So, Proenza Schouler has been my favourite Pre-fall 2011 collection so far. Zero + Maria Cornejo pre-fall 2011 collection is also among my favourites. I think it’s all about the print for me right now. Zero + Maria Cornejo always has fashion forward cuts that don’t forget wearability and comfort. You can find Zero + Maria Cornejo at Holt Renfrew and Jonathan + Olivia. images: style.com
I’m trying to organize my gmail account so I’ve started adding filters. The number of ways to filter PR pitches is working pretty good I think. Now that I’m getting a bit organized I rediscovered this great video of Janelle Monáe and Karl Lagerfeld chatting that Marisa from Atlantic Records send me way back in mid December. It’s pretty cute. I love, love Janelle Monáe. Amazing musician with perfect style. This post just isn’t complete without some videos and photos. Cold War Tightrope Tightrope live on Letterman. This gives me chills. tightrope letterman liveUploaded by yardie4lifever2. – Explore international webcam videos. Many Moons: short film image: thirstyroots.com
I had two favourites for the Danier Design Challenge out of the Top 10 finalists. Last week, I attended the award ceremony and discovered if any of my choices were correct. The winners, announced by DANIER CEO, Jeffrey Wortsman, received cash prizing in the amount of: $2,000 split between two third-place winners; Robyn Gemzik from Calgary and Meghan Erin from Edmonton); $3,000 for second-place, Ottawa native, Jessica Tep; and $5,000 for first-place winner Andrea Dineen, who fused her fine art background from London, Ontario with a fresh fashion design perspective to snag the top seat. Dineen’s design will also be sold in select DANIER retail locations across the country this coming fall, offering immeasurable exposure to this young design talent. I was right with my one choice, Andrea Dineen. Her jacket was just so beautiful and detailed. I thought Danier would pass on it because of the production value. I’m so glad that didn’t affect the decision making. I’m going to want this jacket myself come fall. †I am extremely honoured to have my …
Juma’s spring summer 2011 collection is there best yet in my opinion. I remember getting a preview last summer and freaking out. The collection is inspired by Alia’s and Jamil’s time in Africa. The collection is really print heavy and they’ve made some great choices. I love the flamingos. Jamil send me a bunch of the lookbook photos so I thought I’d make a gif of the entire collection. Voila. I took some photos at their spring summer 2011 fashion presentation in October at The Spoke Club.
A weekly roundup of stories from I want – I got. Featured Posts Dandi Maestre has a new retail location at 386 Huron Street, Toronto I want – I got Reading Room: Toronto based Online Magazines NorBlack NorWhite Spring Summer 2011 – a new Canadian fashion line with ties to Bombay and Toronto Ron White Annual Shoe Drive, January 6 – February 13, 2010 – donate some gentle used shoes. I love the Fred Perry Laurel Wreath Collection by Richard Nicoll for Spring Summer 2011 The Design + Conquer Spring Summer 2011 lookbook is gorgeous. How to Tie a Bowtie, Vintage Style If you missed it the first time – I want – I got 2009 and 2010 in Review – Check out highlights from the last 2 years at I want – I got
It’s been almost a year since I first featured Design + Conquer on I want – I got. It’s about time we take a look at what’s new and report back. Design + Conquer has such a beautiful spring summer 2011 lookbook. I can’t get over how beautiful the model is. Yes, yes, of course the jewellery is great too. I have to say that I love the presentation of this lookbook, it was well executed. The combination of artistic shot and product shot is very effective. There is a lot of effects on the photos but they don’t distract from how the jewellery looks.
I just can’t quit Versace and I’m loving the Spring Summer 2011 collection. I don’t think I’ll be satisfied until I own a bodycon dress from Versace.
I saw a few pictures of the latest Laurel Wreath collection from Fred Perry on twitter. This women’s collection is created by award winning British Designer, Richard Nicoll and is his first for the brand. I liked it and I got my hands on the full lookbook. Ken Russell’s iconic portraits of 1950s teddy girls – all boot-lace ties, drainpipes, pompadour haircuts, cigarettes and brooding attitude – provided inspiration for Richard Nicoll’s first Laurel Wreath collection for Fred Perry. While the SS11 collection might be influenced by the pseudo-Edwardian dandiness of the era it’s very much a contemporary take on an irrefutably British subculture; “I like the idea that something as conservative and traditional as a cameo brooch could become subversive in the right hands. From here we referenced my acid colour blocked SS09 sportswear influenced collection and added old-fashioned elements like pointelle cardigans and mother of pearl laurel brooches for branding. I also mixed sport jersey with lurex piqué and brocade cottons to create a clash of sport and traditional 50’s couture elements in …
Pucci is right on that 70s trend. I love the different hues of reds. The tailored looks, especially the wide leg pants are what excited me about this collection. The prints are nice but secondary to me. A little strange considering the label. images: style.com
It’s surprising that the bags I like from Bottega Veneta’s Resort 2011 collection are canvas. There is something about this print that just draws me in. Empire Nero Canvas Vachette Bolle Print “the Couple” Tote is made to be carried by two people so you can use it for picnics, etc. Assenzio Nero Canvas Vachette Bolle Print Tote is a more traditional sized bag. images: bottegaveneta.com
Normally, I would be an Alexander Wang fan but I’m not liking Pre-Fall 2011. I was only interested in these two looks. Even the shoes look a little meh to me. Spring 2011 wasn’t on my radar either but I tend to change my mind when I see things in the store. However the denim is not that I ‘m interested in at all. Accessories maybe? I’m curious to see what fall winter 2011 – 2012 will bring. Hopefully something more compelling. images: style.com
These glitter brogues by Miu Miu are so much fun. They are the perfect accent to a menswear inspired outfit. I’ve seen these ones at Holt Renfrew on Bloor. images: net-a-porter.com
When clogs came back into fashion I dismissed them. I’ll never wear these. It’s something I say to myself often and the opposite is usually the result. My thirst for platforms has brought me to Jeffrey Campbell and the Solvang Clog, which I bought at Chasse Gardee on Boxing Day. It’s a very comfortable shoe and gives me that extra height.
I’m liking the shoes and handbags from Burak Uyan’s first solo collection. Architecture, organic shapes and the work of Swedish sculptor Eva Hild are among designer Burak Uyan’s inspirations for his first collection under his own name. “I like to work with overlapping superimpositions and organic shapes, mixing round and geometric shapes and different textures,†said the 31-year old designer of Turkish descent. “There are no specifically evening or day styles. The styles are meant for all day, every day.†The debut collection, unveiled in a Saint Honoré showroom in Paris, includes flats retailing for around $650 and high heels that will be priced up to $1,500, depending on materials. With experience designing for Givenchy and Giambattista Valli, in addition to his most recent stint at Aperlaï, Uyan said he is thrilled to be working under his own name. “It was the right time,†he said.(source) images: style.com
You can’t expect perfection every season from Celine. I liked about half of the Pre-Fall 2011 collection with most of the patchwork, denim and satin pieces getting the thumbs down. I enjoyed her more traditional Celine pieces. The mod influence was fun. Pair a couple of these looks with creepers and I’m all over it. Hello early 90s and my patent leather creeper like Dr. Martens. The pointy heels almost looked like creepers in some photos. Phoebe Philo can make me love animal print and not many can. I can’t wait to see the accessories report because these clutches with the fur tails can’t be it. I wonder if there will there be any leopard? images: style.com
The Ron White Foundation kicks off the fifteenth year of Canada’s largest shoe drive this week on January 6th with the support of music legends Celine Dion, David Foster, Paul Anka, The Canadian Tenors, and prodigious newcomers Nikki Yanofsky and Charice. All have signed and donated their shoes to support Ron as he encourages people to “Follow in the Footsteps of their Favourite Celebrity†and donate their gently worn shoes and boots to those in need. All donations are welcome beginning Thursday, January 6th and will be collected through Sunday, February 13th at all five RON WHITE locations across the Greater Toronto Area. An additional collection depot is located on the Avenues Level of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto. Shoes and boots collected in all locations will be sorted, cleaned and distributed to shelters and organizations in need. This year’s charity partners include: Dress for Success, StreetHealth, Halton Place, Out of the Cold and Ve’ahavta.
The NYTimes has a great list of Worn-Out Fashion Terms. They’ve got a few of my pet peeves list. Couture: Calling something “couture†doesn’t make it hand-sewn or high class. Yet the word popped up everywhere last year, from discount Web sites to Canal Street pushcarts. It’s even uttered repeatedly on HSN and QVC to describe handbags, dresses and almost anything else. You can trust that the rayon and polyester cape selling for $49.95 was not hand-stitched by petite seamstresses in a Parisian atelier. Fashionista: The word has gone from describing a class of urban style-conscientious sophisticates to becoming a lazy and cheap byword for anyone with a modicum of taste. (See “hipster.â€) Fashionista is probably my most hated word. I can’t stand it when people call me this but I”m usually too polite to get on their case about it. Hopefully, this article will finally put this word to death. image: nytimes.com
I was walking around on Queen Street West and decided to stop into Robber. I ended up getting some tights from Hansel from Basel. Hansel from Basel is an independent legwear company based in Los Angeles, California. Inspired by the small and lovely details of everyday life, our goal is to create subtle yet beautiful socks, tights, leggings, and accessories. I like the tights a lot but they do run on the very small side. I bought the m/l size and I’m pushing the limits of the garment. Take it as a word of warning. Robber 863 Queen St. West Toronto image: myself, hanselfrombasel.com
Philip Lim keeps entertaining me. I like the use of orange, tan, blue and grey in the collection. It also has good sweaters and coats which are important to me come fall time. I’m all about the chunky knit images: thefashionspot.com
Trolling facebook leads to great finds. I noticed two of my very stylish friends liked, NorBlack NorWhite. Being inquisitive, I clicked the link and discovered a new Canadian label with a Toronto and Bombay twist. Charmed by the stories, people, culture, state of transition and everything indian, these little ladies shifted to bombay to discover and create. Focusing on a region per collection, they are exploring india through textile and art. Norblack norwhite documents their respect to their current playground by designing through adventure. First stop: kachchh, gujarat. The khatris of kachchh are endowed with creating stunning colour on fabric, bandhani (the tying and dying of fabric), while the nomadic rabaris express their story and art through the cross-stitches on their wear. From the embroideries to the beading, the barren desert to the gulf extremes, kachchh is a land of creators. On their website I discovered a fascinating video that documents the Bandhani process. Bandhani is Indian tie dye. I love seeing the process being a garment and it’s amazing that the internet has made …
Formal gowns are on my mind a lot. I don’t own one and I feel there’s a bit of a hole in my wardrobe because of it. This simple black gown by Joseph has an amazing back. images: net-a-porter.com
Le Château has online shopping on their website now so I was taking a look around. I noticed that they were promoting their Resort 2011 collection. I know a lot of mass retailers have collections for this time of the year when people are thinking about spring but the weather isn’t cooperating. I thought it was interesting that with the increasing coverage of resort collections that Le Château would jump on the band wagon. So what does resort look like for women. A lot of stripes, white and blue.
I’m dying over the Proenza Schouler Pre-Fall 2011 collection. I want everything that has a print on it. Surprisingly the only things I dislike in this collection is the solid colour pieces. I was told that the ikat print would be coming in spring and I’ve seen many collections make use of it. Seems this print will be rolling into fall too. I love the chunky sweaters and the awkward length shorts. It’s true, this is a collection for people on the taller side and I’m just on the cusp of that allows me to participate. Thank you platforms. images: thefashionspot.com
Canadian jewellery designer, Dandi Maestre has decided to keep the 386 Huron Street location as a permanent retail space. Based on the response received, my holiday pop-up store at 386 Huron St. (at Sussex Ave.) will be extended indefinitely. My unique pieces, made of organic materials such as antlers, bull horn, rough amber and emeralds, reclaimed wood, natural seeds and nuts will be available Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm; Saturday from 12 to 6pm. Other times by special appointment – please call 416-948-2040 or write to dandi@dandimaestre.com. Now you will also find beautiful recycled glass bubble terrariums (with or without plants) and unique home organic homewares. My designs have been seen in Vogue, Lucky, Hello!, Flare, Glamour, People Style Watch, Holts Style, The Toronto Star and The Globe & Mail and on Donna Karan, who features my line in her Urban Zen shop in New York. I visited the shop before the holidays, bought some earrings and took some pictures. It’s such a beautiful space and the gallery setup works perfectly for Dandi’s …
I’m loving that Preen is using the 20s drop waist silhouette for the Pre-fall 2011 collection. The 20s is one of my favourite fashion eras and I’m glad to see a modern take on this silhouette. images: thefashionspot.com