Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Stuart Weitzman Invades Canada!

Montreal Fashion Minds attended the grand opening cocktail for the first Stuart Weitzman store in Canada, at Rockland Shopping Centre. A second boutique also opened in Carrefour Laval, and a third is planned to open in August, at the Eaton Centre in Toronto.



We were surprised that they would choose to open their first boutiques in Montreal, since most companies generally start in Toronto, but Montreal was chosen because of its dynamic presence of numerous designers who have made Montreal a fashion capital in Canada.

“Opening not one but two new retail stores in Montreal is a great international fashion statement and a logical step for the global evolution of the Stuart Weitzman brand.” - Stuart Weitzman



The 1300 Square foot boutique in Rockland Shopping Centre was designed by regular Stuart Weitzman collaborator, Italian architect, Fabio Novembre. The unique, modern design in a color palette of vanilla and grey with ribbon detailing has become a symbol of the international brand.



While we weren’t too impressed with the way we were greeted upon our arrival by GA Associates PR (last time we checked, PR stood for Public Relations), we did enjoy checking out the beautiful new boutique, and all the fabulous shoes and their complementary handbags.











Their Spring collection trends include ethnic tribal style with croc and python prints detailed with cord and metal, Greek and Roman sandals, moccasins, espadrilles and more.







Other trendy details include cut-outs, pearls, studs, sparkles and bright, energetic, 60s inspired colors.







We also can’t forget the 80s & 90s comebacks of Jelly sandals and platform clogs.





They also had a wonderful display of Stuart Weitzman’s famous one-of-a-kind shoes that the designer creates for one lucky star every year to wear to the Oscars.



The ‘Million Dollar Shoes’ which boats 464 diamonds were worn by Laura Elena Harring for the Oscar-nominated Mulholland Drive in 2002.



These beautiful ruby red shoes with 642 rubies unfortunately never made it to the red carpet in 2003.



In 2004, these Cinderella-inspired Shoes with 565 diamonds and a rare, colored diamond were worn by singer Alison Krauss who collaborated on the Oscar-nominated soundtrack for the film “Cold Mountain"



Shoes with Marilyn Monroe's opalescent Swarovski crystal earrings were worn by actress Regina King of the Oscar-nominated film “Ray” in 2005.



In 2006, Oscar-nominated singer/song-writer Kathleen Bird York for “In the Deep” - from Oscar winning film “Crash” wore these shoes, which donned Rita Hayworth's ruby, sapphire and diamond earrings.



Diamond Dream Shoes were created with 1,420 diamonds for actress Anika Noni Rose of the Oscar-nominated film “Dreamgirls” in 2007.



In 2008, Retro Rose Shoes with 1,800 diamonds shoes were created, but were unfortunately not worn on the red carpet.



In 2009, shoes were not created due to the sensitivity of the global economy.

While we enjoyed the boutique, the champagne and the shoes, we must admit, we have never been treated so poorly by a PR group ever before. We didn’t have a great impression of the event going in, or coming out, however we chose to not let that give us a poor impression of their client, Stuart Weitzman who did impress us with his fabulous new Canadian boutique.



All the photos from the event are provided by our fab photographer Hugo Trottier. Thanks Hugo!!



Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Andy The-Anh's Fabulous Spring/Summer collection!

Summer is coming ladies, have you started shopping for your go-to dresses?

If not, you’re in luck! Check out these amazing dresses from luxury designer Andy The-Anh. His gorgeous Spring/Summer collection is super fun & flirty!! Can’t you see yourself at the office in one of them? Throw on some killer heels and head to that 5-7 afterwards! Parfait!

With three freestanding stores in Canada, over 70 points of sale worldwide and presence at Neiman Marcus in the US, Andy The-Anh is continuously expanding.

Over the past few years, Andy The-Anh has quickly become one of the most exciting Canadian designers of his generation. He has dressed some of the most admired Canadian stars including Iman, Jeanne Becker, Patricia Clarkson, Coco Rocha and Helene Joy. How fab!


Check out the full collection at http://www.andytheanh.com/

Or in store:
2120 DE LA MONTAGNE
T 514 842 4208

LES COURS MONT-ROYAL
1455 PEEL, SUITE 313T 514 985 9898

Here are a few of our fave pieces from the collection!


Friday, April 9, 2010

STYLIST’S OWN

Last night Montreal Fashion Minds attended the media soiree for the 3rd Anniversary of STYLIST’S OWN.



Located on the corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Sherbrooke Street, the Suco Resto Lounge of the Hotel OPUS hosted the event and provided a chic and cozy environment.



Joined by our good friend and fellow fashionista, Tasha, we looked through racks full of clothes, snacked on tapas and jammed to the beats played by DJ Frigid.







Launched in Montreal, in the spring of 2009, STYLIST’S OWN is for anyone looking to find unique, one-of-a-kind or limited edition, women’s & men’s clothing and accessories.





We even spotted fabulous fashion designers Denis Gagnon and Dimitri Chris checking out all the wonderful pieces at the event.



STYLIST’S OWN is hosted by Azamit, one of Montreal’s most sought after stylists and art direction consultants. Throughout the year, Azamit discovers amazing pieces from showrooms, exhibitions, and designers’ workshops and this event makes it all accessible to you!


Azamit in a fabulous fringed Denis Gagnon dess from his Fall Collection

This special event takes place each season in a different, unusual or little-known business or public space in Montreal. Past locations included, Domision, a unique designer furniture showroon on St Laurent for the first edition of STYLIST’S OWN and at hairdressing salon, Studio MW in Old Montreal for the second edition. The chosen venues retain their original function, while transforming into a temporary showcase of rare designer delights.


1st Edition - Domision - Photo: Steve Monpetit


2nd Edition - Studio MW - Photo: Steve Monpetit


3rd Edition - Suco Lounge - Photo: Hugo Trottier

STYLIST’S OWN is open to the public all weekend long, and you can get your hands on all the designer pieces you spotted in your magazines - just like that!

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Friday, April 9th – 10 am to 8 pm
Saturday, April 10th – 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday, April 11th – 12 pm to 6 pm

A few of our fav pieces....















There are great clothing pieces for men and women as well as design accessories and objects. They are all laid out for you to see in the ever so stylish venue. Designers include: American Retro, Colcci, Denis Gagnon, Designer’s Remix, Diesel Black Gold, G-Star, Harakiri, James Perse, Miss Sixty, Noa Noa, Pina & Gina, S’nob, Travis Taddeo, Twenty8twelve, Valérie Dumaine and the list goes on!







They even have STYLIST’S OWN vintage collection, which included designer labels like Prada, Versace, Moschino, Dior and more!





Enjoy fashionistas!!

** As usual, big thanks to our fab photographer Hugo Trottier for all the photos from this event.