View Larger Map I found out that the Holt Renfrew Bloggers Windows are on Google Street View. It was such fun to have the window for the month of July and I was a little sad when it came down. Then I went to India and the window seemed like such a lifetime ago. The trip changed me a little. All the feeling from July have rushed back with this Google Street View discovery and it’s like experiencing it all over again.
I went to the Canadian launch of Peter Kent Handbags at the Hazelton Hotel this week. Peter Kent is a leather accessories line out of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hector Neer founded the company in 1972 and it continues to this day as a family run business. His three children joined him in the business using their skills in different areas of the company. Hector still is the head designer. Hector and his son Alejandro made their way from Argentina to Toronto for the launch. They had a hell of a trip up here; missed connection flight due to customs in Washington and lost luggage. This resulted in a 25 hour trip, much longer than normal. Despite this Hector and Alejandro were so incredibly nice and personable when I got a chance to meet and chat with them about their business. They are so passionate about the business and their enthusiasm really shows in the handbags. Peter Kent Handbags doesn’t produce in large volumes and the result is well crafted merchandise. They use local craftsmen who …
Shared is a Toronto based fashion company that makes incredible locally made basics. They decided to open their first storefront and I went to the opening launch. All their clothing produced in Toronto and is made from organic cotton. I learned that they weave their own fabric in Toronto. The yarn is sourced from many different places but basically the shirts are made from scratch in Toronto. To top this off, they donate 50% of their profits to charity. The store is one of the cutest I’ve seen in Toronto. The designers are big collectors of antiques and they have cleverly decorated the space with their finds. The store isn’t big, only 350 sq ft but the layout is very well done. I’m a fan of Shared. I own a black cardigan that I got at The Drake Hotel General Store. I really am enamored with these two tshirts though. They both have a story. I suggest you goto the store and find out about it. The running shoes are very cute and affordable ($99). …
I finally visited Magnolia store at Avenue and Eglinton. The store itself is beautiful. Super high ceilings, great window, large mirrors, eye catching store displays and the best changerooms in the city. Magnolia carries Izzy Camilleri, Lucian Matis, Hoss Intropia, Designers Remix Collection, Love Moschino handbags and Tara Jarmon. Owner Juan Carlos does a wonderful job of curating the clothing in the store. Magnolia 333 Eglinton Ave W, Unit 2B info@magnoliaonline.ca 416-488-9893
So, I received an invitation to the Fame movie premier after party. The Bathurst Theater was setup to resemble the school from Fame. Dancers and actors occupied different rooms of the theater that represented singing, dancing and theater. The rooms had various things to keep the guests happy. In one room you could make a music video, just like Canada’s Wonderland. They tried to get us up to sing and act silly, we chose not to. Another room had this awesome mobile flipbook creating studio from Party Impressions. You had 7 seconds to make a video that would be recreated flipbook style. It was so much fun. Most people stuck to the dancing around theme, but some got creative. I like to think the flipbook Natalie and I made was pretty damn good. The appetizers going around were old high school classics like mac and cheese, grilled cheese and meatloaf. The organizers did a great job of keeping the atmosphere correct. I never did get to screen the film as the screening was “sold out”. …
Suzi Roher Belts is a Toronto based Belt manufacturer. Suzi Roher is the accessory designer behind her namesake company. For 24 years she has been creating luxury belts out of her Toronto studio. She created belts for all occasions and styles. These are the ones I like the best. Suzi Roher belts can be purchased from the online store and don’t forget to check out her blog. images: suziroher.com
I was browsing WWD when I saw a Spring 2010 preview from Toronto based Abel Munoz. I thought I would share the collection with you. images: wwd.com
Holt Renfrew Launches Vignettes was their TIFF party this year. The launch party for Vignettes will take place on Saturday, September 12 from 9 PM – 1 AM at Toronto’s Burroughes Building with a performance by The Stills and a special introduction by Coco Rocha. Holt Renfrew is also very proud to announce that the host of MTV USA’s IT’S ON Alexa Chung will be the special guest DJ for the evening. What the hell are Vignettes? Well Holt Renfrew created some short films for their men’s and women’s collections this season. The night was also the debut of my custom made leather dress from Mi Concept. It was a hit. I paired it with Luxury Rebel booties, YSL clutch and a Fizz Amethyst Ring borrowed from the Swarovski lounge at The Four Seasons Hotel. It was a fun evening and I got to reconnect with a lot of fashion friends I missed while away. I didn’t take a lot of photos. I didn’t talk to Coco but I stared at her a lot. She’s …
September is going to be amazing for photography and fashion. The AGO is presenting Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Condé Nast Years, 1923–1937. It’s complementary show to the ROM’s Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008. On George Baher’s yacht: June Cox wearing unidentified fashion; E. Vogt wearing fashion by Chanel and a hat by Reboux; Lee Miller wearing a dress by Mae and Hattie Green and a scarf by Chanel; Hanna-Lee Sherman wearing unidentified fashion, 1928 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1928 Condé Nast Publications From September 26, 2009 to January 3, 2010, the Art Gallery of Ontario will host an exhibition that proves glamour never goes out of style. Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Condé Nast Years, 1923 –1937 presents 200 beautifully preserved gelatin silver prints from the Vogue and Vanity Fair Condé Nast Archive and brings them to Canada for the first time. “Blackâ€: Model Margaret Horan in a black dress by Jay-Thorpe, 1935 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1935 Condé Nast …
During my vacation I took a water taxi over to the Toronto Islands. The city strike had just begun I wanted to see what it would be like without all the visitors. It was heavenly, so peaceful. It was also a little bit eerie. Here are some pictures of my adventure.
