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Kara Ross Spring Summer 2013 Preview

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Kara Ross Spring Summer 2013 Preview

Kara Ross Spring Summer 2013 Preview

Kara Ross is Queen of the exotic skins. This award winning designer is known for her luxury clutches made of out of a colourful assortment of skins like lizard, python, alligator and ostrich finished with a clasped made from coloured stones. Kara is a certified GIA gemologist and she puts that experience into her handbag and jewellery designs.

Kara Ross Spring Summer 2013 Preview

Kara Ross Spring Summer 2013 Preview

To compliment the skins, Kara uses mother-of-pearl, labradorite, black onyx, rock crystal and hematite gemstones. Kara by Kara Ross jewellery uses alternative materials like jet, marcasite, lava, wood and chalcedony to create her statement making jewellery in addition to traditional materials like resin, crystal, Malachite, Lapis, Tiger’s Eye, Amethyst, Turquoise and Onyx.

Kara Ross Spring Summer 2013 Preview

Kara Ross Spring Summer 2013 Preview

I attended a preview of the Spring Summer 2013 Kara Ross Handbags and Kara by Kara Ross Jewellery. It was the first time I got a look at the product in person and I’m such a fan of the handbags. I love the Art Deco inspiration in the shape and the clasp design. The skins are so unique and colourful with all kinds of colour combinations including neon available. I’m the lucky owner of a neon pink python Electra clutch (thanks to Kelly Claman Company) and I love it. It’s the perfect statement piece for a completely black outfit but I’m also looking forward to doing some crazy colour blocking in the summer. I’m thinking of paring it with my neon yellow dress and pink cork platform heels.

Kara by Kara Ross is available online at eluxe.ca and The Bay or in store at Holt Renfrew (Made a mistake about Holts, Ursula B in Montreal also carries Kara Ross).

Zara.com Now Shipping to Canada or I’ll Never Step Foot into a Zara Store Again

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It’s absolute genius at how Zara can make every single piece of clothing look desirable on their newly launched Canadian ecommerce site. I’m floored. Zara is my favourite of the fast fashion shops but nothing ever looks this good in the store. That’s right folks, you can get Zara shipped to your door anywhere in Canada starting March 6, 2013.

To celebrate the launch Zara blanketed the city with $150 gift card according to all the tweets and Instagram post I saw last week. I too received this lovely gift which allowed the recipient to shop at Zara.com ahead of the national launch on March 6th.

Zara does everything right when it comes to a great online experience. My key indicators are as follows:

  • Easy to Navigate – Must have a simple, intuitive menu system
  • No animation or auto playing music
  • Simple, uncluttered interface with lots of white space
  • Multiple large, high resolution photos of the item from many angles including a detail shot
  • On figure and off figure images
  • Fabric description and composition
  • Item dimensions if applicable
  • Cleaning instructions
  • Easy to find Help information which is extensive and detailed
  • Country of Manufacture
  • Description of the garment
  • Description of the fit – For example, True to Size, True to Brand Sizing, etc.
  • Description of the fit as related to the model
  • Detailed Sizing Chart
  • Email notifications at each stage of the process
  • Multiple choices for payment – Credit Cards, Interact, Paypal
  • Shipping Tracking Information
  • Beautiful packaging

Zara.com delivers on many of this list. The shipping options are very good too. Free for orders over $50 and in store pick up (3-6 days). Regular shipping (3-6 days) is $4.95 and express (2-3 days) is $9.95, both very reasonable. Returns are free or you can go to your local Zara.

So what did I buy:

Zara Tunic Dress

Zara Tunic Dress

Tunic Dress

Zara Balloon Sleeve Top

Zara Balloon Sleeve Top

Balloon Sleeve Top

Amazing thing is that I didn’t want to return anything. My two items were exactly what I expected. I placed my order on February 28 and I received the package on March 4. My Zara online experience was so good that I’m going to forgo the store entirely unless it’s to return something. I’m saying by to the neverending changeroom lines, surly staff and overwhelming, unorganized stores.

images: zara.com

Chatting with I want – I got at The Spoke Club and Soho House

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March is the month of panel discussions for me, I have two. Unfortunately, they are a private member clubs but if you are a member of either establishment bring some non member friends and come out. UPDATE: I’ve added start times 🙂

Le Cercle Montparnasse - The Spoke Club - Wednesday, Mar 6 2013

Le Cercle Montparnasse – The Spoke Club – Wednesday, Mar 6 2013

Le Cercle Montparnasse – Wednesday, Mar 6 2013 at 8pm

Inspired by the dynamic conversations between artists in the early 20th century Paris that were the catalyst for over 100 years of creativity, this inaugural event features our Cultural Curator Raji Aujla as she sits in conversation with some of Toronto’s most loved online fashion writers, Anita Clarke, Hannah Yakobi, Jen McNeely and Sharad Mohan.

Spoke Club
600 King Street West
Toronto

If you are a member of The Spoke club you can rsvp for this event on the Spoke Club website.

Soho House Toronto - March 12, 2013

Soho House Toronto – March 12, 2013

Soho House Toronto – March 12, 2013 at 7pm

A cross section of current cultural contributors encouraging commentary on the cultivation of contemporary Canadian creativity.

Examining commanding culture and technology, this first evening convenes with pop culture and fashion expert Elio Iannacci, online fashion writer Anita Clarke, contemporary art expert, critic and blogger Andrea Carson, and CGI artist Alex McLeod. To conduct the casual Q&A, painter Katie Pretti connects and contextualizes the panel as they comment on concepts like immediate gratification and technology’s effect on fine arts and fashion industries.

Soho House Toronto
Bishop’s Building
192 Adelaide Street West

If you are a member of Soho House you can rvsp by logging into houseseven.com

i want: Printed Cotton Viscose Raffia Dress by Mary Katrantzou

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Mary Katrantzou Printed Cotton Viscose Raffia Dress

Mary Katrantzou Printed Cotton Viscose Raffia Dress

Mary Katrantzou has moved away from crazy prints for fall winter 2013 so we better get in our love with the spring summer 2013 season. I love this shirt dress with detachable pull on tunic. I love the design of stamps and money.

Mary Katrantzou Printed Cotton Viscose Raffia Dress

Mary Katrantzou Printed Cotton Viscose Raffia Dress

The dress was available on Luisaviaroma but it’s sold out.

images: lyst.com

Kania Spring Summer 2013 Lookbook

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Kania Spring Summer 2013

Kania Spring Summer 2013

I enjoyed opening the Kania Spring Summer 2013 lookbook, the images are beautiful. Kania is the brainchild of Ottawa based Stacey Bafi-Yeboa. She is a former Broadway dancer and that experience heavily influences her designs. Kania is designed and manufactured in Canada. The Spring Summer 2013 Kania collection is called Tropical Luxuriance. Stacey brought in Tanzanian model, Herieth Paul who moved to Ottawa when she was 14.

Kania Spring Summer 2013

Kania Spring Summer 2013

Welcome to a world where fashion meets dance and where fantasy is reality. A private island where you can escape the ordinary and be submersed in luxury. Steamy nights and hot summer days rule your world. You’ll sense the relaxed beauty of the Caribbean and be transformed into the glamour of an African queen. As you step into paradise you’re ready to let go, to let loose, to be noticed, to be free. Is it a dream? No … you’ve just entered the island of KANIA… get ready to experience…TROPICAL LUXURIANCE(source: press release)

Kania Spring Summer 2013

Kania Spring Summer 2013

Stacey’s dance background is evident in the clothing. Everything is sexy but comfortable looking. Stacey began her design career when friends started to request the outfits she made for dance auditions. Kania is available online at kania.ca and in Toronto at Shopgirls and Any Direct Flight.

images: courtesy of Kania

Banana Republic x Mad Men Spring Summer 2013

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Banana Republic x Mad Men Spring Summer 2013

Banana Republic x Mad Men Spring Summer 2013

The Banana Republic x Mad Men collection is back and I have to admit it’s lasted longer than I expected. This season is my favourite of this collaboration. I think it’s because of the 60s influence and the print heavy collection. The collection has Canadians stamped all over it. The collection was inspired by Jessica Pare’s character Megan and Coco Rocha is heading up the advertising campaign.

Banana Republic x Mad Men Spring Summer 2013

Banana Republic x Mad Men Spring Summer 2013

“With a new era of fashion inspiration, the design process was exciting for us and allowed for lots of creativity, which is completely visible in the end result,” said Simon Kneen, Banana Republic Creative Director and Executive Vice President. “We took Janie’s mod inspiration for the costumes on-screen and translated it in a way that today’s Don or Megan will aspire to wear.”(source: press release)

Banana Republic x Mad Men Spring Summer 2013

Banana Republic x Mad Men Spring Summer 2013

“In my work with Simon for the Banana Republic ‘Mad Men’ Spring 2013 collection, the spirit and fashion-forward thinking we see on-screen in Megan was really inspirational for the capsule,” said Bryant. “I am excited about what we’ve done together, and I know that Banana Republic customers and ‘Mad Men’ fans are going to be thrilled with our new collection this spring.”(source: press release)

Banana Republic x Mad Men Spring Summer 2013

Banana Republic x Mad Men Spring Summer 2013

The collection is available now Banana Republic stores and online at www.bananarepublic.ca.

images: courtesy of Gap Inc

Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014

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Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 - 2014

Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014

I usually only post about my favourite collections of the fashion weeks. The Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 collection a favourite not because I loved most of the looks. It’s a favourite because Mary did something I didn’t expect this season, she changed. I’ve anticipated this move since the Katrantzou print influence took over the fashion world.

Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 - 2014

Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014

The typical Katrantzou print was out and photos by Edward Steichen, Clarence White, and Alfred Stieglitz were in. She explored new, angular shapes with some Japanese influences and toned down the colour. There was a lot of black in the collection. I appreciate the risks she took with this collection. The backstage photos posted on the Mary Katrantzou Facebook page should change anyone’s opinion of the collection, it’s just beautiful.

“I wanted to step back from color and print and contemplate shapes and silhouettes. It was important for me to take that time,” she said. It was the first season we draped on the stand in a very complex way.” (source)

Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 - 2014

Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014

Mary has commercial avenues with her five-year old business now so she can take these risks on the runway.Vogue Magazine has a shortened video of all the Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 fall runway looks.

images: style.com

i want: Worksong by Cat Footwear

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Worksong by Cat Footwear

Worksong by Cat Footwear

Seems like this summer is going to be good from my brogue collection. I love the Worksong style from Cat Footwear’s Spring Summer 2013 collection. The purple and blue one are my favourite but if you want something more subdued they have you covered.

Worksong by Cat Footwear

Worksong by Cat Footwear

They will be available for purchase for $129.99 starting March 29, 2013 online at catfootwear.com. The Shoe Company, Capezio and Town Shoes also carry Cat Footwear, you can find more locations on the website.

images: courtesy of Cat Footwear