SIR ELTON JOHN & DAVID FURNISH: HOLT RENFREW APPEARANCE

Sir Elton John at Holt Renfrew Bloor Street

Sir Elton John and David Furnish. Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 11:30 AM - Holt Renfrew Bloor Street. $50 Limited Edition Candles: Jardin des Fleurs or L'Orangerie. Proceeds go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Candles available now on holtrenfrew.com or in-store.

Have fun!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

JENNIFER LOPEZ & CASPER SMART IN TORONTO: THINGS SHE CAN'T TRAVEL WITHOUT!

Things JLo Can't Travel Without - Toronto, July 2012

Jennifer Lopez took Toronto by storm with her arrival in the City's chic Yorkville District Monday on her co-headlining Tour with Enrique Iglesias.  The Show performed so well in terms of sales that a second date was added and tonight was the Duo's final of two nights at Air Canada Centre.

Shoppers on Bloor Street received quite the shock when they saw JLo and Boyfriend Casper Smart perusing the Fashions of Holt Renfrew Monday afternoon.  The Pair reportedly spent a few hours at the high-end Retailer, while also enjoying some of the more affordable choices of Zara next-door too!

Although some Fans were eager to meet the Entertainer and Multimedia/Fashion/Fragrance Powerhouse outside her Hotel all day Tuesday, alas she never fulfilled her promise to eventually sign some Autographs, although many were just as pleased to have been up-close to her.  She did however, stop to pose for a Photo with one young Woman at Yorkville's Moroco Chocolat while she fawned over their selection of Chocolates and Macarons.

Lopez was more low-key today leaving her Hotel secretively.  Smart being the thoughtful Boyfriend he is, was seen entering and leaving their Hotel with Garment Bags, doing some last-minute Pick-ups presumably for JLo. One Holt Renfrew Shopgirl also was seen doing a quick delivery to the Hotel hopefully not too disappointed that her Delivery would be routed to the Superstar only via Hotel Staff and not via herself.

Meanwhile, Twins Max & Emme were spotted out and about with her Entourage midday, they made one demand to Fans and Photographers in pursuit, "PRIVACY!".

See a Photo Tweeted by one Universal Music Canada Staffer last night after JLo was handed a Platinum Certification for her Disc, Love? following her Show.

Iglesias and Lopez are New Jersey-bound for their next Tour date.  Lopez will be releasing a Compilation Dance Again... The Hits on July 24, 2012.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

iceFEST 2012: ON THIS WEEKEND

Billy at iceFest 2012

iceFest 2012 is on once again and the theme this year's theme is its Winter Wilderness Exhibit, complete with an Ice Log Cabin. The Festival is on today and tomorrow at Village of Yorkville Park (Bellair Street x Cumberland Street) between 12 to 5 PM. You also can have a professional Photo taken with any Ice Sculpture of your choice for a $5 Donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Billy migrated to this Sculpture from Holt Renfrew, knowing Daddy too well!

Read more here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

RACHEL ZOE AT HOLT RENFREW FOR "RACHEL ZOE COLLECTION"

Rachel Zoe in Toronto - August 2011

It was a meeting of the Mavens today in Toronto as Style Maven Rachel Zoe flew into Toronto on a Day Trip to promote her Rachel Zoe Collection including Clothing and Accessories, at Holt Renfrew at Bloor St. x Bay St. Many of you might know her as the Star of The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo Television or for her work as a Celebrity Stylist to the A-List likes of Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Nicole Richie, Kate Beckinsale and more. She had spent the weekend in The Hamptons, arriving at Toronto Island Airport via Porter Airlines earlier in the day.

Fans queued for a chance to get an Autograph and a Photo with Zoe as she met with as many of them as she could during the allotted 90 minutes. Looking glamorous in a sequined Top and Tuxedo Pants from her own Collection, Fashionistas alike in attendance were enamoured by her effortless elegance. Time ran out quickly though and many found themselves shut-out as Zoe was in a rush to fly back to the U.S. after an afternoon divided between time with Fans and the Media.

This Pop Maven caught Zoe on her way out of the venue and she was lovely enough to stop for a Photo before hopping into her SUV, with Assistants leaving just ahead of her - luggage in-tow. Despite being a rush, she still obliged to a couple Fan requests for Photos in the rain, protecting her gorgeous wavy locks under a big-brimmed Sun Hat.

Check out some pieces from the Rachel Zoe Collection at Holt Renfrew here.

See more Photos of Zoe below:

RACHEL ZOE TO APPEAR AT HOLT RENFREW IN TORONTO

Rachel Zoe

Celebrity Stylist/Designer/Author/Reality Television Star Rachel Zoe has been confirmed to do a Toronto appearance on Monday, August 15, 2011 at Holt Renfrew at Holt Renfrew Centre (Bay x Bloor) between 2:00 to 3:30 PM. Although details are still to be finalized, Zoe is said to be promoting her latest Collection at the High Fashion retailer, which currently carries her Shoes and Bags at select locations.

The star of Bravo Television's The Rachel Zoe Project, currently in its fourth season, boasts an impressive list of Clientele - former and present - including the likes of: Brenda Song, Lindsay Lohan, Mischa Barton, Mario Orejel, Nicole Richie, Keira Knightley, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Kate Beckinsale, Debra Messing, Demi Moore, Liv Tyler, Joy Bryant, Molly Sims, Beau Garett, Eva Mendes, Paula Patton and Anne Hathaway.

The appearance will be open to the Public and we have been advised to check Holt Renfrew's Official Site for more details next week!

(Photo credit: Bravo)

ME & ANTM'S MISS J. ALEXANDER - HOLT RENFREW (TORONTO)

Yes, that's right. I met Miss J. Alexander, America's Next Top Model's Runway Coach and Diva Extraordinaire. Miss J. hosted a local celebrity Walk Off this afternoon for United Way at high fashion retailer Holt Renfrew's Bloor Street location in Toronto. The only recently announced event was part of Holt Renfrew's WholelottaHolts week festivities.

The event pitted local celebrities like Dan Levy (MTV), Dina Pugliese (CityTV), Christopher Sherman (Fashion Television) and my friend and top local drag queen Sofonda Cox, against one another. The contestants battled for best runway walk before a panel of judges which included MTV's Jessi Cruikshank and National Post's Shinan Govani.

After the show, Miss J. gave away 50 copies of his book Follow the Model released this past November. The book gives the fashion conscious tips to unleashing presence, poise and power. I'm copying this verbatim as per its cover. My BFF Fran and I were among the lucky 50 and we were giddy like the girls who appear on the reality show from which Miss J. is famous.

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!

FEIST LIVE AT HOLT RENFREW

Feist & Mr. Will-W.

Canadian high-fashion retailer Holt Renfrew unveiled its annual holiday window display at its Bay x Bloor Flagship store in Toronto this evening. To ring in the occasion, Grammy-nominated Canadian singer/songwriter Feist did a five-song performance on an outdoor stage erected on a closed-off Bloor St. before hundreds.

Feist came on-stage at approximately 7:15 PM performing a best-of set from her three album discography including My Moon My Man, Mushaboom and I Feel It All. Of noticeable absence was her biggest hit 1234. She performed alone with her electric guitar and a digital recording device which she would sing vocal hooks and backing vocals into, looping them while singing above these tracks with impressive coordination. Her distinct vocals were front and center tonight and this being my first time seeing her live, she is - dare I say - even stronger live than on recording.

Complaining of the heat, Feist stripped off her winter jacket as the audience responded enthusiastically. Jokingly, she called her performance tonight her "2009 Tour" seeing that she has been quiet this year working in the studio on new material for her still untitled next album.

After her performance, I got to chat with Feist quickly and she posed kindly together with a photo with me, but unfortunately the flash was a little bright and she blinked! She also signed my copy of The Reminder which was very gracious of her. For more Feist, visit http://arts-crafts.ca/feist.