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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

Good Stuff Cheap

November 16, 2010 | 11:15 am

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Sales roundup: Marchesa trunk show, Virginia Johnson sample sale, Mark Lash holiday sale

FASHION AND BEAUTY

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The Goods

From the Print Edition

September 7, 2010 | 1:45 pm

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The Thing: the oxymoronic appeal of Canadiana cool

In Toronto, we’ve been fashioning chandeliers from antlers and cherishing Cowichan sweaters for years. It took the Vancouver Olympics—and The Bay’s iconic, must-have red mittens—for the rest of the world to catch on to Canuck style. D&G debuted to-die-for knit sweater dresses and matching mukluks at Milan fashion week, woodsy plaids and alpine prints are proliferating madly, and fur-lined hoodies have become a fall wardrobe staple. Toronto designers are keeping it coming, with long johns by Philip Sparks, a Jeremy Laing dress inspired by Haida patterns and, from new furrier Izma, beaver trapper hats chic enough to make Pam Anderson rethink her PETA pledge.

Find out where to buy the items above, after the jump.

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The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap

August 24, 2010 | 10:40 am

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Sales and events roundup: Jeremy Laing sample sale, Rag and Bone at Holts, half off Virginia Johnson

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.

DANIER
Shoppers will save $50 on every $150 they spend on items from Danier’s fall collection. Until Aug. 31. Various locations, danier.com.

GOTSTYLE
All sale tops and bottoms are now marked down to $50 each. 489 King St. W., 416-260-9696, gsmen.com.

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The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap

June 4, 2010 | 9:14 am

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Last-minute weekend sales: Holt Renfrew, Greta Constantine, Canopy Blue and more

Is it the forecast of a grey weekend that has the city’s retailers rolling out the sales signs? Don’t know. Don’t care. Whatever the reason, there are some fab deals to be had.

CANOPY BLUE
Shoppers should print this coupon out to receive 25 per cent off their purchase at the midtown womenswear boutique. Until June 6. 2582 Yonge St., 416-483-2583, canopyblue.ca.

GRETA CONSTANTINE
This appointment-only sale gives customers the chance to purchase one of Greta’s summer dresses at a fraction of the original price. Expect to pay between $180 and $250 for frocks once marked at $595 to $795. Until June 30. 25 Nicholas St., Ste. 301, info@gretaconstantine.com.

HOLT RENFREW
Get up to 50 per cent off a range of men’s and women’s spring designer clothes (until June 13) and 25 per cent off all designer sunglasses (until June 6). 50 Bloor St. W., 416-922-2333, holtrenfrew.com.

LIV BY AU LIT
Clothing, furniture and linens are up to 25 per cent off at this weekend’s summer event, where a stylist will be on hand for personal consultations. Bonus: free Starbucks and a gift with purchases over $100. June 5 and 6. 418 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-481-2300, livbyaulit.com.

VIRGINIA JOHNSON
Leave a comment on this Virginia Johnson blog post and be entered for a chance to win one of her colourful shawls. Until June 10.

The Goods

Shop Talk

February 24, 2010 | 12:56 pm

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Andy Spade takes on Hudson’s Bay Company branding

Partners and Spade products for HBC (Photo via partnersandspade.com)

Many Canadians are proud of the Hudson’s Bay Company, passing the striped wool blankets and coats on as heirlooms, but there’s one New York ideas man who thinks our patriotic staples—and their founding company—are in need of an upgrade. Andy Spade, the husband of trendy tote maker Kate, has taken on a new hobby of late: under the banner Partners and Spade, he is re-imagining tried-and-true branding images of big retail institutions. Also on his long list are California’s Swanson winery and Target, which he will infuse with some of the imagination that helped the couple’s own brand succeed.

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Required Reading

December 3, 2009 | 2:15 pm

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Hermès accused of hoarding alligator skins, Karl Lagerfeld creates SpongeBob doll, Tom Ford disses Jason Reitman

Tom Ford at the TIFF premiere of A Single Man (Photo by Karon Liu)

• Canadian model Coco Rocha announced last week that she’s launching her own fashion line. No details yet, but her sketches include high-waisted skinny jeans, ankle-skimming pants, and a shirt, skirt and cape. We’re not impressed with the initial designs, but if her line comes out anything like Kate Moss for Topshop (we hope, coming to The Bay), we won’t complain. [Oh So Coco]

• SpongeBob SquarePants got a makeover courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld, who moulded the cartoon creature into a golden mini-Karl, complete with sunglasses, fingerless gloves, shirt and tie. The figurine fetched 1,000 euros at a World Wildlife Fund charity auction. Lagerfeld has already designed a teddy bear in his image, but fans shouldn’t wait for a Karl doll. The designer told W magazine, “Nothing scares me more than people with some doll collection. Frightening.” [WWD]

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The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap

November 4, 2009 | 5:00 am

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Sales roundup: 70 per cent off Lanvin, YSL, Alexander McQueen, Ports 1961, Michael Kors and more

FASHION AND BEAUTY

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.

JESSICA JENSEN
Score 75 per cent off bags from Toronto designer Jessica Jensen at this two-day sale that includes pretty evening clutches, totes and black handbags galore. Nov. 6 and 7. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., 2nd flr., 416-531-4635.

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The Goods

Good Stuff Cheap

October 27, 2009 | 11:49 am

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Sales roundup: Beautylicious hits Yorkville, deep discounts on leather at Danier, Diesel sample sale

FASHION AND BEAUTY

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.

DESIGNER SAMPLE SALE
For two days, the Burroughes Building is full of reduced men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories from such brands as Miss Sixty, Acne and James Perse. All sales final. Oct. 28 and 29. 11–8. 639 Queen St. W.

DIESEL SAMPLE SALE
Pick up items from the fall-winter 2009 collection at the Diesel showroom. Oct. 29 to 31. 1207 King St. W., surplusclothing.ca.

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The Goods

Shop Talk

August 11, 2009 | 9:17 am

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Made in Toronto: 15 designs that do us proud

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.