All posts filed under: Canadian Designers

Line Knitwear x Roots City Sweaters

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My heart fills with Canadian pride when looking at the Line Knitwear and Root sweater collaboration. Line and Roots teamed up to create a capsule collection of four sweaters all based on iconic cities in Canada. The collection uses Line Knitwear’s top selling sweater styles with a bit of Roots Canadiana. I’m a fan of all the styles and I think it’s fitting that Toronto’s is the most bland for some reason. I think it’s because I work in the financial district and all I see is shades of white, grey, navy and black. These sweaters will be available at Roots in the fall. images: Courtesy of Roots

i want: Alterna Earrings by MARLU

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Who doesn’t need a pair of Neon earrings! I’m in love with these neon beauties from Canadian jewellery brand, MARLU. I wrote about MARLU’s statement jewellery last year on I want – I got. I think these earrings would be a perfect addition to my obnoxious (but popular) neon dress and necklace combination. They are available online for $90 at Ukamaku.com. image: ukamaku.com

Philip Sparks Spring 2012 Lookbook – Behind the Scenes

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I took some behind the scenes photos at the shoot for the Philip Sparks Spring 2012 lookbook. The shoot took place at the Philip Sparks store that wasn’t open at the time. Philip Sparks Spring 2012 Lookbook. It was an exciting time, many people still didn’t know about the store and it was all very hush hush. I held onto the secret of the store for months on end. I’m great at keeping secrets but it was nice to finally talk openly about how amazing the Philip Sparks store is. Photographer on set was Mckenzie James. Alon Freeman (Judy Inc) was the master stylist. Claudine Baltazar (Plutino Group) was on hair and makeup. The lovely models for the day were Oliver W and Katy from Elmer Olsen Model Management. See all my photos in the slideshow

Roots x Dealuxe Handbags

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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 …

Smythe Pre-Fall 2012

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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.

eliza Spring Summer 2012 – White Nights

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One of my favourite Toronto jewellery Designers, Eliza Kozurno has released her Spring Summer 2012 collection called White Nights. Eliza Kozurno launched her first line of jewellery in 2005 after working with an array of innovative designers, including Izzy Camilleri, Colette Harmon and Rita D. Educated at The Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz, Poland as a decorative textile designer, Eliza’s training in painting, drawing, sculpture and photography helped her hone her skills not only as a designer, but as an artist. The collection uses white as a base and adds gold, black and silver as accents.  Materials include crystals, ribbon, chains and beads. Eliza, being the lovely person she is, sent me a pair of earrings from this collection. You can see them in this Flare magazine photo from Toronto Fashion Week this year. images: elizakozurno.com

Made in Canada, A Video by Fortnight Lingerie

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I love videos that give you a peek into what goes into making the clothing you buy. Toronto based Fortnight Lingerie created this great video of the work that happens at their Parkdale studio. Fortnight Lingerie is manufactured entirely in-house, at a Parkdale Village studio located in Toronto, Canada. The undergarments are handcrafted by highly trained designers, to uphold quality and precision with every piece that is created. This video is a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship behind Fortnight Lingerie.

Couture with Heart – March 6, 2012

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Couture with Heart – March 6, 2012 With the excitement of Toronto Fashion Week at hand, homegrown atelier Alya Couture distinctively celebrates the fine art of made-to-measure, and International Women’s Day, with high design and a gallant cause. On Thursday, March 8, Alya Couture showcases its grand collections and Fall 2012 line in a unique fundraising event and fashion show for Plan Canada’s “Because I am a Girl”, a revolutionary social movement established to empower girls and women and lift entire nations out of poverty. Fashion house Alya Couture reveres the splendor of women and magnificent garments through superb fabrics, exquisite design, and the time-honoured tradition of all things handmade. Maher Alami, visionary and premier designer of Alya Couture, pays homage to women and creativity by reaching out to a wider audience for the “Because I am a Girl” initiative, with an exclusive evening show, reception and fundraiser at the ultra chic W Studio, 160 Pears Avenue, Suit 310, 6:00-8:00pm.

complexgeometries Spring Summer 2012

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complexgeometries can do no wrong in my eyes. Once again I’m drooling over the newest collection. Spring Summer 2012 sees complexgeometries move into prints and pastel colours. I’m loving the results It looks like the LD Tuttle collaboration is continuing from the looks of the crazy shoes. images: complexgeometries.com

i want: ela Spring Summer 2012 Handbags

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The candy coloured M.I.L.C.K clutches from ELA handbags are so great. The colours are so vibrant and perfect for summer. I also love the black studded handbags in the ela Spring Summer 2012 collection. The Lady Bag is one of my favorites and in this fabrication it looks pretty cool. The small version is an option for those looking to scale down in size. ela is available at Chasse Gardée, Ewanika, La Merceria, rac and The Narwhal in Toronto. images: courtesy of ela

Dandi Maestre Spring Summer 2012

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Dandi Maestre has once again created a visually stunning lookbook for the Spring Summer 2012 collection. Her photos are always very colourful with a wonderful cast of characters with interesting faces. Dandi is one of my favourite Toronto jewellery designers. Her pieces are handmade in Canada and use organic materials such as antlers, bull horn, rough amber and emeralds, reclaimed wood, natural seeds and nuts, elements found on shores, in rivers, jungles and forests. The Spring Summer 2012 collection is called Raw. “The raw beauty I find in people and nature inspires my new sculptural pieces. I see my work as artwork, where there isn’t anything too outrageous. I believe in uniqueness . Nature is unique, and so are my designs, each one of a kind, individual and raw. Beauty is in all of us and I want to make people feel this. My work is all about texture and imperfection, just as us.” -Dandi Maestre Dandi Maestre has a showroom in Toronto at 386 Huron Street. You can also purchase her designs online. See …

i got: Elaine Ho Jewellery

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I bought the cutest pendants from Montreal based, Elaine Ho at The Coveterie 24 hrs Boutique. I have a strong love of all things cute and round so I purchased three pendants: a cat, bunny and skull. You can find Elaine Ho Jewellery at: Labour of Love 242 Carlton Street Toronto Propaganda 686 Yonge Street Toronto Elaine Ho’s Etsy site

the shOws – CALLA Spring Summer 2012

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CALLA is one of the four designers that showcased their Spring Summer 2012 collections with the the shOws at the Ritz-Carlton. the shOws is the brainchild of Paola Fullerton. “Our aim is to put the spotlight on Canadian Designers, Hair and Makeup Artists and Models and build a property that benefits not only our designers, artists and retailers but also our supportive sponsors, by showcasing the very best of Canadian talent at home and abroad to our media, buyers and stylists. The purpose of The ShOws is to bring together our most talented and creative Canadian designers each season and allow them to present their collections here in Toronto to the fashion industry without incurring any production costs themselves. We want to support them here at home and give them every possible opportunity to continue to build their brands.” – Paola Fullerton, Founder & Creative Director Calla Haynes continued her digital print mastery and delighted the crowd with a collection that sat perfectly on the edge of femininity without being too saccharine. The inspiration for …

the shOws – Jean-Pierre Braganza Spring Summer 2012

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Jean-Pierre Braganza is one of the four designers that showcased their Spring Summer 2012 collections with the the shOws at the Ritz-Carlton. the shOws is the brainchild of Paola Fullerton. “Our aim is to put the spotlight on Canadian Designers, Hair and Makeup Artists and Models and build a property that benefits not only our designers, artists and retailers but also our supportive sponsors, by showcasing the very best of Canadian talent at home and abroad to our media, buyers and stylists. The purpose of The ShOws is to bring together our most talented and creative Canadian designers each season and allow them to present their collections here in Toronto to the fashion industry without incurring any production costs themselves. We want to support them here at home and give them every possible opportunity to continue to build their brands.” – Paola Fullerton, Founder & Creative Director Jean-Pierre Braganza is a Toronto ex-pat who has shown at London Fashion Week since 2004. He worked with Roland Mouret before starting his own label. Jean-Pierre was my …

the shOws – Thomas Tait Spring Summer 2012

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Thomas Tait is one of the four designers that showcased their Spring Summer 2012 collections with the the shOws at the Ritz-Carlton. the shOws is the brainchild of Paola Fullerton. “Our aim is to put the spotlight on Canadian Designers, Hair and Makeup Artists and Models and build a property that benefits not only our designers, artists and retailers but also our supportive sponsors, by showcasing the very best of Canadian talent at home and abroad to our media, buyers and stylists. The purpose of The ShOws is to bring together our most talented and creative Canadian designers each season and allow them to present their collections here in Toronto to the fashion industry without incurring any production costs themselves. We want to support them here at home and give them every possible opportunity to continue to build their brands.” – Paola Fullerton, Founder & Creative Director Thomas Tait studied at La Salle College in Montreal and then went on to graduate with an MA from London’s Central Saint Martins. He was the youngest person …

I want – I got’s Guest Editor Picks at Dealuxe.ca

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I’m not a huge online shopper. I love the tactile nature of shopping too much. The shipping fees and import duties really keep me away from online shopping. I like that there are more Canadian options popping up these days. One of my favourites is newcomer, dealuxe.ca.  They support Canadian designers, have great sales, super fast shipping and an easy to use website. I was so excited when Erin Green of Dealuxe contacted me about participating in their Guest Editor feature. I selected 6 feature items and described how I would wear each piece. It’s winter and the list is heavy on the Smythe. I selected another 6 items to round out my selection Editor’s picks.  See all 12 of my picks.

Final Fashion x Jabberdust Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Leah Barrett, Jabberdust designer, emailed me to let me know that a little project she worked on with Danielle Meder of Final Fashion is available for sale. Last year, Leah approached Danielle about illustrating some design concepts for the company. Danielle explains the whole process in this snippet here from her blog. Designer, entrepreneur, professor and blog reader Leah Barrett approached me with a project. Leah’s label, Jabberdust, is a line of scarves and accessories that features incredible handwork. Leah works closely with factories in India to showcase the possibilities of embellishment. Her background is in production management, and she surprised me with a rare proposal. I’m paraphrasing here – Leah said: “I’m very comfortable with the production aspect of the business, however I find the conceptual aspect of design more challenging. Would you be interested in designing a number of concepts and illustrating them – it can be anything you wish – and I will take those ideas to the factories and handle the technical development of the samples, and if they’re successful, the …

Alex & Eli Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Alex & Eli is an American based brand created by two Parsons graduates, Aja Singer (who is Canadian) and Anne Zeman. Their focus is suiting for women with tailored silhouettes and unusual detailing. I knew Aja and Anne were after my heart when I started to read the style names. As an unapologetic Star Trek fan, I was delighted to see things like The Vulcan Blazer, Enterprise Pant, the Voyager Blazer, the Kirk (it’s a jacket), Transporter Skirt and the Replicator Jacket. It was doubly delightful that the clothing looked really good. Womenswear influenced by menswear with a modern twist, how could I not love this. I finally saw a few pieces of the collection at the newly opened Intermix on Bloor Street. Great quality and looks just as good in pictures as real life. images: courtesy of Alex & Eli

Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier Now Available

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Finally the Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier collection has hit the stores. Last week there was a trunk show at the Danier store in Yorkdale with a discount of 35% off. You bet I took advantage of that to get me some product. Kirk and Stephen were on hand to help shoppers choose and style their Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier pieces. I ended up purchasing the grey suede Awi Vest and the black obi belt. Check out all the photos from the Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier Trunk Show You can take a closer look at this 6 piece collection on the Danier Website. images: courtesy of Danier

Kickstarter x Juma for New York Fashion Week

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Juma is raising funds for a New York Fashion Week show through Kickstarter. JUMA is interested in raising funds with you to produce a fashion show to be shown at New York fashion week. We are presently designing our new collection and would like to have a presentation in which we can show our line. We would like to have our show listed on the official fashion week calender and invite editors, media, stylists and other industry participants in order to gain exposure and build our fanbase offline and online. We have experience with producing runways shows and have been designing clothing for 6 years so are confident in the execution of the project. We are offering you our digitally printed bags, scarves, prints as well as backstage experiences in order to raise the funds required to put on this runway show for New York Fashion Week! The project will be funded if $26,000 dollars are raised by Friday August 26, 2011 at 4pm. This dollar figure should be sobering to some designers about the …

Ask A Geek – Canadian Brands Making Winter Coats – Updated November 13, 2012

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Sometimes readers ask me questions. If they are of value to all my readers I post them online. If you have a question, please feel free to submit it using the contact form. I’ll definitely do my best to answer it. I want – I got reader @ThebergeSwim tweeted: @ThebergeSwim - @geekigirl I’m looking 4 a warm winter coat Preferably fashionable & NOT black. Would like to support local designer #ThebergemovestoToronto Me – @ThebergeSwim budget? @ThebergeSwim - @geekigirl four to six hundred. Possibly a lil more if totally awesome. Fashionable and functional are trade off that has to be made for a Canadian winter. I tend to side with function during this time of year. My recommendation is buy a long down jacket so you don’t have to layer as much. However, here’s a selection of Canadian companies with winter jackets and coats that will cover both spectrums and between.  Some of these companies might not have fall offerings online yet, but should soon. RUDSAK – Lots of leather options here. Montreal based but has a store on …

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