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Images c/o Converse

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Images c/o McArthur Joseph, Default c/o Governors Ball

Marant said, “I am flattered by this collaboration. H&M works with the best designers, and this invitation is an exciting honour. I aim at creating something real – something women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carefree style. I think this is very Parisian: you dress up, but don’t pay too much attention to it, and you still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be combined following one’s own instincts, and my take on fashion is all about personality.“

Isabel was born and raised in Paris, and started customizing her own clothes while still in high school, and is a graduate of the famed Studio Berçot. She started her fashion career with a line of jewelry; she then added knitwear, and launched her own collection in 1994. Her Parisian chic style – which mixes bohemian tones and masculine tailoring – continues to grow in popularity season after season.

“We are excited to have Isabel Marant as a guest designer at H&M. The way she mixes different elements in her collections, creating a style that is effortless and urban, makes her very contemporary. She has a fantastic eye for ethnic detail and the rare ability to create something that people really want to wear. We are sure H&M customers will be enthusiastic about this collection,” says Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor at H&M.

The collection will be available from November 14^th, 2013, in around 250 stores worldwide, and will feature clothing and accessories for women and teenagers, as well as Marant’s first-ever collection for men. This guy in particular, is happy to hear that Marant will be making her menswear debut with H&M. November 14th can’t come soon enough!

Our own Colin Dawidziuk had this to say about the collaboration: “Isabel Marant is the queen of effortless cool, so having this collaboration in H&M is one word – major. And the fact that she’s including her first menswear line in stores is nothing short of my- I mean, men’s… prayers being answered!”

Let’s be honest, everyone at KENTON is dying! The next 4 and 1/2 months are going to be murder!

One of the primary objectives for any festival is to look the part. Infusing personal style without sacrificing sensible practicality, however, is key. Spice things up with graphic prints, but stay classically cool with denim and leather jackets. If formidable weathers prevail, TOPMAN has you covered, quite literally, with pop coloured anoraks and wellington boots. Keep dry while standing out in the inevitable crowd. And, after an exhausting day of dancing, sing-a-longs, and light headbanging, you’ll be able to cozy up in a playful, hooded onesie.

Cautious of treading on any heels, TOPMAN delivers trendsetting pieces. Truth be told, it’s not for the fainthearted. From funky patterns to skinny fits, it’s all just a little bit outrageous. But then, isn’t that what festivals are all about? How fitting.

Take a peek at the festival line in the showcase film below featuring top model Leebo Freeman. The collection is now available in-store and online.

Located in Vaughan, Ontario (part of the Greater Toronto Area) in a polished, contemporary storefront, ‘That’s Italy” boasts 14,000 square feet of interior space (in order to house over 40, leading Italian fashion labels) and includes a full service cafeteria-style lounge serving Italian meals, snacks, drinks, coffees, cocktails and wines. This is a place you’re meant to savor. The staff (over 85% of which are Italian) encourages you to take your time and dare we say, loiter a little. There is no compromising the experience, at ‘That’s Italy’ and the aim is to create a beautiful, tactile experience in a retail world that is currently being dominated by online shopping trends.

Born in Messina, Sicily but raised in Rome, Lino Grasso gained substantial knowledge and passion for both men’s and women’s fashion. He came to Canada in 2000 to pursue new opportunities, with a consciousness of Toronto’s Italian community, and the possible market that lay within. “I wanted to bring a life experience,” says Grasso, “the experience of Italy, to create impact and give anybody who comes inside many beautiful feelings. We are for everybody. Anyone who wants to enjoy the authenticity of an Italian shopping experience.”

The physical space in itself is incredibly impressive – one that has to be seen in order to be truly appreciated. An open concept with multiple “pod” like sections, each with their own high impact merchandising and styling, and all encouraging the shopper to touch, play and conceptualize their own looks. Change rooms are always at an arms length and the shoe section – well that’s a whole other story. More of a shoe heaven, really.

As for the fashion itself, quality, details and exclusivity of the 40+ men’s and women’s brands available are key. Grasso says, “Canadians are familiar with internationally recognized Italian brands like Versace, Armani and Prada that are known as expensive premium labels. They’re available at many retailers across Canada. I knew of numerous Italian labels that are successful around the world and prove that “Made in Italy” fashion doesn’t mean expensive. I wanted to bring those labels to Canada and make them exclusively available at ‘That’s Italy’.”

Our visit to this stunning location combined with our meeting with Lino Grasso inspired us to bring a little bit of Italy into our every day lives – whether it be the fashion, food or atmosphere. If you’re in Toronto, ‘That’s Italy” is a must-see, one-of-a-kind experience.

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All enquiries should be forwarded to LN-CC at  +44 203 174 0727 or appointments@ln-cc.com

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Offering a personal alternative to specialty shopping, Leone offers hotel delivery, after-hours private shopping, on-site tailoring, and complimentary cappuccino’s for all customers. Upstairs, customers can find an exclusive-to-Leone Versace boutique, as well as designers such as  Dior,  Prada, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen, Brunello Cucinelli,  Ports 1961 and Roberto Cavalli. Downstairs, shoppers will find L2 (established in 1995), which offers fun, contemporary brands such as Rachel Zoe, Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto, Just Cavalli, Red Valentino and more.  L2 also houses the in-store cafe which boasts fresh-made Italian lunches and desserts by extremely talented (and we say this coming from personal experience) chefs.

The grand venue (located at 757 West Hastings St) inside the historic Sinclair Centre combined with incredible designer pieces make for the most glamorous of shopping experiences. On the other hand, the helpful, friendly staff and the aforementioned authentic cafe give Leone a relaxed and welcoming feel – a combination that truly can’t be beat. To help get you acquainted with the store, we’ve selected a few of our favorite accessories from designers exclusive to Leone. Trust us when we say this edit was no easy feat! With so much to choose from, this is just a small sampling of what’s available.

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As an extra-special Father’s Day bonus, Leone is offering a lucky KENTON reader the chance to win Dad this KENTON-selected camo-print Prada wallet (pictured below). Follow the entry details below for your chance to win!

1. Like LEONE on Facebook

2. Like KENTON on Facebook

3. Click here to sign up to receive Leone’s newsletter for updates on sales, events, and contests.

4. Tweet this: Tweet

*Winner will be drawn at random on June 10, 2013.

Founded in 2007 by Artistic Director, Lapo Elkann (famous heir of the Fiat/Ferrari Empire) Italia Independent heeded a mission to promote the reinterpretations of Italian style without the stereotypes. By joining tradition, fashion and design with heritage, patented materials and technologies, the results have been stunning. In a short time, these trendy pieces have gained a massive celebrity following, including Karl Lagerfeld (he favours the black, ‘I-Velvet’ shades), Anna Dello Russo, Jessica Alba, Miranda Kerr and more.

Our favourite picks from the current lineup are velvet, studded and incredible silhouettes. Take a look at the lookbook and get excited for hot, sunny days in the very near future!

(Currently available in Canada exclusively at moodeyewear.com or Worldwide at italiaindependent.com)

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The collection’s stand out models are super sleek, sporty chronographs with 45mm high-tech ceramic monobloc cases. Ultra-lightweight, seriously scratch resistant and dangerously desirable, they are available in black, white and platinum look plasma treated high-tech ceramic. Ceramic watches have become quite a trend as of late, but it was actually Rado that first introduced the innovative, lightweight, hypo-allergenic material material to the market in 1986.

We’re absolutely in love with the white and black ceramic models from the new HyperChrome collection. If we can’t have both, we’ll leave the decision up to you!

The Rado HyperChrome ceramic monobloc models pictured about sit at $4,380 MSRP. Visit rado.com to find a retailer near you.