H&M's New Model-Off-Duty Collection (and a $200 Spring Shopping Spree)

Top models Joan Smalls, Daphne Groeneveld, Lindsey Wixson and Liu Wen pose for the H&M New Icons pre-summer campaign - photos courtesy H&M

With street style shooters lurking around every corner, today's top models need to look killer both on the runway and off.  For its latest collection, H&M has partnered up with the world's top supermodels to create a range of eclectic, rocker-chic pieces inspired by the models' own off-duty style.  Joan Smalls, Daphne Groeneveld, Lindsey Wixson and Liu Wen front the gorgeous campaign which recalls another famous supermodel shoot from the '90s. Love!

The collection features a mix of tough-luxe leather, boho dresses and statement tees plus everyday (Supermodels: They're Just Like Us!) cotton vests and tees.  Since no top model would leave her apartment wihout the perfect extras, the range includes tasseled bags, cool fringed leather necklaces, suede knee-high boots and a wide-brimmed hat. I have to say that this is my favourite H&M collection yet - I'm dying for the leather jacket, that festival-ready frilly lace mini and that insanely cool black embellished vest. Want everything! The New Icons collection will be available in all H&M stores carrying the Everyday concept starting April 11th.

To help you shop, H&M is offering an exclusive contest to RLR readers (that's you!) with a chance to win a $200 SHOPPING SPREE at H&M! Here's how to win it:

1) Leave a comment below telling me your must-have piece from the collection.

2) For a bonus entry, tweet the following, "I want to #win a $200 Shopping Spree w @realliferunway & @hmcanada to shop the New Icons Collection! Check it out http://bit.ly/15zSsEc'

3) Contest closes next Thursday, March 28th at 5 p.m. 

GOOD LUCK! XX

Check out the full collection by clicking through the slideshow below:

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Back in Black: The Joe Fresh Fall '13 Show

Canadian supermodel Heather Marks goes Parisian punk at the Joe Fresh Fall 2013 show

The crazy pre-show scene at World MasterCard Fashion Week

My mad matchy-matchiness from last night (Joe himself approved - yes!) 

All runway photos by George Pimentel, Video made by me on Vine

I'm back from World MasterCard Fashion Week and ready to sort out all of my pics from the tents but before I do, had to post photos from last night's Joe Fresh show.  For Fall '13, Joe Mimran was influenced by Paris, the Sex Pistols, and the '90s punk movement, done up almost entirely in black -  a decided departure from the happy brights so synonymous with Joe Fresh.

Though maybe not as universally likeable a collection, it was a really nice change of pace for the brand and I loved the edginess of it all. The studded pieces, the white chunky turtleneck and that liquid black blazer will all be moving into my closet come Fall.  Thoughts? Loves? Leave your comments below and let me know!

Check back soon for more Fashion Week pics from David Dixon, LINE Knitwear, Mackage (amazing show) and more, plus street style snaps I shot at the tents, and a few pics of what I wore. K, time to nap - last night's after-party completely did me in. Zzzz.... 

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Hitchcock Blondes at Pink Tartan's Fall '13 Show

Runway photos by George Pimentel.  Stalker photo of Steven and Chris and slightly blurry image below by me (couldn't you tell?)

It was a packed house last night at World MasterCard Fashion Week for the Pink Tartan Fall/Winter 2013 show. Steven and Chris, Jeanne Beker and the rest of Toronto's top tastemakers were all on hand for Kimberley Newport-Mimran's show and I was seated second row, next to Susie Sheffman and the eLUXE team and close enough to touch the clothes (though I refrained, for obvious reasons). 

For Fall '13, KNP was inspired by a darker kind of beauty, “I always start designing a new collection with a muse. I envision her, her life, and then I dress her up. My muse this season embodied my favorite disturbing blondes- Constance Langdon and Marnie Edgar” she notes, “Beautifully dressed sophisticated blondes, but there is something underlying that you can’t quite put your finger on. This collection is all about rich luxe fabric—very Pink Tartan—a return to pulled together looks with a dark twist. As Hitchcock says ‘blondes make better victims’.”

This season, the show was styled by Cary Tauben, complete with Tippi Hedren-esque blonde wigs, black headbands and elbow-length black gloves.  The whole collection had a very sophisticated, very sixties feel and I loved it, I really did, and I get where he was going with it, but some girls just shouldn't be blonde. I mean, I would look (and have looked) completely ridic in a platinum blonde wig.  

Other than that distraction, I found plenty to covet from the collection including the cool black & green mesh pieces, the cobalt swing coat, the short-sleeved black & white dress with the long gloves and everything camel. Gor-juicy. Thoughts about the collection? Will you be a Pink Tartan vixen this Fall?

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H&M Goes Hollywood with Conscious Exclusive Collection

Photos courtesy H&M

Though awards season is behind us, the warm weather ahead gives us plenty of reasons to party, from prom to weddings to chic soirées. Luckily, H&M has us covered with its new Conscious Exclusive Collection full of glam red carpet-ready dresses and suits.  As with previous Conscious efforts by H&M, this collection is made up of clothing and accessories (for both men & women) made from more sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled polyamide and Tencel, so you can do good while looking good. Win. Win.

Loaded with thoughtful details, the collection features dramatic gowns and sharp tailoring for women, and suits with a rock-and-roll edge for men. I'm particularly smitten with the women's off-white 3-piece suit, the black Balmain-esque dress with the white sculptural ruffle (NEED this), the white lace hi-low gown, and that frothy soft green number. Pretty, right? 

The Conscious Exclusive collection ranges between $19.95 and $399 and will be available in around 140 stores worldwide starting April 4th.

 

 

Click on the thumbnails below to check out the whole collection: 

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Snake Charmers

Spring '13 at Proenza Schouler, Gucci & Erdem - photo credit: Fairchild Photo Services

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Snakes suck. I mean, not literally (I don't think?) but let's face it: they're cold, and creepy and can kill you. And so, I've never really been a fan. Now that I think of it, I don't think I know anyone who likes them. The sad part? It's so not their fault. A little baby snake with its cute little baby snake diaper is probably pretty sweet and I'm fairly certain it doesn't actually want to hurt anyone. It's just that, if someone was coming at me with a pitchfork or a shovel, I'd probably lunge, too, wouldn't you?

As it turns out, most people are almost as afraid of snake prints as they are of the slithery beasts themselves. And I'm here to tell you, as a full-blown ophidiophobic (yes, I looked that up), that when it comes to python, it's just not that scary. In case you missed the memo, 2013 is the Year of the Snake - that's right, the year where we celebrate all things serpentine - so I can't think of a better time to face our fears head on. So how do you wear python print? Think of it as the leopard's slightly edgier younger sister, something that's good in small doses, say in a shoe or a bag or a statement blazer, to add an instant dose of cool to any solid ensemble. Want to go all out? Try pairing a neutral python with a summer floral or opt for snake print done up in a pretty pastel or bold bright.

Before you know it, you (and maybe even I) will be sssimply sssmitten for snakes. Well, the print at the very least... 

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

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