As soon as I returned from my Whistler vacation I ordered the Luxirare Suede Minivest. I like vests in theory but I find them very, very hard to style. After months of hiding, I debuted the vest at the Greta Constantine x Danier Skin event.
Looks like I will have to do some more research on how I can incorporate this great little vest into my wardrobe. I think maxi dresses might work for the summer. Jackets and sweaters would be good combination in the winter. How do you style your vest?
Outfit breakdown: Luxirare Minivest, Sheer grey dress by Cheap Monday, Joe jean leggings (courtesy of Holt Renfrew), Aldo Black lace up boots, Black tank top by Gap, Dandi Mastrae earrings, Orange Toywatch (courtesy of ToyWatch Canada), Hermes bracelet.
Wide leg pants were a passing fad for the Gap.  Cropped and skinny pants dominated the Gap Fall 2011 preview. There are a lot of leather looking pieces that are to give the look of leather for less. Sexy is a keyword I’m hearing a lot from Gap staff. Sexy is not a word that I associate with the Gap. Utilitarian and adaptable is what pops into my head. That’s probably not what they want to hear, ha. Some of my favourite pieces are the Light Grey Biker Knit Jacket and the Steel Grey Oversized Knit Cardigan.  There were a lot of cute jackets too.
I didn’t see any interesting shoes at the preview. Seems nothing is going to top the amazing Fall 2010 platform boots I love. I’m never blown away by Gap previews but I always find something to love when the season hits because the collection is so large.
See all the photos from the Gap Fall 2011 Preview
Edit: I originally wrote this post before Patrick Robinson’s exit from the Gap. It will be interesting to see who they bring into the company. The Gap has a direction problem, it needs to decide what kind of brand it is. It will be fascinating to watch the Gap this year and what decision the company makes.
These wool Ruffle Bottom shorts are so cute. Â It looks like a little skirt. Â The colour combination is just perfect.
This wool Print Felt Jacket is another fun piece. Â I love that it’s cropped. Â Cropped jackets go well with maxi dresses and are perfect for spring summer layering
The Cropped Knit Poncho is made from cotton but a wool version would be great in winter. Â I just like the pattern and shape of this item.
One of my favourite parties from last week was the Quadrangle Architects 25th Anniversary at the Corus Quay building. I was dying to get an invite to this party because I wanted to see the Corus Quay building first-hand.
Corus Quay, the new Toronto headquarters for Corus Entertainment, is located on Toronto’s waterfront. Corus Entertainment is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company, and a market leader in specialty television and radio, with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children’s book publishing and children’s animation.
Corus Quay was designed by world-renowned architect Jack Diamond of Diamond and Schmitt Architects. The interior was outfitted by Quadrangle Architects Ltd., an expert in broadcast architectural design.
Corus Quay is an amazing building. The party hosts took guests on a tour of the building where we learned many facts about the building. Not only does it have interesting architecture and interiors, I was totally geeking out over the many massive server rooms in the building that contain storage enough for 2 petabytes of data. After seeing the building, I want to work for Corus. The south side of Corus Quay is floor to ceiling windows that have a beautiful view of Lake Ontario. Any building that lets in a lot of natural light changes the attitude and productivity of the employees. I remember when I moved from the black hole of the Royal Trust Tower to the natural light friend RBC Centre. It was a blessing and I can’t imagine working in another bleak building again.
Corus Quay’s most famous landmark is the indoor slide. I wanted to ride that slide badly. The slide was locked up tight with a padlock and bars. I didn’t ask questions.
Corus Quay has three art installations created by U.K. artists, Troika. Shoal is in a public hallway. I didn’t even notice it, so all I have is video.
Drizzle is another one I didn’t notice either. It’s described as “a light installation that plays with the idea of a cloud caught inside the building making it appear as though it is raining through the slits in the soffit, which is located on both the north and south-west side soffits(source).”
There are so many details in the building that just are exceptional: the hockey rink boardroom table, the microphone chandelier, the furniture. It really does make Corus Entertainment seem like a very cool place to work. The only downside is location. There isn’t much around but Corus Quay has many cafeterias for staff. Corus also provides a shuttle bus from Union Station for employees for easier access.
You don’t need a special invite to get a look at Corus Quay as they have public tours twice a month for the rest of 2011.
See all my photos from the Quadrangle Architects 25th Anniversary Party at Corus Quay
Montreal based designer, Stacey Zhang has opened a boutique in Toronto. She’s chosen a strip of Queen Street West that was independent boutique friendly until the corporations moved in many years ago. It’s a brave move to  complete for foot traffic with Zara, H&M and the Gap.
Stacey Zhang aims to provide stylish women with affordable,ready-to-wear collections that are ethically produced and limited in quantity, maximizing the time and care spent in creating each garment. Known for highly detailed and structurally unique clothing, Stacey Zhang features styles ranging from fun, flirty dresses to sharp business attire to feminine, chic casual wear. With organic cottons, relaxed linens, luxurious silks, wool and sustainable bamboo as staples of past collections, the designer is also known for her impeccable selection of fabric. She is continually researching practical ways to replace fabrics with more ecologically sound and sustainable threads. Both Montreal and Toronto boutiques feature a wide variety of unique accessories handpicked by Stacey on her travels throughout Europe and Asia.
Stacey plans to make the shopping experience at the Toronto location much like Montreal. The shop host regular cocktails and shopping events where clients can meet Stacey. The first of those events was the boutique launch party. The boutique features a minimal design and a glowing “stretch” ceiling feature that adds warm pink light to the space. The boutique design was a collaboration between Stacey and CS Design, a Montreal based architectural lighting firm. The boutique had great floor to ceiling mirrors in the back where the roomy change rooms are.
I gravitated to some of Stacey’s spring summer 2011 outerwear and I’ve included shots of my favourite pieces.
Stacey Zhang Boutique
292 Queen Street West
Toronto
V by 69 VINTAGE is a new shop brought to you by Toronto Vintage mogul, Kealan Sullivan. Â Kealan’s empire includes 69 Vintage and 69 Vintage Collective/Buy The Pound. Â V by 69 Vintage will feature all the prized vintage finds Kealan doesn’t sell in the other shops. Everything in the store is for sale and that includes fixtures, books and gardening supplies. This is a high-end vintage shop because of the rarity of the pieces and all clothing is restored and repaired.
V by 69 VINTAGE is a new creative vintage retail space which will showcase a series of changing monthly thematic concepts.
Through art direction and careful product selection, the space, contents and merchandise for sale will transform entirely each month to reflect a new theme, ultimately creating an exciting retail experience. This new store is an opportunity for us to share our love and appreciation of vintage and to present our treasures in an innovative way in the form of distinctive curated collections.
Our first theme is titled “THE VICTORY GARDENS” and runs from May 12th to June 1st.
This collection will feature a lovely mix of fine women’s garments, including cotton, silk and lace from the Victorian era, the 40s and 50s, paired with straw hats, antique shovels, books, buckets and ephemera.
I attended the opening launch party for V by 69 Vintage. It’s a small 400 square foot shop that is decorated perfectly to The Victory Gardens theme. I snapped some photos of what you can expect.
See all my photos from the opening launch party for V by 69 Vintage.
I want – I got’s Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 Fashion Trend Forecasting Reference
This is a listing of fashion trend forecasting reports for Fall Winter 2012 – 2013. They are posted for reference and easy access. This page will be updated as more fashion trend forecasting reports come up.
Collaborations are the news in Canadian fashion so it’s good to see something that isn’t about one. Greta Constantine has created a capsule collection called Primer which consists t-shirts done Greta Constantine style.
Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong of Greta Constantine are bringing their master drapery and attention to fit to a whole new audience. The capsule collection, aptly named Primer, serves as the base coat for a woman’s wardrobe and is to consist of both separates and dresses.
But don’t expect basics. Every piece in the collection features a subtle feminine twist like leather straps on a tank top to allow for easy belting or draped t-shirt dresses with exaggerated pocket detailings. This is all part of Stephen and Kirk’s desire to re-imagine contemporary staples.
As Stephen elaborates, “designing the collection demanded that we consider what makes a t-shirt so perfect. Fabrication, lengths, colours. While a woman may be willing to suffer through a pair of heels, comfort without looking comfortable is what we sought to achieve with Primer.”
The line, with prices ranging from $95 to $275, offers numerous options for both current clients and those who may otherwise be constrained in purchasing Greta Constantine.
“Our dream has always been to be a part of every woman’s wardrobe. This collection offers us that very opportunity,” explains Kirk. “There’s been a push in fashion, as in other industries, to further democratize or enhance accessibility. This is our contribution.”
A Greta Constantine Primer pre-capsule collection will be available at TNT The New Trend’s Hazleton Lanes location (87 Avenue Road) beginning Thursday, May 20, as part of the Canadian retailer’s 20th anniversary celebration. The pre-capsule will be available through mid-July.
