TREND WATCH: AMERICANA (SPRING/SUMMER 2012)

Top (L to R): Lana Del Rey and two T-shirts from Topman 2012 Spring Collection

Bottom (L to R): T-shirt from Topman  Spring 2012 Collection, Top from Dries van Noten Spring

2012 Collection and Sweater from Spring 2012 Alexander McQueen Collection

With Spring 2012 just around the corner, it's time to look to the Runways and Celebrities for inspiration. Whether it be on the Lookbooks of Alexander McQueen, Dries van Noten or the racks of accessible retailers like Topman, one trend I keep noticing is the classic red, white and navy blue combination.

One Celebrity at the forefront of the Trend is Lana Del Rey, who proudly dons her Americana in her latest Video, Born to Die. The tri-colour and nautical stripe combination not only is bold, but also depending where you're from, is statement of Patriotism. Dig it.  

  Embrace colour.

(Photo credit: Universal Music, Alexander McQueen, Dries van Noten, Topman)

TOPMAN LAUNCHING SOON AT THE BAY

Finally!  Topman Canada is launching at The Bay and soon select cities in Canada will know the greatness that is Topman, keeping men stylish all around the World since 1978.  To get a sneak peak of the Topman Collection available exclusively at The Bay, click here.  I think I may have seen an exclusive T-shirt donning the famous HBC coloured stripes there!

A launch is being held August 25, 2011 between the hours of 6 to 8 PM at The Bay Queen Street for those who are curious!

TOPSHOP & TOPMAN ARRIVING AT THE BAY THIS FALL

YES! Do you see how devastatingly stylish this above Gentleman looks? Well, he's sporting an affordable Suit from Topman, the male counterpart of fashion-forward Topshop and guess what? Both are coming to Canada this Fall at select The Bay locations.

Despite being a major threat to H&M, I honestly think both can co-exist in harmony.  They do in the UK and in many other parts of the world.  In the U.S., 19 Barney's stores currently carry selections from Topshop, in addition to one New York City Flagship store.  In Toronto, you can find some pieces at Jonathan+Olivia in the City's trendy Queen St. West neighbourhood.

One of my fondest memories of visiting London was their availability of Topman stores. I could literally spend an afternoon at their Oxford Circus store perusing their selections.

Canadians just became that much more stylish!

(Photo credit: Topman)

RIHANNA DRESSES FANS AT LONDON'S TOPSHOP OXFORD CIRCUS

Rihanna at Topshop Oxford Circus

How's that for Synergizing? My favourite Bad Girl Rihanna and favourite clothing store Topshop joined forces yesterday in London to make five lucky fans v. happy. Rihanna Tweeted this past Saturday details of the contest and she arrived at the fashion retailer's flagship Oxford Circus location as promised, dressing contest winners head-to-toe, and allowing them to keep the outfits they were dressed in.

Although the only place to purchase Topshop apparel in Toronto is Jonathan + Olivia at Ossington x Queen in the City's trendy west-end.  No word on when they will carry Topman pieces as we still have to go all the way to New York City for that.  Discover it.

Visit Topshop's Blog here to read more about the winners.  Rihanna's new album LOUD! will be out November 16, 2010 stateside and her single Only Girl (in the World), already a number one hit in Canada, is poised for the top, currently at number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

PRODUCT WATCH: TOPSHOP/TOPMAN AND TARGET'S CANADIAN INVASION

Following its dismal performance of late, American retailer Target has announced its plans to expand to Mexico and Canada as early as 2013.  Target is the second largest discount retailer in America behind only Walmart which has performed successfully in Canada since its arrival in 1994.  It's about bloody time, I say.  The only problem for City Boys like me is that to get to an actual Walmart, which I love despite its vilified perception, one has to commute a bit out to the suburbs.  Foreseeably, this would be the case also with Target seeing that rent is much more affordable outside the downtown core.

In addition to this, British fashion retailer Topshop is also in talks with Canada's premiere department store The Bay to strike a distribution deal.  The deal has not yet been finalized, but this is very exciting news to anyone who has ever shopped abroad at Topshop or Topman (its menswear branch).  For those of you who don't know of the retailer, think H&M but better quality and cutting.  The quality does come at a premium though. And seeing that H&M has done so well in Canada in turning a profit even in the current economic climate, Topshop should have no difficulty surviving in the Canadian market with a proper business plan.  This possible partnership is one of several ventures The Bay is planning to amp-up its brand to compete with upper-echelon retailers like Holt Renfrew (Canada's equivalent to Saks Fifth Avenue or Selfridges).  Who's excited? Me!