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11/30/11
The Muttonhead Collective twins (we’re referring to Meg and Mel Sinclair, the twin sisters behind the label) are at it again with another pop-up shop. This time they’ve recruited a variety of their talented friends from the Toronto vicinity to participate in LOCO for LOCAL, a four-day pop-up shop at NACO Gallery and Cafe on Dundas West.
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11/29/11
It was just a week ago that fashionistas around the city were vying for a piece of the Versace for H&M collection. But today, the buzz is all about Marni. In a recent press release, the clothing retailer announced a spring designer collaboration with Marni, one of fashion’s most beloved labels (not to be confused with that other beloved Italian label, Armani). The collection for men and women will be available online and in stores beginning March 8, 2012.
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11/24/11
Three French hens decked out in Chanel, four fashion bloggers sitting in front row, five Gucci handbags and a Prada-clad model in a pear tree. Wondering what the heck we’re talking about? We’re singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with a fashion spin! But we can’t take the credit for the lyrics: we got them from Toronto-based illustrator Monica Smiley of Eighty Seventh ST.’s fashion-inspired holiday greeting cards.
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11/23/11
Gaspard sits on an elegant strip at the edge of Trinity Bellwoods Park, perched between Garrison’s by the park Barbershop and Clafouti. This tasteful ladies’ boutique is not aimed at lovers of disposable fashion; owners Jennifer Halchuk and Richard Lyle have selected exclusive high-quality labels — including Les Prairies de Paris, Jamin Puech and Carré Royal — that will stand the test of time, not just the season.
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11/22/11
For Toronto accessory junkies, Hide will soon become your little secret. True to its name — blink and you’ll miss it — the newly-opened leather accessories boutique is tucked away in the heart of Little Portugal. With a collection of leather belts, bags and bracelets on display, along with shawls, knits and other jewellery, Hide has plenty of unique pieces that will leave everyone wondering, “where did you get that?”
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11/21/11
We can’t think of a better time than now for one of our favourite local lines to have a sale. It’s right before our wallets feel the holiday pinch, giving us an excuse to indulge in some new duds at deal prices. Toronto-based indie design label Diepo has teamed up with Queen West boutique Robber to host a holiday trunk sale from Dec. 1-4.
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11/18/11
Kingpin’s Hideaway is tucked away in the basement of Queen Street’s longstanding vintage boutique Cabaret. This pop-up shop for (mostly) men is the doing of Jonathan Hagey, a vintage collector offering up "Gentlemenswear. With Balls," or so the tagline goes. Housing everything needed for a dapper silhouette, Hagey is prepared to dress men from head to toe, helping them look and feel their best while scrapping the ubiquitous jeans ‘n’ plaid combo.
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11/17/11
Now that leaving work means entering total darkness, we’ve turned our backs on any sort of social agenda, choosing instead to retreat into hibernation at home. Chunky sweaters, flannel PJs and a nice glass of wine by the fire: that’s the kind of happy hour we’re talking about. When in winter mode, there’s nothing that rocks our socks quite like a fresh new pair of slippers to keep our tootsies cozy while hanging around the house.
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11/16/11
Ushering in our new neighbourhood shopping feature is a spotlight on shops in The Junction, an up-and-coming ‘hood that is quickly filling up with tons of great boutiques, catering to design-enthusiasts, bargain-loving ladies and stylish tots alike. Below, 12 of our favourite stores in the area.
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11/14/11
Marie Saint Pierre is the latest in a slew of designers to combine forces with a mega retailer, and this time around, Reitmans is acting as the other half. The tough-as-nails Québécois designer — who, a day after giving birth to her first kid, hopped on a plane for a New York showing — recently showed a series of (mostly) little black dresses at LG Fashion Week. The presentation ended with Saint Pierre doing a tour of the room accompanied by FDCC head Robin Kay, each with a pint-sized pup in tow.
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11/11/11
Like the wardrobe of so many other cultural cliques today, the storied “nerd look” — which would have once brought about a torment of wedgies, swirlies and all other manner of school hall pranks — has been appropriated by the reigning league of hipsters. In their evanescent cool, they have claimed buttoned-to-the-top collared shirts and shrunken, ankle-grazing slacks for their own.
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11/10/11
Seeing red lately? It’s not just because the holiday decorations have come out. Pops of red are hot off the runways and are one of the best trends this season. Move away from only sporting the classic red lip and try adding a statement piece in a fiery colour to your wardrobe.
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11/08/11
After papered-over windows and a cheery turquoise paint job piqued the curiosity of many a Junction resident, The Beau & Bauble finally opened this past week. With her own experiences in girldom still fresh in her mind, owner Kate Elia’s shop is aimed towards those like her younger self, offering up romantic and fantastical items that run the gamut from classic novels to tiny skull beads.
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11/07/11
Take a moment to look over your outfit today. Does it involve harem pants? What about boyfriend jeans or overalls? How about clogs or jewellery that resembles violent weaponry? If you answered yes to any of these things (we certainly did) than you have subjected yourself to “man repelling.”
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11/04/11
Ben Sherman has landed in Toronto. The iconic British brand has set up its first free-standing store in Canada on Queen Street West. Since 1963, the menswear brand has been famed for suiting up musicians and other dapper-dressed gentleman, as well as being the first to produce the beloved Oxford button-down shirt.
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11/03/11
To be modern this season is to go retro with a Mad Men-inspired look. From Jean Paul Gaultier, Moschino, Bottega Veneta to Prada, ‘50s and ‘60s-inspired looks have been dominating the catwalks. The quickest and easiest way to achieve this update? Accessories. Just try and spot a model with a beehive ‘do who isn’t strutting down the runway peering through cat eye-shaped glasses. It’s not easy.
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11/02/11
With construction on Roncy finally over, there’s been a flurry of new specialty shops opening up. One of them is Green Light District Design, a purveyor of furniture, home décor and accessories. Originally located in Ottawa’s former red light district (Dalhousie and Rideau streets, for anyone familiar with the area), the shop’s name was coined by owners David and Deborah Peets to reflect the changes in that area over the past decade.
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