Archive by Author

New Arrivals : Maison Boinet SS14

mb_ss14_title

We just received some beautiful new belts from Maison Boinet. Made in France since 1858, we have a number of new styles that are great for cinching the waist on a dress, as well as replenishment in popular styles (like the wide black belt pictured above – which is great for jeans and trouser as it fit nicely in the belt loops). We also have the popular adjustable “one size” belts, this season in classic black and brown.

mb_ss14_blueglitter
Blue glitter belt (detail)

mb_ss14_blueglitter_
Blue glitter belt

mb_ss14_brownskinny
Skinny brown belt with delicate hardware

mb_ss14_brownleatherbuckle
Brown belt with leather covered buckle

mb_ss14_brownonesize
Adjustable “one size” brown leather belt (also available in black)

INDRESS SS14 – More!

indress_goldtop_large
INDRESS Silk and lurex shirt in gold (ours has long sleeves – which you can easily roll up) | INDRESS Cotton voile flower brooch in beige

Even though we already did a post for this collection, I just had to share these great new images of some special pieces we have from INDRESS!

indress_ss14_navysilkdress
INDRESS Striped silk tunic dress in navy

indress_ss14_navysilverdress_brooch
INDRESS Navy cotton dress with silver neckline | INDRESS Silk and feather brooch in cream

New Arrivals : Rodier SS14

first_ochre_stripe_dress
Navy, white, and ochre stripe knit dress

stripe_cardi
Navy and white cardigan with pockets and pointelle detailing

stripe_dresses
Navy and white polo stripe dress, and tank dress

stripe_sweater
Blue and white loose knit stripe sweater

white_top
White basketweave sweater

New Arrivals : Antoni and Alison SS14

Antoni-&-Alison-SS14-CAMOROSE
Antoni + Alison Camo Rose dress

Antoni and Alison is in, just in time for our Spring shopping event today!

Antoni-&-Alison-SS14-FLOWERSPOT
Antoni + Alison Flower Spot dress

Antoni-&-Alison-SS14-SILKROBE
Antoni + Alison Robe dress

Antoni-&-Alison-SS14-ANGLAIS
Antoni + Alison Camo Anglais dress

AA_SS14_earthflower_front
Antoni + Alison Earth Flower dress (front view)

AA_SS14_earthflower_back
Antoni + Alison Earth Flower dress (back view)

Spring Collection Event

mercy_paisley_bag_600
Stop in for a complimentary beverage, and shop the new Spring Collections! For purchases over $300, you will receive a MERCY bag made from Liberty of London fabric as a gift! Hope to see you tonight!

New Arrivals : Minä Perhonen SS14

mn_ss14_redskirtlook_2

We are so happy to be introducing the Minä Perhonen line at Gaspard. In 1995, the brand was created by designer Akira Minagawa in Tokyo, Japan. One detail setting this brand apart from others, is the fact that their process starts with creating their own unique textile designs! They then construct the garments using their very own fabrics!

This season we have linen dresses and skirts, hoodies, tops and bottoms, including Japanese selvedge jeans. Only a few styles from the line are shown in the pictures below. So please see in-store for the collection.

from the designer:

minä perhonen is a fashion brand working to produce clothes which do not lose their allure through lapse of time. The design process begins with sketches, which are made into their original fabrics. Also, they aspire to develop new materials and techniques with production centers of home and abroad. The name of the brand originates in Finnish as the designer sympathized with the lifestyle and the culture of FINLAND; he has traveled many times through northern European countries. “minä” means “I” and “perhonen” is “butterfly,” with a wish to make many beautiful designs like those of butterflies’ wings. The brand logo signifies “various characters (dots) within oneself (rectangle shape).” Just like the species of butterflies are countless, the designs too continue to increase.

mp_ss14_redskirt
Embroidered flower skirt

mp_ss14_bluedress
Deep v-neck navy dress (does not come with button down shirt worn underneath, or flower brooch)

mp_ss14_cactusdress
Linen cactus dress (also available as a skirt in pale blue with green cactus)

mp_ss14_denimpocket
Selvedge denim jeans (pocket detail)

New Arrivals : Chausser SS14

Chausser_SS14_grey

Chausser Japan grey patent loafers with tulip shaped heel!!

We are super excited to welcome back Chausser shoes! They are all made in Japan, and two of the styles are completely convertible into other styles. There are pictures of the transformations below, so take a look and we hope to see you soon!

Chausser_SS14_blackt_fringeon
Chausser Japan black leather t-strap platform heel with removable fringe (see images below)

Chausser_SS14_blackt_undone

Chausser_SS14_blackt

Chausser_SS14_brownoxford
Chausser Japan brown mid-heel oxford with removable fringe (see images below)

Chausser_SS14_brownoxfordundone

Chausser_SS14_brownoxfringe

Chausser_SS14_brownoxfringe2

New Arrivals : Jamin Puech SS14

JP_SS14_blackleather_

We have just received the Spring Summer 2014 collection of handbags from Jamin Puech Paris. This season they have really outdone themselves! Each bag is unique and we have a great assortment of styles: from day bags to evening bags; small sequined bags to large raffia beach bags; colourful bags, and bags in neutral colours. This is probably my favourite collection from Jamin Puech to date! Each handbag has been designed with a special attention to detail, and we hope to show them off to you in person!

CLARENCE is the black leather handbag (above) with small wave design cutouts. The beautifully textured leather handles are comfortable to carry in the hand, as well as at the shoulder (42 cm). There is a snap closure. The lining is made of printed cotton, and has 3 large interior compartments, one of which has a full zipper. The overall bag dimensions are: H 24 cm x L 34 cm x 10 cm.

JP_SS14_doreen
JP_SS14_raffia_press DOREEN is a large raffia bag in black and natural, with black leather handles, a button closure, striped cotton lining, and 1 large interior pocket with a button closure. It looks amazing worn over the shoulder (handles are 66 cm in length) and can also be carried by hand as in the image above. The overall bag dimensions are: H 42 cm x L 50 cm.

JP_SS14_bananaleaf RITA is a handbag made of fringed calfskin leather assembled as a basket. Inside there is a zippered pouch in thick flecked cotton, fixed by 2 leather snaps, which is detachable and can be worn separately. There are 2 handles 60 cm in length. The overall bag dimensions: H 28 cm x L 34 cm x 4 cm.

JP_SS14_sequin_peacock
JP_SS14_sequin_press ANITA bag in an evening shoulder bag embroidered with metallic rings, appliqué and embellished with beads and sequins. With a flap and bead closure and a thin calfskin leather adjustable handle measuring 48 cm. Overall bag dimensions: H 20 cm x L 30 cm.

JP_SS14_evening_green_sequinMARCEL is an ivory sequined evening bag with an ornate underwater design in silver paillettes, seed beads and green accents. It has a silk double flap closure with magnet. Can be worn as a bracelet bag, carried by hand, or with a removable and adjustable leather strap, which is long enough to wear over the shoulder or cross-body (up to 114 cm). The overall bag dimensions are: H 18 cm x L 24 cm.

JP_SS14_greygreensuede
BECKY bag is a khaki suede shoulder bag with beautiful geometric repeat and leaf motif laser cutouts. There is a magnetic flap closure, and an external pocket with a gold buckle closure. It has a printed cotton lining with 1 internal zip pocket, and the should strap is long enough to wear over the shoulder, or as a cross body bag (92 cm). Overall bag dimensions: H 34 cm x L 30 cm x 8cm.

JP_SS14_portissol

JP_SS14_portissol_lucky
PORTISSOL is cotton bag fully covered with a guipure lace embroidered with sequins making a small daisy flower design. A leather magnetic strap closes the bag, as well as a full zipper closure. There are 2 leather handles (32 cm) to be worn when carrying the bag by hand, and a long strap with a shoulder tab to be worn over the shoulder or across the body (105cm). The interior is lined in a printed cotton, and has one large zippered-up pocket. Overall bag dimensions: H 20 cm x L 33cm x W 8 cm.

JP_SS14_raffia_carpet GORDON is a large multicoloured tote bag with raffia jacquard and rug stitch pattern. It can be worn over the shoulder or carried by hand, with 2 double leather handles measuring 48 cm. The tote is lined in a striped cotton, with two patch pockets and a wooden button closure. The overall dimensions are: H 34 cm x L 45 cm x 17 cm.

#InsideOut

made_in
This morning I found out about the #insideout hashtag on Instagram. One year ago today Bangladesh’s Rana Plaza factory collapsed. More than 1,100 workers died and 2,500 were injured in this factory, where many “fast fashion” or “disposable fashion” brands were made. Today, FashionRevolution.org, is asking people to wear their clothing inside out, to display the label on their clothes. The idea is to take a moment to be mindful of where clothing is made.

Today I am wearing a cotton shirt made by Alexandra Verschueren in Japan. Ironically, the construction is so flawless that nobody noticed it was inside out until I pointed to the label. Pride of craftsmanship, using quality materials, and treating the people who make your clothing properly are all important components of constructing a garment. I like to know who made my clothing, to have that connection with what I am wearing.

In fashion retail, knowing where clothing is made is something we deal with every day. It is a constant conversation we have with customers. At Gaspard, we make a conscious effort to carry designers that produce their clothing in a fair manner. Most are small companies, some are family companies. All have a story we are excited to share. All clothing by our in-house label MERCY is made in here in Toronto, using beautiful fabrics and buttons, often from mills that have been around for years. And if you come into the shop, you will likely meet the designers, Jennifer and Richard, themselves.

Sometimes being a conscious shopper does mean spending more. Cheap clothing is being paid for in other ways.

A few books that touch on the topic of production and consumption of fashion are Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, by Dana Thomas (2007) and The Coat Route: Craft, Luxury, & Obsession on the Trail of a $50,000 Coat by Meg Lukens Noonan (2013). They are both easy reads, not preachy, and not specifically about ethics, but are worthwhile if you are interested in learning a little more.

In Toronto, the Textile Museum of Canada is putting on a series of events on Conscious Consumption. Tonight at 7pm, there will be a talk at EWANIKA. For tickets visit consciousconsumption.ca or contact the Textile Museum of Canada at 416.599.5321 x2246.

New Arrivals : Avril Gau SS14

AG_SS14_heels
Grey green calf leather heels with ankle strap and brushed gold buckle

We are so excited about the shoes for this season! French designer, Avril Gau, is our first new footwear arrival, with a beautiful variety of styles for Spring. (And just to know, the platform wedge sandals below are so so comfortable!)

AG_SS14_tstrap
Black patent leather t-strap flats (note: not snakeskin as pictured)

AG_SS14_wedge
Black calf leather platform wedge sandal