Fashion
COAT REPORT 2O14 CANADA GOOSE BRANTA CASSIDY JACKET
it’s no wonder: The company has mastered the art of transforming down-filled coats into major sartorial statements. (Moncler Gamme Rouge, the line’s haute couture collection presented at Paris Fashion Week, was first designed by Alessandra Facchinetti—creative director of Tod’s and one-time creative director of Valentino—and Giambattista Valli.) One of the brand’s latest styles, Armoise, has a slim fit and fur-trimmed hood that ups the sultry factor. Other sexy standouts from JESSICA CHASTAIN the Fall 2014 ready-to-wear collection include IN MONCLER AT THE a lacquered nylon jacket with sculpted shoulFALL 2014 SHOW ders and Chanel-like quilting, and coats feaHUNTER ORIGINAL OUTER SPACE turing a mash-up of nylon, wool and fur. While black is a DOWN JACKET staple, many of the new interpretations have digital prints, including animal and camouflage, and statement-making details such as ruffled hems and detachable belts. One piece in particular, Solaris, has a decorative appliqué detail typical of a designer handbag. It’s not something you’d expect to see on a padded coat, yet it works beautifully. Even labels not typically associated with warm winter coats are getting in on the trend. British brand Hunter— best known for its colourful Wellington boots—showed its first runway collection earlier this year during London Fashion Week. (Hunter’s creative director, Alasdhair Willis, is the former publisher of Wallpaper* magazine, and Mackage and Herno. When it comes to silhouettes, Harlow husband of designer Stella McCartney.) Under Willis’s disays cocoon-shaped puffers are big right now, though we’re rection, Hunter created a range of lust-worthy down coats also seeing belted versions, which accentuate the waist, as such as the futuristic-looking Outer Space puffer. It has an well as moto and bomber-style creations. What’s more, puff- elasticized waist panel, which gives it a corset-like effect, ers are now incredibly lightweight—no more schlepping and comes in a gorgeous liquid silver. your jacket around the mall. Puffers are making such a style statement that we’re Canada Goose, one of the country’s leading outerwear donning them for more than just our morning coffee run. companies, developed a five-point rating system called the Model Kate Upton caused a stir in 2013 when she appeared Thermal Experience Index to help customers determine the on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition in a warmth they need, whether they’re going on an Arctic expe- shrunken Canada Goose jacket paired with nothing more dition or heading to the office in -20°C. Spencer Orr, vice- than bikini bottoms. It was a bombshell look, to be sure, president of design and merchandising at Canada Goose, though most A-listers and fashion insiders are making down says the company sources fabrics from all over the world to coats sexy via their own personal style. Julia Restoin-Roitensure their jackets are both performance-driven and sexy. feld, daughter of former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Carine Though the company has been around for more than 50 Roitfeld, wore an olive down jacket with a fur-trimmed hood years, it launched its Branta collection—a more upscale, over a fitted black sweater dress during New York Fashion fashion-oriented line—in 2011. One of its newest styles, Cas- Week—the look was effortlessly chic. For evening, Natalie sidy, has a smooth exterior with down-filled stretch panels Portman chose a knee-length black puffer with ruffled edgto give it more shape. “That didn’t exist five years ago,” he ing, which she paired with a dress and black boots. But one says, referring to this cutting-edge technology. of the most memorable looks came courtesy of Sarah JesMuch like Branta, Moncler’s puffer styles are covetable sica Parker, who wore a Max Mara gold version under a fur for the fashion element alone (never mind that they really vest while walking along the streets of New York. do keep you warm in sub-zero temperatures—the FrenchIt’s no wonder down has become such a staple: Much like Italian luxury brand actually got its start producing quilted comfortable heels are the holy grail of fashion, the right sleeping bags). Celebrities from Reese Witherspoon to Heidi down coat is a winter must-have, boasting that rare combinaKlum have been snapped wearing one of these jackets, and tion of style and warmth. ■
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PHOTOGRAPHY: RUNWAY BY PETER STIGTER; FEATHER BY ISTOCK; CHASTAIN BY VENTURELLI/GETTY; HUNTER, $595; CANADA GOOSE, $900
CHLOÉ FALL 2014
THAKOON FALL 2014
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FASHION NOVEMBER 2014