Initially, I was going to include J.Crew’s latest designs in a round-up post about the New York Fashion Week’s fall/winter 2012 collections. However, when news of the American retailer’s collaboration with Manolo Blahink hit the Internet I decided that J.Crew required an entire blog post on its own.

Let’s lay the facts straight, Manolo Blahink doesn’t make cheap shoes for the masses. He comes from the old-school mind-set of creating quality footwear, using expert craftsmanship, using the best leathers from Italy and using the best tools to mould and shape his creations, anything subpar would be abhorrent.

The idea of Blahink partnering with J.Crew makes sense though; out of most major retailers J.Crew is one of the few who manufactures good footwear in large quantities. When I attended J.Crew’s first Canadian store opening at Yorkdale Mall it was apparent that they strike a fair balance by offering affordable, well-designed and quality shoes.

Images above: Manolo Blahink's footwear designs for J.Crew fall/winter 2012-13

Blahink’s designs for J.Crew fall/winter 2012 retain his signature style; footwear that is lady-like, polished and consisting of beautiful colours and textures. It’s anticipated that the shoes will be sold on JCrew.com and in select stores; however, much to my chagrin the prices will not be cheap with heels ranging from $595 to $645. The release date has not yet been finalized for this collection so you have some time to save up for a pair of these shoes.

J.Crew fall/winter 2012 collection

I’ve been behind in keeping up with the runways shows and designer trends at New York Fashion Week and with London Fashion Week currently in session, I’m miles behind on catching up – life gets in the way sometimes.

However, one of the collections which got the most interesting buzz from New York Fashion Week was J.Crew’s runway show for spring/summer 2012.

I’ve selected a few pictures from the retailer’s latest collection and I’m thoroughly impressed with the vivid colours and patterns used throughout. The tendency towards brighter colours for the winter over the next few seasons is a welcome trend and I for one am building my wardrobe with lots colour, consciously steering my choices away from that black or grey sweater, of which I have more than two in my closet.

I’m even happier since J.Crew opened its first Canadian store at Yorkdale Mall and now ships to Canada, that the chances of getting my hands on a few pieces from this collection is looking pretty good.

Image courtesy of J.Crew

When a paper invitation arrives in the mail to your home and is as thick as cardboard one instantly knows your attendance is required at whatever event you’re being invited to. In this case, I had the fortunate opportunity to receive such a note to attend the exclusive opening of J.Crew’s first ever women’s store in Canada at Yorkdale Mall, hosted by CEO, Mickey Drexler and Creative Director, Jenna Lyons.

It’s safe to say approximately 80 per cent of the city’s fashion crowd – writers, editors, bloggers, socialites and stylists – were jammed into the store to take-in the latest offerings from J. Crew and shop its wears before it opened to the public the following day.

What impressed me the most about J. Crew’s Toronto store is the diversity and quality of their shoes; all of the footwear is made in Italy and composed of leather inside and out. The designs have a stylish practicality about them allowing the wearer to cross over from work to play and to weekend wear; pretty ballet flats in various colours really drew my attention.