Philip Sparks opted for an informal presentation (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Philip Sparks’s menswear presentation last night marked the opening of what we’re calling rogue fashion week. Though Toronto fashion week officially launches on March 28, a number of designers (Greta Constantine, Nada, Paul Hardy) have chosen to skip it and show beforehand, stretching the festivities out over three weeks. (We long for the time when they can be crammed into three days.)
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In yesterday’s blog entry for the Post, designers Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong of Greta Constantine offer a glimpse into their background as designers. Both were clearly brown-nosers from the start, scoring major internships while still in high school: Pickersgill with Toronto fashion label Comrags and Wong at Alfred Sung. Wong pursued his passion for fashion with veteran costume designer Susan Dicks; Pickersgill moved to Milan, working with fellow Canadians DSquared2 and British designer Neil Barret.
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In their third blog entry as guest bloggers for the Post, Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, the brain trust behind Greta Constantine, leave New York City at the end of fashion week, but not before doing some scouting and shopping in the Big Apple. Proving that Torontonians are everywhere, the pair ran into Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe, the powerhouses behind clothing label Smythe (a favourite of Blake Lively) at Barneys.
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The second instalment of their blog series for the National Post finds Toronto designers Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong of Greta Constantine in the midst of New York fashion week. First on their agenda is a stop at a Tribeca Starbucks, as part of the process of “assimilating into American culture.” (Perhaps the trek to the Times Square Tim Hortons was too far.) Next, the two discussed The City and the spectacularly petulant cattiness of Olivia Palermo and Erin Kaplan (two of The City’s main “cast members”) while shopping at Marc by Marc Jacobs and the Alexander McQueen store.
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Last season's GC show was scheduled before fashion week (Photo by Jenna Marie Wakani)
Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill, the sassy Toronto design duo behind Greta Constantine, are blogging for the National Post about their New York fashion week misadventures. In their first entry, they’re making the long drive to New York, with one stop in a town named Oneida for some Burger King, after a customs experience they liken to the movie Clueless: “Friendly, quick and painless.”
The pair, in New York to showcase 33 pieces from their fall-winter 2010 womenswear collection, promise future posts will dish about fittings and model decisions, and offer a sneak peek of their show, which they say is one of their strongest to date.
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An image from Ezra Constantine's spring 2010 look book (Photo by McKenzie James)
One of the most buzzed about fads at the European menswear shows is bloody models walking the runway. In Milan, DSquared eschewed its typical buffalo plaids, trapper hats and maple leaves for a look inspired by banged-up hockey players, with leather-clad men splattered in blood. In Paris, Jean Paul Gaultier went with an ’80s boxing theme, complete with oversized gloves, robes and the requisite bloody noses and faces.
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Toronto designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran (Photo by Jenna Marie Wakani)
For people who have been living under a rock for the past year, there’s a social networking site called Twitter, and it provides a window into the lives of strangers and celebrities, 140 characters at a time. Though most tweets are as exciting as a grey V-neck sweater, members of Toronto’s fashion industry keep things vibrant with glimpses into their lives beyond the runway, in some cases giving the heads-up on upcoming sales. Here are 10 to follow in 2010.
Who: Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong of Greta Constantine Read the rest of this entry »
Topics covered: Upcoming shows, collection updates, cute updates from the office
Recent tweet: Everyone in the studio have become yoga maniacs! Soon we’ll be designing Greta Constantine yoga mats. Check them out at 889 Yonge
Bonus: Tweets on upcoming sample sales
Follow: @gretconstantine
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Jeanne Beker is almost the Canadian answer to Anna Wintour: she’s one of the most recognizable faces in our fashion industry, is on a first-name basis with designers and has thick bangs, but, unlike Wintour, Beker is friendly and open. Case in point, the grand dame of Fashion Television gave a lengthy interview to Kelly Anderson of blogTO.com, in which she divulged three (somewhat) juicy details about her shopping habits.
Is it the rainbow of colours that makes Crocs so enticing? Don't ask us (Photo by Rupert Ganzer)
• The Serena is the new Rachel. Stylists across New York are being inundated with requests for Blake Lively’s tousled tresses. One salon owner in Manhattan calls it “aspirational hair” and offers extensions to get the look for $1,200 to $1,500. Don’t blow the mortgage payment yet: another stylist says that the look flatters only tall, slim women. [New York Times] Read the rest of this entry »
• Burberry fêted its flagship Toronto store on Bloor Street last week with a gala that drew celebs Ali Larter (of Heroes and Varsity Blues fame), as well as the inseparable After Show duo Dan Levy and Jessi Cruickshank. Meanwhile, Prince Charles and Camilla were partying with Dalton McGuinty at the Carlu, mere blocks away. Too bad the royal couple didn’t pop into the storied British store to lend star power to the guest list. [WWD]
ALYSSA AGENCY SAMPLE SALE
This sample sale includes such must-have brands as Fidelity Denim, Snob and Covet. All sizes are available. Cash only. Nov. 9 to 13. 2770 Dufferin St., Ste. 206, 416-782-4169, alyssaagency.ca.
DANIER
Leather coats are deeply discounted at the Hot for Winter Sale. Some great buys include a ladies’ bomber with hood for $199 (down from $369) and a men’s lamb leather jacket for $249 (down from $479). Until Nov. 11. Eaton Centre, 220 Yonge St., 416-595-6336; plus other GTA locations, danier.com.
ESPRIT AND LACOSTE SALE
Save 80 per cent on Esprit men’s and women’s clothing and Lacoste footwear. Nov. 12 to 15. International Centre, Hall 4, 6900 Airport Rd., styledemocracy.com/?p=273.
EWANIKA
In celebration of its 11th anniversary, the newly relocated boutique owned by Toronto designer Trish Ewanika is offering 15 per cent off pieces from the fall/winter collection and select holiday items. Nov. 12 to 14. 1083 Bathurst St., 416-927-9699, ewanika.ca.
JONATHAN AND OLIVIA Read the rest of this entry »
The Ossington boutique’s warehouse sale includes up to 90 per cent off last season’s items. Nov. 13 to 15. 49 Ossington Ave., 416-849-5956.
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