Month: March 2010

Balenciaga Fall 2010 Shoes

Footwear trends from Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 from the shoe buyers

I love it when the Footwear News asks the buyers their opinions of the collections. I’m always interested in what the buyers/retailers think of the collections. For the last few seasons I’ve been posting about shoe buyer’s feelings on the show. Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 is no exception. New York Todd Hanshaw, Fashion Director, Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Strongest Trends: • Ankle booties • Fur • Ladylike, refined styles “Must-Carry” Styles : • High-heel ankle booties • Flat-sole sandals Shifts in Buying Strategy: “We are absolutely growing our budget and getting behind the point of view that we represent in the stores.” Liz Rodbell, EVP & GMM of apparel, accessories, shoes & cosmetics, Lord & Taylor Strongest Trends: • Military- and utility-inspired boots • Laceups and ankle booties on a wedge or platform • Oxfords and suede platforms “Must-Carry” Styles: • Lace-up boots • Booties • Clogs Ones to Watch: “Key designers to watch are Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and Max Azria.” Shifts in Buying Strategy: “Our buying strategy remains consistent. The market looks …

TEFW – Philip Sparks Fall Winter 2010 – 2011

Didn’t get a chance to attend Philip Sparks’ Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 show? Well they have produced a great runway video of the show that includes close ups of the outfits. I’m an unabashed Philip Sparks fan so it’s pretty hard for him not to please me. I love the Philip Sparks sailor and what great models to represent him. The presentation format was excellent. I like the half runway half installation idea and it was a nice change up. The attention to detail is always excellent and the Burroughes Building once again served as a fantastic backdrop. I was so happy to see my favourite model David C from Elmer. The last time I saw him I was at Elmer Olsen’s Christmas party. David was going to Europe for the men’s collections. I told him I hoped to see him on my computer screen. I nearly spewed coffee over my monitor when he turned up in the Alexander McQueen fall 2010 collection. Holy Shit, David walked McQueen. I later found out that David …

Steve Nash Harry magazine cover - spring 2010

Steve Nash on the cover of Harry Magazine

Harry Magazine, the award-winning publication by Harry Rosen Inc., will feature one of Canada’s top all-time athletes, Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns point guard and a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player – on its cover and in a six-page feature and photo spread in the Spring 2010 issue, being mailed today. I have a weakness for Steve Nash. I didn’t know it when I first saw him years ago. I was a huge basketball head. I played in high school religiously. I loved amateur ball and March Madness was my thing.  I thought about trying out for York U’s team but decided to do Track and Field instead. I became a licensed referee during my last year of high school and did that for a few years. I still remember my little black and grey outfit, black runners and my Fox40 whistle. Rounding out my basketball knowledge resulted in learning the table, the scorekeeping table. I’ve performed all the jobs on a standard setup: timer, scorekeeper and statistician. The hardest job was the statistician by …

Rick Owens Ready to Wear - Fall Winter 2010 - 2011

Rick Owens Ready to Wear – Fall 2010 – 2011

There is always a place for Rick on I want – I got. The Rick Owens Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 collection added some new elements: zigzag prints and geometric horn appliqués. The collection is very warrior like an urban warrior. The only things I’m not all that jazzed about in the collection are the down wrap jackets. Fashion Show Backstage images: nymag.com

Buy Design Spring Social images Anna Lisa Sang

Buy Design Spring Social

Buy Design is my favourite fundraiser of the year. It really is the one that is closest to my heart. I’ve participated in two advertising campaigns for Buy Design and it’s always a great party.  I love an excuse to play model and get my make up done. Buy Design Spring Social is Windfall’s seventh annual dress up party! On Saturday, April 10 at 8 pm, The Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery Historic District will be transformed into a dirty thirties fundraiser featuring a mess hall auction, croquet and badminton lawns and a swinging dance hall tent. Sip sidecars, sours and planters punch and parade across the big band stage in the boater pageant. Throw darts at the Beauty Balloon Buster game and sample brown-bagged bites from the country fare stands and bake sale. Hosted by TV and fashion personality ADRIAN MAINELLA. Tickets are $75 each or 6 for $375. Order online or call 416-703-8435. images: Anna Lisa Sang

Nella Bella Spring 2010 Handbags

Nella Bella Spring 2010 Handbags

Last season I talked about Toronto based Nella Bella handbags on I want – I got. I posted about the Nella Bella Fall 2009 Handbag collection. I visited Tarek, Nella Bella owner in his studio to get a look at the Spring 2010 collection up close.  Of course I had to take pictures with all the bags. Spring 2010 focuses on neutrals like black, brown and creme. However there are spots of colour with the acrylic dipped cotton prints, bright canvas, and vibrant pink PU materials. All the bags come with different colour options. There are a lot of the classic shapes from previous seasons like the London bag and the popular Vancouver gym tote, which always gets Tarek smiling when he sees them on the street. Some of my favourite styles include the Riviera clutch which also can double as a full bag with straps, the Vienna satchel, the liquid metal looking Stockholm messenger and the Rio. I fell in love with Rio on first sight. It was solidified when I touched the soft …

PROM at the ROM 2009

PROM V: Noir – March 27, 2010

I’m very excited to be attending one of the hottest parties in the city, Prom at the ROM, PROM V: NOIR. I’ll be bringing my trusty photographer Paul Baik with me as we try to capture the spirit and fashion of the event. Welcome to the dark side of the ROM with PROM V: NOIR, a thrilling night of dramatic glamour and cinematic fantasy inspired by the ROM’s captivating collection of winged creatures in the newly revamped Bat Cave and the recently opened Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity. Hosted by MTV’s Dan Levy and Jessi Cruickshank, hundreds of YPC members and guests will take a sensational step back into vintage Hollywood complete with private eyes and femmes fatales. Experience the melodrama of a dazzling Golden Age film première—with a contemporary twist—as you pose for a mob of flashbulbs on the black carpet, investigate tempting diversions in dark shadows, sip swishy cocktails, and shimmy the night away on a fierce dance floor to the sounds of a live Big Band and stellar Toronto DJs. …

Lanvin Ready to Wear - Fall 2010

What does Barbara think? Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 Edition

I love it when the WWD asks the buyers their opinions of the collections. I’m always interested in what the buyers/retailers think of the collections. For the last few seasons I’ve been posting about Barbara Atkin’s feelings on the show. Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 is no exception. New York Barbara Atkin, vice president and fashion director, Holt Renfrew: Trends with legs: “The drop in hems of skirts will change jackets and shoes; fabric folding and ruffling; camel, the new color of luxury; high-waisted full pants and bolder shoulders on jackets; enveloping coats; military details; sculptural tailoring and geometric body-conscious clothing.” Favorite collections: “3.1 Phillip Lim for the beautiful shearlings, knitwear, dresses, outerwear and tunics; Victoria Beckham’s sensuous dresses; Michael Kors’ long knit skirts; Oscar de la Renta’s beautiful refinement and Old-World luxury; Marc Jacobs’ simple, elegant clothes; Reed Krakoff’s utilitarian sportswear; Alexander Wang; Philip Lim, and The Row — style that’s relevant to many generations.”(source) Milan Barbara Atkin, vice president and fashion director, Holt Renfrew: “The designer business is on an upswing and our …

Sacai Ready to Wear - Fall 2010

Sacai Ready to Wear – Fall 2010

I’m loving that Sacai is becoming more popular.  Style.com has posted the collection for two seasons in a row now.  There are more photos available of the collections and now instead of  judys we get real models.  I love Sacai’s Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 collection. Chitose Abe, Sacai’s designer,creates contradictions that work. In typical Sacai style, tweeds and knits combined with anorak details create a unique look. Items looks like separates but are really one piece. The ropey knits are thick and substantial. Sacai is available at Holt Renfrew.  I always take the opportunity to check out Sacai in person.  The construction needs visual inspection, so inventive and different. images: the Fashion Spot

i want: Spring 2010 Danier Leather Jackets

Danier keeps stepping it up. They’ve created a more fashion forward lineup of jackets which really surprised and pleased me. I spent many years walking into The Path location wanting to buy a leather jacket and not seeing anything I would wear. Finally with Fall 2009, I filled my wardrobe with some leather staples from Danier. I love my classic black motorcycle jacket and leather leggings. Fall was very dark and Spring 2010 at Danier is the opposite, full of colour. I’m craving the blue and the yellow leather jackets from Danier.  A great addition now that I have the standard black; it’s time to play around a bit. Fall merchandise is being cleared out of Danier stores right now.  Expect to see the Spring 2010 items in the store by the end of the month. images: courtesy of Danier Leather