I received this in a Celine email blast a few weeks ago when the Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 treatments were being given to all the designer site. If I had to pick one designer to wear only, I think I could totally love the Celine uniform over and over again.  Celine is available at Holt Renfrew Bloor Street and Calgary.  I find it weird they aren’t listed on the website. images: celine.com
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 …
The Mark Fast Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 featured a collaboration with Danier. Mark created some amazing leather pieces in the show. Some of these runway pieces have been developed into a small capsule collection for sale at Danier this fall. I missed the Danier preview and didn’t get to see the collection in person but here are my top picks of the collection. As you can tell I love the coats and the pants. Even the cropped leather overalls has me happy. I can see myself pairing them with my platform boots from the Gap. images: courtesy of Danier
I missed the Danier Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 preview a few weeks ago. I wanted to see the new line OBJECT created by George Antonopoulos for Danier. I had twitter to keep me updated that day as I slaved away at the office. The lookbook images are pretty damn good looking. These are my top picks from OBJECT by George Antonopoulos for Danier Fall Winter 2011 – 2012. I didn’t know what to expect from OBJECT exactly. I know George.  His style and taste is impeccable. It would only make sense that OBJECT reflect his sensibilities.  I’m in love. I love the contrast in textures in pieces.  The menswear influence is quite strong. I’m glad to see that I could easily wear most of this stuff to the office without much of a side glance from my coworkers.  They know me too well nowadays. I have some serious thinking to do this summer about my fall Danier purchases with OBJECT, Greta Constantine and Mark Fast coming. It might be time to expand the leather options in …
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. 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
DANIER x Greta Constantine collection is so good. I had no inside access to these designs this time around. Â So, the debut of the collection at the Neubacher Shor Contemporary gallery was a complete surprise. The gallery is a beautiful space with adjustable white walls, a huge window and exposed brick. It’s a great space for hanging artwork with the high ceilings. The six look collection ranges in price from $399 for a sleeveless bolero with exaggerated lapel to $999 for an asymmetrical, draped coat with rounded back. Key colour motifs include black, slate, eggplant, walnut, and lava, in a variety of fabrics ranging from Italian lamb leather to silky suede. As part of the capsule, Kirk and Stephen designed a contemporary take on the obi belt, a welcome addition to each look. “We sought to find a happy medium between fashion and function; to offer silhouettes that were appealing to the eye and still flattering on a variety of different body types,” explain Kirk and Stephen. The collection features several jacket types in leather …
I’m still enjoying this collaboration. Opening Ceremony x Pendelton Spring Summer 2011 collection has some great pieces. 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. images: ssense.com
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 …
Muttonhead Apparel started following me on twitter. When a clothing company follows me I usually check out their site to see what’s up. I was pretty intrigued as the are based in Toronto and they are doing a unisex line. The Drawstring Parka parka caught my eye. I can’t get enough of parkas. It’s made out of hemp, organic cotton, recycled leather and denim. There are a variety of colours: the traditional army green, olive, black and maroon. There is also a maroon option in a waterproof breathable fabric that is listed as Epic. You can purchase Muttonhead in Toronto at The Future of Frances Watson 1390 Queen Street West Or at their studio by appointment (email info@muttonheadcollective.com) 163 Sterling Road, Unit 9B
During the Vancouver portion of my trip, I visited Orb’s Vancouver flagship store and headquarters. Orb is a Vancouver based women’s sport lifestyle clothing line that started in 2001. Orb is part of the Global Collective Design company, established by Vancouverites by Glenn Taylor and Leslie Lee in 1992. The Global Collective Design company now has two labels that they design and produce: Arson and Orb. The two brands also have sub brands Orion and Orb Outerwear. Orb is empowered. The intent of Orb is to inspire all to live empowered lives of generosity; creating and attracting brilliance, beauty and well-being. The Orb design triad of mind, body and soul represents an active, fashion-forward lifestyle, designed to enhance the momentum of people engaged in living purposeful lives – to live like you mean it! Orb is very big on corporate responsibility and have implemented ways of reducing waste in their business practices. You can read more about those initiatives on the Orb website. They also have manufacturing initiatives to reduce harmful chemicals. They also incorporate …
