You may recall I’ve written a few blog entries about Canadian accessories designer, Jessica Jensen here and here, in addition to having one of her gorgeous designs named after little old me – it’s still a pretty cool moment when I look back over a year later.

So when word hit the street that Jensen was launching a new line of accessories, Jessica Jensen Signature exclusively on The Shopping Channel I was totally ecstatic for her, especially as she joins notable Canadian designers Brian Bailey and Wayne Clark in this lucrative venture to make their works available across the country.

This new line consists of 14 styles ranging in price from $75 to $395 and in the form of handbags, totes, wallets and cosmetics bags. The designs are classic in shape and offer a variety of colours, mostly in rich jewel tones such as green, red and purple. Oh... and did I mention that the pieces are abso-fricking-gorgeous!

To add, celebrities such as Katie Holmes, Helen Mirren, Courtney Cox and Sarah McLachlan have all been seen sporting Jensen’s designs on the red carpet and around Hollywood.

If you want to get your hands on a Jessica Jensen Signature piece here are some important dates to mark in your calendar:

• May 1, 2012 – Jessica Jensen Signature line available on www.theShoppingChannel.com
  
• May 2, 2012 – available on-air for preview and purchase starting at 5:00 p.m. EST
• May 3, 2012 – available on-air for preview and purchase starting at 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. EST

Images from Jessica Jensen

I was first introduced to Alexander Berardi’s work at LG Fashion Week last November where he collaborated with Canadian handbag designer, Jessica Jensen. For the fall/winter 2011 season, Berardi came back to Toronto last week to showcase his latest collection and to carve out additional roadways into the media and retail landscape here.

Being the eager beaver that I am, I was one of the first people to show up and spent some time talking with Berardi. I always look forward to meeting designers and have an immense respect for their talent; this feeling increases even more so when they exude a humble personality and a genuine love for their craft – Berardi represents all of these things.

His collection this season draws inspiration from the 1970 movie, Love Story which starred Ali MacGraw and is set in wintry New England. He focuses on capturing the spirit of the city girl escaping to the country for a relaxed, yet stylish, getaway by mixing and matching various separates, materials and styles to suit her mood.                            

Wool twill suitings in navy, brightly coloured silk georgette scarf shirts, collegiate knits and plaid outwear are just some of the clothing highlighting this eclectic mix that easily transitions from the office to the country.

Standout pieces seen during the preview are the wood beaded winter jackets – the detail and care put into it is amazing – as well as blue toga sequin dresses and a gold sequin stretch pants, both of which I am totally in love with.

In addition, Berardi brought along a few select pieces from his past collections; like a moth to a flame I was again drawn to his beaded work, particularly a halter dress composed of white beads weighing at least 15 lbs.

Image gallery #1 from Alexander Berardi

“Just in time for LG Fashion Week, JESSICA JENSEN is hosting her annual public sample sale! Enjoy up to 80% off all handbags and small leather goods. The three day event will be held at her studio, conveniently located on the corner of Queen Street West and Bathurst in Toronto. Sample quantities are limited and all sales are final. Happy shopping!”

Dates: March 24 - 26, 2011

• Thursday 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Payment: cash, debit, Visa or MasterCard

Location: Jessica Jensen Studio at The Burroughes, 639 Queen Street West, Suite 404 (at Bathurst), Toronto, Ontario

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There are countless examples of designers naming their works after people who have inspired them such as the Birkin bag, named after actress and singer Jane Birkin, designed by luxury retailer Hermès; and the Blake shoe named after Gossip Girl star Blake Lively, designed by Christian Louboutin.

The story of how the Kimberly clutch came about is very straight forward; I visited Jensen during her holiday pop-up shop last month and was totally drawn to the over-sized zip clutch and its multiple interior card and cash pockets. Jensen told me how she developed the design and then offered to name it after me. How cool is that!

Handbag specifications:

• Outer, Italian vegetable tanned goatskin or embossed ostrich on Italian lambskin
• Measurements, 12.625”W x 6.5”H x 1.25”D
• Colours – charcoal, dusk grey, mauve, mud, chocolate and pink embossed ostrich

You can purchase the Kimberly clutch from Jensen’s online store which is currently priced at $99 (original price $298) or enter this giveaway to win one in plum pictured below.

How to enter:

1)    Tweet the following phrase, “I love my Jessica Jensen @kimberly_lyn clutch” and the link of this blog entry.

2)    I’ll choose the winner at random and announce it over Twitter.

3)    Contest closes on January 19, 2011.

Good luck!

Update: winner of the Kimberly clutch is @JacklynM. Congratulations!

Gallery #1, image #1 from Jessica Jensen

“Receive an EXTRA 25% OFF all sale priced handbags, clutches and small leather goods.  Offer available exclusively online at www.shopjessicajensen.com from Sunday, December 26th to Wednesday, December 29th, 2010. Use promotional code BOXING25 during checkout. Offer may not be combined with any other promotions or discounts.”

Available online at: www.shopjessicajensen.com

“Catering to those looking for something unique and special for the holiday season, Canadian designer online retailer Ukamaku will be holding their Christmas sale in the Yorkville Room at the prestigious Hazelton Hotel, 118 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto on Friday, November 26th and Saturday, November 27th from 11:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Confirmed women’s wear and accessory designers include: Carrie Hayes, Jessica Jensen, Véronique Miljkovitch, Zoran Dobric, Darlene Martin and more.

Dates: November 26th – 27th, 2010

Times: 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

 Location: Hazelton Hotel, 118 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, Ontario

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Dates/Times: November 25 to December 12, 2010

• Update - November 25th opening night 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. only (regular hours begin November 26th)  
• Thursday 12:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.
• Friday 12:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Location: 972 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario

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Whatever fashion tribe designers, Jessica Jensen and Alexander Berardi form I’ll be the first in line to join. This duo’s catwalk show during LG Fashion Week proved to be the most intriguing of the bunch as it involved the collaboration between Berardi, a women’s wear designer based in New York, and Toronto’s own handbag maven, Jensen.

Berardi presented the audience with 12 selected looks from his spring/summer 2011 collection titled, “A Tribe Called Hamptons” and inspired by Jean-luc Godard’s 1960s film Breathless. A tuxedo blazer, military jacket, gold sequin pant and evening gown are just a few of the pieces which shows Berardi’s well planned, focused and tailored collection.

To complete Berardi’s collection for s/s 2011, handbags by Jensen were added and beautifully compliment this Hamptons inspired look. This season, Jensen takes a slightly different approach in her designs by incorporating fabric woven in and amongst the leather. The frayed look of the fabric adds a contrasting and delightfully organic texture to the bags giving it increased depth and character.

Image gallery #1: pictures #1-3 and #6-7 courtesy of Jessica Jensen and Alexander Berardi

Image gallery #2 courtesy Jessica Jensen

A few weeks ago I got word that Canadian handbag designer, Jessica Jensen, was having a sale on Gilt Groupe. I was excited at having the chance to purchase a piece from her spring/summer 2010 collection only to then remember Gilt doesn’t ship to Canada. I tweeted about my disappointment and within a few minutes, unexpectedly, Jessica personally reached out and offered to help. Less than five days later my envelope clutch arrived at my house enclosed in a white gift box.

The envelop clutch comes in a multitude of colours, such as blush (the one I purchased), earth, grape, storm and seafoam. The design is simple, classic, goes with everything and retails for $198.

I was very touched at the personalized service Jessica gave to me and I’m totally in love with my clutch - thank you Jessica for the thoughtful generosity.

You can purchase Jessica Jensen handbags online or check out the store locations listing on her website.

Envelop clutch product details:

• Italian glazed kidskin
• Classic envelope clutch with slim design and a magnetic snap closure
• Natural silken linen lining with an interior zipper pocket