BR's Spring '12 Mad Men Collection

Photos courtesy Banana Republic

Following Banana Republic's first ‘Mad Men’ collection last August, the store has announced a second spring capsule collection, sure to help us achieve that 1960’s polish and panache of the hit show.

Designed by Banana Republic in collaboration with Emmy® Award-winning Mad Men Costume Designer Janie Bryant, the collection features over 40 pieces of apparel and jewelry for men and women and embodies the style tenets of the time, including polished sportswear and chic essentials. 

The collection hits stores across Canada March 1st, but you can get a sneak peek tomorrow (that's Wed Feb. 29th) at Yorkdale Mall from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Get chic 60s style with a ‘How to Get Mad Style’ presentation (6:30 p.m.) from noted style expert Tammy Palmer, makeup artist demos of the perfect red lip and winged eye liner, retro cocktails, appetizers and more.  Also, with any $150 purchase, you'll receive a Season 4 Mad Men boxed set and $20 Yorkdale GC.  We all know that mixing cocktails and shopping is never a good idea, but sometimes it's just so fun to be bad...

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

Topshop Gears up for Fall

Topshop's signature eclectic, quirky style is ready to make its mark in Canada and I just got my hands on the their fall lookbook.  The collection encompasses 4 key looks:  Psychobilly - a cool blend of 60s mod mixed with rockabilly style, Thrift - ultra-girlie vintagey pieces, Glamrock - full-on 70s grunge-free glam and Bavaria – luxurious, cozy pieces with a folksy feel.  I must be having a Dorothy moment because those glittery silver boots must, MUST be mine! 

Toronto's flagship store opens October 5th at Yorkdale Mall and for those who simply can't wait, capsule stores will let you pre-shop Topshop (The Bay Queen Street's shop is open now, Vancouver's capsule store at The Bay - 647 Granville St, 2nd floor - opens Sept 15th and Calgary's capsule store at The Bay - 200 8th Ave SW, 3rd floor- opens Sept 17th)

Click on the thumbnails below to check out more fall lookbook pics.  Fun!:

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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