Madonna and Daughter, Lola, Announce Rita Ora as the New Face of Material Girl

Exciting news! Madonna (her Madgesty) and her daughter, Lola confirmed today that Rita Ora has been cast as the new face of their junior lifestyle brand, Material Girl. Ora, the internationally renowned singer and protégé of Jay-Z, will star in the brand’s Fall '13 global marketing campaign set to be released this July. 

According to Madonna and Lola, “Rita is a talented beauty but what really drew us to her is the confidence she oozes through her music and her unique sense of style. On stage or off, in photos or on the street - she's a magnet! This is what the Material Girl brand is all about.”

Can't wait to see Ora rock this campaign - love her! The Material Girl brand is available exclusively at Hudson’s Bay in Canada.

Isabel Marant Teams Up with H&M

Designer, Isabel Marant, with Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor at H&M.Photo courtesy H&M

OMG. OMG. OH EM GEEEE. H&M has teamed up with Parisian designer Isabel Marant for Fall! The Parisian chicster has attracted legions of devoted fans (myself inclus), hoping to achieve effortless style with her perfect mix of boho ease, urban attitude and rockstar spirit. For H&M, Marant will create a wardrobe of must-have clothing and accessories for women, men, and teens inspired by her signature style. 

“I am flattered by this collaboration. H&M works with the best designers, and this invitation is an exciting honour. I aim at creating something real – something women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carefree style. I think this is very Parisian: you dress up, but don’t pay too much attention to it, and you still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be combined following one’s own instincts, and my take on fashion is all about personality,” says Isabel Marant.

No word yet on exactly how the collection will look (I expect Marant is laissez-faire like that), but I hope there are sweaters, tees, and minis and tonight, I will be dreaming of booties. Not Marant's booty - I mean, her shoes, évidemment.

Mark your calendars (and prepare to queue up): The Isabel Marant pour H&M Collection will hit select H&M stores worldwide on November 14th, 2013. Check out the vid below for a glimpse:

Jason Wu Named Artistic Director of BOSS Womenswear

Since Jason Wu busted onto the fashion scene in 2007, I've loved his modern, distinctly feminine designs. So I was super thrilled to hear that Wu has just been named the new Artistic Director of BOSS Womenswear since it means I might finally be able to afford his clothes. Yay! Starting June 15th, Wu will assume responsibility and creative direction for all product and image related aspects of BOSS Womenswear from the HUGO BOSS headquarters in Germany.  Wu will continue to grow his eponymous RTW and Accessory Collections as well. 

“I have long been a fan of HUGO BOSS’ vast tradition and lineage in extraordinary tailoring. With the state-of-the-art facilities that are unique to the HUGO BOSS design labs, I plan to develop a strong, feminine womenswear collection that reciprocates the brand’s authority in menswear,” says Jason Wu.

The first BOSS Womenswear Collection under Jason Wu’s artistic direction will debut in New York during Pre-Fall 2014 and he'll stage his first runway show during the New York Fall/Winter Fashion Week in February 2014. Can't wait to see how Wu puts his own stamp on BOSS come Fall. Pretty exciting, huh?

Toronto Premium Outlets to Open August 1st

A sketch of the Toronto Premium Outlets, set to open August 1st, 2013. 

Fellow savvy shoppers, rejoice! Toronto Premium Outlets™, (yes THOSE Premium Outlets) Canada's first ever upscale outlet center, officially opens its doors on August 1st! The new outlet centre will be like the ones we so love to visit in the States, with the top brands and irresistibly sweet deals that make for a super shopping experience. The center will be anchored by Hudson’s Bay Outlet (fun!) and will include the following stores, many of which are opening their first ever outlet locations in Canada: 

Banana Republic, Bench, Bose, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Cole Haan, Columbia Sportswear, DKNY, Dynamite, Eddie Bauer, Gap Outlet, Garage, Guess, Icebreaker, J. Crew, Kate Spade New York, Lucky Brand Jeans, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Restoration Hardware, Ted Baker London, True Religion and Zumiez. Additional brands will be announced in the coming weeks. UPDATE: Burberry opening Dec 2013. #eeek

General Manager Megan Johnson says Toronto Premium Outlets™ will dramatically change the shopping landscape in Ontario. “It’s exciting because for the first time in Canada, shoppers will have an impressive collection of outlet stores close to home,” she said.

Toronto Premium Outlets™ will make a major impact on Toronto’s business and economic landscape as well, providing more than 800 full and part time jobs. To fill these positions, a Job Fair co-sponsored by Halton Employment, The Region of Peel and The Town of Halton Hills will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2013 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Milton Sports Centre located at 605 Santa Maria Blvd., Milton, Ontario. For complete details on the Job Fair and to stay in the loop for the Grand Opening Celebration and more, visit: www.premiumoutlets.com/toronto, or keep checking back on RLR. Will keep you posted the minute I hear more.

Yay. Yay. Yay. That's all I have to say. x

A Peek at Peter Som for Anthropologie

Photos via Style.com

'Tis the season where wedding invites make their way to our mailboxes and after the RSVP comes the inevitable hunt for the perfect dress.  Black is too funerial and white grounds for bridezilla backlash, and so we're left with colour and print. Enter the new Peter Som capsule collection for Anthropologie, full of punchy bright florals and other whimsical prints, guaranteed to help you stand out at any summer celebration.

“The collection has that off-kilter, patchwork, kind of magpie sensibility. It’s about a quirky elegance,” offers Som. As for the zebra print, already seen in his Spring 2012 collection, Som quips “I’m of the Diana Vreeland school of thought - Zebra is a neutral.”

Available online at anthropologie.com and in stores starting this Friday, the collection ranges from $128 to $360. Thoughts? Any pieces catching your eye? I'm ALL over that zebra dress, recycled print or not. Giddy-up.

• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
•