Ah leather. How I love you

Yesterday after work I headed to Queen Street with the sole intention of buying Fables comics from the Silver Snail. Unfortunately along the way I got lured into the Rudsak store. The smell of leather puts me into a heavenly coma.
I've never been inside a Rudsak store before but I have seen a few of their collections on the runway at Toronto Fashion Week. When I saw their S/S 09 collection last October, I fell in love with their bomber jackets (in redish-pink, khaki and coal black) and their gorgeous leather bags. So I just had to take a look to see them up close.
First thing I noticed (besides that heavenly smell) were the jackets: Long coats with belts around the waist, fitted bombers in the softest of leathers, spring coats with a bomber look but in a lighter more synthetic material and loads of bags, wallets and other small accessories.

But what really caught my eye were the flats. I immediately asked to try on a classic black ballerina, leather flat that has a silver button/knob thing on the toe. They were gorgeous; so well-made, with soft leather and a sturdy bottom. Unfortunately they didn't have my size so I ordered a pair from Montreal. I can't find a picture of them on the website but take it from me; they are perfect to wear anywhere; at work, at a party, lounging about in the house, shopping, wherever.

There was also a great pair of party heels; open toe sandal with a cross cross construction and zipeer at the back. I resisted.

But the piece that I really wanted and almost died when I realized the price, was a fitted leather black bomber jacket. It had multiple zippers in silver and several pockets. The leather was very soft, and it fit me perfectly. Too bad I'm saving for an apartment. Or maybe I should be saying, too bad apartment, the jacket will be mine!

I'm trying to buy more clothes from Canadian stores because a) I believe that supporting our country's designers is really important b) Canada has amazing designers who make beautiful clothes and c) I don't want to give all my money to behemoths like H&M who make poorer quality clothes.

If you've never heard of Rudsak, I insist you check them out. The brand was founded by Evik Asatoorian in Montreal in 1994. They specialize in leatherwear and goods but they also sell t-shirts, shoes and bags. And I have to say that even though they can be a bit pricey, their stuff is timeless and will last you forever.

If you ever make it to L'Oreal Fashion Week, go to their show. And if the clothes aren't enough to entice you, the models are always super hot. At the show in October I couldn't stop staring at this super fine male model. Even Project Runway Canada winner Evan Biddell was drooling.

They have a few stores in Toronto and the GTA as well as in Montreal. Check out their site here.


I want this bag! Isn't the colour gorgeous?

Classic.Party shoes!

Ode to Annie Hall

I've been watching a lot of movies lately late at night before I go to bed. I need to stop this habit as it's making me feel like shit when I wake up at 6 in the morning. But after a hard day's work and then an intense workout at the gym I need to wind down, and a movie makes me relax like no man can (hee!)

Although my mom is angry at me for spending all my money on DVDs, she can't help but like my choices: Annie Hall, Manhattan and Manhattan Murder Mystery (all Woody Allen films) have made their way from my room into hers.

Thankfully, I'm able to watch them before she slips into my room and grabs them.

As a result, I'm in a New York state of mind and in love with Diane Keaton and her sartorial choices. Her clothes are iconic. For those of you who think that Avril Lavigne started the tie trend you are dead wrong. It was Annie Hall. Who could forget that masculine style that at once said "take me seriously but I don't give a shit whether you like me."

The buttoned up to the neck shirt, the little vest, the boyfriend pants and that tie; together they started a revolution in women's wear. And the style is particularly in fashion now as women (such as myself) are clamororing for "boyfriend" style clothes: long, loose jackets and blazers, wide-legged pants, buttoned-up loose shirts and men's ties. It's not always in fashion but it always reincarnates every decade.

I really think that Diane Keaton's clothes shaped the way women dress; gone was the need to wear dresses to be sexy. Her clothes made women feel powerful and emancipated from traditional women's clothing. But they still made a woman feel sexy and desirable.

And it's partially because of my love for that movie that has made me buy two vintage boyfriend blazers (see this post.)

Are there any movies that influence your style?

(Kate Moss is a huge fan of this style)

Oh no.....oh yes! Boyfriend jackets!

Saving for an apartment? What apartment? I can't think about saving money when there are gorgeous vintage boyfriend jackets on ebay that I must buy right now.



Gorgeous girl eh? Found them all from this great online vintage store Trendsetter Vintage.

So...should I spend just a little bit more money and get one? Or two? I really love the red one. Or should I buckle down and keep my money? Argh!

Update: I won the red blazer and the blue one (third pic down.) Can't wait to wear them!

Want it. Need it. Can't have it.

Kate Moss for TopShop Wing Jacket


Top Shop launched its first store in the States today; another good excuse for me to visit NYC. Pun, you listening? I'm going with you when you're apartment hunting!

But anyway- the jacket. I have a thing for fairies so for me, this is the holy grail of all jackets. I love the 3/4-sleeves and the short length of it. And it's leather! Perfect to wear to work and for a night on the town. Please, oh, please TopShop come to Canada!

Here are some more views:



It's hard to tell from the photos but the wings have beading on them which gives it a bit of sparkle. I'll be trolling about ebay for this one.

My dream coats

Every Winter I always dream about coats. It's that time of the year when I have to pack away my lightweight trenches and bust out the wool. Over the years I've collected a few coats; I usually get a new one every year. Last year it was a white wool long coat with buttons down to the navel. I liked how it floated to my side whenever I walked in the wind. This year I bought a fur coat on a whim but there are many other coats that beg to be bought and worn this winter.

I had a conversation with my co-workers today about the value of getting a quality coat. Sure they may be expensive, but in the long run it's better to have one quality coat then a dozen shitty ones, right?

Enter Smythe, a Canadian label that specializes in beautiful coats and jackets. This past summer I interviewed the co-founders and designers of the label when I was lusting after their stunning blazers. Now I'm crazy about their coats.

Here are my favourites:

Boyfriend Blazer
Ok it's not a coat but it would look great in the office or with a sparkly dress, non?

Equestrian Jacket
The patchwork elbows are what make the jacket. I can picture myself hunting in England in this jacket. If I were into hunting.

Equestrian Herringbone Jacket
Again; the patches.

Leather Bomber Jacket
I have just started obsessing over leather jackets. This one is so classic but sexy and a bit rock n rock.

Peacoat in blue
I really like the cut of this jacket, especially at the neck. But really it's that gorgeous tiffany blue that makes it stand out. And I love those big buttons. Just add a dark scarf and you're good to brave the winter.

Peacoat in jade
How many people do you see wearing a coat in jade? Or any clothes in jade for that matter? Such a beautiful colour.

Pinafore Coat
Everyone needs a black, long wool coat in Canada. This one is perfect because it's warm, stylish and comes with a detachable collar.

Waist Coat in teal
Another beautiful colour. I love the cinched waist and the little collar.

My amazing finds

I've been doing a lot of shopping recently, party for fashion week and partly because I need new clothes for winter.

After I picked up my pass for L'Oreal Fashion Week at the Drake, I came across a vintage shop called 69 Vintage. They had amazing clothes: Soft men's leather jackets, military-style coats, poofy dresses, sparkly clutches and other great finds. I wasn't looking for anything in particular but a bomber fur coat caught my eye and I decided to try it on. Now fur is not a look I normally go for. I think it takes a lot of confidence to pull off an all-fur coat (those jackets with fur trims on the collars don't count.) But this was so soft, warm and in excellent condition so I bought it for a bargain of $70. I haven't worn it yet because I'm a bit worried that people will throw things at me so I'm going to wait until it gets colder. But it's magnificent.




My second amazing find is a Elie Tahari black lace cocktail dress I got at Winners for $200. It's stunning. The top has lace detail with a cream lining so you don't see through it. It has a square neck line. The fabric just below the bust is ruched and then the rest of the dress just sits perfectly on the body. It reminds me a bit of Audrey Hepburn.



There are a ton more clothes I bought but I don't have the time to photograph them all so I will list them:

- Dark wash Silver skinny jeans
- H&M vest
- H&M purple taffeta dress
- H&M men's graphic tee
- H&M studded belt
- H&M purple and black tights
- H&M lace skirt and lace top
-Zara men's Superman tee
- Black Danier leather jacket
- DC Comics Batman tee
- Jones New York men's classic white shirt
- GANT navy blue blazer with crest

And I'm sure there is more but I can't remember. And now I'm done shopping for myself for a long, long time.

Q&A with Christie Smythe and Andrea Lenczner of Smythe

Double Breasted Schoolboy

The Canadian label, Smythe, is known for their super luxe jackets that are modern in tailoring but retain classic shapes. Their silhouettes will make any woman feel like she just walked off a movie set which is why they are popular with celebs such as Kate Hudson and Rachel Bilson and have appeared in many magazine spreads such as Elle and Vogue.

I had the chance to ask co-founders and designers, Christie Smythe and Andrea Lenczner about how they started Smythe, what their inspirations are and just how they makes such gorgeous jackets. (Photos: Smythe)

How and when did Smythe start?

We started in February 2004 with our first fall collection. I (Christie) moved home from New York. Andrea and I always dreamed of being partners and having a business together - when i moved home it made sense that this was the right time to do it!

What was your inspiration for Spring 08 collection?

The Spring 2008 collection is a happy collection with great bright wool jerseys in in turquoise and pink. We also introduced our Boyfriend blazer which is more relaxed in fit . . . the perfect slouchy blazer to go over everything from a mini dress to a skinny jean to a maxi dress. . . outerwear was also important. . . our coated linen utility jacket with nostalgic metal firemans buckles or our sophisticated tie neck trench.

Why jackets?

We wanted to do one thing and do it really well. We wanted to create a cherished piece for a woman's wardrobe and we don't believe in prescribing what a woman wears from head to toe.

How do you get your ideas?

From everything and everywhere: books, magazines, vintage, film, a woman walking down the street.

What is your creative process when designing a collection?

We concept according to lifestyle predominantly - we are always talking about what our girls like and what she needs in her wardrobe, what does the Smythe girl love to wear on the weekend, what does she desire for work etc.

Where can we buy your clothes?

Distribution is listed on our website.
What has been the response from celebrities?

We have been very fortunate to have some celebrities wear our jackets but it also just as thrilling to see a stranger in a Smythe - wearing it her way. some celebrities that have worn Smythe include Kate Hudson, Rachel Bilson, Blake Lively, Debra Messing, Jessica Simpson.

How did the celebrities start wearing your clothes?

Happy accident. We have not sent to celebrities - they have bought our jackets at retail.
What has been the response from other buyers?

The buyers have been very supportive from the beginning. We launched our collection with Holt Renfrew in Toronto in 2004 and we launched in the US with Barneys the following Fall. . . we are indebted to these stores for picking up our line and giving us our start.
Favorite stylish celebrity?

Kate Moss.
Favorite designers?

Oh so hard to list - but we love Balenciaga, Chloe, Max Mara, Pierre Cardin, Jeoffrey Beene.

Who would you love to dress?

Kate Moss.

Where are you based?

Toronto, Canada.

What kind of people buy your clothes?

All kinds. We have a very broad audience in terms of age and profession.

Where are clothes made?

All made in Canada.

When is your Fall collection coming out?

We are shipping our fall collection now!

Who are your style icons?

Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Hutton, Jane Birkin, Kate Moss.

Favorite collection this season?

We really like Alexander Wang.

What do you wear on a day-to-day basis?

Jeans, jacket. . . jeans, jacket.
Favorite accessories

We don't ear a lot of accessories except scarves.

Favorite pieces of clothing you own

The first jacket we ever made - a poppy red peacoat.
What was your experience at Parsons like?
Christie: Great - i absolutely loved it.
Andrea: Was an investment banker and then a buyer at Holt Renfrew before starting our business.

What was it like working at Celine and Prada? What did you do there? How did it shape your style?

Andrea: Prada was an internship while I was at Parsons and I worked for Celine for their US sales office during Paris runway shows helping to sell the collections. I really gained my experience in product at the design office of the Gap in New York where I worked for three years before moving back to Toronto to start our business.

Why did you get into fashion?

Because we truly love it. Andrea found herself reading Vogue rather than the Wall street Journal when she was in banking and that was a real sign for her.

How did your collective experience help you create Smythe?

Some people say Andrea is more Bergdorf's and i am more Barney's - she's a little more polished but at our core we share the same aesthetic and values. We always say we are each others "other husband." It's the perfect partnership and friendship.

Quilted Jacket in Floral

Tie Neck Trench Coat in Storm Grey

Box Pleat Jacket in Dove Grey

Outsized Check Jacket in Dove Grey and Cream