Canada's leading digital fashion magazine

Showing by category: A Word from London

People Tree – ethical fashion sustained

By Cristina Boydell Photography courtesy of People Tree “Ethical fashion” is a phrase that is commonly used but rarely explained. There are very few brands that maintain their presence in the retail world solely for sustainable fashion. Many designer labels have certain ethical products or lines that they produce; even large fashion retail giants, such...[more]

Andrew Majtenyi, autumn/winter 2013

By Katherine Ellis Photography courtesy of Andrew Majtenyi Texture. Structure. Prints. These three words describe the autumn/winter 2013 collection by London-based Andrew Majtenyi, titled Labyrinth. The Canadian designer’s looks, dubbed as “modern sportswear”, have been featured on international runways in London, Zagreb, Dubai and Prague, and most recently Paris Fashion Week. This month, FAJO presents some of the images from...[more]

London Fashion Week: autumn/winter 2013

By Cristina Boydell Photography by Cristina Boydell and courtesy of Issa London Another February means another season of runway shows at London Fashion Week. I was thrilled to join the fashion packs again for a week that puts a spotlight on London and some of the greatest designers in the world. At FAJO, we were...[more]

James Long and London Collections: Men

Report by Cristina Boydell The second edition of London Collections: Men by the British Fashion Council did not disappoint! More than 60 designers showcased their work at the second edition of this three-day event that was dedicated to showcasing British Menswear designers. Affectionately dubbed Menswear Fashion Week, it took place earlier this year, from Jan.7...[more]

HUDSON jeans: a UK connection

September 2012 marked the 10-year anniversary of the HUDSON brand. A decade of design proves why denim is, in fact, timeless. It carries us through places, experiences and moments that are remembered forever and that last a lifetime. This feeling of vintage nostalgia played a major role in the inspiration of HUDSON’s spring/summer 2013 collection....[more]

Epitome of cool in Copenhagen

By Cristina Boydell In November, I had a chance to travel to Copenhagen for a cheeky weekend break and one of my British friends’ birthday – the perks of living in London! I fell in love with the city and the style instantly. The Danish are just born hipsters. They bike everywhere – the taxes...[more]

The Little Black Jacket – Chanel exhibition

By Cristina Boydell “There are clothes which keep rejuvenating themselves instead of getting worn out.” Roberto Juarroz (Vertical Poetry) Karl Lagerfeld recently opened a photographic exhibition, featuring models, musicians, actors and other celebrities who all wore the iconic black tweed Chanel jacket in different ways. The opening was held at the Saatchi Gallery, an art...[more]

London Fashion Week diary, spring/summer 2013

By Cristina Boydell It was a busy season for our London-based columnist, Cristina Boydell. She spent a lot of time at the London Fashion Week, attending many spring/summer 2013 shows. Here is her report, with some of the highlights from LFW this season. Issa London Always a highlight of the London Fashion Week for me,...[more]

Quintessential English summer events 2012

By Cristina Boydell Photography by Cristina Boydell and Stephanie Wolff Summer is the social season in London – from festivals to annual British sporting events like horse races, polo, tennis and regattas – not to mention the Olympics this year! For the second year, I had the chance to cover the Henley Royal Regatta on...[more]

Shopping and style in Lisboa

By Cristina Boydell I went on a holiday to Lisbon, Portugal, recently and decided to report back on the latest trends and shopping districts to all of our FAJO readers. My main focus was to compare Portugese fashion to what I’m used to seeing in the U.K. and North America – specifically looking at what...[more]

Dressing for an English garden party: Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee

By Wanda O’Brien The British rain that spilled over London during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend in early June did not damper the style of those who attended Her Majesty’s Party in Bedford Square. The block of greenery in central London proved an ideal site for a garden party on the occasion of the Queen’s...[more]

Vogue and GQ’s “Fashion Playground”

By Cristina Boydell Photography courtesy of Westfield London The Village is a popular boutique in Westfield London Shopping Centre. It hosts many luxury fashion and jewelry brands, including Burberry, Louis Vuitton, De Beers, Miu Miu, Hugo Boss, M Missoni, Fendi and Mulberry. Earlier in April, the store was completely transformed for a day in order...[more]

London Fashion Week Diary, autumn/winter 2012

By Cristina Boydell From stylish cocktail parties to celebrity-studded runway shows, this fashion week season was a busy one! I attended a lot of shows and events, and really tried to capture the atmosphere of the London scene. Here is my full report for FAJO Magazine. Street Style I went to the Somerset House (the...[more]

Autumn/winter 2012 trade shows in London

By Cristina Boydell Photography by Cristina Boydell and Four Seasons Recruitment In February, the autumn/winter fashion trade shows are exhibited across the city. Brands of all kinds, ranging from high-end and boutique to sportswear and alternative, have an opportunity to showcase their latest menswear, womenswear, accessories and footwear collections for fall and winter 2012/2013. It’s...[more]

Current fall/winter trends – focus: Temperley London

By Cristina Boydell Photography courtesy of Temperley London Ever since Pippa Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, wore a stunning deep emerald silk dress to the royal wedding reception, the global spotlight has been on the British designer Alice Temperley. I decided to highlight her current (2011/2012) fall/winter collection, which combines sheer paneling,...[more]

London and Sunshine state shopping

By Cristina Boydell For my Christmas holidays, I went to Naples, Florida where my family has a holiday home. It was two blissful weeks of picture-perfect blue skies, sunshine, white beaches and palm trees. The weather is definitely the reason to visit Southwest Florida! Fashion-wise, I found that the shopping in Florida simply does not...[more]

Holiday shopping in London

By Cristina Boydell Holiday opening and closing hours have now been extended, and prominent shopping districts in the happening and dynamic city of London have come alive with the festive spirit! The English are known for grand celebrations during the holidays, including bright lights, Santa’s grottos, ice-skating and Christmas markets. Celebrating my second festive year...[more]

Weekend in Paris: The Kooples and more

By Cristina Boydell One of the many things I love about living in London? Being able to simply hop on the Eurostar train, with a direct trip to Paris for the weekend! And in early November I did just that to celebrate my friend’s 25th birthday. It was a classy weekend, full of fine dining...[more]

Spain vs. England – fall/winter 2011

By Cristina Boydell I had the opportunity to visit Valencia, Spain for a holiday a few weeks ago. It was interesting to scout for and pick up on street style and fashion trends for the season in this part of Europe. It is no surprise that Spain is a fashionable place to live in! Popular...[more]

London Fashion Week: Burberry

By Cristina Boydell Photos courtesy of Burberry Burberry is always one of the most anticipated shows of the London Fashion Week (LFW). This year, over 1,500 guests attended the Burberry Prorsum spring/summer 2012 womenswear show in London’s Hyde Park, making it a jam-packed venue. Many major celebrities were spotted in the front row for the...[more]

London Fashion Week: Cristina Sabaiduc

By Cristina Boydell Photography by Christopher Dadey and Lynsie Roberts (provided courtesy of designer) I was thrilled to get an invite to fellow Canadian designer Cristina Sabaiduc’s spring/summer 2012 collection, which debuted at the Hospital Club, just off of Covent Garden, during London Fashion Week. The pretty floral invitations perfectly reflected the prints that were...[more]

Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) 2011 – London edition

Text by Cristina Boydell. Thousands of fashion-savvy Londoners took to the streets on Sept.8 for a massive international fashion event – Fashion’s Night Out. One of the best in-store parties of the night was hosted by Donna Karan New York. Although a yellow New York City taxi was brought in just for the event and...[more]

Notting Hill Carnival

By Cristina Boydell. What’s one huge part of August Bank Holiday weekend for Londoners? Three words: Notting Hill Carnival. The city had record numbers of police on duty following the riots this year, to ensure there was no violence or outbreaks, but that didn’t stop the turnout. Up to one million carnival-goers joined in the...[more]

Mingling with elite

By Cristina Boydell. The Cuckoo Club, a members-only rock ‘n’ roll club, is tucked away in Swallow Street, just off Piccadilly in London. One Thursday evening at the end of last month, a VIP event took place in association with the luxury British jewelry brand Mawi. This high-style luxurious atmosphere was perfectly suited to the...[more]

Best Dressed at the Henley Royal Regatta

By Cristina Boydell Rave reviews were received on July 1 for the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, in her tribute red maple leaf hat and pin from the Queen. Middleton also scored bonus points by wearing an Erdem dress, a Canadian designer now based here in London. So while Kate and Wills were visiting my...[more]

Hats in London: the royal connection

By Cristina Boydell. When I think of the many English traditions celebrated in the UK – from royal functions and weddings to horse racing events and regattas by the riverside – I immediately think of fancy hats. Always a fashion statement, hats have long-standing British roots. After the hype of the royal wedding, dressy hats...[more]

Going greener: smart and fashionable

By Christine Cooper Images courtesy of Levi’s My fascination with used clothing began back in high school. My friends and I would hit up the local Value Village, looking for pieces that would allow us to stand out from the crowds of Roxy hoodies and sweatpant-wearing teenagers, who filled the halls of my high school....[more]

The Future of Fashion

By Christine Cooper. The future is something I spend a lot of time thinking about these days. Where will I live? What career path should I choose? Will I ever like children enough to have my own? Yet as an avid fashionista, I have, somehow, forgotten to ask myself another important question: what will fashion...[more]

London Fashion Week: Jean-Pierre Braganza

By Christine Cooper Fashion week fever has hit London, meaning models can be spotted walking on the streets as much as the catwalks, and obviously four-inch heels are a necessity. As one of only four Canadian designers showcasing their collection at the London Fashion Week, Jean-Pierre Braganza opened my eyes to the talent our snow-covered...[more]

The Worth of style

By Caroline Brown As a fashion enthusiast, I have always wondered why Maison Worth no longer exists. The question perplexed me until last week when I received an invitation to the House of Worth’s Press Day. The label, to my delight, has been resurrected from the depths of old fashion couture books. Charles Frederick Worth,...[more]

Breaking the boundaries with Hermès

By Caroline Brown Last Wednesday night, in London, was the first celebration of Hermès pop-up shops, themed after their slogan “J’aime Mon Carré.” The two other pop-up shops are due to open later this year in Toronto and Tokyo. Even though the store wasn’t scheduled to open until the next day, the east side of...[more]

Chanel: a distorted reality

By Caroline Brown Chanel – a label synonymous with luxury, a look that only the most sybaritic of people wear and even the most pretentious of women try to afford. Owning Chanel is like possessing a little piece of that envious dream. That, I never needed to work a day in my life, I’m flying...[more]