Jen Kao is an American designer who launched her label in 2007. This is her debut on I want – I got. I was initially taken by the swimsuit/bodysuit with sheer panels. It’s a very dark collection with lots of leather, knits and fur. It has that sci-fi edge that I really enjoy also. images: the Fashion Spot
I haven’t been to the Autoshow in at least twenty years so I jumped at the chance to write about the new The MINI Beachcomber Concept car. The MINI Beachcomber was making a short stop in Toronto for its first Canadian appearance before being whisked to Europe for another autoshow. It may seem a little weird to my regular readers, but I’m a huge MINI fan. I love luxury and sports cars with Porsche being my favourite. Way back in 2006, I wrote a post for blogTO about Zipcar and my first experience driving a MINI. Luxury event managers, CANDICE&ALISON were hired to produce the MINI Beachcomber launch with the theme of beach tailgate party. They brought together a mix of fashion designers, models, makeup artists and product designers to contribute to the launch. The theme was heavily influenced by retro 50s beach party pop culture. Canadian designer Farley Chatto created MINI branded pin-up retro polka dot bikinis, a pair of board shorts and sheer tank. Jon, Vlada (black hair) and Caitlin of Elite models stepped …
Goodbye Lee. Read past posts about Alexander McQueen on I want – I got.
I mentioned how much I liked the Diesel x Foscarini Lighting in my IDS10: I want – I got Favourite Things Part 1 post. The photos were just a small subset of what is available. I got a catalogue and scanned it. Diesel x Foscarini Lighting is available at the Diesel store in Montreal and Lightform’s Toronto and Vancouver locations
I wrote about the Fashion House From Runway to Hallway preview in the summer of 2009. I’ve discovered some videos of the designers talking about the project. Celebrate the best in Canadian fashion in the heart of Toronto’s Fashion District. Eleven of Canada’s premier fashion designers have added their personal touches to the floors of Fashion House and will be on hand to toast Toronto’s first, award-winning fashion / condo project. This is your chance to mix, mingle and immerse yourself in all that is made-to-measure and ready to dwell. Fashion House – impeccable style from the inside, out. Andy The Anh Jeremy Laing Smythe Bustle Beckerman Michael Kale Jenny Bird Greta Constantine Joeffer Caoc Dean Davidson
Trench Cape by Maison Martin Margiela I thought the Burberry x Colette trenches were pretty cool but this Maison Martin Margiela one has taken over. images: ssense.com
The first Philip Sparks Fall 2010 Preview Video was release in January. Philip is inspired by Moby Dick this season. I can’t wait to see all the nautical inspired clothing and accessories. Since then there have been two videos posted so I’m going to post all three for you to enjoy. Part 3 is so much fun. Peacoats for all! Follow the Philip Sparks blog for updates.
I was reading WWD.com and came across these WUYORK handmade bowties. I was surprised to discover that Taiwanese designer York Wu spends his time in New York and Toronto. He is also an interdisciplinary artist/designer and Interior Designer. His bowties are quite beautiful and unusual. These bowties can move between traditional usage and jewellery. The WUYORK website contains more product and campaign images. There is also photos of the packaging, which is just as beautiful. images: wuyork.com
I want – I got Advertiser Love is a way for me to say thank you to my direct advertisers. I also provides me a way to let you know about companies behind these banner ads you see. This will be a weekly thing, don’t worry. I want an Ardor necklace from Bijouxbead. Bijouxbead is a local jewellery artist that has created a special collection for Valentine’s Day. Join designer, Darlene Martin at Magnolia (333 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto) for the Embrace Valentine Cocktail on Feb 11, 2009 from 7pm – 10pm. View posts about BijouxBead on I want – I got. I want an Acorn Necklace from Femm. Femm is a local fashion and bridal jewellery company created by a trio of women. Everything is handmade and there is a few one of a kind items available. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I want – I got readers get a 20% discount when they use the code LOVE during checkout at the Femm online shop. This code expires Feb 28, 2010. I want a …
bamjamz send me a tank top in the Sweet Dreamz print from their new line of sleep/lounge wear for review. The line consists of tanks, tunics, shorts, leggings, tshirts and pants. I was interested because bamjamz is Toronto based and they use bamboo fabric. I’m a big fan of bamboo. bamjamzâ„¢ is the latest concept from GUATS Soft Goodsâ„¢ founders Brad Rudin and Adrian Kraizel, that has redefined the concept of “pyjamas†through a fun, sexy and adventurous concept designed to fit the lifestyle of the modern woman – urban, active and spiritual. Made from the softest, coziest bamboo stretch blend fabric, bamjamzâ„¢ delivers a new dimension in natural comfort and performance. This remarkable sustainable and easy to care for fabric breathes, regulates temperature, wicks moisture, controls odour and is hypoallergenic. Sourced from organic and FSC certified bamboo, bamjamzâ„¢ is an all-Canadian collection, having been created in Toronto, designed by Vancouver’s Carol Fergusson and manufactured in Vancouver, with fabric knitted in Montreal. Bamboo is a soft fabric and it’s one of the reasons why I …
Lanvin Small Piquet Dress This is the same dress from the amazing Lanvin Spring 2010 Ad Campaign. Beautiful.
The full ad campaign for Balenciaga’s Spring 2010 collection is out. I kinda like it even though it looks a bit budget. The more I see the boots, the more I like them. It was the W magazine I was browsing this weekend that planted the bug.
For those of you that have been desperately wondering how they can purchase items from the Rad by Rad Hourani collection look no futher, there is an eshop. The Rad by Rad Hourani webshop now operational and waiting for orders. Of course if you are in Montreal you can purchase Rad by Rad Hourani at Reborn
Oooooh wartime Dior, I’m down. This totally feeds into my military fetish and marks the first time I’ve been interested in Dior in many years. Wow, what is pre-fall 2010 doing, first YSL and now Dior. The light baby blue ruffled dress is my favourite. Oh and I’m loving the leather. I’ve bashed Dior a fare bit on the site lately. The last time I had something positive to say was Dior Fall 2008 Couture. images: style.com
Jersey and Leather Long Top by Rick Owens Rick Owens drapey leather goodness with a dash of jersey to round it out. I would wear this alone as a mini dress but I could also see it with a pair of super bright colourful tights or leggings. images: luisaviaroma.com
Wallpaper has featured some of the venues from the Fall 2010 menswear shows. Here are a few of my favourites. Adam Kimmel’s presentation was just creepy. Check out Tommy Ton’s photos from the Adam Kimmell show. I love the long white runway with high wall at Lanvin. images: Wallpaper.com
Mariacarla Boscono is in Vogue China December 2009. Since I’m kinda obsessed with her, I have to post these haunting images.
I haven’t really liked a Yves Saint Laurent collection since the stellar Fall 2008 one. Pre-Fall 2010 has me optimistic. I like the colour combinations and the more classic wearable looks. I’m obsessed with the white and black jacket. I think it’s fur. Hopefully Stefano Pilati will continue this course into Fall 2010. I love, love the white jumpsuit and hot pink leather. images: style.com
Viktor & Rolf went from crazy cutouts to more of their classic menswear inspired looks for the Pre-Fall 2010 collection. The black and white focused collection had two spots of colour, fuchsia and teal. They are cute jumpsuits too. I even like the little hat. I wonder if it’s styling or part of the collection.
This is the beginning of a new feature I’d like to introduce to I want – I got, the Studio Tour. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the studio space a few local designers. I’m fan poking around creative types working spaces. I find all their tools fascinating. The mood and inspiration boards give me insight into their brains. I figured other people would be interested too, so why not blog about it. The Studio Tours isn’t really a formal interview; more a conversation. It’s a way to get a look into a creative mind in their workspace. First up, Dean Davidson. “You worked in agriculture before you became a jewellery designer”, I replied to Dean. My jaw hit the ground before the words got out. It wasn’t the beginning I expected to hear from Canadian jewellery designer Dean Davidson. For 8 years Dean would travel to different farms and evaluate them in order to explain to the farmer what was needed in order to create the yield they were looking for. Dean was all …
Lots of collaborations coming out of Holt Renfrew. Just this week I posted about the exclusive Marc by Marc Jacobs tshirt. Today it’s DSQUARED² creating a limited edition Canadian pride hoodie. They are celebrating the collaboration in Vancouver during the Olympics. DSQUARED², synonymous with trend-setting fashion and imaginative designs, will introduce a limited-edition fleece hoodie paying homage to Dean & Dan’s Canadian roots. An event to celebrate the exclusive collaboration between DSQUARED² and Holt Renfrew is slated to take place on Saturday, February 13, at Holt Renfrew’s Vancouver location, located at 737 Dunsmuir Street, between the hours of 5PM and 7PM. The inspiration for this limited edition piece stems from Canadian pride. The hoodie, which retails for $350 CAD, captures Dean and Dan’s all-original and playful sense of style. “Keep it warm. Keep it real. Keep it Canada,†says Dean and Dan Caten, Creative Directors of DSQUARED². “And don’t ever let them see you sweat… in a sweatshirt!†I had a little sticker shock when I heard the price, $350. I don’t know why I’m …
Jean Pierre Braganza Spring 2010 Lookbook I learned about this Canadian now in London just recently through the Canadian School of Fashion blog. I’m love discovering all these Canadians that are getting their name out in various markets. Best part, he’s available in Toronto. Check out Carte Blanche, 758 Queen Street West, Toronto Check out the Jean Pierre Braganza to see the full lookbook. images: jeanpierrebraganza.com
I thought the Moncler Gamme Bleu Fall 2010 Show was super cute. I found a video of the show since the photos were so charming.
During Berlin Fashion Week Nick Knight and Gareth Pugh were involved in an exhibit at The Galerie Für Moderne Fotografie. Nick Knight took photos of a model in a beautiful handmade gown by Gareth Pugh. The model does a great job of showing off the gowns best assets with movement. God, I love Nick Knight’s photography. Pugh then had the lens turned on himself for a series of portaits with Sølve Sundsbø. Pugh’s portraits are so weird and so appealing. I love the shot with the Roman like helmet on. I’m attracted to anything military regardless of era.  He really does look like an alien in that last image. images: wallpaper.com
Browsing cyanatrendland.com lead me to Christopher Raeburn. I love these spring 2010 jackets. They are so colourful and making use of the sheer trend. Christopher Raeburn is a young British fashion designer, known for creating ethically-aware men’s and womenswear collections that are original in design. Utilising re-appropriated military fabrics, Christopher Raeburn creates garments that are functional, intelligent and meticulously crafted. A graduate from London’s prestigious Royal College of Arts in 2006, Raeburn is fast becoming known for his pioneering work towards the future of ethical design. Christopher Raeburn’s collections are highlighted for their intelligent design, high quality and extreme attention to detail. Staunchly British, all Raeburn garments are proudly ‘Remade in England’ and produced in East London. Christopher Raeburn has jackets for both men and women. I’ve posted some of each here because I liked both styles. The colours are so vibrant. The jackets just scream fun times to me. I really like the way they pop in these trade show photos I found on the Christopher Raeburn blog. These booths would be magnets to …