Latest Posts

Ask A Geek – Canadian Brands Making Winter Coats – Updated November 13, 2012

Published by

Cdn Spirit Down Jacket
Sometimes readers ask me questions. If they are of value to all my readers I post them online. If you have a question, please feel free to submit it using the contact form. I’ll definitely do my best to answer it.

I want – I got reader @ThebergeSwim tweeted:

@ThebergeSwim - @geekigirl I’m looking 4 a warm winter coat Preferably fashionable & NOT black. Would like to support local designer #ThebergemovestoToronto
Me – @ThebergeSwim budget?
@ThebergeSwim - @geekigirl four to six hundred. Possibly a lil more if totally awesome.

Fashionable and functional are trade off that has to be made for a Canadian winter. I tend to side with function during this time of year. My recommendation is buy a long down jacket so you don’t have to layer as much. However, here’s a selection of Canadian companies with winter jackets and coats that will cover both spectrums and between.  Some of these companies might not have fall offerings online yet, but should soon.

RUDSAK – Lots of leather options here. Montreal based but has a store on Queen Street West.

Moose Knuckles Canada – Moose Knuckles is outside of your budget but I included it because it’s Canadian.

Canada Goose. – I bash the Canada Goose a lot.  Not because of it’s function, I can say that it’s a great winter jacket.  My problem is that it seems like everyone in Toronto has one.  I call it the Toronto uniform.  I guess I just have a problem with conformity.  However, many Retailers carry the Goose including sportinglife.ca, Canadianicons.ca, Holt Renfrew and Over the Rainbow.

Downtown Down – Both Cdn Spirit and Johnny Yiu can be purchased on Downtown Down. I purchased a Cdn Spirit down jacket a few winters ago and it’s amazing.

Mackage – Montreal based but they are carried at Holt Renfrew, Over the Rainbow and online at ssense.com

Orb Clothing – Vancouver based clothing company. Makes great winter jackets for snowsports as well as more casual options. I wore an Orb jacket during my trip to Whistler this year.

Mountain Equipment Co-op – Definitely more on the functional side but affordable.

TNA – TNA down jackets were the Canada Goose of their time with young women and teens. They aren’t as popular anymore but you’ll still see a lot of people with them. You can get these at a TNA store or Aritiza.

Soia & Kyo – More fashion than function here. If you aren’t looking for a down jacket there are lot of options here.

m0851 – Another company with great leather products. They have a store in Yorkville.

Danier – Can’t forget Danier, they’ve really upped the style quotient of late.

Joe Fresh – I don’t know how warm their down jackets are but they do make very affordable ones in bright colours. Store at Queen and Bathurst

Krane – Amazing menswear by Toronto based Ken Chow. I think women can pull the jackets off too.

Philip Sparks – I’m currently dying over this Philip Sparks coat.

UPDATE: The moron in me forgot a great Canadian Coat company, Smythe

Updates August 5, 2011
Stacey Zhang – She also has a store on Queen Street West Store on Queen street has closed. Online Shopping available on her website.

CMFR Canada – There are no retail outlets for these guys listed on the site and no online store as of yet. They have a ton of stockist now. Due West, Sydney’s, Ssense.com.

LUNDSTRÖM

Updates August 6, 2011
Ewanika – She usually has 1 or 2 styles of coats in her fall collection.

Update May 1, 2012 – This post is in dire need of a update.

Sentaler Luxury Alpaca Outerwear – Thanks for nudge to update this post

Company of Adventures – This link is dead but it’s sold at The Bay.

Toast Skirts – Not a coat really but still good for cold weather

Update November 4, 2012

OSC Cross – Designed and made in Canada. Available online

PDG by Plenty – West coast retailers house brand. Available online. Retail locations in BC

Nobis – available at The Show Room and online.

Fadedsoul.com – Just discovered this Canadian online shop where you can find brands Nobis and Moose Knuckles

Jacob – Has a selection of wool and down filled coats. Available in store and online

Update November 13, 2012

A reader let me know about Montreal based Sicily Clothing. I never heard of them before but they look like another good alternative to the Goose

Well, I think I’m tapped out of ideas but I feel I’m missing companies. Let me know in the comments!

Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Ad Campaign

Published by

Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (3)

I like the Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Ad Campaign and I don’t. I love that Mariacarla Boscono and Naomi Campbell are participating but the expressions in the photos seem a little forced. I’m usually a Givenchy die hard but the fall winter 2011 – 2012 season wasn’t appealing to me. Doesn’t make much sense since I usually love cat imagery.
Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (4)
Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (5)

The men’s campaign is better executed.

Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (6)

Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (1)

Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (2)

Behind the Scenes video Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Ad Campaign

Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 fashion show

images: theFashionSpot.com

Lanvin Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Ad Campaign

Published by

Lanvin Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (1)

My favourite ad campaign of the fall winter 2011 – 2012 season is Lanvin.
Lanvin Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (3)
There is something about the symmetry and movement in these shots that makes me smile. Raquel Zimmermann and Karen Elson are fantastic models and are some of my favourites.
Lanvin Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (5)
Of course the fall winter 2011 – 2012 collection from Lanvin is gorgeous.
Lanvin Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (2)

Lanvin Fall Winter 2011 - 2012 Ad Campaign (4)

Watch the Lanvin Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 fashion show

Backstage at Lanvin Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 fashion show

images: thefashionspot.com

i want: Printed stretch-satin bodysuit by Dolce & Gabbana 

Published by

Printed stretch-satin bodysuit by Dolce & Gabbana 
I think my love of difficult clothing like jumpsuits and rompers is making things like bodysuits seems reasonable again. I used to wear a lot of bodysuits in the early 90s. I haven’t touched one since then but this printed stretch-satin bodysuit by Dolce & Gabbana has me craving again. They have a lot of coverage, like a 50s swimsuit and I could see myself pairing it with this sheer Jeremy Laing skirt I picked up this summer.

images: net-a-porter.com

i want: Lanvin Convertible Handbags

Published by

Lanvin has some great convertible handbags in their pre-fall collection. The Dear Danae Convertible is made from washed-leather and python. The python oversized clutch is removable

The Dear Danae Cabas is a slouchy leather shoulder bag.  The detachable clutch is just one of the many ways you can wear and use this handbag.

 

images: net-a-porter.com

SHOWstudio does Spring Summer 2011 Haute Couture

Published by


The guys from SHOWstudio shoot model, Ming Xi in various iconic pieces from the Spring Summer 2011 Haute Couture collections. Designers featured include Jean Paul Gaultier, Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, and John Galliano for Christian Dior. I’ve embedded the fashion film featuring Ming Xi here on the site but I urge you to check out the SHOWstudio site because each Haute Couture look get an in depth video treatment like the Givenchy one I posted a couple weeks ago. These videos give you an up close look at the dresses and talks about significant design details. Plus, there is an interesting interview with Ming.

The Machine

Published by

The Machine is another creepy video I recently viewed. It’s not fashion related like the
Miu Miu FW2011 Film “MUTA” by Lucrecia Martel but still well done. A feeling of dread stuck with me after the first time I watched it.

“The Machine” is an animated fable following the path of an innocently forged mechanical creature. As his independence and knowledge of the world grows on his journey, as does his desire to conquer all that we encounters, from the pastures of a farmer to the realm of man’s entire world.

Geekiviews: Rockport with adiPRENE by Adidas

Published by

IMG-20110620-01018.jpg

Earlier in the summer I was sent a pair of Rockport sandals to test out. Rockport isn’t a brand I would normally wear but Adidas has partnered with them and have added the adiPRENE technology to make shoes more comfortable. I’ve had a passing interest in technology like this and wrote about Nike and Cole Haan’s collaboration efforts in the past. The technology has two parts: adiPRENE absorbs shock during walking in the heel and adiPRENE+ pushes on the ball of your foot to create a spring in your step.

The selections of shoes presented to me were definitely not my style as they were too tame and too uninspiring. I don’t look at this as a problem for Rockport because I’m really not their target market. The look of shoe usually trumps any comfort aspirations I have. I’m willing to suffer for fashion in many instances. There are many women who can’t wear the heels I do and are looking for something comfortable but not ugly. While I find Rockport’s adiPRENE selection a little uninspiring, there are shoes that can be incorporated in many wardrobes easily.

IMG-20110620-01019.jpg

I finally decided on the Audry Quarter Strap Woven sandal in Coral. They say the colour is coral but it looks a lot like burnt orange to me. The colour is a great addition to my shoe wardrobe and adds a great pop of colour to outfits. They have a tiny platform at 0.8 cm and a small heel at 3.34. They seem like kitten heels to me compared to some of the crazy high shoes I currently own. I really do wish the heel was just an inch taller.

The sandal may lack in fashion forward style but they are amazingly comfortable. I joke that they are almost like wearing running shoes. The adiPRENE technology does a great job of making these shoes that you could wear all day and night. I’ve done this and can attest to it. At $140 these sandals won’t break the bank and your feet will probably thank you.

i want: Neff Zub ZenV 20 by Nooka

Published by

Neff Zub ZenV 20 by Nooka

There is something about the Neff Zub ZenV20 by Nooka x Neff collaboration watch that I just love. I think it’s the little smiley face.  Nooka has gotten love from I want – I got back in the early days.  They are an innovative watch company that has an interesting take on the digital timepiece.  Neff is a California based headwear company focusing on the skate/snow/surf industries.

Neff Zub ZenV 20 by Nooka
The watch retails for $150US and can be found online at Nooka.com. Toronto retailers for Nooka include the AGO.
Neff Zub ZenV 20 by Nooka

images: courtesy of Nooka