Archive for Connie Ng
Like a wonder antidote to a bad day, troubles seem to just melt away when you are savouring a sweet bite. Thank goodness Torontonians are never a corner away from a good patisserie! And since the recent opening of the ultra stylish Nadège (780 Queen St. W., 416-368-2009, nadege-patisserie.com), French pastries in the city just got edgier. Read the rest of this entry »
From left: BALENCIAGA Fall 2007, PRADA Spring 2008, CHANEL Fall 2009. Photography by Peter Stigter.
Like a shoe paparazzo, Toronto’s beloved Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil captures some of the world’s most beautiful heels in action. Zillions of women devotedly visit the site to catch glimpses of the worldly lives these shoes lead. If you are a footwear cyber-gawker you’ve probably noticed a new breed of heels has been on the streets over the last few years. Remember the gun heels by Chanel? The tea cup and Baroque heels from Miu Miu or the Balenciaga Sportiletto? Not only are the silhouettes outrageously sculptural, the new shoes have also reached obscene heights–last fall, Christian Louboutin told The Wall Street Journal that he was planning on releasing an 8-inch platform this year. Read the rest of this entry »
Tight on budget? A hat makes the perfect shopping splurge for the summer–it’s a fashion statement that can double as a bit of extra sun protection. A favourite stop for unique toppers is Karyn Gingras’ Little Italy institution, Lilliput Hats (462 College St., 416-536-5933, lilliputhats.com). Read the rest of this entry »
With an impressive vault of fine vintage couture, Divine Decadence Originals (128 Cumberland St., 416-324-9759) is a frequent destination for stylists, designers and celebrities from around the globe–the shop has counted Marisa Tomei, Milla Jovovich and Zac Posen among its visitors. Read the rest of this entry »
When our Toronto blogger Connie Ng mentioned that designer Jessica Biffi was really into nail art and had even given her a little demo on their afternoon out, we were hard pressed to say no. Read on for a little DIY action. Read the rest of this entry »
"I love sneakers!" Jessica Biffi goes shopping at Livestock (116 Spadina Ave., Toronto, livestock.ca)
With great talent and a whole lot of personality, Jessica Biffi became instant BFFs with fans of the hit reality show, Project Runway Canada. For this promising designer, reality beyond TV only gets more exciting. In addition to working on the launch of her private label, she is dreaming up some ambitious endeavors to tackle both the plus size and menswear markets.I caught up with Biffi over Italian soda as she prepares sketches for her upcoming spring collection. Between fans snatching photos on the street, we shop for sneakers, try on makeup and talk fashion. Read the rest of this entry »
Vintage Comme des Garçons (left) and Y-3 from Apt. 909.
Apt. 909 (909 Dundas St. W., 416-916-7599, apt909.blogspot.com), coincidentally also my apartment number, is a cozy vintage stop with an extensive archive of designer vintage that ranges from Louboutin, Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier and YSL to the more eclectic gems from Comme des Garçons and Yohji Yamamoto. With ephemera casually scattered about in shop amidst antique decor, each piece is tagged like an artifact with handwritten descriptions by owners Elizabeth Gondek and Ria Jones. Read the rest of this entry »
Like its name suggests, The Cat’s Meow (180 Avenue Rd., 647-435-5875, thecatsmeowcouture.com) delivers the best of the best when it comes to vintage couture. With a striped awning framing mannequins in color coordinated dresses, it seems like Betty Boop could stride by the cartoony exterior at any moment.
Inside, the shop is very casual with a constant flow of Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf and Billie Holiday in the background. The racks include the likes of Hermès, Pucci, Chanel, Chloe, Missoni, YSL and Dior mixed in among other more obscure, but equally classic pieces. When I visited, I saw a stunning Jacques Fath cocktail dress, which, on closer inspection had decorative feathers between the delicate, crystal details. It made my heart skip a beat!
Another piece of Paris couture that owner Louise Cooper is ecstatic about: A beautifully fitted cocktail dress hemmed with rosettes. It’s label-free, likely because “original dress owners often removed them to avoid taxation” she explains. Without any labels to go by, it can be difficult for the average shopper to identify when a piece was made, but Cooper, a former fashion student, can spot the decade from a mile away. Here’s a few of her quick pointers on determining the decade:
Silhouettes from the ’50s have more flare, the ’60s dress is more A-line and fitted.
Metallic zippers were used between the ’30s and ’50s, while nylon zips did not appear until the 1960s.
Vintage shops like this one is like an invaluable visit to the museum–minus the glass casing. The sales room in the back of the store is not to be missed. I walked away with the most adorable YSL tie embroidered with little rabbits. Cooper updates the store’s blog when she brings in an especially exciting find.
A young hopeful aspiring to be a fashion designer is no foreign tale. While the young Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld debuted their talent at the International Wool Secretariat competition, modern hopefuls look for success on reality TV, and some…do it with toilet paper.
A dress from My Mom Made That. Photography by Nadine Spizzirri
Despite living in a fast-paced city, the concept of craftsmanship isn’t something that exists only at the pioneer village. To wear and produce handmade goods in a mass-produced world is a bold statement, which is why the D.I.Y. aesthetic is often referenced by the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs. Handicrafts have never been trendier and highlights from my latest visit to Toronto’s One of a Kind Show (oneofakindshow.com) provide an up-to-date snapshot of the city’s arts and crafts scene. Read the rest of this entry »
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