The End of LABEL Clothing

It's with extreme regret that it's come to my attention that LABEL, one of my favourite local design houses (and one of the best Toronto has to offer) is closing it's doors. Robinson and Sydoruk are one of the most talented design teams in Toronto; and we've hailed them before - for their fantastic, urban aesthetic and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability in Fashion. They are a brilliant picture of the talent this city and country have to offer the industry, and it will be incredibly sad to see their iconic line, LABEL, discontinued.

It's unclear whether the team will pursue their own, individual futures within the design world in Toronto come the end of LABEL; but one thing is for certain, their talent will be missed by so many enthusiasts, like myself, who've been nothing but privileged to see the evolution of their work and the evolution of LABEL.

LABEL will be hosting a Closing Sale & Party in light of their decision to disband. It will be an amazing chance for everyone to not only bid farewell to the Fashion House, but to also get your hands on brilliant LABEL merchandise, the likes of which you won't be able to get again! The deals will undoubtedly be insane, with items starting as low as $20 and including pieces from Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 Samples. The sale will be ONE DAY ONLY and will be taking place next Thursday, April 25th, 2013 from 12 NOON - 11:00 pm at Levack Block (88 Ossington Avenue in Toronto). Be there!

Also, if by chance you happen to miss out on this incredible chance to score some rare LABEL gems, be sure to head over to our good friends at Homegrown Boutique! Being huge LABEL lovers and supporters since their beginning, Homegrown has a fine selection on some of the best LABEL pieces to date - they will not last!

Sad to see you go LABEL! Thanks for the awesome.

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Shine On! Holiday Soirée / Local Design + Local Support

I was recently invited to attend Project Sunshine Canada YPC's Shine On! Holiday Soirée in the city; an event that aims to tastefully combine local talent and Fashion with local issues and real support. As everyone is aware, I am a huge believer in supporting Toronto's local design market in any way that I can - but this goes much further than just that.

Chaired by Jennifer Kaiser, Shine On! will showcase young, local Fashion Designers and their seasonal collections to a fun and fabulous crowd of buyers! All proceeds will be benefiting Project Sunshine Canada; a non-profit organization that provides free, public programs to children who face medical challenges (along with their families) in ten medical facilities across the GTA. The YPC (Young Patrons Circle) consists of young professionals who are passionately devoted to the work of Project Sunshine Canada; developing events to help raise awareness for the organization and empower it's ongoing work.

Shine On! will allow consumers to get a fabulous kick-start to their holiday shopping - enjoying drinks, food, friends, and a wide variety of local creations to choose from. This year's event will feature a talented, young, and ambitious roster of Artisans (and their brands) that produce everything from house wares, to hand-made accessories, to entire clothing lines - LABEL (whom we all know and love!), Valentine K, Bel Ami Hair Accessories, Toveren Jewelry, One-Off Vintage, and White Feather are just some of the names showcasing their talent this year.

I am thrilled to be attending this year's showcase. Local Fashion with a local message, and it can't hurt that the holidays are just around the corner! Join us this year, and be inspired not only by local design, but by the community action it will be a part of. Shine On! will be taking place on Monday, December 3rd, 2012 (that's next week!) at The Spoke Club on King West from 5:00 pm - 9:00pm. See you there!

MOON Apparel Launches Their First Online Boutique! #MOONApparel

MOON began not too long ago as the love child between The Bay and the famed design family behind the Mimran Group in Toronto. Following the success of the collaboration, Mimran has decided to take MOON to the next, virtual level; a brand new and exciting E-Commerce website launching with the Fall 2012 Season.

Created with famed Canadian Designer Alfred Sung, MOONApparel.CA, in true Mimran style, is about affordable classics. Streamlined, modern, and fresh pieces that have been created to flatter a women of discerning style that is also the every-woman; living a busy life, transitioning from work to evening, always tasteful and always sharp. It's goal is to provide Canadian women with direct access to amazing and affordable pieces; offering free shipping and free returns. The pieces are shipped direct from a fulfillment house in Toronto, so orders will arrive within days all over the country! And did we mention the pay-off? Literally! MOON sticks to its conviction of being financially conscious. Their new Autumn/Winter Collection, which is launching with the website, features no piece over $119.00 CDN. Brilliant? Yes. This is a step in the absolute right direction with Online Canadian retailing for the Canadian market.

As part of MOON's new direction, they are hosting an exciting Pop-Up Shop from September 14th-16th in Toronto! Customers are welcome to attend the showing which will feature, in full, their new Fall/Winter 2012 Collection. The Pop-Up Shop will be taking place at 171 East Liberty Street, Suite 360, all day from 11:00am - 6:00pm. And did we mention that MOON is not just a secular brand? According to the company, they will also be launching designer collaborations in the future; perhaps with some of your favourite emerging Canadian names. Exciting to say the least!

Canadian Fashion has a new Online outlet. Buzz it! #MOONApparel

P.S. Exclusive Offer from MOON! LIKE MOON Apparel on Facebook and receive 20% off your Pop-Up Shop purchase! Only 1 week left ladies!

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3, 2, 1...POP! Frugal Fashion Week is Here!

The secret is out! Frugal Fashion Week is finally upon us! Are you excited? We are! Over the years this Fashion Event has grown in success and size thanks to Gillian Downes' tireless effort and her love of all things fabulous, affordable, and most certainly local.

Tomorrow is our Le POP! celebration at Nyood! Local designers and artists will be gracing the restaurant floor with one-of-a-kind pieces that include jewelry, clothing, accessories, and more in an impromptu Pop-up Shop on Queen West! We will be OPEN to the PUBLIC and offering walkers-by and brunch-goers alike the chance to peruse, try-on, and even purchase these fantastic designer pieces! So come on by and support local fashion!

Le POP! features an in-house brunch to those eager to get a delicious meal in with their shopping. Call ahead at Nyood Bar to make reservations or purchase a brunch ticket online! If you don't feel like the eggs and benny or the mimosa, that's fine too! Come by anyways and take a look at our fabulous shop.

Le POP! will feature:

Emily Woudenberg

Leilanni

Dylan Dias

Sheri STRanger

Shireen Nadir

Homegrown Boutique

Dutch Blonde

Killigrew

S. Wesley Harris

Can't wait to see you there!

Le POP! Brunch & Boutique

Saturday, July 28th, 2012 from 11:00am - 4:00pm @ Nyood Restaurant & Bar

1096 Queen Street West

Toronto, Ontario

M6J 1H9

(416) 466-1888

Buy a Brunch Ticket!

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Frugal Fashion Week + Dylan Dias = Le POP!

It's finally happening! Yes, I know I've been a bit quiet about the new things that I've been planning, and I know it's been a long time coming...but I just wanted to be sure it was the right time to announce it. And it is, finally! So pay attention, it'll be hard to contain the awesome.

I've recently partnered with Frugal Fashion Week after being contacted by founder Gillian Downes (who, by the way, is such a sweetheart) to help curate an art and fashion show in the city. Together, we've created a fantastic, inspiring, and powerful showcase of local artists in an effort to encourage, support, and expose Toronto fashion talent! Designers from every corner of the city; some you've probably heard of, some you never have; all under one roof for one day only - exhibiting one-of-a-kind pieces in a Pop-Up Shop!

Le POP! will be taking place on Saturday, July 28th from 11:00am - 4:00pm at West Queen West's chic and hip Nyood Bar. We will be a hosting a special brunch for guests who'd like to come by, enjoy a mimosa and a delicious breakfast, as well as peruse the designer collections! The brunch is ticketed and purchase details can be found here. However, the Pop-Up shop in itself is FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC. So please, if you're in the area, come out and support some of Toronto's newest and best design talent. They are all so wonderful, they deserve it.

I've said time and time again that Toronto, as a city, is a hub of artistic potential. I see so much inspiration walking through and then beyond these streets - there is so much talent here. The problem is Toronto as a business sector, when it comes to fashion, has much further to go. The market isn't alive, and as a result, many of Toronto's greatest artists end up unrecognized and unsupported from distributors who have real influence in this city. It's not that it isn't there, it's that it has nowhere to go. Le POP! is a small exhibition of real talent, yes, but the reason I signed on to this project to begin with is because it's doing something that I believe in. Local artists are an integral part of the cultural fabric of this city, and I will always try my best to support the ones I know have it.

This year? Oh, it's just too fabulous. Killigrew, Dutch Blonde, Sheri STRanger, Emily Woudenberg...just to name a few. And did I mention I will be showing as well? That's right, the Dylan Dias empire is expanding! Don't hate! I'm releasing a collection of fabulous silk-printed scarves during Le POP! They are colourful, bold, energetic, and perfect for the season! And they are all designed and finished by me. Want a piece? Pop on by!

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