Month: January 2011

I want – I got Reading Room: Toronto based Online Magazines

Thankfully people email me about their projects because I don’t have the time to keep on top of things. I was glad to learn about some great online magazines created here in Toronto recently. Some are by people I know and I think that’s pretty cool. Here’s a glimpse of what’s on my reading list right now. PERFECTO Mag is Diego Armand’s baby. He works with handful of local toronto musicians, designers and stylists. PERFECTO is his way of showing support for their work and the diversity in the community. The first issue is out now and I’m really loving Stefania Yarhi’s editorial (pictured above). There are interviews and videos as well as editorials in PERFECTO. The second issue will hit the streets in the spring. Plaid Magazine started in digital and has supplemented that offering with seasonal print issues. Odessa Paloma Parker, Editorial Director sent me a copy of the inaugural print edition for Fall 2010. The magazine has beautiful editorials, shop profiles and interviews. You can get a copy of the print issue …

Alexander McQueen Spring Summer 2011 Shoes

The Alexander McQueen Spring Summer 2011 Shoe collection continues with their ornate designs. UPDATE: April 29, 2011: The butterfly shoes are on sale at alexandermcqueen.com right now. Get them before they are gone. This season’s butterfly influence leads to some interesting shoes but nothing tops the Alexander McQueen Fall 2010 – 2011 Shoe collection. images: tooklookbook.com

i want: Paloma Satin Platform Pumps by Charlotte Olympia

There are times when I stare at my shoe collection looking for a simple heel. This always happens when I’m looking for something dressy or black tie. I like these Paloma Satin Platform Pumps by Charlotte Olympia ones because they have a platform and are pretty neutral but the little detail on the heel makes them different. Charlotte Olympia is available at The Room by The Hudson’s Bay. images: net-a-porter.com

Christopher Raeburn Spring Summer 2011

There are a couple designers whose spring jackets I covet. One is the Issey Mikyake nylon parka. It’s absolute perfection. I bought a knockoff from Zara many years ago but it hasn’t stopped the lust for the original. The second is Christopher Raeburn. I love his style. Check out this Christopher Raeburn Spring Summer 2011 video. images: londonfashionweek.co.uk, treehugger.com, ecouterre.com

I want – I got A Week in Review – 2009/2010 Roundup, CLARK® Cashmere, Mark Fast x Danier

A weekly roundup of stories from I want – I got. Featured Posts I want – I got 2009 and 2010 in Review – Check out highlights from the last 2 years at I want – I got Yves Saint Laurent Spring Summer 2011 Ad Campaign i got: Framework: The YSL’s by Moxy Creative House Dutil Denim in Toronto – Vancouver staple Dutil is coming to Queen Street West. CLARK Cashmere Fall Winter 2011 Sneak Peek – A look Wayne Clark’s upcoming cashmere line for men Mark Fast x Danier Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 – Canadian collaboration time with Mark Fast and Danier. I can’t wait. i want: Black Milk Clothing – I love the nerdy and arty swimwear.

Jenny Bird Spring Summer 2011 Jewellery

Toronto based designer Jenny Bird has a successful accessories line that focuses on handbags and jewellery. I received the Spring Summer 2011 lookbook and thought I should share some of my favourites of the collection. Jenny Bird jewellery can be found in Toronto at: Canopy Blue – 2582 Yonge Street Eko – 288 Queen Street West Gee Beauty – 2 Roxborough Street West Holt Renfrew -50 Bloor Street West rac boutique – Cumberland St, Yorkville

i want: Black Milk Clothing

I’m currently a little obsessed with swimsuits and I love what Australian based, Black Milk Clothing is doing. So nerdy. First for the art nerd. Black Milk actually won my heart with The Kiss by Klimt swimsuit. The Kiss is my all time favourite painting and I need to own this. They have some other art suits by Van Gogh (pictured) and Dada. The science nerd has a lot to drool over at Black Milk. First up the Threepo, Artoo and Darkside swimsuits. No self respecting Star Wars nerd can deny how cool these suits are. Even this bitter Star Wars fan can get behind it. Of course, you have some classic space imagery to choose from too. Skulls aren’t left out and I like these two designs.  They are kinda creepy. Black Milk also makes leggings and again they hit me with another one of my art loves, M.C. Escher. These are the best tights in the whole world and like The Kiss, I must own them. You can purchase Black Milk Clothing at …

i got: Denis Gagnon x Bedo Dress

So, Denis Gagnon partnered with Bedo last August to created a little capsule collection. I managed to grab myself two dresses from the collection when the markdown season started. I didn’t get any of the iconic pieces that I’ve seen people sporting but I do like my drapy tunic/dresses. I treat this dress more like a tunic right now and pair it with leggings and boots. This was taken at Parts and Labour for the TOMMY dinner party that was hosted by Jeanne Beker. I’m standing with Tiyana Grulovic who is a Fashion Editor at the Globe and Mail. George Pimentel was there to photograph all the guests and then those photos ended up on WireImage.com. I still think it’s hilarious that if you search for my name on WireImage two photos show up. image: George Pimentel

Mark Fast x Danier Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

I’m all over this collaboration between Mark Fast and Danier. I can’t wait to see what they stir up. Canadian designer Mark Fast has partnered with leading Canadian fashion brand and retailer DANIER to create his Autumn/Winter 11/12 collection. Set to be unveiled in February at London Fashion Week, the London-based talent will incorporate leather elements manufactured by the Canadian brand. DANIER is thrilled to have the opportunity to manufacture leather for the upcoming fashion week presentation. This will mark the first time Mark Fast – a designer who has enjoyed international acclaim for his original knitwear and famed catwalk presentations – has collaborated with a Canadian retailer. DANIER looks forward to showcasing and selling a capsule collection inspired by the designer’s Autumn/Winter 11/12 collection.

Dutil Denim in Toronto

An eagle-eyed friend tipped me off about Vancouver denim boutique, Dutil Denim opening in Toronto on Queen Street West. I’ve heard the location is across the from Dufflet. I’m pretty excited as Dutil is not just a shop, it’s a denim line that is made in California, designed in Vancouver by owners Darrin Kenigsberg and Eric Dickstein. The blog justalilhype! x Crew has some nice photos of the jeans. image: dutildenim.com

CLARK Cashmere Fall Winter 2011 Sneak Peek

So, I’ve just discovered that Wayne Clark is creating a new cashmere sweater line for men. It will launch for the Fall 2011 season. The email that brought this news also contained some preview photos to share. It’s a little early to be talking about the fall winter 2011 season, I know. I haven’t even posted my pre-fall 2011 collection favourites yet. However, this was too good to pass up.  I can’t wait to see the full collection.

Akris Spring Summer and Resort 2011

It took a Akris Resort 2011 Trunk Show at Holt Renfrew for me to have an appreciation for the brand. I always overlook them, but the prints from the Resort collection were pretty cool. You can’t really tell but the above resort 2011 print is a photo of people sitting in what looks like an outdoor cafe. It’s bizarre and a bit creepy but I love it.  The detail of the people isn’t something you notice until you stare for awhile I liked the seaside village print too. It’s like you are wearing a beautiful postcard. Akris Spring Summer 2011 was all about the flower print and colour blocking. The maxi length trend is one that I enjoy because I’m just tall enough to pull it off. Platforms help a lot too. The resort collection was more impressive to me but I’m curious what direction Akris will take for fall winter 2011. images: style.com

i got: Framework: The YSL’s by Moxy Creative House

I really liked the Moxy Creative House’s Framework. It’s a series of prints celebrating some iconic eyewear of celebrities like Warhol, Johnny Depp, Kurt Cobain, Shock G of Digital Underground, Truman Capote, Geordi LaForge and Malcolm X.  I really liked the YSL version so I ordered the poster sized print. One of the most revered designers of all time, Yves Saint Laurent demonstrated a deeper understanding of aesthetic when he said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” This could be no truer than when looking at the man himself, a veritable icon of style. The man understood that even a simple pair of black frames can inform who we are, and more importantly, who we want to be.(source) You can purchase this print or others online at Moxy Creative House. image: moxycreative.com

Jil Sander Spring Summer 2010 Accessories

I loved the colours and prints in the spring summer 2011 Jil Sander womenswear collection. I didn’t enjoy the actual clothing too much. It’s the silhouette. It’s too oversized for me and only waifs can pull off such a look. The accessories are amazing though. The prints are so perfect. I was more interested in the handbags. The shoes not so much as they were complimentary but not very exciting to me. Check out the Jil Sander Spring Summer 2011 Womenswear show. And check out the Jil Sander Spring Summer 2011 Menswear show which I thought was brilliant. images: style.com

Yves Saint Laurent New Vintage III

I love the idea of Yves Saint Laurent New Vintage line. This is the third collection.  It’s pretty expensive though. New Vintage, initiated by YSL’s creative director, Stefano Pilati, and Julie Gilhart, is having another go. New Vintage III’s moxie is quite simple: reclaim, recycle and sustain. “The collection is materially comprised of garments made from recycled fabric and from existing patterns instead of new ones, to start a dialogue with the market using known codes and a common language that are reassuring and familiar,” says Pilati about the 180 pieces that will be available this week. Metallic wide leg trousers, velvet tuxedo suiting jackets and leopard-print wrap dresses with a hint of disco pay a refreshing nod to Saint Laurent’s iconic 1970s designs.(source) Pilati adds, “New Vintage is meant to be part of a process, a general attempt to give a sensibility and an education to our public so that it can act consciously toward its environment.”(source) It’s available only at the Paris (38 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré), London (173-176 Sloane Street) and …

I want – I got 2009 and 2010 in Review

Happy New Year I want – I got readers. Thank you so much for reading this blog and being so supportive. I really appreciate you all. I feel like I should reflect on the crazy things that happened to me since the last time I wrote a year in review post for the 2008. I had one lined up for 2009 but just never got around to publishing it. So, this round up will be for 2010 and include highlights from 2009.  Let’s start shall we. My namesake dresses, The Anita Dress and the The Clarke Dress created by Greta Constantine for the 2010 seasons. Words cannot describe how much I love this gesture by Kirk and Stephen. I love you guys and the GC crew. The House of Constantine: OUR GIRL ANITA CLARKE post was an emotional one for me too. There are two the Anita dresses in my closet now: the original red sample and a new black one. I want – I got debuts at the Holt Renfrew Blogger Windows – I …

Yves Saint Laurent Spring Summer 2011 Ad Campaign

The new Yves Saint Laurent Spring Summer 2011 Ad Campaign was shot in the gardens of the 30s, Villa Bled Roknine in Marrakech Palmeraie. Daria is out and Arizona Muse is in. I really like her look. Inez & Vinoodh are the photographers. You can read some more info about Bled Roknine here. The campaign makes the clothing look good.  I might have to revisit YSL Spring Summer 2011. images: thefashionspot.com Yves Saint Laurent S/S 11 : Arizona Muse by – the Fashion Spot.