Every time this brave soldier thought of packing it in, he just looked inside his cap at the picture of his wife and thought: “Well, it sure beats being home. At least I know I have a fighting chance at this battle.”
Free People opens its first international store in Yorkville
Free People officially opened its Toronto store today, and yesterday we got a sneak peak at the new space, perfectly situated in a three-storey building in Yorkville. The store channels the brand’s signature haute boho aesthetic, but the simple white exterior belies the profusion of floral prints and patchwork waiting inside.
To source the ’60s threads upon which many of Free People’s designs are based, one would have to venture into thrift stores and flea markets. But walking into this space, we were hit with the scent of wild flowers and not the olfactory telltale of vintage.
The store occupies all three storeys of the building. The top floor — where some paisley print denim caught our eye — houses “hand-painted dressing rooms” and a seating area with a window that looks down on Yorkville Avenue. In this, Free People may have done the impossible and made a truly inviting changing room area, with its soft lighting and oversized cushions.
This location separates itself from the pack (there are 72 Free People stores currently in the US) as the first to feature a separate storefront for the intimates collection, which is accessible only from the street. This gives it the pleasant feeling of a small shop — an environment perfectly conducive to picking out underpinnings.
Yorkville became the location of choice for Free People’s inaugural international store after the brand received multiple invitations from fans through Facebook and Twitter. And while Free People merchandise is already sold in stores all over the city, a standalone store is a great way to increase the brand’s visibility.
When we visited, there was a colourfully painted bicycle chained to the store’s wrought iron fence complete with a basket full of wild flowers. With a crowd-pleaser like that, Free People is sure to prove popular among Toronto shoppers looking for hippie-chic wears.
From plaid shirts ($68 and up) to baby-doll lace dresses ($148) to a vegan leather jacket ($198), there are pieces for the festival-attending, peace-loving bohemian in all of us.
The next Canadian location is slated to open on Aug. 31 in Calgary’s Chinook Centre.
Free People, 79 Yorkville Avenue, 416-515-1555
Gadget: a spy camera that’s the size of your index finger
Admit it: you’ve always dreamed of becoming a spy. Watching those James Bond movies gave you the itch. Well, here’s your chance. First, you need this: a spy camera that’s the size of your index finger. Why? Every good spy has one.
You can slide this super-mini DV spy camera under your sleeve; put it in a baseball cap; hang it from a wall. You decide where it fits. The gadget comes with a clock (because, the second rule of spy school is, you should never be late for creeping on people).
It also comes with 16GB of memory, a USB connection and playback capabilities. It holds more than five hours of footage. Some spy cameras don’t come with audio capabilities or a microphone — this one comes with both.
MD80 mini video camera, $200. Available at Mr and Mrs Electronics, 109 Queens Quay W.
Tony Aspler’s Weekly Wine Pick: Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc Don Max Reserva, 2011
There are two distinct styles for Sauvignon Blanc: the crisply dry wines from the Loire Valley, with their tart, gooseberry character, and the fruitier, tropical flavours of New Zealand. This Chilean wine leans toward the latter. It has a nose of passion fruit and mango; it’s richly extracted, with herbaceous and mineral notes adding complexity to the sweet, almost creamy fruit. It finishes dry.
Food match: grilled fish, Caesar salad
$15.95, LCBO #273342
Tony Aspler is Post City’s wine columnist. He has written 14 books on wine and food and also created the Ontario Wine Awards. He can be heard on 680News.
Morning Throwback: nothing beats ’30s Toronto swagger
Back in the ’30s, perfecting your “downright mesmerized” and “are you kidding me?” looks was the ultimate achievement in party etiquette. It was just as flattering as telling someone that they were photogenic.
Weekend Warrior: The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival, OVO Festival, The Rogers Cup and more
’Bana bonanza
Get your costume out, get your glitter on and get ready for a weekend-long party. The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival (otherwise known as Caribana) has actually already been going strong since July 17, but it doesn’t get any bigger than this weekend’s festivities, which include the King and Queen Competition and, of course, the Grand Parade. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the colorful, vibrant festival.
100 per cent chance of Drizzy
Speaking of festivities tied into the Caribbean Carnival, Drake’s OVO Festival has become an unofficial staple of the weekend. Now in its third year, OVO has generated buzz for a stacked line-up of announced guests (this year’s slate includes The Weeknd and A$AP Rocky), as well as some unannounced surprises (the past two years have seen Eminem, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder and Lil Wayne make appearances). However, the unmistakable star of the show remains the homegrown superstar formerly known as Aubrey Graham, or as we like to remember him: Wheelchair Jimmy.
Globetrotters, tennis and more… for free
How’s this for a deal: an outdoor Harlem Globetrotters game, world class men’s tennis action and tons of family activities for precisely zero dollars? Value is the name of the game at Rexall Centre this weekend for the Rogers Cup qualifying round, as families are offered free admission to check out the legendary Globetrotters alongside some of the best in men’s tennis. Weekend activities also include autograph sessions, tennis clinics and scavenger hunts.
Horsin’ around
It won't exactly smell like roses down by the CNE this weekend — not that many horse-loving families will mind. The Ex will offer a free, up-close-and-personal experience with some four-legged, hooved friends as CNE HorseCapades gets underway. The free, three-week interactive exhibit offers wagon rides, horse petting and plenty of games and prizes.
A trip back in time
Back to the Future fans will want to get into their DeLoreans and make their way over to Riverdale Park East on Saturday for the third in a series of Movies in the Park. After showing Ghostbusters and Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark in July, Riverdale keeps its ’80s theme going with an 8:30 p.m. screening of Marty McFly and his fellow time travelers. The screenings are free of charge, with donations being accepted to children's charities, including Art City in St. James Town and The Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Clubs. The final film in the series, The Princess Bride, will be screened on Aug. 19.
Five Toronto acts to catch at Osheaga
While Toronto has its fair share of nearby summer music festivals on offer — running the full gamut from last weekend’s folksy one to the upcoming face-melting one — none quite compare with Montreal’s Osheaga Music and Arts Festival. The largest festival of its kind in Canada, this year’s event features over 100 acts, with Snoop Dogg (or is that Snoop Lion?), Justice and The Black Keys as headliners.
But despite the large international presence, Torontonians heading east for the festivities will still be able to retain a shred or two of hometown pride. Along with other big Canadian names like Nova Scotia’s Feist and Wintersleep, a handful of Toronto artists will be holding down the fort — and solidifying our place on Canada’s musical map. Here are five Hogtown acts to keep an eye out for.
Down With Webster is a true homegrown phenomenon. Originally formed at a middle school talent show, these six boys from the Beach catapulted to success in 2009 with “Rich Girl$,” and have been chart-topping ever since, with radio-friendly hits like “Your Man” and “Whoa is Me” gaining them a steady following at home and abroad. Their peppy, rap-rock stylings have led them to three platinum singles as well as a slew of award nominations. Catch them rocking out Friday at 3:30 p.m. on the Budweiser stage.
R&B artist Abel Tesfaye (aka. The Weeknd) has become something of a sensation since the release of his debut album, House of Balloons, which was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. His emotive, crooning hip-hop has earned him high praise — John Norris of MTV dubbed him the best musical talent since MJ. You may have heard his breakout single, “High for This,” in the (decidedly lackluster) Entourage season eight promos last year. Listen for the sound of hearts melting on Friday at 6:40 p.m., also at the Budweiser stage.
Zeds Dead are another hometown group that have taken their respective genre by storm over the past couple of years. They first teamed up in 2004 to found Bassmentality (along with The Killabits), the notorious weekly party that would eventually play host to massive DJs like Skrillex, Nero and more. From their first live set ever at former Queen West party hotspot The Social in summer 2009, Zeds Dead have quickly become a name to know in the electro scene, with their grimy, bass-thumping dubstep redefining the genre as they continue to pump out original tracks as well as frenetic, high-energy remixes of everyone from Sublime to Radiohead. Look out for crowds sweating and gyrating at the electro-centric Bud Light stage, Friday at 7:45 p.m.
After serving as the backing band for Broken Social Scene’s Jason Collett, Zeus — composed of Rob Drake, Carlin Nicholson, Mike O’Brien and Neil Quinn — stepped out on their own with their debut EP, Sounds Like Zeus, in 2009, released by Toronto indie label Arts & Crafts. Following up with their debut album Say Us in 2010, and last year’s Busting Visions, Zeus has been compared to The Beatles for their upbeat, retro-pop sound. Find them Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Virgin Mobile stage.
Possibly the biggest Toronto name on offer, the angsty indie-rock group that performed at Osheaga in 2006, 2008 and 2010 is back for round four. The group, headlined by New Dehli-born, Peterborough-bred crooner Emily Haines, has seen success after success since its inception in 1998, and their fourth album, Fantasies, garnered the prize for alternative album of the year at the 2010 Junos (they were awarded Group of the Year to boot). With five albums to their name, including this year’s Synthetica, expect a rich set complete with hits from throughout their discography. As one of the last acts of the festival, you can catch them on Sunday at 8:15 at the Budweiser stage.
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival, August 3 – 5.
Grab of the Week: a pair of trans-seasonal, glam-rock ankle boots
It’s that time of year when you want to take advantage of summer sales, but at the same time prep for your new fall wardrobe. Designer shoe sales can be especially luring in the summer months, but who wants to wait another year to wear beautiful sandals? The solution: hunting for trans-seasonal pieces.
We suggest going for closed-toe shoes that can work year-round (so long as the weather doesn’t actually ruin them). At 50 per cent off, we dare you to walk away from these jagged leather booties by Camilla Skovgaard— reminiscent of Ziggy Stardust — currently on sale at Rac Boutique in Yorkville.
It’s quickly becoming harder and harder to track down this London, England-based designer’s shoes in Toronto, so snatch ’em up while you can.
Nava bootie in black by Camilla Skovgaard, $395 (from $795). Available at Rac Boutique
Gracie Carroll is a Toronto-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in ELLE UK, ELLEcanada.com, Plaid magazine and FILLER magazine. Keep up with her daily blog at www.graciecarroll.com.
Morning Throwback: even in the ’20s, Toronto photographers used their art to score women
Convincing a gaggle of women to go down to the beach with you in their nicest attire so you can take photographs of them means either you’re a very skilled artist, or just a pimp.
Far Away Eyes, an eclectic fashion boutique, opens on Queen East
Walking into Katelyn Joliat’s new Queen East store, Far Away Eyes, we’re not immediately certain what kind of establishment we’re dealing with. With an assortment of intricate, hand-crafted jewellery, a rack of white graphic tees paired with classic denim and a variety of eclectic house-wares — all carefully displayed using items from Joliat’s childhood pastimes — you feel more like you’re entering a minuscule, beautifully-curated gallery than a retail business.
Joliat herself is a jewellery designer, and it’s evident that she has applied her creativity and eye for detail to the shop’s decor. From the miniature black skull candles atop one of the cabinets to a cluster of pink crystals speckled with silver rings, not to mention the array of chess pieces, alphabet blocks and old records that line the shelves, it’s difficult to tell what is for sale and what is merely embellishment.
What is clear, however, is that Joliat’s personal touch pervades every aspect of the store.
“Using my childhood games as a way of merchandising, that was a way of bringing a little piece of me in to the store,” Joliat says.
She started her own jewellery line, k8, about five years ago, and it can be found amongst the store’s treasures. K8’s recurring motifs — crosses, feathers, moons, hearts ($40-$200) — are indicative of her feminine aesthetic.
“In a way the store was a vehicle to showcase my own stuff,” she says. At the same time, she didn’t want to be pigeonholed. “I always wanted to sell amongst others.”
She has paired her own line with pieces sourced from a range of “crazy talented” North American designers, mostly from New York. Elisa Solomon offers delicate sterling silver hearts inset with gems, which Joliat calls “light and airy and beautiful,” while metalworker Flotsam and Jetsam offers hand-welded pieces based in alchemy and religion, often with a nautical bent. These pieces share the attention to detail found elsewhere in the store, from the pair of sterling silver “stormy sea cuffs” featuring images of the ocean ($140) to an intricate charm bracelet studded with miniature weapons ($125).
But while Joliat’s first love is jewellery, she wanted to provide some options for those who may not be able to afford bringing home a ring or necklace (although with offerings like the Bing Bang earrings for $35, there should be something for even the most frugal of shoppers).
“Jewellery is an investment,” Joliat acknowledges. “But if people don’t want to buy jewellery, I want them to be able to come out with something small, like a Moleskine notebook [$8-$25] or a $15 candle.”
And so Far Away Eyes also features an array of eclectic wares and “little gifty ideas” hand-picked by Joliat, including dry hair shampoo from Lulu Organics, handmade, all-natural lotion from Toronto’s Ella’s Botanicals and natural fragrance candles from Modern Alchemy ($25-35)
Joliat also wanted to have a small selection of women’s clothing, although the pieces ultimately ended up taking on a unisex bent. These include graphic tees from Adieu ($40) and the more modestly priced No Lost Witches ($15), jeans from Courtshop denim ($120) and a small collection of vintage high heels ($20-45). And although Far Away Eyes is far from a vintage store, she is also considering getting some vintage black tees, her own staple wardrobe item.
“All I wear is vintage black tees,” says Joliat in a cut-up tee featuring a Jack Daniels logo. “So I’m going to offer them, because I think they look awesome with denim and a great necklace.”
Despite the eclectic offerings found in the store, the pieces have an integral harmony to them, tied together by Joliat’s keenly aesthetic eye. And whether we’ve come by to shop, or merely to look, we’re more than happy to wile away an afternoon in her closet and company.
Far Away Eyes. 295 Queen St. E.
Band of the Week: Snowblink
Not many people would make the move from sunny San Francisco to Toronto, but we’re so glad Daniela Gesundheit did. She’s teamed up with Dan Goldman to form Snowblink, a spiritually lyrical outfit which has infused our concrete city with some much-needed Californian granola whimsy.
Snowblink has transformed from a male choir-backed performance art piece to a compelling electro-folk duo that landed them opening gigs for Jeff Tweedy, Great Lake Swimmers and The Hidden Cameras.
After teaming up with label Arts & Crafts, their sophomore album Inner Classics — an ethereal, warm record punctuated by the lighter elements of rock — is slated for release in September. We caught up with Gesundheit to talk about covering '80s pop, Hawaii’s music scene and Snowblink’s upcoming performance at The Great Hall on Aug. 8.
So tell me about how the move from California to Toronto affected your music. I hear Dan was the one to convince you to move to town?
Yeah, true. There's a really thriving music scene in Toronto. I've been really inspired and challenged by that community. I definitely miss the nature aspect of California, and being able to go and untangle my writing thoughts out in nature. But I've enjoyed living in Canada. When I talk to my friends in the States, they're like, "Daniela, you have a Canadian accent now!" I don't know if that's true, but I feel like an honorary Canadian.
I understand Snowblink had a male choir, and now its just you and Dan. How does it compare?
It's pretty different. With the earlier versions of Snowblink, the male choir served as a performance art piece. In addition to singing and small percussion parts, they — I wouldn't say it was a dance performance, although they were all wicked dancers — would do unusual things, like cast fishing lines into the audience, obviously without a hook [laughs]. It had a theatrical element, it was playful and lighthearted. Now, as the duo format, we've tapped into the rooted, mystical sound.
How did that evolve your sound?
It happens slowly and imperceptibly. I remember hearing this anecdote about Andy Warhol. Every so often he would just shove everything onto his desk into his box and seal it up and throw it away, and he would never look at it again — sort of these upheavals. I definitely don't operate in that way. I like more glacial, gradual change. It happened pretty naturally. When I moved away, I started playing with other folks, and day after day, kept choosing the sounds I was excited about and it settled into what it is right now.
What do your side projects, such as Bruce Peninsula, bring to the table?
It's huge. Bruce Peninsula especially, when I first joined the band, there were 13 people, so it was like instant community. I'm forever grateful for that. Musically, they're like a roaring rock band, which is pretty different from what we do in Snowblink, so I felt like that might have infused some of the new songs on this record. There's a couple that have a stronger percussive element.
Tell me about your Eulogy series. What's your motivation for covering those artists?
I love straight up pop music, especially from the '80s and early '90s. Often the treatment of pop music, because it has such a broad reach and tries to lift people's spirits so high, the production is very thick, and I was interested in stripping down those songs and doing a more intimate presentation of them. Most people are familiar with the songs I chose, and they have a strong memory of what that song is, so if I'm presenting this version, the two can play against each other. I was realizing, as I was choosing these songs, that most of the people had passed away. And it's also my way of responding to these people who were bright lights — it's my tribute.
If we got a hold of your iPod, who would be on “most played” list?
Lately, I've been into shuffle. But, that said, I've been really into Hawaiian music. There's this record from the Lim Family from the '60s, and it's beautiful mellow music. I've just been enjoying those really mellow summer sounds.
Does that mean you picked up a ukulele on this record?
I wish! There is some miniature harp and banjo though.
What I Wore: three outfits that are perfect for a weekend of partying at Osheaga
Although I am generally a huge advocate of supporting our many talented local designers, there is a time when the cheap cheerfulness of fast fashion comes in handy. A prime example being when one has to pack for a fast-approaching three-day-long music festival.
Osheaga takes over the long weekend in Montreal, and if you really think I’m going to pack my best pieces just to look fashionable, you are seriously mistaken. So the challenge remains: how can I look stylish with easily-accessible and inexpensive pieces that I won’t mind partying in to the point of destruction?
Even though I consider myself to have a hawk-eye when it comes to pinpointing items of clothing from any brand, certain pieces from American Apparel have always managed to slip by me. Its empire has been built on basics, not statement pieces, thus allowing anyone of any background, age and style to incorporate its stock into individual wardrobes and create a look of their own.
So could I really pack three outfits for a style-conscious music festival from one store? The answer is yes, and quite easily, in fact.
My idea of a laidback outfit can greatly differ from most others, but this outfit (above, at left) – consisting of sheer light pink palazzo pants and a lime green striped tube top — is my ideal summer music festival look. It might be a bit dramatic, but, really, it is cool, comfortable and sexy – which are generally my main concerns when it comes to putting together an outfit.
I figure the last two days of the festival will entail feelings of exhaustion, perhaps enabled by heat stroke (or a hangover), but either way, I will twice turn to my summer staple look of high-waist shorts and a cute print blouse (at top and above, at right). Obviously, a sleek bright clutch and dark shades will sharpen things up.
The most important thing is to wear clothing you feel great in, but aren’t afraid to ruin.
What I Wore:
Look one, at top
Tap short; floral mid-length tie-up blouse; sunglasses
Look two, above left
Wide leg pleated chiffon pant; California select original silk tube top; leather carry-all pouch; sunglasses
Look three, above right
Cotton spandex jersey high-waist hot short; floral chiffon camisole; leather carry-all pouch; sunglasses
Gracie Carroll is a Toronto-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in ELLE UK, ELLEcanada.com, Plaid magazine and FILLER magazine. Keep up with her daily blog at www.graciecarroll.com.
