Holt Renfrew was all aflutter last week due to the arrival of L.A. socialite-turned-designer Nicole Richie (and our March cover girl). Though she was an hour late, the crowd of fans and photographers applauded enthusiastically when the petite starlet finally arrived at the Golden Square Mile location, dressed to impress in Beverly Hills boho-style dressed in a black brimmed hat, loose black vest, black opaque tights; black Louboutin shooties (yup, lots of black) and high-waisted, thigh-high blue denim cut-offs. Underneath it all she wore a vintage-inspired silk top from her recently launched clothing label Winter Kate, the raison d’être for her appearance. Richie was also there to debut a footwear range for her popular accessories label House of Harlow 1960. Read the rest of this entry »
FASHION Diaries
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Fashion » The Styled West
Holts throws an Olympic bash for Dean and Dan
My first week covering the 2010 Winter Games for FASHION was filled with several fashionable appearances courtesy of Dean and Dan Caten of Dsquared. First, there was their torch relay in North Van, and on Saturday, I met up with the twins again as they signed autographs at Holt Renfrew (holtrenfrew.com). A huge line awaited the boys (I’ve never seen so many people in the men’s department!), but they were gracious enough to give me a few minutes before meeting their fans. Read the rest of this entry »
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Only in Canada, eh: Holt Renfrew has a Marc by Marc exclusive

Photography by Nicole Stafford
You know, it’s not very often we get any worldwide exclusives up north of the 49th, but Marc Jacobs has thrown us a bone with this adorable Marc by Marc Jacobs winter sports tee. (Is he getting into the Olympic spirit?) The T-shirt ($65) is 100 per cent exclusive to Holt Renfrew and it’s limited edition–i.e. get ‘em before they’re gone.
Fashion
Preview: Mark Fast’s new lower priced line, Faster
It’s hard to think of a designer right now who’s more white-hot that Mark Fast. So the anticipation for his upcoming diffusion line, Faster, is–safe to say–pretty high. The London-based Canadian’s intricate knit dresses usually run in the thousands of dollars, but the new line will come in at a more accessible price-point. The leggings, which will be available at Holt Renfrew in March, ring in at $225. There’s also a skin-tight peek-a-boo dress that we would wear in some alternate universe where we weren’t still eating holiday cookies and a top with sports-bra shaping that would be great under a low-cut sweater. The full line, which the designer told WWD was inspired the tights he created for the swag bags at his London Fashion Week spring show, is available through Browns (brownsfashion.com) in the UK, which delivers to Canada.
Click on the images below to see more of the Faster line, as featured in issue six of Bad Day Magazine (baddaymagazine.com).
Fashion » Fashion News
Fashion news: Polaroid goes gaga for Gaga, a new prez at Holt Renfrew and Louise Goldin does spiky shoes for Topshop

Matthew Williamson will launch a men’s capsule collection next month. The line, which features tees, cashmere sweaters and silk scarves in the UK designer’s signature prints and vivid colours, will expand to a seasonal collection. [Vogue UK]
Lady Gaga has been named creative director of a specialty line for Polaroid. You may be scratching your head as to why, but just think about the innovation: a camera that adjusts for those wearing an eye patch, or, as our Halifax blogger Nadine suggested, one “that only works when you happen to have forgotten to put on your pants.” [Racked]
Oh, but Jason Wu is also going to be designing cameras, so maybe this is going to turn into a thing. The designer will launch a line of digital point-and-shoots at New York Fashion Week next month. [Styleist] Read the rest of this entry »
Fashion
Fashion » Fashion News
Sale alert: Dace, Lily & Jae, Holts and more
Vancouver
Dace with Lily & Jae sample sale. (December 11, 11am-8pm, 300 – 76 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, 604-694-2442, via facebook).
National
Holts Designer Sale: Up to 50% off men’s and women’s fall/winter fashion and accessories. (December 3 until December 24, at all Holt Renfrew locations except Last Call, holtrenfrew.com).
Toronto Read the rest of this entry »
Fashion
Browsing the Holt Renfrew holiday pop-up
The Holts pop-up transformed the Fashion House condos location (560 King St. W., Toronto) into a holiday boutique filled with luxe, well-edited picks from Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Alexander Wang et al. Though the merch was heavy on winter (Sorel boots and house brand Cowichans, loads of flannel, and stocking stuffers like Dandi Maestre bracelets and Butter London nail polish), the atmosphere was stifling hot in the window-encased sunroom. (We’re hoping a much-needed fan will be in place by tomorrow.) Jurlique creams, sparkly Hanky Panky lingerie gift sets and colourful Theory sweaters were among the more feminine picks, though much of VP of fashion direction Barbara Atkin’s curated selection could be worn by men and women. (We especially liked the Christopher Sherman bow ties and classic Canada Goose parkas). The merch will be replenished daily until the shop closes on December 6–just follow the hot pink Holts truck.
The hours: Tonight till 7 p.m., Thursday 2 to 9 p.m., Friday 12 to 8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 6 p.m. Click the images below to see a gallery of the shop.
Parties and Celebrities
Calgary: Christina Hendricks, Heather Marks and Elisha Cuthbert party at Holt Renfrew opening
While we were busy at the New Moon premiere in Toronto on Thursday night, Holt Renfrew was loading up on star power for the opening of their new Calgary flagship. Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks was there (with new hubby Geoffrey Arend) in a cool suit-like dress by Canadian David Szeto, while Calgary homegirl Heather Marks sported a mesh dress with patent appliqués by another Canuck designer, Rita Liefhebber. Jeremy Piven, Gossip Girl Kristen Bell and Glee’s Jessalyn Gilsig also made an appearance, as did 24’s Elisha Cuthbert with her Flames boyfriend, Dion Phaneuf. Calgary band The Fast Romantics played a set (with some unplanned accompaniment from Piven, who insisted on drumming–to mixed reviews) before handing over the dance floor to DJ Samantha Ronson.
Check out the party pics after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »















A limited edition scarf by Alexander McQueen has been selling quickly at Holt Renfrew. The $450 scarf featured McQueen’s signature skulls adorned in red maple leaves—a tribute to the 2010 Olympics. In a ghoulish bit of profiteering, someone is selling one of the scarves–purchased just yesterday–for $2,000 on Kijiji. [























