The Seen @ Aritzia

Bryanna Brown & Sarah Forsyth

The kick-off party for “The Seen” – a photography exhibition at Aritzia’s Bloor Street boutique in Yorkville – turned out to be the spot to be seen for GTA hipsters. It was truly an event to behold with star studded Canadian talent from all aspects of the visual arts.

It wasn’t exactly clear how the party was “saluting” the film festival but there was an abundance of liquor, food and fierce chicks, so no one seemed bothered. The party was hosted by Aritzia, Gen Art, Rock & Republic, and Flaunt Magazine and featured the work of nine young photographers including host Ryan McGinley, the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Nick Zinner – he calls Toronto “Awesomeland” – and Kanako Sasaki, whose work will be on Artizia’s shopping bags this season.

The evening was a true representation of Canadian cool. Socialites swam around the party like sharks in everything from Aritzia to Proenza Schouler. Despite the fact that this was an art event, the invitees weren't initially looking at the walls. The room full of eyes inspected every hipster and fashionista, judging who was fit to be there.

By midnight, the store was crammed with beautiful people and gentlemen slyly chatting. While "Seensters" sipped on white cranberry martinis, DJ Stretch Armstrong was revving things up with hits by Kanye, Timbaland, Justice vs. Simian, and Justin Timberlake. Everyone was dancing, including Emily Hanes of Metric who was seen canoodling on the dance floor with her fellow band mates and KOS.

The ladies from Common Cloth stopped by, and Jessi Cruickshank and Dan Levy from MTV showed up fresh from filming The Hills: The Aftershow. Jessi was wearing one of the newest silver stunners by Artizia’s new Mint line. The new collection features plenty of silky trapeze dresses, (perfect for layering during the cold winter months) and silvery frocks perfect for day or night. Also new this season is the high-waisted Marc Jacobs for Wrangler jeans line.

Sitting pretty wasn't the only reason for this gathering of the glitterati. Aliya Naumoff, the curator of the Seen, gathered seven talented photographers to show off their works to the public from September 8th-16th.

The images showcased glimpses of unexpected beauty in the world that we live in. Even the simplest images captured a sense on long lost romanticism. According to Hannah Jung, a good portrait "captures the essence of one's personality". While most city dwellers are far too busy to stop and smell the roses, Aliya's selection of photos and photographers inspired in its viewers a childlike awe. Jessi Cruickshank commented that, in photography, it’s "important to make you feel the images and capture the emotion". This evening, even the hipsters’ icy hearts were melted.

Although the photography came second to networking, Aritzia fulfilled its promise to connect fashion, culture, music and art in one “uber-hip” evening.

Changing Up Your Shopping Perspective

Those of us who have the chance to cross the pond this year may stumble across a once in a lifetime European shopping experience: Changing Rooms.

Not your ordinary, cramped space, this surrealist exhibit is a mobile shopping excursion for designers all over Spain.

A simple, steel shipping crate has been transformed into an ultra-minimalist boutique, luring international hipsters to inspect the fantastic wares of well-established yet lesser-known designers.

If you’re interested in setting yourself apart from the crowd, try picking up some inspiration from the changing room. Twenty-eight designers have participated in this fashion event, and as they travel to twelve different locations, the stock changes as well. While shopping, you’re guaranteed to pick up a piece that is one of a kind.

The ship storage locker is a container of ideas and talent. The space at the port of Barcelona has recently been recycled into a shop. However, unlike your regular boutique, every two months a team of two European designers place exclusive, limited edition garments on the racks, ensuring that you won’t encounter an embarrassing doppelganger situation at your next soiree.

For those unable to afford the clothing, the project has released an adorable book showcasing creations from each designer for only 3 euros. For the creative minds of consumers and designers alike, the book also features 200 blank pages for where you can doodle and take notes until your heart’s content.

Next time you find yourself in need of some European inspiration, check out www.changingroom.org, and see what they have in their storage container.

Common Cloth: Nuit Blanche

On the evening of Saturday, September 29, 2007, fashionistas and art enthusiasts gathered on Gwynne Avenue to await the showing of the Common Cloth Spring Summer 2008 fashion show.

This year Melanie Talbot and Kristina Bozzo decided to hold their fashion show during the Nuit Blanche art festival, so that passersby could peer in while models pounded the pavement in sexy jersey dresses which ranged in length from mini shirt dresses to the floor.

The show kicked off with a bang with models stomping to Montreal-based band Famous Lovers. The first stunner of the evening was a floor length artichoke dress. Main staples of the collection followed with short shorts and diamond back cut outs on simple and elegant dresses and shirts.

The designers seemed to be emoting their own personal style with models styled in classic aviators and natural wavy hair resembling designer Melanie Talbot's signature style. The 1970s-folk-era-inspired pieces all gave an air of simplistic sexiness, which gives Canadians something to look forward to after a freezing winter of complicated layering.

Grey jerseys, cottons and white linens adorned the long leggy models, re-inventing the basic tank top and short set. The collection spoke to everyone from the teenage trend-setter to the cosmopolitan professional.

The collection seemed to characterize an intelligent woman, while showcasing work pieces as well as fun party girl outfits. Khaki shorts, cigarette pants, wide leg high-waisted jeans and beautiful white shirts were sprinkled lovingly throughout the show.

Determined to step up their business, Common Cloth is also coming out with their very first accessories line later this year.