FASHION Magazine

By Sarah Bancroft, Joanne Latimer and Leah Rumack

Photography by Nicole Stafford

Barbara Atkin, fashion director at Holt Renfrew (50 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-968-8626, holtrenfrew.com)
“My life partner, Harold Pizel, loves to paint on large canvasses, so I would commission Rem Koolhaas to design a modern, naturally lit studio with huge picture windows, overlooking a beautiful river, on a couple of acres north of Toronto. This studio would have a state-of-the-art wine cellar fully stocked with premium red wines from Italy, California and Australia. There would also be a top-of-the-line sound system with a collection of both vinyl and CDs covering classical, jazz, blues, classic rock, electronic and fusion music. In his closet would be a selection of the finest cashmere T-shirts from Loro Piana and the perfect chinos, slouchy and aged, from Michael Bastian. And to finish it off—just because Harold is an old classic with an edgy soul—a pair of leather and suede spectator shoes from the old-heritage English shoemaker Barker Black, whose unique skull-and-crossbones logo signifies old-world craftsman with a modern, timeless edge.”

Bill Angst, owner of Angst salon (240 Queen St. E., Toronto, 416-360-5942)
“My gift giving is to my whole family—all six of my siblings and all their children and my parents. I would start with complete gear for a really cold climate from canada-goose.com for everyone. I would take everyone in a helicopter to the Great White North of Canada, where we would be dropped off and continue our trip by dogsleds. We’d have Christmas dinner served in classic Angst family style on the Christmas-pattern place settings from Tiffany & Co. that I am in love with, and all the flatware will come from Gourmet Settings. We would sleep over in igloos, only to be helicoptered right back to the city, where everyone would keep their warm clothes, the place settings and the flatware.”

Anna Maria Varriano, co-owner of Mona Moore (1446 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, 514-842-0662, monamoore.com)
“I would like to get my best girlfriend a pedicure at Dr. Hauschka Spa, then buy her a pair of Miu Miu black leather and shearling high-heeled boots from Mona Moore. When she places her perfectly pedicured foot inside the boot, she would find a pair of tickets to Italy, where we would walk the streets of Milan and she could show off her beautiful new shoes.”

Chris Kontogianis, designer of Christopher Kon handbags (christopherkon.com)
“My mom, Anna Georgopoulos, is an angel and never spoils herself. I would send a vintage T-bird to pick her up and take her to Ogilvy, where she would go on a shopping spree at the Sarah Pacini boutique. Then she’d be driven to Browns, where she can try on a pair of Manolo Blahniks but buy anything she likes. Next, she’d be driven to U&I on St-Laurent Street for some funky clothing, before heading to Spa Diva for the Perfectly Pampered treatment. Her next stop is the airport, where her best friend, Jeanine, would be waiting with their luggage for a European getaway.”

Chloë Angus, fashion designer, Vancouver (chloeangus.com)
“My husband gave me the ultimate dream gift one Christmas: a miniature horse named Sonny. To top that, I’d give him a new wardrobe from Mark James, the complete Art of Shaving kit from Holt Renfrew, and a month at Thailand’s Amanpuri hotel, because time together is the most valuable gift.”

John Fluevog, shoe designer, Vancouver (fluevog.com)
“I would give my wife a shorefront summer home near Crescent Beach, full of furniture I designed and had made by Jabez custom furniture. Before driving out to the new home in her replica Intermedica vintage Porsche, we’d have dinner at Lift restaurant, where I’d give her a new pair of shoes I designed especially for her, along with lingerie from Christine Morton, jewellery from Pyrrha, and an outfit from Wendy van Riesen of Dahlia Drive. Then at Christmas, I would give her the real gift: the confirmation and reassurance that she and she alone is the queen of my heart and my soul’s only desire.”

Philippe Dubuc, fashion designer and owner of Dubuc (4451 St-Denis St., Montreal, 514-282-1424, dubucstyle.com)
“For the holidays, I would take my boyfriend to Balnea in Bromont. It’s the most stylish spa in Quebec, with stunning decor and a magnificent view. While wearing our Harricana par Mariouche fur hats, we’d spend New Year’s Eve skiing at Bromont and have a winter picnic on top of the mountain with a bottle of champagne.”

Marie Saint Pierre, fashion designer and owner of Marie Saint Pierre (2081 de la Montagne St., Montreal, 514-281-5547, mariesaintpierre.com)
“I’d treat 15 good friends to a champagne-tasting tour in Old Montreal. We would start with champagne cocktails at Hotel Gault. For the perfect accompaniment to our drinks, we’d first walk to Le Club Chasse et Pêche for the braised kurobuta risotto, then head to Da Emma for pâtes aux champignons, and finish off with brownies at Olive et Gourmando. The next day, I’d take everyone to the hottest gym, Studio Breathe, for a boxing class.”

James Fraser, manager, visual presentation at Holt Renfrew (633 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-681-3121, holtrenfrew.com)
“I’m all about the West Coast winter, which means a limited-edition Burton Marc XIII coat—last year they were designed with Paul Smith—for my loved one. No place better to be seen in it than on the mountains in Whistler or frolicking in my private mountainside chalet, although I’d settle for Four Seasons Resort Whistler or the Adara Hotel.”

Tracey Pincott, fashion stylist, Vancouver
“For my love, I’d buy the fabulous Lee Valley fold-up trolley that all the makeup artists and stylists use to carry their kits, then I’d swing over to Hathor and buy some lovely massage oils, to Les Amis du Fromage for fine cheeses and olives, and to Marquis Wine Cellars for beautiful champagne and reds. Now down to Cordova Street for gumboots and men’s flannelette pajamas from the fab Army & Navy. We’d load up the trolley on the ferry to Chesterman Beach, south of Tofino, and walk out the tombolo to Frank Island, where I’d have rented a fantastic cabin for storm watching.”

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