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I want – I got’s Top Picks for Nuit Blanche 2013: Chromatherapy

I want - I got's Top Picks for Nuit Blanche 2013: Chromatherapy

I want – I got’s Top Picks for Nuit Blanche 2013: Chromatherapy

Are you dressing on the same wavelengths as your inner palette? Are you ready to discover the right hue for a new you?

Whether it’s mastering the art of throwing shade, or learning how to achieve high level spectrum dressing, #CHROMATHERAPY promises to interpret your colour and style personality via an immersive, vibrant journey through the colour wheel.

Co-led by licensed chromatherapists @REERAW and @FINALFASHION,
this live media spectacle invites participants to be a part of a latenight #SNBTOstreet level infomercial. Join us to get feel-good advice on how to dress in harmony with the way you live and the person you truly are.

Through the transformative powers of silken chakra chroma draping techniques and fashion illustration futurisms, this talk-show-meets-hawk-show will delve deep into the style sub-consciousness of Toronto, uncovering life-changing revelations, one outfit at a time.

#CHROMATHERAPY is an upcoming site- and social-specific
performance by REA MCNAMARA and DANIELLE MEDER for NUIT
BLANCHE 2013, Toronto’s annual free all-night contemporary art event. It is an art project curated by EARL MILLER for the QUEEN ST. WEST BIA’s “OUT OF SITE 2013” group exhibition.

WHERE: PROPER RESERVE (498 Queen St. West).
WHEN: Saturday, October 5, 2013, from 6:51pm to sunrise.

I want – I got’s Top Picks for Nuit Blanche 2013: Philip Sparks Bespoke Bow Tie Shop

Philip Sparks Bespoke Bow Tie Shop

Philip Sparks Bespoke Bow Tie Shop

To celebrate Nuit Blanche, the Philip Sparks shop will be converted into a bespoke bow tie workshop on Saturday, October 5. Between 7 pm and midnight, Sparks and his studio team will be taking custom neckwear orders from shoppers and cutting, stitching and pressing them up on the spot.

“Our focus this season has been on highlighting that our menswear and womenswear is proudly made in Toronto,” says Sparks. “This event is an opportunity for customers to see local manufacturing in action and order a one-of-a-kind piece made just for them.”

The installation will also mark the launch of a new, premium bespoke service available through the store. Unlike many other made-to-order offerings, Philip Sparks tailors collaborate with customers to develop coats, suits and shirting from scratch with personalized design and material sourcing and multiple fitting appointments.

Philip Sparks Bespoke Bow Tie Shop
Saturday, October 5, 7 pm to midnight
162 Ossington Avenue (side entrance off Foxley Street)

Hermes Festival des Metiers at The Design Exchange – October 2 – 6, 2013

Hermès Festival des Métiers at The Design Exchange - October 2 - 6, 2013

Hermès Festival des Métiers at The Design Exchange – October 2 – 6, 2013

Hermès Festival des Métiers at The Design Exchange – October 2 – 6, 2013
Hermès proudly celebrates both the passion and perfection of the work of its artisans with the Festival des Métiers in Toronto from October 2 – October 6, 2013 at the Design Exchange. This engaging cultural exhibition provides a fascinating insight into the longstanding traditions and values of Hermès in the crafting of fine objects defined by an uncompromising commitment to the highest standards of quality. The exhibition features intimate behind-the-scenes demonstrations by masterful craftspeople from the renowned Hermès workshops in France, illustrating the methods in which products are painstakingly made-by-hand using techniques passed from generation to generation.

Admission to Festival des Métiers is free.

October 2 – 6, 2013, 11am – 7pm Daily.

Location: Design Exchange — 234 Bay Street

Website: www.dx.org

Fashion & Textiles Trivia Night – September 25, 2013

Fashion & Textiles Trivia Night - September 25, 2013

Fashion & Textiles Trivia Night – September 25, 2013

Fashion & Textiles Trivia Night – September 25, 2013

Venue: Fox’s Den, 1075 Bay St.
Time: 7 PM

What is Batik?
What is Diane Von Furstenberg best known for?
Which British inventor patented the first workable sewing machine?
Silk comes from worms, but which part of the worm produces the silk threads?
Who is credited with inventing the Little Black Dress?

Strut your stuff and show off your fashion and textiles know how.
Hosted by Curator Sarah Fee

No pressure, it’s all fun. Questions range from easy to challenging with teams competing for bragging rights.
You could achieve the status of student all the way up to curator!
So grab a beer, join a team and prepare for a good time.

Contact
416-586-5797
programs@rom.on.ca

I’m in the Toronto Life Stylebook Fall 2013 Edition

Toronto Life Stylebook Fall 2013

Toronto Life Stylebook Fall 2013

I have a little feature in the Fall 2013 Toronto Life Stylebook. They approached me to discuss my beauty routine and what new products I’m looking forward to this fall. I give shout outs to some of my favourite beauty brands and retailers: Lancome, Chanel, Essie, Givenchy, Marni, Balenciaga, Philosophy, Concepts Salon & Spa and the Miraj Hammam Spa at The Shangri-La Hotel.

Anita Clarke by Judit García-Talavera

Anita Clarke by Judit García-Talavera for the Toronto Life Stylebook

The most surprising thing about the feature was this illustration of me. I was completely stunned. If you remember, I hated the last illustration Toronto Life commissioned of me.

Judit García-Talavera is an illustrator based in Barcelona, Spain. She is absolutely incredible and I’m not just saying that because she created a kick ass illustration of me. She’s worked with clients such as Marie Claire Spain, Telegraph’s Stella magazine, Bloomingdales, ELLE China, Teen Vogue, Gilt Group, ELLE Girl Japan, Harper’s Bazaar Spain, Stylesight, Rolling Stone Spain, Hennessy Cognac and Piaget. You can see all the rest of Judit’s work for the Fall 2013 Toronto Life Stylebook on her blog.

The Toronto Life Stylebook is in stores right now.

Hudson’s Bay Company x Converse Jack Purcell – Fall 2013

Hudson's Bay Company x Converse Jack Purcell - Fall 2013

Hudson’s Bay Company x Converse Jack Purcell – Fall 2013

Converse is killing it for Fall 2013. There is the Maison Martin Margiela collaboration and one featuring an iconic Canadian institution, Hudson’s Bay Company. Those of you that covet Hudson’s Bay Company stripes, these are the sneaker for you.

Available in the unisex Converse Jack Purcell, Duck Boot and women’s only Helen silhouettes, each style embodies the Hudson’s Bay Company wool point blanket stripes, with features such as threaded stitching and antique brass eyelets, and the Jack Purcell and Hudson’s Bay logos on the foot bed. These silhouettes also carry an official “Seal of Quality” maintaining the authenticity of Hudson’s Bay Company. Additionally, the Jack Purcell Duck features a leather collar and heel stay, as well as embroidery on the tongue of the shoe, creating an elevated style that merges these two iconic brands. (source: Press Release)

The Converse x Hudson’s Bay Company Jack Purcell collection is available exclusively at Hudson’s
Bay Stores and will retail for $120-140.

Honeymania Collection by The Body Shop

Honeymania by The Body Shop

Honeymania by The Body Shop

It’s been over a decade since I’ve shopped at The Body Shop. In university, I was obsessed with their fragrances and the colourful glycerin soaps. Other brands caught my eyes over the years and I moved away from The Body Shop. Fast forward to now and a package from The Body Shop arrives at my door.

They are launching a new product line called Honeymania. They have partnered with Beza Mar beekeepers in the remote Sheva rainforest in Ethiopian highlands to bring community fair trade honey to incorporate into the Honeymania product line. The beekeepers work with the bee’s natural cycle and use traditional techniques so that their use of the bees and the rainforest is sustainable. The hand harvested honey is food grade and it’s sold by luxury brands as table honey.

Launching in stores on October 7, 2013, Honeymania will feature Lip Balm, Soap, Shower Gel, Body Butter, Bubble Bath Melt, Body Scrub and Eau de Toilette. Each product has a delicate scent with notes of floral honey blossoms and sweet honey. The collection ranges in price from $4 to $20.

I didn’t have any intention of trying the Honeymania collection at first but then I ran out of moisturizer and body butter was sitting right there. I’ve never really liked heavy moisturizers like Body Butter because I prefer them to be light and quickly absorbed. Honey is one of my rare food dislikes. I don’t use it as a sweetener and never in tea. When honey is incorporated into foods I don’t mind. I’m not the biggest fan of the way honey smells either, too sickly sweet to me and that a big turn off.

Thankfully, Honeymania doesn’t smell sickly sweet. The press kit was right and the scent is delicate, not overpowering. Body Shop’s Body Butters are known for their hydration and this product continues with that heritage. The butter was easily absorbed into the skin quickly and wasn’t greasy. Those two features are a must when it comes to moisturizers. I hate greasy hands. I fell in love with the Honeymania Body Butter at the Greta Constantine pool party. A friend approached me at the bar and began commenting on my legs and how great they looked. He specifically mentioned that they gave off this great healthy glow. This was the first time I’ve ever heard this kind of compliment on my legs. It’s the Body Butter I exclaimed, I can’t believe it. I knew then I had a new product to add to my routine. That’s how easy it is to get my seal of approval, appeal to my vanity. 🙂

I also enjoy the Honeymania glycerin soap. It comes in a cute honeycomb shape that makes you want to keep it in your bathroom for years like a grandmother. The soap is also lightly scented which makes it really pleasant to use. Honeymania Body Butter is $20 and the soap is $4. The Honeymania collection is available online right now but you’ll have to wait a few weeks to see the products in store.

images: courtesy of The Body Shop

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela – Fall 2013

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela - Fall 2013

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela – Fall 2013

I talked about changing up my shoe game but Converse keeps calling me back. This collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela is pretty awesome.

“Converse is thrilled to partner with Maison Martin Margiela. The collection perfectly embodies each
brand’s spirit of individuality and self-expression unifying Converse and Margiela’s conviction of
unleashing creativity,” says Matt Sleep, Converse Senior First String Designer.(source: Press Release)

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela - Fall 2013

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela – Fall 2013

The first-time Converse Maison Martin Margiela collaboration features the Chuck Taylor All Star and the Jack Purcell sneakers, each completely hand-painted in Maison Martin Margiela’s iconic white paint. Covering all canvas, eyelets, laces and soles, they naturally crack and shed their outer coat of paint to reveal the original colors beneath.(source: Press Release)

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela - Fall 2013

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela – Fall 2013

“The Maison has always been obsessed with white; it is used as a layer to give an incognito feeling. A sort of poetry, with the passage of time, the shoe asserts itself,” says Maison Martin Margiela.(source: Press Release)

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela - Fall 2013

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela – Fall 2013

There are four colour ways available: red, black, navy and Margiela-exclusive vintage yellow. This limited edition collection are availalbe at Margiela stores and select Converse retailers. They retail for $200USD/200€.

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela - Fall 2013

Converse x Maison Martin Margiela – Fall 2013

images: converse.com

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with New Balance and Palladium

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with Palladium

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with Palladium

Fall weather means parting with my sandals and covering up with closed toe shoes. My sneaker collection loves fall because I forget about them in the summer and they sit unused. Normally my sneaker game consists of Tretorns and Chucks of various styles. I have a thing for high tops and I have my Vegas Adidas and a great pair of Alexander McQueen for Puma kicking around too. This fall I wanted to change the silhouette up in my shoe game and that came in Palladium and New Balance form.

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with Palladium

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with Palladium

Palladium is a French company started in 1920. Their famous Pampa boot was born in 1947 and the French Legion adapted them for their use. I’ve been receiving their press releases for a few years now but never saw the shoes in person. That changed this summer when I went to a Fall Winter 2013 preview. I really like the shape of the shoes and the different treatments they came in. Palladium loves colour and you can find the perfect colour for you in canvas or leather. Lucky for me, Palladium sent me a pair of Blanc Hi’s in Dream Blue in the summer. With the weather changing, I’ve finally got to put them to good use. I was initially concerned that they might not be comfortable. I always wear orthotics with my Chucks because the sole offers no support. The Blanc Hi’s were super comfortable and I didn’t need to wear my orthotics with them. The colour is perfect right now and I’m afraid of them getting too dirty. I got my eyes on the Blanc Hi in red leather now.

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with New Balance

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with New Balance

I bought these New Balance sneakers because they were on sale at The Hudson’s Bay for $36 (I know, what a deal!). New Balance has always gotten positive buzz from people and I always loved that they liked to add a fashionable colour element to their design. I wanted a camo pair of New Balance but they weren’t on sale so I decided for these purple one. Wearing these New Balance sneakers was an adjustment to me. I never wear sport shoes out in public, only at the gym. Well, I’ve made an exception for New Balance. These are the most comfortable pair of sport shoes I’ve ever owned and when those camo ones go on sale, I’ll be buying them for my collection. If you are into customization, New Balance offers that service online and you can create the pair of your dreams.

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with New Balance

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with New Balance – And yes this post was a perfect reason to use this photo

I haven’t figured out how to pair these sneakers with dresses yet and I don’t think I’ll ever find that sweet spot. Right now I’m keeping it very casual with rolled up denim as you can see in my photos. You can purchase both New Balance and Palladium on their respective online sites. I find New Balance fits small and I needed an 8.5 instead of my usual 8. Palladium fit true to size. However, if you want to try them on you can find New Balance in a ton of stores besides The Hudson’s Bay. Palladium you can find at places like Over the Rainbow and Town Shoes.