Trends That Transcend: Fab Fashion with Martine and Emma

By Martine Mackenzie

Welcome to our newest, on-going feature, “Trends That Transcend: Fab Fashion Finds with Martine & Emma.” We will be going to our local malls and shoppes, and picking the most fab fashion finds trending each season. Regardless of your age, height, size, budget, etc… there is something for everyone out there to keep your fashion toes on point!

To say that is was absolutely freezing cold that last Saturday in April, is an understatement. As we both set out that morning to start our adventure, our wardrobe choices really left little to the imagination. We were identically decked out in coats and boots as we got ready to brave the elements at The Outlet Collection at Niagara, 300 Taylor Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Of course, every good shopping adventure requires a full stomach and a dose of caffeine. This made our first stop, a logical one: Aroma Espresso Bar. Faced with an abundance of choices, we went with the “Avocado Sandwich” and the “Italian Cheese Sandwich”. Both were hand-crafted, hearty portions, delightfully tasty and filling. To complement this delightful brunch and to take the chill off, we chose the “Cortado”, and the “Espresso Machiatto”. Happy, sated and energized, we were ready to go!

Photos: Emma Cavanagh.

Despite the chill in the air, we were ready to start picking the best fashion finds for the spring and summer seasons.

Pink Tartan was our first stop. Founded in 2002 by Kimberley Newport-Mimran, President and Design Director, Pink Tartan is a women’s wear brand that has developed into a global label known for understated luxury and sophisticated sportswear. Pink Tartan has a reputation for a distinct aesthetic; day to dinner dressing that focuses on the intersection between fashion and function and caters to the modern women.

We were immediately greeted with genuine enthusiasm by the stylish Pink Tartan team of Fashion Consultants. The warmth of their greeting didn’t have as much to do with the fact that they were expecting us, but rather because that is the guest experience at Pink Tartan. Equally as exceptional as the wearable fashionforward product is the personal and attentive customer experience.

Pebbled Leather Red Clutch and Navy Blue Red Wristlet from Pink Tartan.

Photo: Emma Cavanagh.

When you walk into the boutique, you know that you are about to get fabulous service from lovely, knowledgeable and of course, stylish individuals. Of course, our eyes were everywhere, surrounded by exquisite designs and fabrics. Where to start and what to choose? The Pink Tartan stylists seemed to know what we were thinking, as they pulled this fabulous coat Emma and I were both eyeing up. I slipped it on, love at first sight! The Jacquard Shell Opera Coat! This beautiful swing coat with pockets is a statement piece that transcends from season to season and from woman to woman. It can be worn with its matching skirt for a fun night out, or easily thrown over a black dress, jumpsuit, or black pants and black turtleneck for a sleek and chic look. You can wear it with your favorite pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, statement earrings, strappy sandals, grab a clutch and out you go for dinner. This coat is one of those pieces that will always be stylish no matter the time period. It’s truly an investment piece.

Emma and I were also drawn to a really beautiful pant, that once again can be dressed up or down. Bring on the Ruffle Floral Jacquard Pant with its royal blue and white contrast pattern and adorable ankle ruffle. Ruffles seem to be the rage and this pant can take you from work to play by changing out your top, shoes, and accessories! With its fun and playful pattern, this pant is a season must-have.

If you’re looking for a soft, feminine dress, Pink Tartan has an abundance of choices. The shift dress is the go-to piece of the season. It’s easy because you can throw a jacket or cardigan over it on cooler days, or if you have a little bit of edge to your personality, a denim jacket looks great as well. We were both drawn to the Ribbon Fringe dress in pink, a Chanel-inspired soft tweed with the perfect cut and length – think summer wedding receptions, baby showers, bridal showers, or just a great little dress for work and play!

The clutch purse is popular again this season – but with a twist – a hand strap! With red being one of this season’s pops of colour, Pink Tartan’s pebbled leather clutch is it. When it comes to the use of leather, Pink Tartan relies on ethical sources and deals with the Inuit population whose philosophy is “nose to tail”. No part of the animal is left unused. Pink Tartan stands by this mantra as well, as all of the clothing and accessories in the line are made in Canada under ethical business practices, something very important to Kimberley Newport-Mimran, whose design studio is in Toronto.

Suzanne, General Sales Manager at Pink Tartan, sums it up best – “The beauty of the Pink Tartan line is its ability to take you from day to evening, elevated casual to formal. A single piece can be paired with a casual shoe or top and with a simple change of footwear, can be transformed for a more formal event. The outlet collection Pink Tartan is a timeless collection of Kimberley Newport-Mimran’s designer pieces from seasons past to current collections. All are relevant today.” Suzanne, we concur! In general, bathing suit shopping doesn’t make too many women feel good. Walking into La Vie En Rose quickly changed our negative mindset. The cornucopia of colours and beachy vibe were enough to make us want to try on and buy bathing suits, despite the cold day. The neons and florals and fruit motifs were everywhere! We were greeted by Heather, the Assistant Manager, and Paula, the District Manager whose smiles lit up the store like a day at the beach!

Tropical Hues Crop Bikini Top, Side Band Thong Bikini Bottom and One-Piece Striped Swimsuit from La Vie En Rose.

Photo: Emma Cavanagh.

This season it’s all about the mix and match of patterns and a variety of cuts to both tops and bottoms. The versatility of the mix and match pieces makes it easy to achieve multiple looks with few pieces. The one-piece has also made a huge comeback with the “Baywatch” tomato red suit a very popular choice, cut in a flattering way with back straps and full coverage. At La Vie En Rose, there is a bathing suit for every woman. The beauty and surprise of this season’s new collection is the reversible bikini. Many of the tops and bottoms are reversible allowing the wearer to really get maximum usage out of each piece. Any way you look at it, there is a swimsuit combination for you at La Vie En Rose. Stripes, florals, high neck, strappy, plunging necklines, high cut and full rear coverage -- there are so many choices that we wanted to buy one of everything!

Two elements are really trending this season, – one is ruffles and the other is the embroidery and adornment on these swimsuits. District Manager, Paula explained: “The ruffles are everywhere! They add femininity and brightness. Ruffles positively accentuate any body type.” The embroidery and adornments are very delicate and bohemian-inspired. Paula and Heather assured us that these beautiful additions that add that little something extra to these swimsuits can withstand any amount of chlorine or any wave.

Assistant Manager Heather summed it up very well. “In every collection, we carry a push-up, a sporty version, a high-neck sport top, a tie side, a fold-over bottom, a high bottom. If you like a style, you can get it in every collection. You get to know yourself within the collection.”

Of course, the swimsuit is just one part of the overall look. We want it all – that includes ALL of the accompanying beachwear and accessories! The cover-ups are so versatile and stylish that they can take you from water to cocktails and dinner. They are all designed to mix and match with the many swimsuit options available. No pool or beach outfit is complete without the appropriate accessories. You have one-stop shopping at La Vie En Rose for hats, bags, and sandals. The accessories collection is designed to complement the swimwear. Bags in various colours and patterns that are big enough to lug the necessities to the shore also double as purses to take the look from daytime beach to evening fun. For sun protection and to take the worry out of beach hair, La Vie En Rose offers a great selection of hats. Straw hats in a variety of shapes and colours, along with the tried and true baseball, will help ensure that your locks remain protected and that your style remains on point. Emma and I both agreed that one of the best things about summer is the flip-flop. In the many colours and styles offered, they are the perfect footwear. They slip on and slip off easily, offer maximum comfort, and are always at a great price point. La Vie En Rose has an adorable selection that complements all of the pieces in their collection.

As we left La Vie En Rose, and stepped back outside into the cold, wet, grey day, Emma and I took with us visions of sun and sand in anticipation of the coming summer.

Burberry Sunglasses from The Sunglass Hut.

Photos: Emma Cavanagh.

Sunglasses serve a purpose – they protect our eyes from the glare of the sun. But only in the last 50 years or so, have they become fashion statements. Think Audrey Hepburn’s cat eye in Breakfast at Tiffany’s; or the classic Jackie O gigantic round and square frame glasses that epitomized the ‘70s. In the ‘80s cult classic, “Risky Business”, Tom Cruise resurrected the Ray Ban Wayfarer, made famous in the early ‘60s by President John F. Kennedy. Tom Cruise is also responsible for the trend of the Ray Ban Aviator, which made every young man out there want to be “Maverick” from “Top Gun.” And no summer outfit is complete without the proper pair of “shades”.

High-end designers have jumped on the bandwagon and added this classic accessory to their collections. Final Stop: The Sunglass Hut. Here, Sales Supervisor, Natalie Fracchioni was awaiting our arrival and pulled some amazing styles from the new collection. Emma and I just dove into trying on all of these fabulous styles. When asked what was trending in the world of tinted eyewear for this season, Natalie shared, “It’s either going very big, or very small. There are a lot of different coloured frames as well. We’re not just seeing browns and blacks anymore. There are so many pops of colour. And brand identity is showcased as well. Kim Kardashian and the Hadid sisters are eye fashion trailblazers.”

Burberry Sunglasses from The Sunglass Hut.

Photos: Emma Cavanagh.

Lenses are showing a new dimension as well. A trend called “washed” lenses allows the eye to be seen through the lens, while still providing maximum UV protection – the myth of the darker the lens, the better the protection has been debunked. Natalie added, “These lenses are more see-through indoors but when you go outside, and expose the lenses to the heat, they get darker.”

Today’s sunglasses combine brand identity, comfort, versatility and style and are definitely investment pieces, meant to be wellcared for and cherished.

After having spent the entire afternoon shopping away, Emma and I were both exhausted. But it was a good tired. We left the Outlet Collection at Niagara feeling enlightened and accomplished. We learned many new things and met some great people.

We are both looking forward to summer breezes and sunshine so that we can showcase some of our purchases!

Stay tuned, as Emma and I will be back in the fall issue with more ‘TRENDS THAT TRANSCEND’.TM