Month: July 2010

I want – I got A Week in Review – Alexander Wang, TOMMY, Hermes plus this week’s sales and events

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A weekly roundup of stories from I want – I got. Featured Posts Prada Swing Sunglasses Manga Contest – To celebrate the launch of the line, Prada is asking comic book illustrators all over the world to create a heroine who wears the Prada Swing sunglasses. Revealed – Dolce & Gabbana – CNN’s Revealed takes a look at Dolce & Gabbana. Chan Luu x Banana Republic – There is a new collaboration coming, Chan Luu x Banana Republic. They have teamed up for the first Banana Republic jewellery collaboration featuring Luu’s famous wrap bracelets. Red Canoe Brands Showroom – Red Canoe Brands now has a brick and mortar store in the West end of Toronto. Converse Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 Preview – I’m excited about Dr. Seuss and the music collaborations. The Drinks Show 2010 – I head to the show and discover my new favourite drink, the Crown Spice. TOMMY by Tommy Hilfiger Holiday 2010 Preview – TOMMY is Tommy Hilfiger’s first project since being acquired by Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. They are hoping …

Alexander Wang in Toronto

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Alexander Wang visited his fans in Toronto last week at Holt Renfrew. There was a public personal appearance in the afternoon and a private party in the evening. I was at work during the day so I went to the party. I wasn’t too star struck by Alexander and I managed to get a quick hello and photo with him. He’s just one of those beautiful people. The man has a flawless complexion. He was also very good at working the crowd and talking to everyone. Holt Renfrew setup the 2nd floor with a ton of Alexander Wang merchandise and samples of the Fall 2010 collection. I’m a lover of the Wang accessory. The shoes and bags are always a hit. I wasn’t all that jazzed about this Fall 2010 Ready to Wear collection back in February but after seeing some of the pieces that Holt Renfrew is picking up in person, I have to say I’m a fan. Great pants and blazers are everywhere.  It seems to be a trend, I didn’t care much …

Foot Ball by Marcus Tomlinson at Hermès

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Hermès had a small party to feature a special film installation called Foot Ball created by artist Marcus Tomlinson. The fall 2010 Hermès shoe collection was the inspiration for the film. There was a preview of the upcoming Fall 2010 accessories collection also. Every shoe has a thousand and one tales to tell, and Marcus Tomlinson believes each one, following them step by step. In his enthusiasm for Pierre Hardy’s designs at Hermès, the artist, photographer and maker of animation films has become their messenger: “His shoes strike a perfect balance between design and craftsmanship, between tried and trusted skills and what seems to me is a very limpid form of inspiration.” Patiently and passionately, the artist has composted FOOT BALL, the film of an imaginary day in the life of a part of shoes. And so there are, filching fragments from our own lives – step by step, with measured tread, from a standing start, or dragging their feet. The installation will be available for public viewing in the Hermès Bloor Street store until …

i want: E for Effort Loose Leaf Apparel

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These shirts by E for Effort Loose Leaf Apparel are so cool. I guess you have to be of a certain age to appreciate the memories a shirt like this would invoke. I’m talking about a time before computers were everywhere were and we had to write things down in books. image: artwareeditions.com via Cool Hunting

TOMMY by Tommy Hilfiger Holiday 2010 Preview

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The buzz about the TOMMY by Tommy Hilfiger Holiday 2010 preview was that uber cool, fashion god Kate Lanphear from Elle Magazine would be in attendance. She floated around The Gladstone Hotel briefly, stunning everyone with her beauty and killer outfit. I only get starstruck around editors like Kate. She was gone so fast I didn’t get a photo with her, oh well. So TOMMY is Tommy Hilfiger’s first project since being acquired by Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. They are hoping to grab some of the market that American Apparel, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters are targeting. They are hoping to get 25 year olds that aren’t looking for typical preppy Tommy Hilfiger. It’s a men’s and women’s line that will consist of knits, denim and outerwear from $24 to $139. Tommy aims to focus on handmade details, distinctive materials and unexpected pairings for unique looks. For example, a washed, tailored jacket could be mixed with vintage-inspired long johns and hand-painted brogues, or a men’s wear shirt coupled with a slouchy boy-fit sweatshirt …

The Drinks Show 2010

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I headed to the Drinks Show 2010 this year. It’s always been one of those things I say I want to do every summer, but never get around to it. The Drinks Show is a cocktail extravaganza that is celebrating Canada’s growing cocktail culture. Sipping cool cocktails on a hot summers night while overlooking the breathtaking views of Toronto’s skyline has also made this Show one of the hottest events of the year. There is a flat fee for admission and you then buy tickets for the sample. I attended the show on a media pass and that got me free entry and some tickets for samples. I brought Gail McInnes as my guest and we boarded the Fun Bus to Polson Pier. This was also my first time visiting Polson Pier. I’ve seen a few concerts at what was then called The Docks, but I had never been to the patio and pier area. It was a gorgeous setting for a party. Polson Pier provides spectacular views of the city.  There were many booths …

Converse Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 Preview

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The Converse Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 preview was held at One King Street in the Vault. It was an interesting venue as it literally was a vault, heavy steel door and all. It was a little to dark for good photos. The Chuck Taylor line is always coming up with new fabrications and colour schemes.  I saw corduroy, jersey, sequins and suede. I really like the Chuck Taylor Slims in leather.  For women they introduced a slouchy Chuck Taylor in patent leather and denim. They retail $80 – $90.  There where so many styles to look at, here are my highlights. Chuck Taylor All Star 1969 Collection The 1960’s were turbulent times. War lotteries and race riots gave way to protests and the love movement. The music of Woodstock carries with it the all the strength and desires of a new and prolific generation who were determined to break all the rules. Chuck Taylor All Star shoe’s capture the radical spirit of the Woodstock generation and pay homage to the artists that changed the …

Terrazza di Peroni, A Celebration of Peroni

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The Spoke Club has one of the best rooftops in the city so it was only natural to accept an invitation to Terrazza di Peroni, a celebration of Italy’s premium beer, Peroni. I associate Peroni with fashion as it’s usually the beer of choice at fashion parties. I quite enjoy it when I’m not drinking champers. It only seemed fitting as I’m drinking this fashion associated beer that I begin to notice a trend among the men. It’s a see of gingham and plaid.  That is the go to pattern of summer for men with blue being the palette of choice. I also had to stare at these Givenchy Velvet and Calfskin Studded Sneakers. They part of the Fall 2010 collection and are so hot. You can purchase them online at luisaviaroma.com

Red Canoe Brands Showroom

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Red Canoe Brands now has a brick and mortar store in the West end of Toronto. I’ve been a fan of Red Canoe ever since I stumbled on their website many years ago. I really enjoy the aviation and outdoor influence in the line. It’s been great watching them grow from a purely online endeavor to products sold in The Drake General Store to a flagship store in Whistler and now their own showroom in Toronto. Red Canoe draws on these ideals to create unique quality apparel. Tough, comfortable outdoor clothing built to be worn. Dedicated to the promotion of historic and cultural icons, it is classic clothing that, like the symbols it honours, will stand the test of time. President and Founder Dax Wilkinson came by his adventurous spirit and love of the outdoors honestly. Growing up in Northern Ontario, his time was spent flying in the legendary DeHavilland Beaver into remote hunting and fishing camps. Aird Island, his family retreat on the North Channel of Georgian Bay, has been his source of inspiration …

Lanvin Opens First New York Store

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Lanvin has opened it’s first New York store at 815 Madison Avenue. I must stop by when I’m in New York again. It looks opulent. And now it has one. Lanvin is poised to open at the end of the week its first location here at 815 Madison Avenue near 68th Street. The store will occupy 3,550 square feet and the first three floors of a 6,875-square-foot, five-story town house. The two upper floors will become the company’s corporate headquarters in September. “My dream when I started at Lanvin was to create this kind of luxury supermarket,” Elbaz said. “It would have everything you needed — T-shirts, bridal dresses, jeans, handbags, jewelry and shoes. I really believe the whole concept of going to a store when you need something. Women have enough. What I have to do is make their life easy. The product is all about dreams. In the store, everything is very clear.” Lanvin is planning to open a store in Beijing, Elbaz said, adding: “That will be the next project.” The company …