Haute Organic

Recently I discovered Raksha Bella Organic Textiles and have completely fallen in love with the company, their philosophy and, of course, their beautiful bedding. The name combines the Sanskrit word for protection (raksha) and the Latin term for beautiful (bella), and their mandate follows suit. The patterns are all hand-blocked on 100% Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton and made by women who are self-employed through a Nobel Peace Prize winning program that arranges micro-loans for women living below the poverty line. Their mills and production facilities follow fair-trade labour practices and provide benefits like health care, housing and education. The exquisite collection’s patterns and colourways are timeless and have convinced me to break out of my all-white bedding habit.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Tree of Life quilt in canton and mimosa (top); and Raj Paisley in indigo (bottom), about $375 each (king), Raksha Bella Organic Textiles, rakshabellaorganic.com.

Olympic Metals

The Beijing Summer Games have only just come to a close, but with all of the Olympic buzz, why not get a head start on rooting for your Vancouver 2010 squad? Birks has designed an exclusive collection of jewellery made entirely with sustainable metals to celebrate the upcoming winter games. Emblazoned with the Olympic logo, charm bracelets, pendants, cufflinks and key chains are sophisticated keepsakes and a great way to support Team Canada! In stores now.
- Caitlan Moneta, Assistant Fashion Editor

Jewellery Collection for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, select Birks stores, birks.com; vancouver2010.com.

Celebrity King Crab

On a weekend trip to Seattle last summer, I ate the most gigantic king crab one night and lived to tell about it. This summer, the one pictured here at Miami’s The Oceanaire Seafood Room took the cake (at about $130 per kilo!). The restaurant is part of a smallish U.S. chain with an eye out for fresh, sustainable seafood. Their Alaskan king crab is caught from the waters of the Bering Sea and featured on Discovery Channel’s hit show Deadliest Catch. The amiable and accommodating Oceanaire executive chef Sean Bernal will be on the boat, Time Bandit this October at the invitation of the crew. There are more than a dozen kinds of fresh fish on the ever-changing menu everyday at this 1930s ocean liner-like resto – everything from snapper to wolffish. And there’s also a bartender who’s a dead ringer for Bluto from Popeye. Saw it myself! Visit theoceanaire.com.
- Doug Wallace, Deputy Editor

Holy Hermès

I recently attended the grand opening of Toronto’s brand new Hermès store at 130 Bloor St. W., just a hop across the street from the old location. The stunning space mixes modern (sleek metal, limestone and wood displays) with traditional (moulded glass light fixtures originally designed for Hermès in 1925), and provides 221 square metres of space to show off the beautiful leather goods, whimsically printed scarves, colourful bracelets, and equestrian-inspired ready-to-wear. The party was one of the best I’ve been to all year with champagne flowing, tasty treats circulating and Toronto’s most fashionable mingling about (this was one RSVP people didn’t pass up). Even if a diamond-dripping Kelly bag isn’t on your shopping list (oh yeah, it’s there), the store is worth a visit to check out Parisian style at its finest.
- Alison Lawler-Dean, Fashion Associate

Hermès, 130 Bloor St. W., Toronto, hermes.com.

Thrill of Brazil

Considering its long, impressive history of award-winning modern design and architecture, Brazil seems to get little international recognition. However, the current collection at Toronto’s Avenue Road could help change that. Featuring new and vintage pieces by some of Brazil’s top designers like Isay Weinfeld and Jorge Zalszupin, the gallery-like showing against Avenue Road’s all-white walls highlights the use of wood, neutrals and sensuous shapes with modernism’s signature clean lines. Each is a (pricey!) work of art that could still be comfortable in an everyday space - especially if that space is amidst the blue sky, palm-treed, oceanfront backdrop of beautiful Brazil. The collection is worth visiting – if for nothing else but to dream.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Well Suited

Bespoke is the be-all and end-all of custom-made suits. The term bespoke comes from London’s Savile Row. The saying, “to be spoken for,” meant that a certain bolt of fabric had been claimed by a customer and could not be used until his suit was entirely completed. Bespoke is more than just custom-made. Entirely handmade suits are tailored based on a series of measurements (not an existing pattern), and according to the customer’s every request. To carry on this tradition, tony Toronto shop, Harry Rosen, has just made a spectacular addition - a 4th floor bespoke studio. From a starting price of $3,450, your man can have a one of a kind, beautiful suit made just for him.
- Alison Lawler-Dean, Fashion Associate

For more information, visit harryrosen.com.