FASHION Magazine

Powerful enough to arouse raw emotion, evoke memories and trigger intimacy, fragrances are the most important weapon in a woman’s arsenal of products and potions.  Carmela’s Profumeria (12531-102 Ave, 780-455-3336), on the high street in Glenora, is the place to shop for rare scents and couture fragrances, including the infamous Joy by Jean Patou.

If I tell you where I shop, will you promise not to tell anyone? I mean, nobody likes to tell her favourite spots, right? So let’s keep it between you and me—top-secret. I’m a mad, mad monkey for Three Monkeys (Les Cours Mont-Royal, 1455 Peel St., Suite 207, 514-284-1333, threemonkeys.ca)! This shop is so beyond perfect balance of Montreal based indie designer and international labels, it’s insane.

By Samantha Evans

While they may have loads of restaurants to spare, Leaside ladies have been coveting knits and accessories that pack a punch. Luckily, they have Dew (1553 Bayview Ave., 647-436-1232).

Despite the doom and gloom of our current economy, and maybe even because of it, I have been shopping…window shopping, that is. There’s nothing like peering through the looking glass into a world of shiny, happy pieces to make a girl forget her troubles. At least until the Visa bill arrives.

One of the big draws for reading a fashion magazine is the editorial spreads. I’ve been asking myself what it is about fashion photography that I find so fascinating; what is it that is so satisfying. I’ve always been one to believe that fashion is a form of communication, and of course this is no less true of photography.

In a city with a highly reputable selection of vintage and consignment shops, Meow! (10 Carden St., 519-821-7442) tops the list with its impressive collection of women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. The underground shop is filled with stylish and classic pieces, picked by owner Kara Munn’s expert eye.  The selection of vintage hats alone is worth the trip (damn this cursed over-sized head of mine…women in the ’50s must have had teeny little noggins!)

By Stephanie Trendocher

Chic Torontonians are drooling over Jenny Bird’s haute handbags and Daniel Espinosa’s baubles and you can scoop up some of their swag at Spoke Club’s Luxury Holiday Bazaar (November 22; 12 – 8 p.m.; 600 King St., W., 4th floor).

Prada in the Prairies by Bonnee McLachlan

Some women in this world never cease to amaze me with their ability to throw together stunning outfits with ease (cough: Rachel Bilson). More often than not, I forget there’s a celebrity stylist behind their glamorous look and give props to the star—tisk, tisk.

On the evening of October 29, Vancouver’s fashion cognoscenti rolled down Robson Street and through the doors of the newly-renovated BCBG MaxAzria boutique (1080 Robson St., 604-681-3733, bcbg.com). FASHION magazine was there to help celebrate the grand reveal.

Ampersand is a multifaceted mecca of cool. More specifically and in plainer English, Ampersand (98 Water St., 902-892-9811, or via Facebook) is a new shop on the Charlotettown waterfront that manages to be a venue for indie bands, a café hangout for students, writers and artists, an art gallery and, in the summer, a shop that carries locally made T-shirts, jewellery and dresses.

Known for its shelves of brightly colored clothing, American Apparel is easily transformed into a sea of rainbows.  One can’t help but feel a little uplifted entering a store with such vibrant colors, simple yet chic décor, outgoing staff and plenty of space to walk around.

By Amanda Losier

Faces Cosmetics (faces-cosmetics.com) has always held a special place in my make-up-loving heart, so I was ecstatic to attend a preview of their new products. Although the Canadian company was established in 1974, lately their shops seem to be scarce. If you haven’t seen them at your local mall, it could be because they’re busy setting up shop around the world (next up: India and Ecuador).