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We know there’s still snow on the ground, but spring, believe it or not, is upon us, and we can’t wait to test out this knee-length Philip Sparks trench, available at Delphic. From the front, it is as classic as The Bell Jar and a breakup, but the goods are in the back. We love how the pleated flounce fans out in a peekaboo fashion. One of the best aspects: Sparks’s tailor-made clothes are all Canadian. Burberry who? $650.
Delphic, 706 Queen Street West, 416-603-3334
Two weeks ago, we posted a couple of fall outerwear options for women, and today we present a beautifully made men’s coat. Canadian designer Ken Chow, the man behind the label Krane, has done it again. Not only are his fine leather bags absolutely phenomenal every season, but the detail and quality of his menswear is worthy of Savile Row (in the U.S., it’s sold at Barneys and Fred Segal).
This army-inspired blazer fits like bespoke; the contrasting wool knit fabric brings it down to a more casual level. It’s not inexpensive at $845, but it’s made in Canada and will last for years.
Available at Delphic, 706 Queen St. W., 416-603-3334.
Few would argue that Jeanne Beker isn’t the high priestess of fashion in Canada—the woman is a legend. We’re more familiar with watching Jeanne explore the runways of Paris than the streets of Toronto, so when Post City Magazines published Jeanne’s picks for the top 100 stores in Toronto, we set about dissecting it. We were able to suss out where her daughter’s bought their prom dresses (Betsey Johnson), the store that makes her drool (The Room), where she goes to find out what the cool kids are up to (Propaganda) and her neighbourhood standby (Gee Beauty). Check out the full list here.
The city is so full of people creating exciting furniture, clothing, beauty products and accessories that the idea of buying local extends beyond the grocery store. Best of all, this stuff is so great that its Toronto roots are only a small part of why we love it. Below, 15 of our favourite pieces from some of the city’s most talented designers.
(Photo by Carmen Cheung)
Chunky jewellery and outsized neckwear may be the city’s current accessory obsession, but the inspiration for Toronto designer Sarra Tang’s graphic tee ($50) goes way, way back: it’s based on an ancient Egyptian necklace. Her past two collections for Hoi Bo have featured edgy necklines, because, as she says, “it’s the first place people look when they meet you.” The fresh look is the result of a painstaking process. The colour on each shirt (we found them at Delphic) is painted on and the gold foil is applied by hand. Nefertiti would be proud.
Delphic, 706 Queen St. W., 416-603-3334.
AUGUSTINA
Tucked away in Toronto’s most chi-chi alleyway, this boutique is offering up to 50 per cent off summer shoes, bags, and, just in time for resumption of ferry services to the island, sundresses. Perfect for Ward’s beach is a Roberta Freymann modern tunic ($75). 5 Old York Lane, 416-922-4248, augustinaboutiques.com.
ANDY THÊ-ANH
Montreal’s clothier to the rich and flawless has slashed the prices of his ready-to-wear line in half. A perfect summer suit for women is now $472. Until early August. 83 Yorkville Ave., 416-921-2639, andytheanh.com.
THE CASHMERE SHOP
Just because it’s summer, it doesn’t mean there’s no place for cashmere—especially when it’s on sale. Thin, seasonally appropriate short-sleeved cardigans are now $199, as are pastel-coloured wraps (down from $299). 24 Bellair St., 416-925-0831.
COP.COPINE Read the rest of this entry »
The Parisian label has marked down spring and summer wear by 50 per cent. The “rangun,” a two-piece cotton crinkle top—wash it, crinkle it and wear it—is down to $175. 101 Yorkville Ave., 416-483-0495.
THE CASHMERE SHOP
Just because it’s summer (sort of) doesn’t mean there’s no place for cashmere—especially when it’s on sale. Thin, seasonally appropriate short-sleeved cardigans are now $199, as are pastel-coloured wraps (down from $299). 24 Bellair St., 416-925-0831.
COMRAGS
Make like Sarah Slean and snap up a dress (or two) designed by these Ryerson fashion program alumnae: selected items at the store are discounted 30 to 50 per cent. 654 Queen St. W., 416-360-7249, comrags.com.
DELPHIC
The store is offering discounts of up to 60 per cent off duds by such heavy-hitting designers as Fred Perry, Pringle and Henrik Vibskov. Satisfy the inner Gossip Girl with a short black Fred Perry dress for $135 (originally $225). 706 Queen St. W., 416-603-3334.
DIVINE DECADENCE Read the rest of this entry »
The purveyor of fun vintage party frocks is holding a half-price sale on all its dresses. Now’s the time to snag a retro prom dress. (Wedding and art deco gowns exempted.) 28 Cumberland St., 416-324-9759.
889 YONGE
The retail portion of this holistic spa-yoga studio is having a “secret sale”: mention those two words at the checkout counter and receive 25 per cent off James Perse and Beyond Yoga apparel. July 6-11. 889 Yonge St., 416-925-7206, 889yonge.com.
BEANSPROUT
Before sending the tykes off to camp, check out this sale at kiddie outfitter Beansprout. Bathing suits, shoes and socks are marked down by 20 per cent while seasonal footwear and togs are half price. Sizes available for newborns to 12-year-olds. 565 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-932-3727, beansprout.ca.
BUCKLER
Men who like their fashions fresh from the NYC meatpacking district should head on over to Buckler, where almost everything is 30 per cent off. Hyper trendy dark denim drop-crotch jeans are $228, down from $325. Bonus feature: a removable zip-off panel morphs them into regular-crotch jeans—perfect for when the fad peters out or the wearer starts to feel self-conscious, whichever comes first. 700 Queen St. W., 416-551-8441, bucklershowroom.com.
CARTE BLANCHE Read the rest of this entry »
Just when everyone thought Cheap Mondays couldn’t get any cheaper, jeans at this store are now $55 (down from $69). Everything else is 25 to 50 per cent off, including—for all the Lady Gaga wannabes out there—a black, midriff-baring, torpedo-bra corset for $135). 758 Queen St. W., 416-532-0347, shopcarteblanche.ca.
Even in the middle of the muggy Toronto summer, stylish necks are elegantly wrapped. Here,
climate-appropriate scarves for the steamy season.
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