All posts filed under: Fashion

TEFW – Greta Constantine and Erza Constantine Fall Winter 2010 – 2011

The Audi dealership would host Kirk and Stephen once more as they presented the Greta and Erza Constantine Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 collections.  The boys seem to have great sponsors with Audi, Stolichnaya, Glaceau smartwater, ALDO, and Ame. There were no Rado wristbands when checking in this time instead I presented with a plexiglass rectangle engraved with the words “Greta Constantine” and a gold sticker with my seating assignment. It was a great touch and a nice little keepsake after the show. Paul Baik, my amazing Photographer was with me to catch-all the action. We went backstage to an unusually prepared team, it seemed they were waiting on the audience. I was in awe, where was the craziness and drama? It was none to find, only models milling around eating (yes, eating), talking and taking photos. It was a night of the urban, doomed heroes and the dark, noir dames. The collections are both urban and modern but completely divergent. Erza is your prototypical urban dweller, covered in layers of fashion forward garments. The …

Potion Ankle Boots by Jeffrey Campbell

i got: Potion Ankle Boots by Jeffrey Campbell

I got the Potion Ankle Boots by Jeffrey Campbell a few months back because they reminded me of the Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony C02 Bucklet Boots. The Potion’s are the inspired version and much cheaper. I discovered that Chasse Gardee would be bringing them in, so I sent off a quick email to hold a pair for me. I haven’t gotten to wear them much because of the weather but I can see these being a summer staple. If you are in Toronto you can see if there are any left at Chasse Gardée, 1084 Queen Street West or you can check online at ssense.com (Cdn) or Shopbop.com. images: shopbop.com

Rachel Roy

I want – I got Interview: Rachel Roy

I want – I got has a little interview with US designer Rachel Roy. This is a first for the site as I normally interview Canadian designers. It was an email interview but I was hoping to meet Rachel at The Hudson’s Bay Queen Street on March 25, 2010 for personal appearance. Unfortunately I’m booked, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go, it’s a public event. The Spring Summer 2010 collection for Rachel Rachel Roy is pretty cute. I love all the pieces that use the colourful flora print. 1.What factors influenced your decision to create the Rachel Rachel Roy line? “I wanted every woman to have the opportunity to express herself through style in an accessible way. The Rachel Rachel Roy collection allows me to mix elements of downtown cool with uptown chic for a result that is simultaneously edgy, elegant yet youthful. I hoped to design a fashion forward contemporary collection that accentuated a woman’s best features and allowed her to express her own individuality.” 2. I imagine plans for the line were …

TEFW – Breeyn McCarney Fall Winter 2010 – 2011

I was in a foul mood when I arrived at the Courthouse to see Breeyn McCarney Fall Winter 2010 collection. I want – I got had been down for most of the day and I wanted to get home and fix it. Everything else was irrelevant at that point. Hard Boiled Wonderland was the name of the Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 collection. Haruki Murakami is what comes to mind when I think Hard Boiled Wonderland. I don’t think the ultra feminine style presented on the Breeyn runway had much to do with surrealist, cyberpunk literature. Breeyn had a mixture of knits, wool plaid, distressed cotton, mohair, bamboo and leather. She utilized rabbit fur, beads, leather and pearls as embellishments. The result was a cute collection of party dresses and sweaters. Lots of feminine details like bodices and corset like It was a cohesive collection for the most part. The final dress was out of place. It would have worked if it was the same colour palette as the rest of the collection. The jersey …

NADA Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Future Fashion/Fashion Future in 3D

NADA Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 Future Fashion/Fashion Future in 3D

It was interesting to see a fashion presentation in a theater. NADA Fall Winter 2010 -2011 was a 3D film presentation. The first 3D fashion film presentation of its kind. Burberry’s Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 3D live stream doesn’t count because it wasn’t a film. I heard rumours that this film cost $2 million dollars leading up to the screening. That was quickly squashed in the Q&A. Nada Shepherd was thinking about Fembots and video games. The film was like an ultra fashionable Street Fighter where the women fighters had a better wardrobe selection. It had all the classic Street Fighter selection features like weapons, settings and outfits. The video was ambitious and I’m pleased to see someone switching the traditional presentation up. The 3D wasn’t a sharp as I expected.   At the beginning of the screening we learned that the version being screened wasn’t the final cut. I have to admit the web experience isn’t better. I was hoping for better quality video and larger screen resolutions for both the 2D and …

OZ Studio Boutique

The OZ Studio Boutique is a gorgeous space in a renovated storefront on Ossington Ave. The 100+ year old space has hardwood floors, exposed brick and 17feet ceilings. Evan and his partner Joseph Fuda stripped the place down to its original elements. There are industrial elements with exposed metal piping and just enough dilapidation to be cool. It was the talk of the launch including some envious retailers in the area. Evan Biddell is insistent that the space is not the Evan Biddell store. It’s part gallery, boutique, event space and photography studio. Evan Biddell has partnered with photographer Joseph Fuda to redefine the boutique experience and created an artist’s showroom unlike anything Toronto has to offer – combining a modern concept fashion gallery and photo studio located on the bustling Ossington strip. The Biddell Spring 2010 collection is the first installation in the Boutique and available for purchase. The entire collection is displayed on dress forms instead of the traditional clothing rack. The Biddell Fall 2009 collection hangs off the stainless steel wall with …

Lanvin ♥ Acne 2010

Lanvin ♥ Acne 2010

The Lanvin Acne denim collaboration that started with the Spring 2009 collection continues. It must be a yearly endeavor because I was wondering when the next update would be. It looks like they cut out the Men’s version of the line as I don’t see it on the shop.acnestudios.com website. I really like the draped denim dress, they really look like Lanvin pieces I don’t think Holt Renfrew will be stocking this season of Lanvin ♥ Acne after seeing how many pieces were left at Now or Never time and Last Call. But I will confirm for sure. You can purchase the Lanvin ♥ Acne 2010 collection at the Acne Online Shop. images: shop.acnestudios.com

Balenciaga Fall 2010 Shoes

Footwear trends from Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 from the shoe buyers

I love it when the Footwear News asks the buyers their opinions of the collections. I’m always interested in what the buyers/retailers think of the collections. For the last few seasons I’ve been posting about shoe buyer’s feelings on the show. Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 is no exception. New York Todd Hanshaw, Fashion Director, Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Strongest Trends: • Ankle booties • Fur • Ladylike, refined styles “Must-Carry” Styles : • High-heel ankle booties • Flat-sole sandals Shifts in Buying Strategy: “We are absolutely growing our budget and getting behind the point of view that we represent in the stores.” Liz Rodbell, EVP & GMM of apparel, accessories, shoes & cosmetics, Lord & Taylor Strongest Trends: • Military- and utility-inspired boots • Laceups and ankle booties on a wedge or platform • Oxfords and suede platforms “Must-Carry” Styles: • Lace-up boots • Booties • Clogs Ones to Watch: “Key designers to watch are Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and Max Azria.” Shifts in Buying Strategy: “Our buying strategy remains consistent. The market looks …

TEFW – Philip Sparks Fall Winter 2010 – 2011

Didn’t get a chance to attend Philip Sparks’ Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 show? Well they have produced a great runway video of the show that includes close ups of the outfits. I’m an unabashed Philip Sparks fan so it’s pretty hard for him not to please me. I love the Philip Sparks sailor and what great models to represent him. The presentation format was excellent. I like the half runway half installation idea and it was a nice change up. The attention to detail is always excellent and the Burroughes Building once again served as a fantastic backdrop. I was so happy to see my favourite model David C from Elmer. The last time I saw him I was at Elmer Olsen’s Christmas party. David was going to Europe for the men’s collections. I told him I hoped to see him on my computer screen. I nearly spewed coffee over my monitor when he turned up in the Alexander McQueen fall 2010 collection. Holy Shit, David walked McQueen. I later found out that David …

Steve Nash Harry magazine cover - spring 2010

Steve Nash on the cover of Harry Magazine

Harry Magazine, the award-winning publication by Harry Rosen Inc., will feature one of Canada’s top all-time athletes, Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns point guard and a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player – on its cover and in a six-page feature and photo spread in the Spring 2010 issue, being mailed today. I have a weakness for Steve Nash. I didn’t know it when I first saw him years ago. I was a huge basketball head. I played in high school religiously. I loved amateur ball and March Madness was my thing.  I thought about trying out for York U’s team but decided to do Track and Field instead. I became a licensed referee during my last year of high school and did that for a few years. I still remember my little black and grey outfit, black runners and my Fox40 whistle. Rounding out my basketball knowledge resulted in learning the table, the scorekeeping table. I’ve performed all the jobs on a standard setup: timer, scorekeeper and statistician. The hardest job was the statistician by …