Month: July 2011

The Machine

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The Machine is another creepy video I recently viewed. It’s not fashion related like the Miu Miu FW2011 Film “MUTA” by Lucrecia Martel but still well done. A feeling of dread stuck with me after the first time I watched it. “The Machine” is an animated fable following the path of an innocently forged mechanical creature. As his independence and knowledge of the world grows on his journey, as does his desire to conquer all that we encounters, from the pastures of a farmer to the realm of man’s entire world.

Geekiviews: Rockport with adiPRENE by Adidas

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Earlier in the summer I was sent a pair of Rockport sandals to test out. Rockport isn’t a brand I would normally wear but Adidas has partnered with them and have added the adiPRENE technology to make shoes more comfortable. I’ve had a passing interest in technology like this and wrote about Nike and Cole Haan’s collaboration efforts in the past. The technology has two parts: adiPRENE absorbs shock during walking in the heel and adiPRENE+ pushes on the ball of your foot to create a spring in your step. The selections of shoes presented to me were definitely not my style as they were too tame and too uninspiring. I don’t look at this as a problem for Rockport because I’m really not their target market. The look of shoe usually trumps any comfort aspirations I have. I’m willing to suffer for fashion in many instances. There are many women who can’t wear the heels I do and are looking for something comfortable but not ugly. While I find Rockport’s adiPRENE selection a little …

i want: Neff Zub ZenV 20 by Nooka

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There is something about the Neff Zub ZenV20 by Nooka x Neff collaboration watch that I just love. I think it’s the little smiley face.  Nooka has gotten love from I want – I got back in the early days.  They are an innovative watch company that has an interesting take on the digital timepiece.  Neff is a California based headwear company focusing on the skate/snow/surf industries. The watch retails for $150US and can be found online at Nooka.com. Toronto retailers for Nooka include the AGO. images: courtesy of Nooka

Mark Fast for Danier

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The Mark Fast Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 featured a collaboration with Danier. Mark created some amazing leather pieces in the show. Some of these runway pieces have been developed into a small capsule collection for sale at Danier this fall. I missed the Danier preview and didn’t get to see the collection in person but here are my top picks of the collection. As you can tell I love the coats and the pants. Even the cropped leather overalls has me happy. I can see myself pairing them with my platform boots from the Gap. images: courtesy of Danier

A Day at the Island with Philip Sparks

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I took a vacation day lat Monday and headed to the Toronto Island with my fashion boyfriend, Philip Sparks. I love the Island but hate going there on the weekend with the extreme crowds waiting for the ferry. I was prepared to head there alone but Philip decided to give himself a two day weekend and joined me. We walked pass Hanlan’s Point and found a nice little area on the south side. I’m not really into watching the nude frolic on my day off but more power to them. Philip braved the waters and took a swim. I don’t swim in Lake Ontario even though some of the beaches are very clean. I’m a salt water girl at heart. I did do a bit of wading up to my thighs to cool off. The most spectaular part of the day was watching thousands of Cormorants flying from the Leslie Spit westward. It lasted for about 15 minutes. I’ve never seen anything like it here. The closest was during my trip to LA last summer. …

Terrazza di Peroni at the Malaparte Rooftop Terrace

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One of my favourite event beers, Peroni, held a party at the Malaparte Rooftop Terrace at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Terrazza di Peroni was “a sunset soirée inspired by the Italian Coast on the spectacular new Malaparte rooftop terrace.” Malaparte is a private event space on the 6th floor of the TIFF Bell Lightbox building. The rooftop terrace and outdoor amphitheatre is inspired by the roof of Villa Malaparte in Capri where Jean-Luc Godard shot Le Mépris. The rooftop boasts stunning views of the city and it’s great for live music. I was blown away and it’s one of the best rooftop terraces in the city. The Compendium Daily has a nice photo of me in my Prada Minimal Baroque sunglasses. I enjoyed that Derick Chetty at The Star noticed all the men in bright, colourful pants. I have to admit that I love spring summer 2011 because of the way people embraced colour. I hope it continues into the fall and beyond.

Givenchy Haute Couture Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Givenchy Haute Couture is always a masterpiece and the Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection is no different. It was basically a bridal collection. I loved it even though I’m not a fan of bridal. Dreaming of wedding dresses isn’t my thing but I’d happily be married in one of these intricate creations. The collection is called Birds of Paradise. The dresses utilized thin metal chains, hand-cut paillettes, cat-eye pearls, rosettes, pony skin and visible zippers. The work is best shown off in the following videos. Style.com interview with Tisci Video from the presentation Another Video from the presenation See more photos from Givenchy Haute Couture Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 images: wwd.com, fashiongonerogue.com

More Nail Fun at I want – I got

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Here is another installment of my not so regular Nail fun column. This is what I’m wearing these days. MAC Venomous Villians Mean and Green NARS Kismet Deborah Lippmann Lara’s Theme – I decided to copy the nail bloggers typical pose with the bottle.  I love nail polish that matches my ToyWatch.  This is my favourite orange nail polish at the moment. Butter London Artful Dodger – I just love this shade of blue. Deborah Lippmann It’s Delovely – This isn’t the best photo but this is a vibrant coral colour. For my birthday I got a mani and pedi at ElmSpa. A great feature of the service at Elm Spa is that you get to take the colour you choose home with you. Lancome Le Vernis Nail Polish Rouge Saint Honore – This polish is from the new Fall 2011 collection coming out in September 2011. I got a sneak peek at the collection thanks to L’Oreal Canada. I’ve never worn the traditional red nail before and now I’m hooked. I didn’t think it would look …

Power Ball 13

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Last year I swore that I would wear something fun to the 2011 edition of The Power Ball. I attended the very popular fundraiser last year and realized that I should have dressed for a party. My outfit was a standard skirt and top. I should have looked to my SpinTO and Buy Design outfits for inspiration instead. So when the buzz around Power Ball Thirteen started my mind started thinking about the outfit. I’ve been on the hunt for a catsuit for a few years. I contemplated buying one from American Apparel many times but that never materialized. I found myself falling in love with a unitard by Faster by Mark Fast. I remembered when Jenna Bitove wore the unitard at an event. It was great to see it up close. That love turned to obsession and eventually I ordered the unitard from Mark directly. The subject of Power Ball outfits came up again and I realized that my newly acquired Faster unitard was the perfect choice. I made sure to take a vacation …

Kirk Originals

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I don’t know what it is about men that work in the eyewear industry that I find so fascinating. They always end up charming the pants of me (Well, not literally). Jason Kirk of Kirk Originals fits that mould to a T. He was so welcoming and pleasant when I met him at Karir Eyewear for the Kirk Originals media day. Kirk Originals are known for their glittery frames and bright, saturated colours in materials like acetate and acrylic. Jason has a family history in the eyewear business so it made sense that he would follow in their footsteps. British based, Kirk Originals started in 1992. Currently, Jason and his wife Karen run the company from their home near Bordeaux, France. All frames are handmade in France also. Frames are architectural in shape and retro in design. Jason tells me that Kirk Originals isn’t for everyone and they really focus on their typical client.”The Kirk Originals wearer is creative, confident, irreverent and independent in their style choices,” says co-designer Jason Kirk. “We make glasses you …

RackToRack Funshop – July 17 – 20, 2011

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RackToRack Funshop – July 17 – 20, 2011 A fun fashion seminar where you’ll learn: how to score fab clothes that work for your body, how to spot a winner on the rack, and trade secrets to look taller, thinner and younger. “Women make decisions based on their self esteem and that includes their wardrobe choices. At the end of the two hour FunShop, Burton will talk one-on-one with the group and answer any of your style questions. You can also bring in a troublesome outfit and get her expert advice on how to pull it off- or how to create new looks from your go to wardrobe pieces. A portion of proceeds from every FunShop will be donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Cardiac Survivor and 2011 Becel Heart and Stroke Ride For Heart Spokesperson-Sheryl Gill will also share her incredible survival story. Sunday, July 17, 2:30 pm Tuesday, July 19, 11:00 am Wednesday, July 20, 7:00 pm The Foundry Lofts 1100 Lansdowne Avenue Toronto Price: $40 for two hour FunShop Register: Email …

i want: Uniform Wares 300 Series Watch

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Uniform Wares is an London based luxury watch company. Product designers Patrick Bek and Oliver Fowles started the company in 2009. The company philosophy is based on classic British design that incorporates contemporary minimalism. Uniform Wares 300 Series is their first chronograph watch. My favourite style of watch is the chronograph and I’m enamored with the minimal face and strap design. You can also buy different coloured straps for the watch if you wish to switch it up. You can find Uniform Wares in Canada at stores in Montreal and Vancouver. However, there are ecommerce options at uniformwares.com and aplusrstore.com. images: uniformwares.com

Dazed & Confused July 2011

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The colours in this editorial for Dazed & Confused’s July 2011 issue are so rich.  The flowers are a perfect backdrop for the colourful clothing worn by model Lisanne de Jong. The editorial was shot by Viviane Sassen. Some people in The Fashion Spot forums were complaining that Lisanne’s face was covered in most shots. I thought it was refreshing that her face wasn’t the focus of the shots.  It brought the clothing details to the forefront. images: fashiongonerogue.com

Banana Republic x Mad Men Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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So Banana Republic and AMC are teaming up to create a limited edition collection inspired by Mad Men.  Janie Bryant and Banana Republic designers worked together to create the 65 piece collection featuring men’s and women’s apparel and accessories. They will be available in Banana Republic stores across North America and online starting August 11, 2011. “Working with Janie to gain a true understanding of the ‘Mad Men’ look and feel was a delight,” says Banana Republic Creative Director Simon Kneen. “Janie was instrumental in helping us achieve the series aesthetic and standard of authenticity with this capsule collection, offering sketches, her own inspirations and actual artifacts from the production set to help inspire the ‘Mad Men’ within all of us.” “Collaborating with Simon and his team to design this collection was an experience I’ll never forget,” says Bryant. “It’s so rewarding to help create a collection that will allow fans of the series to channel their own ‘Mad Men’ style and take home fashionable items that are modern, not costume.” Banana Republic send me …

Noc Kupaly, Poland

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Noc KupaÅ‚y is a festival called Midsummer Night in English. They have a tradition of sending 1000s of paper lanterns in the air. It makes for spectacular video. Midsummer Night , also called night kupalnÄ… , kupalnockÄ… , Kupala , Sobótka or sobótkami – Slavic feast associated with the summer solstice the Sun , celebrated the shortest night of the year, which is usually (not including leap year) from 21 to 22 June (later eve of St. John – also commonly called St. John’s at night and then having many borrowings from earlier holidays – is celebrated with a 23 to June 24 ). Feast of fire, water, sun and moon, harvest, fertility, joy and love, celebrated in areas inhabited by the Slav peoples, Baltic, Germanic and Celtic, and also by some people coming from peoples Finno-Ugric peoples , such as the Finns (in Finland, St. John’s night is one of the most important holidays on the calendar), and Estonians. (source) via Colossal