Toronto Magazine - Premier 2008 - (Page 53) with its contemporary-cool clothes and accessories with a laid-back, L.A. vibe. for the shoe-aholic is a divine experience in this city, with David’s, Brown’s, Corbo, Ron White, Specchio and Zola offering some of the most sumptuous, upscale footwear on the planet. But those who crave unique, art-inspired accessories are well advised to head over to the ultra-west side of Queen to Boutique Le Trou, which keeps good company with a smattering of other gallery-style shops. Over at King and Bathurst is Freda’s Originals, where unusual French labels are to be found, the kind of irresistibly trendy, affordable pieces you might find in the St-Germain district of Paris. Shearlings are a Canadian specialty, and Toronto’s Hide Society collection, by designer Domenic Bellisimo, features some of the most stylish shearling outerwear garments in the country. But when it comes to sheer elegance, you’d be hardpressed to find a more luxurious shop than Hazel in Yorkville’s posh Hazelton Hotel. Hazel is well stocked with extravagantly expensive, to-die-for American and European labels that scream opulence. Bags by Pauric Sweeney and VBH. Irish designer Louise Kennedy’s clothing and crystal line. Cashmeres by Lucien Pellat-Finit. Sexy “BandAid” dresses from Hervé Leger. Shoes by Courtney Crawford. It’s a virtual smorgasbord of gourmet style for discerning jet-setters who demand — and can afford — only the best. With its charmingly diverse neighbourhoods, Toronto caters to a multitude of ethnic communities and offers a spectrum of style options to residents and visitors alike. Multifaceted, always evolving, this vibrant city is experiencing a level of sophistication and design awareness that continues to escalate. There’s been a surge in new luxury condominiums and hotels, and a cluster of recently completed architectural masterpieces, such as the stunning Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, the striking addition to the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the soaring Crystal wing at the Royal Ontario Museum. It’s the perfect backdrop to this city’s exciting cultural renaissance. And that, my fashionista friends, is enough reason to up our personal style quotient as well. Shopping Toronto fashion is experiencing a level of global recognition, stimulated by local designers creatively exploring the city’s sophisticated, eclectic style voice. the city established its first Toronto Fashion Week, with Canadian designers vying to get their style statements out to the rest of the country — and the world. But sartorial hedonism also emerged, democratizing fashion, and individual self-expression became au courant. The high/low mix was enthusiastically embraced, and vintage shops cropped up. Catering to those with a penchant for nostalgia, Kensington Market then boasted, and still does, some of the best vintage finds around, like those at Courage My Love and Atomic Age. And along with the hip emporiums on Queen West — such as Black Market — Divine Decadence in tony Yorkville has become a favourite of collectors in the know. Meanwhile, Vintage Couture — a “by appointment only” showroom in the swank Forest Hill home of Lynda Latner — has earned a reputation for being among the best vintage spots in the world, its clientele being celebrities and serious aficionados. But Toronto also caters to those looking for folkloric flair at bargain prices. Little India on Gerrard East is rife with gorgeous silk saris, embroidered shirts and dazzling costume jewelry. Chinatown in Spadina is a treasure trove of satin brocade jackets, silk blouses and jade trinkets. Little Italy is a mecca of intimate shops selling Italian-made shoes, bags and flashy party dresses. Eclectic boutiques in Greektown on the Danforth offer unusual accessories and fun cocktail wear. And there’s a jewel of a store in the artsy Distillery District —Lileo, By the second half of the ’90s, Jeanne Beker is the host of Fashion Television, editor-inchief of style magazines FQ and SIR and a weekly lifestyle columnist for The Globe and Mail. She is also the author of the autobiographical Jeanne Unbottled: Adventures in High Style and, more recently, Passion for Fashion: Careers in Style (Tundra, 2008). toronto | 2008 53
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