Tights Fall 2009

The tights/legging trend is continuing its full-on popularity this fall as the masses have finally lost their fear of having fabulously coloured, decorative stems.


Most people CAN'T get away with all this color - stilinberlin.blogspot.com

More monotone - www.oslostil.com

On the runways for Fall 2009 (and in the nearest forever 21 near you), embellished tights are all the rage in tartan, lace, stripes and dots; stylized with legwarmers and chunky socks; and comfortably worn with shoes or boots.

A staple for any updated wardrobe though is solid color tights - for Fall 2009 try red and purple.

(I am so lucky to have received a box of Secret tights in the newest fall colors - including diamond weave, grey, brown, purple, magenta and red!)

Secret Fall 2009 tights cost under $10 and are so soft and durable - you can find them at department stores throughout Canada.

Speech: Jewellery for Dudes

Speech by Michael Mercanti, a Toronto-based handmade line of rugged "pirate chic" jewellery has found its way onto the pages of Teen Vogue, refinery29's pipeline and is well endorsed throughout the blogsphere.

Nails and screws that look like they've been pulled out of a wall; swords and daggers and even mini Manolos and Louboutins adorn leather and chains - rock 'n roll embellishments, if you will mainly for men but equally striking on babes (although apparently a line for women is in the works).

Speech also has t-shirts available >> check the website for more info.

In Toronto,
Carte Blanche, 758 Queen Street West
george C, 21 Hazelton Avenue

Swaby Bags

Past Project Runway Canada contestant and Toronto designer and boutique owner Shernett Swaby is now offering up her own handbag line. I don't know how much these cost, but judging by the quality of the leather and the signature Swaby-intense workmanship - I would think only the fortunate will be lucky enough have one!

(I could be wrong) but you can find out for yourself at the Swaby store @ 187A Queen Street East in Toronto.
416 -367-1333

Free Shipping @ Psalms

There are only six days left to take advantage of free shipping on jewellery and accessories at Psalms 91:1 Accessories, a Toronto-based line led by designer Sally Han.

There's so much to see and buy >> Check it out >>

Dancing Shoes: Keep your feet comfy!

I was sooo excited to receive an Airplus 'PR' gift in the mail - something every single woman should have!

Airplus makes cushioning insoles, gel pads and heel liners, all designed to make shoes more comfortable. Heel liners make high heels more snug and easier to walk in, while the gel foot cushions provide shock absorption and grip - which means I can wear my heels longer!

So, I've been testing out all the insoles and I can honestly say, 'why did I not do this sooner?!!'

Seriously, it takes $16 for the Coolmax regular shoe insoles and the difference in comfort is amazing. I put gel pads ($8 for 2 sets) in my heeled booties , the full Gellies insole in my strappy sandals - and the heel cushions ($7) are a necessity for any heels! (I also previously tried the Aloe Spa Socks - heavenly!) All the gel pads are clear and stick right into your shoes. The extra grip makes it easier to walk in.

When it comes to insoles, buyer beware - all gel insoles are not created equal. You get what you pay for. In the past, I've bought the heel grips from Payless - garbage. I tried the gel insoles from Dollarama - garbage.

The Airplus products are well-priced for decent quality and are easily available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Zellers and other leading grocery stores in Canada.

Statement Legs 2009

Nay: Winter Legs

YAY: Spring Legs!!!

Judy Black @ One of a Kind Show

In the second last aisle at the One of a Kind Show and Sale, somewhere between almond crunch and body butter (outside of the 'Fashion' section), we almost missed textile designer and OCA grad Jennifer Neill and Judy Black - her super-psychedelic color explosion!

Using vegetable (water-based) dyes, Jen screens t-shirts, pillows and canvas bags with a little graphic, some nature and even free form elements in lights and brights. Mostly every item is double-sided and color-covered from top to bottom - a time-consuming task to create.

Something as simple as one t-shirt (approx.$60-$110) can undergo at least 12 steps to finish; using multiple screens while drying in between each coat. There are many one-a-kind items.


Judy Black camis and underwear sets come in a matching 'pizza' box!

You can find Judy Black online >>

Lunacy Glass @ One of a Kind Show

After arriving at the Direct Energy Centre for the One of a Kind Show and Sale, I headed for the very first aisle to make my way through the entire show. Right off the hop, the multitude of colorful beads at the tiny Lunacy Glass booth emanated a vibrancy that caused bunches of ladies to stop and look!

From her studio in Tweed, Ontario, self-taught lampwork beader Lucie Kovarova-Weir melts and shapes glass into fruits, bats, cats, hearts and bees. There are the sweetest little blue birds hanging from chains and bracelets of bony skeletons; pirates adorn glass rings and fairies on earrings. [We fell in love with the fruit necklace (pictured above) but unfortunately not the $900 price:(]

At the time of publishing, the lunacybeads.com website is currently being re-designed but you can see Lucie's beads on her Etsy site >>

LOULOU: 12 pages of Spring Shoes!

In this month's LouLou Magazine: SHOES!
12-pages of footwear highlighting 80+ pairs including the top 8 trends of the season including wedges, cut-out booties and architectural heels.

LOULOU also tracks the key TRENDS this spring 2009, including:
• cropped jackets • black and white • harem pants • sarouals

BONUS: a 28-page pull-out shopping guide for 14+ sizes featuring key trends and must-haves for spring.

------------

Launched in 2004, LOULOU is a Canadian (English and French versions) shopping magazine (kind of like LUCKY in the States), published by Rogers Publishing. It is page after page of things to buy and the best part is that it comes with complete purchasing info!

A Must Have Purse Accessory

Maybe...

The ladies at Environics PR came up with this clever marketing initiative putting together Spring 2009's 'must have' zippered purse with a 'must have' purse accessory - a teeny o.b. tampons case.

(sorry guys) Of all the things I receive in the mail, I truly think I'll actually use this product because now that I think of it, everytime I throw tampons in my purse, the paper rips or comes off and I have to throw them in the trash. AND of course, this little case will fit in clutches and small handbags.

Get you own o.b. tampon purse pack for FREE at www.mightysmall.ca.

And while we're on the subject, here are some cool clutches:


First Red Clutch: Aldo Shoes zippered clutch ($35, available in all malls) or online
Tod's Blue, YSL Black, Candies Pink

Baggage Handbags Toronto

Everyone loves a great deal but there are some things worth shelling out an extra couple of bucks for. A great, classic handbag, purse or tote is one of those things that can last a lifetime (or at least a long time) without losing its lure.

Baggage Handbags is a line of succulent handbags made from 100% recycled leather ranging in price from $100-$200. I think this is a deal considering the hand-made quality and all the work that goes into creating and assembling each bag!

While still in fashion design school at George Brown, designer and entrepreneur Ashley Phillips started Baggage Handbags as a summer business (after graduating from Ryerson's architecture program). Now that her line is sold at least 10 shops on the continent, as well as on her Etsy website, I'm sure all Ashley's free time (after her day job) is spent making hand bags!

As an independent local designer who is managing all aspects of her business (sales, media, mktg, etc...), I asked her about the process and time it takes to complete a bag:

"Step 1 is designing the patterns for the bags. We only have five different styles at the moment, and each one took a different length of time me to develop. It’s really a trial and error thing, and many hours went into each one.

Step 2 is finding the (leather) jackets – This can take up to one or two hours per bag when you include getting in the car or on the subway and riding out to a Value Village or vintage shop.

Step 3 is preparing the jacket, tracing the pattern and cutting out the cotton lining and the leather for each bag. This takes about one hour.

Step 4 is actually sewing the bag, and hand weaving the strap, which I do myself, and this can take one to two hours depending on the style.

When we’re not designing or sewing, we spend a lot of our time scouring thrift stores or vintage shops looking for great leather jackets to recycle into our bags. We try to incorporate many of the unique features of these jackets into our designs. Because of these unique materials, no two handbags are the same."

In Toronto, you can find Baggage at: Distill, 55 Mill Street, building #47
Propaganda, 686 Yonge Street and Nathalie-Roze & Co., 1015 Queen St. East.

klutch

klutch bags, handmade in Toronto, keep business simple by offering only a few styles of well crafted, beautifully lined clutches that are "not to be carried, but to be worn".

Toronto designers Victoria Selano and Sonia Pinto craft their limited run clutches out of leather, Italian silk and natural linen with magnetic closures and hand straps to make carrying even easier.

The district is long and lean, the savoy small, while the metropolitan has curved edges ($100-$165). klutch bags may not be cheap, but this kind of classic quality will last a life time (and besides, being style savvy is not cheap)!

Available online at Shopgirls (new online boutique) or for the same price point at their Etsy shop klutchbags.etsy.com

Gifts for Gals: My Tagalongs

Gifts for gals on the go - especially the ones who already have everything!

My Tagalongs are travel/purse accessories, packaged into pretty little organized kits. The Purse Hooker (have you seen these in restaurants?) is a collapsible hook that can sit on table to help keep your bags off your chair and off the floor. And it works! ($15)

There's the Emergency Valet which has a tampon tube, eco-tote, sticky notes, a sewing kit and a little floss. ($30) I'm thinking the teens will be all over this.

My fav though is the Jet Sets - perfect for flying. It's two empty/refillable airless pump jars that are airport friendly ($18).

My Tagalongs are available in the handbag section of The Bay stores across Canada.

Essential Style: Cuff Wear

by Daniel Wilson

Once upon a time men dressed up and putting on a pair of cuff links would be as natural as putting on socks when getting dressed. Then came Casual Fridays. North American men began going to work looking like out of work golf caddies in baggy khakis and corporate freebie polo shirts. Slob became acceptable and we entered the dark ages of mens dressing.

But now there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel as men have discovered the mirror and the accessory. Bay Street is belting out its demands; if our female coworkers can have fun getting dressed, why can’t we? Why do they get the great jewellery and this seasons 'It Bag' while we’re left with festive holiday neckties?

Enter Chris Zownir, a former Bay Street Boy himself, as its knight in armor, a champion in the fight against Bay Street Blah and his company Cuffwear.

“The Bay Street uniform is still pretty standard,” says Chris, “but cuff links give men a chance to be unique. Its something fun.”

And his designs are fun. With images like martinis, bulls and bears, buy and sell signs and Bond girl-esq ladies, Cuffwear offers men myriad chances to wear their mood, if not their heart, on their sleeve.

At $65-90, Chris’ cuff links are priced low to inspire creativity. You can own several pairs for different moods or mix and match, “and if you are staggering home in the morning,” says Chris, “ and realize you lost one you haven’t ruined a several hundred dollar investment from Tiffany’s”

Inspiration comes from the fashion in the 60s TV show Mad Men, but its not just the clothes. “Maybe, just maybe,” says Chris, “if men return to more traditional fashions and style elements they might return to traditional manners. Opening the door for other people and just general politeness.”

Stylish men, polite or otherwise, can find Cuffwear at Rolo, Gotstyle, The Coop and Rego all in Toronto or online at cuffwear.com.

Other places for Cufflinks in Toronto:
Green Shag, 670 Queen Street West
Courage my Love, 14 Kensington Ave.
Barbie's Basement Jewellery offers custom cufflinks
www.linkyourshirt.com

Brendalyn @ Evan&Dean

Evan & Dean work with clinical geometry softened with folk floral applique. The line is accented with hot new jewelry by metal-craft designer Brendalyn Avender who uses leading edge technology to create watercut brass gauntlets, cuffs and shin guards. Think of Sir Lancelot in deep space, or Wonder Woman on speed - you get the idea.

Christina and I go back stage to talk with Avender and play dress up with the only interesting jewellery on the runway so far. The brass is electroplated with enamel which makes it as durable as it looks.

Avender's line is available around the world, but only at Distill (in the Distillery, 55 Mill Street) in Toronto.

Statement Necklace T.O.

Made You Look designers include Buttercup Days, Monikque, MIMO, Moonrox and Susie Love

By now, all our favorite fashion magazines have let us know that the 'Statement Necklace' is HUGE this season. Every high-profile designer adorned runway models in chunky, artful accessories using gaudy costume jewellery, multi-chains, bra/bib necklaces and outstanding mixtures of color.

While the majority of us can't afford the lates Dries Van Noten bangle necklace or Alexander McQueen's Indian treasures - we can put our pennies together for our very own locally crafted, one-of-a-kind show stopper.

Made You Look, the two-location mecca for hand-made accessories from over 100 Toronto jewellery designers is the perfect destination shop for necklaces, rings, bracelets and brooches. Prices range from low to high; and accessories can be found for minimalist, contemporary and over-the-top types!

On our recent trip down to Parkdale, we only visited the "funky exciting" south-side shop - the north-side is dedicated to more serious jewellery. Finds are awesome and definitely worth the price - most importantly, nothing is mass produced or generic! Heading to Made You Look - let us know what you bought!

Made You Look, 1273 Queen Street West

Etsy: Visions of Spring

Although all the fashion magazines are packed with SPRING collections and colors, the snow in Toronto just won't let up! Warm weather clothes and strappy footwear in bright hues and monocramatic shades, the trends of the upcoming season, decorate shop windows - while we continue to bundle up in heavy coats and salt-stained boots:(
Etsy, the uber-shopping site for global crafters, is a fabulous spot for some inspirational sunshine and great deals on new accessories and clothing for every season!

These are some fun local finds. All items are one-of-a-kind originals so its essential to check back often!

1. Charlene Serdan Designs
Beads, beautiful rocks and jewels crafted into timeless accessories. Shown: A cluster of czech glass beads and turquoise on sterling earwires. Length of the dangle 1.6". $22

2. Picnicbybarbfeldman.etsy.com
Fun, affordable polymer clay shaped into lemon pie, birthday cake and salmon and lox! Brunch plate brooch, 1 1/4" $14.

3. Elizaveta Yankelovich a.k.a. Kameleon
Eye-catching, eccentric necklaces made-up of toys, lego, sunglasses and hair rollers...! Elizaveta will be showcasing at [FAT]. BoBBLes neckwear $34 plus $6 shipping

Stand Outs

We all want to stand out when it comes to fashion. In the sea of black - which is the staple colour of winter fashion it seems - you need killer accessories.

With fashion week only eight days away, now is the time to augment the terrible black hole with bold design that blasts out colour and style. TSF recommends silk neckties in electric colours made by designer Jane Haselgrove, available from The Rage [13 Kensington Ave] and eclectic, mad necklaces from Elizaveta Yankelovich a.k.a KAMELEON stocked at Boutique Le Trou [940 Queen St West]. One of a kind is always the best way to impress!

Hanging out at Toronto's Boutique Le Trou

Susie Love cuffs | Elizaveta Yankelovich a.k.a. Kameleon neckwear

Danielle Meder of final fashion

Boutique Le Trou, 940 Queen Street West
Full of high-quality Canadian designers including SD&R, Phillip Sparks, Nada, Lucian Matis, Zoran Dobric...