Where‘s top picks for everyone on your Christmas list
By Jennifer Patterson
The Trendsetter
Ring in the holiday season with a piece of arm candy from Tiffany & Co. The Bracelet Bag comes in satin, velvet or leather, in colours such as Tiffany blue, burgundy or walnut.
Jacob’s new eau de toilette trio comes in Classique, with notes of pink pepper and citrus; Joie de Vivre, passion fruit and freesia; and Very Chic, vanilla and black amber.
Winter’s on its way out; it’s time to get a head start on exploring. Guide yourself with our specialized itineraries, or contact one of Toronto’s many tour operators to delve deeper into this multifaceted metropolis. And don’t forget to check out previous Yours to Discover posts, here: Day One, Day Two, Day Three, Day Four.
Harry Rosen
SARTORIAL STROLLS
Get kitted out and catwalk-ready in Toronto’s most fashion-forward locales.
CANUCK COUTURE The touring fashionista’s must-visit strip, Bloor Street West, between Yonge Street and Avenue Road, is home to a bevy of Canadian-owned retailers with global cachet, including Holt Renfrew—Toronto’s answer to Saks Fifth Avenue—fine menswear mecca Harry Rosen, and distinguished beaver-emblazoned brand Roots.
INTERNATIONAL ICONS Bloor Street also showcases standalone shops representing world-famous fashion houses, including French favourites Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton, Italian labels like Gucci and Prada, as well as German stalwart Hugo Boss. Be sure to accessorize your new ensemble with baubles from Birks, Cartier or Tiffany & Co.
Eleven
SINGULAR STYLE Moving north from Bloor into tony Yorkville ensures encounters with boutiques offering personalized service and unique, on-trend attire. Ladies are encouraged to try 119 Corbo, Eleven, Hugo Nicholson and the Pink Tartan store Seventy-Seven. Finery for fellows is found at Nicolas Men and Anti-Hero, among others.
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT On Queen Street, west of Bathurst, you’re sure to make a contemporary fashion “find.” For women, Robber is one of many inspired indie shops that curate new looks by emerging and established designers from Canada and abroad, while Preloved offers more relaxed garments made from reclaimed fabrics. Modish men stride into Green Shag for bespoke shirts and suits, and attention-grabbing stores like Ruins, which stock exclusive labels in gallery-like settings.
The professional image consultants of The Refinery offer a variety of weekly shopping tours that take you to chic boutiques throughout the city.
By Jennifer Patterson
On the first day of Christmas my uncle gave to me a bevvy to toast the season: one bottle of Blasted Church’s Hatfield’s Fuse (at liquor stores).
ONE
On the second day of Christmas my father gave to me two made-to-order gifts: including the whisky cave from the newly renovated two-level Louis Vuitton.
TWO
On the third day of Christmas my sister gave to me a festive holiday outfit: a red three-piece ensemble from La Vie En Rose.
THREE
On the fourth day of Christmas my brother gave to me four event tickets: a pair to The Nutcracker and a pair to a Vancouver Canucks game.
FOUR (Photo by Chictype copyright IStock)
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five golden rings from Tiffany & Co.
FIVE
On the sixth day of Christmas my mother gave to me art from all six of these First Nations galleries: Douglas Reynolds, Inuit Gallery, Hill’s Native Art, Bill Reid, Spirit Wrestler and Coastal Peoples.
SIX (Photo courtesy Bill Reid Gallery)
On the seventh day of Christmas my cousin gave to me seven treats from Chanel: the seven-piece holiday collection with four eye shadows, a nail polish, lip gloss and blush (available at Murale).
SEVEN
On the eighth day of Christmas my grandmother gave to me a little help in the kitchen with eight local cookbooks: Vij’s at Home, Vancouver Cooks 2, Blue Water Cafe, West, Araxi, Simply Bishop’s, C Food and Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill (at Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks).
EIGHT
On the ninth day of Christmas my kids gave to me a reminder of yesteryear: a nine-piece wooden lotus flower puzzle from Dilly Dally Kids.
NINE
On the tenth day of Christmas my boss gave to me no excuse to be late for a meeting ever again: 10 timepieces by Ice-Watch (at Zoë Boutiques).
TEN
On the eleventh day of Christmas my aunt gave to me a little make-up guidance: the 11-piece Lash Stash kit from Sephora.
ELEVEN
And on the twelfth day of Christmas my best friend gave to me 12 misfits: too-cute-for-words felt dolls by Usus, at the One of a Kind Show and Sale (Dec. 9 to 12).
TWELVE
The globe’s most coveted brands—and our own national favourites—are readily available right here in YYZ. Click any of the slideshow images below to view Where Toronto‘s favourite international items for the holiday season.
Styled images with colour backgrounds photographed by Luis Albuquerque. Off-figure styling by Daniel Onori/Plutino Group.
These unique luggage tags depicting Vancouver scenes are a fun souvenir. Photo by Caroline Toth
Celebs are always at their best while travelling—so what’s your excuse? Start with travel charms from Tiffany & Co. to spruce up your outfit, tuck no-name carry-on inside a luxe tote from Louis Vuitton and make sure everyone knows the drool-worthy bag is yours with luggage tags from Casa (pictured). Each tag captures an iconic spot on the West Coast in an art print.—Jennifer Patterson
One block of Alberni offers upscale designer stores along with world-class restaurants for discerning diners
By Leszek Apouchtine
A PASSION FOR FASHION
Find timeless fashions at Brooks Brothers. Photo courtesy Brooks Brothers
Women can find an outfit that’s fun and frilly or sleek and sensuous at Betsey Johnson. Men can dress like a president or check out the more casual options at the classic American chain Brooks Brothers (pictured). Find something to slip on underneath those new clothes at Calvin Klein Underwear, where sexy meets comfortable.
GLAM IT UP
Even if you don’t have a few thousand dollars to spend on a purse, it’s worth stopping in Hermès to ogle the luscious leather goods, covetable scarves and other luxurious accessories. For a dazzlingly elegant collection of jewellery featuring “a girl’s best friend,” make sure to visit Tiffany & Co. Other must-shop destinations for the best accessories include Mephisto Shoes and Louis Vuitton.
The Oyster & Chowder Bar at Coast Restaurant. Photo by KK Law
FLAVOURS FROM LAND AND SEA
With an open-concept kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows and modern Italian cooking, Italian Kitchen delights all the senses. Meat lovers can satisfy cravings at Saltlik Steakhouse or be awed by talented teppanyaki chefs at Kobe Japanese Steak House. For a taste of the West Coast, dine on mussels and other fresh seafood at Coast Restaurant (pictured).
Brooks Brothers brings timeless fashions north of the border.
1. The men of Bay Street can suit up in style at Brooks Brothers, newly opened in the Financial District’s Royal Bank Plaza. Over its 191 years, the American clothier has been credited with introducing the ready-to-wear suit to the masses, selling the first seersucker suits in the U.S., and inventing the button-collared dress shirt. It’s no surprise that this gentleman’s brand is a favourite both of presidents—Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama donned Brooks Brothers attire at their inauguration ceremonies—and celebrities like Ben Affleck and Stephen Colbert. Sartorially inclined ladies can also sport the classic Brooks Brothers look: an extensive women’s collection as well as attire for boys is available here, too.
The Yorkville location of Anthropologie.
2. Tony Yorkville is home to some of the top names in fashion, but the north-of-the-border debut of Anthropologie still has tongues wagging and credit cards at the ready. This spring, the beloved American company set up its first Canadian location at the Shops at Don Mills, a scenic outdoor retail centre northeast of downtown. Devoted fans, however, clamored for a more centrally located venue, and with the opening of a stylish, two-storey space along Yorkville Avenue, the city’s fashionistas can access more easily this decidedly feminine boutique’s floral frocks, vintage-print bohemian tunics and ruffled jackets. An offshoot of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie is also noted for its eclectic selection of home accessories ranging from graphic bedding and linen to folksy tableware that adds a touch of country to urban living.
Modern menswear from William Rast.
3. The days of celebrities merely endorsing a product are a thing of the past. Today’s A-listers are also the visionary designers of items that bear their names, making it easier for fans everywhere to cultivate true star style. Filmmaker Sofia Coppola, for one, has teamed with French company Louis Vuitton to create a line of totes, clutches and sandals, while singer Justin Timberlake and his BFF Trace Ayala’s clothing company, William Rast, is named after their grandfathers and carries contemporary apparel for both men and women including signature denim pieces, leather jackets and button-up shirts, available from Harry Rosen.
1. A chic new boutique has found a home in Yorkville—and in the hearts and closets of fashion-world elites. Located in a Victorian-style row house, the veritable empress’s emporium known as Eleven features irresistible finds by top Canadian designers, including effortlessly elegant pantsuits by Linda Lundström, classic garments with a modern spin by Joeffer Caoc and bold, artistic gowns by Thien Le. Divided over two storeys for easy browsing, the shop displays prêt-a-porter pieces—many within the affordable $200 to $400 range—plus jewellery and accessories on the ground level, while couture queens will want to run up the stairs two by two for more pricey yet priceless gowns showcased above. —Lindsay Hope
Today, our art director Paul Kittmer and I are at a photo shoot for our upcoming issue of Essential Toronto, a perfect-bound glossy annual publication that is in select hotel rooms and which accompanies our monthly Where Toronto publication.
We’re working with Toronto-based photographer Luis Albuquerque and stylist Daniel Onori of the Plutino Group, both of whom we’ve worked with before on several occasions. (You can see some of their handiwork from our last photo shoot, a spring/summer shopping guide for our April and May issues here: First Class, Business Class and Coach.)
Whenever I tell people that I’m going to be at a photo shoot, the first reaction is always one of awe. People think it must be very glamorous to be on set at a photo shoot. But the truth is, it’s not as exciting as it seems—sorry to burst any bubbles. The day can actually be long and even a bit boring as there is a lot of waiting around—for Paul and I at least. The really hard work is being done by Daniel whose very big task it is to pull the assorted items together into a coherent vignette. Often, what Daniel starts out with isn’t the final image. There is a lot of “tweaking” going on: a sweater comes out and a button-up shirt replaces it, a belt that was previously rolled up is now uncurled, or a shoe is moved from one corner of the page to another.
Periodically Luis takes test shots so that all of us can see what it might look like on the page. We each offer our two cents, fancying ourselves stylists, too. “Can we move that watch? It’s lost there” or “Can we take those sunglasses out? It’s too busy in that corner.” When we look at these test shots, we also talk about where text might be placed and we think about little details like should the suitcases both open on the same side or should they open on opposite sides? Which image do we want to start the story with?
My favourite part of the day? Playing with the various goodies that have been loaned out to us. (It’s probably as close as I’ll ever get to some of these very expensive items.) And since I’m not above dropping names: Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Paul Smith, Tori Burch, Christian Louboutin, Hugo Boss, Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel are just among some of the designer items we have in our posssession.
I can’t show you what the final photos look like—for that you’ll have to return in September to find out! But our photo gallery has a peek at the photo shoot in progress.
Photos by Linda Luong, except where indicated.
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Stay, Dine, Do
