Month: June 2010

Luminato 2010 – The Ascension of Beauty by Mark Fast

Luminato 2010 – The Ascension of Beauty by Mark Fast

Published by

Mark Fast returned to Canada to be part of the Luminato festival of Arts and Creativity.  He has the honour of presenting in the one of the best installation venues in the city, the Brookfield Place Allen Lambert Galleria.  It was two years ago that myself and some friends were part of the Toronto’s Mille Femmes installation during Luminato. Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity will present a free landmark installation in partnership with Lancôme by London-based Canadian knitwear designer Mark Fast. Commissioned by Lancôme in celebration of their 75th anniversary, The Ascension of Beauty will be presented in Toronto’s Brookfield Place Allen Lambert Galleria throughout the 10-day festival from June 11th to June 20th. Fast welcomes the challenges of such a largescale project, which will see him outfit architecture in rope sculpture and fashion a dress of lycra, viscose and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Said Fast, “The knitwear I have created is symbolic of the elegant structure of the rose and I have derived my inspiration from its delicate confidence. Its layers extend off the …

Thompson Toronto

Published by

I was lucky enough to see the rooftop of the Thompson Toronto, the newest edition to the Thompson Hotel family around the world. The rooftop boasts 360 degree views and an infinity pool. It really is stunning. Thompson Hotel Rooftop from Anita Clarke on Vimeo.

Celine Resort 2011

Celine Resort 2011

Published by

There are very few designers that will get a bad review from me. Labels like Balenciaga, Givenchy and Lanvin will always be hits in my mind. Of course Celine with Phoebe Philo at the helm is among those select few. Phoebe played with print and colour this season in the ready to wear items. Usually she leaves colour to the accessories. There was a bit of colour blocking which I would expect from Celine doing colour. The prints threw me for a loop at first but I do like the pattern and colour combinations Phoebe has chosen. The accessories are fabulous of course.  I’m loving the neon yellow handbags big time. images: style.com and wwd.com

Monique Lhuillier Resort 2011

Monique Lhuillier Resort 2011

Published by

Monique Lhuillier is one of those red carpet/bridal designers that I always overlook or avoid like the plague. This resort collection grabbed me enough that I went to the slideshow. I really liked the daywear in that black and white colour palette.  Her strapless dresses look like they fit perfectly in the bust area. Philipino born, Monique Lhuillier started her bridal line in 1996 with her husband. In 2002, they launched the ready to wear and eveningwear divisions of the company. They then launched a home line in 2008. A fine paper and bridesmaids divisions were added in 2009. In Ontario, Monique Lhuillier Ready to Wear is available at Holt Renfrew and Hugo Nicholson. White carries the Bridal and Bliss lines and there is only Bridal at Dina Alonzi Bridal.

Ask a Geek Post Updates

Published by

I continually update my Ask A Geek post when new information becomes available. Here is a list of Ask a Geek posts that have been recently updated. Ask a Geek: Bridal on Consignment in the Greater Toronto Area – Updated May 29, 2010 Ask a Geek: Consignment Stores in Toronto – Updated June 15, 2010 Ask a Geek: Where to find Prom and Formal Dresses in Toronto – Updated June 15, 2010

Collette Dinnigan Resort 2011

Collette Dinnigan Resort 2011

Published by

Collette Dinningan Resort 2011 manages to strike a the right balance between cutesy and saccharine.  There is nothing ground breaking here but I was drawn to colours and silhouettes. Collette Dinningan is the first Australian designer to show in Paris. The award winning, New Zealand born designer started her namesake label in 1990. The woman has a stamp in her likeness from the Australian Post. There are no stockists in Canada but the collection is available in New York City at Barneys and Jeffery. images: nymag.com

Sanrio 50th Anniversary – Sanrio x Girl Skateboards

Sanrio 50th Anniversary – Sanrio x Girl Skateboards

Published by

Here is some Sanrio 50th anniversary goodness from Girl Skateboards. It’s a Hello Kitty skateboard along with matching t-shirt and wheels. Hello Kitty for the guys seems is the focus of this collaboration. You can see more details about this collaboration on the JapanLA blog. They are also selling everything from the Sanrio x Girl Skateboards collection. As a “thank you” to their ever-loyal fans, SANRIO plans to unveil special co-branded collections, starting this summer with SANRIO x Dr. Martens. Signature Dr. Martens 8-eye boots & mary jane strap shoes will be bestowed a trademark Hello Kitty bow for this limited edition collection. Collaborations with a diverse group of brands including Brunswick, Girl Skateboard Co., Aerial7, Lomography, Demeter Fragrance, Mimobots, and Build-A-Bear Workshop will launch a plethora of amazing products at retail partners worldwide, featuring an assortment of SANRIO characters. A benchmark of SANRIO’s 50th Anniversary will include iconic characters appearing together for the first time ever (outside of SANRIO’s Harmonyland and Puroland theme parks in Japan), on products including the 8-eye Dr. Martens boot, …