Your guide to the city’s style scene, featuring news on limited-edition frame bags at A2Zane, online gift registry The Gift Network, Fresh Collective's re-opening, and an influx of skinny jeans at Winners.
JUST LANDED
Original Flea, a quartet of handsome limited-edition frame bags on display at accessories boutique A2Zane (753 Queen St. W., 416-803-7754. #QNW), claims both style and integrity. Designed by New York flea-market aficionados Shira Entis and Alex Bell, the bags are hand-made from organic cotton and canvas, and trimmed with vegetable-tanned leather. The $490 totes are crafted with heritage-inspired details, including silk-screened script of the design specs on the exterior, belted closures, striped lining and metal feet.
A rainbow palette of skinny jeans (all under $30) drops at most Winners locations this week. Find rock-star brights of cobalt, peacock and deep purple, as well as soft pastel hues in coral, mint and blush.
SALES
Kensington Market’s Model Citizen (279 Augusta Ave., 416-553-6632. #KNM) is holding a sale on its entire inventory of Tiger of Sweden men’s suiting. The coveted brand—known for its slim, stylish silhouettes—is being discounted by 20 per cent; shirts will be subject to greater markdowns. Free alterations and two ties come with with any suit purchased. The sale is on until Feb. 5.
The newly renovated Fresh Collective (692 Queen St. W., 416-594-1313. #QNW) re-opened this weekend with fresh paint, new floors and a reconfiguration that showcases both apparel and jewellery collections to greater effect. Its spring collections arrive on Feb. 15, so until then the designer-run boutique is continuing its winter sale, with reductions of up to 60 per cent on most lines.
WEDDINGS
The spring edition of The National Bridal Show runs Jan. 27–29 at The Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place (#HAR), bringing information and expertise on everything from bridal fashions to wedding trends. Brides-to-be can gain free admission to the event by registering at thenationalbridalshow.com.
Challenging the traditional model of bridal and baby-shower gift registry, The Gift Network is a free online service giving users the flexibility to register for gifts from over 100 retailers around the city. Recognizing not every couple wants or needs traditional registry items, the newly launched company’s gift categories include vintage and antiques, fine art, fitness and furnishings. Gift-givers can get together on big-ticket items and unwanted gifts can be converted to credit that can be redeemed at any of the site’s retailers. For more information, visit thegiftnetwork.com.
NEWS
Following The Hudson’s Bay Company’s acquisition of its American affiliate Lord & Taylor earlier this week, The Bay’s CEO Bonnie Brooks, will become president of the enlarged retail conglomerate. Brooks will oversee both the 186-year-old specialty retailer and The Bay, which she transformed and re-branded as a fashion destination.
CONTESTS
Win a handmade Liebeskind Berlin bag of your choice by entering a social media contest hosted by the Elsa Reia Studio. You can enter by posting, tweeting or tagging a “Like” and “I Love Liebeskind” on the sales agency’s Facebook wall. You’ll receive an additional entry when a person you refer tags you. The winner will be announced Feb. 6 and will be the first to own one of the leather bags before they’re officially available in Canada next fall. For full contest details, contact robin@reiastudio.com.
