Rachel Rachel Roy » The Backseat Stylers | Toronto Fashion & Style Blog

Rachel Roy Pops by The Bay’s Toronto Flagship to Launch Her Fall 2012 Collection

by The Backseat Stylers | October 1st, 2012

Me with designer Rachel Roy

Last Thursday, September 27, Rachel Roy flew into town for a public appearance at The Bay‘s Toronto flagship to launch the fall collection for her diffusion line, RACHEL Rachel Roy. As a fan of the New York-based designer, it was an event I wasn’t about to miss, so I donned the newly-arrived Aimee dress, grabbed T, and set off for The Bay to meet Rachel.

“I feel like a hobo next to you,” I told her (rather inarticulately) when we met, and I meant it; Rachel is absolutely stunning in person. I would have felt intimidated if not for the fact that she’s also incredibly charming and warm. Our whole conversation was a blur of Rachel generously complimenting my personal style and suggesting that I share more of it on the blog, and me, well, just being rather starstruck.

I wasn’t the only one who came away from the event with a girl crush; every single person in attendance was gushing over how gorgeous and sweet Rachel Roy is. She also happens to be fantastic at what she does: design. Always a reliable source for on-trend and reasonably-priced apparel, shoes and accessories, the latest offerings from RACHEL Rachel Roy include several pieces I’d like to add to my fall rotation.

To meet the designer herself, I chose the bouclé sheath Aimee dress (as did Nelia Belkova!), but there were plenty of equally enticing options. The eggplant boat-neck Sybil dress, black sequin Lara jumpsuit (that Aliya-Jasmine Sovani sported that night) and beige fur-trimmed Lara dress were also in the running. I’ll certainly be making a return visit to The Bay for all of those…and then some!

MTV’s Aliya-Jasmine Sovani in RACHEL Rachel Roy

Bloggers Nelia Belkova, Kimberly Lyn, me and T

Rachel Roy with models in RACHEL Rachel Roy Fall 2012 collection

FASHION Magazine Online Editor / DJ Randi Bergman

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Contests

5 Spring Wardrobe Essentials on a Budget + $100 Cadillac Fairview Gift Card Giveaway!

by The Backseat Stylers | May 17th, 2012

Spring has finally sprung! But is your closet ready? I’ve finally packed all my winter gear away (yes!!) and have been evaluating my warm weather wardrobe from last year. Some pieces are looking rather haggard and beyond saving, while others now seem like, well, questionable purchases in hindsight. The conclusion? I don’t need a whole new spring wardrobe (nor can I afford it!), but a few essential updates are in order, stat.

A seasonal closet refresh that won’t break the bank means only one thing: a trip to Sherway Gardens! The upscale fashion and lifestyle centre is one of the best shopping destinations in Toronto’s west end, thanks to its over 200 stores, including many of my favourite retailers. My spring wish list isn’t long, and I know exactly which budget-friendly boutiques at Sherway Gardens will have what I ~~want~~ need:

1. Sweet Skirts - M for Mendocino

I’m ready to shed my black tights and show some leg – under some darling little skirts, that is, like the ones I’ve spotted at M for Mendocino at Sherway Gardens. Ever since I was introduced to Mendocino‘s trendy, more affordable sister, it’s been on my list of stores to visit for my fast fashion needs. My spring wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without the ladylike, blush-coloured skirt ($49) and whimsical turquoise polka dot skirt ($62).

2. Lightweight Knits – The Bay

With my thick winter knitwear packed away for the season, my sweater drawer is looking rather sad and empty. What it’s sorely lacking is a few lightweight knits like RACHEL Rachel Roy‘s Country Lace Pullover ($109) and Open Tie Back Pullover ($89), which have been on my wish list ever since I spotted them at the brand’s spring preview. Both styles are available at The Bay at Sherway Gardens, where generous sales may mean snagging these sweaters for up to 40% off.

3. Spring Jacket – Club Monaco

The arrival of spring calls for a new spring jacket! From light parkas to jean jackets, the possibilities are endless. The price tags on my two picks from Club Monaco, the Christy motorcycle jacket ($239) and Emma short trench ($279) aren’t cheap, but they are classic, investment pieces that can be worn for many seasons to come. Club Monaco’s Sherway Gardens location has many more styles where those came from, too.

4. Coloured Denim – Gap

Resistance is futile: coloured denim is where it’s at, so it’s time for me – and you! – to get on that bandwagon. Gap at Sherway Gardens offers jeans in different cuts and all the hues of the rainbow, starting at $69.95. I plan on taking the coloured denim leap in a pair of emerald green jeans this spring. I might even get my courage up for a pair of bright yellow skinnies by the time summer rolls around. What colour will you be rocking?

5. Wedge Sandals – ALDO

Surely there’s no better excuse for new shoes than a new season! This spring, I’m on the hunt for a new pair of wedges. ALDO Shoes at Sherway Gardens has plenty of open and closed toe styles to choose from and in a range of colours. A neutral-toned pair to wear with my new coloured jeans, like the Kanosh ($120) or Botwin ($90), is definitely a must. But which pair to choose? Perhaps there’s room in the budget for both after all.

So there’s my five-stop trip to Sherway Gardens all planned out, though I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll be making unscheduled visits to many of my other favourite retailers along the way. Holt Renfrew, Stuart Weitzman, Sephora…here I come!

Inspired to plan a shopping excursion too? Tell us what’s on your wish list for a chance to win a $100 Cadillac Fairview shop! card^®gift card that will kick-start your very own spring shopping spree at Sherway Gardens! Contest rules are below – good luck! And be sure to check out Sherway Gardens’ brand new blog The Endless Closet and online store directory and follow the centre on Facebook and Twitter to help you plan your upcoming trip.

xx, S

Contest Rules [CLOSED]:

1. To enter, leave us a comment on this blog post telling us what’s on your spring wish list and ‘like’ Sherway Gardens’ and The Backseat Stylers’ Facebook pages here and here.

2. For a bonus entry (you must complete step #1 first), follow both @sherway_gardens and @backseatstylers on Twitter, and tweet the following: “Step into spring with the @sherway_gardens x @backseatstylers $100 Cadillac Fairview gift card #giveaway! http://bit.ly/KbVTqZ #contest”

3. The contest closes at midnight on June 17, 2012. The winner will be selected randomly and announced on June 18, 2012. The winner will be notified by e-mail.

4. This giveaway is open to our readers located in the Greater Toronto Area only.

5. There are no prize substitutions. Prize does not include travel and cannot be redeemed for cash.

UPDATE:

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest. Congratulations to Beth on winning a $100 Cadillac Fairviewgift card for Sherway Gardens!

SPONSORED BY SHERWAY GARDENS

Image Credits: Sherway Gardens, M for Mendocino, RACHEL Rachel Roy, Club Monaco, Gap, ALDO Shoes

Runways and Showrooms

RACHEL Rachel Roy Spring/Summer 2012 Collection Preview

by The Backseat Stylers | April 3rd, 2012

RACHEL Rachel Roy, the diffusion line for the New York-based womenswear designer, recently dropped by Toronto for a press preview. We got a sneak peek at the Spring and Summer deliveries, and we can’t wait for the collections to hit stores! There were ladylike dresses and separates in vibrant colours and whimsical prints, lightweight, airy knits, and must-have shoes and bags, all at very reasonable price points.

Standouts included the bright yellow platform ‘Keedan’ pumps (amazing carved wooden heels!), a yellow pointelle stitch sweater (yup, I’m a fan of all things yellow these days), and a pair of colour-block neoprene booties (the Spring shoes of my dreams!) – all of which I’d happily rock right now. If only the temperatures here in Toronto would cooperate. How about it, Mother Nature?

xx, S

Street Style

Stylin’ from the Backseat: Take 2

by The Backseat Stylers | September 8th, 2010

I fished this Kimchi Blue tunic I hadn’t worn in over a year out of my closet 2 weeks ago to pair with my Rachel Rachel Roy draped shorts. I had the makings of a fabulous outfit until I proceeded to style it horribly with shoes and accessories that were all wrong. I knew the whole thing wasn’t working, but I was already running late for brunch, so I headed out the door anyway.

A week later, I decided to give the same tunic and shorts ensemble another shot, styling the outfit with my Alexander Wang lace-up booties (I’ve been living in these every weekend!). This time, I daresay, I got it right.

The lesson of the day for me? If at first I don’t succeed, try, try again! Does anyone else do this – take a few shots at making an outfit werrrk?

Kimchi Blue tunic, Rachel Rachel Roy shorts, Banana Republic necklace, Marc Jacobs Stam bag, Alexander Wang Freja booties, Bulgari sunglasses

xx, S

Retail Therapy

Coveting from the Backseat: Jessica Stam for Rachel Rachel Roy Gingham Cardigan

by The Backseat Stylers | August 25th, 2010

Now that the summer sales have been conquered and are largely over and done with, it’s time to shift my focus to Fall. After some unexpected splurges on some fabulous spring/summer merchandise, I’m left with less in my Fall wardrobe fund than I’d anticipated, but luckily that’s where chic but affordable designer diffusion lines come in.

Last season I discovered Rachel Rachel Roy for the first time and this season the line is more intriguing than ever with an exclusive 4-piece collection designed by one of my favourite models, Jessica Stam. You can view all 4 pieces here, but it’s this gingham cardigan that’s caught my eye. It’s casual chic at its finest and I’m almost certain that it instantly transforms the wearer into a supermodel like its designer, which makes its $99 price tag a steal, no? *wink*

xx, S

Image via Fashionologie

Retail Therapy

Raring for Rachel

by The Backseat Stylers | May 24th, 2010

I went to the Bay this past weekend to check out their Victoria Day sales and found myself enamoured with a few Rachel Rachel Roy pieces. Most of the line isn’t my style and is a bit on the pricey side for the materials used, but the Mechanic Shorts Jumpsuit and Draped Shorts jumped out at me…and into my shopping bag. I’m disappointed that the pieces are made of synthetics, but for trendy pieces on big sale I can suck it up.

It just so happens that the Rachel Rachel Roy online shop is currently holding their Friends & Family sale until the end of day today for 30% off everything. Check it out here.

xx, S