All posts filed under: Canadian Designers

A Day at the Island with Philip Sparks

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I took a vacation day lat Monday and headed to the Toronto Island with my fashion boyfriend, Philip Sparks. I love the Island but hate going there on the weekend with the extreme crowds waiting for the ferry. I was prepared to head there alone but Philip decided to give himself a two day weekend and joined me. We walked pass Hanlan’s Point and found a nice little area on the south side. I’m not really into watching the nude frolic on my day off but more power to them. Philip braved the waters and took a swim. I don’t swim in Lake Ontario even though some of the beaches are very clean. I’m a salt water girl at heart. I did do a bit of wading up to my thighs to cool off. The most spectaular part of the day was watching thousands of Cormorants flying from the Leslie Spit westward. It lasted for about 15 minutes. I’ve never seen anything like it here. The closest was during my trip to LA last summer. …

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

DANIER x Greta Constantine SKIN Launch Party

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DANIER x Greta Constantine collection is so good. I had no inside access to these designs this time around.  So, the debut of the collection at the Neubacher Shor Contemporary gallery was a complete surprise. The gallery is a beautiful space with adjustable white walls, a huge window and exposed brick. It’s a great space for hanging artwork with the high ceilings. The six look collection ranges in price from $399 for a sleeveless bolero with exaggerated lapel to $999 for an asymmetrical, draped coat with rounded back. Key colour motifs include black, slate, eggplant, walnut, and lava, in a variety of fabrics ranging from Italian lamb leather to silky suede. As part of the capsule, Kirk and Stephen designed a contemporary take on the obi belt, a welcome addition to each look. “We sought to find a happy medium between fashion and function; to offer silhouettes that were appealing to the eye and still flattering on a variety of different body types,” explain Kirk and Stephen. The collection features several jacket types in leather …

Stacey Zhang Toronto Boutique Launch Party

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Montreal based designer, Stacey Zhang has opened a boutique in Toronto. She’s chosen a strip of Queen Street West that was independent boutique friendly until the corporations moved in many years ago. It’s a brave move to  complete for foot traffic with Zara, H&M and the Gap. Stacey Zhang aims to provide stylish women with affordable,ready-to-wear collections that are ethically produced and limited in quantity, maximizing the time and care spent in creating each garment. Known for highly detailed and structurally unique clothing, Stacey Zhang features styles ranging from fun, flirty dresses to sharp business attire to feminine, chic casual wear. With organic cottons, relaxed linens, luxurious silks, wool and sustainable bamboo as staples of past collections, the designer is also known for her impeccable selection of fabric. She is continually researching practical ways to replace fabrics with more ecologically sound and sustainable threads. Both Montreal and Toronto boutiques feature a wide variety of unique accessories handpicked by Stacey on her travels throughout Europe and Asia. Stacey plans to make the shopping experience at the Toronto …

Primer by Greta Constantine Spring Summer 2011

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Collaborations are the news in Canadian fashion so it’s good to see something that isn’t about one. Greta Constantine has created a capsule collection called Primer which consists t-shirts done Greta Constantine style. Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong of Greta Constantine are bringing their master drapery and attention to fit to a whole new audience. The capsule collection, aptly named Primer, serves as the base coat for a woman’s wardrobe and is to consist of both separates and dresses. But don’t expect basics. Every piece in the collection features a subtle feminine twist like leather straps on a tank top to allow for easy belting or draped t-shirt dresses with exaggerated pocket detailings. This is all part of Stephen and Kirk’s desire to re-imagine contemporary staples. As Stephen elaborates, “designing the collection demanded that we consider what makes a t-shirt so perfect. Fabrication, lengths, colours. While a woman may be willing to suffer through a pair of heels, comfort without looking comfortable is what we sought to achieve with Primer.” The line, with prices ranging …

Boutique Denis Gagnon

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Denis Gagnon celebrated the opening of his new boutique in Montreal last week. I was invited to attend the opening but I was stuck in Toronto. Thankfully, Denis’s PR sent out some great shots of this beautiful store. It will be one of my first stops when I hit up Montreal this summer. Boutique Denis Gagnon 170B rue Saint-Paul Ouest Montreal, Quebec # 514.935.6360

Denis Gagnon x Lancôme Fall 2011 Makeup

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Here is my last bit of Denis Gagnon related fashion news today, a new makeup collaboration with Lancôme for Fall 2011. The collaboration will become available in Mid August at select Lancôme counters. To reflect the brand’s philosophy of partnerships between arts and beauty, Lancôme pursues its mission to promote excellence by associating with talented Canadian fashion designer Denis Gagnon. This artistic collaboration between Lancôme and Denis Gagnon started in 2010 with the celebrations surrounding the designer’s 10th anniversary and the related exhibition of his work organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. For this occasion, Lancôme had created makeup looks to complement the Spring-Summer 2011 collection of Maison Denis Gagnon. In the fall of 2011, Lancôme will continue this association by launching a limited edition, exclusive makeup collection created in collaboration with the fashion designer. These beauty looks, created by makeup artist Lora Spiga in collaboration with Denis Gagnon, feature smoky and sophisticated eyes that ooze self-confidence, combined with a seductive mouth in shades of nude to intense purple. “I wanted to create …

Garden of Roses: Denis Gagnon Interprets Alice at Luminato – June 10 – 19, 2011

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I love that Luminato and Lancôme bring Canadian designers to create beautiful art installations. Last season it was Mark Fast and this season it’s Denis Gagnon who is going gangbusters with good news this year. Garden of Roses: Denis Gagnon Interprets Alice is the name of the piece that will be on display during the Luminato festival in June. Inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, one of Canada’s iconic fashion designers creates a world of wearable fantasy. One of the most acclaimed Canadian designers of his generation, Denis Gagnon is noted for his bold traversal of the boundaries between the fashion industry and art. For over a decade, his concept of clothing as “moving sculpture” has informed his innovative collections for fashion lovers across Canada while also finding expression in the realms of pure creativity.  As a result, Gagnon, who began his career designing theatrical costumes, recently became the first Canadian in his field to have his work exhibited at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. In this installation, a one-of-a-kind dress surrounded by a …

Je m’appelle Denis Gagnon, A Documentary

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It’s Denis Gagnon news day at I want – I got. He has a documentary called Je m’appelle Denis Gagnon. It should be very interesting. Denis Gagnon, fashion designer, is putting the final touch on his latest collection. Confined in his basement, turned atelier, he instinctively assembles materials (glitters, Jersey, leather and silk). Denis returns to his home town of Alma (Lake Saint-Jean) where he meets up with family and old friends. During this visit home he shares his concerns, inspirations and perceptions as a creator. The “enfant terrible” of Canadian fashion is the subject of this new cinematic picture. Rather than solely focusing on the clothing, “My name is Denis Gagnon” is an intimate portrait of a complex character. Denis Gagnon presents himself as the artist behind enormous dark glasses. There is a trailer out too image: imdb.com

unScripted: Opening Night Gala Performance Party – May 13, 2011

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Canadian Stage Visionaries are thrilled to present unScripted: Opening Night, the annual gala fundraiser in support of Canadian Stage, one of the country’s leading non-profit theatre companies. This unique celebration, which plays on the theme of backstage drama from the 1920s to the 21st century, will be held at One King West on Friday, May 13. The evening includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dancing, as well as exciting celebrity-curated live performances and dramatic installation spaces, inspired by the glamour of opening night at the theatre. Artistic concepts will be brought to life by a stellar roster of Canadian talent including fashion designer Evan Biddell, Republic of Doyle’s Allan Hawco, stage director Weyni Mengesha, filmmaker Charles Officer, visual artist Charles Pachter, Slice and ReVamped expert Kaitlyn Regehr, The Company Theatre’s Philip Riccio and unScripted event host, MuchMusic’s RAPCITY host, Tyrone “T-RexXx” Edwards. Proceeds from this fundraising initiative will support the youth and community initiatives of Canadian Stage, working to make the theatre experience more accessible to future artists and new audiences. The unScripted: Opening Night Gala …

Line Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Line continued their ready to wear expansion for the fall winter 2011 – 2012 season. The season adds coats and pants to their traditional line up of knits. The collection was very 70s in terms of palette and style. Typical colours like orange, blue, mustard, beige and burgundy complimented neutrals of black and grey. The knit textures included cable, crochet, patchwork and loops. Line was one of the many designers that used fur this season but it was used sparingly. I always talk about my granny nature with fur and Line stuck to the traditional with raccoon stoles, collars and trim. The rabbit fur biker jacket was an interesting modern take on fur but I felt the raccoon vest was overwhelming on the body. My granny fur sensibilities didn’t prevent me for loving the rabbit fur knit which was used in some beautiful open wraps. The floor length cable knit dress sounded great on paper but didn’t deliver for me in person. It seemed a bit too restricting, perhaps a side slit would help. The …

DUY x Aldo Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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  Aldo Shoes is on a collaboration roll too.  During Rouge Fashion Week they partnered with Greta Constantine on some limited edition footwear.  DUY paired up with Aldo during LG Fashion Week for a limited edition collection of accessories. This collection of elegant and slightly rebel shoes and accessories pays homage to his Muse, her sophistication and distinctive sense of aesthetics. Faithful to her vision, the various pieces of this collection integrate the elements that made Daphne Guinness famous: leather, textured materials (python, lace), prints (leopard) and fur (pony), caramel hues and dark shades (grey and black). The FW 2011 ALDO collection of shoes and accessories for DUY is an stunning blend of radical chic, flexibility and accessibility. A collection which truly combines modernism, sophistication and elegance.