British Invasion- One Weekend Only!

Because of our close ties with the Motherland, the UK's Topshop is slated to do big business with fashion-conscious Torontonians. The Brits are set to invade Yorkdale's The Bay this fall.

No doubt pieces designed by supermodels like Kate Moss and world-renowned artists such as Stella Vine

will be snatched up by die-hard British and European fashion followers, avid readers of NYLON and those looking for a place to shop with a little more fashion cred than the established Swedish retailer H&M.

This weekend, Topshop teases summer shoppers with a pop-up shop at Queen and Soho streets.

The High Street retailer will compete against lower-range clothing outlets such as the aforementioned H&M and the mid-range priced stores like Urban Outfitters.

Perhaps after carefully researched sales reports and consumer trend forecasting, Topshop will expand to stand-alone stores in Canada and even take the format of their other stores worldwide. Many of the Topshop locations cater to other lifestyle needs of their typical customer. The Oxford Street flagship in London boasts a nail bar, a one-hour tailoring service, couriers on chic Vespa scooters and a hair salon.

A one-stop shop for a complete Topshop look. Sounds like smart branding at the highest level.

Head down to Queen and Soho June 17-19

Friday from 12-8pm

Saturday 10am-8pm

Sunday 10am-5pm

Dress in your best to shop the capsule collection- Tommy Ton- FLARE's resident street style photographer and ADR's favourite sidekick curated the shop. The fashionista with the best Toronto street style will win a $500 shopping spree and a personal shopper at the VIP opening of the store this September.

Exciting News

Okay, so this posting is going to be a bit more personal. I have some news that I would love to share. It turns out, the eve of November 5th is going to be a little bit more surreal than I had hoped. During my internship at Flare Magazine, I was able to witness the initial planning process for their 30th Anniversary Gala which is going to be held at the Royal Ontario Museum (amazing space- of course they are not only using the beautiful atrium, but the entire museum) and which is boasting upwards of 2500+ names. I took part in meetings with the other ladies of the Marketing Department when the invitations were not yet a prototype and the possible names of attendees were purely speculation. It was amazing to see such excitement surrounding the magazine's anniversary and being in the offices during the launch of this year's September issue was thrilling. Flare cover girls, stylists, thespians, Editors and singers make up some of the professions of RSVP'd guests. Back in the summer, I knew I would be back to help out, however I was completely unaware at what an amazing duty I would be assigned for the night with the other interns. At a meeting last Friday to discuss logistics, I learned that I will be working the RED CARPET with my former supervisor Hazel. I could not be more excited really. My role on the night of the gala consists of coordinating media and reporters from outlets such as eTalk, Entertainment Tonight Canada and others once there are celebrities working it out on the scarlet walkway. I have to help make sure no celebrities miss the red carpet and everyone feels like a god and goddess under the spotlight of Canadian fashion. Joe Mimran himself picked out classy pieces from his genius endeavour Joe Fresh for the interns to wear on the special night. I received a cream lightly ruffled blouse, buttons to the neck which is %100 silk. Black dress pants that sweep the floor and a cute shoulder-focused black cardigan which is hip-length accessorized with a snap closure wrap around bow! Snap-closure wrap around bow on a cardigan- like I said: genius. So happy we get to keep the clothes after they make their great debut among Toronto's glitterati next Thursday. The only thing that might prove to be a little LESS glamorous in all of this? Helping out to stuff 2500+ swag bags over a two-day period on Monday and Tuesday!

Sunny Disposition at VAWK

THE most anticipated show of LG Fashion Week here in Toronto took place Monday at the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) under the most gorgeous natural light in Walker court- an indoor, glass roofed courtyard dominated by a chunky winding staircase conceived by the one and only Toronto born architect Frank Gehry. Sunny was dangerously late coming to the venue, missing the a key interview. He came over to us cheekily grinning and sheepishly admitted that he had been sewing last minute! Those of us who tune in to Project Runway have seen how crazy last minute alterations can really be before the judging!
VAWK Spring 2010 consisted of French Polynesian influences and statements made about conventional beauty. I ate with the models along with the other assistants (models + food = no oxymoron at Sunny's show). Although the food provided were sandwiches the size of my fingers, no stick thin, starving girls were in sight. Sunny included two models that did not match conventional beauty standards. One woman was older, perhaps in her early 40s. She was tall and beautiful yes, but definitely no hip swinging young thing. She had noticeable poise and elegant cropped hair. Another model sported half a sleeve of tattoos and was considerably curvier than her peers. Again, very tall but had gorgeous curves and a bum that really filled out the fuchsia floor-length gown. She even rocked the scandalously high slit. My favourite quote given by the smiley designer was re-Tweeted by his business partner Ben Barry and fellow champion of model diversity:
"I want the body to translate the garment. On a skinny girl, it says nothing." - Sunny Fong, VAWK. Clearly Fong recognizes where the big bucks are- real women.
Highlights included a pair of shorts, suggestively cut out at the back with draping that managed to softly sweep against the outer thigh (First photo below). The leather jackets and blazers were perforated by hand, with a hammer- fantastic craftsmanship but won't come cheap in the stores. The palate of the dresses was surprising- tan, fuchsia and red- definitely evoking a Polynesian sunset but I thought the dresses could have been a bit more effective without the thick, darker brown belts. The tattoo-like appliqués were reminiscent of hibiscus flowers growing like vines up and down the bodies of the models.
Some other insider notes to share: Gift bag contents included wasabi peas, yogurt-covered raisins, a Winners notebook, VAWK canvas bag and AGO brochures.
The DJ's playlist consisted of heavily house-ified top 40 hits by Gaga, Black Eyed Peas and Britney. When the show started, tribal drum beats got the house beats treatment as well with booming bass to compliment the confident bounce in the step of the models.
The after party was in the village. Sipping a VAWK-tini, I took the opportunity to lock eyes with the man of the hour and was able to introduce myself via air-kisses and complimented the white strapless number in particular, shouting over the music "that one is going to sell like crazy!"
Photo Credits: Fashion Magazine.com, ElleCanada.com, Toronto Life

Nuit Blanche, a Showcase of Street Style. I love T.O.

The rain held out and so did my new comfy studded boots from Aldo, as my friends and I covered some serious ground. Last night's Nuit Blanche in Toronto was a total success according to various Tweets, articles and public opinion. Of course I had an absolute blast but can also offer up some commentary and constructive criticism- it is for this reason I cultivate a platform such as The Laurel Wreath.
My pals and I started out at Yonge and Dundas Square, completely overwhelmed by the throngs of art lovers and revelers. (Embarking at about 9:30pm, it seemed as almost every attendee also picked this hour as the time to pick up maps and get situated). Massey Hall would have been an amazing stop- the exhibit sounded amazing. (They apparently made the entire theatre into an instrument, running strings from either side). Unfortunately the line up was as long as two city blocks, as were the cues at a couple of other stations. Clearly the popularity of this year's Nuit Blanche has grown exponentially. Closed streets were packed with people and midway rides, unruly spectators were skipping coins across the surface of the "Pool of Vodka" installation in the CIBC building, making the puddle spill over. The constant mopping of the floor by an attendant was a distraction. The lights suspended between City Hall were stunning and inexplicably creepy, with a computer-generated voice, abyss-deep spoke each code that was displayed at random. It was most unsettling as the letters displayed the word "rise" and the voice seemed to beckon the city to obey- a moment straight out of a sci-fi flick. The "Toronto celebrities" playing a game of Monopoly with real money at the TSX wasn't quite the highlight that the programme talked it up to be. We the laity were separated from these "A-listers" by windows. Toronto rapper K-OS knocked a wine glass off the table and as it silently smashed to the ground, a few bored spectators giggled. People were spilling out of Starbucks locations around the downtown core and it took nearly half an hour to acquire a Grande Pumpkin-Spiced Latte or even to use the facilities.
I for one love crowds- the excitement and curiosity, the laughter and the movement of the mob is what I live for, especially at an event so unique and one that Torontonians seemed so proud of and inspired by. It definitely jacked me up, just to be a part of the whole thing. I just think that crowd control is something that should perhaps be a focal point of next year's planning.
The crowds did however, provide opportunity for style hunting, although to even attempt to point the camera anywhere but upwards was a bit of a challenge, especially along Yonge Street. One woman's simple, chic yet dead-on adoption of two of the hottest trends caught my eye and I give kudos, awarding the figurative Laurel Wreath for a fashion victory. Cool buckled, cut-out heels reaching calf-length and a fantastic black hip-length satchel blanketed in studs accented a luxurious long black coat with a great collar. Unfortunately, getting bumped into by passersby prevented the best of shots, however I could not pass up the opportunity to request a photo. Of course the night brought out the fashion-conscious yuppies, the hippest hipsters and artists of all genres- but everywhere, literally everywhere there was leather. For fall, biker chic is the reigning look for all the bad girls and boys of Toronto.
After a quick drink of a little champy at a friend's condo on Queen's Quay, we proceeded to WALK to the Distillery. After catching a dance performance starring drag queens who showed off the most enviable calves and quite the elegant strut in coral heels on the cobblestones, we ducked in to one of the many gallery spaces and took in the graphic works on display.
Truly a proud night for Canadian arts and a fantastic, FREE opportunity to experience what it is to appreciate homegrown talent.

For more photos + witty commentary, CLICK HERE!!!!

Photo Credits:
All Images Copyright thelaurelwreath.blogspot.com

Toronto- A Culture Fiend's Oyster

I have some very exciting events to look forward to this fall. With a few of some very dear friends who are fellow patrons of the arts and Canadian culture, I will be experiencing Scotiabank's Nuit Blanche in Toronto on Saturday October 3rd. Speaking of Paris with regards to my last posting, the city was the first to put on the event which attracts night-hawks, performance seekers and art hunters until the wee hours. Kudos to the creators of Nuit Blanche as well as to the folks who have brought the all-nighter contemporary arts event to the T dot. I anticipate visiting zones like the Distillery and around Nathan Phillips Square, where art installations, films and performances will invade both the indoor and unlikely outdoor landscapes of downtown Toronto. The website directs the visitor to zoning maps, information on TTC routes that will be running and outlines the locations of several refueling stations where you might be able to grab a ho-cho or a nibble throughout the night. The uber-cool factor about the website and the event is the "Night Nav" app that they have created for smartphone users. You can vote for your favourite art piece or installation, find your way around the exhibits and you can do much more. The app uses image capture technology synched with GPS features that come on a lot of smartphones. If I had a smartphone, I would obviously download this groundbreaking technology! Read more about it HERE... Hopefully some photos and commentary will find its way onto The Laurel Wreath next week, documenting the night of creativity appreciation and celebration!

I am working at three events in and around fashion week this year on behalf of Faulhaber PR. The events are for the Toronto Fashion Incubator, a party for Project Runway Canada's winner and designer of VAWK, Sunny Fong at the AGO as well as another event to be announced. Really looking forward to these events and I will be blogging about my experiences and my gallivanting during this exciting month.

For a second year in a row, I will be working at LG Fashion Week as a volunteer for the Fashion Design Council of Canada. The shows have relocated from Nathan Phillips Square to King Street which is exciting, new and good for the event- keeps things fresh. I will definitely be able to keep up with the blogging. Stay tuned for that. LG Fashion Week runs October 19th-24th in Toronto.

Happy Anniversary Flare!! In November, I will be working it in Joe Fresh at Flare Magazine's 30th Anniversary Gala which will be held at the ROM (the Royal Ontario Museum in downtown Toronto) and promises to be the most glamorous night the city has seen in some time and will be a great chance to see my former colleagues all dolled up and holding it down! It will be really great to see everything come together after getting in on the prep during the summer!

A few extra finger flips on the calendar brings us to April. An amazing announcement for those who have not yet heard the incredible news: Oscar de la Renta will be unveiling his fall 2010 collection IN TORONTO PEOPLE. Oscar (I feel like I can be on a first name basis with this incredible man, as I have truly coveted a love affair with his designs and perfumed since I was a little girl and I got a gift of his perfume for Christmas) will be staging dinner and show in Toronto on behalf of HealthyKids International, a charity which is affiliated with Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto and chaired by Toronto socialite Suzanne Rogers. The Dominican Republic native will do Toronto so much good by arriving in April 2010 after a 10 year absence. I can't wait to see what he brings and how the city will just embrace him and his designs.

Photo Credit: www.adgoog.com/blog/art/29672-la_nuit_blanche_a_paris.htm

Skyscraping Influence!

One of my top 3 (if i simply had to choose) Canadian designers not only happens to be the brother of a friend of mine but also one of our most cherished talents on the scene. This is SUCH an exciting time for Canadian fashion! Jeremy Laing, now somewhat of a veteran around the tents at Bryant Park, showed his spring/summer 2010 collection at New York Fashion Week. After reviewing the collection online at www.jeremylaing.com I was enamored at the strong shapes, sharp edges and basic palate of grey, black and nude shading. Two-toned leggings showed their seams in stark contrasts. Images of skyscrapers- the downtown, of concrete and architecture come to mind. The collection is extremely cohesive. Perhaps the recession-plagued empty office buildings of Toronto and New York were part of his inspiration. Here`s hoping Bay and Wall Streets will soon regain their workforce.
Photos of Collection: Marcio Madeira
Photo of Downtown Toronto: http://www.violemusic.com/