All posts tagged: Toronto

Les Exclusifs de CHANEL Collection – 1932

Silly me mixed up my dates and I missed the launch for the newest fragrance in the Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection. I was really excited about it because it would mean playtime at the beautiful Chanel fragrance bar in the Holt Renfrew Bloor Street store. Les Exclusifs de CHANEL collection is a modern take on the fragrances created by Ernest Beaux, Chanel’s original nose and Coco Chanel in the 20s and 30s. Chanel’s current nose, Jacques Polge launched the collection 2007 and has released more fragrances over the year. These fragrances all take inspiration from the history of the house and each one explores a singular theme. 1932 is the year that Chanel launched her first designer jewellery collection in her home. The Bijoux de Diamants collection had stars, comets, crescent moons and suns; all inspiration from the lights and signs that shine at night on the Champs-Élysées. In 2012, Jacques Polge creates the Bijoux de Diamants Collection inspired fragrance. 1932 includes top notes of Aldehydes, Bergamot, Neroli, middle notes of Carnation, Jasmine, Lilac, …

BIG Dream: How a Dior Dress Came to the ROM – February 9, 2013

BIG Dream: How a Dior Dress Came to the ROM – February 9, 2013 Dr. Alexandra Palmer delivers the inside scoop on the ROM’s commission of the House of Dior’s design and creation of the breathtaking haute couture dress now taking centre stage in BIG. Includes the world premiere of the full version of the film Dior about the making of the dress. Saturday, February 9, 2013 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Royal Ontario Museum Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre President’s Choice School Entrance Public: $20 RPC, YRC Members: $15 Members: $15

Miu Miu Comes to Toronto via Holt Renfrew Bloor Street

Everyone has been buzzing about the new Miu Miu mini boutique that opened up in Holt Renfrew’s Bloor Street location. This is Miu Miu’s first Canadian point of sale. Architect Roberto Baciocchi designed space that is dedicated to Miu Miu handbags and accessories collections. No clothing folks and shoes are still available in shoe department. The space is very Miu Miu with damask finish covered in crystal and studs, small display windows and polished brass backlit logos. Miu Miu can be found on the first floor of Holts in the handbag section. It occupies the space where all the Balenciaga bags were hanging about. It’s like walking into a gold box. I stopped by today. It’s not very big and I didn’t see much jewellery but there were a ton of handbags though. It was super busy too. The space looks pretty slick and makes the product so desirable looking. Miu Miu Toronto, Holt Renfrew 50 Bloor Street West Toronto images: courtesy of Prada

Lunch with Into The Gloss at Holt Renfrew

Last week, Holt Renfrew invited me to private lunch for Emily Weiss and Nick Axelrod from the amazing beauty site, Into The Gloss. Emily is the Founder and Creative Director and Nick is the Editorial Director. I’m a fashion blogger that doesn’t really read fashion blogs but Into The Gloss is amazing. It’s full of great, well researched features on the beauty routines of industry players in the fashion scene. You can find profiles on people like Iman or Liya Kebede or even a random scientist. I love features on science nerds. We are out there! Emily and Alex were in town to host the Holt Renfrew Powder Puff Party. Emily also curated a Skincare Renewal Guide for Holts showcasing her top choices of skincare products available at Holts. It’s really high/low with heavy hitters like La Prairie and La Mer. It was very informative because I never seen face cream for $475. However, It’s not all crazy, prices start at $20. There is something for different budgets. And because people want to know, Emily …

Dina Gonzalez Mascaro Jewellery

I went to the opening of the SORRY, I’M NOT SORRY, I’M NOT A JEWELLER by Dina González Mascaró show held at the Ossington Philip Sparks shop. Dina is an Argentinian, born Vancouver based artist visiting the city for the Interior Design Show and the Toronto Design Offsite Festival. She has a Master’s degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in sculpture but she is a self-taught jewellery artist. Dina’s jewellery is very much and extension of her artwork. I really love what she does as it’s so unique. She is really pushing design in a different direction. The jewellery has added dimension and structure not normally seen. Strong women wear these pieces otherwise they end up wearing you. I’m not a cyclist but her bike series is amazing. The wheels move on the mini bikes and the wheel pendant is just perfect. If you are in Vancouver you can visit Dina’s shop/studio, JewellerBau. She does custom work as well. At the opening Dina described a set of wedding bands she created for an artist …

Come Up To My Room – 10 Year Archive Project

Come Up To My Room, The Alternative Design Show starts this week. I’ve always really liked the event and covered it extensively for blogTO in 2007 and 2008. Come Up To My Room (CUTMR) is the Gladstone Hotel’s annual alternative design event. CUTMR invites artists and designers to show us what goes on inside their heads. Coming together in dialogue and collaboration, participants are limited only by their imaginations, making CUTMR one of the most exciting shows in Toronto. As this is an important anniversary for this ever-expanding show, the tenth installment will emphasize the idea that formed the basis for the very first CUTMR – occupying and altering a space in a dramatic, conceptual, or experimental way. So, CUTMR is 10 years old and now you can view all of the past events thanks to the Come Up To My Room 10 Year Archive Project. Attend the event at The Gladstone Hotel this week and see what you missed over the years online.

i want: Marni Flap Bag Resort and Spring Summer 2013

I’m on the hunt for a great all around bag. Ideally it would have a messenger strap but I think I can overlook that it’s missing from the Marni Flap Bag. It’s a great size and comes in colours to match many outfits. The form is reduced to its pure essence, laid bare to expose the precision of the cut and beauty of the leather. The material used is fine calf leather on a monocolour or bicolour panel. Studs decorate the bag leaving its shape clean and graphic.(Source: press release) The photos show styles from the Resort 2013 collection and the Spring Summer 2013 Marni fashion show. images: eastnews.ru, tooklookbook.com

Come Up To My Room – January 24 – 27, 2013

Come Up To My Room – January 24 – 27, 2013 Exhibition Hours: Thurs 6-8pm, Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-5pm | Exterior, Café, Ballroom + 2nd Floor Gallery Opening Reception: Sat Jan 26, 2013 | 7-11pm | 2nd Floor Love Design Party: Sat Jan 26, 2013 | 10pm-2:30am | FREE | (this is the official closing party for the Toronto Design Offsite Festival) Panel Discussion: Evolution – Designers Conversations in a Collaborative City: Sun Jan 27, 2013 | 1pm-3pm | Gladstone Ballroom This year CUTMR welcomes 25 individuals and collectives drawn from the worlds of architecture, industrial design, fashion, and contemporary art to transform the Gladstone Hotel both inside and out with site-specific and immersive installations. For the first time, CUTMR will break through the walls of this historic venue, adding design installations to the hotel’s exterior and surroundings. Site-specific furniture, lighting, and art will push the boundaries of design throughout the Romanesque red brick of the hotel’s gallery rooms, public spaces, and beyond. The exterior installations will be created primarily by CUTMR alumni, …