I stopped by Holt Renfrew for the Greta Constantine Spring 2010 Trunk Show and Personal Appearance on Saturday. Here are some pictures I took from the event.
I also found out that I have another dress named after me by the Greta Constantine boys. It’s called the Clarke. Click the thumbnail to see the larger version.
I’m constantly amazed at how amazing 2009 has been. 2 dresses named after me, what the hell!!!!
The Greta Constantine Spring 2010 collection that will be on sale at Holt Renfrew includes a number of pieces with a more accessible price point.
I love the minimalistic nature of these Terence Koh for Converse 1HUND(RED) Artists Chuck Taylor All Stars. Unfortunately, these are for the guys. Not in my size. Boo. I’m a 5.5 Converse!
Enlisted as a contributor to the 1HUND(RED) project, Koh’s approach to the design of his shoe focused on subtraction. “I wanted to keep the DNA of the Chuck Taylor intact, while reducing the seams, and smoothing out the shoe’s surfaces as much as possible”. Terence replaced the usual curve of the ankle with a vertical construction to give the shoe a clean square look. A smoothed-out version of the signature Converse tread on the sole combines with a white on white All Star rubber license plate on the heel to round out the ultra-clean look and feel of the shoe. As a contributor to 1HUND(RED), a percentage of the net wholesale price of the shoe will go to help fight AIDS in Africa, giving consumers an opportunity to become agents of change and offering a way to turn design into power.
The Terence Koh for Converse 1HUND(RED) Artists Chuck Taylor All Star is available in a high-top, premium white leather version. The shoe launches globally on Saturday November 21st and will be available in the US at Opening Ceremony (www.openingceremony.com) in New York and Los Angeles and select retailers globally. Shoes will retail for $150 and will be available in sizes 7 – 13. via Sneaker Freaker Magazine
Necklace By Jenny Bird in Collaboration With Alexandra Weston Vintage brass Coconut shell
I was invited to 18Karat Goldsmiths for a private preview of the The Uniti Collection before it went up for auction. 18Karat is one of those stores that I’ve walked by again and again without entering. This preview would be my first exposure to the fine jewellery store. There is a working studio on site so it was fun the process of creating jewellery right in front of you. 18Karat sells pieces from local designers as well as their own custom work. I also learned that 18Karat is an 40 year old business.
Uniti Charity Auction is a collaboration between Canadian celebrities and jewellery designers that benefits the Red Door Family Shelter.
Dress Ring By Alisha Boyd in Collaboration With Athena Karkanis, Sterling silver ,Enamel ,Lab grown padparadscha sapphire
18Karat paired jewellery designers with Canadian celebrities for the Uniti Charity Auction, to create jewellery to be auctioned November 12 to 26, in support of the Red Door Family shelter.
18Karat approached Canadian jewellery designers and celebrities and asked them if they could collaborate to create a piece of jewellery that aesthetically expresses the meaning of home, family and community.
“Family homelessness and domestic violence is a cause that resonates among all,†explained Dino Giannetti, master goldsmith and co-owner of 18Karat. “Creating the Uniti Collection and collaborating with so many artists in support of the Red Door Family Shelter has been a wonderful experience, and an opportunity for us all to give to the community in a unique way.â€
Celebrities rallying their time and inspiration to developing the Uniti Collection include:
Alexandra Weston and the Weston Family, fashion icons
World Figure Skating Champion, Elvis Stojko
Actors Gordon and Leah Pinsent
Breakfast Television hosts Dina Pugliese and Jennifer Valentyne
Singer-song writer Justin Hines
Jonas Chernick and Athena Karkanis, stars of CBC TV’s The Border
Country music star Aaron Pritchett
Degrassi: The Next Generation stars Raymond Ablack and Paula Brancati
Jewellery was co-created by the following designers: Meghan Schnarr; Amy Kovach; Kim Drosdick; Samatha Hawkes; Dino Giannetti; Therese Cruz; Vanessa Laurin; Darlene Martin; Suzanne Crudden; Alisha Boyd; Jenny Bird; and Shelly Purdy.
It was really neat to get a chance to see the collection in person and touch it. I have some favourite pieces they are shown in this post.
Rose Quartz and Onyx Pendant By Vanessa Laurin (Designer) and Dino Giannetti (Goldsmith) in Collaboration With Elvis Stojko, 18 Karat gold, Rose, quartz, Rhodonite, Black onyx
I was drawn to this piece the most. It’s very art deco. Vanessa is the person who contacted me so I found it amusing that I liked her piece the best.
The Uniti Collection can be previewed in person at 18Karat Goldsmiths, 275 Dundas Street West from November 12 to 26, 2009 or online at www.uniti.ca. It’s on till the 26th.
I wasn’t very excited about attending the Frocktail Party to be honest. I wasn’t planning to bid on any dresses but I was covering it for the blog. I’m really, really glad I went as it turned out to be a really good time. The DJ was playing good music and I ended up dancing the night away with friends and designers.
This was the first annual Frocktail Party and all the proceeds from the silent auction when to Juvenile Diabetes research. The auction consisted of donated designer dresses in immaculate condition.
Many people were surprised I didn’t bid for anything. I took one look at where the clothing was setup and I didn’t want to deal. It was packed with people and the lighting was terrible. Some people got some great deals and I know someone who got a Gucci strapless floor length gown for $150 dollars! I bet the material costs more than that.
Way back in October I was asked to appear in a TDot TV spot which talked about the Model Behaviour window display at Le Chateau. The tagline is “Famous Runway Icons Immortalized as Mannequins.” The windows are a tribute to those women who broke ground in the industry and changed things like Pat Cleveland, Kate Moss, Twiggy, Tyra Banks and Erin O’Conner. Le Chateau are one of the few retailers in the city that still produce window displays. Thank god for that.
I find retail visuals fascinating. Yes, the Holt Renfrew Blogger Windows helped push that fascination to the edge but I had a genuine interest before that. I really would like to see how a project gets put together from beginning to end. It sounds like a lot of fun, looks like a hell of a lot of work and is so creative. I got to speak to senior members of the visual team at length during the shooting. I was enthralled learning about mannequins and one of my favourite photographers, James at Mannequin Display.
And here is the TDot TV spot. The picture quality is unbelievable but watch the sound, it starts a little loud.
It’s been a hellish 3 days. I’ve learned how much this blog means to me. I’ve also learned that it’s time to get a better foundation under the house of I want – I got. There will be some backend changes and hopefully none that affect your I want – I got browsing pleasure.
LG Fashion Week this year featured something pretty neat. Toronto got its own edition of the Fashion Week Daily. I was obsessed with this mag when I was in NYC for the Spring 2008 collection. I’m not sure if the magazine was available anywhere else but the tents. It came out towards the end of LG Fashion Week and I was really impressed with their turnaround time. I’ve scanned the magazine, sans ads, so that you can enjoy it.
