Year: 2010

Todd Selby in Toronto

Todd Selby in Toronto

Todd Selby (aka The Selby) came to Toronto to promote his new book, The Selby is in your House.   Holt Renfrew hosted a public book signing session in the Bloor street store.  A party in his honour at was held at Parts & Labour the night before. It was at this party I would learn about Todd’s site and why I was always hearing his name in fashion circles. Yep, I was that ignorant about the man. I don’t follow interiors that much and since he loves to photograph homes I can see why I never really bothered to check him out.  I knew he was important, the why was never that important to me. For those of you not familiar with The Selby, he takes photos of people’s homes. These people are usually creative types and many big players in the fashion industry. My first exposure to The Selby was on the walls of P&L. Holt Renfrew had printed all the pages of his book on these panels that lined the walls.  There were …

Luminato 2010 – The Ascension of Beauty by Mark Fast

Luminato 2010 – The Ascension of Beauty by Mark Fast

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

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

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

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

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

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