We’re big fans of shopping parties (who isn’t?), and when we heard that LOULOU Magazine and Fairview Mall were teaming up to co-host the ultimate shopping event, we knew we had to be there. So last Thursday, April 26, when Canada’s shopping magazine brought its 6th annual Shop ‘Til You Drop tour to one of our favourite retail destinations in north Toronto, not only were we there at Fairview Mall, but we were right in the thick of all the action.
The 4-hour shopping extravaganza was a shopaholic’s delight! There were exclusive discounts at some of our favourite stores, complimentary food and drink, giveaways, makeovers, fashion illustrations, goodie bags…more than we’d bargained for, really. If you weren’t able to join us for the fun, not to worry – there’s always next year. And in the meantime, here’s a minute-by-minute account of the event so you can live vicariously through S’s tweets (and post-event commentary):
5:23pm – Kick-off
“We’ve arrived at @louloumagazine’s #ShopTilYouDrop event! Here’s the scene at @Fairview_Mall’s centre court. pic.twitter.com/QmpJxfm”
With 200 luxe swag bags up for grabs on a first come, first serve basis and the entire shindig about to kick off, the excitement was palpable. This was our very first Shop ‘Til You Drop event and we couldn’t wait to get our shop on.
5:37pm – Trend Presentation by Liv Judd
“Waiting for @louloumagazine’s @LivJudd’s trend presentation @Fairview_Mall. Tell me about these shorts! pic.twitter.com/avXbBM5g #ShopTilYouDrop”
The blue paisley shorts turned out to be from Gap’s latest collection. With the entire store at 30% off during the Shop ‘Til You Drop event, it was a no brainer that those babies were coming home with me. I see myself living in these shorts come summer.
“The lovely @LivJudd giving her trend presentation at @louloumagazine and @Fairview_Mall’s #ShopTilYouDrop event”
LOULOU Magazine’s Shopping Editor Liv Judd took the stage for her spring trend presentation in front of a crowd eager for spring style tips. T and I sat front row, hanging on her every word: mixed prints, white on white, denim jackets…this lady knows what she’s talking about!
“Wise spring style advice from @louloumagazine’s @LivJudd: “Never wear a stiletto with a short.” #ShopTilYouDrop”
Confession time: I’ve done this, maybe twice in life…but I promise never to do it again, Liv!
“‘Colour is something you want in your denim’, says @LivJudd. She’s so right. #ShopTilYouDrop”
I’ve been resisting coloured jeans over the past few months, but I’m just about ready to jump on that trend. Proof: Me at Gap admiring denim in all the colours of the rainbow later in the evening. A baby step in the right direction, nudged forward by T and the green jeans she’s been wearing non-stop and, of course, Liv’s trend talk.
“Coral, mint and metallics for spring nails! @LivJudd is featuring some lovely @EssieCanada polishes. #ShopTilYouDrop”
I’m a huge Essie fan, so I was delighted by these fun new colours. Fast forward a few hours and I found myself at Trade Secrets stocking up on my favourite Essie shades. Can’t go wrong with the exclusive buy one, get one 50% off event discount.
“The woman next to me at #ShopTilYouDrop just turned to me and said, “wow!” when @LivJudd’s trend presentation wrapped. What a compliment!”
6:04pm – Exclusive Interview with Liv Judd
“Just wrapped an interview w/ @LivJudd. Now very inspired to get my shop on! Ready for some colour, colour and more colour. #ShopTilYouDrop”
Gap’s Denise Chow and LOULOU’s Liv Judd
We nab Liv right after her presentation to chat more about – what else? – spring trends.
BSS: You introduced quite a few trends for spring in your presentation. Which one are you most excited to get into?
Liv: Colour. Hands down. All of the vivid types of colours, like cobalt blue, fuchsia, green and orange. Colour-blocking is not going away, but now it’s stripes and geometric shapes.
BSS: Is there a trend that you don’t see yourself participating in this spring?
Liv: Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the mullet skirt – short in the front, long in the back. I wouldn’t recommend it.
BSS: On that note, what was your worst fashion faux pas?
Liv: There are so many! I had to wear a bright yellow, acrylic sweater [to a New Kids on the Block concert in grade 7]. I was mortified.
BSS: By the bright yellow or the acrylic?
Liv: By the acrylic! Everybody else was wearing their hip New Kids on the Block t-shirts and I was in bright yellow, acrylic no less.
BSS: What was the last purchase you made for the upcoming season?
Liv: I was at Old Navy, and I bought neon-striped t-shirts and long, colour-block maxi dresses.
BSS: What items are still on your wish list for spring?
Liv: Bright-coloured jeans, more maxi dresses, a new white jean, and pointy-toe flats in a bright colour.
BSS: What’s the most fun part about the Shop ‘Til You Drop tour for you?
Liv: Coming out to meet shoppers. Being in the mall and seeing them come up to you and say, “I listened to what you said and this is what I bought. To get that feedback immediately is a delight.
BSS: What is it about Fairview that makes it such a great place to shop?
Liv: It’s so easy to get to. It’s right just on the subway line. And they were the first mall to get H&M [in 2004], so they have that prestige. That was the very first time I shopped here.
6:16pm – Celebrity Trends with Angie Smith at Gap
“Angie Smith @bumbalina of @ETCanada talking celeb style trends at@GapCA. @RCampanelliETC is here too! #ShopTilYouDrop”
Over at the Gap store, Angie walked us through on-trend outfits by some of our favourite celebrities (including Solange Knowles – love her!) and how to recreate the looks using pieces from Gap’s spring/summer collection. Husband and ET Canada on air personality Rick Campanelli is there too to lend his support.
“Shopping for stripes this spring? The smaller the stripe, the more flattering on the body, says @bumbalina at @GapCA. #ShopTilYouDrop”
“Photo booth at @GapCA! Of course T and I had to get in on that action. #ShopTilYouDrop”
7:22pm – Shop ‘Til We Drop!
“Lots of exclusive retailer discounts at #ShopTilYouDrop! Great sales at @GapCA, LaSenza, @softmocshoes & Trade Secrets.”
It’s time to get our shop on! With Liv Judd and Angie Smith’s spring trend tips in mind and our Shop ‘Til You Drop passports in hand, we made our way from store to store, on the lookout for LOULOU Editors’ Picks and exclusive event discounts. We found lots of other attendees feverishly shopping their way through Fairview Mall too.
“Converse All Stars made the cut for @louloumagazine Editors’ Picks at @softmocshoes.”
“Enjoying macarons, cake pops and a photo booth at @Guess @Fairview_Mall. #ShopTilYouDrop”
9:00pm – The End
We’re forced to resurface from our shopping frenzy when the Shop ‘Til You Drop event sadly comes to an end. Arms full of bags of colour, colour and more colour from some of our favourite stores at Fairview Mall, we happily head home, ready for the warm weather months just around the corner.
Sounds like you missed a fantastic time at Shop ‘Til You Drop? Don’t fret – there’s still plenty of printed maxi dresses and coloured denim at Fairview Mall to fill your spring wardrobe, so head on over there, stat. And don’t forget to connect with Fairview Mall on Facebook and Twitter to be the first to know about upcoming events!
xx, T & S
Sponsored by Cadillac Fairview
Great article! So sad that I missed this at my home mall.