Designer Collections Sample Sale May 2-4

First The Clothing Show, then RYE Market, and now a DC sample sale! If you're lacking in the dollars department, then this weekend in Toronto could be very good to you. But don't you just hate when all the sales happen at the same time? On the one hand, there's a lot of choices and they're all downtown. On the other hand, it makes it a lot harder to be thrifty. You may leave with twice the amount of clothing and accessories as usual, but you also end up spending more than you were planning to. Either way, a sale is never a bad thing!

The location is 161 Spadina Ave, 2nd floor (just north of Richmond & just south of Queen). It's 40-85% off EVERYTHING + Buy one, Get one 50% off. Seriously.. I also have coupons for an additional 10% that I can email to anyone who's interested.

They're in business 11am-7pm daily for 3 days only, starting May 2.

It's an equal opportunity sale (read: not just for girls), and you can find the following brands and more: Affliction, Christian Audigier, Ed Hardy, 575 Denim, Frankie B., William Rast Denim, True Religion Jeans, Seven for all Mankind, Diesel, Paul Frank, and Lacoste.

Hot?

Gwyneth Paltrow has been dressing her ass off lately. I know that many have criticized her for her skirt length of choice, but have you seen those legs? I always used to wonder what people saw in her (she used to date Brad Pitt!), but she's looking pretty hot. In particular, I LOVE the Stella McCartney dress she wore to the TriBeca Film Festival. What do you guys think? Are we into the crochet look or not?

Photos courtesy of gossipgirls.com.

Black Vogue

It has been reported that this summer will see an issue of Vogue Italia featuring all non-white models. Some say that it will be an all-black issue, but sources from Vogue have not confirmed this. What we do know however, is that the issue will feature 17 year old IT girl Jourdan Dunn (maybe a cover for our girl?).
picture from NY mag.

This is a huge deal in the industry, and of course it had to be spearheaded outside of North America. Although, I am surprised that it is Italy and not the UK. Steven Meisel, who shot the issue, hopes that this will send the message to other issues of Vogue that they should diversify their portfolios. Anna Wintour, are you listening?

According to This is London, a fashion stylist for a top women's magazine said that the industry is weighted against non-white models. The woman, who said she would lose her job if she was named, said: "It's all about what sells clothes, and people aspire to be white, blonde and thin... We're being naive if we say that's not racist." So there you have it.

The Clothing Show Returns

The Clothing Show will be in town May 2-4 2008 at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place. If you've never been you should really check it out. It's an amazing event with independent deisgners, retailers, and artisans from aross Ontario. There will be over 300 booths to shop from. You can find some great vintage stuff, and one-of-a-kind designs that no one else will have. Although, some of the retailers do have popular labels as well. Tickets are only $10 at the door (or $8 if you pre-order online).

Visit the website for more information: http://www.theclothingshow.com/

Kool-aid & Reebok: Instant Classics

Anybody who knows me knows that I love Dave Chappelle. There is one particular stand-up in which Mr. Chappelle teaches the difference between 'drink' and 'juice'. If you're not familiar with it then you obviously live under a rock, but basically juice comes from fruit and has a flavour like 'grape' while drink comes from powder and has a flavour like 'purple'. Well Kool-Aid and Reebok have given a new meaning to "that purple stuff"..


The powdered drink and the British footwear company have teamed up for a collection called Instant Classics. Reebok's Pro Legacy style is available in the flavors of grape, cherry, orange, lemon-lime and strawberry. Yes my friends, these are scratch n sniff sneakers (though not the first - Dame Dash did this with his Pro-Keds line). These are my new guilty pleasures. I can't find them in my size anywhere, but as soon as I do, I'll have some candids up!

I [heart] Ralph Lauren

During New York Fashion Week one of the designers that caught my eye was Ralph Lauren with his plaid-filled Fall 08 collection. It was so beautifully put together. The styling was amazing. I'd previously considered Ralph Lauren to be a little boring to tell the truth. As a lover of Milan fashion, New York often falls flat for me. But I really loved this whole collection.

Now I was just surfing around on ELLE's website because as you can see, I'm sort of obsessed with it. In any case, I saw an advertisement for the Ralph Lauren Spring 08 collection. I don't know how it slipped past me, but it's GORGEOUS. It has this chic Ascot woman, racetrack theme. And the colour palette is a dream. The clothing itself is of course constructed to perfection; I mean it's Ralph Lauren. So clean.

I have not been this excited about an American design house in so very long. It's going to be a beautiful spring! Here's a little taste courtesy of style.com.

Congrats to Eugenia Leavitt

Unfortunately, Adrienne Butikofer did not win the big prize in the New Labels Competition at the ELLE Show, but she sends her praises to Eugenia Leavitt who did. The gracious loser referred to her competitor as a "super nice chick". Gotta love that.

Adrienne kindly sent me the link to Eugenia's website, which I will share with all of you: http://www.eugeniadesigns.com/

I wasn't sure about it when I was looking through some of the older collections, but I actually really like the Fall 2008 (where was spring?). The detailing is amazing and garment construction is impeccable. Love the colours too. The little pinwheel flowers are very reminiscent of that chick from Project Runway a couple of seasons ago...oh what was her name? Anyway, what do you guys think?

Also, check out Adrienne's site! http://www.butikofer.com/

RYE Market @ Dundas Square This Weekend

The jealousy continues as Ryerson University puts on yet another major event, while U of T does nothing, but continue to stifle my creativity and crush my hopes and dreams. I know it used to be a college, and I will get paid more, but still..

So for all who are interested, Ryerson will be holding an open market event at Dundas Square on Saturday May 1, 2008. I will be there profiling with my friend Sean Gold from Trilogy Jewellery, so please come check us out. If you have a grill, he probably supplied it, and if you don't then you should probably get it from the best supplier in town! Sale prices in effect.

Wherefore art mine ELLE?

I expected my first post to be an exposé on the ELLE Show, which took place this past weekend in Toronto at the Direct Energy Centre. However, naturally, the TTC saw it fit to strike on the day of my planned trip. Luckily, I was at home to hear the news and not in tranist like many a poor soul. Anyways, to anyone who did go, please send pictures and/or stories about the likely amazing time you had so that I may relish in your glory.

It came to my attention over the weekend that a friend of mine is actually in the running to become a cover girl for ELLE Canada. Congratulations to her, Shurelle Alcindor, and please visit www.elleshow.ca to vote. The contest is only running until May 1, 2008. She shot with ELLE over this past weekend (photographer to be announced), and if she allows maybe I will post those pictures at a later date. For now, GO VOTE!

And more on the ELLE Show.. a very talented designer, Adrienne Butikofer, whom I've had the pleasure of speaking with on a couple occasions, was one of the four contenders in the TFI New Labels Competition. Her designs, featured below, may have won her $25,000 in prizes. Still waiting to hear back on who the big winner was..

So enough about the ELLE Show because the wound of not being able to go is still fresh. But on to some introductions..

Sonjé, or simply Jaye.. I am a fashion freak and budding wardrobe stylist/consultant. My style is best described as "erratic" - one day in the vein of Gucci and the next in the vein of Betsey. Lately, I've been obsessed with sneakerhead style, and in general I love street fashion. But I'm everyday refining my knowledge of and increasing my appreciation for all things couture. This blog is my little way of documenting my fashion travels, discussing trends, and sharing with you my great finds. Please enjoy.

Jaye
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expression.fashion.charisma... style.