Don’t I look like money?

Moving sucks because it makes finding your stuff even more difficult, that includes some of my most cherished clothing pieces, like my high waisted jeans.

It’s funny how those pieces become much more important when you can’t find them anymore, as if every outfit doesn’t work without them. So I went on the search for a pair and decided that this time, they’ll be even more special. I went over to Carte Blanche on Queen Street West again and tried on the high waisted raw jeans from Pink Cobra (the in house brand). I wanted to avoid getting Cheap Mondays or April 77′s because I want to expand my denim collection with various brands (obsession you all know). Unfortunately, the 27 had too much room in the crotch area and could manage to fit another human inside while the 25 wouldn’t button up. And they ran out of 26. Damn.

But, because they are nice to their customers and love when people wear items specifically from their in house brand, they offered to custom make me a pair, fitted to my body. Yay! They even went out and picked some swatches for me to choose from. The result? A measurement session on Thursday and a pick-up on Tuesday. That’s what I call service. Did I mention how the bill came to less than $200 tax in?

The staff is great to chat with, I recommend you pay them a visit if you’re ever a) in need of jeans, b) are in the area, or c) need to satisfy your expensive habit, like me! So stop hyperventilating, and go there…immediately!

Carte Blanche 758 Queen St West
www.shopcarteblanche.ca
www.pinkcobra.ca

Trustfund 3rd Annual Holiday Party

Hello Trustfunders,

Here is a ray of sunshine against the dense foggy mess that is your personal schedule during these holiday times of the year: The Trustfund Holiday Party is on Thursday, December 4th from 5 to 9pm.  We will be serving you delicious drinks (with or without hooch, naturally),  delightful holiday snacks (including homemade snickerdoodles), and of course loading you up with amazing gifts.
What gifts you might ask?  Well we’ll tell you.

Trustfund’s Gift Giving Ladder:

• With your purchase of $100 or more you will get two $25 gift certificates ($50 value) that you can use in the new year.
• With your purchase of $300 or more you will get the gift certificates plus a unisex Velvet cashmere-blended scarf  ($145 value) and a Splendid Tote ($15 value)
• With your purchase of $400 or more you will get the gift certs, the scarf, and the tote plus either a Nudie Jeans Raw Denim Ipod Holder ($45 value) or a M0851 clutch ($85 value)
• With your purchase of $500 or more you will get the gift certs, the scarf, the tote, and the Ipod holder or clutch, plus a pair of Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses ($115 value)

Please note that this incredible promotion can only occur with the following stipulations: (1) Methods of payment to be eligible for the promotion are cash, debit, credit card, and gift certificate only.  Promo coupons and credit notes may be used at the holiday party but their value does not apply towards the Trustfund gift giving ladder.  (2) Purchases that qualify you for the Trustfund gift giving ladder can only be exchanged and are not returnable for a credit note.  Thank you for understanding.

Fritz Helder and The Phantoms

Having moved to Toronto just a few days ago, I was eager to begin networking. I had emailed blogger and fashion illustrator Danielle Meder last month letting her know I am moving and would like to get involved in the scene. Bloggers are the best. Why? Because they, unlike many people these days, respond to your emails. This is something I try to live by, to answer everyone between 24-48 hours.

Well I emailed Danielle again Sunday letting her know I’m here and she sends me an invite to the “Lagerfeld Lady” single + video release party for this band called Fritz Helder and the Phantoms at Strangelove in Little Italy. One problem – I was supposed to confirm with the publicist Sunday, it’s now Monday, so I try my luck and email her any way. Luckily, she turns out to be one of the nicest and most helpful publicists I’ve ever met and grants me access to this jam (yes I used the word jam). She also lets me know that Pastel Supernova and Diego Superstar from the band are originally from Ottawa!

So I dress up (luckily I did) and head out solo. Now, I don’t know what Danielle looks like because I didn’t think of Facebook stalking her or anything so this was going to be a challenge. I look around, then I run into the publicist who describes Danielle to me. I find Danielle and her entourage. Blogger Anita Clarke sits on her left, designer Philip Sparks on her right, and to his left Now Toronto’s Fashion Editor Andrew Sardone. Danielle mentions the firm I’ll be working at and I am happy to know most of them know the company well.

I like the location because it’s small and intimate and you have the opportunity to chat with everyone.

I notice cameras are all over the band and I can’t help but admire their style. The lead singer is wearing a pair of turquoise April 77’s (I was wearing my April’s too) and I was tempted to strike up a conversation about how great these jeans are but refrained myself. I kept staring at them for a bit and realized how much their look reminds me of Hercules and Love Affair.

The video starts playing, the Hercules and Love Affair vibe is growing but I see a little more of Prince (à la Erotic City) in the lead singer’s persona. It’s original and fresh, I’m enjoying it (you can too, see the video below).

Danielle introduces me to more people, including designer Nada Shepherd (who just showed at L’Oreal Fashion Week) and Gail McInnes (I spelt your name right this time…are you reading this?) Gail’s personality and personal style is great, she’s also one of those people who responds to your emails. Another thing about Gail? She knows everyone so she introduces me to the owner of Stylus Canada and Fabric Magazine, who, tum tum tum, studied at Carleton University (does everyone have a tiny attachment to Ottawa around here?).

After chatting for a bit I head out, having thoroughly enjoyed the band and meeting all these great people. I look forward to more events like this, and seeing Justice at Circa tonight.

www.fritzhelder.com
www.myspace.com/fritzhelderandthephantoms

The Book of Denim

While in Toronto earlier this week, I stopped by Book City on Queen Street West and picked up a magazine I’ve been longing for.

Wad magazine, a publication that’s already beyond cool, did something even cooler, they released a denim issue. Various magazines like Nylon for example do this, however, after purchasing the $13 “book” and reading through it, it’s officially a collector’s issue that puts all those “denim issues” to shame. I will never ever purchase another denim issue again. This is it. It is definitely something that should be owned by all denim lovers.

The issue contains details on various brands, tons of spreads, a history of denim, a denim map (so cool), and much more. Wad also included praise denim quotes by designers and famous pop culture icons. Jeans were not the only items featured in the issue, the issue had all types of denim apparel like bags, shoes, custom denim, coloured, sporty, collaborations, types (warm, raw, light, stonewashed). The marketing department at Wad even went as far as to make sure all the advertisements within the issue are denim related. Tres cool. And for all the French people out there, the issue is billingual.

A Chat

While shopping downtown today, I got the chance to chat with Regine from Victoire. She informed me that the store is no longer selling April 77 jeans due to a fall out with the Canadian supplier. There you have it – confirmation. No more April’s in Ottawa. I did tell Regine that she should try something to get them back in store because they are only in Toronto at Carte Blanche and nowhere else. She said “we’ll see”. So if you love April’s and any other brands we don’t have here (there’s a lot we don’t have), suggest it to the store owners!

Also on my shopping trip, I was disappointed to see the lack of stores we have. Seriously, please, someone open up something else on the Dalhousie Strip!

Surrender

My fascination for denim must come to an end! It’s a costly addiction, worst than alcohol, cigarettes or drug dependency. I am a recovering denimhead, trying only to look but not buy, and I slip once in awhile, especially when a beautiful person, whether male or female, is selling me these jeans. It makes it that much more interesting, just like the way a less attractive person becomes attractive when you’re intoxicated. On my recent trip to Toronto, I stopped by Carte Blanche on Queen Street West where I laid my eyes on a pair of beautiful raw April 77 Joey jeans. After chatting with the sales lady for over twenty minutes, who just so happens to be one of the most stunning women I have ever seen in my life, she swiped my credit card and I walked out of the store with a fresh pair of April’s, one of the rarest brands to find in Canada, which, surprisingly, can be found in Ottawa. The denim is thick and soft. These jeans are amazing, I love them dearly.

The coolest part? The small fifth pocket we are accustomed to is transformed into a shield like shape in order to fit a guitar pick. Better yet, not only do you get a fine pair of jeans, but once you explore the neat pocket you will find an April 77 guitar pick inside. Whether or not you play guitar, that’s pretty damn cool!

“Shield” like pocket with the guitar pick

Battle Royal: Ottawa Street Style VS. Youth League & the Spies

Ok so Tracie from Youth League happened to be at the same place as I was yesterday and therefore, we decided to have a battle, street style STYLE. We both wanted to snap Lucie who is terribly stylish both inside and out. She is quite the entrepreneur and hopper of various cities. What attracted me the most were her really dope silver Converse. I always wanted shiny sneakers but never bought them and now I think I should. Her whole ensemble was well put together and her lingo matched her outfit with words like “classy” being thrown around.

Now since Tracie has been working on something about sneakers, she decided to take her outside the office and take the picture outside. Here’s where Ottawa Street Style wins, YOU CAN’T STAGE STREET STYLE!!! Hehehehehehehehe, next week Tracie, same place, same time!

so what happens when you wash Cheap Mondays?

Alright, so it’s with great regret that I inform the readers of this blog that I officially, after ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP EXACTLY, washed my Italien Unwash Cheap Mondays. They still look good since all the marks I have made throughout the past year and the whiskers have come out of their shell, however, the jeans have turned darker with the shine completely gone, which saddens me more than anything.

My Nudie’s are losing colour as they were thrown into the wash as well. But unlike Nudie’s, Cheap Mondays do not smell as bad as Nudie’s after a few months!

I need a new pair, maybe I’ll cover Iron Army’s new brand since they discontinued Iron Army for some reason….oh denim, why do I love you so??

The New Swedish Empire

WHAT? Swedish Trunk Show event

WHO? Trust Fund Boutique in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy

WHERE? Trust Fund Boutique 493 Sussex Drive

WHEN? Wednesday, March 26th, from 6-9PM

***EVENT MIGHT BECOME INVITE ONLY, SIGN UP TO THE TRUST FUND MAILING LIST ON THEIR SITE AT WWW.TRUSTFUNDBOUTIQUE.COM.

They might send another email to RSVP to the event.Thanks for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you!

WHY? TOP 5 REASONS TO ATTEND ACCORDING TO AN OTTAWA STREET STYLE FAN

5) To my knowledge, or perhaps I haven’t dug deep enough into your archives and in which case I apologize, you haven’t given any kudos to Tiger of Sweden or Tretorn. These two amazing lines are gaining great momentum: Tiger is very unique and while Tretorn’s boots are so cute, durable and affordable. They will both also showcase new items currently unavailable in Ottawa.

4) Nudies is going to arrive with some new styles that aren’t currently available in the store so it’s a great chance to see what other great denim they have to offer. This would be a great way to update the Nudies section of your website!

3) Each designer will offer a gift with purchase. For instance, Nudie is going to have Tshirts and boxer briefs on hand. Who doesn’t like getting presents?

2) …and who doesn’t like nibbling and sipping away on yummy appetizers and drinks? Not to mention that the embassy will bring along plenty of people from their Swedish posse, and the Swedes are known to be quite a yummy bunch themselves!

1) Why not ponder a little more on your “What can the Swedes not do?” query written under the February 17th posting for ‘Love is shit, it’s only trouble. Julian Red’. Indeed!

Naked & Famous Denim

I always loved silk pajamas, especially the way they make you slide off the bed. I was perusing the world wide web and stumbled upon Naked & Famous Denim.

This Canadian denim maker (using only the best in Japanese denim) was foreign to my raw denim knowledge. Some styles I am in love with, some are a bit too kitsch for my taste. Their website includes the entire men’s and women’s collection, separated by “type of person or body type”.

They seem to take their denim making seriously and their tagline is “rare and raw Japanese denim”, so check them out for yourself and be the judge!

April 77

April 77 – Dance tonight, Revolution Tomorrow

I want a pair of April 77′s really bad, and supposedly, Victoire Boutique in Ottawa carries them. Their Spring/Summer line called “The New Church” is really amazing. The use of models (the female looks like Eva Green) and the conception is awesome, I couldn’t resist posting the shots. I suggest checking out their website and the Spring Summer women’s and men’s collection.

Founded in 2002 by 25 year old Brice Partouche, APRIL77 is a tribute to youth movements,
counterculture and lifestyle. Keeping its mind open, the label finds its inspiration in the
underground scenes, being musical, literary, artistic or even architectural.Extremely graphic and clear in its design, each piece from the collections is strongly
impregnated in modern history. The choice of quality fabrics, carefully studied cuts and
original model names shows an authentic respect for clothing’s classic and noble references.

Iron Army jeans

So I’ve been wanting these Aiko Cigarette Leg in Raw but the Iron Army store only has a rinsed and washed pair. I might forfeit and buy from the men’s section but I’m worried about the fit since the closest place Iron Army’s are sold is Over the Rainbow in Toronto.

I absolutely fell in love with this boy in my class who had this pair in the mens…the beautiful brown denim with a bit of shine looks great. If you’ve never heard of Iron Army before, click on the link below to read the story. For now, enjoy the pics I’m posting!
Read the Iron Army Story

Sebastian straight leg raw

Aiko Cigarette Leg

Tight Long John

The Back

The Front
 

The Whiskers

Nudie’s have skyrocketed in popularity in the past year. The Scandinavian brand is known for having instructions on their website regarding how to care for your raw denim, including the infamous put them in the freezer when they begin smelling! 

I bought a pair of Unisex Tight Long John in a lighter summer denim this past April. Unfortunately, I am not devoted enough to put them in the freezer, and after one too many days and nights on the streets, they were sent to the dry cleaners twice! But the whiskers in the back are coming in and the lip balm I carry in my right pocket has started to show fading. 

Here’s a few pictures of mine and on a model! www.nudiejeans.com

Cheap Monday Italien Unwashed

These were the first pair of raw’s I bought…which I still have not washed in 9 months! They cost me $60 CDN dollars and the first day I wore them, they bruised my hip bones and were tighter than a pair of leggings. Today, I have room to breathe and whiskers growing in the back along with some fading on the sides. The wash is unique and I definitely recommend getting a pair of Cheap Mondays! They have many unique colours and styles. www.cheapmonday.com

READ THE CHEAP MONDAY STORY AT: Flasher Weekend

Section on Raw Denim

I love denim and so I have decided to include a section on denim, notably raw denim, on this site. It will include links to forums about denim, online stores where you can buy denim and links to awesome denim brands that should be discovered. I invite everyone to add their comments on the styles that will be posted or even email us pictures of your jeans process (please see below on definition of raw denim to understand this statement!)

Raw denim (also dry denim)
Its essentially virgin denim that has never been washed or treated. Usually really dark blue and stiff when you first put them on but after constant wear they will start to assimilate the shape of your “fit”/body and be worn in the right places.
Source: Urban Dictionary

As opposed to washed denim, is a denim fabric that is not washed after being dyed during its production. It can be identified by its lack of wash and usually starts off as an indigo blue. Most denim is washed after being crafted into an article of clothing in order to make it softer and to eliminate any shrinkage which could cause an item to not fit after the owner washes it. In addition to being washed, non-dry denim is sometimes artificially “distressed” to achieve a worn-in look. Much of the appeal of dry denim lies in the fact that with time the fabric will fade in a manner similar to factory distressed denim. With dry denim, however, such fading is affected by the body of the person who wears the jeans and the activities of their daily life. This creates what many enthusiasts feel to be a more natural, unique look than pre-distressed denim. To facilitate the natural distressing process, some wearers of dry denim will often abstain from washing their jeans for more than six months.
Source: Wikipedia