Banana Republic Canada (Not So) Secret Sale

Banana Republic sent around a coupon early this morning for a three-day-only secret sale. Although the ad specifies it is for their "best customers only," it can surely be used by just about anyone! Since I love sharing a great deal, be sure to print out the coupon below to receive 30% off your entire instore purchase (including sale items) at any of Banana Republic's Canadian locations from April 24 to 26, 2009.



The fine print
*Offer valid April 24 - 26, 2009 at Banana Republic Stores in Canada only. Not valid online or at Banana Republic Factory Stores. Qualifying amount applies to merchandise only, not value of Giftcards purchased, alterations, applicable taxes, or shipping and handling charges. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts, including Gap Inc. employee discount. Reproductions or photocopies will not be accepted. Gap Inc. is not responsible for lost or stolen offer.

Lisa's Cosmetics & Fragrances Warehouse Sale

The spring warehouse sale for Lisa's Cosmetics/Fragrances Inc. is only a couple of weeks away. I go to this sale every so often when I need to replenish my perfume supply—the savings are just amazing: up to 80% off!

There you'll find make-up and skin products from Elizabeth Arden, Smashbox and Red Earth Cosmetics. There's also health and beauty products from Neutrogena, Aveeno, Dove, Pantene, L'Oreal, Sunsilk, Johnson & Johnson, Olay and Jergens. As for fragrances, there are too many designers to name here, but to give you an idea of what they stock: Armani, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada, Givenchy, Guerlain, Lancome, Oscar de la Renta, Yves St. Laurent and so many more. My personal favourite is L'Eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake. All designer items are authentic (though watch out for the obvious lower end imitations that they sometimes sell) and they even have great gift sets.

The Lisa's Cosmetics sale is taking place at 1380 Rodick Road in Markham, Ontario from May 2 to 5, 8 to 9 and 15 to 18. Hours: Saturday 9:00am to 6:00pm; Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm; Monday, Tuesday and Friday 10:00am to 8:00pm. Cash, credit (MasterCard & VISA) and Interac accepted.

For more information, check out lisascosmetics.com.


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French Connection Warehouse Sale in Toronto

French Connection is having their spring/summer clearance event this April! The warehouse sale is taking place at 14 Advance Road in Etobicoke (the west end of the Greater Toronto Area) from Wednesday, April 8 to Saturday, April 11 and continuing from Wednesday, April 15 until Sunday, April 19. The hours are as follows: Monday to Friday, 10:00AM-7:00PM and Saturday to Sunday, 10:00AM-6:00PM.

If you are driving, your best bet is to take the Gardiner Expressway. If you're taking public transit, Kipling Station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line is not too far away, about a 15 minute walk south. Etobicoke is a bit of a trek but you never know what gems you might find, for example, the perfect spring dress for the improving weather!


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The Big Fashion Sale by Quebec Designers: La Grande Braderie de mode québécoise 2009

As much as I love Toronto, this sale definitely makes me wish I lived in Montréal!

La Grande braderie de mode québécoise for Spring 2009 will be held from Thursday, April 16th to Sunday, April 19th at Marché Bonsecours, 350 St-Paul Street East in Old Montréal. The annual fashion sale of the top 50 Quebec fashion designers features samples and inventory-surplus womenswear, menswear, kidswear, handbags, hats, jewellery and accessories all marked at 50% to 80% off. Designers include Nevik, Muse, Dubuc Style, Nadya Toto, Marie Saint-Pierre, Shan, Envers, Michel Desjardins, Jean Airoldi, Sheila Dassin, Silikon, Rudsak, Lili-les-bains, Sylvie Germain, Geneviève Dostaler, Bodybag, Old River, Dino Gaspari. Visit the Braderie website for more information on the sale.

My favourite participant at the Braderie is Mackage, who sent me the below invitation to the VIP night on Wednesday, April 15th. Click on the image to get an enlarged version that you can print out and present at the event to be admitted!

Matthew Williamson for H&M Collection Video

On the heels of new images surfacing of the clothes, H&M has released a video—made available here via YouTube—of Matthew Williamson discussing his forthcoming designer capsule collection for H&M. The video allows a glimpse at several key looks from the line before the official preview launches on the H&M website. Williamson explains that the inspiration behind the collection was the chance to look back at his work from the past decade or so on his own designer label and consider the pieces he felt were special and memorable and representative of his strengths as a designer. The video also features H&M's creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch talking about the line.

Banana Republic To Open Accessories Concept Store

Women's Wear Daily reported yesterday that Edition by Banana Republic—a new 1,400-square-foot accessories, shoes and handbag retail concept store—will open on May 15, 2009 at the Westfield Mall in San Francisco. The pieces will be made of materials like Italian leather for handbags and semiprecious stones for jewelry. The accessories created for Edition will be part of a limited run and won't be sold online or at any other Banana Republic stores. The store will be merchandised differently than other stores to present a sophisticated, feminine and residential image and feel—the product will mainly be shown on open display tables.

The idea behind the launch—in these spendthrift times, women who may be reluctant to spend hundreds of dollars on fashion will be more inclined to purchase a less expensive necklace or clutch. According to Jack Calhoun, president of Banana Republic, “For our customers today, affordability is paramount and being fashionable is always in style. Edition is the perfect place for women to update their wardrobe with exquisite, limited edition and affordable accessories, especially in today’s economy.”

The location will likely serve to test the new retail concept, potentially making way for more of them in the future though no plans have as yet been made. Banana Republic's previous concept outing featured the limited edition BR Monogram collection and opened as a stand-alone store on Bleecker Street in Manhattan—however no other Monogram locations have opened to date. The recession has had an impact on the retailer, as their North American sales fell by 22 percent in January.

Tiffany & Co. To Open a Second Toronto Location

According to a press release from Tiffany & Co., the luxury jeweller will open a second location in Toronto at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Dufferin Street & Highway 401)—the first and only boutique in the city, until now, is located at 85 Bloor Street West. The release describes the new store as having a "5-foot-high façade with a Mondrian-like stone pattern, Black Zimbabwe marble arch, and Atlas Clock above the entrance. Tiffany's iconic, deco-inspired stainless steel doors will lead to a spacious interior of elegant jewelry salons with gleaming stainless steel showcases, mottled Makore wood and custom furnishings and wall coverings." It will include exclusive Tiffany & Co. collections such as engagement rings, statement jewels, fine and sterling silver jewelry, watches, gifts, accessories, and the designs of Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso, Jean Schlumberger and Frank Gehry.

On the subject of the spring 2009 launch, Beth O. Canavan, executive vice president of Tiffany & Co., explained that "Tiffany is well established in Toronto and it gives us great pleasure to provide our growing number of customers with the convenience of shopping in the ideally located Yorkdale. With its recent expansion and elegant upgrade, the centre presents the perfect atmosphere for us to serve everyone with the superior quality, craftsmanship and design excellence that are synonymous with Tiffany & Co."

The new addition comes despite recent news from Women's Wear Daily that Tiffany & Co. reported a 75.6 percent drop in fourth-quarter earnings and a "tepid" sales outlook. New York Magazine's The Cut noted that the jeweler—among other companies like Versace and Abercrombie & Fitch—is refusing to lower prices in order to preserve the luxury brand's integrity, despite the rollbacks being unveiled by competitors.

Holt Renfrew Bloor Street's Contemporary Floor Redesign

Holt Renfrew has unveiled a newly redesigned fashion-forward women's contemporary floor (level 3) at their flagship location at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto.

Holt's Creative Director John Gerhardt was influenced by an increasing desire for optimism in a time of economic decline: "It's interesting how people respond to colour, particularly bold colours... It's amazing how colour transforms our mood." Gerhardt drew inspiration from a wide array of references to create a fresh, new look he calls "bold new world": "There is a strong nod to the '80s in our redesign, with 'New Wave' and Japanese influences as well as references to Artists such as Dan Flavin, Shepard Fairey and Barbara Kruger, infused with a current nod to fashion's new-found fascination with Pantone primaries."

According to Barbara Atkin, Vice President, Fashion Direction for Holt Renfrew, the brand "continues to surprise and delight our customers, and our environments are a great medium to engage... Our new contemporary space makes our fashions more visible, invites our customers to experience elements of whimsy and the unexpected and showcases the accessibility of our great range of contemporary labels, such as Alexander Wang, Elizabeth and James, Opening Ceremony, rag & bone, and 3.1 phillip lim."

From now until the end of May, visit the women's contemporary floor in the Toronto Bloor Street, Montreal and Vancouver locations of Holt Renfrew for a dynamic mix of new fashions and activities ranging from DJs to graffiti artists.

20% Off at Club Monaco with Student I.D.

As of several months ago, Club Monaco in Canada and the U.S. are offering an extra 20% off regular-priced and sale merchandise when you present valid college or university student identification. And if you read the fine print, you will notice that this promotion is also valid for professors.

In times of recession, retailers have begun to curtail some of their more relaxed return policies. Club Monaco has joined the ranks of French Connection UK in making all sale items final sale. Meanwhile, Banana Republic (as well as sister companies The Gap and Old Navy) are reducing their return policy time frame from 90 days to 30 days. This is reasonable of course, but final sale items leave no room for buyers remorse.

New Images: Matthew Williamson for H&M

As mentioned in an earlier post, Matthew Williamson is designing an upcoming designer collection for H&M. Since then, new photographs have been released. The range appears to combine elements from Williamson’s previous collections—graphic prints, vivid colours, studs and metallic sheen, and a peacock motif are featured. On this subject, Williamson said that he "wanted to create an urban collection with my brand’s typical patterns and forms. It has been fascinating to search through the archives and select the most iconic garments, and then recast them for H & M." The pricing seems much like previous designer capsule collections, in other words not as affordable as H&M's own retail wares—a sequined minidress is priced at US$200, a silk jumpsuit (ubiquitous this season) at £150, a blue silk mix blazer at £70 and a tiered silk cocktail dress at £100 (no word yet on Canadian prices). While the exclusive women’s collection launching on April 23, 2009 will be carried in selected stores, a summer line for both women and men is slated for delivery to all stores in mid-May.

View the images at Spanish mode blog Fashionisma and Swedish pop culture blog Pause.se. The items on Stylefinder.com that I linked to in my last post on this subject have all sold out and are unavailable for viewing. It looks like we will have to wait until May magazine issues launch to see the official ad campaign, shot by Solve Sundsbo in Mexico with Williamson himself and star Canadian model Daria Werbowy.

So far I'm not excited by many pieces, except those in the ensemble shown below. I've definitely got my eye on the wide studded belt!

Now Online: Joe Fresh Style Spring 2009 Campaign + Joe Fresh Beauty Site

Joe Fresh Style's Spring 2009 campaign is now available on the line's website www.joe.ca (the campaign is headed by Canadian interactive agency henderson bas, who have a very clever website of their own: theniceagency.com). You can also enter to win a $1700 Joe Fresh shopping spree. A portion of the collection has already been introduced to stores—a few weeks ago I picked up a salmon classic trench ($59), one black and one denim pair of skinny jeans ($29 each) and a french cuff pink peter-pan collar blouse ($19), both of which show great attention to detail. In the lookbook you can view details of some of the items by clicking on the white square outline that appears when you hover your cursor over an image. Check out other individual items with the Mix 'n Match Tool—I'm keeping my eyes peeled for the tan fedora ($8) and the printed soft ballet flats ($16). Sometimes the fashions at Joe can be hit or miss, but when they're a hit, they're spot on! And for a great price.

I covered the Joe Fresh Beauty collection in an earlier post. Since then, the Joe Fresh Beauty website has officially launched! Now you can browse all the products I mentioned and more in every colour online. I just can't resist Joe's Fine Liquid Eyeliner at only $6!

The site quotes creative director Joe Mimran: “The approach we’ve used with the fashion collection translates beautifully to cosmetics. We want to dress our customers from head to toe and that includes make-up. For us, it’s always about value, style and quality.” And according to Elizabeth Margles, vice president of marketing, “We want to continue to surprise and delight our customers.” Mission accomplished!

Matthew Williamson for H&M: Spring 2009

English fashion designer Matthew Williamson, who left his post as artistic director of Pucci in September, is next in line to create a capsule collection for H&M. Based on the few images released to date, it looks like the designer will be carrying his signature emphasis on saturated colour, vibrant prints and feminine shapes over to the masstige line.

A press release from the Swedish retailer quotes Williamson on the subject of the collaboration: "It is an incredible opportunity to be working with H&M, creating a 'Matthew Williamson for H&M' capsule collection. I love the fact that H&M has created a new phenomenon in fashion through the pioneering concept of collaborating with high-end designers to create one-off limited edition capsule collections. I am thrilled that my creations for H&M will be accessible to and hopefully enjoyed by so many people around the world."

According to H&M's creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch, "Matthew has such a good eye and a way for working with prints that he mixes up in a new way. When he combines these things, you get a very contemporary London look. He is fantastic with piling on colour - it's a very stylish collaboration for H&M, and very much in line with the way we're thinking about fashion for spring/summer."

The exclusive women's spring collection will hit select H&M stores on April 23—for Toronto, this usually means the Bloor & Yonge and Eaton Centre locations. A second collection, including both men's and women's summer fashions, will be available mid-May. This line marks Williamson's first foray into the desiging of menswear and he will be modelling pieces, another first, in H&M's upcoming ad campaign. The campaign was shot in Mexico (print ads) and Brazil (television spots).

The UK website Stylefinder.com lists a few items from the collection including a silk jumpsuit, a silk tiered dress, a sequined party dress and a silk-blend blazer.

H&M Spring 2009 Campaign Features Shalom Harlow, Eva Herzigova and... Vincent Gallo?

Trendy Swedish retail giant and masstige brand innovator H&M's Spring 2009 ad campaign has launched and it stars the inimitable Shalom Harlow, Eva Herzigova and Vincent Gallo. Gallo at first seemed like a bizarre, unlikely choice but he cleans up well and looks surprisingly chiseled and modelesque alongside the professional mannequins. Harlow, Herzigova and Gallo look like they're having a fabulous time; the ads are fun, breezy, carefree. The dynamic shoot seems geared towards generating excitement and anticipation for the arrival of spring after a long, dreary winter—the weather will get warmer, flowers will bloom, not to mention we'll have to build a new seasonal wardrobe! The red geometric motifs add coherence to the campaign, adhering to a bright colour scheme of saturated reds, oranges and purples, which is tempered by clean neutrals white, tan, grey and black, and set against a stark, modern white background. For more campaign images, check out The Fashion Spot.

Anthropologie Opens in Toronto

The American home and fashion store Anthropologie is finally making its way to Toronto!

Canadians have already been able to order from their website but now we'll be able to browse in person!

Two locations will launch this spring, one in tony Yorkville and another in the newly redeveloped Don Mills Centre, which opens to the public on April 22, 2009.

I can't wait to get my hands on one of their chiffon flower blossom headbands! I cannot find this type of headband anywhere else near this quality or as artfully shredded.


Anthropologie's Spectral Jessamine Headband



Anthropologie's Blazing Star Headband