I met Oscar de la Renta! Okay... I met him for a millisecond but it was an encounter nonetheless and I got a picture with him (insert happy fashion dance here).

The highly renowned fashion designer was in Toronto on Wednesday to introduce his newest fragrance, Live in Love sold exclusively at the Bay. Mr. de la Renta’s appearance at the Bay’s Queen Street store consisted of a brief sit-down interview with Fashion Television host, Jeanne Beker and an autograph session with the public.

To say that I was looking forward to this occasion in the days leading up to the event would be an understatement. I hold fashion designers in high regard because of their talent, perseverance and ability to translate their vision of beauty into clothes; designers of Mr. de la Renta’s calibre are ones I revere the most.

The conversation between Beker and de la Renta was sweet; his answers charming everyone in attendance, his words of wisdom and elegant demeanour palatable. How could he do anything but enchant the crowd? Especially, when Live in Love is described as “a fragrance for women created by a man who adores them.”

A few lines of wisdom from Oscar de la Renta:

• Oscar says “it’s important to love yourself first”
• On the success of a fragrance, “The true success of a fragrance is not when someone tells you to wear it, but when you know the fragrance projects you as an individual”
• On what makes a woman truly elegant, “Elegance is not something you are born with but it’s the discipline on how you live life... A woman believes she projects something that is unique and that she conveys a message about herself... that to me is real beauty – the beauty is not how you project with your physique but the beauty you can project with you mind”

A little store named Topshop and Topman opened to Canadian shoppers inside the Bay at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Wednesday, October 5th. Of course, I say “little” to contrast the fashion phenomena and reverent following Topshop has amassed among shoppers since its beginnings in 1964, followed by the creation of Topman in 1978.

In addition, long-time design collaborations with supermodel, Kate Moss, designers such as Marios Schwab and British artist, Stella Vine are just some of the components making Topshop and Topman a favourite among shopaholics in Britain and around the world.

I was invited on Tuesday to the exclusive media preview of Topshop and Topman, built as a store within a store concept, and was completely blown away by the product choices, appearance and set-up. The shop is over 15,000 square feet and takes up two floors of the Bay; Topman on the first floor and Topshop on the second floor. 

Dashing in from work, I arrived towards the ends of the media preview and immediately went straight to the shoe section. Throughout the day people were tweeting pictures of the store, particularly of the shoes, and I was getting anxious to see the wears myself – I was not to be disappointed.

The moment I arrived in the Topshop shoe section I stood there dumbfounded, looking wide-eyed at the massive shoe wall. I didn’t know what to do or where to start taking pictures; there were so many colours, heels and styles that momentarily all the shoes blended into one giant collage – eventually, I came to my senses and took a ton of pictures of the footwear and of course tried on many heels.

I have to really applaud the design team at Topshop; they have done an amazing job creating footwear in a variety of colours, styles and shapes at reasonable price-points for all customers; ranging from $30 for a ballet flat to $130 for a suede wedge platform.

Footwear listed just over $100 is well worth the price consisting of leather on the inner and outer. As you browse the shoe wall, each pair is displayed in different sizes giving shoppers increased freedom to quickly slip on the shoe which catches their interest.

Like the footwear, clothing choices for men and women run the spectrum from a whimsy graphic t-shirt to a conservative trendy cream knit cardigan. There are also a ton of accessories; handbags, costume jewellery, hats and scarves to create multiple trendy looks.

If you’re unable to visit Yorkdale Shopping Centre, you can shop the Topshop and Topman collections online at www.thebay.com/topshop and www.thebay.com/topman.

Image gallery #1 courtesy of Topshop +Topman: pictures #1-4.
Image gallery #2 courtesy of Topshop +Topman: pictures #1.

Today is the last day of September and tomorrow, October 1st, marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Many companies and people are involved in raising money for this cause and fashion is used as a means to develop creative collaborations, whether it’s speaking to the experience of knowing someone with this disease or having experienced breast cancer themselves.

Breast cancer has also touched the family of Canadian footwear designer, Ron White; his aunt and two cousins were diagnosed with it. To aid in the cause, White is partnering with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation this year to lend his support and craft.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, cashmere suede wrapped
• Colour, black
• Heel height,  6.35 cm

Why I chose this shoe: I characterise the Robin Passion Pink Pump as cute and elegant. The cashmere suede wrapped shoe has the signature Ron White bow lined in pink metallic leather. The kitten heel increases the versatility of wear allowing women to don it from the office to the opera.

The pump was developed by White in honour of his aunt, a breast cancer survivor, and throughout October $100 from every pair sold will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The Robin Passion Pink Pump can be found in all seven RON WHITE locations and at The Room at the Bay on Queen Street (Toronto).

Images courtesy of Ron White

The Bay held a kick-off party at its Queen Street store late last week to celebrate the launch of its Topman capsule collection prior to the official Topshop and Topman store opening at Yorkdale Mall on October 5, 2011.

The Topman capsule collection concentrates on providing casual and semi-dressy wear for men such as corduroy pants, sports jackets and graphic t-shirts. Footwear consisted of brogues in black and brown with the occasional pop of colour, as seen in a pair of orange suede shoes.

In keeping with the excitement and free-spirit of the Topshop and Topman brand, a ping-pong tournament and photo booth kept a playful energy going throughout the night.

Last week the Bay’s private label clothing line, MOON celebrated its one year anniversary, launched its first menswear collection and simultaneously showed off its latest women’s pieces for fall/winter 2011.

Designed and developed by the Mimran Group, MOON’s first collection was premièred last August consisting of women’s clothing only and focused on providing business basics; black pants, black sweaters and white collared shirts with limited special pieces to instantly catch the shopping eye.

Above: Tamara and Jordin Mimran being interviewed by Cityline

This time around - one year later - Tamara and Jordin Mimran (sister and brother) with guidance from designer, Alfred Sung took a more fashion-forward approach in designing this season’s collection steering MOON towards classic yet trendy pieces for both sexes.

The men’s collection consists of 32 pieces in neutral colours such as outerwear, dress pants, blazers and an array of sweaters. Noticeable pieces for the new line are a blue tartan blazer ($175) and a camel cardigan ($75).

The evolution of the women’s collection surpasses the men’s with increased colour choice and modern cuts referencing 1960s mod-style. There were quite a few standout pieces with my favourites being the navy blue crochet dress ($89) and skirt ($75), a v-neck gold brocade dress, gold sequin skirt ($89) and a shift-style dress in beige.

In addition to being pleasantly surprised with the women’s collection, I had the opportunity to take a picture with Canadian design legend, Alfred Sung – OMG! I tried hard not to appear in awe of him – this definitely made my night.

Above: me with Canadian design legend, Alfred Sung (I’m trying not to geek-out beside him)

Currently at the Bay's holiday preview and I'm seeing tons of signature items. Coats, blankets and scarves, oh my!

** Update: I meant to include a photo with this post initially, but it didn't upload. All fixed now. **

Anna Dello Russo – she came, she saw, she danced and she conquered Toronto through her multiple outfit changes over a two day visit hosted at The Room, inside the Bay’s flagship store. ADR was in town to celebrate the launch of a photography exhibit titled “When Tommy Met Anna.”

The exhibit (which runs until April 29) features photos taken by Canadian photographer and blogger, Tommy Ton of ADR, his muse and Vogue Japan’s Editor-at-Large, in her most memorable fashion moments.

The instant word hit the street several weeks ago, via @TheHudsonsBayCo’s Twitter feed, that ADR was coming to Toronto the city’s fashion set was buzzing with her pending arrival, which was quickly followed up by paper invitations to an invite only reception outlining the dress code was “á la Anna.”

The reception held last week was a night that didn’t disappoint; The Room rolled out the leopard print carpet, ushered in six foot tall drag queens dressed to the nines and had wait staff decked out in t-shirts reading “When Tommy Met Anna.” The city’s fashion crowd arrived en masse in bold and colourful attire, some of which would be deemed as very interesting to say the least.

I counted approximately three outfit changes by ADR the night of the soiree which consisted of a Giles Deacon bandage print dress and a lamp shade dress and skirt from Mary Katrantzou’s spring 2011 collection. I opted to dress up for the occasion and wore a Jonathan Saunders jersey dress.

Throughout the night ADR and Ton was surrounded by scores of admirers jostling to get a shot with the pair; I made two weak attempts to have my Anna moment but was unsuccessful. I still had a really great time at the event and have to say the fashions on display and people watching were thoroughly enjoyable.