All posts filed under: Canadian Designers

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 …

OBJECT, George Antonopoulos x Danier Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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I missed the Danier Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 preview a few weeks ago. I wanted to see the new line OBJECT created by George Antonopoulos for Danier. I had twitter to keep me updated that day as I slaved away at the office. The lookbook images are pretty damn good looking. These are my top picks from OBJECT by George Antonopoulos for Danier Fall Winter 2011 – 2012. I didn’t know what to expect from OBJECT exactly. I know George.  His style and taste is impeccable. It would only make sense that OBJECT reflect his sensibilities.  I’m in love. I love the contrast in textures in pieces.  The menswear influence is quite strong. I’m glad to see that I could easily wear most of this stuff to the office without much of a side glance from my coworkers.  They know me too well nowadays. I have some serious thinking to do this summer about my fall Danier purchases with OBJECT, Greta Constantine and Mark Fast coming. It might be time to expand the leather options in …

Oliberte Footwear Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Oliberté, the first premium footwear company based in Africa, was founded in 2009 by Canadian Tal Dehtiar. Tal is a multiple award winning entrepreneur who has worked on many international projects that have helped to build small and social businesses in over 25 developing countries. Oliberté partners with factories, suppliers, farmers and workers to produced the shoes and contribute to the development of industry. Ethiopia, Liberia and Keyna are the countries Oliberté currently operates but there are plans to expand too Cameroon, Congo, Uganda and Zambia in the coming years. Business is booming and the last two years sales have risen from a meager 200 pairs to over 10,000 projected in 2011. I heard about Oliberté shortly after they launched and l’ve been quietly following their progress over the years. I’m glad to see the styles are becoming more sophisticated and stylish. Currently, Tal is focusing on developing the men’s collection to be more sophisticated and stylish. The women’s revamp is expected for the spring 2012 season. The Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection features …

Abel Munoz Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Preview

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Toronto based shoe designer, Abel Muñoz held a private preview at Seventy Seven in Yorkville. He invited press, clients and friends to see his upcoming Fall 2011 collection in addition to his spring offerings. Many people, including sales staff and friends were sporting some of Abel’s spring summer 2011 collection.  My favourite spring summer shoe is the top picture.(Thanks Lisa Tant).  I really like the stripe detail on the heel. For fall winter 2011 – 2012 Abel Muñoz continues with staple heel styles but has included a wonderful croc print oxford shoe. I love it. See all my photos from the Abel Muñoz Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Preview. Abel Muñoz is available at Seventy Seven in Yorkville.

Playing Model for Philip Sparks

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Last weekend Stefania Yarhi from Textstyles held a party for the 3rd year anniversary of her site. The party included a fashion show of Stefania’s favourite Toronto designers. Philip Sparks made the list and asked me to be muse/model for the event. Of course, I said yes. The Philip Sparks blog talks about the preparations for the event (with more photos) in a post called Philip Sparks X I Want I Got X Textstyles. I got Andrew Sardone to record the fashion show so here it is for you to enjoy. I hit the catwalk around the 5:00 mark.

Nella Bella Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Preview

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Nella Bella held their Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 preview at the Design Exchange a little over a month ago. The space was perfect for the launch. The Nella Bella team did a great job of presenting the collection to visitors. Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 season is the debut of the menswear collection NB man which is influenced by the 50s. Nella Bella paired up with Suzy Shier who provided looks for the mannequins to accompany the handbags.  I liked the addition of a complete look to highlight the handbags in each theme grouping. I really liked NB Man collection. It’s a smart expansion for the brand. The leather like handbag finishes include pebble and patent. The gallery contains my favourite women’s bags from the Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection. See all my photos from the event.

Fitz & Fur by Roslyn Griffith Hall

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Fitz & Fur is a jewelry collection created by Toronto based stylist, Roslyn Griffith Hall. Reclaimed is Fitz & Fur’s style. Throughout her travels, Roslyn attended vintage markets and estate sales and like many antiquing junkies she acquired a lot of things. There are so many objects used in the jewellery like watches, thimbles, skulls, heart-shaped lockets, lockets, keys, coins, letters, rings, pendants, spoons and guitar picks. Fitz & Fur uses those vintage finds for bracelets, necklaces and earrings. I had some vacation time recently and went to Roz’s cool little studio in my neighbourhood to check out the collection in person. Fitz & Fur uses religious imagery as inspiration. The cross is a comment element found in many pieces and makes rosaries using skull shaped bone beads from Thailand. She has recast the beads in silver because it’s becoming hard to find the bone ones in Thailand. The charm bracelets and everything but the kitchen sink necklaces are my favourites from Fitz & Fur. There is so much detail in the necklaces that you never …

Primary Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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While I was in Vancouver, I learned about a New York based fashion line called Primary which has a Canadian connection.  Vancouver native, Cleo Schroeder worked in the film industy in costume and styling before branching into design. She moved to New York to attend Parsons School of Design in 2007 as part of that transition. Primary was created in 2010 by Cleo and Steven Ahn. The first thing you notice about Primary is this incredibly striking model staring back at you. Christina Caradona serves at model/muse for Cleo. Leather, silk and wool are fabrics of choice for Primary luxe casual looks. I love the whole collection with the skirts, dresses and jackets being my favourites. Primary is available online at primaryny.com and in Vancouver at Charlie & Lee. images: primaryny.com