All posts tagged: Holt Renfrew

Welcome to I want – I got

Hi, I thought I would write a post to say hi since a lot of new visitors are stopping by because of the Holt Renfrew Bloggers Windows. Here are some tips for making the most of my site. Photos – Most photos open to larger images, please click. I’m a fan of big images so any thumbnails will link to the larger version. Sometimes I post slideshows. You definitely want to check them out as I have lots of pictures. RSS feed – You can subscribe to I want – I got via RSS using the I want – I got RSS feed link on the top right hand side of the page. Email – You can get a daily digest of I want – I got posts delivered to you via email. Sign up using the Subscribe By Email link on the top right hand side of the page. Search – Looking for a post from way back. Take advantage of my Google powered website search at the top right hand corner to find …

Fashion House From Runway to Hallway

Fashion House is a condo building that is located around Brand and King Street West. It has housed a couple fashion parties in the past. They asked 11 Canadian designers to create interiors for the floors of the building. Celebrate the best in Canadian fashion in the heart of Toronto’s Fashion District. Eleven of Canada’s premier fashion designers have added their personal touches to the floors of Fashion House and will be on hand to toast Toronto’s first, award-winning fashion / condo project. This is your chance to mix, mingle and immerse yourself in all that is made-to-measure and ready to dwell. Fashion House – impeccable style from the inside, out. The party was a mix of designers, media, Holt Renfrew staff, unit owners and developer friends. The Holt Renfrew connection is through the Unit Holder contest. If you buy a unit you have a chance to win a $100,000 shopping spree at Holt Renfrew. That’s some serious coin to go through. I loved Andy Thê-Anh board. The dress is made from wood. It’s beautiful. …

I want – I got debuts at the Holt Renfrew Blogger Windows

So the Holt Renfrew Blogger Windows are up. I threw a party last night and we then went to see the windows all together. It was a blast and thanks to everyone who attended and to those who sent their well wishes. I have a huge post to write about last night but here are some sneak peaks at my windows. The rest of the windows are so much fun. Check them out at Bloor Street. Photos Taken by Paul Baik for I want – I got www.paulbaikphoto.com

Holt Renfrew Blogger Windows

Well, I hinted at the Holt Renfrew Blogger Windows on my 4 year anniversary post. Now the news has hit up the International fashion press and it’s spreading. Holt Renfrew is paying tribute to six of their favourite fashion bloggers. I want – I got happens to be on that list. 🙂 WWD was the first out the gate. The press release hasn’t been sent, but they were tipped off by someone. I’ve been yapping on twitter about it for a few weeks now. Racked LA, Mens.style.com, Modelinia, The Cut, Puretrend.com and Fashionista chipped in too. I’m not mentioned in the international press, I’m not fashion blog famous. I just have my little abode here in Toronto. On the Canadian media front, Danielle at Final Fashion was quick to post, as was fashionmagazine.com. They both mentioned me and I love them for it. So you are wondering who else is Holt’s favourites? They are Scott Schuman, Bryanboy, Tommy Ton, Jane Aldridge and Garance Doré. I knew my blog was read in Holt’s head office, but …

I want – I got 4 years strong.

I want – I got is 54 years old today. It blows my mind that I’m still doing this. It’s a good thing of course and I’m still enjoying myself. I thought you’d get a kick out of my first ever post which explains the concept of the site. It’s amazing to see what has happened in the 4 years since the concept I threw together without thinking has conceived. why? Lot’s of things have changed since I wrote that. In 2006, I started writing for blogTO and that got me entrenched in the Toronto fashion scene. During that time I want – I got’s popularity was rising. In spring 2009, I resigned from blogTO to make I want – I got my number one priority. My writing for blogTO had been dwindling over the last year. Working fulltime and dealing with I want – I got resulted in a lot of priority changes. I knew it was time to move on. So, I’m hoping for continued success with I want – I got over …

Holt Renfrew Fall 2009 – 2010 Womenswear Media Preview

There is nothing I love more than getting a sneak preview of anything fashion related. I was pretty pumped for the Holt Renfrew Fall 2009 – 2010 Womenswear Media preview. What new goodies did the buyers bring back for us interested fashion folk. Special bonus was an appearance by Joseph Altuzarra. He is being touted as the one to watch by many. His stuff is pretty hot, I have to admit. He was an intern at Marc Jacobs and freelanced for Proenza Schouler. Riccardo Tisci also recruited him to be a design assistant at Givenchy. His first collection was Spring 2008. He was absolutely adorable. How can you not love a guy whose primary muse is his Mom. The event was held in the 3rd floor Contemporary area. Select samples from the season where on display for everyone to get a look at. Barbara Atkin, Vice President, Fashion Direction for Holt Renfrew talked about their trend research for the season and the direction for buyers. She talked about the new economy. Less, but better the …

Holt Renfrew’s Magenta Girls

I wasn’t able to see the Holt Renfrew Magenta Girls in person and I was very disappointed. I was busy the days they were touring areas of the city spreading the word about Holt Renfrew. I know a couple of the Magenta Girls so I was getting regular updates on their excursions. I saw the facebook group photos and some of them were so cute. They also made their way down to The Financial District, my hood. They chatted up the Boys from Bay Street and played on the TD Centre cows. Those cows are damn popular. Even I have a picture of one I took at my desk in the office. Hopefully I will be free to check out their next excursion into the streets of Toronto. I want their outfits! images courtesy of Holt Renfrew.

i want: Alexander McQueen leggings 

I was a fan of Alexander McQueen’s print crazy Spring 2009 collection. These leggings are so amazing and so expensive. I hoping they are like hand printed or something like that. They are made from lycra and very beautiful in person. Skeleton-print Lycra leggings, Crystal print leggings, Eiffel Tower leggings, Alexander McQueen Eiffel Tower top To be totally badass I would love to pair the Eiffel Tower leggings with the Alexander McQueen Eiffel Tower top and a pair of Metallic shoe boots. Holt Renfrew is carrying the Crystal print and the wood grain print leggings at the Bloor Street store. images: net-a-porter.com

Holts Gives Contemporary a New Bold Look

I had seen some evidence of changes happening at Holt Renfrew Bloor Street last Wednesday, some of the areas were getting a makeover. Yesterday, I received a tour of the new Contemporary Space on the 3rd floor from John Gerhardt, Holt Renfrew Creative Director. Inspiration for the space was kicked off by his green Comme des Garçons wallet. Influenced by the growing need for optimism, Holt Renfrew Creative Director John Gerhardt’s design inspiration stemmed from a bright green wallet he received as a gift. “It’s interesting how people respond to colour, particularly bold colours,” said Gerhardt. “I found myself looking at the wallet and feeling happy. It’s amazing how colour transforms our mood.” The Contemporary Space is now an explosion of colour and I love it. It’s a visual feast. The space now integrates accessories with clothing which moves it away from the separated Department Store feel to a more boutique shop experience. The clothing is more visible and easier to locate. “There is a strong nod to the ‘80s in our redesign, with “New …

Holt Renfrew Holiday Window Unveiling Video

Holt’s put up the video of the Holiday Window Unveiling with Macy Gray and Patti LaBelle. I attended the opening and Macy Gray was hilarious. She was pissed drunk. Patti LaBelle on the other hand was the consummate professional and was absolute perfection. Check the video here, Holt Renfrew Holiday Window Unveiling. It’s too bad it doesn’t embed. Holt’s should have a youTube account.

What does Barbara think. Spring 2009 edition

Barbara Atkin, vice president of fashion, Holt Renfrew has been mentioned in the Buyers Report for Spring 2009 on WWD. Let’s see what she has to say On New York: Barbara Atkin, vice president and fashion director of Holt Renfrew, agreed. “We’re all examining and stepping back,” she said. “When there’s economic instability, people question their purchasing. “This is a time when we’re really looking at the new guard of designers,” said Atkin, noting some iconic American design houses are floundering without their namesake designers at the helm. “There’s a lot of confusion at Bill Blass and the problem with Halston is, what does it mean anymore? It’s got to go beyond the name on the label. It’s just got to be fantastic clothes. The clothes have to have substance and the identity of what the brand is has to jump out at you.” That’s what Atkin is looking for in all collections. “If we don’t get that, everything we purchase fades into a blandism on our floors.” Of course, there were exceptions. Marc Jacobs …

L’Oreal Fashion Week Spring 2009 – Holt Renfrew celebrates Canadian Fashion

After a season off the Holt Renfrew celebrates Canadian Fashion event was back on the LFW schedule. This is one of my favourite events of fashion week. It gives you the ability to see the clothing up close and meet the designers. This season it was hosted by Adrian Mainella of Fashion File instead of the free for all type atmosphere that was present in previous ventures. A clothing designer was paired up with a jewelry designer to showcase the work. There was a little Q&A session with each designer pair conducted by Adrian. First to show was partners in crime, Greta Constantine and Dandi Maestre. I’m a big fan of the designers work. They really complemented each other in the presentation, which was different from the runway show where I thought Danni’s accessories overpowered the clothing. Get rid of the handbags and what do you know, balance is once again restored. I had a bit of bias at the show too because I was lucky enough to get a preview of the Greta collection …

i want: Knits by Sacai

Knits by Sacai. I’ve been turned onto Sacai recently. Abe Chitose worked at Comme des Garçons and Junya Watanabe for 10 years before starting Sacai in 1999. Her knitwear is amazing. Holt Renfrew carries the line and you should really go into the Bloor street store to and check the stuff out, especially if you haven’t had the pleasure of looking at Japanese design up close. I’m in love with the above cardigan, it’s all about the collar and shoulder. The one that Holt’s carries had burgundy in the ruffles. This season was all about the ruffle and it was incorporated throughout the collection. images: the Fashion Spot – sacai F/W 08.09

Ask a Geek: Where to find Marc by Marc Jacobs in Toronto

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 Annie wrote: Hi Anita, I’m desperately looking for the Marc by Marc Jacobs Grovee Dr. Q purse in the brown colour. My friend’s birthday is this weekend and she’s been yearning for it. Do you know of any other store in Toronto aside from Holt who sells Marc by Marc? Thank you! I hope you don’t mind me sharing your question Annie! Holt Renfrew sells Marc by Marc handbags along with the Marc Jacobs line and Bloor Street is your best bet for selection. Holt Renfrew also carries Marc by Marc Jacobs womenswear, footwear, watches and jewellery. I did some searching on the net and found out that David’s Footwear also sells Marc by Marc handbags and shoes. I believe those are the 2 major players in Toronto. …

Holt Renfrew interviews Victoria Beckham

The newly designed Holt Renfrew site now has content. It seems they are going for the Net-a-Porter model but without the online shopping aspect. Overall it’s a big step in the right direction, although there are some aspects of the website that I absolutely detest, that’s for another post. Holt Renfrew: What was the inspiration behind dVb by Victoria Beckham? Victoria Beckham: I’ve always collected denim and I could never find a pair of jeans that fit me particularly well. As a woman, you want something that fits relatively tight on the leg but big enough on the waist. [dVb jeans] are incredibly simple and basic: you can wear them with flip-flops or heels. Perhaps there is a reason you can’t find jeans that fit you Victoria. Read the rest of the interview on holtrenfew.com

What does Barbara think?

I was reading the Buyers Report from WWD on the Fashion Spot and noticed that Barbara Atkin, vice president, fashion direction from Holt Renfrew talks about the collections from a retail perspective. Milan “Although Milan started as a somber season, it ended on a high note by offering a variety of beautiful and luxurious clothing with an infusion of newness. We saw a combination of the strict and subdued juxtaposed against a kaleidoscope of color, print and detail, all adding up to a decadent, luxurious bohemian style. We saw influences from the Seventies with long, lean silhouettes and covered-up clothes playing against the short and swinging. The ‘separates’ dressing that had its roots in the Seventies is making a strong return. We will be looking for luxurious coats; cropped or shapely jackets with accented shoulders; soft, folkloric dresses, blouses and skirts; cardigans and sweater coats; skinny and cropped pants, and man-tailored suits. We will be slightly increasing our budget over last year, as we believe our customer will continue to come to us looking for …

Style femmes at Holt Renfrew

I attended the Dean Davidson Spring 2008 preview at Holt Renfrew yesterday. Here are some style shots of the attendees. Look for my feature on the preview on blogTO.com complete with better product shots. Mine suck. Love, love, love the blue tights. This DVP dress is fantastic, it comes in silver also. Perfect draping without making the dress hippy. Mary from Holt’s is my fashion hero. She has such an amazing sense of style. She also has the most kick ass jewelry I’ve seen.

So I saw some Spice Girls today.

Specifically Scary and Baby in Holt Renfrew. I’m so not excited about celebs, so I didn’t stalk them like most people. There were a group of crazy people following them and a group camping outside the front doors, ridiculous. Well, they were both shorter than me and very cute actually. Scary looked really good. And they had their two babies with them. Scary’s baby is very cute, Emma’s not so much.