Month: June 2010

Adidas x Star Wars Cantina 2010

This World Cup themed film for the Adidas x Star Wars collaboration is so much fun. Snoop Dog and a lightsaber. I’m freaking dying. adidas Originals invites you to join David Beckham, Daft Punk, Snoop Dogg, Franz Beckenbauer, Noel Gallagher, Ian Brown, Ciara, Jay Baruchel, DJ Neil Armstrong and some of your dear, old friends for an intergalactic 2010 FIFA World Cupâ„¢ viewing party that you’ll never forget. Are you watching the FIFA World Cup? Who are you teams? I’m an Italy fan with Germany being #2.

Sanrio 50th Anniversary – Sanrio x Dr. Martens

Sanrio 50th Anniversary – Sanrio x Dr. Martens

Dr. Marten paired up with Sanrio to celebrate their 50th anniversary. I saw a sneak preview of the shoes at the Fall 2010 preview and I was freaking out. It’s just so damn cute. I’ve loved Sanrio characters for a long time in my life and to see them in Dr. Martens form is awesome. Just for record, Keroppi is my favourite character. 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 …

Amanda Lew Kee Fall Winter 2010 - 2011

Amanda Lew Kee Fall Winter 2010 – 2011

“Who are those scenester kids?”, I wondered. I was at Derek Blasberg event. A group of four people all dressed in black arrived. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the scenester kids. Someone has to take this stuff seriously because I know it’s not me. I recognized the guy in the group. It was Trash Helder. The women were wearing clothing with a similar style. This wasn’t random chance, it smelled calculated to me. Carefully planned to produce the following reaction: who are you and who are you wearing? The photographers ate it up and the quartet received a lot of attention. They commanded the room, it was amazing to watch. I loved every second of it. I would later find out that later that Amanda Lew Kee, a recent graduate of Ryerson’s School of Fashion orchestrated the scenester kids scene was . I went to the Fall Winter 2010 preview of her namesake woman’s line. I got to meet Amanda and I gushed over her stunt and its brilliance.  It was perfect because …

Plutino at Parts & Labour

Plutino at Parts & Labour

I was at the Plutino Group Official Website Relaunch at Parts & Labour this week. It was a blast. I’m loving Parts & Labour right now. It’s best to enjoy it early before it gets too well know people. I got obsessed with some Versace shoes and other fashionable details.  I went photo crazy. Enjoy.

Drake Hotel General Store x Shared

Drake Hotel General Store x Shared

It seemed like yesterday that the Drake Hotel General Store expanded to into Rosedale. Here they go expanding again with a new storefront at Bathurst and King. Well the storefront isn’t new, it’s an expanded version of the Shared storefront. Carlo Colacci and Joyce Lo decided it would be a good idea to combine the Drake General Store and their Shared location. An additional 200 square feet was added and it really makes the place feel a lot larger. This Drake General Store x Shared space focuses on clothing and home decor. For the first time all the antique fixtures that everyone drools over in the store will be available for sale. Carlo and Joyce are serious vintage hunters, you can expect their one of a kind finds to be top notch. Shared clothing is prominent in the shop with additional labels like Levis, Cheap Monday, Insight Swimwear, Happy Socks, Sessun, Kostym and Fortnight.  You can still expect to find kitschy items like fabric cacti and mini flasks that make great gifts.   Also check out …

Lislie Yeung London Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Shoes

i want: Lislie Yeung Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 Shoes

Lislie Yeung is a new London based shoe designer. Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 is her debut season and I’m liking the shoes and colour palette. Lislie attended Parsons in New York and Cordwainers College in London. (Other I want – I got favourites attended Cordwainers also: Nicholas Kirkwood and Gil Carvalho) There is no word on retailers as of yet. Hopefully her market season was good and we’ll see the Lislie Yeung Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 collection in the stores. There are a couple of interviews you can read about Lislie at Not Just a Label and Beautiful Fineries. via highsnobette.com images: lislieyeung.com

smart Expeditions Toronto

smart Expeditions Toronto

I didn’t know what to expect when I said yes to a smart Expeditions in The Distillery District. The description read as follows: smart is presenting an urban curated ride & drive that will guide people to discover Toronto’s art/theater/music/culture in rogue areas of the city that they have yet to experience. This ‘never-been-done-before’ experience will feature live art installations, musicians, fire twirlers and additional surprises around every corner. Instead of just educating the city where they can experience this culture, we are going to show it to them LIVE via multiple vignette’s including the Distillery District, parking lots and warehouses – all from behind the wheel of a smart fortwo. It was a very clever take on the test drive. After filling out some information and checking my driver’s license, I was sitting behind the wheel of a smart fortwo. There was a group of four cars and we followed the lead car on our adventure. We found ourselves driving to different spots around the area where we would stop for entertainment. There was …

Jason Wu At The Room

Jason Wu at The Room

Jason Wu and I have similar shaped heads. I can’t get that thought out of my mind whenever I look at this picture. I met Jason when he came to The Room for a Trunk Show and cocktail party in his honour. Jason Wu’s bio reads like one of the those prodigy kids. At 16 he was well on his way to becoming a designer creating couture like clothing for dolls at Integrity Toys. At 17, he became the Creative Director of Integrity Toys. Jason studied fashion design at Parson and started his namesake label in 2006. He created Michelle Obama’s ivory inaugural gown which pushed him into the limelight and made him a household name. I never appreciated Jason’s collection until I saw it up close. His style is very ladylike; socialite wear if you’d like. The details and fabrics that make his clothing interesting aren’t noticeable in photos. I was really surprised at some of the luxurious fabrics he used in the collections. All clothing is manufactured in the United States. The Room …

Gil Carvalho Fall Winter 2010 - 2011

Gil Carvalho Fall Winter 2010 – 2011

Footwear designer Gil Carvalho sent me an email letting me know about his Fall Winter 2010 collection. I was quiet surprised and excited to hear from him personally. This London based shoe designer has a background in fine art, art history and architecture. Gil studied shoe design at Cordwainers College at London College of Fashion. The lookbook talks about the inspiration for Gil Carvalho Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 collection. “With it’s emphasis on the sculptural, inspired by the Abstract artist Rolph Scarlett, the latest collection explores the relationship between a woman and her shoes, one that had endured teh passage of time but remains as passionate as ever. The palette of colour gravitates from monochrome to metallic pink from deep matt through to the high shine of patent, a thoroughly paradoxical collection full of opposites.” Gil Carvalho platforms are as tall and sleek as buildings.  The Comet style on the left has about a 3/4 inch platform (20 mm) platform and 4.5 inch (120mm) heel.  Buzz on the right has about a 2 inch …

Manon Mini Bag by Tila March

i want: Manon Mini Bag by Tila March

This is a fun little crossbody bag from Tila March. The 4-year-old company is the brainchild of a French fashion editor, Tamara Taichman and a marketing executive in the leather luxury goods business, Nicolas Berdugo.  The Japan Times has a great little article on the brand and some history. Tila March handbags are available in Canada exclusively though the online handbag retailer A TO ZANE. images: tilamarch.com

Devon Open Toe Booties by Alexander Wang

i want: Devon Open Toe Booties by Alexander Wang

These Devon Open Toe Booties by Alexander Wang are fun. Playing with Alexander Wang shoes was a little detour I made while in the mist of playing with Todd Lynn in the personal shopping area of Holt Renfrew. I love the colour and reptile treatment to the leather. I’m not usually a suede fan but I like the contrast it provides. They are pretty comfortable with a reasonable heel height. The shoes are available at Holt Renfrew Bloor street and online at shopbop.com and net-a-porter.com.

Haider Ackermann comes to Toronto

Haider Ackermann comes to Toronto

There was small group of people to gathered to see the Haider Ackermann Fall 2010 fashion show at the ROM. It was a real treat.  119 Corbo is the exclusive Toronto retailer for Haider Ackermann and they were responsible for bringing him to the city. Holt Renfrew Calgary and Vancouver will carry Haider in the fall. I wrote about the Haider Ackermann Fall Winter 2010 show during Paris fashion week. This presentation wasn’t the full collection but it was amazing to see the pieces up close. Haider is a master of materials. The draping and architectural details were phenomenal. The collection and music almost brought a tear to my eye. It’s the same emotional reaction that I get when I go to the symphony or opera.  I wish I had the access to play and touch the clothing. I’m going to have to befriend Linda Perisa, owner of 119 Corbo. My photos were completely shit. I still have to learn how to take good low light shots with the Olympus E-PL1. The two shots I’ve …

Todd Lynn Fall Winter 2010 - 2011

Playing with the Todd Lynn Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 Collection

Work kept me from catching the tail end of the Todd Lynn trunk show and personal appearance. I was a little bummed as I really wanted to meet Todd. He looks so cute in his photos. He also reminds me of Rick Owens so I’m drooling a little.  I think it’s the long black hair, le sigh. I missed the designer but I got to play in his designs.  On Saturday I made a quick trip to the private shopping area at Holt Renfrew and played dress up.  Every leather jacket made my waist look tiny.  They totally fit like a glove.  The fur was outrageous.  I like the androgyny of both the mens and womens lines. Todd Lynn price points are relatively cheaper than other brands doing leather with the same aesthetic. I even was recruited to model Todd Lynn for a customer. She was trying to decide what items to pick up from the trunk show.

Desert High 3 by Acne

i want: Desert High 3 Boots by Acne

I’ve been preoccupied with these Desert High 3 boot by Acne even since I saw Tommy Ton of JakandJil wearing them. I mentioned that I was all over this lepoard print right now. Tommy just looked at me, smiled and said, “It’s because of Dries“. You can purchase these boots at the Acne online Men’s shop. images: acnestudios.com

Diego Suede Studded Bucket Bag by Alexander Wang

i want: Diego Suede Studded Bucket Bag by Alexander Wang

The Diego Suede Studded Bucket Bag by Alexander Wang is my ultimate Spring Summer 2010 Bucket Bag. I was playing with it at Holt Renfrew and fell in lust with this bag. The hardware is beautiful and it’s pretty heavy and solid.  I appreciate the masculine qualities of  Alexander Wang handbags.  My aversion to animal print is slowly being broken down.  I love that there is a short and long strap for the bag. You can purchase this bag at Holt Renfrew or online at shopbop.com.

Derek Blasberg at The Room

Derek Blasberg at The Room

Derek Blasberg was at The Room to promote his best selling book, Classy, Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady. If you’ve ever wondered how to climb the social ladder with grace, how to feel confident in every situation, or even how to make a lasting impression (but not the kind that lands you on the latest “Worst Dressed List”)—Derek Blasberg is here, with quotes and secrets from all the socialites so girls everywhere can learn how to have class. This hilarious handbook will provide everything you need to know about fashion, socializing, dating, and etiquette. With tons of practical tips and tools for learning to flaunt what you’ve got, dozens of specific how-tos, common no-nos, and huge blunders that even smart girls make, this tongue-in-cheek book will train you to be a lady, and not a tramp! The people watching at the party was very interesting. There were a lot of scenester kids around dressed to the nines. I love that. They make fashion fun and I’m glad someone is there to take it …

Proezna Schouler Pre Fall 2010

Proenza Schouler Pre-Fall 2010 Accessories

Twitter was all a flutter over the newly released Proenza Schouler Pre Fall 2010 Accessories. I was wondering what all the hubbub was about and then I saw the collection. I’m not usually one to like fur on shoes but I like the restraint used with the first two shoes pictured. It does seem a little weird to be selling fur lined sandals for pre-fall though. The shoes are really inventive and I’m loving the green creeper/Dr. Martens influenced shoe.  The handbags are to die for.  Totally classic and ladylike. images: proenzaschouler.com

Holt Renfrew Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 Womenswear Preview

I took a day off work and attended the Holt Renfrew Fall 2010 Womenswear preview.  It was a chance to see samples of the fall merchandise and learn about upcoming fall trends according to Holt Renfrew. Fall 2010 Holt Renfrew Women’s Trends The Masculine Topper The Reefer The Fur Trimmed Parka The Vest The Masculine Shirt The Feminine Blouse The Slim Leg – legging or cigarette; looking newest in prints The Fuller Pant – masculine, pleated or military influenced The Shorter Skirt The Longer Skirt The Knit Dress The Long Sleeve Dress Fall 2010 Holt Renfrew Women’s Accessories Trends The Oversized Beret The Knit Hair Band The Loop Scarf – fur or knit The Pendant The Brooch The Extra Long Belt The “Stash” Bag The Iconic Satchel The Lace-up Boot The Wedge The Loafer – high or low heel The Pointy Toe Pump New Designers – 6126, Carven, Christ Shearling, Cinzia Rocca, Cosabella, Dylan George, Eight Sixty, Fuzzi, Helen Morely, Hudson Collection, Jane Post, JNBY, Lounge Lover, Marlies Dekkers, Michael Michael Kors, One Teaspoon, Pleasure …