This past Friday I attended a film festival themed open night at the Little Black Dress shop. I looked at the invite as the perfect opportunity to finally see a shop that I really should have gone to ages ago. To find the shop you have to go down a little lane way off of Tecumseth and around the back of the building. The lane way is quaint and I thought it added an exclusive feel to the store, like a hidden gem in the city. I take a lane way to get to my apartment, so I might be a little bias.

The shop has been talked about on blogTO before so I will try not be too repetitive. I walked up the stairs and met the owner, Jay Barrigar. We spent some time chatting about fashion and having wine. I explored the racks of clothing and noticed some standout items from Michael Kors, Chulo Pony, Brasilianas, and Narcissist. You can also find the perfect accessories for your LBD as there is a wide assortment of jewelery, stoles, belts and handbags. There was lots of Moonrox jewelery which, adds the perfect amount of colour to a black dress. I happened to pick up a black multichain black necklace by Mary Designs, I couldn't resist. I finished my season long hunt for an Obi belt. Punchy Accessories had a nice one in black. They come in a range of colours. Jay stocks handbags and bracelets by Bennie and Olive. Their handbags are new to the shop this season. I was a real happy camper when I was able to try on some coats from Desperately Different, a local designer I've talked about on I want - I got. God, I need the Hepburn Cape. It's all about the cape for me this fall season.

After LBDS closed, Jay took me to another party by building-mate Susan Harris. I've fallen in love with some of her reworked and silk screened clothes. Just in time for fall, you can find silk screened sweaters, blazers and cardigans. If you are looking for a way to put the oh so trendy tartan in your wardrobe, Susan has a great full length wool jacket with a hood available in blue and burgundy. I'm loving the tweed blazers with the owl silk screen. Unfortunately, the last one in the store was a little to big for me. I did make it up with an nice owl cardigan though.

Designers Lisa Cinelli and Jean Sebastien Maillet from Cinelli & Maillet were having an open house in Susan's store. It was a preview of their new fall collection. Enamel, resin, fine metals and stones are materials used to form distinctive and tactile pieces. I tried on many of the rings, tempting myself. I lose rings much too easily and have given up on wearing them, otherwise I probably would have broken down. Susan's party was fun. I got to finally meet Tara Campbell in person and chatted a little bit with Karyn Gingras of Lilliput Hats.

Susan Harris
135 Tecumseth Street
416-703-8537

Little Black Dress Shop
135 Tecumseth Street, Unit 7
416-901-5470

Cinelli & Maillet
176 John Street, Studio 405
416-647-4414

images: me and cinellimaillet.com