Author: Anita

Kara Ross Spring Summer 2013 Preview

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Kara Ross is Queen of the exotic skins. This award winning designer is known for her luxury clutches made of out of a colourful assortment of skins like lizard, python, alligator and ostrich finished with a clasped made from coloured stones. Kara is a certified GIA gemologist and she puts that experience into her handbag and jewellery designs. To compliment the skins, Kara uses mother-of-pearl, labradorite, black onyx, rock crystal and hematite gemstones. Kara by Kara Ross jewellery uses alternative materials like jet, marcasite, lava, wood and chalcedony to create her statement making jewellery in addition to traditional materials like resin, crystal, Malachite, Lapis, Tiger’s Eye, Amethyst, Turquoise and Onyx. I attended a preview of the Spring Summer 2013 Kara Ross Handbags and Kara by Kara Ross Jewellery. It was the first time I got a look at the product in person and I’m such a fan of the handbags. I love the Art Deco inspiration in the shape and the clasp design. The skins are so unique and colourful with all kinds of colour …

Zara.com Now Shipping to Canada or I’ll Never Step Foot into a Zara Store Again

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It’s absolute genius at how Zara can make every single piece of clothing look desirable on their newly launched Canadian ecommerce site. I’m floored. Zara is my favourite of the fast fashion shops but nothing ever looks this good in the store. That’s right folks, you can get Zara shipped to your door anywhere in Canada starting March 6, 2013. To celebrate the launch Zara blanketed the city with $150 gift card according to all the tweets and Instagram post I saw last week. I too received this lovely gift which allowed the recipient to shop at Zara.com ahead of the national launch on March 6th. Zara does everything right when it comes to a great online experience. My key indicators are as follows: Easy to Navigate – Must have a simple, intuitive menu system No animation or auto playing music Simple, uncluttered interface with lots of white space Multiple large, high resolution photos of the item from many angles including a detail shot On figure and off figure images Fabric description and composition Item …

Le Cercle Montparnasse - The Spoke Club - Wednesday, Mar 6 2013

Chatting with I want – I got at The Spoke Club and Soho House

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March is the month of panel discussions for me, I have two. Unfortunately, they are a private member clubs but if you are a member of either establishment bring some non member friends and come out. UPDATE: I’ve added start times 🙂 Le Cercle Montparnasse – Wednesday, Mar 6 2013 at 8pm Inspired by the dynamic conversations between artists in the early 20th century Paris that were the catalyst for over 100 years of creativity, this inaugural event features our Cultural Curator Raji Aujla as she sits in conversation with some of Toronto’s most loved online fashion writers, Anita Clarke, Hannah Yakobi, Jen McNeely and Sharad Mohan. Spoke Club 600 King Street West Toronto If you are a member of The Spoke club you can rsvp for this event on the Spoke Club website. Soho House Toronto – March 12, 2013 at 7pm A cross section of current cultural contributors encouraging commentary on the cultivation of contemporary Canadian creativity. Examining commanding culture and technology, this first evening convenes with pop culture and fashion expert Elio …

Kania Spring Summer 2013

Kania Spring Summer 2013 Lookbook

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I enjoyed opening the Kania Spring Summer 2013 lookbook, the images are beautiful. Kania is the brainchild of Ottawa based Stacey Bafi-Yeboa. She is a former Broadway dancer and that experience heavily influences her designs. Kania is designed and manufactured in Canada. The Spring Summer 2013 Kania collection is called Tropical Luxuriance. Stacey brought in Tanzanian model, Herieth Paul who moved to Ottawa when she was 14. Welcome to a world where fashion meets dance and where fantasy is reality. A private island where you can escape the ordinary and be submersed in luxury. Steamy nights and hot summer days rule your world. You’ll sense the relaxed beauty of the Caribbean and be transformed into the glamour of an African queen. As you step into paradise you’re ready to let go, to let loose, to be noticed, to be free. Is it a dream? No … you’ve just entered the island of KANIA… get ready to experience…TROPICAL LUXURIANCE(source: press release) Stacey’s dance background is evident in the clothing. Everything is sexy but comfortable looking. Stacey …

Banana Republic x Mad Men Spring Summer 2013

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The Banana Republic x Mad Men collection is back and I have to admit it’s lasted longer than I expected. This season is my favourite of this collaboration. I think it’s because of the 60s influence and the print heavy collection. The collection has Canadians stamped all over it. The collection was inspired by Jessica Pare’s character Megan and Coco Rocha is heading up the advertising campaign. “With a new era of fashion inspiration, the design process was exciting for us and allowed for lots of creativity, which is completely visible in the end result,” said Simon Kneen, Banana Republic Creative Director and Executive Vice President. “We took Janie’s mod inspiration for the costumes on-screen and translated it in a way that today’s Don or Megan will aspire to wear.”(source: press release) “In my work with Simon for the Banana Republic ‘Mad Men’ Spring 2013 collection, the spirit and fashion-forward thinking we see on-screen in Megan was really inspirational for the capsule,” said Bryant. “I am excited about what we’ve done together, and I know …

Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014

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I usually only post about my favourite collections of the fashion weeks. The Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 collection a favourite not because I loved most of the looks. It’s a favourite because Mary did something I didn’t expect this season, she changed. I’ve anticipated this move since the Katrantzou print influence took over the fashion world. The typical Katrantzou print was out and photos by Edward Steichen, Clarence White, and Alfred Stieglitz were in. She explored new, angular shapes with some Japanese influences and toned down the colour. There was a lot of black in the collection. I appreciate the risks she took with this collection. The backstage photos posted on the Mary Katrantzou Facebook page should change anyone’s opinion of the collection, it’s just beautiful. “I wanted to step back from color and print and contemplate shapes and silhouettes. It was important for me to take that time,” she said. It was the first season we draped on the stand in a very complex way.” (source) Mary has commercial avenues with …

i want: Worksong by Cat Footwear

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Seems like this summer is going to be good from my brogue collection. I love the Worksong style from Cat Footwear’s Spring Summer 2013 collection. The purple and blue one are my favourite but if you want something more subdued they have you covered. They will be available for purchase for $129.99 starting March 29, 2013 online at catfootwear.com. The Shoe Company, Capezio and Town Shoes also carry Cat Footwear, you can find more locations on the website. images: courtesy of Cat Footwear