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Oliberte Footwear Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Oliberté Media Preview

Oliberté, the first premium footwear company based in Africa, was founded in 2009 by Canadian Tal Dehtiar. Tal is a multiple award winning entrepreneur who has worked on many international projects that have helped to build small and social businesses in over 25 developing countries. Oliberté partners with factories, suppliers, farmers and workers to produced the shoes and contribute to the development of industry. Ethiopia, Liberia and Keyna are the countries Oliberté currently operates but there are plans to expand too Cameroon, Congo, Uganda and Zambia in the coming years. Business is booming and the last two years sales have risen from a meager 200 pairs to over 10,000 projected in 2011.

Oliberté Media Preview

I heard about Oliberté shortly after they launched and l’ve been quietly following their progress over the years. I’m glad to see the styles are becoming more sophisticated and stylish. Currently, Tal is focusing on developing the men’s collection to be more sophisticated and stylish. The women’s revamp is expected for the spring 2012 season. The Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection features desert boots, deck shoes and high tops in various leather finishes like nubuck and suede. Colours for the season include green, yellow, navy blue, black, grey, tan and brown. Oliberté shoes are made from 100% natural leather and rubber crepe soles. Each shoe averages over 1000 hand stitches. This makes the shoes less reliant on glue and provides more of an emphasis on craftsmanship.

Oliberté Media Preview

Oliberté is available online Oliberté.com and in Toronto at Town Shoes, Little Burgundy and Locale.

See all the photos from the Olibert̩ Footwear Fall Winter 2011 Р2012 preview.

i got: Moncler S ‘Shihoko’ Trench

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Moncler S 'Shihoko' Cape Style Trench

Moncler and Chitose Abe of Sacai came together to create the Moncler S capsule collection. Think Sacai sensibility and Moncler quality and functionality. I’m in love with the line. I was lusting over the Moncler S ‘Shihoko’ trench coat. It has this beautiful cape detail that gives it a lot of volume. You can wear it in a number of different ways. I needed a proper trench coat and I didn’t want to get Burberry. I loved the army green colour. It’s not khaki.
Moncler S 'Shihoko' Cape Style Trench

I stared at the jacket while it sat on the rack at full price. I contemplated the purchase but never followed through. This past weekend I noticed it on sale at Holt Renfrew and decided I would buy myself a birthday present. Toronto is getting some sub 20 days coming up so I plan on taking this jacket out for a proper workout.

images: www.farfetch.com

I want – I got loves Camilla Skovgaard

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Camilla Skovgaard Cutout Platform Bootie

I miss you shoe

I talk about shoe designer, Camilla Skovgaard often on the blog. Last year, I received a pair of Camilla Skovgaard Drop Cut Out Sandal for my birthday. They were the perfect black shoe, I loved them. You can imagine my sadness when I discovered the hell of my sandals snapped. The only thing holding it together was leather. This happened before the Tommy and Anna event at The Room. I mentioned my dilemma in the post and my new shoe purchase to compensate.  It was just a casual mention.  Okay, it was more like a howl of sadness.  The new shoes were quite nice but they weren’t my Camilla’s.

Camilla Skovgaard Open Toe Saw Tooth Booties

The New Hotness

A few hours after the Tommy Met Anna post went up I received submission via my contact form. I had to do a double take when I read the sender’s name. It was Camilla Skovgaard. I shook my head a little and opened the message. I checked the address and sure enough it was from the Camilla Skovgaard domain. That’s when I started to do a little fangirl freak out. Then reality hit, why the hell is she emailing me? I read the message in shock. Camilla read my blog post today. She wanted to make sure that I didn’t fall and hurt myself in the shoes and she wanted to replace the shoes so I could continue wearing the brand. It took a few minutes to register what was happening and how quickly it unfolded. What an extraordinary customer service story! Camilla Skovgaard has forever won a place in my heart and good books. I’m astonished she took the time to email me and offer to resolve my problem.

My new Skovgaard's arrived :)

Unboxing time

Camilla put me in touch with her assistant and we worked out the details of getting a new pair of shoes. She sent me the options that were available in my size. I reluctantly selected the Camilla Skovgaard Open Toe Saw Tooth Booties.  It wasn’t about the shape of the shoe, that I loved. It was the colour.  It’s a tan/vanilla/buttermilk type colour and I wasn’t sure if I really could pull it off. I’ve grown to love the colour of the booties now.  It just took a little time and outfit matching. It helped that friends kept telling me they were hot too. They fit much like my old sandals. The platform is 3/4 inch and the heel is 5″. The clear sole adds another unique element to the shoe and compliments the colour.

You can buy Camilla Skovgaard shoes in Toronto at Carte Blanche and Holt Renfrew.

Edit: Changed up the photos to ones provided by Camilla Skovgaard and added one of my own.

images: courtesy of Camilla Skovgaard

Abel Munoz Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Preview

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Abel Munoz Spring Summer 2011

Toronto based shoe designer, Abel Muñoz held a private preview at Seventy Seven in Yorkville. He invited press, clients and friends to see his upcoming Fall 2011 collection in addition to his spring offerings.

Abel Munoz Spring Summer 2011

Many people, including sales staff and friends were sporting some of Abel’s spring summer 2011 collection.  My favourite spring summer shoe is the top picture.(Thanks Lisa Tant).  I really like the stripe detail on the heel.

Abel Munoz Spring Summer 2011

For fall winter 2011 Р2012 Abel Mu̱oz continues with staple heel styles but has included a wonderful croc print oxford shoe. I love it.

Abel Munoz Fall Winter 2011 - 2012

Abel Munoz Fall Winter 2011 - 2012

Abel Munoz Fall Winter 2011 - 2012

See all my photos from the Abel Mu̱oz Fall Winter 2011 Р2012 Preview.

Abel Muñoz is available at Seventy Seven in Yorkville.

Playing Model for Philip Sparks

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AnitaPhilip

Last weekend Stefania Yarhi from Textstyles held a party for the 3rd year anniversary of her site. The party included a fashion show of Stefania’s favourite Toronto designers. Philip Sparks made the list and asked me to be muse/model for the event. Of course, I said yes.

AnitaTextstyles

The Philip Sparks blog talks about the preparations for the event (with more photos) in a post called Philip Sparks X I Want I Got X Textstyles.

I got Andrew Sardone to record the fashion show so here it is for you to enjoy. I hit the catwalk around the 5:00 mark.

Proenza Schouler at The Room

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Proenza Schouler at The Room

The Proenza Schouler duo of Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough came to Toronto for very short day trip and The Room celebrated their arrival. Unlike the Anna Dello Russo party, this was a small affair. It was a welcome change from the madness of Anna. I brought a long time blogging friend Zoë Hong with me. She’s a designer from San Fransisco that happened to be vacationing in Toronto for the weekend. Her Asymmetrical black leather corselet belt made my I want list. I still think about it.

Proenza Schouler at The Room

It was hilarious that Zoë visits Toronto and Danielle isn’t in the country.  Zoë did tell me stories of her adventures with Danielle in NYC to fill the void. It was pretty surprising that Jennifer Campbell of Flare recognized Zoë from the Internet. Oh, old school fash blogging days.

Proenza Schouler at The Room

Some media got interview time with Jack and Lazaro at the beginning of the event. I met them, super quickly made small talk and then photos. It’s like a factory floor when all the guests want to meet the guests. The guys were really sweet and they took pictures with everyone and chatted. Very gracefully I might add. I have one question I wish I remembered to ask them. I’m curious how their Moda Operandi experience went? I think it’s a pretty neat idea. It’s your typical membership based online shopping site with a twist: designer trunk shows. Moda Operandi gives shoppers a chance to purchase items from designers before production has started. It’s full access to the entire collection instead of the buyers selections when it hits the stores. Like a trunk show, you pay 50% up front. A few months later, at the start of the seaason’s deliveries,  you receive your purchase and you pay the remaining 50%. People can now order that crazy finale statement dress that will never see retail because of its low sell through rate or budget constraints. I’m pretty impressed with the site (great images and video) and it’s damn tempting, let me tell you.

Proenza Schouler at The Room

Of course, men and women were swooning over Jack and Lazaro. Jack’s blue eyes are so striking. You can tell I’m just swooning like crazy in this photo. They are so cute, look at those smiles.

Proenza Schouler at The Room

Now I loved swooning over the boys and everything but my main concern was the clothing. This is why I love these pre-trunk show parties. It’s all about up close access to the clothing. To see it and touch it. Racks and racks of Proenza Schouler filled the space. I’ve seen a few pieces here and there but never this much. I successfully didn’t drool on any PS1 handbags.

Proenza Schouler at The Room

The clothing is so phenomenal, I want to wear it all. I wish I could afford it all.

Proenza Schouler at The Room

See all my photos from Proenza Schouler at The Room.

If you are interested in checking out what everyone was wearing (including yours truly) please check out these wonderful sites:
1. These Roving Eyes – Jason Hudson is a wizard with the camera. He’s also a complete doll and included 3 photos of me in his event roundup.
2. B-Insider – The Bay’s blog is pretty impressive. Christopher Sherman took Polaroid photos and then scanned them. Really cute.

Sacai Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

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Sacai Fall Winter 2011 - 2012
I love Chitose Abe and Sacai.  The Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection is fun as always.  Season after season Chitose has be combining and reworking clothing in wonderful ways.  She blends knitwear, parkas, dresses and lingerie together with incredibly wearable and cool results.  

Sacai Fall Winter 2011 - 2012
This is definitely a line I always check out on sale because it needs to be part of my collection.  Sadly, I’m not there yet but hopefully soon.
Sacai Fall Winter 2011 - 2012

Sacai Fall Winter 2011 - 2012

Sacai is available at Holt Renfrew in Canada.

images: vogue.com

Nella Bella Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Preview

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Nella Bella FW11 Launch

Nella Bella held their Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 preview at the Design Exchange a little over a month ago. The space was perfect for the launch. The Nella Bella team did a great job of presenting the collection to visitors. Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 season is the debut of the menswear collection NB man which is influenced by the 50s.

Nella Bella FW11 Launch

Nella Bella paired up with Suzy Shier who provided looks for the mannequins to accompany the handbags.  I liked the addition of a complete look to highlight the handbags in each theme grouping.

Nella Bella FW11 Launch

I really liked NB Man collection. It’s a smart expansion for the brand. The leather like handbag finishes include pebble and patent.

Nella Bella FW11 Launch

The gallery contains my favourite women’s bags from the Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection.

See all my photos from the event.

i want: Chanel J12 Chromatic Watches

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Chanel J12 Chromatic 33mm Watches

So, Chanel PR has started to email me about all things Chanel. I’m not going to lie, my nerdy blogger self thinks this is pretty cool. The latest release was for the new Chanel J12 Chromatic watches. I normally go for bright colourful watches but it’s always good to have something that is a bit classic.  The J12 Chromatic watches are made from titanium ceramic which is a new highly scratch-resistant material almost that is almost hard as sapphire.  I really like the silvery grey finish on these watches.  It looks like liquid metal.  The perfect alternative to your standard black or silver.  There are a number of styles with varying amounts of diamonds or 18-karat white gold bezel, crown and hands.

Chanel J12 Chromatic 38mm Watches

There are two size options, 33mm (top photo) and 38mm. I’ve only posted the women’s options but there is a men’s collection also.

The Chanel J12 Chromatic commercial plays on that liquid metal look.

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images and video: courtesy of Chanel

EDIT: Forgot the http://j12-chromatic.chanel.com link.  Enjoy the close up looks at the watches.  So worth it.