Your weekly guide to the city’s retail scene.
NEWS
■ Spectacle’s flagship location (752 Queen St. W., 416-603-0123) is now the exclusive retailer of frames from Lanvin’s debut line of sunglasses. Produced by luxury eyewear company De Rigo, the shades are Art Deco–inspired, handmade in Paris, and include leather detailing, horn rims, and Swarovski crystals. Prices range from $398 for acetate sunnies to $718 for snakeskin- and Swarovski-covered pairs.
■ To celebrate their fall 2012 collection for Smythe, Canadian designers Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe shot two short films of models wearing their impeccably tailored, made-in-Canada jackets in unlikely situations (while gutting fish, for example). Directed by Christina Hodnet from Sons & Daughters, the videos are refreshingly unexpected interpretations of the designers’ style. View them at smythelesvestes.com.
■ Custom printer and shop Kid Icarus has moved from its small Nassau Street location to a larger one, still in Kensington Market (205 Augusta Ave., 416-977-7236). The new spot opens Sept. 22 and will include space for independent screenprinters to create and host workshops. The store’s owners are currently raising funds for the new venture. To contribute, visit kidicarus.ca.
EVENTS & POP-UPS
■ Go a little bit country at the Footloose Art Party on Sept. 27 at Maison (15 Mercer St.). The third-annual fundraiser is in support of building a sustainable village in Rajasthan, India. There’ll be live entertainment, food and cocktail stations. Tickets are $110 or $200 for VIP access (available at artbound.ca).
■ Snap up fall fashion must-haves (Rebecca Minkoff bags, fold-up flats from Yosi YS Samra, J Brand jeans, and more) at the Coveterie Style Bar. The shopping event, held at The Fifth Social Club (225 Richmond St. W.), begins Sept. 26 from 6–10 p.m., with cocktails and treats, and continues the next day from noon–7 p.m. If you can’t make either date, you can visit the just-launched online store at thecoveterie.com.
■ Handbag designer Jessica Jensen has created the Between the Lines Tote for Blood Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a collaboration with frontrowmagazine.com editorial director Michelle Bilodeau, who approached Jensen with the initiative after a family member was diagnosed with the disease. The canvas bag features a graphic red heart and leather handles and trim. It’s $35, and only 100 will be available for purchase, starting Sep. 27 at shopjessicajensen.com or at A2Zane (753 Queen St. W., 416-803-7754). Proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
■ Advice from a Caterpillar (8 Price St., 416-960-2223) is hosting an off-site pop up store this week, running Sept. 21 through to Sept. 29. Although the shop normally caters to the under-eight set, the pop-up at 5 Macpherson (beside the ice cream shop) is designed to cater to 8 to 12 year olds. The week-long event will feature Globe’s Bantam skateboards in clear colourways (a first in Canada), childrens’ clothing collections from Stella McCartney, Finger in the Nose, Bonton, and Nico Nico, while adults can shop the Adult di Famiglia collection. A selection of body oil and perfume and Peekay Design custom-screened limited-editions tees will also be available.
■ Canadian online boutique Shoppalu Co is hosting its first pop up shop at Miracle Thieves (249 Crawford St. at Dundas St. W.) from Sept. 20-23. Thursday’s opening night party begins at 6 p.m. and features a shopping mix of unique vintage pieces and new clothing from brands like Tiger of Sweden, Graham & Spencer, Velvet and more. Hosted by Toronto blogge Justine Laboni of WhateverEurotrash.com and Shoppalu’s founder Janice Liu, the event gives shoppers a chance to update their wardrobes without maxing out their cards. Cocktails and treats will be provided by the Miracle Thieves group.
Know of any sales, store openings, or closings? Email thedrop@thegridto.com.
