Archive for March, 2010

Check out the short but sweet video made during the photoshoot for local designer Faren Tami’s SS10 collection! Shopgirls is carrying many of these gorgeous pieces, come in to try one on!

Faren Spring 2010 from Sofia Bohdanowicz on Vimeo.

Shopgirls artist Ashley Winnington-Ball will be one of a selected few Canadian designers at the first-ever Get Dressed on0-site boutique at LG Fashion Week this Spring in Toronto! Showcasing her work in the stunning Atrium of the Allstream Centre, Ashley will be accompanied by some of Toronto’s most creative and talented designers. See flier below!

Today, Sweespot shares with its new-mom readers some excellent style tips from Shopgirls’ owner and fashionista Michelle Germain! Sneak peak: Wedges add height and style while maintaining balance and comfort.

Check out the article here.

Congrats to Shopgirls artist Patrycja Zwierzynska on her delicate mylar installation up at the Harbourfront Centre right now. We know her as a jewellery designer, but her aesthetic and technique are applied beautifully on a larger scale. The show is up until April 4th, so check it out while you can.

Click here to read a short interview with Patrycja!

Story of an opening:

First, we find an artist – in this case, Robin is a friend and former classmate of one of our staff, Sarah. An exhibition of her work was an easy choice, because it is colourful, intricate and decorative. We know it would be beautiful the shop.

Second, the details – date, opening, what to drink, who to invite (everyone), the actual works of art. We happened to have planned a small renovation in the back of our space a few days before the opening, so there was lots to do – everything was covered in dust, we to paint all the new (and older, scuffed) walls, and then clean everything twice over to get the shop back into shape! It came together in time, but meanwhile Robin took up a corner of the shop to finish a few paintings (in one case, reworking entirely a piece that she wasn’t happy with) and paint our wall. It was amazing to put up her work and talk to people about it when they walked in, and then point them in her direction. Customers were fascinated by her live painting in the shop, and were happy to chitchat and see her work in progress.

Then, the night we’ve worked for – The opening last night was a great success and we’re so thrilled to have been able to bring in friends and fans of her work to see her newest collection. The shop looks amazing covered in Robin’s paintings and drawings – some up to 11 feet long!

We photographed a few of the pieces so you can see them from your home, but they are so worth seeing in person. The build up of layers in each work, of different mediums painted or poured on top of each other makes for a body of work that constantly demands re-examination.

The show is up until April 8th, so come take a look. Schuman is a young painter with great potential, and we are lucky to catch her on an upswing.

Not only are you reducing your fashion footprint with this all vegan and eco-conscious line, but you will look damn good too! Combining cutting edge design and social responsibility, this hugely successful fashion house began 15 years ago when co-owner Inder Bedi was challenged by a mahatma to go vegetarian for 30 days. It was during this period that Inder devised his business plan for an eco-vegan fashion house. This plan was originally written as a university project and in 1995 eventually became Matt & Nat.

Recently Matt & Nat launched their 21 water bottle initiative where all linings are made from recycled plastic water bottles. A message inside each bag or accessory will indicate how many bottles were used to create the lining of the product. Matt & Nat push the eco-commitment even further by creating some styles that incorporate plastic water bottles on the outer shell of the bags and wallets. In fact, up to 55% of the outer shell of certain designs is made using recycled plastic water bottles. Awesome!

Matt & Nat is now available at Shopgirls and online! Grab one of these amazing pieces before they’re scooped up!

Photos are worth a thousand words, and in this case, it is especially true!

Check out Véronique Milijkovitch’s new Spring 2010 collection, available in the shop in the next week or two.

A veteran designer from Quebec, Véronique’s design aesthetic uses bias cuts to draw out the natural beauty of the feminine form. Asymmetrical lines and richly layered silks inspire this bold yet whimsical collection.