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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

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

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.

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

Good Stuff Cheap

November 23, 2010 | 10:56 am

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Sales roundup: Canadian designer sample sale, Photorama, Aquilano.Rimondi trunk show

FASHION AND BEAUTY

ASHLEY ROWE
The young Toronto designer is holding a trunk show this Saturday with pieces from her fall collection. Shoppers will get a free splatter-painted tee with their purchase. Nov. 27. 12–2. RAC Boutique, 124 Cumberland St., ashleyrowe.com.

BEAN SPROUT
Parents can stock up on winter boots, snowsuits and coats for the kids from such brands as Geox, Rip Zone and Kenneth Cole; everything is at least 20 per cent off. 565 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-932-3727, beansprout.ca.

CANOPY BLUE
For one night, all merchandise in the womenswear boutique is 25 per cent off. Ten dollars from every purchase will go to Blessing in a Backpack, a local charity that provides in-school meals for children. Champagne and nibbles sweeten the deal. RSVP to 416-483-2583. Nov. 26. 2582 Yonge St.

ESPRIT
At this warehouse sale, clothing and accessories for men and women are up to 80 per cent off regular price. View the sales flyer here. Nov. 24, 6–9 p.m.; Nov. 25 and 26, 9–9; Nov. 27 and 28, 9–6. Queen Elizabeth Building, 190 Princes Blvd.

FGI SAMPLE SALE
The Fashion Group International of Toronto is holding a sale with some of Toronto’s most well-known designers: David Dixon, Philip Sparks, Nada and more. Nov. 25 and 26. 10–7. 579 Richmond St. W., Ste. 200.

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The Goods

Shop Talk

November 22, 2010 | 3:17 pm

1 Comment

Introducing: Seventy Seven, Pink Tartan’s first Toronto store

Previously the Paisley Shop, 77 Yorkville is now Pink Tartan's flagship store

The place: Pink Tartan has opened its first stand-alone store in one of the city’s oldest buildings, at Yorkville and Bellair. Built in 1837, the townhouse was once home to the Village of Yorkville’s sheriff (and a jail cell), but today, with fresh flowers, sand-coloured hardwood and wallpaper that looks like grey muslin, the two-floor space is less Alcatraz and more Alsace—the boutique feels like a sunny atelier somewhere in France.

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The Goods

From the Print Edition

November 17, 2010 | 12:00 pm

4 Comments

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Gifts $30 and under

Pasta encyclopedia $30. Type, 883 Queen St. W., 416-366-8973 Moustache corkscrew $15. Rolo, 24 Bellair St., 416-920‑0100. Air mail 15-inch laptop sleeve $25. Red Canoe, 1356 Dundas St. W., 416-205-1271.

See the slideshow of gifts $30 and under »

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The Goods

From the Print Edition

November 17, 2010 | 12:00 pm

1 Comment

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Gifts under $100

Harricana recycled fur earmuffs $59–$79. Vocado, 171 East Liberty St., Unit 121, 647-347‑7153. Clayware Chicken press $70, black casserole dish $90. Williams-Sonoma, 100 Bloor St. W., 416-962-9455. Cast concrete shaving kit with badger hair brush $98. Mjölk, 2959 Dundas St. W., 416-551‑9853.

See the slideshow of gifts under $100 »

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The Goods

From the Print Edition

November 17, 2010 | 11:59 am

1 Comment

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Gifts over $100

Lomography Diana Mini film camera with flash $105. Gee Beauty, 2 Roxborough St. W., 416-486-0080. Menorahs $120–$200. Gardiner Shop, 111 Queen’s Park, 416-408-5066. Sheepskin-lined wellies $300. Get Outside, 3456 Yonge St., 416-440-8880.

See the slideshow of gifts over $100 »

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The Goods

From the Print Edition

November 15, 2010 | 2:25 pm

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Our everything-but-the-pocket-watch-primer on the season’s sartorial schoolboy

Shoes $215 at John Fluevog; socks $30 at Harry Rosen; trousers $89 at Club Monaco

The Third Law of Motion says every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and while we generally shy away from breaking fashion down into a science, the current collegiate craze—the one that has Toronto dandies rolling up their pants like a pack of post-pubescent Tom Sawyers—neatly demonstrates Newton’s point. Just a year ago, our most fashion-forward subsets were flannel-shirt deep in the urban woodsman aesthetic, celebrating all that is burly and butch. Now we have a city full of grown men reining in their facial hair (because baby’s bum is the new beard) and taking fashion cues from the halls of higher learning—that world of privilege, pomp and paisley.

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The Goods

The Find

November 3, 2010 | 4:13 pm

5 Comments

We’re coveting these skinny cargo pants

It’s probably obvious by now that we’re fans of military details on clothing. The cargo pant, which we saw in the late ’90s, spilling into the early 2000s, has resurfaced once again, but as a new take on the trend. This season, women are still rolling them up and wearing them with heels, but unlike the baggy pants of the J-Lo era, these cargos are slim and sexy. J Brand’s Houlihans (named after Mash’s Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan) have proven exceptionally popular, warranting an entire article in the New York Times. We also like this pair from Fidelity ($220), which is less bulky than the original style, with pockets that don’t add extra volume to the hip area. They come in a camo print, muddy brown, black and, our favourite, olive green.

Available at Over the Rainbow, 101 Yorkville Ave, 416-967-7448.

The Dish

Neighbourhoods

November 2, 2010 | 3:00 am

29 Comments

Bloor West Village Guide: our 20 favourite places between High Park and the Humber

Though solidly yuppified, this erstwhile eastern European enclave has held on to its tradition of thriving small businesses. Neighbours are genuinely chummy, moms trade intel on good nannies and bad teachers (between Pilates classes in the park), and the main drag offers almost everything. By Crystal Luxmore, Photographs by Emma McIntyre

Start the Bloor West Village tour »

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The Goods

From the Print Edition

November 1, 2010 | 1:00 pm

32 Comments

The Bay vs. Holts: the Bay’s scheme to steal the fashion crown from Holts

The sensible shoes and twin–sets are gone, replaced by stilettos and crystal-encrusted gowns. There’s valet parking and personal shoppers, and they’re serving champagne up on three. It’s all part of the Bay’s scheme to win the loyalty of society shopaholics—and steal the fashion crown from Holts By Leah McLaren

(Image: George Pimentel)

One evening last March, Toronto’s stylish set put on their best frocks and headed to a retail baptism. Sarah Jessica Parker, celebrity high priestess of fashion, was in town to launch the Halston Heritage label at The Bay. The party, which reportedly cost over $200,000, was meant to establish Canada’s oldest department store as a major player in high-end womenswear. If retailers can be born again, this was The Bay’s moment to lean back and dip its head into the holy water.

Fashion media and socialites were ushered into the Queen Street flagship store and up the escalator to sip champagne on the third floor. That’s where The Room is located. The upscale designer dress salon was renovated a year ago for approximately $4.4 million in a high modernist style by the designers Yabu Pushelberg. The result is a treasure trove of conversation piece baubles, heels, flirty cocktail dresses and gowns by some of the most prestigious designers in the business. It’s the beating heart of the new Bay.

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The Goods

The Style File

October 27, 2010 | 12:35 pm

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Jeremy Laing will curate mini–department store at Toronto Art Fair

This piece from Derek Sullivan will be on display

Looking to skip the Jell-O shots and inevitable Rob Ford costumes at this weekend’s Halloween parties? Check out the Toronto International Art Fair, dubbed Art Toronto 2010, and the Jeremy Laing–curated exhibit Everything Must Go (October 29 to November 1). The concept, a miniature art department store, comes from the designer’s exploration of the ways in which art and fashion share what he calls the “aesthetics of salesmanship.”

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