Boa sells cute, flirty and affordable fashions, and has three boutiques, one in north Toronto, on by the gorgeous Beaches area in east Toronto, and one in Oakville. Ofra, one of the owners, contacted me about sponsorship to coincide with the launch of their new website and online boutique.
It has been 15 months since I launched the sponsorship program on Final Fashion and I am so grateful to share the site with new and returning sponsors. This month it is a pleasure to welcome…
Bicyclette is a brand-new online boutique being created by fellow Ryerson fashion grad Paige Boersma. I first saw Paige’s work at the 2010 Fashion Communications graduate exhibition – she has a clear and focused vision for her brand which she describes succinctly as “urban city life with a whimsical twist: street style meets fairy tale“. Paige an active twitterer and blogger who candidly sharing the process behind her new venture. Looking forward to the big launch!
Encore applause all my returning sponsors – say hey:
It has been 13 months (over a year!!) since I soft launched this sponsor program on Final Fashion. To see it grow and thrive has been truly amazing, and the support of so many like-minded businesses provides ever-more inspiration for me to make this site all it can be for the benefit of everyone involved. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Ask me how.
This May I have two stellar new sponsors taking their places the sidebar. Allow me to introduce them -
Rock-it Promotions is one of Toronto’s top independent PR agencies, specializing in fashion, lifestyle and talent. The lead rock star at rock-it, Debra Goldblatt, has been keeping an eye on bloggers for years now – she played a key role in giving us access to Fashion Week in Toronto back when you could count the fashion bloggers in Toronto on your fingers. That also means that she’s been following Final Fashion long enough to remember how scrappy it used to be. To have a respected PR company like Rock-it invest in Final Fashion, to me, validates years of effort building the site’s credibility. That rocks.
As I have mentioned before, and will again, the fact that the 2010 Julian Roberts Subtraction Cutting Tour is coming to Ryerson University in Toronto is off the hook. What is it and why am I so psyched? Check out this post. And buy tickets!
Much thanks to all my returning sponsors – please check them out:
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 MerchandisingDate: Thursday, April 8, 2010
5:30pm Doors open for Coffee & Networking
6:00pm Seminar Presentation with Q&ALocation: Toronto Fashion Incubator
285 Manitoba Drive, Pod 3, Exhibition Place, Toronto
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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.
It has been 11 months since I soft launched the experimental sponsor program on Final Fashion and I have been amazed with the response. Having the support of these wonderful businesses on the site not only allows me to put more energy into producing content, but its also genuinely thrilling to be working closely with other entrepreneurs, learning more about what they do, and sharing the stage on Final Fashion for everyone’s benefit. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Ask me how.
This March I have two terrific new sponsors joining the stellar lineup in the sidebar. Allow me to introduce them -
18karat is two brothers, Dino and Massimo Giannetti, who are continuing their family’s legacy of fine Italian goldsmithing from their shop in downtown Toronto. Vanessa Laurin made the initiative to introduce me to 18karat and the community they work with at a small reception. They are fascinating people – friendly and easy to talk to, passionate about craftsmanship and fine materials, their industry and sharing knowledge and ideas. The showroom and the studio are one and the same, it is a creative and inviting atmosphere. Dino kindly answered my questions about his work, showing me how he hand-carves the wax prototypes to cast, to produce the reference material for their badge.
Magnet Creative is the culmination of over a decade of experience in the fashion industry for my friend Gail McInnes. Gail is kind, smart, hardworking and fun, and she brings all these qualities to bear for her clients, specializing in events, marketing, research and talent. Speaking as someone who has benefited from Gail’s know-how and considerable network, she is a formidable force to be working on your behalf. No matter what level you are at in the fashion industry, if you are in Toronto you should definitely check out her new blog, Fashion Magnet – Gail shares her insights, real opportunities for jobs and networking, and of course fun fashion stuff.
Encore cheers for all my wonderful returning sponsors!
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 presentsThe Makings of a Teapot PincushionCut 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 433Classes 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.comfor 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.
Very pleased to have my favourite fashion fundraiser, Buy Design for Windfall, supporting Final Fashion for February and March. The theme this year is “1930s Spring Social” and the accompanying photoshoot was a lot of fun (yes I did a rare stint as a model). Check out the gorgeous website which just went up this week to see the pictures, and if you’re going to be in Toronto in April be sure to buy a ticket. Buy Design always has the best crowd and the most fun, all in support of a marvelous cause.
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, 2010Make 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.
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