Hot Freezing Fashion XD!

Let's Love Lots in 2011!

Let Me Start Off The First Week Of 2011 Giving Just A Little Bit More:)

Let Me Keep The Spirit Of Gratitude And Unexpected Surprises Alive!

Let Me Excite You And Get You Excited To Discover A New Designer & Her Boutique!

Let Me Have a Great Give Away Sharing The Love

Let Me Begin This Year Giving With Love!




I am pretty giddy to introduce you to another great independent designer and retailer based here in Montreal. Katrin Leblond. Love Love Love Love her! Love Love Love Love her designs. Love Love Love Love her Boutique on the great street here in Montreal, St. Laurent. I have to put my fingers on freeze frame because first things first!

Before I tell and share more, we have a really great give away for everyone!

We are giving away a sweet n loving Katrin Leblond "Love" Tee Shirt inspired by Robert Indiana's Love Sculpture. Not only just a "to be loved forever n ever" Tee but a pretty hand crafted multi coloured Rose Broach as well!

In the upcoming weeks I will be visiting Katrin in her studio and in her store and will be preparing as much as I can tell - all about this bright, delightful, inspiring designer and her escape to wonderland boutique. A boutique where you find a little bit more than just a place to shop. Until then I must resist my urge to go on and on because I don't want to spoil the fun.

Because it is so hard for me to keep quiet about Katrin and her boutique, I decided a great give away was a must way to start 2011!


To Enter It is As Easy As 123...........

1. Be A follower/Become a follower of Hot Freezing Fashion XD!


2. Pop over to Katrin Leblond's twitter page and become a follower. Also take a peek at her website as well!

http://twitter.com/katrinleblond

http://www.katrinleblond.com/



3. Then leave a comment on this post. As well as letting me know you have become a Katrin Leblond follower on twitter.

Please note: 1. The Love Pillow shown in the pictures and video is not included in the give away. 2. Also this give away is open to international followers:)

Good Luck!

Ladies & Gentleman......


On my recent trip to Toronto on an exploration/romantic walk with my marvelous husband, we discovered this great boutique on Queen ST West called Thieves Boutique (1156 Queen W.)

www.thievesboutique.com

Well, Ok, I will confess, I was really in a shopping mood. Though at this point in time, it was the end of my trip and well, let's say my wallet was leading me around and had done gone and emptied itself of all my cash! Of course I have no regrets over what I had found, but I hadn't found this "make me want to shout n shop" boutique sooner in my trip.



Wait till you all discover this great Canadian Eco Fashion Designer, Sonja den elzen. This talented woman honestly delivers being a eco conscious driven designer while at the same time creating the most versatile and wearable garments a person could include in their wardrobes.

I know you are all going to love her creations, her style and will put a visit to her store at the top of your list. Actually it must be at the top and the first boutique you visit! Otherwise your free wheeling wallet may constrict the shopping fun you can have here.

I don't believe you will find higher quality and greater value than here. Sonja's designs are so well designed, crafted and tailored people will think you are wearing haute couture. The lines are clean and a person can stylize her garments to work with many looks suitable for many different functions and day to day activities.

                                                            

Sonja began designing Thieves in 2006.

Since then, she has participated and been invited to Toronto’s inaugural Green Living Show; Fashion Takes Action, profiled during Toronto’s Fashion Week; Seattle’s first Green Fashion Week;
Fashion Footprints: Sustainable Approaches exhibition to Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW) in Exeter, UK.

Was a finalist in the Elle Magazine and Toronto Fashion Incubator New Labels Competition.

Has shown at Toronto Fashion Week; Montreal Fashion Week & New York Fashion Week.

As well as receiving great press coverage from Elle Canada and Flare here in Canada and notably
Forbes.com naming Thieves one the top 10 Eco designers!


Quite the list I would say!



I also was very lucky as she did come into the boutique while I was there and she very graciously said she wouldn't be opposed to me doing a piece on her, her label and her boutique for my blog.

But really lucky to you folks my lovely readers because you  are about to discover your new favourite designer!






1. I think it is very smart to have a boutique to sell your sleek & beautiful designs. Did you open the boutique at the same time as you began creating your label?

No I opened the boutique 2 years after I started the line.


2. What has been the biggest benefit to owning your boutique?

It is wonderful to meet the customers in person, I have the opportunity to see how different body types look in the clothing and work with that. It is a great experience to see someone in the designs and they look and feel good.


3. Do you sell your line outside of Toronto and Canada?

Currently I sell to a few boutiques in Canada and then directly to customers world wide through my online shop www.thievesboutique.com


4. How long did it take to acquire accounts outside of Toronto?

It's not that it takes long, you just have to be able to make sales trips or have an appropriate sales rep.


5. In terms of your inspiration and how you go from idea to a garment hanging here in the store. Do you start with a piece of fabric and then design a garment from what you envision or do you sketch first and then decide on the fabric you want? Or are ideas always popping up in your head and you have your sketch book with you always?

I usually have an idea come into my head, then I sketch it and figure out what fabric would be best suited, sometimes the fabrics choice comes at the same time as the design idea. I usually try to have something on me to sketch in in case an idea comes to me. My ideas often come when I am going to sleep or waking up, so I keep a sketchbook by my bedside.


6. From the inception of Thieves, to now, are you finding it easier to source the eco - friendly sustainable fabrics you use?

Sometimes it is easier and sometimes its harder, some great suppliers have closed down, and new ones have come forward, so I am always on the hunt.


7. Does the availability of the fabric play a big factor in what you design for each collection?

Yes fabric plays an important factor, i also tend to like to use very high quality sustainable fabrics.


8. If yes, are you finding yourself inspired to create a wider range of garments for each season's collection?

I generally do create a wide range of garments each season, so along with the special high end pieces, I try to make sure there are more accessible basics with my own twist.


9. I love how your clothes can fit into a high end fashion devotee's closet to a busy man or woman on the run's closet . Are you finding yourself surprised at how many and/or the range of diverse looks your clientele create for themselves from the items in your collections?

Yes and I have also been surprised and pleased at the diverse range of my clientele in general.


10. When you are out on the street or at a restaurant and you see someone wearing your clothes, can you describe what that is like for you?

I love to see someone out and wearing the clothing it is wonderful.


11. With all the challenges and hurdles facing any business, what brings you the most happiness and satisfaction with the path you have chosen for yourself and courageous choice you have made being completely committed to creating a label using only eco friendly fabrics?

Being able to provide people with a stylish option in the realm of eco fashion, that it can be style first and still be conscious.


12. One thing to leave with our readers and to have a little fun with. What is the one item in your current collection that you think is a must have for every one's wardrobe?

Well, for the women it has definitely been the 5 in 1 dress, which actually can be worn more then 10 ways, they are easy to travel with, can be casual or dressy, can be a couple of tops or multiple dresses. and for the men it would have to be the trench that goes a long way!





Photo Images: Guilio Muratori
http://www.giuliomuratori.com/

That's Frozen XD!

And here is some More  That's Frozen XD!

I just checked my email and well low and behold what did I find in my inbox.
The best kind of announcement a lady can get....... A sale.....



What great timing ! Have fun shopping at Thieves Boutique, I know I will!

http://www.thievesboutique.com/


Also for more great fun scroll down and enter my great "Wool & The Gang" Give Away

a) Men's light plaid shirt, Designer (Bérangère Claire) (France) $179 CDN
b) Leather dark brown man bag, Designer (Carga) (Argentina) $298 CDN




a) Blue & white sneakers, Designer (Common Projects)(US) Materials - Italian Leather $390 CDN
b) Felt & leather strap man bag Designer (Carga) (Argentina) $262 CDN
c) Harris Tweed for Bleu de Paname men's cap, (France) $112 CDN
d) Felt & leather strap satchel, Designer (Carga) (Argentina) $249 CDN
e) White leather & polka dot sneakers, Designer (Common Projects)(US) $443 CDN






Wool And The Gang Fabricated Tales
a) Zion Lion $126 CDN
b) Stripy Coco $90 CDN
c) Tala Tank $86 CDN







a) Moleskin Notebooks (Special edition- KapokXmoleskine) $20 CDN

b) Assorted Journals (Five and a Half-recycled paper) $29 CDN
c) Item in top right corner (Porter Travel Bag-special edition for Kapok) $129
d) Assorted Jewelry Rings & Earrings Designers (Bandada, Mixko) Materials (felt, silver & ceramic) from $15 to $135 CDN
e) Assorted Watches and Colours Designer (OPS Design) $44 CDN
f) Fun Animal Rubber Bands Designer (Japan) $3.50 CDN


That's Frozen XD!

Kapok Montreal from Thomas Pison on Vimeo.

Honestly, I don't know how I happened upon this but I am so glad I did!

Looks like this weekend I get to go out on a little escapade! Oh goodie! Oh goodie!

I found this short film promoting a new store here in Montreal. Kapok the aformentioned store.

Ka-Pok




What I have discovered so far. Kapok is based and originated in Hong Kong. Founded by a French gentleman who settled in Hong Kong. He started the store as an antidote against the boredom found in the shopping malls.

Obviously, he is finding success as he has since moved from the original location and now has 3 locations in our lovely & messed up world we all share. I can't seem to be able to find where the 3rd one is. But I do promise you, I will track down where that one is.

I have given myself an assignment to find out way more about this intriguing boutique and to share what I discover:)

I am looking forward to scooting myself over to this store to discover what looks to be
one pretty damn boutique!

I believe I may have discovered our Eugene Choo here in Montreal ...... Ok I am worried I may have said some sacrilegious here.........

Based on watching this little short film and snooping on the website I believe we have found a great store to shop for My Poetic One. The man who can drive me insane when we shop because he is so picky and in my opinion unreasonable...... The man who I have vowed to love on good shopping days and on bad shopping days................

I do love this little vignette. It is the perfect urban awesome date for the couple who approach their lives unruffled, relaxed yet polished in that unpretentious way.

I can feel the wind & sun on me. I can smell that crisp fall air and feel Montreal's heartbeat.

Perfect isn't it?