Buy Local! Buy Local! Buy Local!

While caught up in Derby Madness, I missed Buy Local Day this past Saturday April 25th. But it's not too late. Now is the best time to go out and support your local stores carrying local designers.

Photo by Montreal Photographer Extraordinaire Nancy Beaton.
ncbeets.com

Here are my top 3 reasons for buying locally made.

1. Stay ahead of the rat pack.
Local designers don't have the pressure of following global fashion trends so you end up with timeless and unique pieces that no one else has.

2. Quality over quantity.
Local designs tend to be of much much higher quality which means your clothes won't fall apart and will wear better. You may only afford to buy a few things, while expanding your wardrobe's potential.

3. Good Karma.
You'll be stimulating the the local economy while minimizing your carbon footprint. Good brownie points.

Don't know where to start? Check out General 54, Unicorn, Headquarters, Lustre, Body Bag, L'Arterie, and Marche MTL, Tavan & Mitto... to name a few.

Designers to look for: Eve Gravel, Anastasia Lomonova, Valerie Dumaine, Jennifer Glasgow, Main & Hastings... to name a few of my favourites.

One last tip: don't assume it's locally made - always check the tag or ask any of the lovely boutique owners to inform you.

P.S. Buying vintage is good karma too. Check out this event, Try Me On For Size, happening this Saturday May 2nd at Vinyl Lounge.

Derby Madness

Whew! I have just barely recovered from Beast of the East, the Roller Derby Tournament that was held here in Montreal this past weekend. And I was a vendor - I can't imagine how the players are feeling! I had front row seats from my vendor's table and couldn't peel my eyes away from the action - I am officially a derby fanatic. I took a ton of photos and I am posting my favourites here.



Before I go on and on about how much I love Roller Derby, I am going to reveal the mysterious Edible Bling:

Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles coated in Edible Silver Leaf!



We sold them in the bleachers at the game and they were a big hit. The next batch will be featured at Fresh Off The Press.

I also launched the Brazen Design Roller Skate Pendant, modelled here by a hot La Racaille player:



Montreal's three teams La Racaille, Les Filles du Roi and Les Contrabanditas kicked ass at the tournament, all ending up in the top four spots - La Racaille took 1st, after coming in second last year.



Though you couldn't pay me to play (spectacular spills and massive thigh bruises are a common sight in roller derby) I still want a Roller Derby name and number. Some of my favourites names were Lunchbox, and Splat Benatar. Favourite numbers were Pi, Dirty 30 and 24/7.



I am debating between Bootylicious and Heatlamp. For a number, I think I'll go with 925 cause that is the number for sterling silver. Send me your ideas!

Edible Bling

I don't have much time today as I have to begin assembling all of the pieces that will be featured this weekend at the Roller Derby (See previous post!) but I thought I'd leave you with this mysterious hint about the latest Brazen Design creation. Send me your guesses and you'll win one if you're right! I'll post winner and photos next week.

It's silver. And edible.

Can you guess what it is?

Brazen Design: Beast of The East and Fresh Off The Press

Brazen Design has been itching to launch the brand-new pieces created in the last lagging days of winter. I will be at two fairs in Montreal in the next few weeks. New pieces will be available online as of May 1st. I will post images to the blog then as well!

Brazen Design has been invited to sell its wares this coming weekend at Beast Of The East.What's that, you say? Oh, only the second annual, two-day long, double-elimination Roller Derby tournament, and the grandest Eastern Canadian Roller Derby tournament. There will be 16 teams from Canada and the United States vying for the singular title of “Beast of the East 2009”! Tickets start at $15.

:: In honour of this awesome girls-kicking-ass event, Brazen Design has created a sterling silver winged rollerskate pendant ::

:: Beast of The East Deets ::

The tournament takes place at Arena St.Louis (y'know, the one btw Bernard and St Viateur, on St Dom)
April 25th, 9am - 10:30pm
April 26th, noon - 6pm
5633 Saint-Dominique
To purchase tickets: http://ca.brownpapertickets.com/event/60352
facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=72421694481&ref=ts

For those unable to checkout the finest in roller derby and apparel, Brazen Design will be at Fresh Off The Press throughout Mother's Day weekend.
Fresh Off The Press is a designer fair featuring 15 up-and-coming Montreal designers, conveniently located in the heart of the plateau.

:: In honour of Mother's Day and Mammas everywhere, Brazen Design has created two sterling silver blossoming branch necklaces ::

:: Fresh Off The Press Deets ::

The fair will take place at Salon Snap ( 2nd floor)
Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 12:00pm
Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 5:00pm
4064 St Laurent
facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=67670239534&ref=ts

Faux Pas: Is your purse too big?

I passed a woman on the street a few weeks ago whose purse was - without exaggeration - larger than her torso. A small lady to begin with, the bag completely dwarfed her and I had to suppress a giggle.

I love big bags as much as the next girl, but there is a limit. Too big and it's bad for your back, looks ridiculous and makes it impossible to find your keys/bus pass/lip balm.

In this time of economic restraint, let's exercise a little of it on our purse size.

Featured Purchase: Eve Gravel Love Wars Jacket

I bought this jacket at Unicorn, a new boutique on St Laurent, just north of Laurier. I had been meaning to check the store out ever since it opened, so I could inform my dear readers about this new made-in-montreal boutique.

There was only one jacket left, and it was 70% off! It fit me like a glove and I instantly fell in love with the braided detail, asymmetrical hem and double breast. It was also super soft, inside and out. My one complaint was the jacket's single eye-hook closure that left a half inch gap between the two sides. This was quickly rectified with a trip to my tailor, who moved the eye-hook and added four more.

Eve Gravel is a hot up-and-coming Montreal fashion designer and I love everything coming out of her studio. You must especially check out her online shop for her well-tailored, Made in Montreal and well-priced pants.

Featured Purchase: Strappy Sandals

All signs for the spring shoe trend point to strappy black sandals - lots of thick straps up to the ankle and a chunky heel. I had my eyes open for a pair when I was in Vancouver on layover, because the one thing they have up on our shopping scene is amazing shoe stores. I found these Campers at Umeboshi, a tiny store on Main with an orgasmic selection of high end shoes.

I like that the design is a minimalist nod to the strappy sandal, and I love the solid wood and rubber wedge as I dislike chunky heels. My favourite part is the gladiator-esque leather heel cap that comes up above the highest strap. And, because they are Campers, it's like walking on butter.

Unfortunately, Campers are no longer made in Spain - the company has said there is no way they could compete if they didn't manufacture in China. They also claim they don't use sweatshops and that the quality hasn't suffered in the least.

Maybe one of these days it'll be warm enough for me to wear these, and if I've had a pedicure, I'll post another photo!

Let me live vicariously...

Sorry for the silence the last week - I was away in BC for work. Did anyone go to Stylist's Own? My boss went to the m0851 sale and picked herself up this GORGEOUS black laptop bag.
I have been taking advantage of the sale season and have picked up some juicy independant Montreal designs that I will feature this week and next. Plus, photos of the shoes I purchased in Vancouver on my layover!