Freshest of the Fresh

I hope you are prepared for a photo heavy post, because my most anticipated collection, Joe Fresh, walked the runway last night. I eagerly awaited the livestream, and it was worth the (hour) wait. I always am most excited about this collection because everything is in my modest price range and thus is completely affordable.

The show opened with looks featuring the brand's signature colour (which incidentally hasn't appeared anywhere in the line before with the exception of the logo) of orange and I LOVED IT. The coat and dress especially. So crazily bright but so awesome at the same time. I cannot cannot wait for them to be available in store.

There was no doubting the 70's vibe within a http://www.fashionmagazine.com/blogs/fashion/at-the-shows/2011/03/30/tfw-diary-chloe-comme-parris/ of the pieces of the collection, and I felt myself reminded somewhat of Donna and Jackie of That 70's Show when I saw these kooky but fun sweaters stroll down the runway (also note those fabulous wide leg trousers!).

I am a sucker for knits at any time, but these cozy chic dresses delighted me thoroughly. Any Canadian gal who suffers through a lengthy winter will tell you that staying stylish AND warm is no easy feat. I love the idea of pairing these dresses with thick ribbed tights and boots next fall. Also, did you notice those gold brogues? I did. Love them too.

I think it is probably safe to say that I literally gasped when I saw each incarnation of this shiny, metallic fringed faux leather skirt stroll down the runway (aside - is it just me or has Tara Gill walked almost every show so far? Seriously love that this top Canadian gal is making time for LG Fashion Week). I want one in every colour!

Along with the aforementioned orange, there certainly was a lot of colour interspersed through the neutral pieces. Fall's key colour, cobalt, made an appearance, along with emeralds and yellows. I loved the combo of matching the skirt and coat, and I shamelessly say it is my hope to recreated these exact runway looks if possible come fall. So classy, bright, and pretty!

I could barely cull this collection down to my favourite items, and if you are in any doubt at all, I pretty much loved it all. The best part, all you American ladies who are looking on, adiring the fabulousness of Joe Fresh, the first Joe Fresh location will be opening this year in NYC, on 5th avenue to be specific. Soon you too will be able to get your hands on the brand most Canadian gals have been swearing by for the past few years. You're welcome.

All photos from the Joe Fresh FB page, collages by me.

Judge a Book by its Cover

I discovered these beautifully hand embroidered book covers by Jillian Tamaki thanks to the folks at the Modcloth blog, and I was just amazed at how pretty and intricate they are.

 Librarianship gives me the license to love pretty much anything book related, and these covers which are absolute works of art, in my opinion, are no exception. It didn't hurt that two of the three were favourite childhood reads of mine, and the last is my second favourite Jane Austen book (after Sense and Sensibility, for those interested).

Norblack Norwhite

I am feeling thankful today that I follow Fashion Magazine via twitter, otherwise I might not have stumbled onto their post, thereby not discovering a pair of ridiculously talented designers hailing from Toronto, but based in Mumbai / Bombay. Amrit Kumar and Mriga Kapadiya are the team behind the line Norblack Norwhite. I checked out their site as well asi their Spring 2011 collection today and was blown away by the beautiful textiles and easy modern silhouettes that are pretty much everything I would love to wear on a summery day.

Maybe it is my longtime fascination with the textiles of India - which started when I saw the beautiful saris of a lady at my church growing up - is what drew me in pretty much instantaneously to these boldly colourful designs. I feel like there is such a freshness to taking a dyeing technique developed over quite literally thousands of years and bringing those textiles back to live in way that appeals to a modern sensibility while maintaining the integrity of the textile itself.


nbnw does kachchh from mriga kapadiya on Vimeo.

The line is inspired, as detailed on their website, as discovering a region of India through textile and art. This first collection draws heavily on Bandhani, the ancient practice of tie dye (like none you've seen before, trust me), and the textiles are created by expert artisans in the Kachchh region. I watched the above video which features the journey taken by the Norblack Norwhite team to actually see and work with the masterful ladies and gentlemen who tie and dye each individual piece of fabric. If you have any interest in textile design, it is well worth a watch.

 I also have to give props to Kumar and Kapadiya for honouring and bringing much needed attention to the amazing textiles of India, as well as to the artisans who make them. It is amazing to see how much love and care has gone not only into the making of the garments but the actual fabric as well.

They won't be showing at LG Fashion Week in Toronto, but, according to Fashion, the line will soon be available at "Toronto's UPC Boutique 128 1/2 Cumberland Street 416-929-9209". Hopefully for those of us outside of TO they will soon have an e-commerce option, but until then, the 416 is the only place to get your hands on these bright, summey pieces.

Music Monday - Paper Lions

I was looking through my Music Monday posts and wondering how on earth I haven't shared Paper Lions with you all yet. They are a fantastic band that I found out about ages ago when they were initially known as the Chucky Danger Band. I remember checking out a show with a friend at the Arts Guild in Charlottetown and having an absolutely wonderful time. If there is one thing about independent musical acts on PEI, it is that they all master the art of a fabulous live show, and Paper Lions are no exception.

All four of these fellows are excellent musicians, but I think what I have always enjoyed most about this group is the way that the voices of brothers Rob and John MacPhee blend together. I have always thought that siblings have the best sound when singing together. Maybe this stems from singing duets with my lovely sister at the Queens County Music Festival every year, but I digress. In any case, Paper Lions have a great pop rock sound with catchy melodies and lyrics that I always find myself wanting to sing along to.


I think my favourite memory of Paper Lions, was from their Winnipeg show last summer. I had just moved there, and was incredibly homesick for PEI. Following the band on facebook, I noticed their tour's slow progression across the country from British Columbia moving eastward.

On a whim I wrote on the band's wall to ask if they might be performing in Winnipeg. An almost immediate response let me know they were doing a show that same night, only a short walk from my then temporary abode, the U of Winnipeg residences. I threw together a small group of people (made up of exchange students from Quebec) to join me at the concert and in addition to enjoying their always fantastic live show, I felt a taste of home which was a huge lift.

Even better, I got a pro bono CD from Rob MacPhee (who had been the one to initially reply to my FB query) who was pleased to see a fellow Islander make her way to a Winnipeg show. Not only are they great musicians, but nice guys too, of course, being from PEI and all.



Paper Lions are yet another example of the excellent musical talent coming out of my home province. Give them a listen, you won't be disappointed!

Book Bag

Of course you all know that as a Librarian I can't help but love any and everything book related, so I am definitely a huge fan of these adorable first edition inspired clutches from Olympia Le-Tan, seen here in a fashion shot from everyone's favourite street style photog, Tommy Ton.

Unfortunately for my pocketbook, I certainly do not have $1000 plus to throw down on a clutch, no matter how lovely, beautifully made, or career appropriate it might be. However, all is not lost! While perusing the wares of a favourite Albertan etsy seller of mine, Hoakon + Helga,  purveyor of upcycled handbags made from vintage leather jackets, among other things, I noticed a new addition - the book clutch! With a price planted firmly in the double digits!

Whether this lovely prairie lady was inspired by Olympia's clutches, I do not know, but I am glad to see that for a mere fraction of the cost, at least some variation of the book clutch might make its way happily into my purse collection / onto my bookshelf to look pretty.