Jonathan Saunders‘s Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection was in my top ten. I love the colours, prints and silhouette. Jonathan Saunders was inspired by Paul Outerbridge‘s early photography, glass from well renowned glass designer, René Jules Lalique and English painter, Euan Uglow. I’m looking forward to a print and colour heavy fall. You can find Jonathan Saunder’s at The Room in Toronto. images: vogue.com
As soon as I returned from my Whistler vacation I ordered the Luxirare Suede Minivest. I like vests in theory but I find them very, very hard to style. After months of hiding, I debuted the vest at the Greta Constantine x Danier Skin event. Looks like I will have to do some more research on how I can incorporate this great little vest into my wardrobe. I think maxi dresses might work for the summer. Jackets and sweaters would be good combination in the winter. How do you style your vest? Outfit breakdown: Luxirare Minivest, Sheer grey dress by Cheap Monday, Joe jean leggings (courtesy of Holt Renfrew), Aldo Black lace up boots, Black tank top by Gap, Dandi Mastrae earrings, Orange Toywatch (courtesy of ToyWatch Canada), Hermes bracelet.
I’m still enjoying this collaboration. Opening Ceremony x Pendelton Spring Summer 2011 collection has some great pieces. These wool Ruffle Bottom shorts are so cute. Â It looks like a little skirt. Â The colour combination is just perfect. This wool Print Felt Jacket is another fun piece. Â I love that it’s cropped. Â Cropped jackets go well with maxi dresses and are perfect for spring summer layering The Cropped Knit Poncho is made from cotton but a wool version would be great in winter. Â I just like the pattern and shape of this item. images: ssense.com
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 …
I hate flats in general but these Maison Martin Margiela Split Toe Tabi Flats are probably the only ones I could see myself wearing. images: ssense.com
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 …
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
I think these Giuseppe Zanotti High Platform Clog Heels are a close second behind the Givenchy Studded Wood Platform Heels. The heel height and platform at higher at 5.25″ and 2.25″ respectively. They are carrying them at Browns and online at ssense.com. images: ssense.com
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 …
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 …
