Editors' Blog

Last week, I received some perfumes and I am loving the new scents from Garage, Dynamite and BCBG. I think each scent is for a different kind of gal.

Read on the find out which new scent is for you. Read the rest of this entry »

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In addition to giving you an up-close look at the hottest shoppable looks for next spring, Fashion Week is a great opportunity to check out what the stylish industry insiders are actually wearing. Among this well-dressed fashion crowd, black is usually the colour-of-choice, but last night I spied a couple of gals who embraced a real joie de vivre and put their best foot forward in eighties influenced hot-hues and chucky statement necklaces. Click on the jump below to learn more about their refreshing sense of style. Read the rest of this entry »

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Max Azria and his wife Lubov Azria walks the runway at the Max Azria Spring 2010 fashion show at the Tent at Bryant Park on September 15, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

Max Azria is a fashion force to be reckoned with. Since launching BCBGMAXAZRIA in 1989, he has garnered a huge celebrity following (including Angelina Jolie, Lauren Conrad, Kate Beckinsale and Paris Hilton), won countless awards, including an induction into the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 1998, and opened over 550 retail boutiques worldwide. The re-launch of French label Hervé Leger in 2008 only cemented the bon chic, bon genre brand’s spot in the fashion limelight, with the iconic bandage dress becoming a red carpet staple (and spurring women around the world to embrace the body-con silhouette once more). What’s next for BCBG? I sat down with Max Azria this week to talk fashion and family. By Christine Laroche

On designing…

Do you personally design collections?
I don’t design on a piece-by-piece basis: I conceive the primary materials and the fabrics. I manage a team of 1,200 creative people whose ideas I reject and approve according to my vision.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Inspiration is global: It comes from the entire team. For SS10 at BCBG, we wanted to make an impact with prints, an area in which we excel and that is seeing great success. As for Hervé Leger, the collection is more sophisticated than ever and the product is increasingly difficult to produce (Ed note: Max Azria collection had not been shown at the time of interview and could not be discussed.)
Has the aesthetic of Hervé Léger influenced your other collections?
No, not at all. Every collection is a separate entity.
Which designers do you admire?
None, I don’t know what others are doing: I don’t follow any other designers’ work.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: A model walks the runway at the BCBG Max Azria fashion show during Fashion Week Spring 2010 presented by Mercedes-Benz at Bryant Park on September 10, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

On his family…
You work very closely with your wife Lubov. How is it to work with her?
Extraordinary, she is fantastic, unique and amazing. Seeing as she basically grew up with the company, we share the company’s vision and she knows exactly what she is doing. And when she makes a mistake, I correct it (laughing).
And to make BCBG even more of a family affair, your 28-year old daughter Joyce is creative director of BCBGeneration. Do you enjoy working with her?
Yes, it’s magnifique. Joyce is a breath of fresh air, she is the future.
Have you ever had a difference of opinion in the direction of the collection?
No, she has a lot of respect for me and adores me. And since I’m the one with grey hair, she follows my guidance.

On the ever-popular Hervé Léger label…
Celebrities love BCBG and Hervé Léger – how important is their support to you?
The more celebrities wear our clothes, the more we have the sense of satisfaction in our work. If they’re wearing our clothes, it’s because we’re not doing such a bad job! And, since they are seen by millions, it is only positive in terms of exposure.
What attracted you towards Hervé Léger?
I love the sexy, body-con silhouette on a woman. It’s the same idea as your favourite pair of jeans, they hug the body perfectly and play up your figure.
How have the collections been received in Canada?
Really well: Canadian women love to dress sexily. In fact, I just came from Canada and I was left with the impression that there is room for three Hervé Léger boutiques: One in Montreal, one in Toronto and one in Vancouver.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: A model walks the runway at the Max Azria Spring 2010 fashion show at the Tent at Bryant Park on September 15, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

On life…
How do you find balance in your life?
I let people express themselves, I’m not a workaholic anymore.
What has changed?
I have an amazing team. I surround myself with people who are not only talented but who are good friends.
What are you most proud of?
My family.
And career-wise?
I’m most proud of where I am today.
What about tomorrow: What’s in store for BCBG?
It’s just going to get better and better. The main focus of my work right now is to help the new generation succeed. I’m not just their boss, I’m a father-figre, mentor and coach.
You’ve just presented two out of three collections for SS10 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. How do you feel?
(Ed note: Big sigh, followed by laughter). Relieved! They are the best we’ve done in a long time.
Perhaps the best ever?
They’ve definitely garnered the best response so far.

Want to get some face time with Max Azria too? He will be in Montreal at the Ste-Catherine boutique on September 24. Be sure to add BCBG to your shopping itinerary for LOULOU’s Block Party. Don’t miss it!

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: A model walks the runway at the Max Azria Spring 2010 fashion show at the Tent at Bryant Park on September 15, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

Max Azria showed the last of his three collections at Bryant Park earlier today and the eponymous label was as elegant and sophisticated as Hervé Léger is sassy and sexy. But that’s not to say that the flowing, clean-lined pieces in neutral greys, blacks and creams were tame: Sequined slashes – in the back and up the sides – gave both an edgy feel and a dash of sensuality, as did the metallic chain cages and gorgeous beadwork.
I also got up-close-and-personal with a few front rowers, including Mickey Rourke, Kelly Rowland and the lovely Joyce Azria (Max’s daughter/creative director of BCBGeneration – a fresh and affordably priced collection that is available in select BCBG boutiques and coming soon to the Bay).

I’ve been thinking about geek-y glasses ever since I landed in NYC – I love how quirky and chic they can look (but are they too trend victim-y?). Dean and Dan may have convinced me with this style from the SS10 collection… Cute, right? The inspiration for the season was ‘70s hip-hop and glamour. Love!

Details Magazine interviews Dean and Dan Caten

And as much as I loved the rooftop view and champers at DSquared, G-Star was calling my name and I am so glad I made the trek. The collection went way beyond jeans (though there were several styles, most in white), with cute trenches, jackets and dresses in shades of white and blue and a super-fun fish print. Even more impressive? The models coming out of white “pods” to strut their way through the ultra-long runway, which was complete with stairs. Several walked at the same time and the final walkthrough was an accident waiting to happen but there are no collisions to report. You have to see it – check out my little video here. Wonder how long they rehearsed that one…

Lastly I got my dose of bling from Ms. Kimora Lee Simmons at the Roseland Ballroom. The gold-glitter runway set the tone for her Morocco-inspired collection. Though there was lots of sparkle and hardware (sometimes maybe too much for my taste), several pieces were adorable, including a cream romper, bustier dress in the sophisticated print that was seen on the invite, some toned-down acid wash jeans (we went gaga for her FW09 bleached out denim!) and a ruffle front navy monokini that was oh-so-chic. Final verdict? Not nearly as many cat logos as I was expecting, some pretty great pieces and a little more subtlety than were used to from Kimora.

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I, like many big city dwellers, live happily in the heart of the city without a car. Actually, I do have a car, but it’s my husband’s car and it has that daunting thing called a stick shift. I look like an incompetent, foolish idiot jerking around the streets and blocking intersections, so I stay very clear of our car. I am therefore, very content to go everywhere in the city on foot or by public transportation. Almost everything in the city of Toronto can be reached this way, almost. For some reason, some of the best shopping malls are never located near public transportation – case in point: Vaughan Mills in the GTA, the cat’s pyjama’s of outlet shopping (read: Holt Renfrew Last Call, BCBG, Banana Republic, Lacoste, Style Sense, Browns, La Senza and more). If you don’t have a car, you’re outta luck… until this past weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

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