Rosy future

Fashion Notes: Rosy future

Finally, tortured tootsies are a thing of the past. Orthopedic surgeon and shoe designer Taryn Rose has launched her spring collection exclusively at Davids (66 Bloor St. W., 416-920-1000, davidsfootwear.com). With trends like leopard prints and architectural and origami styles incorporated into her ever-expanding line (Dane shown, $500), we agree with Oprah that this brand will be a blooming success.

By Sarah Casselman

First published in FASHION Magazine February 2008

Bag lady

Fashion Notes: Bag lady

Calgary designer Andrea Strand (hoakonhelga.com) crafts petite evening purses and eye-catching totes (the Gilda shown, $140) from leather and colourful, hand-painted canvas. At Collage Gallery (100 Seventh Ave. SW, Suite 206, 403-265-3330).

Photography by Clinton Hussey.

Jewellery

Fashion Notes: Globetrotter

While it’s true that Patricia Pinkney adores soaking up the atmosphere at her Mont-Tremblant chalet, she equally adores travelling the world and discovering local treasures. Pinkney recently launched pangea-collection.com, a site devoted to carrying some of the most original and beautiful jewellery (bracelet shown, $105) she’s discovered while soaking up the culture in Thailand, Brazil, Chile—and right here in Canada.

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

Editor's Pick: The limited-edition Caribou Reserve boots

A lot of cooing takes place in the FASHION offices. That's to be expected - a mind-boggling array of gorgeous things cross our desks: jewellery worth mortgaging the house for, serums that promise the moon, and, of course, jaw-dropping shoes. But the pair of kicks which recently elicited the most "Ooh, can I touch those?" were somewhat unexpected: the Caribou Reserve boots from Sorel. Yep. The winter boots associated with gruff '70s fathers and Bill Cosby sweaters.

Granted, these limited-edition lovelies are more than a bit special: the buttery soft leather is waterproof elk; the cozy lining is sheep shearling; the soles are handcrafted and made of vulcanized rubber. But there's more to it than that: I want to wear these boots everywhere, not just on winter hikes. Is it the sartorial irony revolution of trucker caps and lumberjack jackets that has tweaked the eye?

Consider the question, but not for too long: Only 500 pairs (at $500 each) are available worldwide, so snap 'em up. Call 1-800-265-7067 for availability.

–Laura deCarufel, on-line editor

Toronto Shops: Snap On, Snap Off

Handbags like to change their outfits sometimes, too, you know. Enter EllyKelly Designs, a new line of luxury clutches and totes dreamed up by Eleanor Shen and Kelly Connacher, two fashion-obsessed Toronto moms who wanted a little more usefulness with their fabulousness. The Jackie Clutch (named after Connacher’s son, not the Other Jackie) is made with exotic skins (crocodile shown, $4,595, at Holt Renfrew) and lined with lambskin, has interchangeable flaps—casual for day and flashy for night—and comes with a removable chain. The Marty Tote (named after Shen’s son) is full of perfectly measured compartments for your BlackBerry, cellphone, keys and wallet, and also has a completely removable leather messenger bag inside.

Montreal Shops: Puddle Jumper

London was certainly calling when Marvin K. created his latest collection for Aquatalia. His sleek, mod-inspired boots are just the thing to perk up a grey autumn day. With its rounded toe and comfortable low heel, the Wasabi boot (left, $275) will have you walking for miles in shiny patent style. And since it’s entirely waterproof, puddles are no longer a hazard. At Mocassini (1230 Greene Ave., Westmount, 514-931-8558).

Photography by Carlo Mendoza.