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‘09 Fall/Winter
Is s u e
LG Fashion Week Finds New Home on King West... p14 Style City – Celebrating Local Designers... p16 Home Décor Trends... p22 Monika Schnarre’s Lofty New Fashion Label... p24
Fall/Winter 2009
™
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Colby Bayne** 416.205.0355 (Office)
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One-of-a-kind large bachelor. Unit faces south with lots of light. Steps to everything!
Miguel Madeira* 416 892 3358 (Direct) www.rlpdowntown.com
Waterpark Condo Townhouse-like ground floor unit. Split bedroom plan with lots of windows and storage. Features 10 foot ceilings. Steps to everything!
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Elliot George* 416.205.0355 (Office)
Detached house downtown on a large lot with garage and private yard. Features beautiful upgrades.
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Tecumseth Loft
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The Madison
The foot of the Casa Loma Neighbourhood. Steps to subway. Steps to restaurants and great shopping!
The Loretto
Conversion of Heritage school. 3,115 sqft of modern interpretation of Paris apartment circa 1930’s. Outstanding custom finishes.
The Ultimate Urban Bungaloft
Gigi von Anrep** 416.205.0355 (Office) www.KingWestVillage.ca
Quiet boutique building in the heart of King Village. Private terrace off of living room. Approx 1000 sqft. Beautiful upgrades.
The Management Team of Trish Manning, Broker and Peter Holgate, Broker is pleased to announce the addition of: Stephen Edge* Elliot George* * Jason Ginsberg Sheila Jamison* Jeanette Preis* Terry Zikas*
**Broker | *Sales Representative | Properties shown available at time of submission
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Queen King
King & Bathurst 720 King St. W, Suite 155 416.898.6882 www.nexgenwireless.ca
Published monthly, Our Neighbourhood is a free, community-based magazine, focusing on Arts & Culture, Food & Drink, Style & Fashion, and Health & Wellness. Our Neighbourhood reaches over 10,000 local readers every month who live, work and play in Queen West, King West & Liberty Village. Our Neighbourhood is distributed to selected condominiums, homes, retail businesses, banks, professional offices, fitness facilities, hotels and restaurants along Queen West, King West and throughout Liberty Village. Publisher: Roger Tumminieri 416.455.7320 | Roger@ONmagazine.ca Style & Fashion Editor: Manny Machado 416.996.5214 | Style@ONmagazine.ca
SOLD – $640,000 Cambridge townhome; end unit; 3 beds; 4 baths; built-in garage; Many Upgrades!
COMING UP: Gorgeous end unit; built-in garage; 1050 sq ft; 2 beds; 2 baths; many upgrades. Price not yet confirmed. Gigi von Anrep, Broker Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. 905 King West, Toronto, ON M6K 3G9
416.205.0355
www.KingWestVillage.ca gigivonanrep.blogspot.com 4
Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
Lifestyle Editor: Jaclyn Law jaclynlaw@gmail.com Graphic Design: Kerry Brennan Design@ONmagazine.ca Webmaster: Jason Verbovszky Webmaster@ONmagazine.ca Advertising Inquiries: 416.455.7320 | Sales@ONmagazine.ca The publication and all images within remain the property of Our Neighbourhood Magazine and may not be reproduced in any form without prior written consent of the Publisher. Views expressed in Our Neighbourhood Magazine by any contributor are not necessarily that of the staff or Publisher.
ONmagazine.ca ON Magazine is printed by an FSC Certified Printer and uses VOC-free vegetable inks.
contributors ™
Desi Di Nardo is a poet and author whose work has been published in numerous North American and international journals, performed at the National Arts Centre, featured in Poetry on the Way on the TTC, and displayed in the Official Residences of Canada. Her poetry has also been presented in schools across the country and translated into foreign languages. Her new book is titled The Plural of Some Things. Visit www. desidinardo.com Sue Edworthy has worked for over a decade as an arts administrator in theatre, dance and opera in Toronto. She is currently a Board Member for the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts. Dr. Matthew Follwell is a published author and radiation oncologist working at Princess Margaret Hospital. He is a member of the board of directors at Gallery TPW and is committed to the development of emerging art collectors. Manny Machado is a designer specializing in solutions in the form of Urban Space Styling: a combination of basic design elements fused with fashion, style and innovation; with a goal to create original spaces that reflect your personality and your lifestyle. Ben Peterson is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), Canada’s largest international media development organization. Ben is a recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 award, and is excited to bring the world to Our Neighbourhood. Taffi Rosen is a renowned photographer who has lived and worked in Liberty Village for over 20 years. Her still photography has taken her around the world shooting campaigns for fashion, editorial and advertising clients. According to composer, lyricist and freelance writer, Harry Lewis: “Taffi Rosen is Canada’s answer to Annie Leibovitz without the humungous budget!” Still photography is but one element of Taffi’s expertise. She also runs a full service production company from her Fraser Street studio, where she produces series for Television, as well as a variety of music and corporate videos. Carol-Ann M. Ryan is an art historian who writes, teaches, and manages art collections. She is an instructor at the Toronto School of Art, University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Anastasia Vaskova is an Environmental Consultant who has been writing about environmental issues that affect us and our homes for 7 years. Her goal is to connect you, the reader, to the best products, websites and information to help make your environmentally friendly quest clear and easy. Gigi von Anrep is a licensed realtor who has been focusing on the King West, Liberty Village & West Queen West areas for the past 10 years. She has lived in Little Italy, Parkdale and King West over the past 18 years. Her love for these neighbourhoods, coupled with her years of experience as a downtown realtor help her relate to those seeking real estate information.
Fall/Winter 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine
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Contents | Fall/Winter 2009
kingwestcondo.com
www. Publisher’s Note
More than just condos
8
What’s Up in Our Neighbourhood
10
in West Queen West | Magpie
13
Style & Fashion | LG Fashion Week
14
Style & Fashion | Style City
16
Home Décor | Trends for Fall/Winter
22
Style & Fashion | Tall by Monika Schnarre
24
Food & Drink | Barchef
26
Style & Fashion | His Fashion
32
DIY Fashion
33
Style & Fashion | Q&A with Sunny Fong
34
Green | Certified Organic Cotton or Bamboo – Which is Greener?
37
Style & Fashion | Fashionable Dogs
38
Real Estate | ON the Market
42
Real Estate Directory
43
MARKETPLACE
44
Our World | The Fashion of Fashion
46
Michael Camber, Sales Representative
416.205.0355
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage 905 King Street West, Toronto, ON M6K 3G9
14
FINE FOOD EMPORIUM
CATERING
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Toronto Condos • Toronto Lofts Cover image: Comrags’ “Lady” dress 6
Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
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Miko Nalepa Sales Representative
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage 416 205 0355 miko@thecondobar.com 905 King Street West | Toronto, ON | M6K 3G9
Fall/Winter 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine
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Publisher’s Note | Roger Tumminieri
magazine W
®
elcome to the 2009 Fall/Winter Style & Fashion issue!
I can’t think of a better way to kick off the season than with an issue focusing on Style & Fashion. This month, we celebrate local designers and all things stylish in Our Neighbourhood. I’d like to thank our wonderful volunteer contributors and our talented editorial, sales and design staff for their hard work in bringing this issue to life. Thank you all for your ideas, enthusiasm and energy! October also marks the 3rd Anniversary of Our Neighbourhood Magazine. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our advertisers and you, our dedicated readers, for your continued support over the years. Thank you for reading ON Magazine. Enjoy!
Photo: www.taffirosenphotography.com
welcome to
Salon Goulart A Cut Above The Rest 256 Crawford St. (North side of Trinity Bellwoods Park, 2 blocks East of Ossington)
416-319-4839 salongoulart@hotmail.com 8
Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
Fall/Winter 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine
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What’s Up in
What’s Up in
Getting direction from photographer Sunny Basal Photographer: Anthony Kraus Models: Nina Singh and Monika Kovacs
ashion Stylists, Hair Stylists, Photographers and a slew of likeminded creative types have come together to support a locally-grown charity called New Opportunities in Wellness (NOW) 4 Youth. NOW 4 Youth is a charity that works with at-risk youth from shelters and programs across Toronto and the GTA. NOW 4 Youth provides full funding for youth to advance their education in the wellness field (such as teaching them to become yoga & pilates instructors); offering a new career path, a new lifestyle
F
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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
choice and the opportunity to create a strong foundation in a positive environment that will lead to more informed and beneficial choices in their futures. Photos included here are behind-the-scene shots from the making of the photobook, ADAPTATION, which will be sold to raise proceeds and awareness for NOW 4 Youth. The book launch will be held this November and details about NOW 4 Youth ADAPTATION can be found online at now4youth.org.
Model Alice Granovsky clowns around on set while her tutu is being fluffed. Photographer: Marcia Leeder Photography Hair: Dana Monkman Make-Up: Omar Roessier Fall/Winter 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine
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in West Queen West | Magpie
ith a partnership that began six years ago, Cathy McDayter and Angela Mann’s creations are not for those aspiring to be the wallflower of the party. Their old-school philosophy is simple: take a texture and push it to its limits. Transform it into something it’s not supposed to have the power to be. Whatever your brain has been trained to think about denim, silk, linen, grommets, lace, buttons or anything else, it’s about to be sucker-punched and thrown to the curb. Tortured textures meet hand painted leather canvasses. Criss-crossed lace and grommets meet ruffled silk. Their slightly bohemian collection of jackets, shirts, skirts, pants, sweaters, belts, purses and bags are all custom-fitted to the customer. The result is a couture that incorporates influences from the many lands and cultures that have supplied their textiles: India, Africa, Indonesia, Japan, Italy, and Ireland represented in a look that transcends any single cultural influence.
W
Not sure where to begin?
let’s talk. Sohail Mansoor Sales Representative
t: 416-602-2067 e: smansoor@trebnet.com w: www.sohailmansoor.com
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.
12
Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
Photo: Photo:www.taffirosenphotography.com www.taffirosenphotography.com
By: Taffi Rosen
Magpie Designs are the most unique and exotic, one-of-a-kind garments I have had the extreme pleasure of discovering, and ultimately wearing. These gals have put their talents together to create worldclass quality pieces that will enhance your life simply by putting on the outfit. I mean you feel like you’re part of a brave new world of both textile and personal expression. It’s clothing that gives voice to then and now on an esoteric level. Like great works of art, one does not have to understand or put words to the work. You simply get an emotional surge from the eclectic pastiche. You can find their shop right smack in the heart of West Queen West, just to the west of Trinity Bellwoods Park. Magpie Designs is located at 884 Queen St. West | 416.536.6158 magpiedesigns.ca Fall/Winter 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine
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Style & Fashion | LG Fashion Week By: Sarah Hopgood
F
or the first time, LG Fashion Week Wear Love hits King West and opens its doors to the masses. Put your best stiletto forward Toronto, it’s time to see and be seen. This October 19-24 marks another LG sponsored Fashion Week in Toronto and it’ll be one you won’t want to miss. The Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC) has created a new home at 1030 King Street West for designers, buyers, media, and consumers to experience Spring Summer 2010 collections in true style. The new venue boasts 2 whole acres dedicated to new events and gallery spaces. Not only will the new location encourage more up and coming talent participation, but will also increase seating capacity for voyeurs and media alike. In addition to creating a more accessible event for local fans of fashion, the new space has catapulted Toronto as the centre of the
Canadian fashion industry and maintained its stance as a fierce global competitor in the world of design. Robin Kay, President of the FDCC and Executive Director of LG Fashion Week explains, “The event has grown significantly and we are exhilarated by the opportunity to expand the space and allow for more participating designers, audiences and to keep our runway to the world totally fresh and current.” The L’Oréal Paris Beauty Team is also very excited about the new venue. For the first time, pedestrians and passers-by will have a unique glimpse of the Make-Up and Hair space transforming models from one look to the next. Not even Paris or New York can compete with that, and lucky for us we don’t have to travel too far to catch the excitement. But before the location completely steals the show, let’s not forget what this is all about – the outfit may have changed, but
Andy The-Anh runway show Photo by: George Pimentel, Wire Image
the game remains the same. As we speak 33 participants are frantically working 24/7 to complete their collections before the tents go up. Wear Love will feature standard fare Canadian brands such as Pink Tartan and David Dixon, while promoting lesser-known labels from across the country and globe. Highlights will surely include Brandon R. Dwyer, Evan Biddell, Pat McDonagh, Romona Keveza, and Jason Meyers. OCAD’s Fashion Forward exhibit should also prove an interesting experience. Curator Charles Reeve explores the future of fashion through fabric technology, sustainability, and our probable future needs. 2008 main tent, Fashion Environment Photo by: George Pimentel, Wire Image
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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
Another highly anticipated show features 25 of Canada’s foremost designers working toward one cause: raising funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which is making
a difference for people living with AIDS in Africa. Presented by Hoax Couture and the FDCC, the Dare to Wear Love show will feature spectacular designs by Lida Baday, Wayne Clark, Peach Berserk, and Brian Bailey among others; all of which are fabricated in exquisite African textiles. At the very least, LG Fashion Week is an excuse to put together your best looks, catch a few make-up tricks through the window, check out the new digs on King West, and hopefully steal a peek at a few shows. Your local designers would love the support! For more information on LG Fashion Week, take a look at the following websites: lgfashionweek.ca daretowearlove.com Fall/Winter 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine
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Style & Fashion | Style City By: Jaclyn Law f there’s any consolation to be had from Toronto’s wet, windy autumns and bleak, slushy winters, it’s the clothes. A chill in the air heralds a fresh crop of cozy knits, sexy denim, milehigh boots, plush scarves and the like, and Our Neighbourhood is a fabulous source of garments and accoutrements that are cool, edgy and innovative – and often one of a kind. Start making closet space – you’ll need it for this season’s bounty from Our Neighbourhood’s designers and retailers.
This season, look for Whirl Girl’s boiled-wool wrap skirts in rich colours with vintage fabric details.“These are suitable for the urban chick who rides a bike and is very active – it’s very wearable and really cute, and very suited for the Canadian winter,” says Laura-Jean.
Indulge in wares from more than 20 local designers at Fresh Collective (692 Queen St. W., 416.594.1313, freshcollective.com). “A lot of things are one of a kind. It’s unique, great quality stuff,” says founder and designer Laura-Jean, a.k.a. the Knitting Queen. “Many of our designers have an eco-friendly bent to their work, such as Jennifer Fukushima of Paper People Clothing. She reworks recycled sweaters into modern shapes – one of the most popular items is a shrug.”
Laura-Jean is celebrating the 15th anniversary of Fresh Baked Goods, her own clothing label.“This fall, we’re really into mixing vintage buttons. We’re also doing a lot of wools and pinstripes, including a baby-doll in men’s pinstripe fabric.” Also check out Fresh Baked Goods’ edgy kids’ clothing (for girls, think black, not pink).
You’ll also find organic cotton garments with simple, clean lines from Spruce Clothing. Sewn by local designer Tricia Mulhern, several pieces feature lovely silkscreened birds and fun stitching details.
Fresh Collective also has loads of jewelry, buttons and bags. The store’s inventory is always changing, so drop in often.
For fall, the designer is offering frocks in cocoa brown, plum, black, grey and siren red, which is a best-seller. “I also have my bright colours, which I can’t do without – cobalt, turquoise, canary yellow, bright orange, and a bright poppy red,” says Hung. Shoppers can preview her designs online, then customize with fabric and colour choices. One of Hung’s newest gems is a reversible dress with kimono-style draped sleeves, available in three-quarter-length, long continued on page 18
Dress by Anne Hung
I
Anne Hung is the name on everyone’s lips when it comes to glam, gorgeous dresses for special events, including the ones with red carpets. Opened in 2003, her Queen West store (829 Queen St. W., 416.364.7251, annehung.com) has become a magnet for celebs, fashionistas and wedding parties, and it’s no wonder – Hung’s classic shapes, sleek silhouettes and beautiful fabrics make every woman feel like a million bucks (without breaking the bank).
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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
Clothing above from Fresh Baked Goods
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and tunic styles ($210 to $365). “You can wear it high in the front, almost like a boatneck cut, and the back has a beautiful cowl neck,” she explains. “It’s got that drape-y, loose feeling until it hits the waist, and a sleek, pencil-cut bottom.” Want to show a little more skin? Flip the dress around so the cowl neck becomes a plunging neckline. “The response has been crazy – it’s very popular,” says Hung. “My customers love this all-you-can-eat kind of dress.” For the perfect finishing touches, drop into Made You Look (1338 Queen St. W., 416.463.2136,madeyoulook.ca).Along with sister store Made You Look Accessories (1273 Queen St. W., 416.516.9595), it represents more than 100 Toronto jewelry designers, and offers baubles ranging from eclectic and funky to upscale and weddingworthy (including custom work).
by Baby Steinberg, or shimmery fabric bib necklaces by the charmingly named Chapeau de Gateau. Made You Look also features stylish, affordable pieces created with glass, metal and enamel from Fine and Good, a label crafted by Aimee Kennedy, one of the 20 designers who work in the store’s studio. If you prefer to shop in your pajamas, visit Made You Look’s online store, where you’ll find Zsolt Szekely’s sophisticated cocoboloand-silver pendants; Danielle Crampsie’s “digital cufflinks,” crafted from computer circuit boards (the perfect gift for your favourite geek); Kathryn Dieroff’s silver tie tacks shaped like toy soldiers; and Tara Gilchrist’s stylin’ fused-glass money clips. Comrags (654 Queen St. W., 416.360.7249, comrags.com) has an unusual theme for its fall collection – “A Lovely Mess,” which offers a delightful impromptu approach to getting dressed as the days get colder. “We had so many ideas this season, and when we started to pull our show together... our first thought was ‘this is such a mess,’ but there wasn’t anything we’d take out,” explains Joyce Gunhouse, who has codesigned the label with Judy Cornish since 1983. (The two met while studying at Ryerson’s Fashion Arts program.)
“Our philosophy is thinking outside the box and not being followers of trends,” says owner Sarah Hamel. “Having said that, there are always hot new items and new innovations. One new line is Urban Fusion’s fused glass jewelry. What’s most impressive are the belt buckles – they’re big and chunky and very colourful. They’re $89 each.” Dress by Anne Hung
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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
Drape yourself with long beaded necklaces with fabric and wood elements
The designers decided to embrace the “lovely mess” concept, dressing up their runway models with masculine-yetsexy John Fluevog platforms and big, dishevelled hair adorned with rhinestone brooches.“We wanted women to be happy with themselves, and feel that they’re all lovely,” concludes Gunhouse. The collection itself is a buffet of dresses, blouses, skirts, pants and jackets in plaids and rich shades such as rust, aubergine and midnight blue. One of the star outfits Fall/Winter 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine
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anything trendy here – the emphasis is on high-quality clothing that transcends time. “We focus on strong design and a strong palette – all greyscale, no matter what the season,” says owner Sydney Mamane, who is a former stylist and film costumer. “We focus on cut and quality. We offer a contemporary cut, a little narrower, slimmer, all the way through” Sydney’s specializes in suits and shirting, but it’s also a treasure trove of upscale casual wear from underground labels. Look for shirts, trousers, knits, bags and footwear by M.A+; outerwear, knits and accessories by Nom de Guerre; knits and outerwear by Dries van Noten; shirts, suits and ties by Band of Outsiders; and pieces from Rick Owens, Damir Doma and others.
Comrags’ “Martin” dress
is a wool plaid suit with a lopsided onebutton jacket (jacket, $395; pants, $310). A collection of iridescent, jewel-coloured evening dresses ($330 each) will be in the store at the end of October. “We call the material ‘crush,’” says Gunhouse. “It’s 100-per-cent polyester, and where there are gathers, they have shadows, which makes the garment look really detailed.”
House label Kin features shirting, suiting, outerwear, trousers and jeans. Bespoke suiting, for which all finishing is done by hand, starts at $3,000. If you’ve never been able to find jeans that fit properly, Sydney is your man – he offers custom-made denim.
Comrags also offers scarves by local designer Andrea Shewchuk ($195 to $495). “The scarves reflect the theme of ‘A Lovely Mess,’” says Gunhouse.“Every one is different – they have beading and they’re crazy – and that suited our collection.” Opened four years ago, Sydney’s (795 Queen St. W., 416.603.3369, shopssydneys. com) is the destination for men with discerning taste in fashion. You won’t find 20
Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
Comrags’ one-button jacket in plaid wool, scarves by Andrea Shewchuk, available at Comrags.
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Home Décor | Trends for Fall/Winter By: Manny Machado
O
ne of the biggest changes that comes with the cooler season is the environment in which we spend the majority of our time. Of course, that means moving indoors. Grooming your home for the fall and winter months need not be a chore. Keep in mind some simple décor suggestions and you’ll be fine. 1) Keep your major purchases neutral, such as sofas, tables and beds.
Select rich woods or solid colours in order to mix and match with ease.
F ashionable
2) Take advantage of trends. Purple, gray and tartan patterns are in this season, add them to your current scheme by way of wall colours or coverings, throw pillows and blankets. Great designs can be found at these local design outlets: > avenue-road.com > quasimodomodern.com > westelm.com Staging, design and styling services and consultations can be a great asset to your home when buying or selling, for more information please feel free to contact me at: mail@mannymachadodesigns.com
Lighting for your lifestyle. 5,000 sq foot Loft Showroom
$ - $$ - $$$
624 King Street West (one block east of Bathurst on the north side) 416-364-9099 22
Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
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Schnarre and Matis are confident that the collection will be a hit with other leggy women who are looking for well-made, well-priced fashion options. “We’re already looking at fabrics for Spring 2010.”
Monika’s hair & make-up: Hanoch Drori
To create the collection, Schnarre collaborated with designer Lucian Matis, a fan favourite from Season One of Project Runway Canada.“I know where my strengths and weaknesses are – I don’t know how to draw or pick fabrics, but I know what’s missing from my wardrobe and what tall women can’t find,” says Schnarre. “Lucian is the expert – he has his own line on The Shopping Channel, Daphne by Lucian Matis. He’s super-creative and very accomplished.”
Tall by Monika Schnarre will be available exclusively on The Shopping Channel starting in November. Prices average $100, and customers can choose from about 30 pieces, including blouses, pencil skirts, fitted and wrap dresses, pants, a business suit and the aforementioned tux.“I would say they’re all work appropriate, with the exception of the sequined top!” says Schnarre. “I like to wear my tuxedo jacket to business meetings with something underneath, and for evening, I wear nothing underneath.”
For more information, visit monikaschnarre.com.
Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
ended up spending $1,000 on a suit that doesn’t really fit me properly,” she sighs. “I wanted to fill that niche and make it affordable.”
By: Jaclyn Law
Schnarre, who was born in Toronto, studied journalism at UCLA and built a career in acting and television hosting after five years of posing for magazines such as Vogue, Flare, Chatelaine and Sports Illustrated (the swimsuit issue, naturally). Last year, she decided to launch her clothing line after a frustrating search for a tuxedo. “Nothing fit, and I
The inaugural collection of Tall by Monika Schnarre features stylish, versatile items for women of all ages.“I just wanted to fill the need in the market for fashionable, sexy garments that are long enough – extra length in the body, the sleeves, and the legs. I call it ‘two inches everywhere,’” explains Schnarre, who is 6’1” without shoes on. “I’m starting with the basics. I feel it’s hard for a tall woman to find a basic suit and basic sportswear.”
C
all it the height of fashion – Monika Schnarre is launching a clothing label for women who share her generous stature.
Lofty New Fashion Label
Monika Schnarre’s
Style & Fashion | Tall by Monika Schnarre
r L A e L d r o T a
Food & Drink | Barchef By: Kristina Kottova and Chef Tom Kral
hen you think of a chef, you think of a food artist.These professionals know exactly how to combine mouth-watering taste and aesthetically pleasing garnishes to turn your meal into a masterpiece. So when you hear of “Barchef”, the same ideas should come to mind, and that’s exactly what this Queen St. West cocktail bar incorporates.
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Your Barchef experience begins when you enter what one might describe as an Alchemist’s den. Appointed with bottles containing homemade preserves, mason jars with ladles full of what appear to be potions,and a sizeable ice block for chipping. The décor at Barchef makes you feel as if you have just entered another world, one full of sorcerers and magic. And once you’ve had a
few drinks, this really seems to be the case. The décor is quite simple. Candle-lit with a retro feel. It has a dark atmosphere, which pulls all your attention to one focal point – the bar. This atmosphere is perfect since it doesn’t take the focus away from the mindblowing drinks. The main space, as well as the restrooms, is well maintained and very tidy. The service is efficient; employees are uber-friendly and want to get to know you. They also give great advice on which drink might be best suited for your taste. Franky Solarik, the head barchef and owner, has designed a whole new way of drinking. In order to make his drinks as exciting as they are, Solarik makes his own in-house bitters and infuses his syrups with natural continued on page 28
Franky Solarik, Barchef Photography by: Tom Kral 26
Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
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aromatics. This is where the “alchemy” comes into play. Solarik uses what he calls “Molecular Mixology” – meaning many of his creations go through changes in their physical state. This technique brings all the senses together. Your sense of smell is enticed by the spices, visually you don’t believe your eyes when you see the cocktails react as they come together, sometimes engulfed by smoke or dry ice, and their texture and taste are extravagant. One of Solarik’s crowd-pleasing techniques
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involves hickory smoke in his cocktails, which conjures up memories of campfires and roasted marshmallows. Solarik has a passion for what he does and you can see it in his creations. One of our personal favourites was “Van Gogh’s Downfall”, a cocktail that brings a satisfying balance to absinthe using in-house bitters, orange blossom water, lemon, clove, star anise syrup, and palm sugar rim. Solarik continued on page 30
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Model Citizen Monika Schnarre loves Our Neighbourhood so much, she decided to move here after returning to Canada from Los Angeles two years ago. Her favourite hangouts include 69 Vintage (1100 Queen St. West, 416.516.0669), where she shops for dresses, men’s jackets and hats, Trinity Bellwoods Park and Little Portugal, where she noshes on Portuguese chicken.
co-owns the bar with Brent VanderVeen, and they celebrated their one-year anniversary on October 1st. Barchef is fancy, yet unpretentious. Its positive vibe, coupled with its uncomplicated and wellpresented food make Barchef a place worth to check out. All of this does come at a price, depending on the extravagancy of your drink. The menu is divided into several sections, appealing to those who want to spend
a little or a lot (and you can definitely spend a lot): Recession ($8/drink), Sweet, Sour ($12/drink) and Molecular ($20-$25 for most, and $45 for the Vanilla Hickory Smoked Manhattan). If you’re looking for a truly unique experience that will stimulate your senses, we strongly recommend Barchef. Barchef is located at 482 Queen St. West 416.868.4800 | barcheftoronto.com
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Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
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Image Consultant Ronelle BertschingerBlomerus shares her tips for guys wanting an image makeover.
Style & Fashion | His Style By: Manny Machado
ince taking on the assignment of Style & Fashion Editor for ON Magazine, I have been afforded the liberty of getting to know more about one of my favorite subjects – fashion.
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Male fashion has been creeping up everywhere. Major designer labels are opening up retail locations solely with menswear. This is a great time for us guys to experiment with different looks and wear pieces that can either dress up an outfit or dress it down. Accessories for men are a huge trend, especially when the fall season rolls in and layering is not a luxury but a testament to survival in our cooler months. Hats, scarves, vests and cardigans have become must-haves for the fall-winter season. Our Neighbourhood has become a Mecca for men’s fashion, offering not only unique designs but also tailored one-on-one fashion consults from the experts. This provides a perfect environment for guys wanting to take a stab at a specific trend as well as those who want to upgrade their current duds. 32
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Men, it’s time for a makeover. Like a fresh shot of energy, your confidence level will rise instantaneously surprising you with how many good things will happen.
One of the staples for menswear in the city is located right here on King Street West. GOTSTYLE has led the pack for several years and continues to showcase great style sense with their amazing collections, such as Vancouver’s Christopher Bates for Ultra. Christopher was kind enough to sit with me and talk about his move to Milan in 2006. This was the start of his fashion career leading to his premiere show in Vancouver’s Tunnel nightclub, where he walked out on the catwalk for the first time. He and Tom Ford both share a common trait in that they are their own muses. “I’m like a painter, I make clothes,” states Bates. Ultra’s look is bold and avant-garde. Its signature is quality and hands-on manufacturing and everything is made in Canada.
Start out with getting a colour analysis done. The right colour can make you look stunning as opposed to the wrong colour, which will indeed make you look tired and drab. Style analysis is ideally the next step, determined by height, bone structure, shape, personality and samatotype (The 3 body types, ectomorph, meso or endomorph, demarking the way we are built.) A fashionable new hairstyle and colour will also be a plus for a new image. Most importantly is what I call, a wardrobe facelift,which means eliminating clothes that haven’t been worn for over a year and are the wrong colour and size. Remember when shopping for a new wardrobe keep in mind your environment and your job. This season’s must haves:
1) Short sleeve dress shirt with skinny tie 2) Leather and white pants 3) White blazer 4) Skinny jeans 5) Layers but still having a silhouette
1) Hats from John Varvatos 2) Knitted ties from Tom Ford 3) The pocket-handkerchief is back 4) Eyewear from Moscot 5) Galliano’s new underwear is an absolute trend 6) Raf Simmons’ neat business wear, 7) Dries van-Noten long broad-striped blazer and matching shorts, combined with a classic white shirt, a narrow striped tie and lace-ups 8) Prada leather coat
Ultramenswear.com
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“Getting guys into clothes that fit,” is Bates’ goal. His top picks for wardrobe musts are:
DIY Fashion
By: Jaclyn Law
You’re unique, so shouldn’t your clothes and decor be too? This fall, get crafty with classes offered by Our Neighbourhood’s resident artsy types. The Knit Café (1050 Queen St. W., 416.533. KNIT, theknitcafetoronto.com) is offering courses in knitting, crochet, felt making and embroidery. Learn to knit sweaters, hats and mittens, or whip up adorable amigurumi dolls – ideal for gift-giving. While you’re there, check out the impressive yarn and pattern collections. Sew and craft by the hour at The Workroom (1340 Queen St. W., 416.534.5305, theworkroom.ca). It’s equipped with everything you need for your projects, including sewing machines and sergers, and you can shop for beautiful fabrics. For DIY-ers who need a little help to get started, there are classes in sewing, alterations, serging, designer knock-offs and more. After the one-day silk-screening workshop at Peach Berserk (507 Queen St. W., 416.504.1711, peachberserk.com), you’ll be able to print your own T-shirts, cushions, notebook covers… the possibilities are endless. And for serious crafters, the store offers “Biztips for Misfits,” a seminar about starting your own creative business. Sharpen your jewelry-making skills at The Devil’s Workshop (955 Queen St. W., Unit 112, 416.855.4321, thedevilsworkshop.ca), which offers classes in silversmithing, metal printmaking and wax casting. You can also create fused glass pendants and wedding bands, or have a “girls’ night out” shindig. The Paper Place (887 Queen St. W., 416.703.0089, thepaperplace.ca) shows you how to create decorations for your home (paper flowers, garlands and hand-stitched books), for yourself (paper-and-glass pendants), and for friends (greeting cards), all using the store’s beautiful Japanese papers. Fall/Winter 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine
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Style & Fashion | Q&A with Sunny Fong By: Jaclyn Law hen we caught up with fashion designer and Project Runway Canada winner Sunny Fong, he was putting the finishing touches on the Spring/Summer 2010 collection of his label, VAWK by Sunny Fong, and preparing his runway show, which has the prestigious opening slot for Toronto’s LG Fashion Week (October 19-24, lgfashionweek.ca). “We’ve been planning since Project Runway, setting up the business and getting the collection ready,” he says.
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Fong also enjoys Liberty Village, which he first visited when he was a film student and it was an industrial zone. “Now it’s another version of the Distillery District. It seems less artsy, but has more home, fashion and lifestyle.” Don’t expect to see Fong there any time soon – if the buzz around his fashion show is any indication, he’ll be far too busy to shop. For more info on VAWK by Sunny Fong, visit vawkcollection.ca.
The shows usually take place in a tent at King and Shaw, but Fong decided to stage his invitation-only event at the AGO midafternoon, to take advantage of natural daylight. His fans across the country can look forward to pieces that are both stylish and wearable. Fong doesn’t elaborate, but offers a tantalizing hint: “Two words: French Polynesia.” Fong doesn’t live in Our Neighbourhood, but he loves to visit. His favourite haunts include décor destination Commute (819 Queen St.W.,416.861.0521,commutehome. com) and stylish clothing retailer Jacflash – “The store has a really cool environment.”For brunch, he favours Swan (892 Queen St. W., 647.258.7952), and he has a soft spot for Terroni (720 Queen St. W., 416.504.0320, terroni.ca). Fong also likes to drop into luxury eyewear boutique Spectacle (752 Queen St. W., 416.603.0123, spectaclelovesyou.com) to try on frames for glasses, although he doesn’t need them.
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otton fabrics provide such comfort for all of us. Memories of cotton date back to our infancy and early childhood. Remember that special, ever-sosoft security blanket you had as a baby that you couldn’t go a day without touching? The reality is that this so-called “gentle fabric” may not be so gentle. The number of toxic and potentially carcinogenic chemicals found in regular cotton, which could be absorbed into our skin, is alarming. So, please... stop, think, and read label before you buy regular cotton products. Many of us are not aware of the realities involved in the picking and production of regular cotton. Cotton crops are sprayed with pesticides and the incidence of cancer among cotton workers is increasing. In addition, these chemicals are known to leach into the local water systems where the cotton is grown, thus affecting surrounding communities. Manufacturers get away with this, especially in developing countries where laws are less stringent.
agency for organic, fair trade and good agricultural practices (GAP) standards. One way to navigate all this is via trusted websites and stores.One local trusted website is fashiontakesaction.com whose mission is ‘to have a socially and environmentally positive impact on the global fashion industry.” Founder Kelly Drennan is truly committed to an industry that has its many challenges. Her website highlights responsible designers in the city. So check her out and support local designers. Mountain Equipment Co-op is a company whose products and product labels can be trusted. However, if you want something more fashionable than cotton, you have to keep an eye out for imposters.
Unbelievably, this same scenario happens in eastern Canada with the production of our hearty Canadian potato! Who thought the lonely spud could be affected in such a way.
Bamboo may be one such imposter. Perhaps it can be seen as cotton’s younger sibling trying to gain acceptance in the global world. It is soft, shiny, and new. With time, its standards will be improved. Indeed bamboo is a highly renewable product. However transforming bamboo from plant to fibre and into a knittable state involves vats of chemicals and a highly toxic process.
Obviously, certified organic cotton is the responsible choice over regular cotton, but once again the certification is Key to knowing the truth.
The key is knowledge and understanding. We want new products in the marketplace and this allows for competition, which drives standards.
Certified organic cotton means that it is grown without the use of toxic chemicals. Then you need third party verification to confirm that all standards are truly organic.
So remember, if it is shiny and new, it probably means it does not yet have proven standards.
EcoCert is one of these third parties. Originating in France,EcoCert is a certification
CERTIFIED organic cotton is just as renewable as bamboo, follows sustainable practices and is the trusted winner here.
Fall/Winter 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine
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Style & Fashion | Fashionable Dogs By: Desi Di Nardo
too ssee xxyy for t he he ccaa tw twaa lk lk hat would a fashion issue be without mention of some of the most stylish and dashing models gallivanting about the streets of Toronto? Contrary to popular belief, the most revolutionary fashion movement is not being bred on the catwalks of Milan, New York, or Paris, but rather on the boardwalks and sidewalks of major cities across North America where dogs are the benefactors or (depending on your viewpoint), perhaps the victims of a movement that not only provides quality protection from the elements but fashionable garb to help express people’s pets’ (and possibly their own) personalities.
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Long gone are the days of scruffylooking dogs, kept outdoors in makeshift doghouses or the occasional Golden Retriever donning a blue bandana and resembling very much a long–haired, unshaven Bruce Springsteen. Today, dogs have more than a generous selection and variety of chic and trendy garments for all seasons. Owners and their dogs can now choose from plush hoodies, wool knit 38
Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
sweaters, jerseys of their favourite soccer team, well-tailored raincoats, pyjamas, personalized collars and matching leashes, waterproof winter booties, indoor socks, and much much more. Canines lately are being dressed to the nines – and sometimes even more stylish than their owners. And why not? Are they not generally the most giving member of the family? Do they not contribute to our happiness in ways our human counterparts do not? Do they not add to our health and overall well-being by prying us off the couch for daily walks and showering us with the only love they know... the unconditional kind? So whether you’re into making your dog into a four-footed fashionista and spoiling him or her with spa treatments and the like or you think it’s just a little over the top, it’s worthwhile contemplating what this movement or new mentality means to dogs and animal welfare overall. Once we get over the novelty of dressing man or woman’s best friends in swanky, voguish outfits, perhaps at that point we’ll all be more prepared to demand better rights for our pets and all animals. Fall/Winter 2009 | Our Neighbourhood Magazine
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ON Magazine wishes to thank its volunteers, staff, advertisers and readers as we celebrate our 3rd Anniversary!
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R e a l
E s t a t e
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Real Estate | ON the Market By: Gigi von Anrep, Broker Gigi von Anrep, Broker
Home ‘Reno’ – a craze that lasts and lasts!
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. 905 King West, Toronto, ON M6K 3G9
416.205.0355 www.KingWestVillage.ca gigivonanrep.blogspot.com
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s it our instinct for nesting or are we influenced by all the TV shows focusing on the before & after of home decorating? Whatever the answer, the result is a boom in the home renovation business. And I’ve jumped in feet first! Most people wouldn’t fall in love with the house that we just bought but since I see so many different places as a realtor, my trained eye could see the possibilities of our new space and my childhood dream of living in a home with a turret has come true! Even with my trained eye, however, I could not have predicted the extent of the project ahead of us. We bought a house and after a bit of work, we now own a shell and a façade! Having to make big decisions with little time to work with is proving to be daunting and at times overwhelming. But it’s also pretty thrilling! We will have our dream come true – a new old house! Most people expect to do some light reno’s when they move into a new home. I call it personalizing the place. But even light reno’s can be a chore for some. What TV shows make to look easy and cheap is in reality not so. That’s my one beef – does Mike Holmes ever quote on what he would have charged to do the job he did – because 99% of people would consider it way over what they expect to spend! How about that 48 Reno Blitz that Breakfast Television likes to do every once in a while – it’s great to be the recipient but they don’t see the bill. That’s why upgraded and renovated homes sell faster and for more money. The majority of buyers fall in love with the look they see that 42
Our Neighbourhood Magazine | Fall/Winter 2009
Featured on page 4
Specializing in Queen West & King West Properties
Thinking of turning over a new the seller has created. If you think you’d like to do some work on your place, start with a wish list and a look that you like, and then start asking friends and colleagues if they have any professionals they could recommend so that you can start getting a feel for what things are going to cost. Go to different stores that carry products that you’re interested in and price out the different varieties – from lowend to high-end – and educate yourself on the different benefits. The more you know up front about what you want to do, the more likely it will turn out as you hope. And one thing I’ve learned – once you’ve committed to a budget add another 10% or even 15% and call it miscellaneous! I’ve done these projects now a few times and have learned that you can budget as much as you want but those unforeseen costs come up every time and you’ll feel a lot less stressed if you give yourself a bit of a cushion. Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage 905 King St. West, Toronto 416.205.0355 KingWestVillage.ca gigivonanrep.blogspot.com
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Our World | The Fashion of Fashion
Breathe, Grow and Relax...
By: Ben Peterson
ashion is everywhere. Even in the most remote villages in the poorest countries in the world, people wear necklaces, rings, elegant robes, and shoes with local flare along with rock n’ roll-style hairdos that might blow away the hippest Manhattan stylists.
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Even where people battle daily for water and food, fashion still reigns. Why? Our external selves send signals to strangers, neighbours, friends and family about what type of person we are. Are you hard working? Wear a suit. Are you a hippy? Wear Birkenstocks. We are visual creatures who pass judgment on people based on
their external presentation. Likewise, we control the visual signals we send through our fashion sense. If your life depends on the help of others, the pressure to cast yourself in a presentable light through fashion is as strong, if not stronger, than if you’re hoping to pick up at the bar or land a new job in this part of the world. Fashion never goes out of fashion. Ben Peterson is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Journalists for Human Rights. For more information, please visit: jhr.ca.
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