Month: May 2012

geekiview: Velocity V50 Compact Vapor Generator Iron

I’m a total garment care nerd. I love my clothing and I take care of it so it lasts. I hang dry a lot of my wardrobe and that results in lots of ironing and steaming. I ditched my old iron years ago when I learned about Rowenta steamers. However for garments like dress shirts and pants I really, really missed that crisp feeling and look an iron provides. I tried for many years with a steamer but I just can’t replicate that look. Last year, I broke down and bought a shitty cheap iron for pants and shirts. It wasn’t that good but it was sufficient. I attended the TFI New Labels Contest this year and I sat at a table with folks from TNT and Reliable Corporation. I knew who TNT was so I proceeded to find more information about Reliable from my seatmate, Kimberly. They are a long time sponsor of the TFI and the company specializes in professional and commercial steam cleaning products as well as sewing and fabric care products. …

i want: The Tableware of my Dreams

Oh, if I only had $450 to spare. I would own the tableware of my dreams. Isn’t it beautiful. I got up early Saturday morning to go antiquing in Dundas, Ontario with the boys from Philip Sparks. I was on the search for a 50s style table and chairs set which ultimately didn’t work out.  There is always a lot of vintage tableware at this antique fair.  Some come in complete sets like this but most are not.  These plates are colourful and unique.  I like the jadeite tableware out there but it’s pretty expensive when you come across it.  Not that this set wasn’t expensive.  Apparently it’s from somewhere in Hamilton.  Let me know if you see it kicking around 🙂

i got: Tubereuse Noir Baxter of California Candle

My Barber at Hollow Ground Barber Shop introduced me to candles from Baxter of California.  Since 1965 Baxter of California have provided men with grooming products.  They have a range of skincare, shaving and hair care products.  In addition grooming accessories, candles and fragrances round out the product selection.  Baxter of California also collaborates with brands like Saturdays NYC, Porter and Unionmade. These soy wax-based candles are geared towards men and are produced with the brand Joya.  I love the Tubereuse Noir scent which has fragrance notes of  Tuberose, Bergamot, White Tea Rose, Geranium and Camellia.  The packaging, designed by Marc Atlan is very cool. You can get a wide selection of Baxter of California products (including the candles) at: Hollow Ground Barber Shop 1053 Bloor St W. Toronto image: baxterofcalifornia.com

Moncler S Spring Summer 2012

You already are very familiar with myMoncler obsession. Why am I obsessed? Moncler combines luxury and function in a pretty desirable package. I know my Moncler S trench is going to be a staple for the rest of my life. I really should be focusing on getting a Moncler S winter coat but I love what is going on with Moncler S for the Spring Summer 2012 season. Moncler S is my favourite of the Moncler collections. It combines Moncler design sensibility and function with the creativity of the amazing Japanese designer, Chitose Abe of Sacai. Harnessing the futuristic and ultra-feminine creativity of Japanese designer Chitose Abe, of Sacai. The Moncler S project builds upon a rich heritage to spark a new aesthetic of flowing lines, airy shapes and formal purity. Each piece draws upon a deep-seated understanding of Moncler’s history, the collection offers a unique avenue of evolution designed to reinvent the Moncler world in an entirely modern dimension. The Moncler S project is part of the main female collection of the Maison. The …

Givenchy Dahlia Noir Ad Campaign

I’m a little late on catching up with the Givenchy perfume news and I just recently discovered Dahlia Noir. The ad campaign features one of my favourite models Mariacarla Boscono and photographers Mert & Marcus. I have no idea how this fragrance smells but the ad campaign and description make me very curious. The video for Givenchy Dahlia Noir is quite dramatic and fun. Riccardo Tisci gave an interview to vogue.com.au when Dahlia Noir launched. Tell us about the notes, why did you choose rose and wood notes? From my first meeting with François Demachy [the perfumer] when we were developing the Dahlia Noir range, I spoke to him about emotions and olfactory memories, not formulas. I remember the smell of my mother and sisters’ make-up, which had a distinctive powdery and rosy scent. This is why we constructed Dahlia Noir starting with a rosy note, enriched with iris and mimosa. We then added sophisticated woody notes such as sandalwood and patchouli to give the fragrance a contemporary edge. What was the thought behind naming …

i want: Casey Wedge by Schutz

My summer staple shoe is a platform wedge. It’s my favourite style of platform and probably my favourite style of shoe. Platforms give me the extra height I’ve always wanted and the wedge is an easy shoe to wear. I love the little pops of colour in the Casey Wedge by Schutz. Available online at eLuxe (formely Dealuxe) image: eluxe.com

Kenzo Spring Summer 2012 Ad Campaign

I love the Spring Summer 2012 Kenzo Ad Campaign. So many black girls in one campaign image, I love it. Photographer Mario Sorrenti shoots models Alek Wek, Ajak Deng and Nairoby Matos. The Spring Summer 2012 Kenzo collection is the debut from Opening Ceremony owners, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim. Their fall show had the likes of Chloe Sevigny, Spike Jonze and Jason Schwartzman taking part. I didn’t pay any attention to the collection last year but I’m interested now because of this ad campaign. There is a cute behind the scenes video also. images: noirfacade.livejournal.com, thefashionspot.com

Holt Renfrew Hosts Bruno Frisoni and Roger Vivier

The celebration for the launch of the Roger Vivier: Process to Perfection exhibit at The Bata Shoe Museum brought Bruno Frisoni, Creative Director of Roger Vivier to Toronto. The next day he was entertaining socialites and a few media types at Holt Renfrew for a private lunchtime event. There were many Roger Vivier fans in the audience who were loving the women’s Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 handbag and shoe collection. I’ve never seen so many buckles on shoes in my life. Bruno Frisoni is so adorable in this video. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him and just gawked instead. See all of my photos from the Holt Renfrew Hosts Bruno Frisoni and Roger Vivier event

geekiviews: Bring It On: The Musical

I was in LA when I first found out that a there is musical based on the movie Bring It On. While driving to the Getty Museum, I noticed little Bring it On: The Musical flags attached to streetlights. How long this will take to migrate north, I thought starting out the window. Well, Six months is the answer because Bring it On: the musical is now playing in Toronto thanks to Mirvish. I’m not a fan of the teen movie genre. I avoid watching as much as possible. Of course, I enjoy a few like The Breakfast Club, Heathers and Pretty in Pink. So when I sat down to watch Bring it On for the first time I thought I would hate every minute. I hadn’t yet jumped on the Kristen Drunst bandwagon yet and she was just that kid from Interview with a Vampire grown. Bring it On was great to my surprise. The musical isn’t the same story as the movie but follows a lot of the themes and adds crazy ensemble …

Ecco Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 Preview

A few weeks ago I attended the Ecco Fall Winter 2012 preview at the Brill Communications head office. Ecco is one of those companies that responded to the changing face of the market. They noticed that customers are more style savvy and made efforts to target that market. I think they’ve done a great job in making Ecco a fashionable choice for many. The Ecco Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 collection has three overall themes. Active Vibration – Active Vibration illuminated the spaces where sport meets fashion. Clean and functional lines, in combination with sporty comfort and colour blocking, describe the shoes in this part of the runway. Shoes from this category are for an active lifestyle, focused on health and wellness. Aesthetic Being -There was much focus on esthetics and elegance and a softer approach to classic minimalism in this part of the collection. “Less is more” and classics featuring fashion trends from several decades. Slow fashion, old school and even masculine styling were key words describing a number of the autumn/winter ECCO styles. …

i want: Mattijs x United Nude Fan

The Mattijs X United Nude Fan shoe generates a jaw dropping response. I learned about these beauties after my tweets about my United Nude dream shoe purchase. Twitter friend, @TheDIYCouturier aka Rosalind wrote to tell me she just ordered a pair of United Nude because I inspired her to shop (hee hee, not the first time I’ve heard that). That’s right friends, she pre-ordered these beauties and put my Abstract Rome’s to shame. The Mattijs x United Nude Fan shoes are all about glamour. Designed in collaboration with Dutch fashion designer Mattijs van Bergen for his Catwalk show at London’s fashion week. No surprise the shoes are designed with a concept of pleats as Mattijs is considered to be the Dutch King of pleats. Only 120 Pairs total Limited edition were made. Mattijs van Bergen studied at Central Saint Martins in London before starting his brand in the Netherlands. “One of the most promising young designers” (British Vogue), “Crown prince of Dutch Fashion”, “King of Pleats”(Dutch Elle). Rosalind, you are 1 of 120 lucky women.  …

Secret Garden – Versailles by Dior

The easiest way to get me to jump back on that fashion bandwagon is to use Depeche Mode’s Enjoy the Silence in your fashion video. Oh, hello there Dior. I think it’s love at first sight again! ‘Secret Garden – Versailles’ A film by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, starring Daria Strokus, Melissa Stasiuk and Xiao Wen Ju in La Galeries Des Glaces – Château de Versailles. Music by Depeche Mode: ‘Enjoy the Silence’ Thanks to Perfecto Mag for posting this Perfecto video!

i want: Roberto Cavalli “Wild Diva” Sunglasses

It pains me to say this but I like something from Roberto Cavalli. I’m a bit shocked to admit it but these Wild Diva sunglasses are pretty killer. Skilfully crafted on the front for a second skin effect, it expresses an impetuous temperament through bold lines and strong traits, underscored by a crocodile/ostrich/shagreen print. Bold chromatic contrasts, from the winter colours that swing from black tobacco to purple and back, to the stronger and more extreme pink, violet, yellow and acid green colours, all with matching or contrasting shaded lenses to add emphasis to the fashion essence of these sunglasses. These sunglasses made their debut on the Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 runway. I’ll be including these in my fall sunglasses hunt. images: courtesy of Roberto Cavalli

Roots x Dealuxe Handbags

I just love Dealuxe. I’m a customer and fan. The company is making all the right moves with hires like the amazing Susie Sheffman (formally of FASHION Magazine) and Amina Said (formally of Holt Renfrew). So I was pretty happy to hear about the Roots x Dealuxe handbag collaboration. “We are so thrilled to welcome Roots to Dealuxe and collaborate with such a quintessential Canadian brand. The bags are bursting with colour and style and work perfectly with spring’s top trends. Best of all, I love that they are made with the highest quality leather, right here, at home!” Susie Sheffman, Fashion Director, DEALUXE The collection is right on trend with the candy coloured bags with styles for a variety of uses.  It’s a great way to add a pop of colour to your outfit if you are colour phobc.  It also makes a great addition to a colour blocking outfit just to make it over the top obnoxious (in a good way). The Roots x Dealuxe handbags can be purchased online at dealuxe.ca. Prices …

Roger Vivier: Process to Perfection – May 9, 2012 – April 7, 2013

Roger Vivier: Process to Perfection – May 9, 2012 – April 7, 2013 at The Bata Museum To wear dreams on one’s feet is to begin to give a reality to one’s dreams. -Roger Vivier Roger Vivier: Process to Perfection focuses on the designer who was renowned for the bejewelled and elegantly sculptural shoes that he created throughout his life. Many of his innovations, such as the needle, choc and comma heels are as important in fashion today as when he first introduced them. Vivier’s career was established in the 1950s when he became the shoe designer for Christian Dior. During his time with Dior his shoes were the epitome of mid-century glamour and Vivier’s early training in scuplture at École des Beaux Arts is evident in the sculptural heels and toes he designed for Dior. After Dior’s death, Vivier continued to produce elegant footwear for the House of Dior but in 1963 he set out on his own. Among his many successes include the pilgrim buckle shoe popularized by Catherine Deneuve, which sold in …

WORN Fashion Journal presents: The Beach Ball! – May 12, 2012

WORN Fashion Journal presents: The Beach Ball! – May 12, 2012 It’s been a long and moderate winter. But just because we weren’t buried in snow doesn’t mean we can’t kick up some sand. Have you been sighing for shorts? Silly to step into strappy sandals? From sundresses to seersucker, unpack your summer best early at our Issue 14 Launch Party, The Beach Ball! On May 12, 2012, celebrate the release of WORN Fashion Journal issue 14 in sunny style. The Dovercourt House 805 Dovercourt Rd. (just one block north of Bloor St.) Bare-legged at 9 p.m. Sweaters back on at 2 a.m. Get a little colour: Butterdream Sweets will keep things bright with rainbow macaroons Get teas’d: Pina Colada cocktails made with real tea from Tealish (quantiteas limited) Get snapped: You’ll be your own best souvenir in our postcard themed photo booth And when the sun goes down, get off that rock, lobster, and do The Swim. Ride a wave of sweet summer sounds as our DJ spins a mix of oldies guaranteed to …

Smythe Pre-Fall 2012

Andrea and Christie of Smythe have unveiled their first Pre-Fall collection for 2012.  Now Smythe junkies have more jackets to choose from in a year.   The collection will be available after June 1, making my birthday month even more amazing. I’m a huge Smythe fan but this is the first collection where I wanted every jacket.   The furry ones are calling my name. I love the three coats with the furry details from the collection, but I’m also digging the check blazer with the cropped sleeve (pictured below). It’s very Thom Browne menswear to me. You can find Smythe at the usual suspects: Holt Renfrew, Dealuxe.ca and Ssense.com, Intermix and TNT Woman. images: Courtesy of Smythe.

Neon Dotty Manicure

I embarked on my most ambitious nail journey this week, a 10 colour manicure. The idea came to me as I was staring at the new Essie collection, Poppi Razzi. I wanted to use all four of these neon shades but I would need to use the dreaded white polish to make the neon pop. I hummed and hawed over using the white base for about half an hour before deciding that I would do this mani properly. I started with two coats of MAC x Liberty London Vestral White. I was very careful with these coats. I took my time, minimized streaking and allowed each coat to dry. I then used two coats of Action for the overall base color. Initially, I was only going to use Camera, Lights and Bazooka for the dots but I realized I needed more variety. I turned to another neon polish from Essie called Funky Lime Light. I felt that some blue and green were essential. I don’t have a neon blue so I used Chanel’s Coco Blue …

i want: NARS x Thakoon Nail Polish

NARS x Thakoon Nail Polish My latest nail polish obsession is the NARS x Thakoon Nail Polish collaboration. I’ve been waiting for over a month for this collection to come out. I absolutely love the vibrant colours. I can’t wait to rock an ombre nails with these beauties or use my new nail dotting skills to come up with something. In conceptualizing the shade range, Thakoon was inspired by the vibrant colours found in Indian spice markets. The highly saturated, high-shine shades come in an opaque finish, perfect for spring. Formula is long-wearing, chip-resistant and toluene, formaldehyde and DBP free. The shades are Anardana – Azalea pink, Ratin Jot – Orchid purple, Amchoor – Bright yellow, Kutki – Powder blue and Koliary – Cyan blue. The collection is available now at NARS counters across the country and online at narscosmetics.ca for $21 bucks a piece. NARS has a great formulation for their polish and is one of my favourites. image: courtesy of NARS.

i got: Abstract Rome Hi by United Nude

Regular readers of I want – I got know I have an obsession with United Nude shoes. They will also know that I lament the state of United Nude retailers in the city. The stores that carry/carried them stocked the worst styles of the collection and not the architectural beauties that United Nude is known for. Who really wants to buy these after all. I figured the only way I was going to get a great pair of United Nude shoes would be at the flagship store on my next trip to New York City. Well, my prayers were answered at the media preview of Queen Street pop up shop, Sauvage. Sauvage is behind Whitecrow in the Burroughes Building.  It’s got some really great shoes and handbags.  I anticipate that this will be my go to summer sandal. images: unitednude.com, me