Crochet Bikinis @ Shopgirls

Pricila Gomes, a local knitwear designer that originally hails from Brazil, is offering up exotic hand-crocheted bikinis in a multitude of colors and styles! Starting at $135 - only at Shopgirls.

Shopgirls Gallery Boutique, 1342 Queen Street West

JUMA in T.O.

Find JUMA 2009 Spring/Summer collection in stores! The collection is modern, clean, sporty and can be dressed casually or formally depending on how you accessorize it.

Womens Stocklist:
Pho Pa (Toronto), Oak (New York), Victoire (Ottawa), James Boutique (Montreal), Turtle (Boston), Pink Sugar (Calgary), Tenth & Proper (Vancouver) and others

Mens Stocklist:
UPC (Toronto), Oak (New York), Boutik (Calgary), Two of a Few (Vancouver), U&I (Montreal) and others

Online Boutiques for Canadian Designers

FashionCan builds and manages online boutiques for independent Canadian designers. What a great low-cost option for designers to confidently hand over admin and tech duties to a company that has already built up a clientele of successful working designers such as House of Spy,Snoflake, Valerie Dumaine, etc...

The boutique sites are clean, easy to navigate and shop from!

Also, head to Fashioncan.com to find Canadian designers selling wares online >>

My Tagalongs Travel Accessories

On my last trip to Vegas, although it was sweltering in the desert - I almost froze my butt off on the plane since the airline stopped distributing blankets due to the Swine Flu outbreak.
Fortunately, I actually brought my own blanket/pillow duo (and really only because I recently received the package in the mail!) - a warm, convenient MyTagalongs 'Undercover Traveler' blankie/pillow/mask combo. A great idea if you don't want to share pillow germs with the previous guests! I even bought one for a friend and she was happy simply for the 'I wake for food' velcro mask signage!


I also brought along with me the Sunhat to Go. I love this concept - it's a sunhat in black or beige that conveniently rolls up when not in use and easily unrolls into a well formed sunhat! Perfect for travel! ($18us)

My Tagalongs is a new line of 30 lifestyle accessories that are specifically designed to save time and make life a little easier. They sell in Toronto at various shops and ONLINE >> go here for list.

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

Lightweight Converse for Ladies

Converse for women at Get Outside - downtown 437 Queen Street West and uptown 3456 Yonge Street or even shop online!

Gifts For Dad

Father's Day is June 21, 2009.

www.braveleather.com

40-80% OFF *Designer Streetwear* this weekend!

DC Sample Sales sells 100% genuine name brand, international labels at prices much less than retail...This weekend, check out even greater savings!

June 6 & 7, 2009
Hyatt Regency Hotel, 370 King Street West (between John & Peter Sts)

Print this for an ADDITIONAL 15% OFF name brand clothing!


Seven for all Mankind | Ed Hardy | Rock and Religion | Christian Audigier | Ben Sherman | Antik and much, much more!!!

JUMA Spring/Summer in T.O.

If I was in town on my birthday, Thursday June 4, 2009 - I would definitely hit up this JUMA trunk show to try and find a great deal on new, designer summer piece from this local label. (But I will be on remote location in Las Vegas (yay!) and will have to make due without).
Rachel


About JUMA:
Brother and sister design duo Alia and Jamil Juma have been creating cleanline, contemporary and active wear for about six years. As ex-Toronto Fashion Incubator residents, they've previously shown at Toronto Fashion Week, but have clearly found more success exhibiting at New York and Las Vegas trade shows (JUMA was also invited to present at Capital Fashion Week in Ottawa last fall) resulting in sales throughout North America.


JUMA's black kurta pants are flying off New York retail shelves.

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 >>

9 Spring Shoes (2009)

One of the greatest things about Spring and longer sunny days is the burst of color indoors and out! And shoe stores this Spring 2009 are no exception.

In a twist of trends, shoes for sale are every color of the rainbow, in patterns and stripes; animal skins and suedes. There are fringes, gaudy beads and baubles and tons of decorative details. Of course the gladiator sandal and strappy heels reign for the masses this year, but now black is boring as sandals are multi-colored. A new look for Toronto is the 'bootie shoe', which was HUGE in Europe last year and likely your best investment this year as it'll work next as well!


Aldo (in most malls - outlet on Yonge Street)
$75 gladiators | $100 orange | $90 Lacau


Browns (locations in HBC stores and most malls)
$150 suede purple | $120 reptile | $130 bootie shoe (all the rage in Europe last year)


Another chain store by leading Canadian shoe retailer, The Aldo Group - Little Burgendy has three Toronto locations, offering name brand (youth styles) footwear.
Shown $100 wedge | $50 sandal | $189 (my splurge) cork pumps

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.

Dresses under $150 in Toronto

If you're still on the PROM dress hunt (or you likely have an upcoming wedding or shower), you can find an amazing, original-looking dress at a vintage shop in Toronto for under $150. If you insist on new, you may have to head to the mall (but risk the chance of wearing the same dress as someone else).

However, the surefire places to find a dress for under $150 (Canadian companies in the mall):
(Biggest malls: Eaton Centre, Yorkdale, Scarborough Town Centre, Fairview Mall)

Le Chateau
Although they've bumped up their prices in the past five years or so (so, cheap clothes that cost more), you can still find some really stylish items from shoes to earrings, to hats to coats. Canadian company Le Chateau is worth the visit and have a great selection of prom dresses - and while you're there you can find shoes, tights and accessories too.


Fairweather
I would don't shop here - anymore (not even to buy cheapy tank tops), but if it's an inexpensive dress you're after, you should stop in. Prices are super affordable.

Winners
I love Winners, but sometimes you have to search through racks and racks and multiple stores to find what you're looking for. The selection varies from great priced designer finds to mass produced youth labels - all previous seasons' overstock. There are Winners locations throughout the city - and for the most part, they are all different. Happy hunting!


Sears
Yes, it's true. Sears is a great option if it's inexpensive dresses you're after. I found these three ideal dresses among many online - perfect shells to accessorize around!

Drunk in the Trunk - Part II, May 14th!

Toronto's favorite Sustainable, Fashion Designing Midnight Bike Gang, The Deadly Nightshades are hosting one last Drunk in the Trunk Show before pre-ordering closes for Fall '09! Hosted by 69 Vintage Buy the Pound at 1234 Bloor St. W on May 14th from 6-9pm it's the only way to get 20% off retail price and to ensure you get the size and colour that you want before DNS gear even hits stores!!!

PROM: Dresses (list in progress)

Fashion Crimes
http://fashioncrimes.ca/
Perhaps one of the most coveted dress boutiques in the city, Fashion Crimes has the potential to hook you up, if you're willing to spend a few bucks. Designer and owner Pam Chorley has been in her Queen Street West store for 25 years and has since racked up tons of great press and her dresses have been in numerous magazines. For a beautiful dress or at least a lot of inspiration, stop in here. 322 Queen Street West (east of Spadina).

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

Build Your Own Dress @ Peach Berserk (ready in 2 weeks or less)
www.peachberserk.com

With its "Dress Design' software, you can go to the Peach Berserk website and click and drag to build an offbeat printed dress of your dreams. There are over 200 Peach Berserk prints to choose from, from fabulously funky to delightfully demure. $395

- 15 different bodices
- 9 different skirts (each in 3 lengths)
- 6 different sleeve types
- 45 different silk fabric colours
- and a whole bunch of cute accessories such as flounce, crinoline, rosettes, buttons and bows.

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

The Little Black Dress Shop Online
http://littleblackdressshop.com/catalog/
Mostly classic styles, black or 'light' black, designer and Canadian designer.

PROM: Vintage Shops for Dresses (Toronto)

These images, taken from our 2006 Prom shoot, feature the gals in 69 Vintage dresses - still completely fashionable for 2009!

If you want an original-looking, usually well-made and special dress for prom that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars, consider going vintage.

Vintage shops take the pain out of 'thrifting' and pickers are well-seasoned at choosing top items to sell in their shops. It can be the difference of hitting up every store in the mall, or simply picking a dress off a rack!

I tried asking my pro-vintage friends about their 'favorite' shops in the city, but I should've know - that's like asking people to divulge their most private secrets. And I have to agree - SO, instead of taking the fun out of discovering your own favorite vintage shops by listing them, I'll instead just lead the way:

Kensington Market
Kensington Market, a few blocks slightly north of the Spadina/Dundas area is probably the area with the most concentrated number of vintage shops in the city. That's not to say they're all top quality, however, you can hit them all in a few hours without stepping foot indoors at a mall! And the prices are great.

Fav's for dresses include Flashback, 33 Kensington Avenue and Dancing Days, 17 Kensington Avenue.
Then stop in Courage My Love, 14 Kensington Avenue or a number of other shops on the street to find some great accessories.

Ossington Avenue
Over the past few years a short strip in the Ossington/Dundas area has been struggling to snazz up its artsy turf with quaint shops opening and closing. However, a few great finds do remain among cafes and galleries including Silver Falls, 15 Ossington and I Miss You, 63 Ossington (at Queen).

Queen Street West
Undisputably Toronto's best/easiest 'shopping' street that runs from west of University Avenue all the way to WEST Queen West beyond Ossington. Furthest west, we like 69 Vintage, 1100 Queen St., then east of Bathurst there are many higher-end shops like Cabaret, 672 Queen St., Brava, 553 Queen St., and House of Vintage, 571 Queen St. Really there are too many for me to mention - but if you start your search at Spadina Avenue and walk west, I would think you'd be sure to find a great dress!


Toronto Midtown - High End
Head north of Bloor to find high-end designer focused vintage shops like Act 2, 596 Mount Pleasant Road, The Cat's Meow, 180 Avenue Road and The Paper Bag Princess, 287 Davenport Road.


Other
There are vintage dress shops throughout the entire city - on Roncesvalles Avenue, Queen Street East, Dundas Street and Bloor Street (visit Irene at 69 Buy the Pound, 1234 Bloor Street) - even in Yorkville.

If you do consider buying a fabulous vintage dress for prom (or any occassion), take out the frustration of thrifting and go to a specialized vintage shop, where staff can truly help make it a great experience!

Tiff's Clothing Show Fav 5

by Tiff Ing

If there’s one event that Toronto shopping addicts look forward to, it’s the bi-annual Clothing Show. There’s always an opportunity to score deals and discounts, and to meet and chat up the (mostly local) faces behind the labels. Four years ago, when I first trekked down to the Exhibition grounds for the show, it opened my eyes to the wonderful creative talents of Toronto designers. Now, four years later, media pass in hand, I’ve compiled a list of my five favorite Toronto-centric booths through the years, in no particular order:


1. JOOL – Local designer Julie Phelps always has a beautifully set up booth with affordable, boldly printed reworked vintage blouses and lots of vintage shoes and trunks. Check out her wares in her Etsy shop.

2. I Miss You Vintage – Super mark downs on a well-edited, but abundant collection of vintage dresses and accessories--$15 dresses? $5 purses? I’m sold. Check out I Miss You’s shop at 63 Ossington Avenue or online.

3. Snoflake/Dagg & Stacey – Debbie Sutton, Stacey Paterson and Karen Dagg are a Clothing Show staple, with an extra large booth to sell samples and leftovers from past collections at discounted prices. Check out www.snoflakefashion.com and www.daggandstacey.com before the
show to find choice pieces, but be prepared to fight for your size!

4. Propaganda – Regina Shum likes to sell off pieces from past collections of Valerie Dumaine, Eve Gravel, and other Canadian designers at major discounts, and she’s totally open to bargaining with Clothing Show attendees for better prices. Check out her website at www.shopaganda.ca and her adorable 686 Yonge St shop for more fun stuff.

5. Model Citizen – For the boys, you just can’t beat Julian Finkel’s Model Citizen prints. Their Clothing Show booth usually has some serious deals—my boyfriend scored a devil’s pitchfork printed collared shirt for a mere 5 bucks this year! For more printed awesomeness, check out Model Citizen’s Kensington store at 279 Augusta.

Mothers

Mother's Day is is Sunday May 10, 2009.


Mimi&Marge bouquet ring @ Propaganda $70 | Foxy 'Henna' Earrings @ Deva Shoppers $28 | Ceramic glazed Poppy Pin by Julie Moon @ Shopgirls $30



Joe Fresh beauty products available at Loblaws Superstores throughout Canada.
Tinted lip balm $8 | Bronzer $8 | Eye Shadow Trio $6

Damned Dollies @ One of a Kind Show

I'm sure you've seen these little 'Damned Dollies' in Toronto by now - There's the five inch stuffed gals with stands (that come in their own screen-print boxes), mini-versions that can be used as brooches and even a line of damned dolly sketches screened onto tees.



Designer Dana De Kuyper recently relocated to Toronto from Montreal so its possible we may see even more of her curious little creations throughout the city. Already, Damned Dollies are available in nine stores throughout the province. Find more here >>

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 >>

PhoPa - Spring '09 ON Sale!

Pho Pa, 698 Queen St. West (416-979-9444) just released its Spring 2009 line - I haven't seen it but the gals at Pho Pa usually create super hip, fashion-forward pieces for their own in-store line.

For 10% off, print and present the coupon:

One of a Kind Show & Sale Starts Today!!

One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale 2009
Wednesday, April 1 to Sunday, April 5, 2009
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place,

Weekdays 11am-10pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm

There is SOOOO much to see and do at the bi-annual One of a Kind Show & Sale in Toronto. It is a giant space full of hand-crafted items, art, fashion, gourmet goodies, and home decor. There are fashion shows, displays and seminars. Also, a free parcel check, family centre and wheelchair access.

Get Tickets Online
* Adults $10
* Seniors (65+) $6.50
* Students (13-17) $6.50
* Children (12 & under) Free

Get Tickets at the Door
* Adults $12
* Seniors (65+) $6.50
* Students (13-17) $6.50
* Children (12 & under) Free

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.

Green Gala gowns For Sale

Fashion Takes Action (FTA) is holding an online Eco Auction with nine of the sustainable garments featured on the runway at last fall's Fashion Takes Action Green Gala.

Designs by Project Runway Canada winner Evan Biddell, Thien Le, Zoran Dobric, Nada Yousif, Thieves, Eugenia Leavitt, Carrie Hayes, AIME Luxury and current Project Runway Canada contestant Jason Meyers are up for grabs!

The FTA Eco Auction will be hosted on eBay for five days, beginning at 10 p.m. on Sunday March 15th and closing at 10 p.m. on Friday March 20th. Each garment is featured on the FTA website with a photo from the Green Gala runway, along with new photos that highlight the garments’ features. Each winner will also receive a Rowenta IS9100 Professional Garment Steamer valued at $200, to help with the care for their new eco garments.

Fashion Takes Action is known for producing Canada’s greenest fashion events – The Green Gala and the Sustainable Style Show. On April 22nd, 2009 (Earth Day), FTA will be launching as a member-based organization whose mission is to have a socially and environmentally positive impact on the fashion industry. Fifty percent of the profits raised from the Eco Auction will be given to each of the designers, and the other half will be injected into FTA’s Education and Awareness programs.

Preloved Spring Styles

Preloved is well-made, re-worked clothing.

For Spring, there are jackets fashioned from men’s khakis ($89), high-waisted skirts made from suit jackets ($139), and flirty off-the shoulder tops made from button-down shirts ($129).

This week’s featured item is the incredibly versatile Kalani dress/shirt ($159).

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

preloved
881 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M6J 1G5
p (416) 504-8704
f (416) 703-2598
preloved.ca

Sell your designer duds...

"In today's economy, everyone is looking for ways to make a few extra bucks and a true fashionista won't let the economy affect her style. Let us help you turn your shopping habit into cash and at the same time keep you looking fashionable!"

Fashionably Yours is currently in the process of taking in gently used designer items for resale.

FY is located inside MODA @ 632 Queen St West.
647.802.9687 or email sell@fashionablyyours.ca


Happy Spring Cleaning!!

JOE Fresh Spring 2009 Trends

by Julia Teeluck


(photos from FDCC fashion week site www.lgfashionweek.ca)

At the top of the Canadian fashion chain sits the Creative Director of Joe Fresh Style™, Joseph Mimran. As the force behind the successful Alfred Sung, Club Monaco (bought for millions of dollars from Ralph Lauren Corp.) and Caban stores, Mimran is the Chair of the Fashion Design Council of Canada; and heads Joseph Mimran & Associates, a brand and design consulting business that works for Pink Tartan, Tevrow + Chase and the Loblaws PC line of home merchandise.

The Joe Fresh Style line of cheap 'n chic clothes for the family - sold at Loblaws Super Centres around the country - is presented in a high-style fashion show each season at L'Oreal Fashion Week. The brand targets “the time-starved, style-hungry moms on a budget” and stands for “fresh, accessible style.”


Julia Teeluck: Can you summarize the overall goal or look for Spring 2009?
Joseph Mimran: What you saw is a small microcosm of the entire collection. [A total of 47 outfits were shown.] I mean, our collection is made up of hundreds and hundreds of pieces. [...]So essentially, what we do is distill it down to a nugget of an idea based on what we’ve done for the season, for the catwalk.

[There are 350 stores nationwide. The stores are constantly replenished and updated. Elaine Quan, who is the Senior Manager of Public Relations at Joe Fresh Style said that one store can receive a shipment of approximately 80 boxes in a month.]

"For the catwalk, what I really wanted to do was, I wanted to focus on some of the yoga and active pieces that we do because that is a very big piece of our business as well.

[To set the mood before the show began, the lights were dimmed and tranquil instrumental music was played. The audience sat in the dark and were instructed by a deep, somber voice to close their eyes, relax and breathe.]

"I wanted to mix it [...] with the streets wear to show the customer [how to mix and match] and to give it a different spin than we’ve done before. [I wanted to] put many of the new silhouettes like the genie pant and the exaggerated jumpers and the one piece together in a way that would be wearable.

"The accessories were clear, again, sort of a hint for the need for transparency in today’s society and the importance of that and how all that all ties together into a new-age kind of look into the future.

JT: Do you have a favourite item out of the collection?
JM: I think certainly, the pieces that I love the most are the ones that talk to the clean aesthetic. But at the same time, it is about the newness of the silhouettes. I love all the new silhouettes. I think they’re really really fun and interesting. Those are the pieces I gravitate to. It’s hard for me to pick a favourite because I love so many.

[In fact, Joe checks and approves every piece before it makes it into the final collections. It is no wonder that he loves so many of them.]

"One of my favourites was the “memory taffeta” bubble skirt [$39, available in various colours like orange, bright yellow, soft blue, pink, and lilac] that came out at the end. It’s more of a street wear piece, but with the elastic hem it gave it a little different sports vibe.

JT: If you had to choose a fruit to represent the collection what would it be?
JM: You noticed that the girls were carrying oranges in their transparent totes [$24]. Orange is the colour of our brand and represents a freshness and a zest.

Insider Tip: The store with the most selection and that gets the good stuff first is the Real Canadian Superstore location at 2549 Weston road (at Hwy 401).

40-80% OFF *StreetWear* this Weekend!!

DC Sample Sales sells 100% genuine name brand, international labels at prices much less than retail...This weekend, check out even greater savings!

June 6 & 7, 2009
Hyatt Regency Hotel, 370 King Street West (between John & Peter Sts)

Print this for an ADDITIONAL 15% OFF name brand clothing!


Seven for all Mankind | Ed Hardy | Rock and Religion | Christian Audigier | Ben Sherman | Antik and much, much more!!!

Canadian Designer Shopping ONLINE

Enviius is a new online, sample sale "members only" site that is set to feature Canadian designer clothing at sample sale prices.

Each online sales event will showcase one or two brands at a time, and will last just three days. Emails are sent to members informing them of upcoming sales. Due to limited stock, members are encouraged to shop as early as possible. Items are sold on a first come, first served basis.

Enviius is free to join, and for a limited time members will receive a $10 credit when they activate their membership. There is also a friend referral system, where members receive an additional $10 credit for each referral, after their friend makes their first purchase.

Canadian designers will be featured on Enviius including Carrie Hayes, Thien LE, Eugenia Leavitt, Paul Hardy, Kavi Kavi, Jessica Jensen, Myco Anna, Brazen Hussy, Aqua Di Lara Zoran Dobric and AIME Luxury.

http://www.enviius.com

MAGIC PONY SHOP & GALLERY
694 Queen St W, Toronto On Canada M6J 1E7
t: 416.861.1684 e: contact@magic-pony.com
www.magic-pony.com

Rage December: Gift Picks

If you haven't already, head over to the Rage online at www.ragetoronto.ca and join up for the Kensington indie-haven's monthly newsletter.

This month, the Rage lists its top picks for gift giving; let's us know about the last Ndeur shoes available and also highlights other great shops in the area to make Christmas shopping easier!

The Rage offers the biggest selection of clothing, accessories and beauty products from local designers.

Rage, 13 Kensington Avenue
Also available on Etsy at therage.etsy.com.

Layout by John Mong

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

Trendy West 49

I've never stepped into a West 49 store but know it is very popular among 12-20 year olds. I'm personally not into generic street labels that are highly coveted by Teen Vogue readers (Roxy, Billabong, DC, Hurley, etc..), but have to commend Canadian chain West 49 for its success with providing youth styles in Canada.

Until now, I didn't know West 49 Inc. is a Canadian company. Specifically, a specialty retailer of apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment related to skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, motocross, and the music industry. West 49 was founded in 1995, and currently operates 73 stores across Canada. Impressive!

And now I know the perfect place to shop for my nephew and nieces!

Stores everywhere - go to the Store Locator here >>

Moda 1 Year Anniversary

It's another mammoth, international clothing company that offers stylish clothing at great prices. And like most European clothing chains, we love the selection. And love that we can afford it!

Toronto's MODA carries a large selection of the two contemporary Danish brands, “Vero Moda” and “Selected Homme” (stemming from Vero Moda, a Dutch company with over 700 stores around the world) and recently celebrated its 1st year anniversary on Toronto's Queen Street West with local media, bloggers and shoppers.

We got to take a closer look at 'Vero Moda' - the womens line that offers $30 blouses and $80 coats; and 'Selected Homme' - mens clothes with $55 waist coats and $270 winter wool coats.

Frankly, I'm a little surprised that more people don't flock to this store. Its much smaller that the typical H&M or Zara but that adds to the 'boutique' experience and makes it all the more easy find great items including top trends like velvet leggings, lacy accessories and chic clutches.

Moda, 632 Queen St. W.

Doc Martens in Toronto

Could it be?! Docs are making a premature comeback as a hot new trend among the tweens along with a multitude of other 80s styles.

Already, the clunky, laced-up boot is being bought up in faraway places such as Hong Kong and Glasgow. However, like most shoe companies these days, Dr. Martens and its air cushioned soles are now available in even more options: patent pinks, flourescents - I've even seen vegan options!

Apparently, there are 70,000 possible varieties of Dr. Martens, starting at 3-eye and rising to a 20-eye boot. They were popular for postmen in the 60s, then became notorious when skinheads and bad boys donned them through the 70s. In the 80s, the masses adopted the style and they became uniform for rockers and musicians.

In Toronto
You can find Docs in many shoe and goth stores on Queen Street West (around Spadina).

As the first store ever to offer Dr. Martens, Neon, 391 Queen St. W. has brought them back again with a huge selection to choose from claiming that they charge $30 less than other stores.

Shown:
Dr. Martens 1460 8 Eye Boots in Pink Smooth, $109.99
Dr. Martens 1460 8 Eye Boots in White Smooth, $109.99
Dr. Martens 14 Eye 2 Zip Boots in Red Patent, $129.99
Dr. Martens 14 Eye Side Zip Boots in Silver Broken Promises, $139.99
Dr. Martens Phoenix Alexia Rigger Boot in Black Mirage, $129.

Over the Rainbow Seasons Picks

1. Sam Edelman's Ursula Tall Fringe Boot $269.
2. Faux suede bucket bag $80.
3. Colour block bangles $25/each
4. Challenger Grease Relaxed Jean by PRPS $365.
5. Sushi Thermal PJ Top & Pant by PJ Salvage Originals, $61/each
6. Unisex Eagle Merino Zip Sweater by Kanata Hand-Knit, $265.
7. Sundance II Boot by Ugg, $330.
8. Print Dress by Yumi, $95.
9. Soia and Kyo's Margo Houndstooth Jacket, $320.

Over the Rainbow, 101 Yorkville Avenue

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

FOX in Canada

FOX Clothing is the latest clothing company making its way through the world. FOX is to Israel what Zara is to Spain or the Gap to America. All companies produce mass quantities of clothing and are available around the world.

In the past few years, FOXs colorful, trendy and youthful clothing has become available in numerous countries including Italy, Romania, China, Singapore and most recently Canada.

Last month, the company graciously hosted a media/launch event at the pricey Spoke Club where Daniel got a sneak peak of the Fall/Winter line that will be available at a mall near you:

by Daniel Wilson
Recently I arrived at the gorgeous Spoke Club where TFI blogger and part-time PR gal Carolyn Rohaly played the consummate and elegant hostess for the launch of Fox in Canada. The Israeli based basics line has finally tapped into the Canadian market for Fall 08.

Fox Canada’s three new locations in Fairview Mall, Brampton and Vaughan are sure to be a one stop shopping destination for the 905 guys and galls getting ready for a night out in the entertainment district. The preppy-yet-funky easy wearing classics such as hoodies, shirt dresses, polos and blazers are simple, affordable and will look great in the clubs.

Fox put on a playful fashion show with their brand ambassadors who were mostly sexy and stylish with the exception of one squinting, oddly booted boy who seemed to need the spotlight shined on him to physically sustain himself through osmosis. The other models, however, danced and cavorted across the stage popping their collars and mock stripping each other in a convincing display of stylish irreverence.

Fox Canada now has stores open in Vaughan Mills, Bramalea City Center and Fairview Mall. Their collection includes clothing for guys, galls, kids and babies.

First Look: One of a Kind Show @ Sale

In its 34th year, the One of a Kind Show is all about 'Holiday Windows' this season.

With hundreds of environmentally friendly, locally produced and unique gift ideas, the One of a Kind Show houses emerging artists, craftspeople and highly talented artisans under one giant roof! Discover visual art, toys, jewellery, fashion, ceramics, glass, home décor, food and much more!

WHERE: Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd., Toronto
WHEN: November 27th - December 7th, 2008
Weekdays 11am-10pm, Saturdays 10am-9pm, Sundays 10am-6pm

At the Show (taken from the One of a Kind Show BLOG):

1) Sara Guindon & Sam Purdy / The PinPals
2) Jennifer Neill & Valerie Neill / Judy Black
3) Meghan Irish / Identity Apparel
4) Florence Hupin / Trace
5) Joern Schmidt / Tresnormale
6) Sylwia Bartosik / Sylwanka Clothing

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

Metallic Fidelity

LUX jean $240 Cdn

Silver and gold may be losing its trendy momentum but these new, limited-number jeans from Canadian brand Fidelity are smoking! (Remember these styles from the late 90s?!!)

Available ONLY online at www.fidelitydenim.com

Preloved Fall 2008

by Daniel Wilson


Picks available @ Preloved include Amelia vest (made from vintage trousers) | Butterfield skirt $139 (made from 3 vintage trousers) | Miss Vale sweater $149 (made from 5 vintage sweaters)
Norrell sweater dress-$129 (made from 3 vintage sweaters)

Earlier this month, Toronto's mecca of well-made re-worked clothing, Preloved celebrated its phoenix from the ashes with its new store opening. A relaxed crowd drank Steamwhistle and crunched nachos in the gorgeous new space. Though roughly the same square footage, this new store feels vast compared to their flagship that was lost in the February Queen Street fire. Exposed brick walls and warm woods frame huge windows looking out at Trinity Bellwoods and a garden in the back of the store. Preloved’s loyal fans would follow them anywhere, but they are sure to be thrilled with the new digs.

Preloved, 881 Queen Street West

Trove @ Over the Rainbow

The fall 2008 line-up at Over The Rainbow pushes eternal summer style into the cooler months. Not to be missed: distinctive LA influences among new brands in stock and enough graphic tee's to keep even the trendiest Torontonians on par with the West Coast.

Keepin' it Local
Always on the hunt for the hottest new finds, Over the Rainbow picked up Toronto-based Trove Clothing. Founders Jesse Burnett and Carly Mandelbaum are gaining popularity with their casual, cottag-y tees, hoodies and sweats made of 100% organic cotton. (reminds me of Cotton Ginny in the 80s). Made in Canada.

Over the Rainbow
101 Yorkville Avenue

Canada's Adidas AZX Collaborations

For its latest big design collaboration - the AZX Project, Adidas has linked up with 24 of the world's most popular sneaker shops to create and design new versions of the 1970s-1980s ZX sneakers series. Each boutique represents a letter of the alphabet, minus the x and z.

L is for Livestock
Livestock is a popular streetwear retailer with stores in Vancouver and Toronto. Founders Garry Bone and Garret Louie collaborate with designers to create limited number Livestock t's and hoodies. The Livestock AZX sneaker, with its canvas stripes, draws upon rugged military styling and minimalism.

The Goodfoot ZX8000 (G is for Green) is made from sustainable and recyclable materials; and comes with 2 organic tee’s in a natural hemp and a hemp tote bag.

Other shops include Undftd, Alife, DQM, Patta, Major, Bodega, Colette, Huf, and Foot Patrol, to name a few.

Goodfoot Toronto
431 Richmond St. W
(416) 364-0734

Livestock Toronto
116 Spadina Ave. #G1
(416) 360 5483

Designer Skivvies on Queen West

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

Etsy: Crafting Cupcakes!

Of course by now we're all aware that cupcakes are a sweeping global trend. People are paying $3 for two wee bites of deliciousness; they're wearing the colorful cups on clothing and crafters are knitting, painting and molding faux petite-gateaux.

We LOVE these Etsy finds and could have easily spent many more hours going through hundreds of pages of cupcake crafts - not only original and hand-made, but affordable!

LilyBaySoap
Soaps handmade from scratch using mostly all-natural ingredients and vegan friendly. Yummy scents include vanilla, blueberry, raspberry, etc...$4.25 each (+ $2 shipping)

JooJoo Polymer Clay
Mini magnet cupcakes with strong magnets on the bottom to decorate appliances or anywhere else you think of. Many choices. $15 for 3.

Frosting Couture
"Sweet to the Bone" hat with beaded wool felt cupcake. Many other yummy fashions mostly for kids. $18

Queen Street Market

Kealan Sullivan of high-style shop 69 Vintage recently announced a new marketplace for art, craft, fashion and vintage lovers - The Queen West Market, upstairs at 1100 Queen Street West.

The second floor space (previously Spin Gallery) will be the new home of the market and its 35+ artsy vendors - including a farmers market.

Open every Saturday and Sunday, 10 - 6 all year round.

Designers and Merchants: There are many options available to sell your wares from renting small carts to larger spaces. For vending opportunities and more information, go to www.queenwestmarket.com.

Monika Schnarre never looked better!

Canada’s Sea Queen (made by Phantom) launches a hot new swimwear collection with its exclusive new SwimTech ContourLift Bra - modelled by Monika Schnarre (chosen to appeal to women 35 and up).

Created by an actual bra designer, SwimTech ContourLift Bra features malleable moulded cups that maintain a natural shape. Flexible underwires are fused within the cups’ thin foam fabric so they never poke or prod. A comfort band wraps around the rib cage for enhanced support.

The new line of bathing suits come with empire waists, wraps, belts, halters and tankinis. They're fashionably 'molten' gold, animal printed or in an exotic jungle print - all in an Italian micro-fibre to maintain a luxuriousness and smoothing effect.

Sea Queen swimwear ranges in price from $80 to $120 CDN and is available across Canada through The Bay and fine specialty retailers. For more information on Sea Queen and complete list of retailers, please visit www.seaqueen.ca.

A Fidelity Rainbow

Fidelity Denim - A Canadian Company

Introducing a rainbow coloured collection including cranberry and fuscia; metal navy and lime green and curaco and plum.

Price: $140
Available in Toronto at Over The Rainbow, Mendocino, Body Blue
(Elsewhere Joelles, Leslies, Agent 99, Denim 101, Something Irrestible, Swank, Mimi & Coco, Tea Leaf, Foosh, Bamboo Ballroom, Lucys, JJ Whiskey)

www.fidelitydenim.com

Summer Colour Kolor Shades

Straight outta Montreal: Kolor Shades Color, plastic, metallic, glow-in-the-dark...

Buy ONLINE $25 includes shipping
www.kolorshades.com

Acid Wash @ Jones

Acid Wash is back!

Available at JONES, 557 Queen Street West
or www.shopatjones.com

Fit: Tight
Waist: Low
Legs: Super slim
Style: Acid wash with zipper detail
Price: $109

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!

New Vinyl @ Magic Pony

Limited Availability!

Magic Pony is a contemporary art space, urban culture curator and underground shop for fashionable tees, designer toys and carefully selected 'street' reads - a Toronto treasure trove for those who appreciate originality and collectible vinyl!

1. Devilrobots, the legendary Japanese toy wonder team known for cute but wicked toys (Tofu Head, Evirob, Cracle, Maffy), has teamed up with Kidrobot and released upon the world an assortment of mini Kiiros! The bizarre and incredibly emotional Kiiro is one of Devilrobots many strange creations. He boasts an unusually large bellybutton that sheds tears when he is sad.

2. Wish Come True, Series One Friends With You
These six new figures have weighted bottoms and built-in bell chimes, giving each one a playful rocking motion and a subtle, soothing sound. The series features six primary characters plus 3 bonus chase figures that have yet to be revealed - magical toys that sing magical songs!
Mini figure series, 3 to 4 inches tall. $9

3. Dunny: French Series
MON DIEU! This Fifth Republic experience features 18 defenders of Liberte, Egalite and Fraternite including Superdeux, Genevieve Gauckler, 123Klan, SupaKitch, Easy Hey, Tilt, Mist, Skwak and Tizieu.
Blind box assortment. $8

MAGIC PONY, 694 Queen St West Toronto tel: 416.861.1684

Annie Thompson Closing

Sale Sale Sale!
674 Queen Street West

Iconic fashion designer and artist Annie Thompson is closing her Queen Street West storefront after almost 20 years on the block.

Although she just came through one of her most successful financial years, she tell the National Post, "I want to get off the treadmill of always making stuff for the store. I've become this production animal, and from a creative standpoint, I don't feel that I've had enough integrity in what I'm making," she says. "I want to be free and creative and see where the wind blows me."

Annie Thompson is best known for her artsy, sculptural and textured creations: stylish yet practical clothing for women and unique home decor. Although her boutique closes by the end of March, she is looking forward to working on several Canadian and international solo and collaborative arts and fashion events including a gig at the Toronto Art Expo and Toronto Alternative Fashion Week installation.

See more art www.anniethompson.ca

What's new at Deva

Moped Lug's everyday take me everywhere bag. The best are discreet magnetic closures saving you from a Velcro migraine (featured on Oprah). $40 in all colors

Foxy Solar Earrings $20 and plenty of other Foxy Originals.

Espe Gogo Green Cell Holder $12. Also, look for Espe's new funky eco-totes.

http://www.devashoppers.com

Enterprise the Showdown Vintage way

By Daniel Wilson

The clothes may be 20 to 80 years old, but the Toronto team of Showdown Vintage and eBay are taking vintage fashion out of musty old Kensington basements and into the most modern market; cyberspace. Showdown Vintage is an eBay seller that operates like a small independent boutique, posting new items every couple days and maintaining a consistent standard and fashionability.

Celebrating their 2nd anniversary this May, Showdown Vintage has become one of the hottest online stores for beautifully cut, flawless vintage fashion. “When we’re picking,” says Showdown’s Staysail, “we are looking for beautiful, well made, well cut pieces. Cut is key, and we personally try on every item we pick to make sure the fit is nice.”

Going picking five days a week in four different rag houses means that the Showdown team has amassed a huge collection of clothes that every four to six weeks they open up to the shopping public that doesn’t want to bother with the digital complications of online buying. “This is the third time we’ve had this sale and every time has been hellish weather!” laughs Staysail, but even with the minus 30 wind chill, their February sale saw more than a 100 brave shopping souls become happy customers.

Relying only on Facebook and word of mouth, the Showdown sales have been growing steadily. Staysail remarks that this has been their busiest yet.

Pink sparkling wine, grilled tuna and beef tenderloin, and creamy curried chicken dip with home-made sweet potato chips, the vintage rock soundtrack and candle light made the Showdown sale feel more like a sophisticate boutique opening than a free for all rummage. Most of the items arranged on rolling racks were under 50 dollars and had witty tags like “drop dead RED” and “a gal can never have enough fringe”. The next event is scheduled for some time near St. Patrick’s day, and in the mean time they are looking for new models for their online images – “nice legs and good skin are the only prerequisite,” says Staysail, “ vintage clothes need different models than normal catalogue.”
For more information or contacts go to http://www.showdownvintage.com/.

The Team: Staysail, Mick Jackson & Andrew Pepall

Eyewear 2008

Eyewear experts from around the world gathered in Paris last October to preview the best in frames at SILMO 2008. Vintage, techno and luxury were at the forefront and Toronto's Josephson Opticians were there to capture the highlights. (click link for locations)

Vintage: thick and heavy plastics in dark finishes taking strong influences from the mid-late 80’s. Includes Oliver Peoples’ 20th anniversary collection, the Vintage Entourage of 7, Paul Smith, L.A. Eyeworks and the iconic vintage inspired label, Oliver Goldsmith.

Luxury reigns this season with decadent jewel pieces from Gold + Wood and frames adorned with gold and diamonds from Cartier’s Panthère de Cartier collection. Other notable collections are Chrome hearts, Kieselstein-Cord and Lindberg.

Techno Frames in all colors will captivate the modern professional with their sleek and industrial aesthetic. The best include IC Berlin and Mykita stainless steel frames.

Favourite and most notable eyewear designers Robert Marc taped into his dark side, taking influences from the Film Noir genre, while Alain Mikli returned to his bold and vibrant acetate roots.

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

Toronto Designer Eyewear (short list)
www.torontolife.com/guide/fashion/eyewear for descriptions

Josephson Opticians, 60 Bloor St. W. (at Bay), plus five other locations. 416-964-7070
Rapp Optical - with a signature line designed and hand-made in Toronto, 788 College St. (at Ossington) 416-537-659
Karir Fashion Eyewear, 138 Cumberland St. plus two other locations, 416-975-0536
Specs & Specs, 311a Queen Street West, 416-979-3937
Optic Creations, 5025 Yonge Street, 424 Dundas St. West
Spectacle, 752 Queen St. W. plus two other locations, 416-603-0123

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...

Toronto Life: On the Block

I recently renewed my subscription to Toronto Life magazine - an exclusively T.O. monthly mag with current politics, Urban Decoder, restaurants & entertainment, people & fashion and themed CityGuides. ($24 year includes 10 issues of FASHION).

Although I tend to hold on to stacks of copies (for reference??), I'm often on the Toronto Life website in the Shopping section and its shop reviews, fashion faces profiles and Good Stuff Cheap.

One of my favorite sections is On the Block, where the writer looks at specific areas of the city (Parkdale, Yorkville...) and reviews 5-10 shops in that neighbourhood, complete with a map pinpointing all locations - a great resource for planning your next shopping/browsing outing!

Go Green: Hatley Organic Tees

'Bitch' tee $10sale | moose pjs $26sale | bear boots $50

Nature-inspired sleepwear, loungewear and outerwear for the entire family are Hatley’s claim to fame! At their sunny new 1000sq.ft. boutique at 2648 Yonge St., this family-run global clothing and housewares company showcases their new collections. In true Canadiana-style, little moose and bears adorn pjs and rain boots, all which have been featured in magazines from Lou Lou to Vogue Bambini.

New to its roster The list of Hatley's enviro-friendly manufacturing process extends to using unbleached hang tags, biodegradeable and compostable fabrics, non-chlorinated bleach and recycled paper for catalogues. They plan to go 100% organic by 2009.

Based in Montreal, Hatley boutiques are scattered through Canada and the products are sold all over the world. Shop Hatley Nature, 2648 Yonge Street and online www.hatleynature.com

MADE - Contemporary Cdn

by Siya Chen

For all of you fashionable and design-minded individuals, MADE is open for longer hours for your last minute shopping this holiday season. Visit MADE and pick up a small or big piece of uniquely CANADIAN design. Be it the magnetic utensil holder, funky cushions, or crazy fun milk crate table. Knowing that all products at MADE are designed and made by fellow Toronto and Canadian designers, shopping at MADE is a truly rewarding shopping experience!


MADE, 867 Dundas St. West

Loft Shopping Party - Forget the usual places!

Every month a couple Canadian designers get together to show their lines in an informal loft shopping party hosted by Rowena Jozic of babu et moi. Jozic, who showed her collection at Toronto Alternative Fashion Week last year, is a fantasy lover's designer. Her elfish coats (in turquoise and brown) are both funky and practical--a must for us Torontonians buried in snow.

Also showing this month were Maria Serrano of Maria Serrano Shoes. These beautiful Argentinean shoes and boots are 100% leather and incredibly comfortable.

Bijoux by Karen Racicot also had a display of one of a kind silver and semi-precious stone jewellery.

Jozic plans to host this party--complete with cocktails and cool beats--once a month. Keep checking our site for information on the next sale!

69 Vintage $-Mass Shopping Fete

69 Vintage held its annual Christmas Holiday shopping party, December 12, 2007 at its Queen Street West location. There has been a 69 off-spring location in Kensington ya know! Revellers drank spiked egg nog and festive berry juice whilst stripping down and slapping on vintage treasures in full view. Daniel Wilson, L'Oreal Fashion Week DJ, scored a cool green bomber coat. Leanne Delap, Globe and Mail fashion writer, acquired a chic gold link belt. Anna Von Francis, Pink Mafia Boss, played dress-up for guests. Jen, El Presidente of the new Toronto web site Shedoesthecity.com, was glamorous in a shiny silver dress. The boutique was packed to the gills with holiday joy! Of course, 69's Kealan Sullivan rocked it the most in thigh-high black boots and fur hat - Mistress of her domain.

Favorite Shop in Toronto: Lileo

Lileo is almost a spiritual destination in the city - for spendthrift shoppers, artsy metropolitans and aristocratic fashion fiends who can easily find love and belonging in aisles piled high of exclusive labels, coveted literary collectibles and the latest and greatest in stylish lifestyle finds for men, women and kids.

Co-founded by Syd Beder, a Toronto fashion veteran (most noted for bringing brands like Big Star, Indian Motorcycle and Lululemon to Toronto) and yoga enthusiast, who brought life to Lileo after experiencing his own personal spiritual discovery, this Lileo derives from Galileo (astronomer/scientist) and is fueled by similar notions of light and discovery.

Go to full review here >>

One of a Kind Holiday Gifts

Everyone knows that malls nearing the Christmas and holiday season are nightmarish! Although malls usually provide a one-stop shopping experience, staying away can be stress free and pleasant!

Prickly Pear | Philo-soapy | Adhesif Clothing Co. | Wendy Ryan Folk Art | Moonrox | Tsunami Glassworks

The One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale, Thursday, November 22 - Sunday, December 2, 2007
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place $10-$12

Over 800 artisans deliver the latest in fashion and accessories, gourmet treats, art, toys and fine crafted creations. Complimentary childcare, wheelchairs, parcel check.

Meet some designers at last year's One of a Kind Show & Sale here >>

Studio 1686: Wardrobe from Films

Studio 1686, a new sleek and boxy apparel shop by Marya Duplaga, movie wardrobe stylist opened on the far west end of Toronto's Queen Street this past weekend. Studio 1686's unique selling point is clothing sourced from film studio wardrobe departments. Men's and women's designer fashions gently worn or not at all are on sale for a fraction of what you would pay anywhere else!

Designer snapshot:

Moschino jeans for $85 and Juicy Jeans for $45. A sleek selection of mainly black evening dresses. A stunning coat by L.A.M.B for $245. Trousers by Valentino, Versus, Marni and Issey Miyake. Think of any designer label and you will most likely find it here. Shoes and jewllery are also available.

The boutique also offers cosmetics by R.H. Studio, which feature natural minerals.

It is far out of the normal shopping district of Queen Street West, but worth the trip if you want to save money. The are also a few vintage shops and a great little cafe in the neighbourhood.

1686 Queen St West (east of Roncessvalles)

416.533-5400

T.O. Loves Ms. Love

Susie Love is Toronto's most gabbed about gal these days as her quirky jewellery shows up on fashionistas including Jessica Biel who recently wore a necklace to her Fashion File interview. With L'Oreal Fashion Week only weeks away, Susie slaves away in her studio creating jewellery for THREE shows this season including David Dixon and Ula Zukowska!

Daniel Wilson sat down with the girl of many talents and tastes...

Susie Love loves mint chocolate chip ice cream. She likes almost any colour and takes her coffee with lots of sweetener, milk and cream. She is a dog person who has landed herself with two cats, and Susie is finally getting around to reading Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.
Susie Love channels Picasso’s ceramics into her fabulous plastic jewelry which lately has been seen on every fashionista in Toronto, including Robin Kay. For six years she was also a certified wildlife rehabilitator.

The bubbly sometimes frenetic energy that Susie approaches life with has paid off well in her career as a jewelry designer. In nine short months she has been commissioned by The Royal Ontario Museum, Fashion Export Award winner Katya Revenko, Boutique Y5 in Yorkville and vintage fashion mecca 69 Vintage. And she’s just getting started.

Susie just finished work on a Nuit Blanche installation at Y5 before throwing herself into L’oreal Fashion Week preparations where she has been asked to be a part of the Toronto Fashion Incubator’s Media Breakfast. Oh, and she’s doing pieces for the Toronto Wildlife Centre’s annual gala.

It’s no wonder Susie wishes there were more than twenty four hours in a day, or that she didn’t have to sleep. Though she admits to sometimes having her head in the clouds Susie’s feet are planted firmly on the ground where she grows grapes for the juice we drink spiked with Grey Goose through the interview. As for the future she is proud of how far she has come and aims even higher, “designing for Tiffany’s or Holt Renfrew would be a dream of mine.”

For semi-regular trunk sales and private commissions: susielovestar@hotmail.com and myspace.com/susielovesfun.

Available: Y5, 5 Yorkville Ave, Mink, 550 College St, Model Citizen, 913 Dundas St West, Melanie's Closet, 829 Dundas St West, Made You Look, 1338 Queen St West.

Soos for Hope

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and together Deva, the Canadian online accessories store and our fav designers SOOS have designed the Deva Cluster of Hope Bracelet ($40).

This beautiful bracelet is made of glass and crystal beads with a rose quartz heart as well as the breast cancer pink ribbon charm. The chain is silver plated with a sterling silver toggle.

For the month of October Deva will donate $10.00 of each sale of the Cluster of Hope Bracelet to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. www.devashoppers.com.

For the month of October Deva is offering $5.00 off every purchase of $50.00 or more. Please enter coupon code "oct07" to receive your Deva discount!

Jacflash Indie Glam on Queen West

by Siya Chen






Father-Daughter Duo Jaclyn and Geoff Genovese opened up the much-needed Indie-glam boutique Jacflash on West Queen St. West.
The beautifully designed store is stocked up with unique and hard to find independent brands from New York, Europe, Australia and Hong Kong. While the black sequined top by Alice + Olivia worn by Jaclyn at the opening night is definitely one of our favorites, the TorontoStreetFashion gang is even more happy to realize that there is a listening booth for independent music at the store. Goodie bag to go for the opening party is the stylish white leather water bottle holder. Now we could finally be fashionable even for those dull exercise routines!

Jacflash, 1036-38 Queen West

Meet Joe Fresh

By now you may have seen the new Joe Fresh print and tv ads in Canada. Who is Joe Fresh you ask? Canada's latest mass-produced, budget basics brought to you by Joseph Mimran, the man behind Club Monaco and Loblaws Superstores, where the line is exclusively stocked.

We have to admit that Joe Fresh's cheap chic is our latest guilty indulgence (it's just soooo inexpensive!). With plain ol' tank tops, Joe skinny jeans and especially children's items, it makes shopping simple.


And now they've even added an "Innerwear" (or underwear) collection with the same aesthetic and price in mind! Thongs, boyshorts, push-up bras, camisoles, briefs and hipsters in co-ordinating styles and colours are available at unbeatable prices. ($5 - $25)
(I must say that although we don't love the fact that the Joe Fresh collection is mass-manufactured in developing countries, we do prefer that is it a Canadian company being sold in Canadian stores!)

The new Joe Fresh Style Innerwear collection is now available in Real Canadian Superstores across Canada.

Crash, Burn, Yorkville

I heard that the new Chanel boutique was opening last night so.....I crashed the party. Hey, what do you expect - street fashion has no rules! I arrived late, suitable dressed in head to toe black, swinging my fake, second-hand Chanel quilted bag irreverently. Funny that nobody at the opening even came over to say hello - huff can't expect everyone to have manners. What to do? I chatted with the help; who were friendly enough. The new boutique has two levels crammed to the ceiling with more Chanel than you can shake a stick at! As most of the guests had left, I took photos of mannequins dripping in Chanel accessories.

The highlight of this reckless venture was creating my fantasy Chanel shopping list. And the ridiculously expensive Steinway & Sons piano, designed by none other than Karl Lagerfeld. If you have $97,000 laying about you can buy one. It is pretty cool for a piano; hand make in Germany and limited edition of course.

Still feeling reckless, I decided to keep crashing through Yorkville. Next stopping at the new boutique 119 Corbo [119 Yorkville Ave]. Owner Linda Perisa was holding court with some fine looking ladies, who are ready to sell you the latest in Chloe, Mui Mui, Sacai, Stella, YSL and Prada Sport. Ended up at the after party at some bar around the corner with well known Toronto fashion names all getting pretty merry on booze and good looking men. All in all, it was fun, but not really my scene. It was a fun peek inside another world, but with that I headed back to where I belonged - the streets which are Toronto Street Fashion.

Ambiente Store Opening

TSF was invited to the media launch of Ambiente (416 Queen St.), a cute little store selling an amazing assortment of candles. All the candles, priced from $2 for tealights to $170 for a dramatic oversized pillar, are made in Canada using long lasting food-grade paraffin with no animal by-products. Our fave fragrances include lemongrass, clementine and pomegranate!

Ambiente also offers soaps, creams and bath products.

Boyfriend Chic

Hey, hey! Do you wanna be my boyfriend? Check out boyfriend chic this fall 2007.

Not saying that Avril spawned this trend, but a trend it is this fall. Boyfriend chic is about girls wearing boys clothes with their own stuff - like wearing a boy's oversized jumper over a halter dress.

If you don't have a boyfriend that's okay. I suggest you pretend you do and get your butt down to Preloved on Queen St. West and pick yourself up one of the men's cardigans before they sell out. Preloved sales associate Daniel Wilson says, "Lots of girls have been buying this cardigan. Of course because it is in fashion, but also because it is soft and comfy. This look is perfect for the gal who dresses up like she has a boyfriend, but she doesn't."

The Preloved cardigan is long and made from re-worked fabrics and a new cardigan blank. It features side pockets and cute elbow coverings. They are $79.00 and are going fast. Oh by the way, guys can buy them too. Each one is different and one of a kind; so not to worry 'bout anyone else having the same cardi as you.

FYI Preloved is getting more men's fall stock over the next couple weeks. Check out the super cute HeartBeater shirt for men.

photos of Daniel Wilson and Sonja Andic

New Queen Street H&M Party - Just like Fashion Week

The new Queen Street H&M opening party reminded me of the first blush of Fashion Week.
The placed was crawling with fashion people from editors, stylists, models, fashion bloggers and photographers. Everyone who is anyone in fashion was there last night. It was so fun meeting up with the Toronto fashion community and getting to shop at the same time!

Fast fashion devotees were stumbling around H&M buried under the weight of clothes and accessories. The only draw back here was there were virtually no mirrors in the shop. Just a few free standing mirrors here and there - ridiculous! Do you know how vain the fashion community is - we need our mirrors!

Whilst strolling around the two floors of the new shop I ran into major fashion devotee Jeanne Beker standing in an aisle trying on vests one after the other. All the while, clothes are falling off hangers on to the floor around her. "It's like being in a candy store," she tells me. Jeanne is not the only big-wig shopping for her life as I am practically railroaded by FDCC President Robin Kay with an arm load full of garments. Unfortunately she tipped her mojito down the side of most of the clothes. Oh, did I mention there were two open bars - very smart way to get people to open their wallets. All shops should serve alcohol really; it would be better for the economy. Anyways, Robin tells me that for Fashion Week she is just going to pitch some tents at Nathan Phillips Square. And by the way could I write the press release? Ya, you bloody bet I will - anything to save going down to Liberty Grand in no-man's land. My stylist for the night Jefre Nicholls is thrilled, "Let's all pitch tents for Fashion Week!"

Besides the drinking and non-stop fashion gossip there was some good stuff to be bought at H&M. Of course the women's selection far exceeded what was on offer for men. A few of the men I spoke to were disappointed. They feel the men's section just offered a few basic goods, and most of the stuff you could find at the Gap or better yet Zara. I did a wander around the men's area and have to say the highlight was the underpants and socks selection. The briefs are super cute with lots of colour and designs and I loved the 'Monday to Sunday' sock pack.
It was a super party! Anyone who missed it will be kicking themselves today. And I must say the catering was fabulous - for my next event I will book Catering with Style.

Second-Hand Goods

Saturday is my traditional day for hitting my local thrift shops. I scored today at my St. Clair West Salvation Army. Netting myself a bunch of girly purses that I am going to use as goodie-bags for a friend's birthday party. It is a sustainable way to use gift bags and it is a gift in itself! The bags range in price from $1.99 to $3.99. For myself I scored a pair of made in Brazil shiny black strappy sandals for $6.99. They are in great condition and so this season.

Tell us about your latest second-hand grab!

Vote + Fashion = Win gift card [maybe]

Okay we are all online, so there is no excuse for clicking on the NOW magazine website to vote for Canadian design talent. Support the annual NOW Toronto's Up & Coming Designer Award 2007. Just for participating you can win a $500 gift certificate from The Bay - hey they have a very good shoe department at their Queen Street location! Have a go!

Vote, vote, vote for: Jennifer Fukushima, Adrienne Butikofer, Fanny Goldsmith, Rowena Jozic & Filip Kardzic, Kalam Lee or Daniella Suppa.
Nominees were selected by Andrew Sardone, NOW's Fashion & Design Writer, Vanja Vasic, Executive Director of Toronto Alternative Fashion Week and Sarah Campbell, owner of Kensington Market shop The Rage.

Go Green: Bamboo @ Statik Mountain

Statik Mountain manufactures active wear and makes an effort to incorporate ‘green’ fabrics into its mix of yoga pants and outdoor performance clothing including bamboo and organic cotton.

Bamboo
Bamboo is softer than cotton with a natural sheen of cashmere that is both biodegradable and machine washable. It's hypoallergenic, absorbent, and fast-drying. It is naturally anti-bacterial (therefore pesticides use during growth is eliminated) and will not trap odor.

Like other natural fibers, bamboo allows the body to breathe as the fabric absorbs the sweat away from the body (hydrophobic). As a result, bamboo fabric stays around 2 degrees cooler in hot weather and also keeps you significantly warmer in the cold. It also is the most abundant (grown on five continents) and is the most sustainable of the natural fibers as it is extremely fast-growing. If there is sufficient rainfall, no additional irrigation is required. And because no pesticides are required for it to grow it can be harvested again and again.

www.statikmountain.com

Toronto Treasure Hunting with Sonja

In every niche of the city there is a hidden cluster of shops that one wants to keep a secret. I am sure that all you Toronto readers know of a special shop that saves you a mint and keeps you looking super fly for a dime, but you are hesitant to reveal its location. Well, I understand and have been guilty of that myself, but I just can't do it anymore. I want to shout about my neighbourhood gems I have kept to myself and share the wealth.

If you are ever in Bathurst and St. Clair Ave West area you must give these establishments a go! For some of the cheapest vintage/second hand in the city head west on St. Clair from Bathurst and find my local Goodwill and Salvation Army. There is nothing over $10 and I have got the best stuff from both these shops. I find that the Salvation Army usually trumps the Goodwill, but you never know, you diggers just have to dig in and find out for yourself.

Another secret of mine - especially for those of you who are hard on your shoes - is my shoe-guy located at 551 St. Clair Ave West. Drop off your stilettos, sandals, kitten heels at Auking Shoes for the best and cheapest shoe repair in the city. I just recently had a pair of four year old gladiator sandals totally rebuilt for $30 and just now I am having a pair of heels re-capped with rubber sole grips for a mere $22. This is unheard of and you know it!!!

Once you have done your thrifty shopping, feel free to treat yourself to some of the best French pastry in the city at Pain Perdu located just further west of the Army at 736 St. Clair West. Sit sipping a delicious bowl of coffee a la Paris while counting all the pennies you have saved hitting my hood.

Share with us your Toronto Treasure Hunting hot-spots - leave us a comment.

Sporty Sonja

I am a bit clueless when it comes to looking sporty but I know the athletic, sporty look is trendy so I want to give it a try. So, after the Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch I made the trek to Kensington Market for a spot of shopping.

First stop in pursuit of relaxed and sporty looks is the RAGE, 13 Kensington Ave. I love the motto of the store - Toronto designed clothes for style girls who chase mischief.
I see a lot of jewellery I want to buy like laminated earrings that look like old tape cassettes, flower pins made from bunched up zippers and a super cute old skool Pac-Man necklace. I settle on a re-worked t-shirt with added bits of yellow trim for $20. I think it makes me look sporty, but my colleague at TSF.com laughs at me outside the shop saying that a shirt with a band's name written across the front isn't really sporty. Oh well, I like it and I hope with some PVC black leggings and high heel ankle boots it will have me chasing mischief soon.

A few Changes on Queen St. W...

TSF dropped by Queen St. W.'s newest addition Change to check out the popular Danish lingerie chain that has locations in Vancouver and Montreal already. Normally, chain stores don't hold much interest for us here at TSF, but I'll be honest with you - the promise of a free bra and fitting for attending the opening was too much for me to resist. So admittedly, I was already in a good mood after I had picked out my adorable red gingham 'Doris Day' model in a 'balconet' style.

But Change won my support (no pun intended) for two totally cool reasons:

One, they carry bra sizes that fit a range of real, modern bodytypes - upto a J cup that is, in both De Luxe and Basic styles. This might not seem like a big deal if you fit regular La Senza or H&M sizes, but try finding a J cup in Toronto for under a hundred dollars. It's next to impossible, which brings me to my second point.

Price. While annex favorites 'Secrets From Your Sister' does a great job in fitting and educating shoppers, many of their larger styles do cost more than smaller ones, usually around a hundred. Which doesn't even seem like much when you consider that in Yorkville at Avec Plaisir, the Swarovski-crystal-adorned model goes for $695! Change prices start at a reasonable $45~, which shouldn't seem high considering the health benefits of wearing a better fitting bra - including reduced back and shoulder strain, better posture and even fewer headaches.

"Lots of women walk in hunched over and leave standing up straight after they've found a properly fitting bra," Alycia Jenner tells me. "I've had women cry before when they see what a difference it makes."

Here are some bra fitting DON'Ts:
* the back rides up between your shoulders
* you're spilling out the top, sides or bottom
* the underwire presses or digs into you
* straps leave red welts or slip off

And DO make sure:
* try on bras on the loosest hook (you can tighten the bra as the fabric relaxes)
* wear a top that will 'cling' so you can tell if you will have 'double boob'
* get measured every time you buy a bra

Change Lingerie, 315 Queen Street West

Preloved Turns 12

by Daniel Wilson

Julia Grieve runs into the coffee shop eight minutes late for our meeting. “So sorry, it’s so hard getting out of the house with two kids!” To her credit, this is a start of a very busy day. One she never imagined would happen, her company's 12th birthday!

Just over twelve years ago Julia was a model, flying around the world for shows and getting tired of it. She decided to take a risk. Using savings and a Youth Venture grant, she opened the doors to Preloved on Queen.

Read the rest of the article here >>>

Preloved, 613 Queen Street West

Philip Sparks Trunk Show

We met up with local designer Philip Sparks and friends this weekend at the Gladstone Hotel where he was hosting an intimate sell-off of last season's treasures. Philip, who previously worked in Stratford as a costume designer, creates warm, supple classic clothes for the well-dressed man; heavy overcoats, perfectly draped trousers, tuxedo jackets and pea-coats are designed with quality at the forefront. The style of the Fall 2007 collection is 50s Hollywood meets 1850s military. Available at Boutique Le Trou, 940 Queen Street West and Gotstyle, the menswear store, 489 King Street West.

Brazen Hussy Store Opening

April 17, 2007
by Rebecca Leung

A pink red carpet greeted media and local fashionistas at the entrance of Brazen Hussy, a precursor to the unabashed girliness inside the store.

Brazen Hussy owners/designers Catriona Smart and sisters Kathleen and Michelle Pedro, glowing in their own designs, celebrated their company’s jump from operating out of their online store to their new Queen Street location. Models, dressed in Brazen Hussy's club-inspired cocktail dresses, greeted the crowd with champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

Favorites include the Katrina Chain Dress with a chained shoulder strap detail and the Michelle Bubble Mini which comes in a variety of bold summer colours. Also featured are street inspired velour sweats, blinged out bikini tops and signature t's. The new store also carries jewellery from Canadian brands HayLuv and Josie Tecson.

863 Queen Street West

Need your Freedom?

Toronto's underground designer hotspot underwent a major makeover this month, and it's definitely ready for a closeup! With a totally renovated space, bigger changerooms, more designers than ever, and a grand opening party just around the corner, there's no reason not to make the trip to Bloor West to check out the new digs! (Hint: Freedom is just on the way to Value Village at Bloor and Lansdowne. Hit up both for a double dose of eco-friendly shopping!)

939 Bloor St. W
www.freedomclothingcollective.com

Holt Renfrew Shoe Salons

Tiff Ing joined Toronto's glitziest celebs to celebrate the opening of Holt's Shoe Salons at the Bloor Street location. Special guests included famed shoe designers Stuart Weitzman and Giuseppe Zanotti, both of whom have shoes on display in the mens and womens sections. Following spring's metallic trend, you can now purchase crystal-encrusted evening sandals by Gina, seasonable Kate Spades, sparkly Manolo Blahniks and perfectly structured Christian Louboutins. This is surely the city's largest designer shoe collection! The men's salon features handsome loafers with smart detailing and colours.

Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor Street West

H&M goes organic

Don't we just love H&M?!

This spring, the giant Swedish retailer of cool clothes is offering a trend conscious and environmentally friendly line of organic cotton clothes for women and kids!

Pieces include A-line dresses; tunics and leggings; and t's and jeans ($50).

Organic cotton is cotton grown without the use of harmful pesticides and artificial fertilizers and represents less than one percent of all the cotton grown annually. In order to increase the demand for organic cotton and thereby encourage cotton growers to convert to organic cultivation, H&M began using organic cotton a few years ago.

In Toronto, you can find H&M at the Eaton Centre,13-15 Bloor street West, Dufferin Mall, Fairview Mall, Markville Shopping Centre, The Promenade, Vaughan Mills and Yorkdale Shopping Centre

Fidelity Denim

The DUDE Show

By Tiff Ing

Last Saturday, TSF.com stopped by Latvian House to check out the wares at the Downtown Urban Design Event. Along with One of a Kind and Pedal to the Metal, this is a Christmas fave for us. The cozy, one-room show boasts very local clothing, crafts, housewares, and incredible accessories, most handmade and all created with zest and love by some of the nicest designers you’ll ever meet.

Jenna Greenberg of Jenna Rose shows off some of her handmade hats
Marmalade designer Kate Singer invites us to try on her necklaces of every colour, size, and shape.
Smitten Kitten's silk tie flower brooches add colour and interest to any outfit. Designer Amy Kwong also does fun Toronto-inspired Steve's guitar-pick earrings.
It's a showdown between Iisa Dezign's recycled leather and book wallets or her "Read My Hips" belts made of similar materials that she calls "recy-collage."
Scarves by NaMoDa designer Monika Sosinski cover both head and tail of your favorite zebra lover.
Metalsmith Allison Wells of Papersnake Jewellery has a great eye for baubling furry and flying friends from necks and ears.

New Queen W Hot Spot: Fieerce

by Tiff Ing

Amidst a backdrop of stream-lined sofas and black-and-white minimalist décor, the team of the new Fieerce boutique rushes around helping customers style and decide on pieces.

Louise Doan started Fieerce a year ago, and since then has sold her line at the Clothing Show, the Style Revolution Show and other Toronto shopping events.

Leading me around the space, Doan excitedly shows me a short-sleeved, khaki-green shimmery tunic dress($39) and points out that adjustable side ruching. My eye is caught on a violet, almost-see-through lycra-polyester dress with trim ($55) that would be a showstopper on any daring femme. A zebra print halter ($15) looks perfect for a night of dancing, and the price couldn't be beat. Doan says that it was her aim to keep things affordable, especially since she herself has been known to wear something only once before tossing it.

Fieerce
425 Queen St. West
Tel: 416-977-8778

Church of Craft

We were at the Toronto Church of Craft show and sale on the weekend (coverage coming) where we met a bunch of crafters and found tons of unique gifts!

Look at our events listings for upcoming craft sales.

If you have your own ideas and want to get in on the circuit, Carol Barrett, sock monkey lady and knitter is holding a knitting workshop, Dec. 15 from 4-5:30 pm at the North district public library.

New Queen West Hot Spot - kama kazi

Kama Kazi Style Boutique, 781 Queen Street West

Big hand clap for Kama Kazi cool-hunters Debra Antwi and partner Fred Antwi in delivering to Toronto a rare thing – exclusivity and authenticity. The X factor, as they bring the Euro and UK shopping esthetic to Queen St W with select, designer brands. Authentic, because the Antwi duo make a point of going to the source of their wears before importing.

Men, look out for UK import Sexy Bastard underpants, Christian Lacroix dress shirts and Ozwald Boateng exclusive tailored suits , for the most distinguished gentlemen.

For women, there's hot street-inspired seperates by STQ, Essential and Catch a Fire, alongside bags, shoes and accessories

Rocco P at george c

Last Thursday, George and Lisa Corbo graciously hosted an evening with famed shoe designer, Rocco P at their most coveted, Euro-atmospheric styled boutique in Yorkville.

If you have ever wanted fabulously expensive blue suede shoes or even a purple pair of boots exactly like Madonna's, George C is the spot in Toronto for die hard Rocco P enthusiasts to converge!

There are books as thick as Webster's dictionaries filled with optional textures, colors, leathers and suedes; high gloss, low gloss, snakeskin and metallics, all with the promise of a 6-8 week delivery!

Of course, this kind of customization doesn't come cheap ($800 and up) but we've heard plenty of testimonial from Rocco P followers that the investment is easily justified by the comfort, timelessness and wearability - they're so soft inside you don't even need socks and a pair of these classic styled shoes or boots are sure to last for ever!

George C, located at 21 Hazelton Lanes is the exclusive retailer of a few designer labels in Toronto including Costume Nationale, Project Alabama, La Silla footwear and J Brand denim.

Style Revolution Sale

By Tiff Ing

"Avid fashionistas knew to skip the Santa Claus Parade on Sunday, November 19, 2006 and make a beeline for the Design Exchange building, where the Style Revolution Show was being held. Hosted by Goldfish & Company, the Elle Canada-sponsored show was definitely worth the $5 price of admission. Well-organized and the perfect size for an afternoon of shopping, showrunners Nikki Goldman and Carrie Fisher hit the mark with their mixture of stylish location, simple set-up, and of course, beloved Toronto designers. "

>>more

Maha gets Vik&Rolf'd

Viktor and Rolf at H & M
By star stylist, Maha

On November 9th, the Viktor and Rolf for H&M collection was unveiled to a fashion feeding frenzy. My inside man (store employee) informed me that the shipment would arrive the day before and be merchandised till the wee hours of the morning. I knew then I had to possess a piece of the freshest fashion pie…or should I say 'tort'?! Having managed in the past to purchase at least one item from other H&M specialty collections including a Stella McCartney pink Lucite horse keychain and a high collar oxford shirt signature Karl Lagerfeld, I felt an uncontrollable compulsion to get Viktor and Rolf(ed).

My first instinct was to stake out the Bloor St. digs for the best selection but an anonymous source informed me the goods would be distributed, 60% Eaton's Centre, 30% Bloor St. and 10% Montreal. I immediately changed my course…like a junkie looking to score.

By the time I entered the coveted display area of the store, all that remained on a barren rolling rack were a stack of generic black pants, six pairs of socks, three T-shirts: two ladies X –Large and… A Man's Small Tee with a graphic print that said "YES!"…it was meant to be! My heart pounded, my pulse raced, I thought I heard angels sing. I had achieved my retail high.

This abnormal physiological reaction to buying a T-shirt puzzled me at first but it all became clear that night when proudly debuting my new found gem. I was sweating and dancing all night, having booze spilled all over my new shirt, and it began to feel as if it was another $30 designer shirt to throw in the pile. But then it happened. A booty short go-go boy, squealed "You bitch,, you got some Viktor & Rolf!!" Oh how sweet his venomous, green tongue tasted to me.

You see, every collector may collect because they have a love of an item, but truth be told, it is also because secretly they want to instill jealousy in others.

Thanks H&M, see you at the next designer collection sale!

FACE streetwear

Who is that FACE in the window?

The FACE label epitomizes street fashion and progressive design. Owen Milburn and Emily Powell re-work vintage leather and denim with graphic prints and design. Owen started doing this about three years ago on his own until he meet Emily. She is the ‘sew’ gal for FACE and Owen is more of the ‘print maker’. This practical and creative union works well for them.

The name FACE was brought about by Owen painting a wee image of his own face somewhere on one of his garments. Rather than a label or a signature, the little graphic of Owen's face set his design and attitude apart from the designer rat-pack.

Leather jackets cost about $250 and available from 69 Vintage. This design duo is definitely one to watch in the race to be King and Queen of the street fashion scene! Available at Model Citizen , 69 Vintage and Delphic (Toronto) and Midtown (Vancouver).

Profile: The Cat’s Meow

Vintage Couture and Modern Designer Resale
180 Avenue Road, Toronto

The Cat’s Meow is pure, exclusive, vintage couture and designer thread magic catering to the serious collector only. This shopping experience is not a bargain bin stopover, but full on fully justified pricing for such labels as; D&G, Ralph Lauren, Vivienne Westwood, Dior, Cavalli, Gucci, Hermes….the list just goes on and on. Trust me it is just one fabulous designer name after another.

The Cat’s Meow concept began in 2004 by vintage visionary Louise Copper, who after receiving a diploma in fashion and having spent solid years in the industry felt it was time to give into her dream to have her own outlet to sell her massive collection of vintage and modern designer clothes and accessories, collected diligently over the last five years from estate sales, antique markets and private collections.

Louise first brought her collection to the public via the internet in 2005 and still has a fantastic website where you can view collection pieces and make purchases on line. A lady way ahead of the game in the world of vintage retailing! With the success on the online Cat’s Meow, Louise opened her shop this April 2006 on Avenue Road in Toronto.

TSF: What is the meaning behind the name of your store The Cat’s Meow?

LC: The Cat’s Meow means ‘the best of the best’. And that’s what I have on offer and that is how I purchase and make consignment selections. I also want the shopping experience to be lighthearted and fun and the name of the store reflects a fun atmosphere.

TSF: Who shops at The Cat’s Meow?

LC: The shop attracts people of all ages, but I find that our clients have a real solid knowledge about fashion and designers. Some of our shoppers just collect labels and don’t even wear the clothes themselves. Our guest is really after something unique and high quality.

TSF: Why is vintage clothing so popular now?

LC: Over the years vintage has lost the stigma of being second hand. The vintage trend really owes a lot to movie stars who have propelled the trend to new heights of popularity.

Summer Styled by Spa_ce Vintage

Hot in the City - Benefits of a Personal Shopper and Stylist

Busy city gal Nina Simone [long time client of mine] loves a one-of-a-kind dress, but just doesn’t have the time to sift through racks of clothes to find ‘the one’. Luckily she has a stylist.

I knew from experience Nina would love Spa_ce Vintage Clothing Gallery just near the David Mirvish book store. Spa_ce Boutique is wonderfully chic; featuring three rails of vintage dresses and the occasional contemporary frock and not one over $100! Most of the summer dresses we looked at ranged between $20 and $40 at most! I absolutely love the selection! Spa_ce even has an interior waterfall that cascades near a full row of mirrors. How cool is that?!

As Nina is fit and has a petite figure, I recommended two strapless dresses - one in white [$20] and one in black [$40]. This summer you cannot be without the white cotton dress of the season! The black dress was recommended as Nina didn’t have a classic black cocktail dress in her closet; the one we found was BCBG with striking net detail. I paired both of these dresses with a wide belt, with a marble patent shine and gold buckle for only $5. The belt accentuates Nina’s tiny waist and is also another big trend this season – cinch in that waist ladies!

The styling for these two dresses is easy. Hair-up, as to show off trim shoulders and neck. To contrast with the gold buckle on the belt, I recommend Nina mix up her metal accessories and use gold, silver and burnished copper for a more relaxed and less deliberate approach. For footwear, a pair of gold high heel sling backs with a slight snake skin motif, is sexy and fun! Ditto that for the eye makeup, I went with a smoky purple shadow to make Nina’s eyes and her blond hair pop!

Spa_ce Vintage Clothing Gallery, 608A Markham St., 416-916-6219

AKA Clothing @ Kit 'n Kaboodle

The Kit 'n Kaboodle local designer sale, held last week at The Great Hall, consisted of two rooms of Toronto's craftista circuit - including our friends from Jack&Marjorie, Nathalie-Roze Fischer, Oligarchy, Precocious, Wonderlust...

Shoppers streamed in on their lunch breaks and after work to find the usual craft items - unique accessories, re-worked and recycled clothing and funky 'streetwear' designs.

The gal who caught our eye (although we have seen her stuff at Citizen George on Dundas St) is Marianne of AKA menswear clothing. Marianne makes stand out wrestling mask hoodies (shown in pic from her site www.akaclothing.ca), fresh, detailed ties and patchwork button-downs to make guys (gay or straight) super stylish!