Fashionista.com knows where to shop, None other than the T.Dot!

As a fashionista, it is important to be well-versed on the fashion ins and outs of all the major cities around the world. New York, Paris, London, Tokyo and Toronto mainly. One look around the T.Dot and anyone can tell that a few of things that reign supreme in the fashion world here are scarves, Canada Goose jackets, leather jackets and vintage, vintage, vintage! It seems like a few other people are starting to take note of what us T.Dot fashionistas wear on our backs, starting with New York-based fashion blog, Fashionista.com!

Recently they posted their first ever shopping guide and they have started with Toronto! If you are familiar with the Toronto fashion scene you will recognize some of the favourites such as, 69 Vintage and Jonathan+Olivia, both on the trendy Ossington as well as the higher-end Holt Renfrew and The Room at the Bay. Written by two Toronto-natives Hayley Phelan current writer at TeenVogue.com and John Ortved, you know that they have a keen eye of what Toronto shopping is all about. Although I am surprised Mendocino, Aritizia and Joe Fresh did not make it onto the list, oh well maybe next time!

Check out the article here!

What are your favourite places to shop in Toronto? Let me know in the comments, Facebook and Twitter!

Amanda
amandasfashionspot@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/AFSpot

Tommy Ton Hits the Big time!

Fashion photographer and photo blogger Tommy Ton has had a ton of success with his blog, Jak and Jil  and as a contributor to FLARE magazine.

And now, his photography skills are being celebrated at a photo exhibit at Holt Renfrew on Bloor from now until August 30, 2010. The exhibit entitled, Pic Me! Tommy Ton will feature the most fabulous designer footwear collections from Fall 2010 and with any purchase of the featured designers you will receive a framed photograph from Tommy Ton himself! The event is also free. Perfect for you fashionistas on a budget.

If you are a shoe, photo and blog lover, this event is for you!

Enjoy!


Amanda
amandasfashionspot@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/AFSpot

Go Canada Go!

Just incase you haven't had enough of the Olympics, (Canada has won 15 medals thus far, woo-hoo!) then you must purchase this adorable t-shirt designed by Marc Jacobs in support of Canada.

It's available at Holt Renfrew for $65. Show your love!

Amanda

Canucks Doin' It Style: Coco, Denis and Dsquared take Canada by storm!

Ever stop and think about what is up and coming with your fellow fashionable Canucks? Read on my friend, read on:

Fall from Lace: Coco launches Rococo

As previously reported, Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha had been in a search for the perfect name for her upcoming fashion line and it appears that she has! With reference to the ornate artistic period and her namesake, Rocha has named her collection, Rococo. Clever and cute. She debuted the first piece from her line while co-hosting the Grammy red carpet with ET Canada. The sapphire blue and gold silk 18th century inspired dress had a peek-a-boo gold skirt and definitely stood out on the runway. Look forward to see what the dancing model has coming up next!

BEDO meet Denis

Montreal fashion designer, Denis Gagnon is set to launch an affordable clothing for BEDO. Known for his use of leather and monochromatic looks, it will be nice to know that more people will be able to get a hold of his designers. It's also very nice to see a Canadian designer gaining more support from retailers.

Brotherly Love: DSquared shows their Olympic Spirit

In honour of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics fashion's design duo, DSquared has designed the costumes for the opening and closing Olympic ceremonies. So those outfits you saw last night? All Dean and Dan. On top of that, they have created a limited edition edition Olympic hooded sweater at Holt Renfrew. Fashion meets the world of athletics, what better way to show support for your Canadian athletes this year?

Amanda

Galen Weston Sets His Sights on Barneys New York

Last fall, rumors began to fly stating that CEO of Loblaw Corporation, Galen Weston had the intentions of purchasing America luxury department store, Barney's New York. For those that may be thinking, "What does the owner of a grocery store chain know about fashion?" Well, let me fill you in my dears.

Weston's Loblaw Companies own luxury companies such as, Holt Renfrew, Selfridges in the UK and Brown Thomas in Ireland as well as Loblaws grocery stores that are in partnership with Joseph Mimran & Associates, which runs the affordable, chic Joe Fresh.

For years, Barneys New York has suffered a great deal of financial trouble thanks to the slowing economy and the loss of its current investor Isthithmar, CEO David Jackson, leaving the company without a CEO. If the rumors are true then Mr. Weston will soon be able to add Barneys New York to his list of companies.

As a Canadian fashionista, I have become accustomed to hearing news of American take overs of Canadian fashion companies (Hudson's Bay, anyone?) and to hear this is honestly a breath of fresh air. It is nice to see that a Canadian company has the potential to stand its own overseas.

We will all have to stay tuned to see how this unfolds.

Amanda

LG Fashion Week Has A Fresh Start!

LG Fashion Week has kicked off with a bang at its new venue at 1030 King Street West right smack dab in Liberty Village.

Last night, Holt Renfrew hosted its bi-annual media cocktail party to start off Toronto fashion week in style. A mini runway show featured looks from Greta Constantine, Pink Tartan and Denis Gagnon. Kimberley Newport-Mimiran stayed true to her impeccable style and featured a delicate cream floral dress with a gold chain statement necklace while Monsieur Gagnon took a structured approach to leather jackets.

Project Runway Canada season two winner, Sunny Fong debuted his clothing line Vawk's French Polynesian-inspired Spring 2010 collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Detailed leather and fuschia decals with an array of cream coloured separates came down the runway.

If you still haven't got a chance to get tickets to the tents, no need to fear! Consumer tickets are available to purchase on-site, click here.

If you want to go to one of the most hottest LG Fashion Week after parties, be sure to check out The Official presented by the F-List. Tonight the party will feature a designer spotlight of Heidi Ackerman and a Vibgyor installation. It's a $20 cover with free entry if you bring your LG Fashion Week laminate. For more information, click here.

'Til tomorrow.......

Amanda

Fall Inspirations: Coco and Behati show you fall fashion

HoltRenfrew.com has recently posted a fun take on fall fashion. Models du jour and YouTube starlets, Coco Rocha and Behati Prinsloo star in the iconic companies Fall 2009 vignette. 

Taking place in Queen Street West's Gladstone Hotel, the girls parade around in falls latest styles similar to the style of their cute YouTube videos. 

To view the cutest fall inspiration click here. 

And for all you stylish boys out, there is one for you too!

Amanda

FASHION Magazine Fashion Lovelies Contest!

If you are a reader of Scott Schuman's, The Satorialist you may look at those fashionable people and think, Hey! I've got great style. I want someone to take a picture of my hot outfit.

Well, you fashionable readers here is your chance. FASHION Magazine is currently hosting a Fashion Lovelies contest in which it's readers can submit a full length photo along with your name and city to lovelies@fashionmagazine.com. Each photo accepted photo will be voted on by fashionmagazine.com readers and whichever photo has the most votes wins.

What makes this contest even better, is that the winner will receive a $500 gift card from none other than Holt Renfrew! How cool is that?

Follow this link for more details and send those fashionable photos! http://www.fashionmagazine.com/blogs/fashion-lovelies/2009/05/29/whos-the-loveliest-of-them-all/

Amanda

Mona Lisa Smile: Raiding my Auntie's Closet

My mother and I are visiting my lovely aunt (which I will refer to as Mona Lisa) and doing something I always remember doing, "shopping" in her closet. Today, Mona Lisa is showing some of her latest beautiful clothing finds. A silky red and white polka dot blouse that would look great on any fashionable lady, a white Chanel-inspired handbag and corkscrew wedges. Mona Lisa is very happy to show us her newly renovated closet lined with inspiring fashion looks. My mother and I are also excited because (at the time) we have an exciting trip to New York City coming up and generous Mona Lisa is always very giving. At this shopping trip, I get a beautiful pink floral bracelet and my mother receives the silky red and white polka dot blouse I mentioned. That was a good shopping trip.

I have always loved watching Mona Lisa happily show my mother, my other aunt, my grandmother and myself all her beautiful items, for she would always do it with a smile. Her enthusiasm and knowledge reminded me of one of those ultra stylish saleswomen in Holt Renfrew that you always wish you could be like when you grew up. When I was little, I used to go into Mona Lisa's room and love what was around me. Her dressers were filled with bottles of perfume, cosmetics, beautiful jewellery and sweet mementos, her room always smelt fresh with a whiff of sweet perfume and her collection of clothes was everlasting. (In fact it was so big that she had two!)

Mona Lisa's interest in fashion began when she was a just a little girl, where she would lie on the floor and watch her grandmother, who was a seamstress, sew. Her grandmother's fashion sense passed down onto her and Mona Lisa still has a crotchet jacket and gorgeous Chinese silk jacket (in impeccable condition) that was given to her by her grandmother in the 1960's. It was from a young age that Mona Lisa learned so many of her fashion tips, that still ring true today. Among them were: always buy quality items because it will last forever, if you ever see something you love buy it because you may never see it again and always value style over brand. The last rule Mona Lisa has definitely always stayed true to. She mixed high and low pieces before it was ever in style. Mona Lisa can always find items in Winners, Holt Renfrew, The Bay, vintage stores, Victoria's Secret and even the dollar store! No matter where Mona Lisa has found her items they have all been beautiful, special and glamorous.

Some of my favourite shopping trips to Mona Lisa's closet include when I received a black and white polka-dot halter dress that is very Marilyn Monroe, when I got a black Chanel-inspired handbag (which I love and wear everywhere!) and when I got a rectangular emerald green suede purse. Whenever my mother or other aunt need a new item for any special event they never forget to stop by Mona Lisa's closet and each "shopping" trip is never a disappointment. One time when my mother went, she was able to borrow a black sequined blouse that was to die for!

As I write this I feel so lucky to have such a stylish aunt that I can always gain fashion inspiration from. It is even more inspiring to always see her so enthusiastically talk about her beautiful pieces and never without a Mona Lisa smile.

Do you have an individual in your life that you have found inspired your own fashion choices?

Amanda