RUSSIAN INFLUENCE

Leo Tolstoys Novel, Anna Karenina (1873-77), may date back 135 years but its popularity has survived the centuries. There have been many film, television and theatrical adaptations, translations, and the story is alluded to in countless pieces of literature. But what we want to know, is what Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky were wearing when they first met. Luckily for the costume designers responsible for the various adaptations of Anna Karenina, Tolstoy wrote in detail about what his characters were wearing; the lavish materials, the velvet, fur and lace, and through this painted a clear picture of what his 19th century characters were sporting.

Vivien Leigh as Anna Karenina
 in a 1948 production

Now, we can't talk about Anna Karenina and Russian style without acknowledging Jaqueline Durran's collaboration with Joe Wright in the 2012 film production of the novel. They worked together to turn Keira Knightley into the ultimate 1870's Russian socialite, fashion icon, and tragic character, Anna Karenina. The three, Knightley, Durran and Wright have worked on period-pieces together before so they already had a basis of chemistry when approaching the task of styling this film. ''We decided we liked the silhouette of the period but not the detailing. So we looked particularly to Christian Dior of the 1950's, which has a similar silhouette but a much simpler, more striking detailing'' says Joe Wright of his vision, in an article on Fashionista.

This film and the grand statement that these costumes make have moved beyond the confines of the screen and trickled into the fashion world to even claim commercial success with Banana Republic's Anna Karenina capsule collection. Needless to say, get out your bustle.

Keira Knightley as Anna Karenina
 in the 2012 production

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1950's Dior Couture

Harrods Magazine 

Jaqueline Durran / Interview

Banana Republic / Capsule Collection

MORE FROM MOLLY...

MOVEMBER

The month of November is now Movember, a clever way to raise awareness and support for the conquering of prostate cancer, by growing a mustache and fundraising. Log on to the Movember website to contribute to the cause or simply start growing your 'stache. Come by the boutique and show us your progress!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA

We're a little bit late in wishing fashion's, Anna Wintour, a very happy birthday, but she can be honored any day of the year, we say. She took refuge in Manhattans Upper East Side during the aftermath of hurricane Sandy, or did she?

Anna Wintour
b. November 3rd, 1949

'Anna Wintour' walking down rue
St. Viateur  in Montreals
trendy Mile-End

PS. Do not believe everything you see in this post ;)

WHO'S THAT LADY?

A new editorial in Haute Living magazine brought our attention back to the fashion icon and general superstar, Daphne Guinness. What we find most captivating about this lady is her ever-evolving fashion sensibility and how rapidly and drastically her philosophy develops. Her most recent collaboration with timepiece designer Roger Dubuis yielded a photo shoot in Haute Living magazine styled by the diva herself. Her unique and forward thinking fashion philosophy is really present in the photos shot by Nick Knight, and the accompanying text. Below is the cover photo, with Guinness in an amazing gravity-defying dress which only further expresses her perspective.

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 Daphne Guinness / Haute Living

The Evolving Daphne Guinness

Timeline of Daphne Guinness

Daphne Guinness / Collection

WE LOVE NATURAL FIBERS

One of the keys to comfort, along with great design, is material. The materials that make up Nicks outfit are cotton and wool (and leather boots) for ultimate comfort and warmth throughout the cold fall months.

This wool Libertine-Libertine jacket is a classic, but details like the pockets make it unique. It looks super sharp paired with navy pants to pick up the color of the dark stripes and at the same time create contrast between dark bottoms and the cream color in the jacket. 

Check out the detail on the lining of these Libertine-Libertine pants. Nick rolled up the cuffs, and noticed that the entire lining of the pants has this blue speckled pattern. The delicate pattern looks pretty cool up against these leather Red Wings.

Come by the boutique to check out these pieces and feel the materials for yourself! 

Nick is wearing:

Navy Libertine-Libertine Slacks (100% cotton)

Farah Vintage T-Shirt (100% cotton)

Libertine-Libertine Jacket (83% wool, 17% polyamide)

Red Wing Leather Boots

All available in-store!

WHO'S THAT GIRL?

We are always looking for new music to play in the boutique. Recently, we stumbled upon Sky Ferreira! Her music is poppy, sometimes upbeat and sometimes melancholic, but never cheesy (when cheesy, at least its self-aware). She is helping us ring in the weekend and turn this gloomy Friday around. Don't let the weather get you down, just put on some Sky Ferreira and all will be well. If you ever have inspired music finds share them with us next time your in the boutique SVP!

Check out the video for her song Everything is Embarrassing from her newest album, Ghost, below. Her styling in the video works so well with the b/w aesthetic.