May 13, 2011 from 5:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m.
288 JUDSON STREET, UNIT 17 – Etobicoke

Back by Popular Demand

Windfall is having another Prom and Graduation Dress Sale at their Windfall Brides Boutique. Tons of new cocktail dresses will be available to students for only $25! Sizes range from 2-20 so something is sure to fit!

Bring a valid student ID card or proof of age. For a sneak peak, dresses are being posted on their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter for up to the moment updates.

W: www.windfallbasics.com

When: April 30, 2011 from 11am-4pm – 288 JUDSON STREET, UNIT 17 in Etobicoke
What: Prom Dresses for $25

While graduation and prom can be some of the most memorable times in a gal’s life, finding the funds to pay for that great frock can be a bit of a nightmare.

For those who feel what I’m saying, Windfall is having a Prom and Graduation Dress Sale at their Windfall Brides Boutique. On April 30, 2011 over 1000 new cocktail dresses will be available to students for only $25! Sizes range from 2-20 so something is sure to fit! The only caveat is you need a valid student ID card, so don’t leave it at home. For a sneak peak, dresses are being posted on their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter for up to the moment updates.

In any Google search or in any Toronto fashion rag, Fashion Crimes is the go-to shop in Toronto for magical, unique prom dresses; personalized styling and a guarantee of looking amazing.

However, what I didn’t know about is the amazing selection of affordable accessories Fashion Crimes carries – mostly flashy, trendy and fabulously stylish!

I met owner Pam Chorley and some of the gals who work in her boutique recently at the Fashion Crimes Retrospective & New Collection Preview where Pam looked fabulous in a dress from 1982, the year she opened the shop.

At the event, held at the Drake Hotel, mannequins outfitted in head to toe Fashion Crimes hung from the ceiling while a talented twosome from Parlour Salon beautified guests in the ‘fishbowl’ room upstairs. There was an awesome ‘accessories bar’ with wares on sale from the shop, including:

Jewelled animal rings, funky tights and fishnets, winding metallic-look snake bracelets and necklaces, inexpensive faux spiky bracelets, mini tiaras and glamorous head wear, gold plated Maple Leaf necklaces and the list goes on….

Fashion Crimes
322 1/2 Queen Street West, Toronto

more photos here >>

If you read this blog (and care about finding a prom dress), you’ve learned that in Toronto you can go to the Make Den and make your own prom dress, scour vintage shops for stylish options, or even pick up a cheap (inexpensive) dress at the mall.

Our newest sponsor, Peach Berserk – a custom print & silkscreen studio/unique dress boutique/DIY dream – has one of the most unique options in the city!

Silk dresses, custom dresses, retro, chiffon and print, print, prints! Using the online Dress Designer, you can customize everything. Pick your bodice style, the skirt, crinoline or flounce…choose colors, prints and fabric.

If you can’t find your inner fashion designer, Peach Berserk has hundreds of already made, fabulously unique dresses available online or in-store.

Peach Berserk
507 Queen Street West, Toronto
Mon to Sat 10 to 7 or Sunday 12 to 5

Congratulations to Irene Stickney, founder of her sewing studio, The Make Den and all the press she’s been getting lately – mostly because of the PACT Prom Fashion program, a sewing course for ‘at-risk’ youth.

On the second page of last Saturday’s Globe & Mail, the Make Den and the PACT Fashion sewing program was featured:

Dress for Success

PACT, a group focusing on aiding youth, helps girls learn fashion skills-and make prom dresses for their peers. Sarah Boesveld reports

(http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/dress-for-success/article1514233/)

Irene’s been teaching the girls in the PACT group to design, draw, draft and sew prom dresses – an initiative that’s been really successful not only in media coverage, but especially with the girls who’ve really gained a sense of accomplishment (see CityTV News video coverage on the Make Den website).

Top: Irene watching over the girls | Below Danielle Meder teaching a fashion illustration class to PACT

The Make Den not only offers specialized sewing classes, but also teaches fashion design and drafting. Irene also is a pro at alterations and custom pattern-drafting!

Here (top), writer Vivian Song in her ‘Gaga-inspired’ jacket made at Irene’s Ga Ga construction workshop (http://www.thestar.com/living/fashion/article/783020–lady-vava-channels-her-inner-gaga) and me in a ‘gaga’ jacket (below)

It’s Pretty in Pink at THE MAKE DEN!!!

Design, Cut and Sew your very own PROM DRESS just the way you want it!
Beginners welcome, no sewing experience required.
Basic sewing skills, simple pattern alterations and cutting techniques are taught.
Learn to sew like a pro!!!

Classes run March 15th – 20th from 10 – 4 pm
Cost is $270~

The Make Den is located at 1207 Bloor St. W
email irenestickney@hotmail.com to register.

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 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!

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).

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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.

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