A word from… is a monthly news post contributed by the incredible sponsors who support Final Fashion. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch.

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Nina from the Toronto Fashion Incubator says…

tfi Press & Buyers Breakfast – spring 2011

Apply to participate to meet KEY media & retailers ONE-ON-ONE at the best and brightest event of the season! - October 5th

NEW! Pop-up shop too! Make direct sales to the consumer & earn CASH – October 4th

It’s easy to apply! Just email tfi@fashionincubator.com requesting an application.

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Ashley from rock-it promotions says…

Everyone loves a good deal. If you’re ever online, you’ve probably noticed ads, blog posts and news articles about the online group-buying explosion. With lots of daily deal sites to choose from, we’re focusing on Canada’s trend-leading, group-buying phenom, TeamBuy.ca.

TeamBuy.ca is an amazing group-buying site and city guide founded, built and managed by young Canadian entrepreneurs (and pals) Edward Yao, Andrew Hutchings and Ghassan Halazon. ??The site offers up a daily deal of 50 to 90 per cent off at hundreds of restaurants, events, spas, yoga, theatre, and more in your city. A daily deal is delivered to your inbox each morning to give direct access to the deal and if enough people sign up for the deal, everyone benefits from the mega discounts!

TeamBuy.ca is live in Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax and Montreal, and will launch soon in Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and other cities across Canada.

They’ve offered up great deals like $10 for a $20-gift card to Z-Teca Gourmet Burritos (more than 1,400 Torontonians scooped this one up), $40 for a $67 wine tasting experience at Crush on Niagara wine tours, and $20 for a $57 hot bedrock bathing and yoga session at Iyashi Spa (purchased by 596 Torontonians). These are *seriously* good deals.

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Vanessa from 18Karat says…

Over the summer our shop has been stocking up on beautiful and unusual jewellery pieces made by local artists. From the fun and vibrant coconut shell earrings by Lara Bazant, the Turkish inspired mosaic and cameo pieces by Murat Tunc, and the hand forged stainless steel and gold necklaces by Meredith Robb – all pieces are hand-made in Toronto. These designers are unstoppable – new pieces arrive weekly! And when we are not busy showcasing local artists and hosting juried shows, 18Karat is still imagining, designing, and creating beautiful custom jewellery.

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Paige from Bicyclette says…

I am pleased to announce that Bicyclette Boutique has officially launched! On August 11, the “doors” to the online store were opened, showcasing a finely curated assortment of pieces, from brands such as Wildfox Couture, Seneca Rising, Dolce Vita, Trash & Luxury, Central Park West, Soos Rocks and Oh Dina. Selected summer merchandise is now on sale, and fall is beginning to trickle in, including the addition of Biko, Mink Pink, Funktional, Splendid, and James Jeans to the roster. Lots of exciting things to come from the Bicyclette studio.

A word from… is a monthly news post contributed by the incredible sponsors who support Final Fashion. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch.

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Lisa from rock-it promotions says…

We’re expressing our personal style with original pieces from Made You Look Accessories. Buying unique, locally made pieces satisfies our fashion cravings.

Here are a few of our current favourites:

Tiny Tie necklaces ($30) by Tweek, are reclaimed, up-cycled and reconstructed onto a nickel chain to create this one-of-a-kind necklace. Totally cute and a great conversation piece for any summer soiree.

Syn Accessories has charming and affordable earrings ($12 to $30) in the shape of cassette tapes, ladders and meat cleavers. Great for a hostess gift in place of a bottle of wine.

The lovely Boho Collection by Nicole Kagan features some stunning statement necklaces, like the Scribble Bib ($185) necklace show below. This is an investment piece that you won’t regret.

Made You Look (1273 and 1338 Queen Street West) is a collaborative of more than 100 Toronto-area, self employed jewelry designers. Each designer has a unique take on accessories. There are 20 on-site designers manufacturing beautiful things in the store, so go for a visit and make sure you have some time to spend browsing.

For more about Made You Look, visit their website.

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Vanessa from 18Karat says…

This year has been a lot about building on some of the new ideas and concepts began the year before. Blending our retail space into a gallery space that promotes local artists has certainly numbered as one of our successes.  Not only are we providing a space where young artists can take their first shot at showing their work to the public, we are also actively promoting to the public our belief that jewellery can be art, not just an accessory. Like every other creative community in the city, the jewellery arts are thriving and we can’t help but be passionate and excited about it.

As the Emerge 2010 group show featuring recent graduates from George Brown’s Jewellery Arts program wraps up, our first ever juried art show begins August 9 – 21st. Envy seeks to use what is coveted to explore the complex and vast means in which we express our insatiable desires. Please join us at 275 Dundas Street West on August 9th from 5 – 7pm as we host an opening reception for all the artists involved in the show, at 18Karat.

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Paige from Bicyclette says…

The past few weeks have been a blur of activity in the Bicyclette studio as the final arrangements are made to launch the online store. One of the most exciting things for me is putting together the photo shoots: gathering inspiration, styling the looks, working with hair and makeup, and collaborating with a team of talented individuals to bring the vision to life. For the most recent shoot, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and took to the streets, bicycle in tow, of course. I thought I would share a sneak peek of one of my favourite look book shots from the day.

A word from… is a monthly news post contributed by the intrepid sponsors who support Final Fashion. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch.

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Darlene from Bijouxbead says…

Inspired by Danielle’s workspace post, I thought I’d share mine. My workspace is small, but inspired and functional, as long as I keep it tidy. A 7′x6′ space with chocolate brown walls, a window overlooking the ravine on the left, and a doorway opening to my living room on the right. The only furniture is a caramel mottled caramel and amber coloured Marmolium tabletop resting on two black filing cabinets, a Herman Miller chair, and an old bar cabinet that once belonged to my grandfather. Like Danielle, I too have a 27″ iMac, and am grateful for the extra legroom now that there isn’t a cpu under my desk.

I’ve been spending the majority of my time in here for the last three months working on a new collection, which is now complete, and will be shot later this summer. Every week from April through November I gather flowers from my gardens and put them on the antique blanket box or fireplace mantel in the living room to help keep my creative juices flowing.

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Ashley from rock-it promotions says…

Spending more than you can afford ruins the pleasure of finding a great new pair of jeans or cute top (and the fun of wearing the new item)!  True story: The Canadian consumer debt load has risen from 15% to 20% in the last ten years. Yikes!

Here are a few tips from Consolidated Credit to help you decide which pair of stilettos are really worth it, and which pair you can leave behind. The sooner you’ve got the budget in check, the sooner you can grab those cute cargo skinnies you’ve been eying.

• Shop at consignment shops, and consider rebuilt and pre-owned items.
• Don’t buy on impulse. Purchase only the items you originally planned to get. Limit the amount of cash you carry as well as the number of credit cards.
• Make two shopping trips before you buy. On your first trip, compare prices, then think about the item’s price and value (and how much you love it), and go back to the store a second time to make your purchase.

For more shopping and saving tips, check this out.  Being in debt is scary, but there are experts out there you can talk to. Consolidated Credit is a non-profit debt counselling service offering support and education programs. Topics include learning how to budget, get out of debt, and use credit wisely.  Give them a call to talk to an experienced counsellor at no charge – 1-(800)-656-3920.

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Nina at the Toronto Fashion Incubator says…

PROMOSTYL INTERNATIONAL TREND RESEARCH AND DESIGN AGENCY

40 YEARS OF VISIONARY FUTURE INTELLIGENCE AND CREATIVE DESIGN TOOLS FOR THE GLOBAL MARKET.

SEMINAR: Fall/Winter 2011/2012

Date: Tuesday, July 27th Time: 5:30pm Doors open for Coffee & Networking
Location: Toronto Fashion Incubator, steps away from Liberty Village
Register NOW online at www.fashionincubator.com in TFI Shop

If you are not a TFI Member but want to come to this seminar, join TFI’s Outreach Membership program today. It’s open to everyone including you! Join online today online at www.fashionincubator.com/shop

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Vanessa from 18Karat says…

Emerge 2010 marks the second year that selected graduates from George Brown’s Jewellery Arts Program take center stage at 18Karat. After completing an intensive three year course, these students-now-goldsmiths have embarked on a journey through the curious world of professional jewellery design. This show features the works of five young artists: Mariangela Aguirre, Ivanne Binetruy, Tara Brownlee, Jennifer House, and Kathleen Kerr and we are excited to be able to host their first show – post-graduation. Emerge 2010 opens July 5th, with a reception to be hosted from 5 – 7pm, until July 31st.

A word from… is a monthly news post contributed by the sponsors who support Final Fashion. All of these sponsors are intrepid entrepreneurs with a lot of personality, and I encourage you to check out what they are doing and making. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch!

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Michelle from rock-it promotions says…

The average person walks 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day, and ladies that is a lot of foot work in our heels! Beginning Thursday, May 27, Che Bella Spa (10 Castle Knock Road, Toronto) will transform into Red Door every Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 7 and 11 p.m. to exclusively offer blissful evening foot massages for your tired tootsies. The 45-minute treatment includes a hot foot soak and a tranquilizing therapeutic massage of the feet and legs, and retails for $55 per person, $100 per couple and $185 for a group of four.

It’s a perfect setting for bridal showers, a night out with friends or a romantic date night, and with its recent renovations Red Door clients will experience a beach-inspired serenity in the classic Victorian space.  Looking for a relaxing night out? Book your appointment today at www.red-door.info or (416) 485-1225.

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Nina from the Toronto Fashion Incubator says…

JUNE 10, 2010 – BUSINESS AGREEMENTS

Are you starting or dissolving a fashion business with a friend, investor or relative?  Are you looking for an investor and want to know how to protect your share of the business?  Have you been approached by a company to do some freelance work for them? LEARN about your rights and responsibilities BEFORE signing on the dotted line!

Sabrina Fiorellino from Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP will be at the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) for one night only to answer your questions about entering into business agreements and partnerships. Learn about potential issues before they happen or what you can do now to solve an immediate situation.

This seminar will not repeat so don’t miss out! Space is limited. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW online at www.fashionincubator.com/shop

Date: Thursday, June 10th, 2010
Time: 5:30pm Doors open for Coffee & Networking 6:00pm Seminar Presentation with Q&A
Location: Toronto Fashion Incubator 285 Manitoba Drive, Pod 3, Exhibition Place, Toronto

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Vanessa from 18karat says…

Spring time brings new jewellery items lovingly created by local artists into 18karat. All are characterized by vivid colours and textures, perfect for updating your wardrobe for the warm and sunny months ahead. Inna Gorshtein from Ingo Jewelry has really begun to push her wire-work and has started to incorporate some very unusual gems into her collection. Pepe Fernandez from Splendor Jewellery is continuing to blend ancient Mokume techniques with textured silver – treating silver wire as if it were cotton thread. Darlene Martin from Bijouxbead has continued to create pieces that are unique stories in and of themselves – this collection focuses on beautifully cool blues and silvers. These talented artists only make up a portion of the locally produced work currently available at 18Karat, so make sure to drop by and view them for yourself.

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Darlene of Bijouxbead says…

I recently had the good fortune of attending a one week amazing marketing course at Queen’s Executive Development Centre.  This was a full scholarship awarded to me after being featured on the CBC’s entrepreneurial program Fortune Hunters.  I was one of ten people in the course, and the only one with her own business.  To say I was intimidated  was an understatement, and it took me over a year to commit to going.

Once I was able to get past the language I was completely unfamiliar with, like CRM, value propositions, market segmentation and brand positioning, I started to realize that marketing was really common sense, but with a very important caveat;  that in order for a business to really be successful, you need a strategic plan backed up by metrics.  Once I understood this, my mind started racing so incredibly fast that I really couldn’t help myself.  I know the people around me saw it too.

A word from… is a monthly news post contributed by the sponsors who support Final Fashion. All of these sponsors are intrepid entrepreneurs with a lot of personality, and I encourage you to check out what they are doing and making. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch!

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Vanessa from 18karat says…

Dino has been hard at work creating wonderful new pieces in time for spring – and just in time for the launch of the new 18Karat website, www.18karat.ca. Now all of our lovely handcrafted gems are only a click away.

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Crystal from Fashion Crimes says…

Fashion Crimes recently teamed up with the imaginative illustrator Glen Hanson once again, to create the limited edition prints for a retrospective party hosted by The Drake Hotel. Pam and Glenn go way back, back to the beginning in fact. He stylized some of the original artwork for the store, and so it was just the perfect idea to bring him on board to help celebrate 27 years of Fashion and Fabulousness. Glen was a presence himself, wearing leather pants, and an open blazer, sporting chains and edgy hardware on his wrists. The amazing artist’s creativity went beyond pen and paper.

It was the perfect way to end Toronto Fashion Week. The crew from Fashion Crimes and many guests sipped on cocktails named after dresses at the store, while they got to peak at some of Pam’s designs from past to present.  Pictures of the Drake Event are available to view on Peter Tucker’s Flickr!

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Nina from the Toronto Fashion Incubator says…

May 10, 2010 – Develop the Right Product Line for your Clientele

Are you a retailer, accessory or apparel designer who wants to enhance your customers’ shopping experience? Discover an efficient buying structure to facilitate management and optimizes results.

Get your tickets now to attend this seminar to learn about:

• How to identify your target clientele & how this applies to your product line
• How to establish the best product mix
• The best way to follow up on your results

Michel Côté - Product Strategy, Consultant and Speaker

Meet Michel, a product strategist and consultant who has been part of the fashion and lifestyle industry for over 20 years. His experience in the areas of management, marketing, buying and product development helps him train designers, retailers and manufacturers to enhance their customers’ shopping experience. Discover his unique analyzing method that quickly identifies desirable product alignment.

Time: 5:30pm Doors open for Coffee & Networking, 6:00pm Seminar Presentation with Q&A
Location: Toronto Fashion Incubator, 285 Manitoba Drive, Pod 3, Exhibition Place, Toronto

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW online at www.fashionincubator.com/shop

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Ashley from Shopgirls says…

Shopgirls met Montreal-based designer Charlotte Hosten at Montreal Fashion Week and was immediately taken with her work. Her necklaces are a sublime melange of silk, glass beads, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals and the occasional men’s shirt collar. Needless to say, each piece is one of a kind and worthy of any jewellery-lover’s collection!

A word from… is a monthly news post contributed by the sponsors who support Final Fashion. All of these sponsors are intrepid entrepreneurs with a lot of personality, and I encourage you to check out what they are doing and making. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch!

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Vanessa from 18karat says…

18Karat is beefing up its gallery status – we are pleased to announce our call for entry for Envy – to covet and desire, a juried show. We invite jewellery artists and designers to enter works that explore the complex ways we express our insatiable desires using that which we covet most – jewellery. Exhibit runs from August 9 – 21st, with deadline for submissions on May 31st 2010. For more information, visit www.18karat.ca.

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Darlene from Bijouxbead says…

Bijouxbead’s fans on Facebook have grown 200% in the last week! Once the fan number reaches 500, Darlene will be awarding a lucky fan with a pair of semi-precious and sterling earrings from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection. To become eligible, become a fan here. Over 100 pairs of Bijouxbead earrings will be rolled out into stores in the coming weeks; Peridot, Turquoise and Amethyst are among the variety of stones used in this season’s collection. For a list Bijouxbead stockists, click here.

Bijouxbead fan Kimberly Lyn, blogger, The Souls of my Shoes
photo source Paul Baik

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Nina from the Toronto Fashion Incubator says…

Meet Hbc’s Fashion Director & VP of Merchandising

Suzanne Timmins, Fashion Director, Hudson’s Bay Company
Suzanne is responsible for providing the national fashion direction for Canada’s iconic department store and its complement of 94 stores across Canada. She has over 25 years experience in Canada’s diverse retail environments, ranging from luxury retailers, dept stores and mass consumer chains, notably Holt Renfrew, The Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters.

Mary Turner, Vice President of Merchandising, Hudson’s Bay Company
Mary brings with her over 20 years experience in better department store and specialty store retailing to the Hudson’s Bay Company. In addition to 10 years at the Hudson’s Bay Company, she spent 12 years at Holt Renfrew. During her tenure there, she had extensive store operations and merchandising experience. At The Bay, Mary oversees strategies for all apparel businesses for sales, merchandising and marketing.

Come to this seminar to discover:

* The future of Hbc and how Canadian fashion design fits with this corporate strategy
* The vision behind the Canadian Olympic team uniforms
* What’s in store at The Room, Hbc’s flagship luxury designer showcase
* The role and responsibilities of Hbc’s Fashion Director
* The role and responsibilities of Hbc’s VP of Merchandising

Date: Thursday, April 8, 2010
5:30pm Doors open for Coffee & Networking
6:00pm Seminar Presentation with Q&A

Location: Toronto Fashion Incubator
285 Manitoba Drive, Pod 3, Exhibition Place, Toronto

Buy Tickets Here

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Odessa from Buy Design for Windfall says…

Buy Design for Windfall – Spring Social – April 10th, 2010

Get ready to shake, jitter and jive at Buy Design again this year! Buy your tickets now for Toronto’s favourite fashion charity event, and make sure you’re a part of all of the Dirty Thirties fun! Encore Catering will provide a sumptuous, brown-bagged feast including Parmesan-encrusted Mac & Cheese, Mini Sirloin Burgers, and Miniature Hot Dogs in puff pastry! Wash these tasty delights down with one of our signature Buy Design cocktails from the open bar – and your next stop will be the rocking dance floor, featuring live entertainment and a DJ, to help take all your cares away.

Make sure to catch a game of badminton or croquet at the greens, and peruse the Mess Hall Silent Auction for a treat for someone special – or for yourself, of course! Jay Mandarino will be our Live Auction MC this year, and you don’t want to miss a moment of the bidding action. This year’s festivities will also include a Boater Pageant, featuring design collaborations from Toronto’s hottest fashion personalities and milliners including Lilliput, Lara Vincent and Petit Beret. And for those who love a good ol’ fashion game, the Beauty Balloon Buster gives you a chance to get all dolled up with prizes ranging from mani/pedi kits to lipsticks and much, much more!

Get your tickets online at www.buydesignforwindfall.ca, or by phone at 416-703-8435. $75 get you in on all the action, and for maximum fun, you can buy six tickets for just $375.  See you April 10th!

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Crystal from Fashion Crimes invites you to a party!

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Gail from Magnet Creative says…

It’s been a busy month over here at Magnet Creative. I started a new fashion blog, Fashion Magnet, which features interviews with industry professionals, job and intern postings, events and fashion news. I signed Soos Jewellery to our Publicity roster and booked them a spot on MuchMusic’s MOD (Music on Demand) on their first day with us! On Thursday, March 18 I coordinated Breeyn McCarney’s first independent fashion show to a packed house at The Courthouse in Toronto. Images can be viewed here. Flare, Toronto Sun, NOW Magazine, and BlogTO were just some of the outlets who came to cover the event. And lastly, I had a fantastic opportunity on Thursday, March 25 to choreograph and direct LINE Knitwear’s fashion show which featured some of country’s top models, including Alana Zimmer and Tara Gill.

In-between my packed LG Fashion Week schedule, I am prepping for a few jobs, most notably, the PR campaign for Starkers by Dianna DiNoble’s fashion show happening during Toronto’s Alternative Arts and Fashion Week [FAT] on Thursday, April 22 at 7:00pm. Ticket information is available at www.alternativefashionweek.com.

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Ashley from Shopgirls says…

We are so happy to announce that Shopgirls artist (and manager!) Ashley Winnington-Ball is participating in the first-ever Get Dressed on-site boutique at LG Fashion Week! Find her artful jewellery made from recycled and found objects in a high-end boutique setting, along with 20 other creative Canadian designers. On till April 1st! If you don’t make it, check out her brand-new website here, for images of her work. Of course, as always, her work is available exclusively at Shopgirls.

A word from… is a monthly news post contributed by the sponsors who support Final Fashion. All of my sponsors are intrepid entrepreneurs with a lot of personality, and I encourage you to check out what they are doing and making. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch!

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Ashley from Shopgirls says…

Shopgirls is excited to announce the arrival of Spring 2010 collections, which, as always, are exclusively Canadian-designed. Check out Stacey Zhang’s fresh new looks and prepare to fawn over Faren’s new Digital Grunge collection and Montreal-based Veronique Milikjovitch’s bias cut asymmetrical gems. New to Shopgirls: Matt & Nat bags and accessories, eco-friendly yet fashion forward. As per usual, you will also find the city’s best assortment of Yoga Jeans with new styles this season! These are but a few of our new arrivals… Visit us in the shop or on-line at www.shopgirls.ca.

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Nina from Toronto Fashion Incubator says…

Do you have the passion to be in fashion but don’t know where to start or what connections you need?

New TFI mentor Clint Scott has spent the past 12 years in recruitment, working with leading companies, locally and internationally. His passion and dedication has inspired him to coach hiring managers and partner with his clients to ensure they hire the best available talent for their needs.

Date: Tuesday, March 9th, 2010, 5:30pm Doors open for Coffee & Networking, 6:00pm Seminar Presentation with Q&A

Location: Toronto Fashion Incubator, 285 Manitoba Drive, Pod 3, Exhibition Place, Toronto

Tickets Available NOW online at www.fashionincubator.com/shop

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Darlene of Bijouxbead says…

Embrace Valentine Cocktail took place on Thursday, February 11 at Magnolia, 333 Eglinton Avenue West. The special event featured the wearable art of Bijouxbead by designer Darlene Martin who was there in person to greet guests.

The store was packed with a fashionable crowd sipping pink sparkling wine and enjoying cupcakes from Phipps.  Among the guests were  Yahoo! Canada’s senior lifestyle editor Renee Sylvestre-Williams, I Want I Got’s Anita Clarke, fashion designer Jamil Juma of Juma, The Soles of my Shoes’ Kimberly Lyn,  and executive director of the Toronto Fashion Incubator, Susan Langdon.

“I feel very fortunate that my work has been so well received by Toronto’s fashion community.  I was thrilled for the opportunity to show my work at Magnolia.  I attribute much of the event’s success to the diligent work of Magnet Creative‘s Gail McInnes.” -Darlene Martin, Bijouxbead

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Gwendolyne of Gwendolyne Hats says…

Atelier Gwendolyne presents

The Makings of a Teapot Pincushion

Cut and sew with felt to make your own!

This course takes place over 6 consequent Thursdays ~ April 22,  29, May 6,  13,  20,  and 27.

Held in my Atelier at the 401 Richmond St West building ~ Studio 433

Classes begin promptly at 6:30 and end at 8:30 pm

Instruction Fee is $240 plus GST, Material fee is $25 incl. tax.

Enrollment is limited, to reserve your place a non-refundable deposit of $30 is required

Call or email today 416-351-1219 gwendolyne@gwendolynehats.com

for other course information visit http://ateliergwendolyne.blogspot.com/

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Odessa of Buy Design for Windfall says…

BUY DESIGN SPRING SOCIAL is Windfall’s seventh annual dress up party!

On Saturday, April 10 at 8 pm, The Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery Historic District will be transformed into a dirty thirties fundraiser featuring a mess hall auction, croquet and badminton lawns and a swinging dance hall tent. Sip sidecars, sours and planters punch and parade across the big band stage in the boater pageant. Throw darts at the Beauty Balloon Buster game and sample brown-bagged bites from the country fare stands and bake sale.

Hosted by TV and fashion personality ADRIAN MAINELLA.

Tickets are $75 each or 6 for $375.  Visit our website at www.buydesignforwindfall.ca to order online or call 416-703-8435.

A word from… is a monthly news post contributed by the sponsors who support Final Fashion.  All of my sponsors are intrepid entrepreneurs with a lot of personality, and I encourage you to check out what they are doing and making.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch!

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Nina from Toronto Fashion Incubator says…

Guilty Pleasures is a fabulous fashion + food one-day, annual event that takes place during the City of Toronto’s Winterlicious Festival at The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W.). The Drake offers brunch to 350 fashion & beauty-minded patrons who enjoy an exclusive consumer sale featuring locally designed products from TFI accessory and apparel designers. The silent auction component that we introduced last year was highly successful, 100% proceeds went to community programming offered by the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI), our non-profit organization. This year’s event continues to include the DaLish Beauty Bar where attendees can receive mini-makeovers and beauty touch-ups, mini informal fashion shows and door prizes (for brunch patrons only, the brunch is sold out). What’s new is that the designer sale & silent auction are open to the public all day from 9am to 4pm.

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Ashley from Shopgirls says…

Shopgirls is proud to announce it here, this superb blog, first: there is a NEW and FABULOUS Shopgirls Blog! You’ll notice our gorgeous website doesn’t really have lots of room for story-telling, and telling stories about our artists and designers is what we’re all about! Thus, we created a blog to compliment our main site. Expect mini interviews with our artists, notes about new items in the shop, commentary on what’s happening in art and design around us, and much more! Come check us out and come often!

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Julie from LIV by Au Lit says…

We wanted to give Final Fashion readers a sneak peak of what to expect at LIV this Spring.  We’re introducing a lot of new brands like: Charlotte Ronson, Twenty8Twelve by S. Miller, Wren, Ella Moss, Rachel Pally, Bell, Rebecca Minkoff handbags, James Jeans, MinkPink, La Fee Maraboute, Wendy Mink Jewellery, Three Dot, Clu, James Perse, Left on Houston and Central Park West. Definitely worth checking out! See you in store!

A word from… is a monthly news post contributed by the sponsors who support Final Fashion.  All of my sponsors are intrepid entrepreneurs with a lot of personality, and I encourage you to check out what they are doing and making.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch!

Because of the holiday schedule, there are two sponsor posts this December, in case you were wondering.

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Darlene from Bijouxbead says…

I am planning on launching an online shop on my website early in 2010.

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Crystal from Fashion Crimes sends this…

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Michelle from Shopgirls says…

Feeling the post-holiday bloat?  Do not fret, Yoga Jeans will nip and tuck all your bits and still fit after you shed those extra pounds.  No need to pull out your fat clothes, simply drop by Shopgirls and we’ll take care of it!  Shopgirls carries the largest selection of Yoga Jeans which are now also available on-line at shopshopgirls.com

A word from… is a monthly news post contributed by the sponsors who support Final Fashion.  All of my sponsors are intrepid entrepreneurs with a lot of personality, and I encourage you to check out what they are doing and making.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch!

Because the December holidays interfere with the usual sponsor post schedule, there will be two sponsor posts this month – just a heads up.

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Nina from the Toronto Fashion Incubator says…

Every winter, TFI partners with The Drake Hotel to host a deliciously sinful fashion and food event taking place during Winterlicious, a festival of culinary delights in Toronto. At Guilty Pleasures, TFI accessory and apparel designers put their wares on sale at one of Toronto’s most interesting 19th-century buildings, The Drake Hotel.

LOCATION: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto
DATE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2010

Make SALES, gain EXPOSURE and have FUN while doing it!
This popular sale offers a guaranteed audience of 300 fashion enthusiasts who will enjoy a delicious Drake brunch before shopping for your wares (the brunch is already SOLD OUT!) The sale is also open to the public from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

DON’T MISS OUT! REGISTER BY DECEMBER 23, 2009 AND YOU’LL GET:

• A chance to WIN a party at The Drake Hotel for 40 – 50 of your closest friends where you’ll enjoy welcome cocktails & hors d’oeuvres
• Inclusion in The Drakes event press release
• An invitation to TFI’s Guilty Pleasures Designer Meet-And-Greet at The Drake Hotel where you’ll enjoy welcome cocktails and The Drake’s famous Strolling Dinner! It’s a great opportunity to view the space & have all of your event questions answered.

DOWNLOAD THE GUILTY PLEASURES APPLICATION AND SEND IT IN BY DECEMBER 23RD!

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Crystal from Fashion Crimes sends this…

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Ashley from Shopgirls says..

Stuck for last minute gifts this holiday season? Pick up a gift certificate at Shopgirls! Available in any denomination and without expiry, these beautiful cards are perfect for the creative loved one – they can be used for anything from our collection of over 90 designers across Canada, and will guarantee the recipient a fabulous and fun shopping experience!

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Julie from LIV by Au Lit says…

THE hottest look this season at LIV has been the legging/jegging/skinny jean with a high boot, a loose fitted tank (sequins optional) under a ‘boyfriend’ blazer or long cardigan. Dress it up for the holidays with a statement necklace and a stunning pair of earrings. We’ve really noticed that unlike previous holiday seasons, a lot of our clients are looking for comfortable (but always sexy) items rather than the usual holiday dresses. Hallelujah, no more dresses and tights! Let’s enjoy this while the sexy & sloppy trend lasts! Happy Holidays everyone!

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Gwendolyne from Gwendolyne Hats says…

‘Tis the season at Gwendolyne Hats
find many fantastic gift items for you and someone else.