FASHION Magazine

For my March break getaway, I’ll be packing a frilly little number like this one by Montreal-based chain Dynamite ($40, dynamite.ca). By day, I can work it on the beach with flip-flops and a sunhat à la Brigitte Bardot, then dress it up post-sunset with strappy sandals and glam red lipstick.

When jewel-encrusted butterflies land on Lanvin’s Spring 2011 accessories, you know it’s time to put down your swatter and embrace the creepy-crawlies. Insect embellishment is creating major buzz, popping up on everything from belts to bags. Like Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz, I prefer them as luxe baubles, like this playful ladybug pendant by Aaron Basha (from $950, at Birks, aaronbasha.com). No exterminator necessary.

Leave it to the buyers at Misch (2960 Granville St., 604-731-1017, misch.ca) to stock the latest and greatest from the best under-the-radar fashion brands. New this spring is a capsule collection of shirts and other pieces by Forte Forte (forte-forte.com), an Italian label that has re-dyed and repurposed gorgeous fabrics.

On trend but not over the top, these minimalist denim kicks by TOMS ($65, at Holt Renfrew, 510 Eighth Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-269-7341, holtrenfrew.com) give your blue-jean basics a modern twist without blowing your budget. Even better: The company donates one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold.

There’s been plenty of action on Laurier Avenue lately: Salon Orbite (221 Laurier Ave. W., 514-271-6333, orbite.com) just got a futuristic reno; dandy den Michel Brisson (1074 Laurier Ave. W., 514-270-1012, michelbrisson.com) moved a couple of blocks east; and Billie (1012 Laurier Ave. W., 514-270-5415, billieboutique.com) has taken over this chic space.

After 25 years in the Canadian fashion industry (including a nine-year stint as senior designer for Lida Baday), Dennis Merotto has added another layer to his already impressive resumé: his own label.

No matter what the forecast says, I’d like to believe that the sun’s hiding just around the corner. And if not—well, I can always take a little spring-break vacation, non? Either way, I feel justified splurging on a pair of Linda Farrow for Agent Provocateur sunglasses (from $375).

Instead of super-feminine jewellery, this season I’m reaching for bold, modern designs by Finland-born, Brit-raised and Calgary-based designer Ellinor Stenroos. “I wanted to incorporate high tech into wearable pieces that were functional,” she says.

I’ve been a fan of local twin brothers Byron and Dexter Peart since 2004, when they started Want Les Essentiels de la Vie (wantessentials.com), an haute accessories line for jetsetters. Each of the cult products carries the name of an airport—for Spring 2011, it seems they’re in a Chicago state of mind, given the retro styling of the O’Hare shopper tote (shown).

Trust a sexy Frenchman like Jeremy Tarian (jeremytarian.com) to become a success story in the eyewear biz­—he discreetly scrawls flirty bon mots like “Afterglow” on his wares. Add that to handmade frames and six sophisticated styles, and you’ve got one very hot premier sunglasses collection.

I’m often asked what my favourite local labels are, and Dace (dace.ca) is invariably on my list. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the line, and to celebrate the occasion, designer Dace Moore has asked a handful of other locals to create special pieces that complement her clothing. Mono’s layered leather necklace adds texture to the oversized Ginger blazer; a Broken English oxidized silver necklace makes the sweet Cedar silk dress a little more edgy; the Rosemary purse by Ashley Watson (shown, $250) goes with pretty much everything in the milestone collection; and the Sage crochet bikini top was handmade by Moore’s mother—a different type of collaboration.

On our fashion radar: the opening of Western Canada’s first Thomas Sabo store (West Edmonton Mall, 8882 170th St., 780-487-7226, thomassabo.com), which is dedicated to all things bright and shiny. I’m eager to scoop up the Rebel at Heart line, which features Sabo’s rock ’n’ roll take on rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches.