Happy Birthday Dolls!

I can't believe it's already been a year since the Damzels ladies opened their rock n' roll chick boutique, Doll Factory by Damzels in Leslieville. They are celebrating their first year at their store at 1122 Queen Street West tonight between 5 and 8pm. The last party I went there we were treated to a burlesque performance and a little tutorial in pasty twirling. (So naughty and oh, so fun!)

This is the perfect place to pick up some fab clothing, jewellery, undies and beauty products for all the cool ladies you know - as well as the perfect party dress from Damzels in This Dress.

My fave item is the undie set with cool guitar pick earrings packaged in 12 inch record sleeves designed by the ladies. Totally rockin'!

How Luxury Lost It's Lustre

I'm reading Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Lustre by Dana Thomas. I can't guarantee on when I'll be finished. Between work and trying to read it on crammed subway cars in rush hour, I've only just gotten about a third through, but I will try and squeeze in some time to share my thoughts.

If you want a history of the luxury industry definitely pick it up. It's a really interesting read (well, so far anyway) and it's chock full of facts and stories about all the major luxury brand labels.

I've never been a label whore and I've never understood the draw to the Louis Vuitton handbag that everyone seems to covet - real or fake. But I do love that she brings it all out to the forefront about most luxury brands being owned by major publicly traded companies and mass-manufactured in the same factories as Walmart. Just check out the LVMH website to see who they own.

Seems like Thomas is making quite a scene in the international fashion community. A recent clip from Fashion Television interviewed the author on the book and tried to get many of fashion's influencers to voice their opinion on the topics discussed in the book - many kept their mouths zipped tighter than their grasp on their $3,000 Balenciaga purse. Check out the clip here.

If you do decide to read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Cause This Is How We Go Out...

Leslie Hall cracks me up. She can go out with us anytime!

Breaking and Shaking it Down!

I am hosting Breakdown Shakedown: Party Deux with my industry pals, April and Michael - and you're invited!

Last year, April and I decided that the holiday party season need a little spice to shake it up so we decided to throw a party. And a party it was...

We packed The Social with a few hundreds of our industry friends and colleagues and had an absolute blast!

This year is at the Stones Place at 1255 Queen Street West on Thursday, December 6th from 8pm till 2am.
If you are in fashion, film, TV, commercials, casting, marketing, production or advertising - we expect to see you there! Mingle and jingle with designers, stylists, hair & makeup artists, agents, models, actors, casting directors, photographers, editors, directors, pr reps, production, television peeps and a whole pile of really fun people. We just want to get everyone together in the one spot to rock it out! It's gonna be wicked - we promise!

If you're on Facebook, you can add yourself here.

TFI New Labels Fashion Design Competition

For those designers who are watching Project Runway Canada and cringing at the "reality" aspects of the show - don't worry, the originating design competition, TFI New Labels® Fashion Design Competition is looking for emerging Canadian designers - without the Made-For-TV drama.

The TFI (Toronto Fashion Incubator) is a non-profit organization which is dedicated to supporting young and emerging designers. Over the past twenty years the TFI can boast to having contributed to the careers of many of Canada's top designers, including PRC judge, Brian Bailey, Joeffer Caoc, Farley Chatto, Comrags, David Dixon, Pina Ferlisi, Foxy Originals, Colette Harmon, Juma, Todd Lynn, Arthur Mendonça, Mercy and Siphay Southidara.

The winner receives a prize package valued at $25,000 from ELLE Canada magazine. Submission Deadline is December 10, 2007. Download the application here. Pass on the word to any of your talented design pals.

Last year's event celebrated the TFI's 20th anniversary with a gala event at the historical Carlu in Toronto. Check out the event here.

Spice Girls on BBC Special

Here's the Spice Girls performance of Stop from the BBC’s Children in Need special filmed the day after the Victoria's Secret show.



Same outfits. I wonder if the performance is the exact same from the VS show. Let's just hope they pull out something new for their tour. I'm trekking on down to Vegas for their December 8th show at the Mandalay Bay. I can't wait!

Hooked on Fig Leaves

On recommendation by Henna of Canadian Beauty, I found my new favourite lingerie store. Having spent years trying to find the best fitting bras at the best price, UK-based online lingerie store, Fig Leaves is now my new best friend. They carry a wide range of top brands at great prices.

I am not a fan of the mass-produced, cheaply made lines available in stores and I could never find my size. After being professional fitted, I know what my true size is and can easily shop online by own size, rather than be disappointed that a style doesn't even carry my size. Girls: I highly recommend you get professionally fitting, you'd be amazed. The best part about Fig Leaves is that if it doesn't fit, or if you don't like it - you can return it for free. I'm hooked!

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Spices Up

The Spice Girls performed their first (er, live?) performance together in almost ten year at the Victoria's Secret fashion show which was taped in Los Angeles on Thursday.

As excited as everyone was to see them, it was a little disappointing to hear about the lip-syncing. But I do love the retro military look - much better than that awful video for Headlines (Friendship Never Ends).

Check out the Spice Girls performing Stop and their new single in their reunion television debut at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which airs on Tuesday, December 4th at 10pm on CBS.

Speaking of Victoria's Secret, has anyone noticed the slow transformation of La Senza? The former Canadian company (now owned by VS's parent company, Limited Brands) has been stocked with Victoria's Secret Beauty and now their collegiate PINK line is in stores. I know a lot of people who are salivating over the prospective of La Senza turning into full-blown VS stores. I'm sure it's just a matter of time.

Holts Adds Soul to the Holiday Season

Holt Renfrew's annual holiday window unveiling is going to be a lot more soulful this year with a performance by the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin.

The window unveiling and performance is taking place on Tuesday, November 6th at 7pm at Toronto's Bloor Street location. (It's also the same day that the Kate Moss' Topshop AW07 line hits the store.)

The store then is staying open until 10pm for some late night shopping, with a portion of proceeds going to the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.

Holt Renfrew always does a great job on their windows, I'm really interested to see what they have come up with this year. Mind you, with the crowd expected at this event, I'll have to wait till the following day to get a good look.

The House of Helder

Almost two years ago I was at The Social in Toronto having drinks with a friend, when a group of people took to the stage. I could totally picture them as Madonna's backup dancers from back in the Danceteria days. They even did a cover of "Everybody". They sang, they danced and totally rocked it!

They are Fritz Helder & the Phantoms. Their music style is a mix of everything from early Madonna to Prince to Cameo and I am totally a fan. They've just released their first album, "Greatest Hits" which you can order it from their newly updated and fantastic website: www.fritzhelder.com.The CD Release party is happening on Thursday, November 22, 2007. You do not wanna miss seeing these guys live!

Speaking of Madonna and her Danceteria days, here's a video of her performing "Everybody" at the club back in 1982.