This NADA Nuff dress has two things I’m looking for this summer: Maxi length and colour blocking. You can get NADA Nuff at the NADA store in the Bayview Village Shops, 2901 Bayview Avenue, Toronto images: courtesy of NADA
I love this drapey silk chiffon top by Complexgeometries. Light enough to wear in the summer with a tank and leggings or shorts. images: complexgeometries.com
I attended the spring summer 2011 preview for the luxury jewellery store, Cupido. Cupido has locations at Bayview Village and Vaughan Mills. There were four brands at the preview: HERA, Baccarat Crystal, Gioie & Co and 3H Italia watches. HERA: Canadian jewellery designer, Hera Akarakas presents her debut line, HERA. Divided into two collections, “Paradise†and “Unity,†the ethereal pieces combine precious metals with the casual elegance of silver, as well as 18 karat gold, accented by diamonds and uniquely cut gemstones. The preview introduced a new Canadian jewellery line called HERA which I’m loving. There is a lot of intricate details in all the designs and the rings are my favourites. Baccarat Crystal: Founded in 1764, Baccarat is globally recognized as the preeminent leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of the world’s finest crystal products. The Baccarat Crystal pieces were very beautiful. I remember seeing a Baccarat Crystal lamp during my Bisha trip to New York. The rings were perfect cocktail pieces: huge, statement makers. I loved them. Gioie & Co.: Widely known …
Shereen de Rousseau is a Vancouver based designer that reworks vintage and antique items into here jewellery. I’m like the way she’s incorporated coins and trinkets like keys to give her designs an antique but modern feel. Shereen de Rousseau can be purchased online at shereenderousseau.com or in Toronto at Hollace Cluny.
Complexgeometries held their fall winter 2011 – 2012 presentation at The Westside Gentlemen’s Club. That’s right, a strip bar. Designer Clayton Evans had colour and collaborations on the mind for the season. It’s a surprisingly colourful fall winter 2011 – 2012 collection for Complexgeometries and I’m not complaining. The textile evolution of the line into fabrics other than jersey is progressing with charmeuse, silk, mohair, suede and wool. Collaborations came in the form of jewellery and shoes. Complexgeometries partnered with fellow Montreal designer, Mireille Boucher of Harakiri. See the Complexgeometries fall winter 2011 – 2012 presentation video by Jason Last. The towering platform boots came out of the minds of LD Tuttle and Complexgeometries. Clayton tells me they are 9 inches high. I’m simultaneously scared and salivating. It’s an extra 9 inches of height. Who the hell knows what I’ll use it for but I want it. I’d probably scare small children and some men. Do these qualify as Manrepller shoes? Ha Ha. Thankfully there are some more reasonable short boots available in the collaboration …
I love hearing about new Canadian brands. Rocaille is a Vancouver based and was started in 2010 by Amanda He when she decided to explore a creative career instead of the investment banking world she occupied. Amanda sources antique items and turns them into one of a kind pieces. ROCAILLE is modern by design and inspired by classical periods. We scour the globe for unique vintage pieces and delight in the unabashed sense of adventure and discovery as each item of jewellery is deconstructed and then transformed. The antiquity of each resurrected find is enhanced through reinterpretation and reinvention. Simply put, every ROCAILLE jewellery is one of a kind. Rocaille is beautiful and I love that each piece is unique. I like the clash of antique with a modern style. They would be perfect for black tie events. Currently you can purchase Rocaille online at www.rocaille-design.com.
JUMA has a little teaser video for their upcoming fall winter 2011 – 2012 collection called Kaleidoscope. For their unisex collection, the brother and sister team Alia & Jamil JUMA, traveled to India, Tibet, Thailand & Shenzhen to research local tapestry work and wildlife. They infused those elements into their prints while making them more dark and moody by distorting them and adding gradients of color including midnight blue, burnt corals, olive, tangerine, nude and black. The line uses directional silhouettes and styling incorporating printed dresses, blazers and tops mixed with silky knits to layer with. The video reflects the mood of their new collection. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this collection. The idea of a unisex line intrigues me. Have they done away with traditional men’s and women’s lines. Their timing couldn’t be more perfect with this whole androgyny thing going on in fashion right now.
I saw Paris Li’s new spring summer 2011 collection at the launch event for Ukamaku, a Toronto based online retailer specializing in Canadian fashion. I really liked the print pieces from her collection. Easy dressing for summer with a bright pop. Paris Li can be found online at Ukamaku or at York Choice in Bayview Village, 2901 Bayview Avenue. Private appointments can also be made. images: courtesy of Paris Li
The Sabina sandal by Toronto based, Abel Munoz matches perfectly with my speckled egg nails. Available at: George C in Toronto. image: abelmunozaccessories.com
The Brose spring summer 2011 video added a new dimension to the clothes for me. I posted photos from the Brose spring summer 2011 collection last year and I now loved things that I had passed over. I’m still salivating over the strapless feathered dress. You can try your hand at winning a Brose dress by entering the “Long day at work contest”.
