ON THE PLUS SIDE: Mode & Distinction, EDIT by Jeanne Beker offer trendy options that celebrate the female form

Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

With the inaugural London plus-size fashion week that took place earlier this month, and the launch of EDIT by Jeanne Beker for Addition Elle, there’s plenty of action in the double digits of the size charts. Bold prints, silhouettes that celebrate the female figure, and on-trend colours are all part of the growing options available to those shopping for plus-size clothing.

Mode & Distinction creates an intimate shopping environment.

Here in Ottawa, a unique independent store in Gatineau brings together great names in fashion like Spanner and Neon Buddha — all carefully chosen to flatter different body types. And because Mode & Distinction is a smaller store, customers can expect individual attention. Owner Johanne Cadieux has created a quaint, homey environment, and aims to help women find clothes that not only flatter their figure but also suit their personality and remain on-trend.

“Right now, the tunics are trendy and they look good on many body types,” Johanne says. “Also, the colours are vibrant for next summer, which gives a punch to women’s apparel — we try to encourage women to wear bright colours instead of wearing only dark colours.” (Amen to that!)

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VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT IDEA: Go local with great finds (and delivery!) from Givopoly

Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

Valentine’s Day is one of those occasions that, unless you are in some dramatic romance (or perhaps a 10-year-old who adores pink and red), can be a bit more trouble than it’s worth. For the singleton, it means (added) pressure to pair up; for those in a stable relationship, it means choosing a method of celebrating love that’s not too cheesy, too pricey, too obvious… you get the picture.

Linked Hearts bracelet by Arcana Dea Designs

But here at SHOP TALK we think it’s always stylish to buy local, and we’re using this holiday to celebrate a new business that’s helping to spread this maxim.

Givopoly is the brainchild of Susan Richards and Craig Hung. They started Givopoly to provide a fast, easy way to shop local.

“I myself had thoughtful intentions but often missed the mark at execution,” Susan said in an email interview. “I had this idea to help make it easier for customers to connect with great local shops.”

Basically, it’s a website that brings together all sorts of small businesses in the Ottawa area. Organized by occasion, gift type, business, and price point, it brings shopping local together with shopping online … and delivers!

In short, it’s the perfect way to take the Hallmark out of Valentine’s Day. It’s also a fun way to explore the local business scene. With a growing list of vendors, there’s something for everyone at Givopoly, no matter your current relationship status.

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OPENING! Joe Fresh stand-alone store opens Feb. 27

Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

The rumours have been swirling for months, and finally we have confirmation: Joe Fresh will open a stand alone store in the St. Laurent Centre on February 27!

(That’s roughly around the time when most people in the country will be packing away their winter wear… ah well, at least we can shop and plan for the warmer weather that is sure to come by late April.)

Here, we talk with JF Creative Director Joe Mimran — aka Mr. Joe Fresh — about the brand, the new store, and his personal style.

Spring has sprung at Joe Fresh!

SHOP TALK: Offering Joe Fresh through Loblaws grocery stores was a very unique distribution channel when first introduced. Will Joe Fresh continue to be offered through Loblaws now that you’re operating standalone stores?

Joe Mimran: Grocery stores are where we built this brand and are still a huge part of the business. We know how helpful it can be for our shopper to be able to pick up their weekly groceries and a few clothing items for their family at the same time. Our stand alone stores are meant to accentuate the grocery stores and reach the downtown and mall shopper.

ST: When you’re designing for Joe Fresh, what kind of customer do you have in mind?

JM: As the brand has grown, so has our customer base, so we really design for every type of Canadian. We have fashion-forward items for the super shopper, tailored pieces for the working woman, and some of the very best priced basics like cotton t-shirts for everyone. Plus we have recently been expanding our men’s section and our accessories collection.

ST: What inspires your collections?

JM: I am inspired by influences all around me from a recent modern art purchase to travel. We see the brand as classic with a twist, so we interpret the trends in a way that is wearable for much more than one season.

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GIVEAWAY! Workshop + Flock beat the winter blahs with lots of free stuff (starts Feb. 1!)

Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

It’s become something of a tradition for the Workshop/Flock family: fun February events to beat the winter blahs.

This repurposed tunic by Creation Encore (regular price $129) will go to one lucky winner.

As co-owner Bridget Remai explains, trunk sales and social events are also a nice way to thank the people that keep the shops thriving. “We had a great Christmas season,” Bridget says, “and we always like to say thank you for supporting local.”

This year, they are taking it up a notch with a full month of giveaways.

“It’s sort of taken on a life of its own,” explains Bridget, saying that after putting out a request to their community of designers, they were overwhelmed with offers. So far they have collected over 50 items, meaning they will be giving away at least two pieces every day!

All this is great news for those of us who love well-designed, unique clothing and accessories. So how to do we get in on the action?

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THE Q&A: Fashion designer Lucian Matis brings Marrakesh dreams to Winterlude

Toronto-based designer Lucian Matis was born and raised in Romania.

If you’ve seen the ice sculptures once, and skating on the canal isn’t your thing, then Winterlude can seem like more of a tourist festival than something that brings real energy to the city. But a new event, one that brings together fashion and molecular gastronomy, aims to shake up the staid images winter in Ottawa.

The American Express Winterlude Food and Fashion Evening gives local fashion lovers a glimpse of what’s to come at Ottawa Fashion Week when Toronto-based designer Lucian Matis presents his vivacious and alluring Spring/Summer 2013 collection. (This is the second year that OFW has partnered with Winterlude; OFW runs February 8-10.)

Marc Lepine, the winner of the 2012 Canadian Culinary Championship and the chef/owner of Ottawa’s Atelier restaurant, will set the stage with a five course meal. Anyone familiar with Lepine’s fare will know he brings flare and creativity, as well as a sense of adventure, to every plate. This is high-end, experiential eating at its best.

While Lepine will undoubtedly pull the foodies in (the $165 ticket, which includes wine, is a steal), we wanted to chat with the young designer chosen to add the sartorial finale to this special event.

SHOP TALK: Your education includes studies in art, painting, graphics. How do these influence your collections? Who is your favourite artist?

Lucian Matis: My art studies have helped me enrich my array of duties by allowing me to design my own fabrics, create more sculptural silhouettes, at times shoot the look books or campaigns. It allows me to never get bored of my job.

I have a few fine artists that I respect but as far as them influencing my work as a designer I think one of my favourite fine artists is Gustav Klimt.

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THE INSIDER: Renée Lévesque closes two Ottawa locations in advance of new, larger lifestyle boutique

Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

Choker with amber pendant, Renée Lévesque, $159. Ann dress, $238, from BCBGMaxazria, Rideau Centre, 50 Rideau St., www.bcbg.com.

Over the holidays, we noticed the tell-tale paper covering the windows at the Renée Lévesque store on Wellington. The shop, the jeweller’s second location, only opened a few years ago, could it be she was pulling the plug already? Upon further investigation, we learnt that her downtown store had also closed; only her Montreal boutique remained.

We have adored her elaborate accessories for years, enjoyed her careful eye for clothing (she began selling cute, affordable dresses and shoes in 2009), and always appreciated her fun, helpful staff. And we lauded her as one of Ottawa’s best jewellery designers in a fashion feature less than a year ago. We began to fear that another independent retailer had given up on little Ottawa.

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GAINING GROUND: Young Janes comes of age

Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

When Mika Lemm pulled up stakes and moved her boutique up the street, she doubled its square footage. But she also did something else, something that is becoming a trend in clothing stores of all sizes: she branched out to include furniture and decor.

Lemm always wanted to expand the store to include furniture — indeed, she paints or refurnishes much of it herself. Properly showing off these finds required more room, so she patiently waited for the right space to open up.

Photo by Marc Fowler/Metropolis Studio

“This was always a space I was dying for,” wrote Emma Paling in Ottawa Magazine’s 2012-13 Shopping annual.

With Lemm’s tasteful touch, the furniture fits the character so well customers sometimes don’t realize it’s part of the merchandise.

The larger store also allows Lemm to bring in more sizes, and more clothing in general. And clothing is still the mainstay — she hand picks pieces in Britain, where she owned her first store, Chloe’s Closet.

That’s what Young Janes has always felt like: a closet full of fun and funky, chic and ironic pieces. Now, it’s just easier to see the vintage goodliness that abounds.

The Look: Unique. From polished prints to ironic sweaters to elegant evening wear, there is something to pique the interest of every discerning shopper.

Perfect for: Vintage-ifying your wardrobe — and your house.

USP: A blog with photos (and sizes!) of new pieces as they come in. Brilliant!

Young Janes Vintage Boutique, 223 Dalhousie St., 613-794-6452 

Get the full story — complete with more photos and quotes — in the 2012/2013 edition of Shopping, available at Chapters locations, Brittons magazine stores, and other newsstands around town. Or order your copy online by clicking here.

SHOP TALK: Visit your cobbler for winter protection products — and Palladium boots!

Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

Winter in Ottawa is unavoidable. This week we saw snow, ice, and slush competing for our curses. This means digging out your big, warm boots for the trudge outside — and remembering to bring along your presentable pair for use inside. You want to keep a few pairs nice, but inevitably the slush-salt soup on our roadsides will wreak havoc on all footwear, leaving you dreaming of warmer climates.

Which is why now (or maybe last week, but no matter) is a great time to visit your local cobbler. We talked to the pros at Moneysworth & Best for tips on how to keep your winter boots stylish and comfortable through the wet months.

Could rubber overshoes be the next hipster must-have? In any case, these City Classics from Moneysworth & Best will certainly keep your shoes shining.

  • Pro-Tex Protector works on all genuine or man-made leathers, suede and fabrics. Use it year round and especially before the winter weather hits to help prevent cracking, fading, discolouration, and premature aging. It may sound like the latest face serum, but this stuff also helps repel water, soil, and stains.
  • Rubber overshoes aren’t the prettiest things to wear but they are 100% waterproof to help prevent damage from all elements: rain, mud, snow, and salt. If you want your shoes to last, you may have to bite the bullet and opt for a pair of City Classics. M&B’s version are made of high stretch natural rubber to easily get them on and off and are lightweight but tough and durable enough to make it through the winter. The thing that I like best is that they have extra traction for slippery surfaces and they come in a variety of colours. (Maybe they will be the next ironic hipster must-have? They are certainly old-school and would match the moustache …)
  • To help keep your boots in good form while not in use, M&B’s boot shapers keep your boots upright and in their original form. No more floppy boots taking over your front foyer!
  •  Or opt for the complete shoe care kit, which includes shoe shine, polishing cloth, shoe horn, and bag.

    Palladium boots are versatile, tough, and pretty cute! Max's carries wool-lined styles, so they should keep your warm too.

While we’re catching up with our local cobblers, have you heard that Max’s on Wellington is now carrying shoes and boots? And not just any old shoes. Their retail department, which began in earnest this spring, is carefully chosen to offer something unique. We heard about the expansion when we started spotting Palladium boots around town. Miz Mooz is the big seller for women, while Snipe and No Brand of Portugal are bringing in the boys. Visit Max’s at 1264 Wellington and see more pics on their Facebook page.
So maybe you can’t kick winter to the curb… at least you can step up that curb in style!

LET IT SNOW: Five fab gift ideas for those who love skiing, snowboarding, and — well — playing outside

Let’s be honest: Canadian winters could use a little colour. So we’re highlighting five fabulous pieces that are as functional as they are funky. Embrace the season with the latest gear that will keep you safe and stylin’ in the great outdoors By Vanessa Ortynsky

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GAINING GROUND: Checking out Fab Baby Gear’s flash new digs

Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

“Much like the little ones it caters to, Fab Baby Gear is always growing,” wrote Elizabeth Balsom in Ottawa Magazine’s 2012-13 Shopping annual. And anyone who has stepped inside the store’s new West Wellington location will know the truth in that statement. It’s huge!

And while fans of Danish furniture might miss the cluttered-but-creative chaos that was previously in the 8,500 square-foot commercial space, stroller mamas love the wide aisles and soft lighting.

Photo by Marc Fowler/Metropolis Studio

Fab, which is run by husband-and-wife team Ying Lui and Ching Lau, offers everything from skin care products to cribs, maternity wear to those irresistible little onesies. The larger store allows Lui and Lau to showcase their wide range of nursery furniture via four showrooms — perfect for nursing moms needing a break from their West Wellie latte tour!

The Look: Chic and bright; sensible products, as well as cute baby shower gifts.

Perfect for: Getting prepared for an upcoming arrival; presents for new parents babies.

USP: Seminars for new parents and other caregivers are held regularly in the store; infant and child CPR classes, taught by a representative from the Ottawa Paramedic Service, focus on choking and other emergencies.

 Fab Baby Gear, 1244 Wellington St. W., 613-729-8838 ext. 2.  

Get the full story — complete with more photos and quotes the owners — in the 2012/2013 edition of Shopping, available at Chapters locations, Brittons magazine stores, and other newsstands around town. Or order your copy online by clicking here.

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