Ann Taylor Brings Hip et Chic to Canada

Elevator doors get the Ann Taylor treatment on the way up to The Carlu

We fell instantly for this yellow dress. Add it to the list...

Ann Taylor's Parisan chic Fall 2012 inspiration board

Sheer perfection (aka: a compelling reason to get excited for fall)

A mint angora-blend sweater with a pastel tweed skirt.  Oui, svp!

A live-streaming board from the Twitterverse.  Can you spot my tweet?x  Photos by Johanna Simmonds

Any time a new retailer comes to Canada, there’s always loads of hype and, like a hard-to-get crush, the object of our affection is usually extra attractive because it’s so unattainable. When I heard that Ann Taylor was finally coming to Canada, my heart skipped a little beat or two, yet I was wary because a) Other US retailers who’ve planted their flag in Canada have set a nasty price-jumping precedent and b) I wasn’t sure if the brand was too safe, too conservative for my taste.

My sister and I walked into last night’s Ann Taylor Fall 2012 Preview at the Carlu not sure what to expect. Fast-forward 15 minutes (and 2 glasses of wine) later and we’re chatting with other excited editors, snapping photos, tweeting madly (“Must Have these gloves...TO DIE! #newanncanada #newannrocks) and getting far too familiar with a pair of fall boots.  The Ann Taylor of Fall 2012 is so not the Ann Taylor that I remember from my past cross-border pilgrimages.  A major shakeup in the design team in 2008, under the watchful eye of Creative Director of Design, Lisa Axelson (formerly of Club Monaco), has brought a decidedly hip vibe to the conservative brand, with pieces perfect for both work and play. Classic, well-made separates cavort with neon rock necklaces, while a cool mint angora sweater looks Mad Men-esque with a pastel tweed skirt.  My sister had to literally dab my chin with a napkin (Fashion Party Fail) after I drooled over the pony boots (colour-blocked and spotted), and I instantly put a printed black & white pant suit and leather driving gloves on my mental must-have list.

Now, onto the dollars and cents;  Ann Taylor is impressively affordable (not cheap, but not guilt-inducing by any stretch) and word is that we can expect the stickers to pleasantly surprise instead of shock, when the stores open this fall.  Thanks for the invite, Ann Taylor.  I hate to rush summer but now I’m so stoked for fall. Check back soon for my Ann Taylor giveaway.  Eek!

Mental Note: Ann Taylor is set to open at Toronto Eaton Centre in October 2012, Yorkdale Mall in November 2012, and online in 2013.  

Stay In-the-Know: Follow Ann Taylor on Twitter @AnnTaylor and get on the mailing list at anntaylor.com for all the Canadian updates.

Want more party pics?  Click away on the thumbnails below:

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Stylish Gifts: The Father's Day Edition

David Beckham Bodywear for H&M - photo courtesy H&M

Help your guy feel closer to the glory of Becks with David Beckham Bodywear for H&M. The collection of tees, tanks and underwear delivers quality and longevity, with comfortable elastic waistbands, tags that don’t scratch, and seams that don’t rub against the body. I’ll admit it - I’ve touched the underwear and it really feels lovely.  Ahem...oh, and David Beckham boxers, briefs and trunks are on sale (2 for $20) until June 17th. Score!

For more stylish ideas for Dad, check out my gift round-up at iVillage.ca

Man Up

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

As kids, we worship the ground our dads walk on;  We're enthralled by their stories, rendered helpless by their tickles, and amazed by their mad skills.  After all, only dads can magically coax money from our ears and oh-so-bravely 'cut off' their own thumbs.  They sit through 4-hour dance recitals, help toss glitter at our fairy parades and tell us we're the best at everything, even when we're not.  Then we get older;  Suddenly our dads turn from chic to geek, and 'Daddy' is replaced by an exasperated 'Daa-aad!'  We ask for money for just about everything and then jump out of the car a few blocks early at school, because we are SO independent.  After highschool, it's all about quick pecks on the cheek and occasional phone calls crammed in between lectures and parties.  And through it all, our dads love us unconditionally, knowing that eventually, hopefully, we'll need and appreciate them again.  Funny thing is - even if we didn't, the good ones would love us anyway.  

This Father's Day, forego the typical cologne and black socks and give your proud papa something he's sure to love.  Whether's he's your action hero, a laid-back classic or gets giddy for gadgetry, these gifts will help him know just how much you appreciated all the little things. 

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there. xo

Maison Martin Margiela for H&M

As I mentioned on Twitter yesterday, H&M's next collaboration is a big one.  This time, the Swedish chain has gone full-on Parisian haute, with today's announcement of a fall collab with Maison Martin Margiela.  

“MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA is one of the most important and influential fashion houses of the past three decades. I am so excited by this radical collaboration, which will give fashion lovers around the world the chance to wear special pieces by MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA. This collaboration will be a great and memorable fashion moment”, says Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor at H&M. 

MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA is a decidedly unconventional brand; The French fashion house relies on the collaborative efforts of its team, who work together to deconstruct and transform fabrics into shape-shifting, volume-bending garments which typically look more like art installations than actual clothes.  Can't wait to see what the partnership produces...and more importantly, if the H&M masses will bite...

The MMM collection for H&M will be in 230 stores worldwide on Nov 15, 2012.  

Trina Turk for Banana Republic

The Trina Turk for Banana Republic Collection - Summer 2012

Darling, mix up a mojito and point yourself poolside.  It's summer;  Time to cast off your layers, slip into something breezy and lounge it up.  Though we can't all jet to Palm Springs or Ibiza, let your own backyard become an oasis of chill.  Grab your iPad, put your shades in the down position and place your chaise next to the pool (in-ground preferably but turtle versions will do)  Now, dial up the ambient noise with some live-streaming organic chill beats.   Your lady of leisure uniform? The new Trina Turk for Banana Republic collection, of course, complete with pretty Palm Springs-inspired prints, oversized pap-proof hats and cute Coachella 'kinis. The blissfully affordable (yet unmistakably Trina) capsule collection just went online but is selling out as fast as you can say, "Clink, clink.  Splish, splash."  Now, anyone know of a squad of cute cabana boys for hire? 

Trina Turk Medium Case, $45

Coachella Halter Swim Top , $85; and Coachella Bikini Bottom, $74

Trina Turk Citron Necklace, $85

Trina Turk Crazy Botanical Twist-Strap Dress, $160

Trina Turk Sun Hat, $74

Trina Turk Pisces Top, $74