Hudson's Bay Unveils Team Canada Olympic Uniforms for Sochi 2014

All pics courtesy Hudson's Bay

I went to school for 2 things: Kinesiology and Fashion. The Kinesiology part went nowhere (sorry Western) but when I watch the Olympics, I at least know the history of the Games (marginally useless info, I know), and I am somewhat qualified to comment on the team uniforms. I might not remember a radius from an ulna (I blame it on the partying - again, sorry Western) but I can definitely tell a good team uniform from a bad one. Hudson’s Bay just unveiled the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Team Collection for the upcoming Sochi 2014 Games and I'm impressed. 'Impressed' is a technical word I learned at fashion school along with 'cute' 'I die' and 'totes amaze.' 

Created by the Hudson's Bay design team, the inspiration for the Sochi 2014 Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Team Collection was to capture the spirit of Canada. The outfits incorporate the perfect shade of red (naturally), the maple leaf, and Canada's animals, including the beaver. Don't laugh.

“Canada’s style and personality is instantly recognizable internationally, and we designed the Olympic uniforms to reflect who we are as a nation,” says Hilary Kelley, VP of Design, Hudson’s Bay Company.  “The Collection embodies modernity and classic refinement.  Canadians are passionate about their country; they are avid competitors, they are caring and dedicated.  For the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Uniform, we wanted to ensure our amazing athletes could feel proud, confident and carry with them the tremendous support of an entire nation as they prepare to bring home the gold.”  

The 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Collection boasts a wide range of items including colour-blocked tees, classic sweaters and athletic sweatshirts and hoodies, down-filled and puffer jackets, and brand new accessories including the now-famous Red Mittens, ranging from $5 - $275. 

The entire 2014 Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Team Collection can be purchased online now at  thebay.com and will be in all locations of Hudson’s Bay from October 30 until 2015. 

So...thoughts? Do you love the new uniforms? And who will you be cheering for at Sochi 2014 in 98 days? I want the red toggle coat and Caroline Calvé's legs. Is there a way to get those without all of the pain, hard work and sacrifice?

Speaking of sacrifice, I'm off to dress up like a flamingo. The things we do for our kids...

xx

alice + olivia Teams up with Starbucks

I like to think of myself as a coffee minimalist. No vanilla syrups, flavoured beans or measuring by degrees for this girl. I'm a Barista's dream-come-true: Tall French Roast or Grande Latte. Full stop. I similarly stray from complicated cups, instead opting for a white ceramic tumbler over glitter, sparkle and OTT shine. 

In spite of all that, when I saw these adorable tumblers at the Starbucks Holiday Preview a few months back, I couldn't help but fall in love.  Designed exclusively for Starbucks by Stacey Bendet of alice + olivia (LOVE alice + olivia) the limited-edition holiday collection includes a Designer Double Wall Ceramic Tumbler with a super fun removable tutu and bow tie, plus a sweet Bearista Bear for kids - both featuring alice + olivia’s signature black-and-white stripe. 

The collection is available online at www.StarbucksStore.com on November 1, 2013, and in stores across Canada (excluding Québec - ne tirez pas sur le pianiste) November 2nd (both items retail for $19.95).

I'd take the flower off the bear's head (I personally feel it's tutu much. Get it? hee) and then give it to my daughter, but I'll keep the cup for my coffee runs. Super cute, right? Consider your Secret Santa gifts officially chosen.

MasterCard Stylicity: The Ultimate Canadian Tuxedo Contest

m0851 show us its take on the Canadian Tuxedo for MasterCard Stylicity

Love it or hate it, the Canadian Tuxedo (read: denim on denim) is here to stay. Where the world once saw our laid-back fashion 'tude as a bit of a joke, the recent popularity of top-to-toe denim suggests that maybe Canada has always just been a little bit ahead of the curve. From Lincoln Centre to the Paris runways, double denim has never been so chic and now, MasterCard Stylicity wants to see your take on the now-iconic trend.  

Show off your street style prowess by posting a pic of your updated version of the Canadian Tuxedo to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #stylicity. All photos will be collected and displayed on the MasterCard Stylicity website and a grand prize of one $2,000 MasterCard Prepaid Card will be awarded to one fashionable Canadian. Um, amazing?!

So bust out your jean-ius style and enter the Show us Your Canadian Tuxedo contest by November 3, 2013. For inspiration, visit participating Sylicity merchants such as eLUXE.ca, M for Mendocino,m0851 and Philip, who have each redefined the Canadian Tuxedo in their own way.

Oh, and if you haven't already, it's not too late to take advantage of Stylicity, the official retail program for World MasterCard Fashion Week. A sweet line-up of local retailers, spas and restaurants in Toronto is currently offering special deals, offers, and experiences to MasterCard cardholders both in stores and online. Check out the full list of retailers participating in Stylicity here. Like we needed another excuse to shop...

Good luck! 

xx

A sampling of the Canadian Tuxedo entries so far. Can you do better?

Sweatshirts and Sweaters for the Modern Girl

A stunning street styler at the Spring '14 shows in NYC - Fairchild Photo Services

Originally posted in The LOOK

I was busy covering World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto last week, loving every moment of the street style madness, but instead of buttoned-up shirts and form-fitted dresses, you know what I saw on practically every editor, model and blogger (self included)? Sweats. Once reserved strictly for do-nothing weekends, cozy sweatshirts and slouchy sweaters are currently enjoying a major moment in the world of fashion. But to be clear, this is not your average old hoodie here. I'm talking jeweled, studded, and boldly logoed crewneck sweatshirts along with slouchy, super fuzzy and borrowed-from-your-boyfriend sweaters.

So how do you wear them without looking sloppy? Here are 3 of my favourite ways to properly break out your sweats this fall:

READ MORE...

JOE FRESH Lightens Up for Spring '14

Joe Mimran gives a triumphant fist pump to his fans after the Joe Fresh Spring '14 show at World MasterCard Fashion Week. All photos by George Pimentel Photography.

As the lights dimmed at World MasterCard Fashion Week on Wed night, a collective hush fell over the crowd. We'd placed bets in the media lounge about how Joe Fresh would handle Spring '14 - some expecting all white, others hoping for bold brights. We all had our fingers crossed for a return of a happier, brighter JOE after his highly-debated collection for fall, all black and dark and '90s Paris edgy.  Would he bring it on? 

And then it began. A parade of chic navy looks in raw silks and frayed denim started the show (said to be inspired by modern artist N. Dash). Then came the Asian-inspired reds, in that perfect shade of Lady Danger orangey-red which made the strongest impact worn head-to-toe. Next came the prints - super fun blue and white zebra stripes, watery python prints, elegant Asian florals and cool blue camo with tough-luxe detailing throughout. And a hologram mini that sparkled and shimmied its way down the runway to the beats of Britney's 'Work B**ch' made us all swoon. The whole collection felt modern and cool with just the right amount of edge, and unlike last season, the theme didn't seem the least bit forced.

Creative Director Joe Mimran said, "This season, we refined the essence of the brand. Functionality as the new chic has become the Joe Fresh guideline. The collection is sexy and cool while maintaining a classic refined look."

As LOULOU Magazine's Liv Judd-Soye, and The Style House fashion plate Afiya Francisco and I headed to the Joe Fresh after-party at Lee, we all agreed; Joe Fresh totally killed it for Spring '14. On my ever-growing shopping list: The blue silk skirt with the white tiger tee, the zebra-print midi skirt, the croco-print mini with the midnight blue sweater, the red silky pants and the liquid sparkly skinnies and blazer. Note to self: Must edit - though I'm not sure whether I should shorten my list or cull my closet to accomodate these beauties.

The Spring/Summer 2014 “Fresh off the Runway” collection will be sold exclusively at select Joe Fresh store locations, though I'm hoping the collection will follow the Fall '13 lead and go online next spring. Fingers crossed. x

While fast fashion is certainly not without its flaws, I'm heartened to see the important steps Joe Fresh has taken lately to make things right. See this article in yesterday's Globe and Mail to see how the company is responding to the Bangladesh disaster. Do you think it's enough?

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
•