If you've ever had the chance to visit Paris, you'll understand the importance that French women place on their accessories. They might be wearing a pair of 10 yr.old distressed jeans and a $20 sweater from the local Monoprix but on their pieds are beautiful flats, on their yeux, a chic pair of designer shades, and on their bras, an expert edit of good jewels. Though each accessory plays an important role, none is quite so crucial to a woman's je-ne-sais-quoi as the scarf. And unlike most Canadians, a Parisienne never just throws on a scarf as an afterthought, allowing it to hang weak and limp around their well-moisturized cou. Oh non - the foulard must be given a starring role, with great attention to detail and a certain, practised flick of the wrist so that in the end, it looks as though you just grabbed it last-minute while running out of your pied-à-terre. Parisian insouciance, as it turns out, is anything but.
Everybody loves a good designer collab, allowing those of us who a) don't live in a big city or b) don't have an unlimited budget, to gain access to some of the world's top designers. This season, there are plenty of ways to do just that with a slew of covetable capsule collections. Here, some of our current faves....
The Store: Danier
Friends w Benefits: Greta Constantine & Philip Sparks
Collab Deets: Danier's ever-impressive list of designer collabs continues this Fall, with new capsule collections from Canadian designers Philip Sparks and Greta Constantine SKIN, as well as the release of Meagan Johnston's DANIER DESIGN CHALLENGE winning jacket (recognize any of this year's judges?) Each collection reimagines leather in beautiful ways - from Greta Constantine's sexy, modern take to Sparks' decidedly nostalgic flair.
Available: Greta Constantine SKIN items are available now at danier.com with Philip Sparks for Danier to be released later this fall.
The Store: ALDO
Friends with Benefits:FLARE Magazine‘s fashion director, Liz Cabral
Collab Deets: Liz Cabral has teamed up with ALDO Shoes a second time for Fall 2012. The editor, internationally admired for her flawless taste, has designed 2 pairs of covetable shoes for fall; an oxblood colour-blocked shootie ($155) and a lace stiletto bootie ($175, not pictured) as well as a roomy faux croc bag in red or blue ($70).
Available: In select ALDO stores now, online later this month
The Store: ALDO
Friends with Benefits: Preen & Patrik Ervell for ALDO RISE
Collab Deets: ALDO RISE, ALDO’s fashion week collaborations program, gives designers the chance to create and showcase the footwear they envision for their collections at accessible price-points. For London-based design duo Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi of Preen, the current crop of shoes is reminiscent of an English Garden, featuring striking butterfly and botanical prints in lush suede and rich leather perched atop a skyscraper heel. Meanwhile, Patrik Ervell combines various materials such as classic leather with utilitarian rubber soles and technical fabrics like nylon to create functional/fabulous footwear for both men & women. The ALDO RISE collection retails between $180 - $190.
Available: Now at select ALDO locations and online at aldoshoes.com
The Store: ALDO (again..I know)
Friends with Benefits: Manhattan's ultra-chic shop, WARM Boutique
Collab Deets: Taking a cue from The Shops at Target, The ALDO BOUTIQUE is a new collaboration program that seeks to discover great partnerships amongst ALDO's global network of talented tastemakers (think artists, musicians, architects etc.). Winnie Beattie and Rob Magnotta of WARM worked alongside ALDO's in-house designers to design a plush suede bootie for all seasons, available in taupe, camel & black ($125). Says Beattie, “I love this style because it can be worn with a runway dress as much as it can be thrown on after a surf on a cool day at the beach. It is cool, casual, and reminds me of something a girl from the Marais would wear if she was on her way to Biarritz for the weekend."
Collab Deets: For Vera Wang, simple, classic, elegant designs come naturally. The designer, best known for her luxurious bridal frocks, has created an extensive diamond ring collection, Vera Wang LOVE, available at People's, a next-to-foolproof way to thrill any girlfriend, wife or bride-to-be. The collection launched last year but it's worth a shout-out because sometimes, if you mention it enough, somebody (nudge, nudge) might get the hint.
Collab Deets: A few years back, silver fox Jay Manuel was appointed Creative Director of ATTITUDE Jay Manuel, Sears Canada's private label collection, which includes current, cool and (since it's Sears) blissfully affordable women's apparel, shoes, and accessories. This season's collection was inspired by the best of Britain - imagine colour-blocked cobalt blue and poppy red, plus studded Peter Pan collars and of-the-moment peplum accents.
LINE Knitwear x Roots Maple Intarsia Crew, $128, Roots
Preloved x Roots Mitts, $25
The Store: Roots
Friends with Benefits: LINE Knitwear and Preloved
Collab Deets: Roots always chooses the most interesting partnerships and this year, the collabs are especially cozy. Haute label LINE Knitwear is a go-to for celebs like Jennifer Garner, Kate Bosworth and Taylor Swift. The LINE Knitwear x Roots collection features iconic Canadian prints (beavers? check. maples leaves? ditto.) worked into cozy-luxe sweaters at an accessible price ($128 for a sweater). Next up? Preloved, a Canadian design co. that cleverly reworks vintage sweaters and fabric into pretty new pieces like cozy toggle scarves, and homepun-looking mittens. Devotees of the brand include Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson and Kirsten Dunst. Oh, and yours truly. Does that count?
Available: LINE Knitwear pieces available now at Roots and roots.com. Preloved in stores mid-October.
The pretty, party-ready MARTIN LIM for Reitmans collection
The Store: Reitmans
Friends with Benefits: Danielle Martin and Pao Lim of Martin Lim
Collab Deets: Partners in both love and business, Danielle Martin and Pao Lim, founded their label, MARTIN LIM, in 2010. Ever since, the fashion industry and customers alike have fallen for their sleek, sophisticated designs. The just-revealed MARTIN LIM for Reitmans capsule collection comprises 10 gorgeous dresses in regular, petite and plus-sizes, perfect for dancing your way through the upcoming party season. I'm most excited about the plus-size body-con dresses - such a welcome (and flattering!) change for curvy girls. Oh, and the video above? A hilarious must-see.
Available: Online Nov 1st at reitmans.com. In select Reitmans stores Nov 2nd.
Frye for Coach Fur Lined Engineer Boot, $398, Coach
PS - Couldn't include this one in my article for New Sudbury Centre but worth a mention:
The Store: Coach
Friends with Benefits: The Frye Company
Collab Deets: Founded nearly 150 years ago in Marlboro, Massachusetts, Frye has made boots worn by pioneers, cowboys and style icons. Frye now makes the coolest and most coveted boots in the world with their authentic styles and perfectly worn-looking leathers. For the Frye for Coach collab, Frye updated its famous Campus Boot and Engineer Boot, among others.
Available: Now at Coach stores nationwide and coach.com
In our unpredictable Canadian climate, there’s one wardrobe staple we can always count on; a proper topper. So what then to look for when choosing a new cold-season coat? A great colour, quality fabric and a flattering silhouette. Beyond that, it all comes down to love. To help you in your search, we’ve tracked down 10 of the season’s best outfit-making coats for every budget, so you’ll be totally covered once the weather turns.
For all 10 coats, check out this week's article at iVillage.ca
Yesterday, I bought this belt. Black leather-panelled leggings, cream chunky knit and flat boots in desperate need of a military twist. I tied it on, allowing the camo and hit of neon to partially hide out under my sweater. Then I made a pit-stop at Starbucks. Baristo peppered me with questions about my order (breakfast wrap with that? a pumpkin scone perhaps?) and then engaged me in a little friendly fire while staring not-so-subtly at my waist. Yup, full-on frontal assault. 'Where did you get that belt?' he finally demanded. 'Gap.' I replied with a curt nod. I rolled out, did a few army crawls through the parking lot and made it safely to my vehicle. Headed out at 1600 hours. Destination? Daycare. Had to do some serious progeny recon. Worked my way through the toddler mêlée until I reached my target. Son and I marched purposefully towards the parking lot. He glanced up and then, in a small voice shouted, "Cool belt, mom." Mission accomplished.
Pick up your Printed Calf Hair Belt ($34.95) (like now, soldiers) at Gap. Warning: it's well-camouflaged, naturally, but worth the search.
It's all about the statement sweater at the Spring '13 shows - photo by Phil Oh, Vogue
Nothing cuts the fall chill quite like a great sweater. The current crop of knits proves that sweater have come a long way, with richer-than-ever colours, modern digital details and playful prints, meaning fun and function can beautifully coexist in one cozy package. We’ve rounded up 10 of fall’s prettiest sweaters at iVillage.ca this week, with splurge vs. save options for each, so you’ll be properly snuggly all season long. Happy October! x
Friday, October 12, 2012 at 12:41PM 
