SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel: A moisture-enhancing gel that contains hyaluronic acid to add hydration to the skin.
- SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser: This mild cream cleanser is formulated with non-irritating ingredients to soothe sensitive or chapped skin.
- SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50: Infused with translucent colour spheres it enhances natural skin tone and boosts radiance.

Fur. You can’t mention the word without stirring controversy. Is a fur coat more important than a living animal? For many, wearing fur is a question of ethics. For others, it’s a question of aesthetics. And while valid points exist at both ends of the spectrum, fur has once again become trendy. Following Prada’s bright and quirky statement of candy coloured rabbit tail accessories for Spring 2011, colourful dyed fur has re-appeared at Oscar de la Renta, Peter Som and L’Wren Scott for Fall/Winter 2012, not to mention again at both Prada and Miu Miu for Spring 2013.

And while wearing it might be an out-of-bounds option both morally and monetarily for many, we challenged our Style Panel to teach you how to wear fur—real, fake, vintage or otherwise—to make one heck of a statement this season.

Just as we expected, out Style Panelists’ opinions were as varied—from Sandy Joe Karpetz’s “insatiable passion” for vintage fur to Alyssa Lau’s choice to never wear the real thing—as the tips for how to wear fur—from Kayla Short’s simple fur parka trim to Jacquelyn Son’s navy faux-fur cropped jacket from Zara.

See both of Michelle Obama’s inauguration dresses up-close »
Four years ago, at the 2009 inauguration ball for President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama dazzled the crowd in a Jason Wu gown that helped catapult both of them into the fashion forefront. Everyone was predicting which new designer she would help rise to fame this time around, but Michelle Obama aka. @FLOTUS (First Lady of the United States) surprised everyone by donning yet another Jason Wu gown.
No one was more surprised than the designer himself.  Wu told WWD, “Mrs. Obama likes to keep her secrets. She surprised me again. She’s really good at it. I was so nervous. You’d think I wouldn’t be since I’d experienced it before but I really was.” He spent the evening watching the Inauguration with his team and tweeted “#Inshock!!!” as soon as he saw the First Lady walk out on stage.

The custom gown was a bold, rich ruby colour in velvet with a floating chiffon overlay. The gown showed off Mrs. Obama’s highly covetable arms and shoulders and accented her waist with a duchess satin belt. The Jason Wu dress was paired with Kimberly McDonald stacked bracelets and the dress even featured a white gold ring with pavé diamonds at the collarbone by McDonald. Red satin Jimmy Choo shoes completed the look.
One cannot help to compare both inauguration dresses. Both had similar silhouettes and showed off the First Lady’s shoulders, arms and neck and featured an accented waist. The 2009 look was a creamy white one-shouldered chiffon gown, and was embellished with beads and flowers and had lots of texture for drama.

It seems that Katie Holmes and Jennifer Aniston are following the same script.
Not long after Jennifer Aniston became a co-owner of haircare company Living Proof, Katie Holmes has just announced a co-owner partnership with Alterna Professional Haircare. Like Aniston’s role with Living Proof, Holmes is expected to star in Alterna’s upcoming advertising campaign as well as provide input and insight on products and brand initiatives. This project continues Holmes’ ventures in the beauty industry; she was also recently named the first celebrity spokesperson for Bobbi Brown cosmetics.

In an interview with WWD, Katie Holmes explained that she applauds Alterna’s use of eco-friendly ingredients and appreciates that the company “stays away from harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens.” Holmes also claims that Alterna’s products have “transformed” her trademark brown hair. “It’s good for my hair and good for the earth, so I feel good using it,” Holmes explained.
For Alterna, it wasn’t just Katie Holmes’ star status that prompted the partnership. Joan Malloy, president of Alterna Professional Haircare, indicated that it was Holmes’ natural beauty style and accessibility that made her a perfect match with the brand. “Katie is a fashionista, a mother and an entrepreneur. In short, she is our consumer.”
Canadians can currently purchase Alterna haircare products at Sephora, Ulta, and some salons. Look for Katie Holmes’ first advertising campaign with the brand to hit magazines this spring.

See the Tom Ford Spring 2013 Ad Campaign photos »
Joining the ranks of Prada, Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors, Tom Ford’s just-released Spring/Summer 2013 ad campaign takes us back to the swinging sixties. This time, the much referenced decade has been given a refreshing spin through Ford’s signature seductive lens, with four shots starring a Barbarella-style Karlina Caune and James Bond-esqe Simon Van Meervenne outfitted in Tom Ford’s latest designs.
The buzzed-about bondage-inspired gladiator heels that Anne Hathaway wore to the New York Les Miserables premiere are prominently featured in the ad, making for a slight tinge of the perverse—another Tom Ford signature. While Hathaway’s pair were completely vegan, the ones featured are made of patent gold leather and will also be available in croc print.

Always one to top himself, Tom Ford’s first runway show—the first shown since launching his namesake line—will surely be a must-see stop during London Fashion Week.

Jennifer Aniston has always been committed to health and advocating for eco-friendly products, so it is no surprise that the former Friends actress has signed a deal to be the new face of Aveeno skincare.
Rumours of the partnership have been swirling since last summer, but the deal was confirmed today by E! News. (An odd outlet for a beauty exclusive but we’ll take it!) Aniston’s rep said that the actress will be partnering with Aveeno specifically for skincare and indicated that we will likely be seeing the results of the collaboration later this year.

The pairing seems like a match made in heaven for both parties. Aveeno has always prided itself on using natural ingredients that deliver real skin care results and Jennifer Aniston has the perfect fresh-faced, girl next door look that Aveeno has geared their products towards. Although Aveeno was previously represented by model and soap opera actress Daniella van Grass, Aniston is definitely the brand’s most high profile celebrity spokesperson to date. It’s also Aniston’s second beauty collaboration within the last six months: In October she became a co-owner of hair care company Living Proof, which includes working as both a spokesperson and product creator for the brand.

By Derek Lall
Though it represents but a fraction of the overall fashion industry, Haute Couture is still the highest it gets. With only a handful of designers officially invited to show during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, it makes it all the more meaningful for Montreal native Rad Hourani, who after showing his first couture collection in Paris this summer, has been invited to become an official member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. On January 24th, Hourani will exhibit his debut Haute Couture presentation at the recently opened Rad Hourani Unisex Gallery in Paris.

This is no small feat for any designer, as one must be invited by The FrenchFederation of Haute Couture Paris to be allowed to participate or even refer to their collection as Haute Couture. The Federation was started in 1868 in order to preserve the quality and reputation of couture, and they are highly selective with whom they choose to be members. This is an extraordinary achievement for Hourani, who created his first unisex ready-to-wear collection 5 years ago. The philosophy behind the brand is to create clothes that have no boundaries; they can be worn by either gender, in all seasons and in any country. We’re beaming with national pride over his incredible accomplishment.

Lana Del Rey is nothing if not a performance artist. Through various states of undress, we’ve seen her play everything from Lolita to a rough riding runaway. If Sunday night’s outfit is any indication, it looks like a Bianca Jagger/Jerry Hall mix might be next on the horizon. At the InStyle Warner Brothers Golden Globes after party this weekend, Del Rey showed up wearing an oversized white suit by Houghton and a gold metal and Swarovski minaudiere from Ferragamo’s Red Carpet collection. Her signature bouffant was toned down to a much sleeker style, and her nails were normal size for the first time in a long while.

The Working Girl look is so uncharacteristic of Del Rey that it must have caused a fair amount of double takes. Make that triple for us. Could the look be the start of something new for Lana Del Rey? While we’re digging the streamlined approach, we’re just not sure we can give up our attachment to her so wrong/so right butt-skimming jean shorts and creepily long nails. We might need to cling to that depraved freak flag for a few years yet.

See our gallery of stylish workout wear »
It can be more than difficult to find the motivation to get to the gym and keep up with your New Year’s resolutions. But it’s time to make this the year you follow through. To help, we’re making this year’s journey more stylish with 13 picks that may actually inspire you to get dressed for the gym. No need to sacrifice your fashion sense; these picks are sure to provide you with both function and sophistication.
First tip? Brighten up. And we love strong prints, vibrant colours, and sporty accessories for doing just that. From technicolour shorts to ombre running shoes, brands such as American Apparel, Nike, Lululemon, and adidas are finding ways to spice up our stylish workout clothes.

As seen on the runway at Marc Jacobs for Spring 2013, bold black and white stripes make a strong statement. We love the idea of adopting this trend for yoga jackets and gear. For running fanatics, the latest sneakers have adopted new technologies that allow for more natural movement, while being elegant enough to wear outside of the gym. We’ve opted for pastel tints for a fresh take on the traditional running shoe.
When you look better, you feel better and the motivation comes easier. Click through to see all of our sporty and stylish workout wear picks.

See Kate Middleton’s outfit up close »
The first official painted portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge was unveiled today in London and reviews are… mixed, to put it lightly. Created by artist Paul Emsley, the painting is quite dark, save for the glowing face of a serene-looking Kate Middleton with more of a Mona Lisa half-smile than the joyful grin we’re used to. “The Duchess explained that she would like to be portrayed naturally—her natural self—as opposed to her official self,” explained Emsley in a video about the work (which you can watch below). And yet, the painting seems much more official than casual—we’re not the only ones who think it would be the perfect portrait to appear on, say, currency? (We can hope!)
The painting does, however, capture Kate Middleton’s enviable hair. “We did say in the beginning we were going to make a feature of her hair, because it is a strong feature about her and everyone, I think, recognizes her in part through her lovely hair,” Emsley noted. Most importantly, Kate is said to be “thrilled” with the final product. She attended a private unveiling this morning at the National Portrait Gallery with Prince William (though no doubt saw the work in progress last summer during her two sittings with the artist). To contrast the blues and teals of the painting Kate wore a burgundy silk dress from Whistles. Alas, no royal baby bump was on view, though given the high Jimmy Choo heels she was wearing, we’ll assume Kate is feeling much better.
Further evidence of all things being okay with the royal baby also broke yesterday, when photos were released of Kate, William and the rest of the Middleton family at an evening performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza for Kate’s 31st birthday. Although we’re curious at to who filmed the family as they watched the show, the footage is quite adorable and Kate’s “omg omg omg” expressions (if you’ve ever seen a Cirque du Soleil show you get it) rival those made last summer at Wimbledon.