If I told you that you could buy a limited-edition Marc by Marc Jacobs tote or a cozy Canada Goose toque for about $50, you’d probably think I’d lost my mind. But last night I learned that’s exactly what’s happening in Holt Renfrew stores this fall. Not only are both items exclusive to Holt’s, but a portion of sales go to charity.
The super cute totes hit stores September 30. And with Vision Spring (a non-profit that provides eyeglasses in the developing world) as Marc By Marc Jacobs charity of choice, you’re right to think the design was inspired by an eye exam chart. “I predict they’ll sell out in 48 hours,” said Holt’s president Mark Derbyshire. To make sure you get the one you want, jump the cue and reserve online starting September 7.
The Canada Goose toques land in stores November 4. Lined with fleece and featuring the classic Canada Goose crest, they’ll certainly help you brave the elements this winter. Proceeds from sales go to Polar Bears International, a non-profit dedicated to saving these great white giants from extinction.
–Laurie Jennings
Previously featuring the likes of Russian beauty Natalia Vodianova and voluptuous Scarlet Johanson, Louis Vuitton’s advertising is more art than ad space. And with the previous success of pop star Madonna’s spring campaign, they’ve decided to feature her for their fall/winter 2009 ads. And here’s a few samplings.
Photographed by Steven Meisel with artistic direction by Marc Jacobs (my fav!) the team was looking to represent the nostalgia of Hollywood’s golden age. Madonna looks stunning and of course lain upon her lap are pieces from Marc’s Fall/Winter ready-to-wear collection for Vuitton.
Inspired by photographs of Man Ray as well as the paintings of Tamara de Lempicka, Madonna looks almost ethereal, though in sync with the extravagant background. After using Madonna for their spring campaign, the label loved the relationship.
Seems Madonna, like Louis Vuitton, never goes out of style.
–Kate Daley
Jun
09
As many readers may know, I’m competing in the The Joe’s Team sprint triathlon this summer to raise money for the head and neck translational research program at The Princess Margaret Hospital.
I’ve come to realize that doing three sports in the span of only a few hours necessitates a lot of gear. And as much as I’ve tried to get by with borrowed stuff, good quality sport gear would make my life a lot easier. It’s the small things that can really cramp your training style.
For instance, have you ever tried to bike or run in the rain while wearing fashionable sunglasses? They are great for shielding eyes from UVA/UVB but my oversized Marc Jacobs pair, though cute and stylish, were definitely not made for any sort of hardcore exercise. Raindrops stick to the lenses and blur my vision, they slide all over my face and they fog up if I start to overheat, making running or biking in them a bit of a challenge.
So when I saw the selection of Oakley glasses for this season I realized I needed to amp up my gear.
Not only are they stylish but many of them use high definition optics technology which provides good quality combined with UV protection. They also provide impact protection– something I hadn’t even considered when choosing a pair.
They have Plutonite lens material made from polycarbonate that’s lightweight and 50 times stronger than most other lens material without being thick or heavy. They are even supposed to be shatterproof. Think about going on a bike ride and hitting debris – it could lead to disaster. But that’s why a helmet (to protect your precious head) and a good pair of glasses (to shield your eyes) cannot be done without.
They’re hydrophobic as well, treated with a coating to help oil, dust and water to bead and flow right off the lense so running or walking in the rain or snow will no longer be a blinding problem.
Enduring Damson with Red Iridium Polarized, $335.
And finally, many of their lenses are polarized, absorbing 98 percent of the glare off of snow, ice, water, sand etc. But they aren’t the way you think of polarized lenses from the 80’s – these have an anti-reflective coating that further reduces fogging, glare and strain on your eyes.
Check out www.oakley.ca or call 1-800-448-9714 for more info.
–Kate Daley
