by Irene Stickney

Do you dream of turning your plain old tee’s into works of art? Wishing your fall wardrobe wasn’t quite so… minimalist? Take your cue from the froufrou frocks seen above on Rebecca Zimmerman and Petrina Abersek, the newest editions to the design team at Peach Berserk!

The original Peach-Dream-Team Kingi and Annalisa have recently published a ‘learn-to-silkscreen’ book/DVD called ‘Peach Berserk’s Silkscreen NOW’ ($40). It takes you step-by-step through everything you need to know to be a pro silkscreener! So, what are you waiting for???

Available at Peach Berserk, 507 Queen Street West

Want to give it a try first? Peach Berserk has been holding Sunday silkscreening workshops for as long as I can remember at its Queen West shop. Check the website for upcoming dates.

Almost Naked is a new specialty shop in Toronto offering super hot designer underwear, luxe-loungewear and accessories from European lines Diesel, Energie and Miss Sixty; UK designers Fred & Ginger and Shultz; and even Canadian label Ginch Gonch. They also carry Ed Hardy boxers and briefs and boast the largest Canadian collection of provocative Marlies Dekkers (Netherlands) among others.

The new two-level boutique has an earthy feel with its poly-resin panels with real bamboo branches embedded in them, hardwood and concrete floors and a wooden trough of white stones lining the staircase. Two corner change rooms with mirrors inside offer a private haven for trying on intimates.

Almost Naked, 479 Queen Street West

Fashion Weekly (FW) is a new, online fashion publication based in T.O., with content ranging from local shop profiles, international trend reports and photo features.

The second flash issue to hit cyberspace focuses on GREEN initiatives and includes a six-page photo spread with locally available clothing and finds from green is black- a company that sells mens and womens designer items made of hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, and soy, as well as reclaimed, recycled and vintage materials.

Can’t wait to see how the e-mag evolves…

There are fashion designers and then there are people who know the fashion business (occasionally you will find someone who excels in both disciples). Many of the ‘designers’ I meet in Toronto who are actually making money in the field know the business – and not necessarily fashion but business in general.

This is why it is not overly surprising to learn that leading luxury retailer Holt Renfrew has recently brought in the JUZD Bamboo label (which we first featured here) – a collection of graphic tees made with bamboo.

Designer Jing Liu of JUZD (pronounced “joost”) has no formal training in fashion or design; no work experience in the biz or no art background but has managed to find a niche product that Holt Renfrew is confident will sell.

According to Liu, his success was foreshadowed in feedback from boutiques and consumers, “The fabric’s potential revealed itself when it was shown to boutique sales staff members and stylists. These are the trendsetters – they live and dictate style in our culture. Their excitement at the fabric and graphics really kept the dream, and motivation, alive from the beginning.”

The JUZD collection is scheduled to appear in Holt Renfrew in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Edmonton as early as next week.

Maha & Cristabel rant about What NOT to Wear – including thongs and crocs, at PRIDE in this month’s FAB Magazine:

PRIDE FASHION FAUX PAS
Every year we see more and more fashion crimes committed in the name of Pride. With so many offending outfits and atrocious accessories everywhere, who can we depend on to show offenders the true scope of their visual assaults? fab saw a light at the end of the tunnel courtesy of celebrity stylist/scene whore Maha and ultra-fashionista/clubland superhero Christabel who gave us these warnings, musings and suggestions aimed at this year’s top 10 worst Pride outfit choices.