Year: 2010

TEFW – Breeyn McCarney Fall Winter 2010 – 2011

I was in a foul mood when I arrived at the Courthouse to see Breeyn McCarney Fall Winter 2010 collection. I want – I got had been down for most of the day and I wanted to get home and fix it. Everything else was irrelevant at that point. Hard Boiled Wonderland was the name of the Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 collection. Haruki Murakami is what comes to mind when I think Hard Boiled Wonderland. I don’t think the ultra feminine style presented on the Breeyn runway had much to do with surrealist, cyberpunk literature. Breeyn had a mixture of knits, wool plaid, distressed cotton, mohair, bamboo and leather. She utilized rabbit fur, beads, leather and pearls as embellishments. The result was a cute collection of party dresses and sweaters. Lots of feminine details like bodices and corset like It was a cohesive collection for the most part. The final dress was out of place. It would have worked if it was the same colour palette as the rest of the collection. The jersey …

NADA Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Future Fashion/Fashion Future in 3D

NADA Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 Future Fashion/Fashion Future in 3D

It was interesting to see a fashion presentation in a theater. NADA Fall Winter 2010 -2011 was a 3D film presentation. The first 3D fashion film presentation of its kind. Burberry’s Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 3D live stream doesn’t count because it wasn’t a film. I heard rumours that this film cost $2 million dollars leading up to the screening. That was quickly squashed in the Q&A. Nada Shepherd was thinking about Fembots and video games. The film was like an ultra fashionable Street Fighter where the women fighters had a better wardrobe selection. It had all the classic Street Fighter selection features like weapons, settings and outfits. The video was ambitious and I’m pleased to see someone switching the traditional presentation up. The 3D wasn’t a sharp as I expected.   At the beginning of the screening we learned that the version being screened wasn’t the final cut. I have to admit the web experience isn’t better. I was hoping for better quality video and larger screen resolutions for both the 2D and …

OZ Studio Boutique

The OZ Studio Boutique is a gorgeous space in a renovated storefront on Ossington Ave. The 100+ year old space has hardwood floors, exposed brick and 17feet ceilings. Evan and his partner Joseph Fuda stripped the place down to its original elements. There are industrial elements with exposed metal piping and just enough dilapidation to be cool. It was the talk of the launch including some envious retailers in the area. Evan Biddell is insistent that the space is not the Evan Biddell store. It’s part gallery, boutique, event space and photography studio. Evan Biddell has partnered with photographer Joseph Fuda to redefine the boutique experience and created an artist’s showroom unlike anything Toronto has to offer – combining a modern concept fashion gallery and photo studio located on the bustling Ossington strip. The Biddell Spring 2010 collection is the first installation in the Boutique and available for purchase. The entire collection is displayed on dress forms instead of the traditional clothing rack. The Biddell Fall 2009 collection hangs off the stainless steel wall with …

Lanvin ♥ Acne 2010

Lanvin ♥ Acne 2010

The Lanvin Acne denim collaboration that started with the Spring 2009 collection continues. It must be a yearly endeavor because I was wondering when the next update would be. It looks like they cut out the Men’s version of the line as I don’t see it on the shop.acnestudios.com website. I really like the draped denim dress, they really look like Lanvin pieces I don’t think Holt Renfrew will be stocking this season of Lanvin ♥ Acne after seeing how many pieces were left at Now or Never time and Last Call. But I will confirm for sure. You can purchase the Lanvin ♥ Acne 2010 collection at the Acne Online Shop. images: shop.acnestudios.com

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 …