Holt Renfrew 560 King St W Poster

While Canada may often be a late adopter of trends, Holt Renfrew has hit at just the right time with their pop-up shop 560 King St West, which opened last Tuesday in downtown Toronto. As a fresh marketing concept, pop-ups are thriving in international cities like London, New York, and Tokyo. Even Hermès, the grande dame of luxury houses, staged a pop-up in conjunction with Liberty’s of London this past summer, so it’s refreshing to see Canada - and Holt Renfrew - following suit so soon.

Holt Renfrew 560 King St W Streetview

Located on Toronto’s youthful and hip section of King Street West between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street, favourite uptown luxury retailer, Holt Renfrew, has popped up a quaint downtown jewel box of a shop that will be gone as quickly as it arrived.

Stepping into the boutique is like sneaking into a secret stock room, filled with a treasure trove of fashion - that is, if your stock room happens to be curated by Barbara Atkin, VP Fashion Director for Holt Renfrew. I was lucky enough to have a tour of the shop with Barbara, who masterminded the project, along with Jackie Charest, VP Pop-up and Director Marketing - Beauty. Clothing, accessories, jewellery, beauty products and gifts are highlighted together in whimsical vignettes. Gone are the traditional tables and racks. In their place are stepladders, crates, and antique furniture - anything that works to show off the wares and contribute to the temporary look and feel of the boutique.

Barbara Atkin (Holt Renfrew), Eric Gooden (Luxe Lust), Jackie Charest (Holt Renfrew).

The merchandise is decidedly androgynous, though not in that sterile, Helmut Lang/Raf Simons way that the word frequently conjures up. Rather, the selections are simply pieces that would look chic and utterly appropriate on him or her. This is a carefully edited collection that truly bridges the gap between the men’s and women’s floors - something, which Barbara points out, can be difficult to achieve through merchandising in a traditional department store, yet really makes sense in this more intimate environment.

Selections for Him & Her at 560 King St W

Barbara and her team have chosen a wide range of pieces from many styles and price points, from Balenciaga bags and thigh-high Prada boots, to vintage Hermès silk vests, to a plethora of items from many burgeoning Canadian designers. Particular favourites include gorgeous wool coats from Smythe, and one-of-a-kind bowties designed and created by Fashion Television producer Christopher Sherman. (Barbara shares with me that Christopher stayed up all weekend hand-sewing the fabulous neckwear to be ready for the opening!)

Christopher Sherman's fabulous bowties

Thigh-high Pradas at 560 King St W

The future looks bright for pop-up shops in Canada, despite 560 King St West closing yesterday (just 5 days after its opening). Such is the way of the pop-shop though, which makes these ephemeral boutiques a win-win for the consumer and the retailer. Consumers - some of whom might not otherwise shop at the host store - get access to newer designers, one-of-a-kind items, and sometimes limited designer collaborations, while retailers can feature these items without the risks of alienating their more conservative clientele, or purchasing product to last an entire season.

Holt Renfrew fashion expert Natalie Lecomte

“This is an experiment,” Barbara explains as Holts tests the Canadian market for this new style of retailing. Judging by the buzz around the city and the shop, the experiment has scored a great success, with many of the featured designers popping in to be a part of the excitement. From the advertising, to the merchandising, to the passion and personality exuding from Holts’ fashion experts, and even the live Twitter feed projected on the wall, there are few things I can think of that could have contributed to making an even greater success story. My hat is off to the fantastic team responsible for pulling it all together.

Watch out for more temporary shops - from Holt Renfrew and other retailers - that are sure to spring up across Canada. But you will have to be quick, and in the know, as the shops don’t last long and rarely do much in the way of advertising.

So, what’s the best way to get the inside scoop? Sign up on email lists for your favourite stores, follow them on Twitter, fan them on Facebook and of course, watch out for any subtle, yet telltale, guerilla advertising that might give away the secret.

Temporary Fashion

It’s been well over a year in the making, but Holt Renfrew’s new 151,000 square foot Calgary store is finally set to open at 9:30 am this Wednesday October 7, 2009 at the CORE (Calgary Eaton Centre/TD Square). Holts triples its size from the current location, which shut its doors this past Saturday in preparation for the launch.

Calgary consumers will be treated to a plethora of more than 60 new brands at the luxury emporium including many shop-in-shops such as Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana.

Holt Renfrew, once the “Furrier-in-Ordinary” to Queen Victoria, has had a long history in Calgary since opening its first store here in 1953, with its most recent downtown incarnation opening in 1990. The new flagship, occupying the former Sears/Eaton’s space has been designed by world-renowned New York architects Janson Goldstein, known for the Holts Vancouver and Holts Bloor redesigns, as well as many other retail and hospitality designs for the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, W Hotel, and Salvatore Ferragamo.

For many Calgarians high-fashion shopping used to mean a trip to Vancouver, Toronto, or the US. But the Holt renaissance means we will no longer have to leave home, in fact it will go a long way to defining our city as the new shopping destination.

Image: Janson Goldstein

More on this soon, but for now I just had to share this delightful illustration that came on a postcard in the mail today!

Image: Hermès

Shoes from the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection

That’s right… It was announced today that H&M will be unveiling a collection of accessories by luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo. The line will be carried in 200 stores and will feature shoes, bags, and other accessories for both men and women.

As Jimmy Choo fans will know, the brand rarely puts out mens articles, so this is a great chance for guys to swoop up some Choos.

Expected prices range from $60 for a pair of ballet pumps to $340 for a pair of boots — a far cry from the average Jimmy Choo price of $700 for a pair of stiletto sandals.

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Trudeau Bag by WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie

There is now, more than ever, no excuse for plodding around town with a backpack draped over your suit, or carrying shabby luggage with you on your travels. Unfortunately this is still a common site in the downtowns and airports of many Canadian and international cities. True, not all men want to, or can pull off LV’s ubiquitous monograms, but there are so many other beautiful and classic understated options.

One of my favourite labels for elegantly refined men’s accessories is WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie. This homegrown label (yes, it is based in Montreal) is a relative newcomer having just opened its doors in 2005. Despite its infancy, WANT is certainly holding its own thanks to their beautiful and practical made-in-Italy leather goods, designed by owners and creative directors (and twins) Byron and Dexter Peart. The brands international recognition keeps snowballing. They are now stocked internationally — from Sweden to Saudi Arabia — by such stores as Harvey Nichols, Opening Ceremony, Fred Segal, and Holt Renfrew.

Da Vinci 72 Hr Travel Bag (left) and De Gaulle City Bag (right), both by WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie

Created with the luxury of travel in mind, each product is named after a different international airport. These bags are sleek and sexy, yet not ostentatious — Valextra comes to mind, but at a more affordable price. Particular favourites of mine include the Trudeau bag, a sleek computer case; the De Gaulle bag, a masculine, but unique, city bag; the Arlanda Ipod Case, which looks like a chic old fashioned cigarette case; and the Kansai Computer Portfolio.

Kansai Computer Portfolio by WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie

A visit to WANT’s website is a must to see the other product selections (and additional leather colours) and for a complete list of stockists and online retailers: WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie.

Arlanda Ipod Case by WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie

Note: for best results, read in reverse order (bottom to top)

1. And with that, she calls it a night. With us anyway.about 1 hour ago from web

2. She says fashion has a bright future. She handled PETA well, and joked, “As you see, fashion means different things to different people.”about 1 hour ago from web

3. ALT was dragged to the Web kicking and screaming. Said he isn’t into the modern world. Now he digs blogging.about 1 hour ago from web

4. Not so breaking news: Vogue.com plans to break from Style.com.about 1 hour ago from web

5. Her favorite cover is her first one. Surprised aren’t you?about 1 hour ago from web

6. Q: Are you thinking about career changes? A: I’m mostly thinking about tomorrow.about 1 hour ago from web

7. “I have the best job in the entire world.” Amen to that.about 1 hour ago from web

8. “I’d like to spend more time with ambassador Rice. I’d like her at my next dinner party.”about 1 hour ago from web

9. Fashion people come together in NYC like nowhere else. She cites Seventh on Sale, HIV awareness. Calls it touching and hard to describe. Aw.about 1 hour ago from web

10. She says models have been important throughout history. Cites Egypt…?about 1 hour ago from web

11. The world is too celeb crazy. Don’t people say Vogue is too celeb focused now? But wait, the next cover is…a model!about 1 hour ago from web

12. She says there’s a sense that there are too many fashion shows during fashion week. Bryant Park ran its course and didn’t want the shows.about 1 hour ago from web

13. Anna: Conde believes in excellence. There’s no pressure for changes from the biz side and they never make arrangements with advertising.about 1 hour ago from web

14. She says some designers don’t get global warming and use more materials than needed. Wow, we had no idea Anna was so eco-conscious.about 1 hour ago from web

15. Anna: Michelle understands that she can help the fashion industry.about 2 hours ago from web

16. She thinks Michelle shows that you can be a strong, working woman without wearing a paper bag. Amen to that.about 2 hours ago from web

17. The mag was honored when Michelle Obama agreed to do the cover.about 2 hours ago from web

18. The Vogue reader now knows more about fashion than readers 25 years ago. Hmm could that be because…of the Web?about 2 hours ago from web

19. Anna thinks there’s too much fashion info out there. It even confuses her! So the mag has to sort through it all.about 2 hours ago from web

20. “The excess was overwhelming. Everyone is welcoming a sense of reality and responsibility.” Everyone = editors, photogs, and designers.about 2 hours ago from web

21. “We had things easy for a very long time. Maybe not every woman needs 25 handbags. One might be good enough.” We don’t know, what about 5?about 2 hours ago from web

22. But she does ask the price of every outfit that comes in. Editors are surprised by how pricey l’il sequined dresses are ($25,000?).about 2 hours ago from web

23. Vogue should not turn into “recession weekly.” Quote of the night so far?about 2 hours ago from web

24. Anna knows she may be a tough boss but employees learn from her and vice versa.about 2 hours ago from web

25. Personalities like ALT are important to the mag. We so agree.about 2 hours ago from web

26. She says she hires on instinct and looks for people who will disagree with her. Hear that job seekers?about 2 hours ago from web

27. Ahh but Vogue IS a brand. The mag can’t be too far ahead of the curve or they’ll lose readers. She wants the mag to be constant like Coke.about 2 hours ago from web

28. Anna says she is not a brand.about 2 hours ago from web

29. PETA thrown out. That was quick, but fashion show security is quicker.about 2 hours ago from web

30. Anna says fur is part of fashion so Vogue will continue to report on it. More applause.about 2 hours ago from web

31. Someone yells, “I love you Anna!” Audience cheers. Wow, such drama.about 2 hours ago from web

32. They’re chanting “Fur Shame!” They claim she skinned the animals alive? Ok Peta, whatever you say.about 2 hours ago from web

33. OMG PETA just showed up. Called her a shame. Yelling. Is there no security?about 2 hours ago from web

34. Anna is wearing a pretty black dress, yellow dress, and gold necklace. Seasonal!about 2 hours ago from web

35. At the 92nd St. Y talk, waiting on Anna Wintour. High number of chic, elderly women in the crowd.about 2 hours ago from web

Good Morning America decided to create their own Kelly bag utilizing leather and the origami Kelly pattern on Hermes.com. The two bags they created were pretty bad. Thankfully when they went out and street tested their bag versus a real Kelly outside Manhattan’s Palace Hotel, the well-heeled passersby were easily able to spot the fake!

Next up was a trip to an Hermès boutique where they received ooohs and awwws from the staff, including an Hermès craftsman. Just a hunch, but I doubt the staff would have been so gracious were it not for the ABC News cameras butting in.

Watch the video clip: Good Morning America: $35 Homemade Kelly vs $35,000 Hermès Kelly

And please, don’t try this at home.

Love it or hate it, Canada's own Shalom Harlow is the ONLY one that could pull this off and still look like the epitome of elegance. Shalom wears Bob Mackie and Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci.

Tyra Banks shows everyone how it's done in Badgley Mischka.

Lake Bell in Rag & Bone

Alek Wek

Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs

Another Canadian export, Jessica Stam, looking lovely in Rodarte

Claudia Schiffer in a stunning Versace cutout dress.

Iman in Donna Karan

Diane Kreuger in Chanel

And the Worst…

Worst dressed goes to the host of the evening, Anna Wintour, and her accomplice, André Leon Talley:

Anna Wintour looking rigid as ever in Chanel Couture

André Leon Talley, looking sad — and who wouldn't, in a cape by Isabel Toledo, gold blingy chains and an Obama pin. (Note: It's not the cape's fault; not trying to bash Toledo here) ;)

Here is a little preview of what the Matthew Williamson for H&M Menswear collection has in store for us. I am loving this hoodie, though I’m not sure that the pattern translates as well to the suit below — it may look a little costume-y when worn. However, I do love the single rounded metal button closure though.

As for the accessories, the floral scarf is lovely and when paired with the seersucker jacket it is sure to be a winning look. The shoes are nice but rather un-original as they feel inspired by much of what we have seen for the past two seasons on the runways (Lanvin anyone?). I love the pattern on the shorts. I wonder if it will come as a silk scarf?

This is Williamson’s first venture in menswear and all-in-all I would say he has done an excellent job translating his signature colourful and geometric style into men’s garments. It was likely a difficult task for him to launch his first men’s collection on the world while working within the restrictions of H&M, so I am sure his own men’s collections will only improve from here.

The collection launches in selected H&M stores around the world on May 14. In Canada it will be sold at the Toronto Eaton Centre location, with no word as of yet on any other Canadian locations.

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