Pretty in Pink Tartan: Yorkville Has a New Hot Spot!

Coming off the heels of a colourful '70's style spring fashion show, Kimberly Newport-Mimran is ready for a reinvention in the form of a brick and mortar store at 77 Yorkville Avenue.

Being described as "a lifestyle concept"the boutique will carry pieces from her own collections as well as some of the George Brown College alum's favourite artwork from home, Stockholm's own Acne Jeans, the natural and sustainable Alicia Adams Alpaca and Archie Grand Notebooks.

If her store is anything like her ladylike yet cool chick designs, it is sure to be lovely!

For more information click here and here!

Enjoy!

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

It's hard to cook without a book!: The Cookbook Store

Looking to find that sought after cookbook? Look no further than The Cookbook Store! Located at 850 Yonge Street in fashionable Yorkville.

This is a great place for the novice cook or the master chef. Nestled among the neatly lined shelves, you'll find every cookbook from the renowned Joy of Cooking, a classic for all cooks to the hard finds such as, Dulce Latin American Desserts by Joseluis Flores, and everything in-between.

The store also hosts many culinary events throughout the year catering to the desire of every cook’s heart. So if you are just starting out to explore the Nigella Lawson in you or looking to try your hand at a new recipe, look no further than The Cookbook Store!

Enjoy!

Donna for Amanda's Fashion Spot
amandasfashionspot@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/AFSpot

In the Pink!

With that warm summer feeling in the air and the sun shining down with floral dresses peeping up everywhere, there are now more pink things out there besides your cheeks, nails and lips.

Canadian designer of covetable fashion line Pink Tartan and George Brown College Alumni, Kimberley Newport-Mimran will be opening the very first Pink Tartan flagship store in none other than the highly fashionable Yorkville. The future Toronto fashion hotspot is sure to draw shoppers far and wide being located in the historical 77 Yorkville Avenue building that is a perfect for the ladylike designs. The boutique is set to open this fall just in time for your cool weather wardrobe.

The rosy spring colour takes it namesake to a whole new level with Victoria Secret's sister store, PINK which has hit Canadian soil at Toronto's Yorkdale Mall. The bright and colourful brand features cute athletic clothes, loungewear, bra and pantie sets as well as an ode to the true, north, strong and free nation of Canada with adorable t-shirts that feature some of Canada's many notable places.

Be sure to check out these Toronto's fashionable pink places!

Amanda

J to the O to the E to the Fresh: Lou Lou Magazine Fashion Block Party

On a humid Wednesday night, swarms of eager shoppers filled the Joe Fresh shopping boutique in Yorkville's, SassaFraz. 

As a Joe Fresh employee and lover of all things fashion, I had the privilege of participating in this exciting fashion event. The large second floor of SassaFraz was a cool escape from the sticky evening and served as a cool retreat to shop, shop, shop! 

The room had minimal decoration with the fall/winter '09 styles from Joe Fresh lining the cream coloured walls with white ornamental trees in the centre of the room. The fall/winter '09 Joe Fresh fashion show played in the background as make-up demonstrations for the Joe Fresh make-up line took place. Shoppers were able to sip on champagne, dine on hor d'oeurves and browse the racks of affordable fashion.

The shopping clock struck 6pm and from start to finish the event was packed from the cash register to the entrance. Popular items, such as the faux leather motorcycle jacket, classic argyle sweaters and bell-shaped skirts sold out in about an hour. (Typical Joe Fresh which is known to sell out of its popular styles in a matter of days!)

All in all it was a joyous occasion that brought together Toronto's fashionably elite, working girls and everyday women together, who were able to bond over their excitement of this spin on shopping. 

Amanda

Amanda's Fashion Spotting.......

On an afternoon stroll yesterday in Yorkville, I saw none other than the Canadian design duo, DSquared! 

Chatting and laughing, they walked down Yorkville Avenue looking chic as ever wearing rolled up jeans, loafers, a crisp white shirt and to-die-for blazers. Boy can these guys dress!

Dean and Dan are in town to accept their Canadian Walk of Fame honour, pay a visit to Ryerson's fashion program and am I sure catch a TIFF movie or two.

What fashionable sightings have you seen?

Amanda

LOU LOU Magazine turns the big 5!

NYC may have Fashion's Night Out, but Toronto has a fashion block party. To celebrate it's 5th anniversary, Canada's Shopping Expert, LOU LOU Magazine has a whole a list of fun, fashionable events. 

Kicking off in Toronto on September 23rd, 2009 there will be an exciting shopping block party taking place on Bloor Street's Banana Republic, Guess?, Town Shoes, Winners, BCBG Maxaria, Gap and Puma stores. Not to be outdone, Canada's favourite recessionista-friendly store, Joe Fresh will have a pop-up boutique in Yorkville's, Sassafraz.

Each of these participating stores will be offering some sort of discount whether it be a 25% off coupon at Banana Republic or a $10 Joe Fresh gift card after spending $50 at the pop-up shop! (Woo-hoo!)

That's not all to the fashionable soiree. Each store will also have a little something extra to add to your shopping adventure, whether it be LOU LOU's editor-in-chief's Claude Frambroise's take on fall trends or an acoustic performance by musician Kate Voegele.

If you won't be in Toronto to enjoy shopping affair (no need to fret!) the block party will be travelling to Montreal the very next day!

For more on this tres chic shopping block party, click here. 

Amanda

Take a Chance on Classic, Elegant Style: A day with fashion designer Pearl Miller

My fashionable aunt, Mona Lisa has always known where to find beautiful glamorous clothing and unique fashion finds so I was delighted when she introduced me to her longtime fashion designer friend, Pearl Miller. On a summer afternoon, I had the pleasure of attending her boutique, La Chance Boutique on 13 Charles Street West and was able to first-hand observe her ladylike dresses made of Italian and French, silk, cotton, linen and wool. Read on for more about the talented designer.

Amanda: How did you get your start as a designer?

Pearl: I always had an interest as a child (living in Jamaica). When I came to Canada I got a job with Revenue Canada and one day decided (that I needed) to quit. When looking for another job I applied for an office position with an Interior Designer in Yorkville. Through that job I was able to learn about design and fabric. 

After that I got inspired to start my own fashion line and went a bank manager who saw a nice store for me on Charles Street. The name La Chance comes from French meaning, the luck. 

A: What inspires you as a designer?

P: I always get inspired by fabric and I have always loved the fashion designer, Kenzo. I have clothes from him from 20 years ago that I still wear. Kenzo's designs are always easy and natural. With my designs, I always try to be different for example, we have reversible items.

A:What are some projects that you have worked on recently?

P: I had the opportunity to lecture at Ryerson University with wardrobe co-ordinator, Starr Jacobs.

A: What are some the services that your boutique provides?

P: Everything is made in our studio which is located in the building of our store. All of the garments are made-to-measure and we always ensure that our garments have exquisite tailoring and impeccable quality. 

Pearl Miller's dresses are reminiscent of the elegant designs of Carolina Herrera and classic approach of Michael Kors. Many of her designs include sequined or ruffled details, lots of colour and special little details. 

If you would like to take a chance in your wardrobe and get something tres elegant, you will have the best of luck in La Chance Boutique. Visit the store at 13 Charles Street West, one block south of Bloor. To call, (416)961-5216.

Bonne Chance!

Amanda

Psychology, Sociology and Anthropologie: Yorkville's Latest Lifestyle

Ahhh I am in love! I just love a lifestyle a store. I love being able to find so many wonderful items all under one well-decorated roof, so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the American lifestyle store, Anthropologie.

I first discovered the eclectic, home-y, vintage store on a trip to New York City and I fell in love. Filled with books, beautiful clothes and lovely scented candles I knew that a store like this needed to be in Canada and now it is. Smack dab in the middle of swanky Yorkville, welcome Anthropologie.

As you first walk in, you are welcomed by the sweet scents of its many candles, perfumes and soaps. They also sell kitchenware (think colourful printed plates and mugs) , crystal doorknobs and books such as, The Little Dictionary of Fashion by Chrisitian Dior.

Most importantly, Anthropologie sells clothes, lots and lots of beautiful clothes. The type of clothes that you can picture yourself wearing in a beautiful garden or sipping coffee at Starbucks. It was prints galore with colourful silk and jersey dresses. Thin and thick knit sweaters had me imagining my fall wardrobe along with the pleated high waisted skirts.

I absolutely love this store for it is so inspiring. There is something new and exciting everywhere you turn and it is the perfect place to get lost and shop on a rainy day. In need of a few new things? Head over to 80 Yorkville and start exploring.

Amanda

One Part Fashion, Two Parts Charity

It was Ladies' Night at Remy's in Yorkville this past Saturday night and oh what a night it was!

Andrew McCurbin, public relations expert and head of leather goods at Roots Canada on Bloor Street in Toronto, MC'ed the event to benefit a Puerto Rican soccer team and food bank drive. Co-founder of Roots Canada, Michael Budman, upcoming photographer Marlee MacLean and a talented soccer player from Denmark were in attendance as latin tunes played in the background.

Among the entertainment at the filled soiree included Toronto-based fashion designer, Sarah Catalfo's Resort 2009 Collection fashion show for her clothing line, Maybe by Sarah Catalfo. The models pranced around the dance floor turned runway dressed in her Cuban-inspired designs. This collection was inspired by the designers recent vacation to Cuba and the line consisted of colourful maxi dresses, laid back off-the-shoulder-tops and pink zebra beach pants adorned with seashells staight off the sandy Cuban beaches.

Stand out pieces include a gorgeous strapless maxi dress with a golden yellow gathered bust top with a long magenta skirt bottom, a flowy pink dress that radiated from the neckline and a lavender and yellow floral maxi dress that was part of the evenings raffle giveaway. The bright, flowy pieces made me long for a hot, havana night where I can sip margharitas while relaxing to the sounds of the ocean or samba to the upbeat latin rhythm.

The night ended with a raffle giveaway where lucky ticket holders won his and her dVb fragrances, gift certicificates to Italian restaurant, Banfi, a leather Roots bag and a free Maybe by Sarah Catalfo dress.

For those of you that were lucky enough to attend, you will know that there is nothing like spending a Saturday night in the summer in Yorkville at a fashion show.
Amanda