TOPSHOP opens tomorrow!

YAY!  After months of buzz, hype and the like, Canada's first TOPSHOP and TOPMAN stores officially open tomorrow!   Housed in Yorkdale Mall's The Bay, the UK-based brand will boast the same selection of trend-conscious pieces, specialized collaborations, and bespoke services that both brands have become internationally known for. 

So, what can you expect?  Yorkdale's TOPSHOP and TOPMAN will evoke the spirit of London’s iconic Oxford Circus store.  With just over 15,000 square feet of retail space, the store will span two floors within the Bay.  Polished black glass portal entries, matte porcelain flooring and white neon signage, will embrace the brands’ signature look.

 "The opening of TOPSHOP and TOPMAN signifies a momentous occasion for The Bay as we celebrate our first flagship, bringing a UK fashion landmark home to Canadians,” says Bonnie Brooks, President and CEO, The Bay. “We are excited to open the doors of the Yorkdale location to consumers on October 5th, and look forward to rolling out more flagships across Canada in the near future.”
 
Treats!  To kick-start the festivities, the first 10 shoppers in line will each receive a $200 TOPSHOP gift card.  Plus, shoppers will also have an opportunity to capture their favourite style scores in a special, in-store photo booth, and will be treated to complimentary TOPSHOP make-overs & homemade treats.  During the grand opening day, customers will be encouraged to enter the TOPSHOP London Calling contest, for a chance to win 2 tickets to London, including flights and 3 night’s accommodation, 2 tickets to the Topshop Unique Show, and a pre-trip shopping spree!  
 
S'gonna be a party y'all  Live DJs will provide entertainment over opening weekend and an exclusive TOPMAN branded playbutton will be awarded with any purchase over $50. Throughout the city, TOPSHOP TOPMAN street teams will surprise Torontonians with pre-loaded giftcards. For the best chance of keeping up with the TOPSHOP TOPMAN team, style-savvy consumers are encouraged to follow TOPSHOP TOPMAN tweets.
 
Don't Miss: Collaborations with Simone Rocha and Michael van der Ham; Smoke & Mirrors, a '70s-inspired cosmetic line;  emerging menswear designers including Uniforms for the Dedicated, Daniel Jackson, and David David; special, limited edition and Exclusive Canada-inspired TOPSHOP and TOPMAN items available for the duration of the launch period.
 
Can't Make it in? 

• Canadian online shopping, an international first, will launch on October 5th at thebay.com/topshop and thebay.com/topman.
• A Canadian specific social media presence has been created to keep fans across the country up to date on the brand. Twitter:  twitter.com/topshop_canada and twitter.com/topmanCA  Facebook:  facebook.com/topshopcanada and facebook.com/topmancanada

A J.Crew Giveaway

The Blythe Shirtdress with Marc Jacobs-esque polka-dot tights, photo by Johanna Simmonds

Over the weekend, Canadian shoppers have been tweeting, posting and clenching their credit cards in frustration over J.Crew's inflated prices since the brand launched its first Canadian store last week.  Though the in-store prices have only gone up about 15% compared to the U.S. (in my mind, not super significantly), the increased duties and taxes on the website have pushed up prices by as much as 50%. 

So, what's a preppy-chic out-of-Toronto girl to do?  Boycott?  Suck it up?  Or will you resign yourself to having to continue your cross-border treks? Personally, I'll be making the trip to Yorkdale Mall and paying the extra 15% - so much better than dealing with crusty border guards.  As promised, here are my top 10 J.Crew must-have's right now.

If you love J.Crew, you'll be excited about this:  I'm giving away my amazing swag bag from last week's launch party, duty-free, natch.  Want in on the action?  Simply tell me your fave J.Crew find or RT @realliferunway with 'J.Crew Swag Bag Giveaway' to win.  I'll draw the winner this Friday.  Bonne chance!

xo 

Inside J. Crew's Toronto Launch

Lulu Frost for J.Crew resin and crystal bangles and pendants.  Love, love, love.  

Yorkdale's super cute J.Crew staff - quick to lend a hand or an Italian-made shoe.

The 'Minnie' in Vibrant Flame - the pant that unquestionably got the most grabs that night; pretty scarves in fall's favourite hue; an owl that I wanted to take home, but didn't; silky socks and tights in every colour   

A eager-to-please waiter with spiked lemonade.  Drinking + Shopping = Good Times 

Clockwise from left: Jo looking saweeet in her lemon-yellow skirt; turquoise chains; chic PR people rocking some great high-low looks; Jo with her swag bag and scarf; lemons, before they were made into spiked lemonade.  Photos by Johanna Simmonds (except for the ones of Johanna Simmonds - she's good but not that good)

I normally like to post pics in black & white because, somehow, black & white always makes everything look more sophisticated.  And yet, when it comes to J. Crew, everything looks so much better in colour.  Jenna Lyons hosted the J.Crew Canadian launch party at Yorkdale Mall on Wednesday night and Jo and I got a sneak peek at the new store.  There are plenty of beautiful buys to be had and though I played the hater before, they totally made me a believer.  Prices were pretty much on par with the U.S, the merchandise was classic but totally modern and everything felt super luxe.  Or was it all that spiked lemonade that made it all seem so appealing?  The only thing I still can't wrap my head around is the price of their shoes.  Sure, they're made in Italy and are completely gorge, but a lot of them are over $200.  I just wouldn't...would you?

Have you checked out the new store?  Do you have any reasons left to cross-border shop?  Oh, and BTW, if you don't live near Toronto, have you heard that J. Crew is offering $9.95 flat-rate shipping anywhere in Canada?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts.  Be back a bit later with my top 10 must-have's and a fun giveaway.

Now, off to try on my Minnies and prepare my 3-year-old's b-day dinner request:  PC Macaroni, warmer milk and cotton candy ice-cream.  Is it bad that I'm excited for dinner?  Click thumbnails below for more party pics:

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J. Crew in Canada - Yay or Meh?

J. Crew Fall 2011 Preview - photo courtesy The Pursuit Aesthetic

Photo credit: Kate Allen/The Toronto Star

In less than a month, J. Crew will be opening its first Canadian doors at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto.  Behind the faux store front, workers are scrambling to ready the racks, perfect the lighting and bring in the well-loved merch that has made the American chain such a hit.  And while I'm undeniably excited about the new store's proximity, I'm feeling mixed emotions about a brand that used to be so hard to get.   Like the bad boy in school who suddenly dumped his hot girlfriend, I'm a little disappointed that J. Crew is now so, well, available.  Meh.  And while I will always adore J.Crew for its well-interpreted classics and prepster-chic 'tude, I have two concerns:  1)  Will the prices reflect the loonie's greenback domination?  2)  How will I ever make enough money to shop at Topshop, J. Crew and Intermix this fall?  Toronto is turning into Temptation Island, n'est-ce pas?

What do you think?  Is anyone else feeling the anti-climax or are you totally stoked that J.Crew is almost open?  

Hope you all have a perfect looong weekend.  xoxo