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Every weekend we round up the highlights from the other websites in the St. Joseph Media family (that’s the company that owns us, by the by). Check them out, after the jump.
The comprehensive index of every blog post, magazine story and restaurant review that appears on Torontolife.com
All stories relating to denim
The Thing: The revival of two-digit denim
(Image: Raina and Wilson)
Jeans have always been a cultural barometer: the free-flowing bell-bottoms of the ’60s, the ironed-on butt-huggers of the days of disco, the despondent denim that Kurt Cobain and his fellow unwashed icons turned into a grunge-era staple. A couple of years ago, the luxury denim-du-jour spoke volumes about our obsession with status symbols: if Jennifer Aniston has $450 Rick Owens jeans, why shouldn’t I? (The woman earned $1 million per episode—do we really need to answer that question?) Just when it seemed there was no limit to our appetite for excess, the recession hit. Yorkville shopaholics were checking price tags, sweet-16 spendthrifts stopped bringing mommy’s credit card to Aritzia, and dozens of cubby-size Queen Street boutiques plastered their windows with fire-sale signs.
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Philip Sparks’s Canadiana wows—again—as Rogue Fashion Week kicks off
Philip’s walk to the bar was well lit (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Philip Sparks kicked off Rogue Fashion Week last night at the Burroughes Building with a fall/winter collection of classic duffle coats, military parkas and hand-knit Fair Isle sweaters. We’re told the men’s and women’s collections are inspired by—and, puzzlingly, meant to celebrate—Canadian winter. One audience member grumbled sarcastically that the fall plaid was “groundbreaking,” but we enjoyed it, seeing the triple-ply shirting and flannel-lined denim as reinventions, not tired standards. Read on for full photo coverage of the men’s and women’s collections and a rundown of the scene at Burroughes.
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Sales and events roundup: Canadian Spa Week deals, 60 per cent off Fred Perry, Mykita trunk show
FASHION AND BEAUTY
GOTSTYLE
Save $50–$100 on a modern suit after trading in one of your never-worn boxy numbers. Proceeds from sales will go to dressyourbest.ca. March 15–April 10. 62 Bathurst St., 416-260-9696.
GOTSTYLE
Gotstyle has listed all of their straggling pieces at 70 per cent off their original price for their end-of-season sale, but quantities are limited. March 15–27. 62 Bathurst St., 416-260-9696.
JESSICA JENSEN
Handbags are always an expense, but Jessica Jensen’s upcoming sample sale lists up to 80 per cent off on all items (final sale). March 24–26, Thurs 12–8 p.m., Fri and Sat 12–6 p.m.. 639 Queen St W, Suite 404.
Good Stuff Cheap: ladies and gentlemen, here’s how to put together a party outfit for under $200
We challenged two style bloggers, Ryan Michael Cheung (of four1sixfive1four.tumblr.com) and Afiya Francisco (of thestylehouse.ca), to put together a party outfit for $200. They did it, shoes and all
Good Stuff Cheap: six designer sample sales that make lining up seem entirely sane
(Images: Jeremy Laing by Thomas Kletecka/Collective Edit; high heel courtesy of Alexander McQueen; bow tie courtesy of Band of Outsiders; jeans courtesy of Nudie Jeans Co.; zip-up courtesy of Puma; kids’ boot courtesy of Geox; )
For Straight-from-SoHo Fashion
Crowds huddled in Ossington’s doorways are a familiar sight, but nothing compares to the sidewalk jams that form when Jonathan and Olivia owner Jackie O’Brien holds her biannual sales (starting on Boxing Day and again in June or July). Cool kids, designers, ad execs and artsy-leaning scions flock here for deconstructed hipster wear from Manhattan, Sweden and the U.K., by the likes of Alexander Wang, Rag and Bone, Band of Outsiders, Engineered Garments, and Wings and Horns. All up to 50 per cent off. E-mail info@jonathanandolivia.com to get on the list.
FOR Big European Labels Read the rest of this entry »
Toronto retail veteran Elsa Reia was hosting sample sales long before they were in vogue, which explains her all-star roster of designer brands: apparel, accessories and footwear from Alexander McQueen, Rick Owens, Dries Van Noten, Miu Miu, Martin Margiela, Lanvin, Isabel Marant and more. The blowout runs over two days in April and October. Expect a variety of sizes and inventory, from recent and past seasons, marked down by 70 per cent or more. E-mail info@reiastudio.com to sign up.
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 Read the rest of this entry »
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.
Introducing: The Future of Frances Watson, Parkdale’s new menswear shop
Smart money would have been on a store opening in Parkdale this fall to clothe the patrons of neighbourhood hotter-than-hot spot Parts and Labour. And here it is, across from the Dollarama at Queen and O’Hara. Read about the boutique after the jump.
(Image: Fraser Abe)
Sales roundup: Sporting Life warehouse sale, half off outdoor furniture at Restoration Hardware
FASHION AND BEAUTY
BEAN SPROUT
The kidswear store has marked down its summer clothes by up to 70 per cent. A pre-winter snowsuit sale (scary, we know) means the outerwear is 20 per cent off. Until Sept. 15. 565 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-932-3727.
GAP/BANANA REPUBLIC/OLD NAVY
Last week, Gap Inc. launched its Canadian on-line stores for Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. Until October 31, there’s free shipping on all purchases. gapcanada.ca.
LEIGH AND HARLOW Read the rest of this entry »
The store has further reduced clothing, denim and shoes at its designer sale—items are now up to 60 per cent off. Until Sept. 5. 634 Queen St. W., 647-430-7728, leighandharlow.com.
Best of the City 2010: Toronto’s top shopping
Left: Robber’s shirt-dress, Chasse Gardée’s sandal, Ella and Elliot’s dishware for kids, Harry Rosen’s cufflinks; Right: Canuck kitsch at the Drake General Store (Image: photographs by Jay Shuster; cufflinks courtesy of Harry Rosen)
Pretty woman walking down the street: Julia Roberts is in Toronto
Julia Roberts doing double denim on Queen West (Image: Mr. Will-W.)
Julia Roberts is in Toronto shooting Jesus Henry Christ, a film she’s producing starring Martin Michael Sheen and Toni Collette, and of course, there have been a number of pretty woman sightings. According to Shinan Govani, Roberts was spotted Tuesday dining at Terroni, browsing the macaroon delicacies at Nadège Patisserie, foraging through the vintage sartorial selections at Preloved and picking up some how-to-knit reads at Type Books. Her outfit: pale jeans and a denim shirt. That’s right, double denim. So, then, it’s official—Julia Roberts is a Queen West hipster.
• City woman [National Post]
• More Julia Roberts in Toronto [Mr. Will-W.]
Canadian designer denim: summery jeans from Andy Thê-Anh
These Canadian-made jeans from Montreal designer Andy Thê-Anh are made with a lightweight denim that’s cool enough to wear on warm spring days and throughout the summer. The dark hue and slim cut mean that they’re appropriate for casual office wear, and the ankle straps (a trend we’ve already seen in footwear) add a dash of personality.
$325 at Andy Thê-Anh, Bayview Village, 2901 Bayview Ave., 416-590-0167.
Sales roundup: Boxing Week discounts at Eleven, Over the Rainbow and Palazzetti
FASHION AND BEAUTY
BEANSPROUT
Starting on Boxing Day, this storewide sale includes between 50 and 70 per cent off kids’ clothing from Blue, Geox and Deux par Deux. Dec. 26 to Jan. 31. 565 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-932-3727, beansprout.ca.
CARTE BLANCHE
When shoppers make a purchase at Carte Blanche, 30 per cent of the total will be given back in gift certificates. For example, if you spend $100, you’ll get a $30 certificate to use at a later time. Until Dec. 24. 758 Queen St. W., 416-532-0347, shopcarteblanche.ca.
ELEVEN Read the rest of this entry »
The Yorkville shop’s Boxing Day sale includes 70 per cent off almost everything in the store, including coats from Lundström, Joeffer Caoc and Brandon R. Dwyer dresses, leather bags and jewellery. Dec. 26. 10–6. 116 Cumberland St., 416-966-3935.
Sales roundup: denim sample sale, 65 per cent off at West Elm, Chip and Pepper pop-up shop
FASHION AND BEAUTY
BODY BLUE
Select shoes and boots are now 30 per cent off. 199 Danforth Ave., 416-778-7601; 724 Queen St. W., 416-703-7601, bodybluedenimlab.com.
CARTE BLANCHE
When shoppers make a purchase at Carte Blanche, 30 per cent of their total will be given back in gift certificates. For example, if you spend $100, you’ll get a $30 certificate to use at a later time. Until Dec. 24. 758 Queen St. W., 416-532-0347, shopcarteblanche.ca.
CHARLIE BOUTIQUE
It’s customer appreciation time at the trendy womenswear shop, which means 25 per cent off all regular-priced items. 809 Queen St. W., 647-436-8452, iluvcharlie.com.
CHASSE GARDÉE Read the rest of this entry »
At this one-night holiday shopping event, much of the merchandise is marked down, and shoppers can get 40 per cent off any one item. Dec. 16. 6–9. 1084 Queen St. W., 416-901-9613, chassegardee.com.
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