Denis Gagnon started his life in fashion as an art director. Working with fashion designer Yso on movies, advertising and theatre, Denis had the vision to dress the world in his own fashion instead of that of another.

Since the creation of his first line, Denis Gagnon has gained the attention of fashion fans across the country. In 2004, he was awarded the Fashion Export Award for best designer in his hometown of Montreal. A retrospective of his designs will be shown at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts this fall and a documentary entitled Je m’appelle Denis Gagnon premiered this year. Despite his growing fame and praise in the fashion industry here, Denis Gagnon chooses to stick close to Montreal and Toronto and continues to show his collections in these cities each season.

His recent 2010 line marks a return to fashion after a brief absence from the Canadian fashion scene. For Spring/Summer 2010, Denis Gagnon followed modern fashion trends with a celebration of the zipper. His line mixes couture style with functional fashion in his signature leather fabrics using the popular nude shades of the season. His fall fashion line continued that trend while using leathers in new fringe and weaves to create a new look.

While Denis Gagnon’s fashions are sold at his upscale boutique and Holt Renfrew, he is said to be working on an affordable collaborative fashion line with Bedo to be released this fall and a shoe line for Aldo.

Here are some looks from the Denis Gagnon fall fashion show:

[Denis Gagnon photo: Christine Roy]

Back To School Fall Fashion Trends:
1. Elizabeth And James, Silk Lined Hoodie, $265.00 – The ultimate cozy piece gets an update with silk lining.
2. Sunglass Hut, Rayban Aviator Sunglasses, $199.95 – Hide those tired eyes with a pair of chic sunglasses.
3. Alloy, Chinese Laundry Skinny Jeans, $29.52 – Dark wash skinny jeans are a fashion must have.
4. Delia’s, Tracy Plaid Shirt, $14.99 – Plaid is back and adds an instant cool appeal.
5. Piperlime, Warrior Lace Up Boots, $90.00 – Lace up boots are hot for fall and will work well into the winter.
6. Banana Republic, Blair Leather Tote, $155.00 – Marry fashion with function and carry your laptop to class in an oversize tote.

Following in the footsteps of many fashion designers, including Karl Lagerfeld, Jimmy Choo and Stella McCartney, the Lanvin H&M collection will be revealed on November 2. The first images will be seen in a film on the H&M website. The clothes will then hit shelves on November 23. If you want a piece you should be waiting in line when the doors open, because we know this line isn’t going to last long in stores.

In a press release, Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin, said, “H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less. I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public. This has been an exceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and women around the world.”

Lanvin has been one of the most exciting European fashion lines to watch over the past few years. Under Alber Elbaz’ direction, Lanvin has been on the cusp of all the hottest trends every season. It will be exciting to see how they can bring the luxurious fall trends from their line into H&M.

See the preview video of Alber Elbaz talk about the line here:

Structured handbag fall fashion trend shopping guide:
1. Fashion 58, Coach Bleecker Shopper, $229.00 – The classic look of this Coach handbag lends style and structure.
2. Shoebuy, La Tour Eiffel Paris Handbag, $162.45 – A small structured day handbag will bring your look together in an elegant fashion.
3. YOOX, Jil Sander Leather Handbag, $738.00 – Luscious red leather will make the winter seem a little warmer.
4. Ebags, Rioni Aristo Front Flap Shoulder Bag, $112.80 – Choose an affordable bag with designer style for a classic fashion look.
5. Forzieri, Fontanelli Red Croco-embossed Leather Flap Bag, $368.75 – A red croc bag will turn heads.
6. Mulberry, Alexa Bag, $2,699.34 – Get Alexa Chung’s style with the bag that bears her name.

The list of Kardashian fashion products gets longer every week. Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian along with their mom Kris Jenner are starting a new K-Dash by Kardashian clothing line with QVC. The family worked with Ginny Hilfiger (Tommy’s sister) to create the affordable line priced from $20 to $240. The new Kardashian clothing line will launch on Fashion’s Night Out where the girls will be on QVC live from Rockefeller Center at 9 pm. (People) 

Fall sees an end to the popular Kate Moss/Topshop design collaboration. The fashion retailer announced that the fall/winter Kate Moss collection launching on October 14th will be last Kate Moss line for the store. Kate Moss has been designing lines for Topshop for three years. Her lines have been wildly popular making millions for the store. Fashion news reports say she just doesn’t have time to commit to the clothing line anymore. Pick up those last few pieces while they are still in stores. (BBC)

Shoe designer Brian Atwood has signed a deal to create an affordable footwear line with Jones Apparel. B Brian Atwood will be the new lower priced line by the high end shoe designer, who is popular with celebrities including Victoria Beckham and Sarah Jessica Parker. The B Brian Atwood shoes will debut next fall and more accessories are expected to follow. Prices are expected to be between $200 and $500. (WWD)

Drew Barrymore Celebrity Style Shopping Guide:
1. Farfetch, McQ by Alexander McQueen Dress, $298.00 – An olive dress by the same McQueen line is an affordable choice to steal Drew Barrymore’s celebrity style.
2. YOOX, Diesel Short Dress, $80.00 – For an alternative dress option find a draped neck dress in a deep green for fall.
3. Pink Mascara, J.J. Winters Stud Belt, $71.50 – A black belt with gold accents will define a narrow waist.
4. Max & Chloe, Bita Pourtavoosi Black Onyx Chunk Ring, $50.00 – Add dramatic style to your look with a big black cocktail ring.
5. Piperlime, Jessica Simpson Waleo Pumps, $89.00 – A pair of tan pumps are a must have item for the season.

[photo via Lis Lopse]

Betsey Johnson

Real Style Network – What are the hottest fashion trends for fall and winter 2010/2011?

Betsey Johnson – 2010 – “Camo” war, military. Sad but true. 2011 – Modern artsy, collegiate cool, chintzy chinoiserie.

Military                                                       Modern Artsy 

Real Style Network – What are the new essential wardrobe pieces all women should have in their fall 2010 wardrobe and why?

Betsey Johnson – Always a soft, cushy, netti-petti, a waist cincher, a skin-tite [sic] sexy + a boufont bubble somethin’, and eyelashes galooooor!

Waist Cincher                                 Boufant

Real Style Network – What are the best new accessories for the upcoming season and why?

Betsey Johnson – Big stuff you can wear that talks to you and others. Conversational meet & greet jewelry. Animals, food, love-stuff, travel stuff… “This is your life” stuff.

Real Style Network – Any other fashion and style tips you may want to tell readers….

Betsey Johnson – Eat drink & be merry…& dress accordingly.

Find Betsey Johnson’s fashion at any of her 65 boutiques around the world or online here.

These knee high boots from Rockport are perfect for the casual, slightly cowboy, slightly boho look that is so prevalent for casual wear this fall. Wear with jeans tucked in, your vintage-looking bag and your shearling jacket. Wrap a eastern style paisley scarf around your neck and you have got the ‘retro/boho/casual cool’ look down pat! Get yours now for $169.95 at Shoebuy.

This past weekend hot British fashion designers Rag & Bone made a special appearance at Toronto’s Holt Renfrew. The design team of  Marcus Wainwright and David Neville stopped by the fashion retailer to chat with Canadian style fashionistas and promote their new fall/winter 2010 collection.

The fashion designers didn’t do much speaking, but smiled for the camera and let the clothes speak for themselves. Their fall/winter 2010 line is all about layering different textures and fabrics. The oversized layered looks with long scarves and warm jackets are perfect for our Canadian winters.

See our profile of  Rag&Bone and photos of their fall 2010 fashion collection here.

Jayma Mays, Claire Danes, Jane Lynch, Kelly Osborne

Last night the best in television was honoured at the Emmy Awards. We know the show is just as much about the fashion as the awards, so here are the style winners and losers.

Glee may have been robbed of their best comedy award, but the Glee stars were all winners for their red carpet fashion. Lea Michele was named best dressed by People Magazine for her blue ruffled Oscar de la Renta gown. Jayma Mays wowed in a strapless blue Burberry gown putting her on the Glamour best dressed list. Emmy winner Jane Lynch gave her celebrity style some glamour in a plum one-shoulder gown by Ali Rahimi.

During the awards, Twitter was buzzing over Kelly Osborne’s Emmy fashion. She showed off her trim figure in a black Tony Ward couture gown. Others showing off curves included Eva Longoria in a black strapless gown from Robert Rodriguez and, of course, Christina Henricks with a lilac feather Zac Posen gown.

Sparkles returned to the red carpet with a vengeance. Temple Grandin Emmy winner Claire Danes sparkled in an Armani Prive gown covered in Swarovski crystals putting her on the best dressed list. Julianna Marguilies wore a sparkling black gown from L’Wren Scott. Susan Sarandon is on many best dressed lists in her black sparkling off shoulder Donna Karan gown.

Some actresses took risks with their red carpet fashion. Everyone was talking about January Jones’ blue Versace gown, putting this usually fashionable star on the worst dressed lists. True Blood star Anna Paquin wore an embellished Alexander McQueen with gold shoulders. You never know what Tina Fey will wear and this year she chose a silk black and grey Oscar de la Renta gown that had the critics split.

So who was best dressed in the heart of Real Style Network? We loved Kim Kardashian’s white Marchesa gown, Lea Michele’s Oscar de la Renta and Claire Danes’s sparkling gown.

[photos via ET Canada and Portal FFW]