All posts filed under: Canadian Designers

60 Years of Designing the Ballet & The Tutu Project – Till September 2, 2012

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The Design Exchange is hosting two exhibits for The National Ballet of Canada: 60 Years of Designing the Ballet and The Tutu Project. Both exhibits will be at the Design Exchange until September 2, 2012. 60 Years of Designing the Ballet This exhibition offers an intimate look at the design of one of Canada’s most celebrated treasures – the National Ballet of Canada. The exhibition is organized thematically – highlighting the various ways in which the ballet as an institution is designed through hundreds of items from the ballet’s archive. The exhibition provides a private invitation into the world of one particular company. This exhibit brought me right back into The Nutcracker world again. I had to snap a photo of the Cannon Doll costume sketches and swatches. There are a lot of costumes to check out and set pieces to see up close and personal. You can even try on a tutu and try out ballet moves right in the exhibit. Admission is $10.20 for the 60 Years of Designing the Ballet exhibit. The …

complexgeometries Fall Winter 2012 – 2013

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I can’t talk about the upcoming Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 collections without mentioning one of my favourite labels, complexgeometries. The NIGHT is what complexgeometries is calling the Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 collection. It references cultures of the night like skinheads, swingers, workmen and revelers. The collection conveys “the shadows and secrets that the day’s dark hours shroud.” The lookbook was shot in Japan and I love the models! The female model’s makeup is perfect for this complexgeometries collection. The little bursts of colour that were present in previous collections are gone and there is a heavy focus on black, grey, navy and white. As usual, I want it all. Look for pieces of the collection to hit complexgeometries.net this month and beyond. images: courtesy of complexgeometries

Louie Gong x Manitobah Mukluks Gatherer Boot

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I have to admit I’m a bit surprised that I’m writing about Manitobah Mukluks. I’m not a fan of Mukluks and I usually cringe whenever I see people wearing them around the city. They are very popular and the Manitobah Mukluks company is as close to the genuine article as you are going to get. I’m a huge fan of Louie Gong though and he’s partnered with Manitobah Mukluks to create a boot even I can love. Louie Gong x Manitobah Mukluks Gatherer Boot is described by Louie: The eagle is a cross-cultural symbol of strength, leadership, and long-term vision. By portraying the eagle on a women’s mukluck with a diving posture, oversized claws, and open mouth, I offer symbolic acknowledgment of strong women of all backgrounds. When wearing this eagle design, each step represents bold movement towards your life goals and leading our families into the next generation. The grey Louie Gong x Manitobah Mukluks Gatherer Boot are pretty damn cool. The boots are available for Pre-order on manitobah.ca for $299 with delivery happening …

North Star Sportwear x Geoff Mcfetridge Collection

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North Star + Geoff Mcfetridge Pop-up Shop runs from June 22 – 28, 2012 at Magic Pony. I attended the launch party because I was dying to get a look at the collection. I wasn’t disappointed, it’s pretty damn cute. My favourite is the moose print. Thanks to North Star I walked away with a red moose tank that you will see on Instagram soon, ha.  You can take a look at the North Star Sportwear x Geoff Mcfetridge Pop-up shop launch party photos on their facebook page. images: Courtesy of North Star

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