Aime @ The Holiday Pop-up Boutique

Sip, shop, and share!

Gather your girls for a festive treat at the The Holiday Pop-up Boutique @ The Loft!

Sip some bubbly.

Shop 4 Canadian designer lines including Psalms 91:1 jewelry, Brazen Hussy dresses, 442 McAdam bags, and of course, our latest Aime holiday collection.

Share the holiday cheer as 10% of the proceeds will go to support Dr. Roz's Healing Place, a centre for women empowerment and healing.

Take a peek at the post from For Those About to Shop that highlights fashion with a purpose - what we try to do here at Aime.

Happening Dec. 5/6 from 11 - 7 pm @ The Loft: 52 St. Lawrence Street #324 (King St.E/St.Lawrence near Queen St. E/River St)

Ottawa & Montreal Bound

After a successful SS10 runway show in Toronto for LG Fashion Week Beauty by L'Oreal, the Aime team is heading to Ottawa and Montreal this weekend! 

First off, we're showing again in Ottawa this Saturday night at 7:00 pm for Fashion Cures a la Mode - there's still time to purchase your ticket to support the Ovarian Cancer Society! 

Then, we're showing love for Montreal until Monday for press and buyers. Message me if you'd like to make an appointment to take a closer peek at the SS2010 collection. 

THANK YOU TO THE AIME TEAM AND SPONSORS

A big THANK YOU to the Aime team and sponsors/partners for making the latest SS2010 runway show a hit!

To my Aime team: Michelle, Katerina, Solange, Lauren, Laura, Stephanie, Lucy, Jayson, and Mark - your efforts for the months, weeks, days, minutes and seconds leading up to the show is much appreciated!!! 

To my sponsors/partners: 

Red Scarf Equestrian: your eco-leather bags traveled from Cannes/Monaco to Toronto and exudes the jet-set lifestyle of the collection!

Town Shoes: thank you for providing the show with another season of amazing footwear!

Lisa Canning Design: your painterly Expressionist set was the perfect backdrop to my Mediterranean collection; and thank you for assisting me the day of the show!

Tongboy Animation: Jeff, thank you for animating Lisa's artwork to show how Aime can go from day to night.

Psalms 91:1 - Sally, I had so much fun collaborating each piece with you and thank you for re-working the pieces to my demands! :)

Lara Vincent: The Dali ruby-lip inspired headpieces were so cute and fun and added that bit of whimsy to the collection.

DJ Vaneska: as her tag line suggest, she's your next favourite DJ! Thank you for turning the tunes to fit our fun, upbeat mood!

A special thank you to Ron Prosserman, Lorie Goldfinger, Farhia Warsame and Caroline Rueben!

Again, thank you ALL - there would be no show without everyone's support. :)

HELP SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST OVARIAN CANCER

Love Others: Join Aime in Ottawa as we participate in Fashion Cures a la Mode from November 4th - 7th. Check out the Aime runway show and even bid on an Aime piece in the silent auction! See you there!

Aime's Tweeting!

Tweet, tweet! Get filled in with the inside scoop of what's happening in and out of the Aime studio via Twitter.

Last week I was in NYC for September market, now it's crunch time to prep for the upcoming Aime runway show at LG Fashion Week.

Follow me through the fashion trenches!

Aime Inspiration FW09

Last March, Aime showed its Seasonless 09/10 and Holiday collection at LG Fashion Week in Toronto. The collection was inspired by my travels to Paris where one of my favourite things to do in the City of Lights was to eat!! Not only to taste the delicious delicacies, but the bistros, cafes, and markets had such a buzz where friends, families, and lovers would enjoy each other's company for hours on end. It reminded me how important face-to-face communication is during the current phenomenon of online social outlets (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). The Parisiennes have got it right - the lifestyle of loving and living life!

The idea of sharing and gaining knowledge is reminiscent of Post-war Paris where intellectuals would meet and ponder life's unanswered questions a la Sartre and de Beauvoir.

Going to Paris? Popular places include Cafe de Flore and Angelina's Tearoom, but also read NYT's list of new bistros.

OCAD MYSTERY ART SALE

Love Others: I love art and go to as many galleries / museums / exhibits as I can, so I was delighted to be asked by the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) to participate in their annual mystery art fundraiser. Besides designing for Aime, I enjoy painting and photography, so we'll see what I come up with!! The fun, mystery part comes in to play, where the identity of the artist is only revealed after the work is purchased, so the piece could be by students, artists, or designers. All proceeds from this event will go to support the OCAD creative environment. Hope to see you there!

VERVEGIRL!

Aime was featured in the July / August Issue of Vervegirl with our girl, Stacey McKenzie, on the cover (the international model came to our show for CFW last year)! Vervegirl highlighted Aime's natural colour palette from the latest seasonless 09/10 collection in its fall 2009 forecast!

Look for the featured Multi-Cut Dress and the Draped Poet Cardigan in stores soon.

AIME RUNWAY SHOW!!!!!

The Aime studio is excited to present our upcoming seasonless 10 and spring/summer collection on the runway at LG Fashion week in Toronto. We just received confirmation from the FDCC offices, our show will be on Thursday, October 22 at 4pm in the downtown core - so save the date! Official invitations for press, buyers, and fans will be sent closer to the date.

Want to come to the Aime runway show? Become a fan on the Aime Facebook page for exclusive invites to our events!

"COLOUR FOR CANCER" BLACK TIE DINNER AND FASHION EVENT

Love others: On Saturday, October 24th, Aime is proud to be supporting the new Walker Family Cancer Center fundraiser at the "Colour for Cancer Black Tie Dinner and Fashion Event" hosted by HGTV's Ambrose Price. We're excited for a night filled with open-bar cocktails/drinks, a special chef-designed dinner menu, and of course FASHION! See the new Aime holiday collection on the runway at the Hilton Niagara Fallsview Resort. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the It's Our Time Campaign. Click here for ticket information.

GET CREATIVE WITH AIME

Toronto-based photog, Jenna Wakani, used the detachable bow belt from her Aime dress (that she wore to a wedding) in a recent photo shoot styled as a head piece! Thanks for opening our eyes to the headband Jenna - it looks great!!

Send us pictures of how you wear your Aime and we'll post it on our blog!

YUPPIE LOVE PART TWO!

Danah (blogger of Yuppie Activist) sent us a pic of how she wore Aime to a destination wedding in the Middle East. We met at the Burroughes sale and she needed a dress that was fashionable, yet at the same time, not over the top where she could wear the piece more than once!

Aime knits travel really well and are designed to be versatile - go from day to evening with a quick change in accessories! See how the oh-so-fashionable Danah dressed up her royal blue Aime Gala Dress - she looks amazing!

A BREEZY, BEAUTFUL DAY IN THE CITY!!

Summer in the city is my favourite thing - enjoying the weather on rooftops, patios, and balconies (aah, heaven!)

This downtown cool outfit is weather appropriate for the steamy hot morning and chilly cool evenings.

Tackle the finicky weather in our Aime pull-on silk knit jersey shorts with gathered pockets, paired with an Alexander Wang Tencel Rib Ruched Sleeve Tee. When the breeze comes in, top it off with a classic 3.1 Phillip Lim Double Breasted "Garconnet" Blazer. Make this look your own by adding an array of funky accessories. We are eyeing ACB's recent collection that mixes leather with chain. Complete the look with Pour La Victoire's 'Ella' T-Strap Sandal in Black Boa Snake, perfect for a sunny day!

Going from Ossington to Bloor? Posh it up by switching your accessories!

Transform the look with the same Aime pull-on silk knit jersey shorts and tuck in a Fendi Flower Top. Anchor the look with an embellished pair of Dries Van Noten Heels. Finally, top off your chic look with a Hermes Scarf worn as a headband.

How do you wear your Aime? Send us your pics and we'll post it on the blog!

AIME JOINS INDIGO SHOW ROOM

Last night I attended the launch party of Indigo Showroom. It was packed with a wonderfully mixed crowd (UES socialites and LES hipsters) - similar to my aesthetic of Aime that can uptown prim and downtown cool. Buyers, stylists, and press can visit the showroom at 545 8th Avenue - 14th Floor, New York or email: laura [at] indigoshowroom.com and call +212-695-2722 to view the Aime seasonless collection!

AIME IS A FASHION FUND FINALIST!

I was just informed Aime is a finalist for the Fashion Design Council of Canada's Fashion Designer Development Fund alongside Andy The-Ahn, Lucian Matis, Travis Taddeo, and Philippe Dubuc. The FDCC will announce the winner in October during LG Fashion Week - looking forward to hearing the results!

YUPPIE LOVE

I met girl-about-town Danah (and blogger of Yuppie Activist) with self-professed talents such as outdancing and outdressing her friends at The Burroughes sale last week when she picked up the royal blue Aime Gala Dress to attend an upcoming wedding. Check out her blog post here.

(photo credit: Danah Abdulla)

HELP SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST OVARIAN CANCER

Love Others: Aime joins the fight against ovarian cancer by participating in Fashion Cures a la Mode . The proceeds will go to Ovarian Cancer Canada. Fight cancer with fashion.

LOBSTER LOVE

Love others: Indulge in delicious lobster at Ultra on Monday, July 13th to support the Liya Kebede Foundation. Its mission is to "reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality and to improve the health and well-being of mothers and children around the world."

The boys of Canadian design talent Greta Constantine will be serving at the bar along with Holt's Natalie Lecomte. 

Lobster, fashion, and charity - can it get any better?

LUXURY FASHION HOUSES GO GREEN

Although some call it "green washing", I find it nice that luxury fashion houses are thinking about Mother Nature and making active changes within their businesses. The WSJ wrote an article about the topic recently. 

I feel it is important to spread the message that being green isn't a trend, but is necessary in slowing down the harmful effects that we have all contributed to Mother Earth. Don't you think now it's time for everyone to also share the responsibility to preserve her?

All-Canadian Designer Collective Sale

Aime has been invited to participate in the All-Canadian Designer Collective Sale alongside Joeffer Caoc, Evan Biddel, Mercy, and Jessica Jensen (there are 21 designers involved!) happening this weekend. 

Friday, June 26: 4 - 9 pm

Saturday, June 27: 11 - 9 pm

Sunday, June 28: 11 - 9 pm

Where? Burroughes Building (639 Queen Street at Bathurst - 3/F)

Sip some bubbly as you peruse the Aime collection now on sale!

Flare.com blogs about the event today.

FLARE'S CANADIAN DESIGNER DIRECTORY

Aime has been added to Flare magazine's Canadian designer directory among the likes of DSquared2, Todd Lynn, and Jeremy Laing!

LOVE OTHERS: RIGHT TO PLAY

"Love others": Show love for others by volunteering for one of these great causes to support Right To Play.

Already involved? Tell us about the notable charitable cause that others should know about!  

ALUMNI MAG - TOP 30 UNDER 30 SIDE BAR MENTION

Got a mention on the sidebar of Ryerson's Alumni magazine's annual Top 30 Under 30 list. A fellow sidebar mention is the award-winning photo journalist, Dominic Nahr. We collaborated when we were both students, where he shot my Flare competition entry in 2007.

STILETTO MURDERS INTERVIEW

I met blogger Steph Shao when she attended the F-List Designer Spotlight series last month. I could tell she had a passion for fashion with her insightful questions about the industry. Check out the interview on her blog, Stiletto Murders.  

HOLT RENFREW

I had an amazing meeting with Holt Renfrew's VP of Fashion Direction, Barb Atkin, and Natalie LeComte this morning. They both expressed "love" for Aime and our philosophy to "Love yourself. Love others. Love luxury." They particularly LOVED how Aime is about responsible luxury with our sustainable design and business decisions, and seasonless dressing that can be worn year-round. Aime at Holts in the future? We'll see! 

AIME JOINS BLOGGER!!

The Aime designer collection has started blogging on Blogger! Look forward to constant updates about our collection, industry trends, and input from our team at Aime. Look below for some of our previous posts and stay tuned for many more!

AIME FASHION FILM SHORT

Aime debuts our fashion film short shot by Joseph + Jaime. The SS09 collection in the film is now available in stores.

CITY LIFE MAGAZINE

Check out April's edition of City Life magazine as it highlights pieces from the seasonless collection on its article on slow fashion.

AIME RUNWAY MUSIC

I collaborated with one half of the local DJ duo Tuff Ghost (aka Jen Reinhardt) of Tuff Meat . Together we selected fun French tunes to go along with the "Paris, Je T'Aime" entitled Aime runway show at LG Fashion Week here in Toronto. I'm very inspired by music, so take a listen to the ones we used below to transport to Paris:

1. Moi Je Joue - Brigitte Bardot
2. Comic Strip - Serge Gainsbourg
3. Living Room - Paris Combo
4. Touch to Feel - Girl Talk
5. Paris - Friendly Fires
6. Paris s'enflamme - Ladyhawke

Update: Nathalie Atkinson of The National Post understood our music selection to the tee - check out her review of the show here .

AIME RUNWAY SHOW

LG Fashion Week has come and gone - a BIG "Merci Beaucoup" to my team! I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support in helping make the debut of Aime at LG Fashion Week a success!

Lucid Communications - thank you Michelle and Kelsey for your amazing PR-prowess!

Croma Designs - thank you Ryan, Amy, and Michelle for transforming the runway - it was absolutely breathtaking!

Bobbette & Belle - thank you Allyson and Sarah for the delicious dusted pink French macarons with the edible gold leaf M logo - it really transported my guests to a Parisian cafe!

Le Petit Beret - thank you Danielle for collaborating with me to create Tres Petit Berets in my silver and gold silks with the birdcage veils - they completed the Uptown Prim looks!

Jenny Bird - thank you for providing me with your new jewelry line - the gold and hematite pieces complemented the collection beautifully!

No Guff Productions - thank you DJ Tuff Ghost for collaborating with me on the runway music!

Pink Sushi - thank you Cory from the LA-based illustration/film/fashion company for your sponsorship!

WGSN - thank you to the leading online trend research website for your gift bag sponsorship!

Enviius.com - thank you to the new online boutique for your gift bag sponsorship!

Phantom Hoisery - thank you for providing the hosiery for the runway and gift bags!

Next Models - thank you Lorraine, Lucy, and Katie for the gorgeous models!

Town Shoes - thank you to stylist Alexis Honce for styling the footwear!

Volunteers - thank you Katerina, Laura, Michelle, Jessie, Adrienne, Mark, Alissa, and Jane - your help backstage was God-sent!

LG FASHION WEEK

Fashion Television cameras follow me as I prep for the Aime debut at LG Fashion Week!

I have been busily prepping for the debut of my third collection for the runway of LG Fashion Week in Toronto. Fashion Television has been my shadow lately coming out to film the whole process of how to get a show together - from my look book shoot at the beautiful Le Select Bistro with photog Jason Wills, my concept meeting with Croma Design who has designed a beautiful set, the casting call with my exclusive with Next Models, the fittings with my collaboration with Le Petit Beret and Jenny Bird jewelry to make Aime Tres Petit Berets for the show, etc, etc! Catch the episode in a couple of weeks!