A fashion ode to été
Written by GLYNNIS MAPP
Welcome to the Summer of the Umbrella — this year we beat a 30-year record for the wet stuff — making pastimes like shopping, partying and being a general urban dandy not easy. We get the fashion shakes after being cooped up indoors, so when there’s a luminous day or two, it’s a cue to take full advantage of clear skies.
Here are some city-dwellers that hit the local shops and rocked their été trends in spite of the soggy climate and managed to soak in one perfect Simcoe Day long weekend.
NAME(S): Jordan Janiola
AGE: 15
BY DAY: Student
BY NIGHT: Award-winning sushi eater
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM: His nostalgic shades a la Urban Outfitters.
CITY HOT SPOT: Urban Outfitters and any sushi restaurant. Actually, just slap some rice and salmon together and he’s good.
SUMMER SLOGAN: “I can’t live without sushi, I’d die without it.”
WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IN THIS PHOTO: His cool scuffed sneakers that say, “I care about my feet, but not too much.”
NAME(S): Zee Figueira
AGE: 15
BY DAY: Student
BY NIGHT: Chronic shopper
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM: Her vintage t-shirt.
CITY HOT SPOT(S): American Apparel
SUMMER SLOGAN: “I love summer . . . and taking photos, we always get photographed.”
WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IN THIS PHOTO: Her rockin’ periwinkle blue ankle boots, a steal at $15 from a Los Angeles boutique. We breathe out a collective jealous sigh . . .
*photo by: GLYNNIS MAPP
NAME(S): Megan Loconte/ Amanda Boglis/ Dakota Yip
AGE: 16 (all)
BY DAY: Students
BY NIGHT: Kensington hippies
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM(S): $15 straw fedora with black ribbon/$0 borrowed green shorts/$10 white-rimmed larger-than-life sunglasses from H&M.
CITY HOT SPOT: “Kensington! Yes, we looooove Kensington,” they chime.
SUMMER SLOGAN: “Vintage and borrowed is best.”
WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IN THIS PHOTO: A fashionable, but slightly frenzied friend of the girls, trying to make evening plans over her mobile. Finding the right party is a task best left to professionals, or as we like to call them, PR moguls. We love you.
*photo by: GLYNNIS MAPP
NAME(S): Deon George
AGE: 21
BY DAY: Retail renegade
BY NIGHT: Space girl
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM(S): $20 Leopard lunchbox purse from Winners that just screams, “Talk to the leopard.”
CITY HOT SPOT: Queen Street boutiques from east to west.
SUMMER SLOGAN: “I like to have fun and do different things.”
WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IN THIS PHOTO: A brand new tattoo of a little spaceship on her neck that helps her think of happy places. “I want to travel and get away from everyone, you know, be at peace sometimes.”
We do too, Deon, we do too. Be a peach darling, take our annoying ex-boyfriends with you next time you’re off to space.
*photo by: GLYNNIS MAPP
NAME(S): Carly Bangs/ Mica Le J /A.J.
AGE(S): 23/ 19 / 20
BY DAY: American Apparel wardrobe professionals
BY NIGHT: Alleyway skulker/ Pink Mafia blogger/ professional matchmaker
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM(S): Her roomy white dresshirt that says “I slept over at my boyfriend’s, time to improvise.” / $12 sneaks from Joe Fresh/$30 Hat from Lavish & Squalor.
CITY HOT SPOT: “I love hanging out in any alleyway really, not too picky about the location. Hanging out with friends.”/ “Winston’s Grocery . . . Mmmm, Mars Bars and pink freezies!” / “Yeah, Winston’s is the spot – and Big Fat Burrito is the best.”
SUMMER SLOGAN: “We love you Winston’s Grocery!” the group says in unison.
WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IN THIS PHOTO: The variety store of conversation, Winston’s Grocery, sitting pretty across the street from the AA store where the trio works. It may not be fine dining, but it’s got a stellar review from the AA cohorts.
*photo by: GLYNNIS MAPP
NAME(S): Erica Katkic
AGE: 23
BY DAY: American Apparel manager
BY NIGHT: Bar fly
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM(S): Her $4 gold chain. She snagged it at a crazy sale at Aldo Accessories but wants you to think it’s really from a trendy vintage shop. Don’t worry Erica, your secret’s safe with us.
CITY HOT SPOT: A hip and newly added watering hole, The Parkdale Drink.
SUMMER SLOGAN: “Put me anywhere in the Ossington Ave area and I’m happy,” she says with a dreamy look.
WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IN THIS PHOTO: Her staffers giggling at her photo op. They’re just jealous.
*photo by: GLYNNIS MAPP
NAME(S): Wolf
AGE: 21
BY DAY: Graphic designer
BY NIGHT: Sneaker freak
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM(S): Yellow graphic hoodie and silver and yellow Nike sneakers. New.
CITY HOT SPOT: Stolen Riches
SUMMER SLOGAN: “Sneakers are the new wave of fashion, at least for me.”
WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IN THIS PHOTO: His shiny sneakers. So shiny we had to cut them out! Use your imagination.
*photo by: GLYNNIS MAPP
NAME(S): Rachel Hooper/ Janet Xi
AGE(S): 18 (both)
BY DAY: Students
BY NIGHT: International fashion buyer / Wonder Woman
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM(S): High-waister jean skirt / Vintage sunglasses
CITY HOT SPOT: Yorkville, Hazelton Lanes and all of Cumberland / New Generation for sushi.
SUMMER SLOGAN: “Everyone should have a dream job – one that pays you to shop.”
WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IN THIS PHOTO: A near car-accident on the adjacent road that had the girls a little jostled but not too startled, they were still camera-ready.
*photo by: GLYNNIS MAPP
NAME(S): Jen Texeira
AGE: 22
BY DAY: Student
BY NIGHT: Costume designer
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM: Ramones t-shirt she made herself
CITY HOT SPOT: 69 Vintage
SUMMER SLOGAN: “Need a t-shirt? Just give me some dental floss and a couple of pins, it’s easy. Don’t ask me to sew buttons though. Tried it, didn’t work.”
WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IN THIS PHOTO: Their dog Tucker’s fashionable outfits, apparently he’s a pretty posh pooch himself. “He has his own rocker t-shirts and accessories, but he’s just simple today,” she says.
NAME(S): Tyler Rex
AGE: 26
BY DAY: Man of leisure
BY NIGHT: Man of leisure, a nuit
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM: His Wal-Mart sneakers and acid-washed jean vest with multi-buttons.
CITY HOT SPOT: Queen Street, on the block.
SUMMER SLOGAN: “Summer is the best time of year, I love to relax and chill.”
WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IN THIS PHOTO: Tyler’s underwear, which he says is pretty fashionable. Wouldn’t you like to get a peek? We’re not sure yet, but we’re thinking about it.
*photo by: GLYNNIS MAPP
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