Glamour & Gossip on NYC's Little West Side - The Globe & Mail
NEW YORK—Looking to rub shoulders with celebrities and supermodels (or at least see the backs of their heads as they brush past with their entourage)? Head to Little West 12th Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. It-factor oozes from every bar, restaurant and shop front on this cobblestone street.
In New York, where hip is always happening, “hot” can become icy cold in no time. At the moment, there are several contenders jostling for top spot on the scenester’s lists. Nolita ("north of little Italy"), is downtown style at its best. For fashion that’s months ahead, head to Elizabeth Street. In Hell’s Kitchen, 9th Avenue is steadily rising, with upscale dining next to tiny Senegalese or Puerto Rican storefronts. Long the “street du jour,” Soho’s West Broadway remains one of the best places to watch the young, wealthy and fabulous shop, dine and socialize. And sitting at the top for those seeking glamour and exclusivity—not to mention their names in gossip columns the next day—is Little West 12th Street.
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Design Within Reach - Zink Magazine
King Street West is Toronto’s answer to New York City Cool
According to urban entrepreneur, Zark Fatah, King Street West is the “hottest street in Canada.” Located in downtown Toronto, the King West area has been flooded with high end condos, trendy restaurants and bar-lounges for the beautiful people. “It’s the city’s version of New York City’s Meatpacking District,” he says. Architect/designer Antonio Tadrissi agrees, “People who want something different are coming here,” he explains. “They’re buying into a lifestyle, a community.
Here’s the real reason why the area is so high up on the hip-list: Umbrella Lifestyle Concepts, run by Fatah and Tadrissi, has commenced a not-so-subtle takeover. Housing seven different lifestyle businesses under one very well-dressed roof, Umbrella Concepts covers furniture and interior design, health and wellness, public relations, social entertainment, architecture and fine dining.
Tadrissi, who calls himself an “interior architect”, is responsible for the look of their various businesses. He uses an industrial design approach to his work and sites Karim Rashid as an inspiration. Building his designs in digital form, at his Prototype Design Lab (a multi-faceted facility that uses advanced CAD/CAM technology for its engineering processes), Tadrissi spends at least an hour of each day researching and testing out new materials – crucial, he says, in learning how to push boundaries and become an industry leader. BMW, Fashion Cares, Benson & Hedges, Toyota and the NYC District School Board have all emerged a lot spiffier after Tadrissi’s expert touches.
Housed in a 100-year old building, Fatah’s nightclub, Century Room, is home to the best entertainment industry parties and showbiz events in town. The club’s burnished pink lighting, well-coiffed aluminium bathrooms and tree-lined patio are signature PD Lab. Tadrissi has a knack for creating a luxurious intimacy out of hard, stark spaces. His clear love of minimal opulence is emblazoned across everything he touches…
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A Boutique Baby Boom - The Globe & Mail
Think kids and hip hotels don’t mix? Think again: Many are catering to young families, with microwaves for bottle warming, children’s room-service menus, babysitting services — even yoga classes for preschoolers. VANESSA CRAFT
It came as no surprise that my 14-month-old daughter, Cleo, treated the lobby of Toronto’s trendy Le Germain hotel like her own personal playground. But as it turned out, I was more concerned about her climbing all over the designer furniture than were the passing staff, who seemed genuinely delighted to see a baby at check-in.
The concierge then gave us an extensive list of age-appropriate activities in town, but after carting what felt like a tonne of baby paraphernalia, we had little energy to tackle them. I headed upstairs for a nap, while father and daughter checked out the nearby hotel library. A few books from the children’s section, and a seat on the giant squishy sofa, kept Cleo occupied while dad sipped an apple mojito with friends his own age.
The celebrity baby boom is in full swing: Apparently, babies are the new black. The explosion of designer goods for trendy parents to kit out equally trendy kids has been well documented, but who’s got the travel market covered? For moms and dads who refuse to stay in hotels with wipe-down walls and purple-dinosaur-festooned towels — but are worried about staining Egyptian-cotton sheets or chipping designer furniture — there’s good news: Boutique hotels are becoming more family-friendly.
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Hats Off To Ascot - The Toronto Star
Don’t offer to shake hands with the queen: A guide on how to behave at racing’s snootiest event.
Don’t ignore the formal dress code, darling, or someone will snub you, warns VANESSA CRAFT
ASCOT, ENGLAND - More than 300,000 well-dressed English nobles, nouveaux riches and assorted wannabes will make their way to Ascot, in Berkshire, this June. Founded by Queen Anne in 1711, this is the world’s most glamorous racing event and one of the snootiest.
Sadly, common folk and D-list celebrities have been flocking to the event in recent years, although they’re usually sent out to the Silver Ring section to watch events from a safe distance. This year, the course is bigger and better than ever after a £200 million makeover.
What to wear:
Attending Ascot is like going back in time. There are specific wardrobe rules, and to ignore them is to be scorned. Celebrities are not exempt. At the 2002 event, Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster weren’t allowed in the Royal Enclosure because of his white shoe/blue suit combination, and her white mini skirt.
For men, white or brown shoes are not acceptable. The BBC’s fashion expert, Trinny Woodall had the following to say when confronted by a modern woman’s choice of attire: “A trouser suit… that’s a little risqué, darling!” Princess Diana caused a furore when she arrived bare-legged.
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Psychic Goes Beyond The Unusual - Toronto Star
Stylish and sassy with killer cheekbones, Lizzie Falconer doesn’t fit the typical image of a psychic. No beaded headscarf or late night infomercials, for a start. Her luxury “psychic spa” weekends don’t fit the mold either.
Set in a rambling country estate in Norfolk, three hours outside of London, her high end clientele (alpha career women in the upper tax brackets) can enjoy the resident reflexologist, sauna, yoga pavilion, and munch on sumptuous meals by a private chef. Also on the list of available treatments: hypnotism, meditation, reading auras, meetings with angels and spirit guides and a bit of past-life regression.
With a regimented schedule including psychometry and karmic record classes after lunch on Saturday, and “champagne talks” on Sunday afternoon, Falconer has capitalised on the trend of spiritual intervention becoming fashionable and modern (from British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s wife, Cherie, to Paris Hilton), rather than left-field and more than a little daft.
“People want a connection to something other than this world,” Falconer explains. “My aim is for people to leave one of our retreats feeling like they’ve had a fantastic break, as well as clearing up some of the mist and rain that hampers us from achieving the things we want.”
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