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Toronto Life - The Wire

The comprehensive index of every blog post, magazine story and restaurant review that appears on Torontolife.com

All stories by Carley Fortune

The Goods

Weddings
March 21, 2011 | 11:00 am

3 Comments

Weddings Week 2011: our top picks for tear-free bridesmaid dresses

Your bridesmaids have stood by you, calmed you down and put their lives on hold. Return the favour with fetching frocks they really can wear again By Carley Fortune

For more information on how to make a wedding perfect, see our Weddings Week 2011 coverage

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The Goods

From the Print Edition
March 1, 2011 | 9:08 am

7 Comments

Super Shopper: Our monthly roundup of the city’s best stuff

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The Goods

From the Print Edition
February 7, 2011 | 4:35 pm

9 Comments

Super Shopper: our monthly roundup of the city’s best stuff


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The Goods

From the Print Edition
February 7, 2011 | 8:43 am

3 Comments

The Thing: a gorgeous book that begs to be judged by its cover

(Image: Natasha V.)

Authentic, old-fashioned, bespoke, handcrafted—these are the buzzwords on which the book industry is staking its future hardcover sales. Marian Bantjes’ I Wonder is the ultimate example. The Canadian-born graphic artist spent 15 months creating this satin-wrapped, gold-embossed ode to the art of the printed page. The text inside—essays on such sweeping subjects as wonder, honour and memory—is almost beside the point. This is reading as a sensual, tactile experience, a gift to anti-e-reader bibliophiles everywhere. The first Toronto shipment sold out at Type Books in a week, proving that, in our Kindle/Kobo/iPad–addled world, sometimes you can, and should, judge a book by its cover. $45.

Type Books, 883 Queen St. W., 416-366‑8973.

The Goods

From the Print Edition
January 3, 2011 | 9:17 am

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The Thing: Our fascination with objects that aren’t what they seem

Laser-etched 4’x6’ faux wood rug, $2,600. Hollace Cluny, 1070 Yonge St., 416-968-7894 (Images: Natasha V)

Giggle-inducing trompe l’oeil knick-knacks have infiltrated curio shops all over the city lately (see the Drake Hotel General Store, Bergo, Up to You, Rolo). Hence the nostalgia-inducing cassette tape that turns out to be an iPhone case, the tea towel designed to mimic loose-leaf paper, and that ubiquitous white ceramic mug that looks like a Styrofoam takeout coffee cup. This season, the phenomenon has spread beyond novelty gifts and inspired both high fashion and home decor. A playful, laser-etched rug by Toronto design studio Moss and Lam is expensive cowhide made to look like old-fashioned wood-grain floorboards—the ultimate union of familiar and surreal, rustic and glam.

The Goods

New in Shops
December 16, 2010 | 10:47 am

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Ben Mulroney: fashion designer?

Any interaction with Rachel McAdams automatically requires a pocket squareHe’s not a full-on designer yet, but Ben Mulroney is going to develop a line of, wait for it, pocket squares! He’s partnering with Canadian tie-makers Braemore Neckwear to do it, but why? Well, according to the press release, Mulroney says “most men don’t take advantage of the best way to distinguish themselves: a breast pocket square.” And he seems to mean it—we looked through photos of the eTalk host over the years (see our slide show of Ben’s 10 Best Pocket Square Moments) and could only find two instances of him in a suit sans pocket square, and that was back in 2003 and 2006. But then, we also found a photo of him wearing this. In Toronto, the line will be carried at Holt Renfrew, Got Style and Ted’s Style Shoppe.

Begin the Ben Mulroney Pocket Square Slide Show >>

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The Goods

Shop Talk
December 15, 2010 | 10:20 am

11 Comments

Circa nightclub becoming Marshalls store

Circa: from disco to discount (Image: Divya Thakur)

The former site of Circa nightclub is going to be one of the first Canadian locations of Marshalls, the U.S. counterpart to Winners, reports the Toronto Star. The 50,000-square-foot John Street space is one of four spots lined up; Warden and Eglinton, the Colossus Centre and the Durham Centre are all slated for a spring opening (the downtown Marshalls will open later in 2011).

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The Goods

Shop Talk
December 14, 2010 | 3:19 pm

1 Comment

The Bay to carry Madonna’s clothing line, Material Girl

A Material Girl bustier dress

The Bay has signed an agreement to be the exclusive retailer of Material Girl, the new line from Madonna and daughter Lourdes. Already available stateside, the clothes, so far, have been ’80s-inspired and aimed at teens—hence the name and the (other) celebrity face of the line, Gossip Girl’s Taylor Momsen. The Bay will begin carrying Material Girl in the spring (though a $20 sequined tank will be at stores beginning Thursday), and most items are expected to cost around $25 to $30.

• Madonna’s clothing line to launch in Canada [Toronto Star via Fashion]
• The Bay gets Material-istic with Madonna line [Marketing]

The Goods

New in Shops
December 14, 2010 | 2:26 pm

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Canadian company making dolls that give birth

The dolls can be customized down to eye glasses (Image: MamAmor)

When is a child’s doll too real? Back in the 1950s, Betsy Wetsy wet herself after drinking; in 2008, Baby Alive could do a number two, and last year a Spanish toymaker created Bebé Glotón that let girls pretend to breastfeed. Now, a small Edmonton company called MamAmor is selling dolls that give birth.

Less realistic-looking than the animatronic Alive and Glotón, the cloth mother dolls have elasticized snap crotches; tucked inside is a baby with umbilical cord and placenta. Snaps on the baby’s mouth and where the mother’s nipple would be allow for simulated breastfeeding. MamAmors are made as educational dolls for kids under three who are awaiting the arrival of a new sibling. They can be custom-made ($145 U.S.) to any hair, eye and skin colour, along with the clothing and accessories.

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The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap
December 14, 2010 | 11:59 am

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Sales roundup: Greta Constantine sample sale, Lela Rose trunk show, 25 per cent off at Robber

FASHION AND BEAUTY

BEAN SPROUT
All winter clothing and outerwear is 30 per cent off at this kids’ clothing shop. 565 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-932-3727, beansprout.ca.

CABARET
The vintage shop is offering 50 per cent off dresses, men’s suits and jewellery. 672 Queen St. W., 416-504-7126.

DANDI MAESTRE
Accessory designer Dandi Maestre has a knack for bold, statement-making jewellery (antler necklace, anyone?). While she sells on-line, we’re heading to this pre-holiday pop-up shop to ogle the goods in person. From $40. Until Dec. 22. 386 Huron St., dandimaestre.com.

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The Goods

New in Shops
December 10, 2010 | 11:17 am

3 Comments

Lululemon plans to continue success with more expensive clothes made from silver

This Silver Luon tank is $78 (Image: Lululemon)

Yesterday, we reported that Vancouver’s Lululemon was killing its third-quarter results, with profits doubling and Web sales up 200 per cent. Today, the Globe revealed how the company plans to continue its success: clothes made from silver. The new Silver Luon yoga line, which launched right before the holiday retail frenzy, is being touted as stink-free thanks to being made partially with silver yarn (the clothes themselves are black). Apparently silver has smelly-bacteria-fighting powers that busy gym bunnies want so they can grab a latte or go shopping after working out without worrying about stinking up the joint. And since Silver Luon stuff is made with real silver, Lulu can charge a whack more for it: a jacket is $168 (a similar non-silver version is $118) and a tank top is $78 (regular versions are $52). We expect a premium platinum line any day now.

• Lululemon customers, investors walk path of devotion [Globe and Mail]

The Goods

Shop Talk
December 9, 2010 | 4:01 pm

2 Comments

Lululemon makes lots of money, thanks to Oprah

The relaxed-fit pants are an Oprah favourite

Canadian athletic wear powerhouse Lululemon saw its profits almost double in the third quarter of this year, thanks in part to the big O. Oprah featured the brand’s relaxed-fit pants on her “Favourite Things” episode last month, which probably helped shares increase by a whopping 77 per cent and on-line sales increase 200 per cent over last year. Analysts are saying that the company has plenty of room for growth, and that’s just what it’s doing. Plans are set for up to 25 new stores in North America next year and two slated for Australia; it’s also considering opening up shop in Asia.

• Lululemon profit rises steeply, sees more growth [Reuters]
• Online sales have Lululemon clicking [Globe and Mail]

The Goods

Shop Talk
December 2, 2010 | 11:18 am

6 Comments

Designer Andy Thê-Anh liquidating, closing stores

A gown from Thê-Anh's fall collection at Toronto fashion week (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

Sad news. Canadian fashion designer Andy Thê-Anh is liquidating his merchandise after financial backers pulled their support from his line. A sale of $2.8 million worth of clothing (to be sold at 70 to 80 per cent off) begins today by Maynards liquidators at his Montreal Cours Mont Royal shop. It will run for several months. “It was not the most elegant way to close,’’ Thê-Anh told the Montreal Gazette. “People are interested only in glamour. I create the glamorous image, but they don’t understand the hard work involved.” From the Gazette:

Another downtown shop, on Mountain St., closed this autumn. In all, about 20 employees are out of work, Thê-Anh said, including head office and boutique staff. A Yorkville shop in Toronto has also closed.

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The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap
November 30, 2010 | 12:51 pm

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Sales roundup: $35 off at Over the Rainbow, 50 per cent off Ray Bans, Beckerman sample sale

FASHION AND BEAUTY

BECKERMAN AND ANDREA BRUECKNER SAMPLE SALE
We hear the Beckerman clothing at this sample will be going for less than wholesale prices. Also on offer are handbags from Andrea Brueckner. A kick-off party on December 3 is open to all. Dec. 3 4:30–10:30, Dec 4 12–6. 174 Spadina Ave., Unit 103, beckermans.com.

DANDI MAESTRE
Accessory designer Dandi Maestre has a knack for bold, statement-making jewellery (antler necklace, anyone?). While she sells on-line, we’re heading to this pre-holiday pop-up shop to ogle the goods in person. From $40. Until Dec. 22. 386 Huron St., dandimaestre.com.

JESSICA JENSEN
The handbag and leather goods designer is opening a temporary shop for the holiday season with up to 70 per cent off her accessories. Until Dec. 12. 972 Queen St. W., shopjessicajensen.com.

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The Goods

Shop Talk
November 29, 2010 | 3:06 pm

1 Comment

Mall wars: Bayview Village doesn’t want to be like Yorkdale

The un-Yorkdalian Bayview Village (Image: Google)

The National Post has published a lengthy piece on the recent renovations at Toronto’s major malls. The Eaton Centre, Bayview Village, Dufferin Mall and the Scarborough Town Centre have all finished or are undergoing revamps to lure shoppers and compete with on-line retailers. Just last week, the Town Centre completed a $62-million reno job with new flooring, skylights and escalators, and the Eaton Centre (currently working on a $120-million make-over) is a jumble of scaffolding.

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