True Patriot Love: Team Canada Unveils Uniforms at Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony

The just-unveiled official parade uniforms for Team Canada. Photo courtesy Hudson's Bay.

As I sit here and watch the Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony, I am one proud (albeit superficial) Canadienne. Whether we win the most medals or not, Team Canada always has the most kick-ass uniforms at the Opening Ceremony thanks to the amazing design team at Hudson's Bay. I don't know too much about the athletes or the rules of each sport, but I can give you a play-by-play of the uniforms that'll put Ron McLean to shame.

Inspired by Hudson’s Bay’s classic scarlet blanket, the perfect-red toggle coat features the Hudson’s Bay and Canadian Olympic Team crests.  The coat is layered on top of a black mock turtleneck and wool v-neck sweater for women, and a tailored white dress shirt, wool cardigan, and red and white striped tie for men. To finish it off, athletes wear the official 2014 red mittens that convey the “we can own the podium” message and a red, white and black pom pom toque with CANADA emblazoned proudly on the front.  Can I get a medal for that?

“The Opening Ceremony look was designed to reflect who we are as a nation; it is both classic and modern and reflects tradition, elegance and strength,” says Hilary Kelley, VP of Design, Creative Director, Hudson’s Bay.

And if you want to cheer on Team Canada in proper sartorial form, the whole look is available now at Hudson's Bay, no training required.  The duffle coat is available for both men and women and is currently on sale for $199 (thanks for the tip, Linz!).  The pompom toque and the red mittens are also available for adults and children, with $3.33 from the sale of each pair of mittens going directly to the Canadian Olympic Foundation.  

The Sochi 2014 Canadian Olympic Team Collection can be purchased online at thebay.com and is available at all Hudson’s Bay stores across Canada now.

GO TEAM CANADAAAAAA! Shady as Sochi is, are you as stoked to watch the Olympics as I am?  Don't even get me started on the figure skating costumes...

xx

ALDO Launches #FriendsFight Campaign

 

Photos courtesy ALDO

Though it might surprise many, ALDO is about more than just pretty shoes, and has raised an impressive $10 million (!) towards international AIDS efforts over the past 30 years. Now, ALDO is urging everyone to join its continued fight against AIDS with the launch of its new #FriendsFight Campaign. 

“We have been committed to the fight against AIDS as far back as 1985, when few were willing to take a stand. It’s a cause very close to our heart and today, more than ever, we continue our commitment to raising awareness and funds to help protect and educate people around the world. We’ve come a long way but the fight is not over yet,” said Aldo Bensadoun, Founder and Executive Chairman of the ALDO Group. “This bracelet is an important symbol. It represents friendship and solidarity. It’s an invitation to join together in the fight against AIDS.”

The unisex bracelets, available in red, black, navy and mint and designed in collaboration with Waris Loves You, will retail for $5 with 100% of net proceeds donated to Partners in Health, a non-profit whose groundbreaking HIV Equity Initiative in rural Haiti revolutionized the way the world approaches and funds diseases of the poor. The #FriendsFight friendship bracelets will be sold in select ALDO stores worldwide and online at www.aldoshoes.com starting Feb 1st, 2014. Buy one, or stack 'em up. Either way, you'll be helping an amazing cause. 

So, wanna fight?

xx

See the Peter Pilotto for Target Lookbook

Photos courtesy Target

Massive apologies for being MIA these past few days. I was in TO shooting my latest round of TV segments for the iVillage Minute and then spent yesterday at the Shangri-La for my sister's 40th. A morning at the Miraj Hammam Spa plus lunch at Bosk can transform you from highly stressed to incredibly chilled out and baby soft in a matter of two hours. Worth every single penny. 

Digression aside, I'm back at it and had to share these new pics from the Peter Pilotto for Target collection. Peter who? Doesn't really matter (fashion designer, good enough to be picked up for a Target collab). I went to the Target Spring Preview last week to see the pieces in person and they are even prettier in real life - silky soft fabrics and super vibrant summer colours perfect for surfer girls and wannabes alike. 

I am dying over the dresses, the long-sleeved stretchy shirts and the clutches, and luckily at $14.99 to $79.99 for apparel and $16.99 to $39.99 for accessories, it looks as though I might actually be able to pick up the things on my wishlist without destroying our family budget. That is, IF (and it's a big IF) everything doesn't get scooped up before I get in the door. There is one massive benefit to living outside of the city: namely, not having to fight OOC throngs of other ravenous fashionphiles when new designer collections arrive at Target. This should be a consideration in quality of life studies and real estate reports, non?

Mark your calendars! The Peter Pilotto for Target Collection launches in Target stores nationwide and at Net-a-porter.com on February 9th. Cannot wait! 

xx

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Razzle, Dazzle: How to Wear Bright Blue

Feeling blue backstage at the Michael Kors Fall '13 show - photo via Fairchild Photo Services

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

It's funny the way colour works;  One minute, designers are claiming that black is out, that bright colour is in. The next hot minute, brights are shunned and black is totally back. I mean, colour? That was sooo last season. While black & white (along with of-the-moment grey, navy and pink) are currently reigning supreme in fashion's inner circles, I'm really feeling bold, bright blue, too. How about you?

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