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11/01/11
Holiday shopping at the mall is mayhem. Not only that, but the gift options are generic at best. We believe that a present is most meaningful when it is thoughtful and unique, which is why kicking off your holiday shopping at the winter One of a Kind show is not a bad start. Featuring over 800 artisans, the show brings together a selected group of talented Canadians to showcase and sell their handmade crafts.
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10/31/11
So long as our email inboxes stay relatively clear of group coupon spam, we’re suckers for good bargains. Winterlicious? Sure. Summerlicious? We’ll usually give it a shot. Beautylicious? ... Huh?
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10/28/11
After landing the lease to its Queen Street location in September, then opening shortly after for Nuit Blanche, F As In Frank’s entrance to Toronto’s vintage fashion scene was anything but tame. But considering the excitement that has surrounded the vintage clothing company since its 2007 retail debut in Whistler, B.C., this should come as no surprise. Opening its doors on the evening of Oct. 1, not even the rain could stop the celebration (although, for the B.C. based company, it must have felt a little like home).
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10/27/11
What could be better than a bag that can be worn three ways? How about one you can share with your boyfriend, one that can take you anywhere from home to work to Tokyo? Until recently, that bag didn’t exist. So Mjölk and Toronto-based handbag designer Hoi Bo joined forces to create the ultimate bag, one that reflects a perfect balance of form and function.
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10/26/11
Corrine Anestopoulos is the mastermind behind Toronto’s increasingly popular jewellery line Biko. Recently spotted on, oh, the sides of streetcars, Anestopoulos spoke to us about which local designers she hopes to collaborate with, her big-ticket item and her favourite things to do in the city.
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10/25/11
For the last ten years, UGG boots have been a love ‘em or hate ‘em fashion marvel, publicly sported by celebrities like Kate Moss and Snooki, along with everyday ‘tweens and soccer moms. Everyone in between has either sworn them off or adored them at some point.
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10/24/11
Adrian Wu ushered in the final day of Fashion Week. The 21-year-old designer —who has produced, oh, seven collections in two years — staged his collection in the smaller studio space. As a string quartet began playing, a spindly-legged male model — with his feet encased in shoes of absurd heights — emerged in a beige lace dress.
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10/21/11
Day four began on a high note with Sarah Stevenson’s oh-so-pretty showing of ombre florals. Inspired by the spring flowers she discovered in her own Toronto backyard, Stevenson’s collection — comprised mostly of dresses — showcased both her artwork and digitalized imagery for the prints next to the garments themselves.
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10/20/11
With shoulders drooping ever so slightly, and toes feeling worse for wear, we braved the dismal weather to make it in time for the first event. Fortunately things perked right up as we were handed a mimosa and macaron upon entry to the Robert Graham show. Eschewing a runway production, the relaxed production–complete with a live band playing soothing island tunes–consisted of groupings of models dressed in looks from the current season.
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10/20/11
Hanging around non fitness-related environments in yoga wear is a definite fashion faux pas. We have nothing against comfort, yoga or fitness, and we realize that it’s hard to juggle outfit changes into a busy schedule. So we present to you: yoga jeans.
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10/19/11
After a few winks we were back in the swing of things yesterday, with the first show taking place at 1 p.m. Following her somewhat disappointing fall/winter 2011 collection, Amanda Lew Kee was wise to show a more tightly edited collection in the smaller studio space, ignoring the hype that seemed to be her downfall last time around.
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10/18/11
Toronto’s LG Fashion Week got off to a rather slow start. Held in tents at David Pecaut Square instead of out in the boondocks, Monday began with an introductory speech from FDCC head Robin Kay (who spoke of Canada, coolness, and the ways in which Canada is cool) followed by the Holt Renfrew show.
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10/17/11
Yanked from its former edge-of-the-earth location, LG Fashion Week has taken up residence at David Pecaut Square, a spot far easier to trill about than the Exhibition grounds. The spring 2012 collections take place from Oct. 17 to the 21, with the theme “Canada Cool” showing off the Fashion Design Council’s alliteration abilities. Below, the shows we’re anxiously awaiting.
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10/14/11
The notion of a wardrobe flip has proven so popular among Torontonians that it has spurred the openings of consignment shops throughout the downtown core. Flipping your wardrobe for fall (think of it as spring-cleaning, only in colder weather) will not only allow you to make room for heavier pieces to come, but also score you some eco-friendly points while you re-vamp your look.
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10/13/11
This season, you need a little black boot about as badly as you need another little black dress. Stop yourself from reaching for what has been tried and tested and opt for something new. That something being a suede boot that comes in a neutral colour, one that has hints of cowboy about it and one that has been approved by the queen of effortless Parisian cool: Isabel Marant (and what she says goes, don’t you know).
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10/12/11
The so-called Rogue Fashion Week, which takes place prior to the official LG Fashion Week, will be held at The Ritz-Carlton hotel and elsewhere this week. The runway collections will showcase some of Canada’s most talented expats, including Calla Haynes, Thomas Tait, Todd Lynn and Jean-Pierre Braganza.
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10/11/11
For generations now, mothers have championed the belief that there was little less than the whole story to be read from the shoes on a man’s feet. In other words, daughters: if your suitor be a man with shined and polished shoes, then he be a man capable of earnest hard work that will devote himself to building a healthy and prosperous future for his family.
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10/07/11
This week we popped into Su-Hui Chu’s studio on Ossington. Chu is the designer behind Ella Peru, a fashion line that has made waves in the Vancouver scene ever since its award-winning debut in 2009. We chatted with the vivacious Chu about her move to Hogtown and her soon-to-be-released Holiday 2011-12 collection.
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10/06/11
Perched at the northernmost tip of Trinity Bellwoods Park, Armed is an itty-bitty jewellery boutique that’s the handiwork of Desiree Girlato. Having opened the shop in mid-August, Girlato is one busy gal, building each piece from scratch and managing the store all the while. To top it all off, she’s working towards a bachelor’s in biz from Humber’s fashion management program, though she likens running the store to “the best school project.”
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10/06/11
The most coveted shots of what the street-style darlings are wearing these days no longer focus on just shoes and clothing. What we really want to see is the wrist candy. You know, the stacks and stacks of bracelets, from the homemade friendship sort to Hermes. We love it all, and apparently, we’re not the only ones.
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10/04/11
On the dreariest of days we ducked into the latest addition to Roncy’s burgeoning retail strip: Scout, a perfectly charming gift shop that opened last month. Brought to life by the lovely Leah Eyles, the store is filled with various bits and bobs that have been sourced from around the country, much of it handmade.
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10/03/11
While the chilly fall temperatures are making it feel like the right time to buy a new furry coat, by the time you reach Kensington Market, empty racks may greet you. “We sold out of fur in August,” we overhead a vintage shopkeeper tell a customer just two weeks ago.
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