Planning an international getaway? Make sure to pack light... you'll be filling up your bags with irresistible items from these shopping shrines:
Cleaning House… for Kooba?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
After months of procrastination, I finally mustered up the courage to clean out my crammed closets to make way for… read more »
Brooklyn Bound: Zoë
Monday, December 15, 2008
I discovered this Brooklyn-based shopper’s paradise whilst apartment hunting last summer. To be honest, I was “DUMBO-founded” to find such… read more »
FashionJunkie’s Purse’nal Touch
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
 | Store: | Jeanne Lottie |
 | Website: | JeanneLottie.com |
 | Address: | 106 Yorkville Avenue Toronto, Canada |
 | Phone: | 416-975-5115 |
 | Hours: | Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. |
I’m so depressed, I must have the fashion blues. The leaves are turning and I have absolutely nothing new to wear for fall. Talk about total fashion calamity. Worst of all, I desperately need a durable, diva-esque bag to hold my Blackberry, lap top and other FashionJunkie necessities. What’s that I see? A hot pink sign and store window shaped like a purse that says “Jeanne Lottie”? Hmmm… a funky hand bag store in the heart of Toronto’s trendy Yorkville district seems too good to be true. I’d better check this place out pronto.
Established since March ‘99, this dreamy ground level concept store is known for much more than affordable bags and accessories. Case in point: the funky Asian-style interior and Feng Shui vibe alone are worth the trip.
read more on FashionJunkie’s Purse’nal Touch »
Photography © Zack Medicoff
FashionJunkie’s Magical Manicure
Thursday, April 26, 2007
| | Store: | PIR Cosmetics |
 | Description: | Cult cosmetics, skincare, haircare, fragrance, special f/x make-up and exotic escape manicures |
| | Website: | PIRCosmetics.com |
| | Address: | 25 Belair Street, Toronto (Yorkville) |
| | Phone: | 416-513-1603 |
 | Email: | customerservice@pircosmetics.com |
 | Subway: | Bay |
 | Directions: | Click here for a map |
Eeeeeuuuwww! What have you done to your hands FashionJunkie? In a matter of minutes, I’ve unconsciously ripped every cuticle right down to the bone. What can I say, nothing beats the stress of urban living. I’ve already cut out chocolate, coffee, and even yoga won’t help my panic-stricken state. C’mon FashionJunkie, get a hold of yourself! Breathe… inhale, exhale. Talk about total calamity. I’ve got a trendy party to crash tonight and hands that look like hell. Hmmm… I could hide the damage with a pair of sexy silk gloves. Nope. Way too cheezy. Think FashionJunkie, think! Of course, Pir manicure to the rescue… the coveted nail salon in Yorkville touted for their Exotic Escape Manicure Bar. Sounds too good to be true, right? Follow me and I’ll show you co-owner Joanna Black’s manicure magic.
Don’t expect a typical manicure here, ok? In case you didn’t know, Pir Cosmetics is the hottest new concept to hit Toronto. This small ground-level shop is every beauty junkies dream. Neatly stocked with cult beauty brands including Shu Uemura, special f/x make-up for film sets, Two Faced, Taut, Joe Blasco and other hard-to-find brands you’d normally find at big beauty stores in the U.S. Catch my drift?
read more on FashionJunkie’s Magical Manicure »
Photography © Zack Medicoff
Benelux Beckons: Intro
Friday, May 04, 2007
Fashion Junkie scopes out the mind-blowing Benelux style scene. Read all about it in this special shopping safari report, live from Antwerp and Amsterdam.
Part I: Dutch Treat (Amsterdam)
Looking for an unbelievably cool urban getaway? Cash-in those frequent flyer miles for a jaunt to Amsterdam – a surprisingly stylish destination that has much more to offer than just sex (Red Light District), drugs, cheese and clogs. A culture-infused Dutch capital filled with Old World charm, romantic canals, floating flower markets (think tulips galore), monumental museums (Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Rijks and the Anne Frank House) and mouth-watering frites, it’s the jaw-dropping designer fashion that will make your heart flutter. So grab a Heineken, hop on that bike rental and get ready to cruise the streets (and shops!) like a local.
-By: Dara Fleischer
the only way to trek around town
Photography © Michael Thieberg
Benelux Beckons: Van Ravenstein
Friday, May 04, 2007
| | Store: | Van Ravenstein |
| | Description: | luxe Belgian labels |
 | Labels: | Dries Van Noten, Viktor & Rolf, Dirk Van Saene, Veronique Branquinho, Ann Demeulemeester, A.F. Vandervorst, Walter Van Beirendonck & more |
| | Address: | Keizersgracht 359, Amsterdam |
| | Phone: | 31 (0)-20-639-00-67 |
 | Price Range: | $750-$3000 Euros |
| | Subway: | never mind the metro! walk or ride a bike! |
| | Directions: | Click here for a map |
DISTRICT: NINE STREETS (DE NEGEN STRAATJES DISTRICT)
Situated in the old centre of Amsterdam lies nine amazingly tiny side streets that link to a ring of romantic canals. A paradise for pedestrians, “the 9 streets” (named after traditional tanneries) is the spot for shopping, sightseeing (expect magnificent views of buildings from the 17th Century) and sipping cappuccino.
Fashionistas from New York to the Netherlands flock to this haute hideaway for the best-of-the-best in Belgian fashion. Prepare to dish out top dollar for drool-worthy designs from Dutch duo, Viktor & Rolf and the infamous “Antwerp Six,” as in: Dries Van Noten (avant-garde men’s-inspired suits), Veronique Branqhuino (vests with matching pin-striped pants), Ann Demeulemeester, AF Vandervorst, Walter Van Beirendonck and Martin Margiela. Check out their sister store in Berlin for more of the same mega brands.
Photography © Michael Thieberg
Benelux Beckons: Lady Day
Friday, May 04, 2007
| | Store: | Lady Day |
| | Description: | designer vintage clothing and accessories |
| | Website: | LadyDayVintage.com |
| | Address: | 9 Hartenstraat, Amsterdam |
| | Phone: | 31 (0)-20-623-58-20 |
| | Email: | info@ladydayvintage.com |
| | Price Range: | $50-$250 Euros |
| | Directions: | Click here for a map |
A stomping ground for stylists, designers and serial shoppers, this swanky secondhand boutique is reminiscent of all things Billy Holiday, right down to the jazzy tunes. Rummage through racks filled with vintage frocks circa 1940 and bins brimming with mint-condition T’s and retro runners. Some real standouts worth snagging: designer dresses (Pierre Cardin and Dior), metallic gold and silver stilettos (dozens of pairs!), cocktail clutches, luxe leather gloves, silk printed scarves (Hello, Pucci!) and Twiggy-inspired trapeze coats.
Photography © Michael Thieberg
Moxie Design Studios™