Uniqlo is Finally Coming to Canada

No trip to NY is complete without a stop at the massive 89,000 sq. ft. Uniqlo on 5th Ave.

While some of us continue to mourn the loss of Target, today's news (kind of, sort of) makes up for it. After years of speculation, Uniqlo is finally coming to Canada! The Japanese fashion-fashion giant announced this am that it will open its first two Canadian stores in Toronto in 2016 - the first at Yorkdale Mall and the second at Toronto Eaton Centre. “We embrace this milestone as an important step in the growth of our brand,” said Larry Meyer, chief executive officer of Uniqlo USA and Canada.

Uniqlo is a powerhouse in the cheap-chic world of fashion, with over 1,500 stores now operating worldwide. The store carries well-designed basics in every colour, making it a go-to for stylish minimalistas everywhere, including celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow. So what makes it different than a Joe Fresh or GAP? While Uniqlo has the power of scale to keep its prices low, its focus remains on fabric over fashion. According to this article in NY Mag, Uniqlo keeps a team of takumi, or textile “masters,” on staff who specialize in areas like dyeing or sewing. A typical order will be around a million units of denim, fleece, or cashmere—often all the material the supplier makes. The company further increases its buying power by offering a smaller selection of fabrics, across a more limited selection of styles, than most other retailers.

We can't wait to finally be able to shop Uniqlo at home but as always when a retailer enters the Canadian market, we approach this new relationship with a healthy amount of cautious optimism. Will the prices be as awesome as they are in NY? Will we get the selection we expect from a giant like Uniqlo? And most importantly, how will this takeover affect our beloved Joe Fresh?

 

BREAKING | Target Leaving Canada

This morning's news is hard to believe. I mean, we knew we were having problems. But, was it really that bad? Couldn't we have worked it out?

Target sent shockwaves through Canada this morning with its decision to shutter all 133 of its Canadian stores due to poor sales. After launching here in March 2013, the company lost almost $1 Billion in its first year, and while losses have decreased since then, the chain continues to lose money daily. "After a thorough review of our Canadian performance and careful consideration of the implications of all options, we were unable to find a realistic scenario that would get Target Canada to profitability until at least 2021," the U.S. parent company's CEO Brian Cornell said in a release today. The company's 17,600 Canadian employees will receive 16 weeks of compensation during the shutdown period.I get it. They had to go. It was a failed project from the start. That bullseye's looking pretty prophetic now, isn't it?

But anyone else feel like they were just starting to fall in love with Target Canada? I loved using my Red card. I adored so many of the designer collaborations. Those little Starbucks cupholders that attached to the shopping carts were a stroke of genius. The Hallowe'en/Christmas/Easter section was the best. And does this mean we won't be able to get our hands on the Lily Pullitzer for Target collection this spring? Ack! 

Even though we could sort of see this coming, the speed of the retreat is shocking, isn't it? Goodbye Target. I, for one, am sad to see you go. 

See the Joe Fresh Summer '15 Lookbook

Pics via Joe Fresh

I'll do anything to avoid the cold right now - and if that means jumping on a plane and heading someplace steamy, I'm willing to do it. However, since 'willing' and 'able' are unlikely to coincide this month, I've settled on vacationing vicariously through other people's hateful Instagram feeds. It's just mean, isn't it? I've found that browsing the spring/summer collections also helps. The Joe Fresh Summer '15 Lookbook just dropped if you're looking for ways to escape, too. It's a bit of a slow burn, this one - but I've found a little black jumpsuit (see above), some sporty mesh and some head-to-toe whites that will def be making their way into my wardrobe once the snow melts. Enjoy!

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SUNSHINE STATE | Take a Sneak Peek at the Lilly Pulitzer for Target Collection

Photos via Target 

Lilly Pulitzer prints have always been a fav in my family. But while you probably recognize her prints, you might not know the history of the brand. As it turns out, Lilly Pulitzer's foray into fashion was almost accidental. The Palm Beach socialite's husband, Peter Pulitzer, owned several citrus groves, so Lilly turned the oranges into juice which she sold at a juice stand off posh Worth Ave. Not content to look anything but fabulous, Lilly created printed shift dresses to wear while working at the stand, since the pretty prints hid juice stains beautifully. The dresses quickly caught the attention of passersby, including one Jackie Kennedy, she started selling her dresses at the stand, and American resort wear was born. While Lilly passed away in 2013, her legacy continues with her signature beach-perfect prints.  

While some hilariously mad-as-hell Lilly snobs took to Twitter to express their outrage yesterday, the rest of us can rejoice. Lilly Pullitzer is coming to us non-Palm-Beachers at Target this spring! The limited-edition 250-piece collection features 15 exclusive prints (read: works of art) and includes apparel, accessories and shoes for women and girls, plus home accents, outdoor entertaining accessories, beach gear, beauty and travel accessories. 

The late Lilly Pulitzer is famous for having said, “style isn't just about what you wear, it's about how you live.” We're prepared to fully embrace this sentiment when the collection hits stores April 19th. And if the sneak peek pics below are any indication, it looks like we'll be living the good life (and throwing a lot more parties) this spring. Those dresses! The bikinis! The starfish sandals! The patio-perf placemats and cocktail glasses! Can you even?! Follow this blog and @TargetCanada | #LillyForTarget on Twitter are all Lilly-related updates. Eek! 

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Alex from Target

The pic that started it all...

You've heard of Alex from Target, right? Girl snaps a pic of a hottie cashier at Target over the weekend, posts it to Twitter, and suddenly 'Alex from Target' is everywhere. Girls collectively freak. Confused moms across the US get dragged to their closest Target just in case Alex happens to be working. Marriage proposals flood the Twitterverse. Alex from Target goes from checkout boy to being checked out by millions.

Yup, Alex from Target is everywhere. Sigh...swept up into fame so young. Just hope he stays grounded.

Just thinking aloud here but Alex from Target could singlehandedly turn things around for Target Canada. If they can get him here...

It's clearly Monday.

Some funny 'Alex from Target' memes on Twitter right now. The fan fiction is my fav...