We surveyed some of Canada’s most stylish people to find out what is topping their wish lists for Spring 2008.
By Amy Burstyn
RENATA MORALES
Designer
“I normally go crazy on shoes when spring comes. I can't wait to get this pair of blue and black Pierre Hardy heels I've ordered. I will also shop for a pair of Prada ‘flower-hill’ pumps.
For perfume I've ordered Serge Lutens’ ‘Daim Blond’ instead of my heavier ‘Ambre Sultan,’ and for sunglasses I've ordered a pair of Christian Roth ‘Chains of Command’ in brushed silver.
Et voila!”
Shown: The Flower-hill pumps from Prada, Spring 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.
ROBIN KAY
President of Fashion Design Council of Canada and executive producer of L’Oréal Fashion Week
“The shocking thing is that every time I am looking at any products, from watches to shoes to tops, I am totally attracted to bright colours, wild prints and baggy shapes.
I saw a watch with an emerald green strap, yummy! Tried on turquoise shoes and then later saw a yellow bag (this is very unlike me). I have a strong urge to wear different prints together–I might be right on or I could just be going out there.”
Shown: Etro Spring 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.
ADRIAN MAINELLA
Host, Fashion File
“I know, I know, a bit over the top, but hey, why not?!”
10 | Vintage Eames lounger and ottoman in rosewood
9 | Tiffany’s Elsa Peretti ‘Bean’ cufflinks in sterling silver
8 | Birks RPM chronograph men's stainless steel and black watch
7 | Hermès ‘Terre d’Hermès’ cologne
6 | Louis Vuitton ‘Utah Commanche’ carry-on
5 | Ermenegildo Zegna suit (bespoke)
4 | Apple iPhone
3 | Feist's latest CD The Reminder
2 | BMW M6 Coupe
1 | Williamsburg loft
Shown: Tiffany’s Elsa Peretti ‘Bean’ cufflinks, $250. Visit Tiffany’s.
APRIL JACOB
Founder and president of Pink Beauty Cosmetics
pinkbeautycosmetics.com
“Pick: The Diptyque ‘Gardenia’ candle.
Why? It’s so feminine, fresh and pretty–perfect for spring!
Pick: The ‘Audrey’ dress from the Pink Tartan Spring/Summer ’08 collection.
Why? It speaks modern-day meets Old Hollywood glamour, similar to my brand, Pink Beauty.”
Shown: Pink Tartan Audrey Dress. Photography by Miguel Jacob.
DR. KENNETH MONTAGUE
Dentist & Director of Wedge Curatorial Projects
Shown: Fireorb Silver Pendant Fireplace. Visit Castor Design, castordesign.ca. Photography by Fireorb Coolwarmth Company.
BARBARA ATKIN
Vice President, Fashion Direction for Holt Renfrew
“1. The Summer Parka from Etro, with olive, drab, functional details, that you can wear like a cardigan over a dress.
2. The Pajama Pant from Alice & Trixie in printed or solid, worn with gladiator flats and a tank.
3. The New Shift from Jeremy Laing–an updated classic for the office.
4. The Flare Pant from Stitch’s, which has a sexy silhouette that elongates the leg, and adds fun pops of colours.
5. The Decorative Cuff from Amrita Singh–ethnic-inspired bangles worn well in multiples.
6. The Bohemian Belt from Holt Renfrew Private Brand; a waist definer with beading and studding.”
Shown: Moss Dress from Jeremy Laing, $1, 050. Visit Holt Renfrew.
Photography by Thomas Kletecka.
LIZ BELL
President, Lizbell Agency
“1. An Aloha Orchid Candle from Anthropologie: The scent makes you feel like you are walking through the tropical forests of Bali.
2. Dr. Brandt Crease Release, which works miracles year-round.
3. Fresh cut flowers from the Flower Factory, next to my bed every week.
4.A cozy black Michael Kors coat for those crisp West Coast mornings.”
Shown: Dr. Brandt Crease Release, $173. Visit Sephora stores.
JAVIER SAN JUAN
President and CEO of L’Oréal Canada
“1. The new MacBook Air, it’s ultra-thin and ultra-light!
2. iPod/DVD Player (personal, portable).
3 Kiehl’s Lite Flite Shave Cream.
4. Polo Explorer Fragrance by Ralph Lauren.
5. A comfortable pair of Ralph Lauren shoes for me and my wife.
6. A Samsonite Silhouette 10 Hardside Luggage set in black.
7. Entertainment: The last season of House.”
Shown: Kiehl’s Lite Flite Shave Cream, $23. Visit Kiehl’s stores.
SOPHIE LANZA
Stylist and Fashion Director of the Fashion and Design Festival
“1. I adore that wood accessories are everywhere for spring: rings, bracelets, necklaces–I love when they are bold! (the Bay has wonderful pieces).
2. Second.Denim.Co. (based in Montreal) has gorgeous wide-leg jeans in light or dark denim (secondclothing.com).
3. I’ve discovered a great jewellery designer based in Ottawa: Samantha Nemiroff. Her stuff is fresh, smart, all vintage pieces pulled together to create some very hot jewellery!
4. A good pair of Adidas sneakers for walks around my house by the Lachine Canal.
5. Dresses, dresses, dresses! M Siamo and Andy The-Anh have wonderful pieces in their lines.”
Shown: “At the Winnipeg Opera, 1883” Necklace from Samantha Nemiroff Jewellery, $650, samanthanemiroffjewellery.com.
KELLY DECK
Director, Kelly Deck Design and Host of HGTV Take it Outside
“1. Bold wallpaper: Invest in one dynamic feature wall (fermlivingshop.us).
2. Janaki Larsen ceramic pieces (janakilarsen.com).
3. Anything knit or woven from Americo Original (americo.ca).”
Shown: Cotton Shift Dress from Americo Original, $495.
PETER GATIEN
Owner, CiRCA
“1. A pair of Kidrobot X Lacoste Revan 2 Sneakers from Kidrobot.
2. Vintage Swank cufflinks. I’ve always liked their designs. I own a number of pairs, but am always looking to add to my collection.
3. New glasses from Cartier. I wear glasses every day so having a stylish pair is important to me.
4. The Big Green Egg Smoker and Grill. I love to barbeque and the patio at my place on SoHo Street, New York, is perfect for laid-back weekend afternoons grilling in the summer.
5. Something from the ROM Museum Store–not for myself, but whenever I’m looking for a gift for friends or family, I look there first.”
Shown: Kidrobot X Lacoste Revan 2 Sneakers from Kidrobot. Photography by kidrobot.com.
CERI MARSH
Editor-in-Chief, FASHION Magazine
“Like every right-minded girl what I want for spring is Lanvin, Lanvin, Lanvin. Those goddess dresses are just perfectly done and the colours gorgeous and bold but still sophisticated. Elbaz knows how fashion girls can handle colour. But what I really have my eye on is art. I’m in love with the haunting industrial landscapes of Jesse Boles. He’s a young Toronto photographer who’s been getting a lot of attention in the last year. Good friends just got one, and seeing it in their living room last week made me realize that I have to have one!”
Shown: ‘Crude Landscape #2’ by Jesse Boles, $3,400 (framed). Visit Edward Day Gallery.
Photography by Jesse Boles.
KIM DORLAND
Artist
“Me? Really? Well, I have a show coming up in New York in March at Freight + Volume gallery, and I'll definitely be taking some time while I'm there to stop by the John Varvatos store in SoHo. I love almost everything he does and his clothes fit me really well. I've also got a hankering for a new pair of classic white adidas Shell-Toe sneakers.”
Shown: Shell Toe Superstar from adidas.$90. Visit adidas Original Stores.
ANNA MARIA VARRIANO
Co-Owner, Mona Moore
“Spring/Summer is all about colour, colour, colour. My personal favourite collection is Dries Van Noten. The accessories are just gorgeous but the must-haves are the jewellery! Beautiful, chunky, semi-precious stones. We at Mona Moore will be carrying a small exclusive collection. Also, anything from Balenciaga for myself rocks! Clutches, clutches, clutches.”
Shown: DRIES VAN NOTEN Spring 2008. Photography by Peter Stigter.
SUSIE LOVE
Jewellery Designer
“1. Ula Zukowska Spring top
2. NADA dress, yellow with purple flowers
3. Philip Treacy hat
4. Vintage Vivienne Westwood top from Melanie's Closet
5. Full-size Lesley-Anne Green sculpture (I own a miniature)
6. Thierry Mugler Angel perfume (with rose in it)
7. Some original Peter Max scarves for my walls (they are hard to find and I love them)
8. Laptop steel guitar from Capsule Music”
Shown: Hat from Philip Treacy Spring/Summer ‘08. Visit The Irish Shop (150 Bloor Street West).
ANNE-MARIE CADIEUX
Actress
“I think silver accessories are always in fashion during summer. Christian Louboutin has a nice glittery-silver rounded toe pump (at Holt Renfrew).
Speaking of silver, Renata Morales has a beautiful, short silver dress that I love–very modern, light and sexy.
One of my favorite designers is Parisian, Vanessa Bruno. Boutique u&i on Saint-Laurent sells part of her collection so I can't wait for it to arrive. The young French, Parisian and Japanese women love her.
And for the beach, the only swimsuits I wear are from ERES. They last a lifetime and are so cool. Love their lingerie too.
And I am a big fan of J Brand jeans. Love their skinny's but got a pair of bell bottoms in New York called ‘The Love Story.’ Will they really make a true comeback? And will I wear them?”
Shown: Silver Torsade dress from Morales Spring/Summer 2008, $1400.
Photography by George Fok.
HAJNALKA MANDULA
Fashion Designer
“Well, my wish list for Spring ’08 is packed with all sorts of organic goodies, as usual.
For my Spring ’08 collection I found the most delicious check hemp denim ever! My favourite piece is a little cropped, double-breasted jacket, with short deconstructed sleeves and an inserted vintage leather belt from 1902!, that wraps around the waist a couple of times. This piece will look really hot with a pair of TN_29 handmade shoes, that are black and have a piece of lace on top, to give them a vintage feel.
But my very favourite piece is a pair of knee-length, natural colour, cotton canvas shorts. With these, I'm definitely going to wear something colourful, like my bright red wrap-around, pleated neck halter top and knee-high socks, perhaps with a print that has a bit of red in it.
Another thing that makes it to the top of my shopping list for a few seasons now is certified organic cotton bedding from Dream Designs. We spend many hours in our bed so why not go for sheets so amazing and luxurious as these!
My very favourite scent is a French candle line called Hervé Gambs. I love the fresh cut grass smell of the ‘Blade of Grass’ version from them. I will pack my home and my store with this one!”
Shown: Mandula Spring 2008. Photography by Justin Adam.