Aug
20
Stylewatchers love brand extension. Paul Hardy, the Calgary based designer best known for his ultra-chic knitwear line Kaille, has introduced a dramatic collection of necklaces for his atelier. The Calgary based designer has plucked antique findings from markets he scours on his exotic world travels. Prices range from $795 to $1595 (remember, he hand picks each delicate cluster of gems). Perfect for that neon tank you’ll be sporting this fall. Next up? A line of exotic skin antiquarian frame handbags. Stay tuned!
Jul
09
While surfer and boarder girls will still appreciate the slouchy knits and casual separates, Quiksilver will be garnering a whole new, stylish audience this fall. I headed out to Queen West to a cool gallery (107 Shaw) to check out the new collection and settled in to the patio for a preview. Forget your preconceived notions about the laid back label, this season it’s all about grunge with a hint of sweet, modern folk and cool feminine details on menswear inspired pieces. I loved the tuxedo waistcoat and the military coat with its clean lines. Silk blouses and tank dresses, layered with an oversized knit detailed with pretty vintage silk ribbons, and thick jersey motorcycle jackets will also be a hit. No need for an outdoorsy spirit to rock this California-based line. They’ve got city chic in the bag. quiksilver.com
Jun
16
Think Roots is a little too outdoorsy for your city girl taste? Think again. This Fall the beloved Canadian brand is amping up their style cred with a chic new line of handbags. Cool zipper details and the perfect amount of slouch in their legendary soft leathers can be found on totes, satchels, sweet clutches and carry-alls. We love the merlot hue of this Carla bag (named for the ultra-chic Ms. Bruni, a hint at their new fashionable direction). The shoulder bag is light as a feather and super comfortable which will make lugging all our necessities around next season a snap. With all this and reasonable prices to boot (the Carla goes for $388), we are definitely going back to our Roots come fall. Oh Canada!
Jun
05
In keeping with Fall’s mantra of individual dressing, Nine West has diversified their core collection this season into distinct and edged-out style categories. Major standouts were the biker-babe grouping – we’ll still be loading on the studs and chains come September – and the Vintage America Collection. The latter has a wistful, rugged Western sensibility, as seen on moccasins, cowboy boots and slouchy shoulder bags. A nice afterthought was that at their reasonable price points, you won’t walk away from a purchase of distressed leather boots feeling like a sucker – only too common when shelling out big bucks for pieces that look pre-worn. - Fiona Green
Excitement is building at Canada’s heritage department store with a new Creative Director and some serious fashion-forward designers on the horizon. So we were looking forward to seeing what their contemporary labels had in store for the upcoming season. Sculptural pieces, haberdashery classics, French chic and hard-edged glamour are all on offer and the in-store label BAIA is getting a serious style update with modern cuts and cool details. Loving the over the knee boots and chunky chains for a quick and easy step into the season.
