Fashion Week in Toronto
LG Fashion Week SS’12: Day 4

Cynthia Rowley | Vawk | Trend: Flashy Accessories

Day 4 was a much quieter day (is everyone getting tired?) in David Pecaut Square, and the weather was still not cooperating; which is a mood killer especially after you’ve just done you’re hair and makeup.

Jenn proves that even your grandma’s closet can hold the best-hidden treasures – Wearing a sported a vintage, sequined floral shirt and black Guess jeans. Knee high, wedge boots from Aldo.

The agenda of the day was full of studio shows in the afternoon, and some in the later evening, which made for smaller crowds and better seats. I successfully made it in time to see the Fashion Environment Kellogg’s Special K Presents: Cynthia Rowley. Her mini show featured three ‘real’ women, in beautifully designed, cherry red dresses, supporting their “feel good” vibes and active lifestyles.

Next up was Caroline Néron in the studio (see Liza’s post here), presenting her goddess inspired SS12 line. The models had a breeze from the fans placed in front of the runway, giving the show an “Ancient Greece meets Victoria Secret” feel; it worked!

Vawk SS12 photos via http://www.stevealkok.com/

Bustle captivated the gentlemen in the room’s attention with sailor-like suits, and navy seal stripes. Although all three shows were outstanding, I have to say it was Vawk that captured my heart – sheer maxi skirts, Asian inspired dresses, and the use of metallic gold pleased everyone.

As the night went on, I found myself playing the classic childhood game “Where’s Waldo?” while awaiting the shows to begin. As I previously stated, it was a quiet night in the LG tents and many previously spotted fashion A-lister’s were busy elsewhere; wherever else their fabulous lives take them. I did happen to notice models Andrej Pejic and Stacey McKenzie, stylist Liz Cabral and designer Adrian Wu. It was great to see Adrian out supporting other Canadian designers in preparation for his studio fashion show on Friday.

Accessories Trend: Flash Attack!

The trend I spotted throughout the night was different than any other thus far: chunky accessories. Many chic women jazzed up their ensembles with edgy, bold, and dazzling jewelry. Designer, Naanafya rocked her own accessories line, wearing a bundle of silver beaded necklaces, a large cross ring, and a jeweled, pink skull ring while my own friend and partner for the night, Jennifer Nguyen, flaunted a Jeremy Scott white winged watch.

RELATED POSTS:
+ Naanafya Accessories at FAT >link
+ Dispatches from a Newbie LGFW Day Three > link
+ Statement Necklace T.O. > link

I have to tell you about these shoes. And to be honest, if I wasn’t already obliged, I might keep just keep them to myself!

Unassumingly dapper, equally comfortable, priced amazingly and even ethically contrived, Urshuz is a revolutionary approach to footwear. Currently the styles available are only made in men’s sizes, but once the women’s line is launched (I hear it’s in the works and I hope it’s similar to the men’s), I’ll be joining the revolution!

Urshuz, conceived by Canadian shoe designer Grant Delgatty (K-Swiss, Vans, et al.), is an interchangeable shoe. That is, a combination of uppers and soles that you can attach or reattach to each other, creating a different shoe every time! Both uppers and soles come in a variety of colors and materials (leather, suede, jute) for you to essentially mix and match. Popular combos are a grey lace-up sneaker with a bright orange sole or a leather low-cut shoe with a ‘baltic’ blue sole – but with the creative freedom to choose your own shoe combo at a great price, you can interchange however you like!

My man received a beautiful cognac colored (sienna) leather pair of low-cuts with a co-ordinating cork sole, exactly his style! Not only do they look pricey with the premium leather and perforated lining, the ergonomic thermo plastic rubber sole is apparently “moccasin-comfy”, so he says. And the combination costs $75US! Awesome! For Christmas I’m considering the perforated white sneaker for $40 and because the sole is so comfortable, the attachable flip flop upper come summer.

“Unassumingly dapper, equally comfortable, priced amazingly and even ethically contrived, Urshuz is a revolutionary approach to footwear.”

Urshuz uppers and soles are interchangeable using a patented looping system – elastics that loop onto locking channels in the soles making it easy to attach and reattach. Once you get your groove on (using a little tool that hides in the sole), you can assemble a shoe in a few minutes. Even if you don’t want to do the labour yourself, you can get another pair of Urshuz at about $65 for top and bottom. And then, when you’ve had enough, Urshuz has a recycling program for your old soles.

In Canada, Urshuz is available in select stores in Quebec but can be easily purchased online. In the US, several Urban Outfitters are carrying the line, which means we’ll likely be hearing more about the brand. Find all stores online >

The latest ‘global’ trend for Spring 2011 has actually been around for eternity – Beautiful, colorful prints, exotic  looks, leather, nude tones and animal motifs. The only upside of it becoming so popular is that price points have plummeted. Everything here is under $100 at Aldo and Aldo Accessories.

Very impressive, this crafty Torontonian has managed over 900 sales in three years selling her adorable, inexpensive silver and gold plated jewellery on her Etsy site. Love the bunnies!

Photo credit: Raymund Galsim

Designer Appearance by Jessica Jensen and Trunk Show at The Room
Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 12:00pm – 6:00pm
The Room – The Bay, Queen Street

Jessica Jensen Spring Summer 2010

Inspired by the settling storms of the early summer New Jersey coastline, the collection explores themes of calmness, stillness and optimism. Texture is a collection highlight: from fluid wave overlays to classic 45° basket weaves and custom panel weaves. The coastal storm palette invigorates the 39 sku collection as deepened greys and neutrals play off bold colour accents: Storm Grey, Seafoam, Mineral, Dusty Lilac, Citrus, Grape, Blush, Earth, and Black.

(The line is available at an accessible price range, from $498 to $1298. Small leather goods, such as the Envelope Clutch, Wristlet and Woven Coin Purse are $198.)

Jessica Jensen is a graduate of Ryerson University’s Fashion Marketing program. She’s marketed and designed licensed accessories for over 25 international brands including: Roots, Buffalo, Elle, Calvin Klein, Nike, John Varvatos, Michael Kors, and Lulu Guinness. Jensen debuted her signature handbag collection in 2007 and is lauded for her modern design philosophy and affordable, effortlessly stylish, luxury handbags. www.shopjessicajensen.com

Prices for the Birds!
This is me checking out all the hair feathers at Ransack the Universe (post and more pix to follow) – all cheep, cheep, cheep (couldn’t resist)!
Prices are crazy like $10 each or 4 for $10 or 3 for $10…. Anyhow, you can DIY or support local peeps.

Ransack the Universe is part of the 69 Vintage Collective.
In the basement:
1207 Bloor St. W., Toronto (east of Lansdowne
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12-7pm

The new Balisi location on Yonge St. north of Eglinton independently stands out in its new neighbourhood amongst area favorites Lululemon, Aritizia and Sporting Life – but the residents of midtown Toronto should be very thankful for the injection of uber-cool, exclusive brands and yet another excuse to stray from the ‘North Toronto’ look.

Recently opened, this is the fourth Balisi boutique in Toronto (others on Queen, College and Danforth). Proprieters and partners Rehlee Balisi and Cory Kierstead have been successfully doing their thing for the past four years which is buying and bringing mainly edgy European labels to Toronto, focusing on fearless footwear while growing their retail business in a time of retail uncertainty. Each shop carries slightly different items to match area shoppers, and is staffed by highly experienced stylists.

On Yonge Street, stylist Dale Hodder explained what shoes had memory foam insoles, how to wear what (in ways you wouldn’t figure out for yourself) and what psuedo-celeb clients are going for.

For this article, I tried to distinguish the most contemporary and exclusive labels – and realized it’s all exclusive. The selection of Brazilian, plastic Melissa shoes is off the chizzy, the Vivien Westwood’s for Melissa are plentiful, there are Fly London sandals ; avant garde United Nude, handcrafted Miz Mooz, and my favorite the expensive Neosens. For men, plenty of sneakers and denim. Also, a wall of handbags, mens fashions from Japan, affordable accessories and an interesting little book collection thrown in to the whimsy.

If you’re in the hood, definitely go see Dale:

Balisi
2507 Yonge Street (north of Eglinton), Toronto
416.487-7111
+ http://www.facebook.com/balisifashionsinc
+ http://twitter.com/balisi

Well, they’re saying that we’ll start seeing trendy women wearing bowties this year – and it’s likely true, what with American Apparel and Forever 21 selling bowties geared to gals. I personally haven’t seen this at all in Toronto yet – but here’s some boys in bowties…soooo refreshing after seeing guys in Clubville still wearing oversized hanky scarves!

photos: lostinthewillderness.com | lostinthewillderness.com



photos: lostinthewillderness.com | lostinthewillderness.com