Weekly Couture

It’s almost 1 p.m. and Julia Grieve is in her car, halfway across the country, and headed for a meeting with the owner of a rag house, a company that sells used textiles by the pound. Grieve, the charming and bubbly founder of Preloved, a re-worked vintage textile clothing label, seems slightly stressed as she drives, but offers some of her time as it becomes clear that free time is quite a scarcity for her. Grieve assures me she is able to multi-task.

Now in her late 30s, Grieve has striking blue eyes, blonde hair, and you can feel the joy in her voice as she speaks. Measuring in at five-foot eight inches, Grieve began her modeling career at the age of fourteen and continued to work for over a decade, learning the ins and out of the industry and while auditioning for major European fashion houses.

What: Capezio and Davids hosted side by side red carpet launch parties to celebrate the opening of the Capezio flagship store as well as David’s multi-million dollar renovation designed by Burdifilek. The event featured fab cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, great gift bags, and celebrity appearances including Jacksoul and the cast of Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Why: For Spring 07, Capezio has introduced the shoe collections of Jeffrey Campbell and Marc Fischer as well as handbags by Chinese Laundry and George Gina & Lucy. Davids has also expanded its collections to include women’s footwear from Missoni, Laurence Decade, Luciano Padovan, Elisa Ferare, men’s shoes from Fred Perry and To Boot New York, handbags from Lanvin Paris, and watches from BobbyHBobby.

What: A five-day festival featuring over 50 internationally acclaimed wineries from Canada and abroad and a line-up of Toronto's top chefs.

Why: The festival combines wine tasting with education seminars and discussions. (Tip: Our favourite is the Sip, Savour and Shop ($20 per passport) that gives you access to complimentary wine tastings, food pairings, and makeup touch-ups and sample treatments at some of Yorkville’s trendiest spas.)

What: Yes, we know what you’re thinking – “paperweights??? How dreadfully boring!” Yet we attended the media preview of Glass Worlds at the Royal Ontario Museum where we were among the first to view some of the most beautifully intricate 19th and 20th century glass paperweights- and we promise you - it is well worth the visit!

Why: Glass Worlds is the first major exhibition of its kind in Canada and compliments the architectural opening of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal building. (Tip: While you’re there, make sure to check out the Ancient Peru exhibit!)

What: The largest of its kind in North America, Toronto's Jewish Film Festival attracts an audience of over 30,000 people and showcases feature films, documentaries, and shorts on Jewish culture, heritage, and identity.

Why: The festival aims to break through anti-Semitic barriers and stereotypes while educating audiences on the diversity of the Jewish experience across the world.

When: May 5th until May 13, 2007.

Where: Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West, and the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Avenue, Toronto. For more information, call 416-324-9121.

What: Emerging talented clothing and jewelry designers, local retailers, and sample companies offering big labels at up to 90% off retail. There will also be an array of antique and vintage jewelry, clothing, and accessories as well as reworked contemporary clothing.

When: May 5th from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and May 6th from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Purchase advance tickets for $8 (instead of $10 at the door).

What: Expect 40 to 50% off Common Cloth merchandise.

When: May 5 until May 7, 2007.

Where: Common Cloth, 1233 Queen Street West, Toronto. Visit the Common Cloth website for more information.

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What: Handbags, cosmetic cases, flip flops, totes, sleepwear, leggings, socks, and tights.

Why: Save up to 70% off retail.

When: May 10th and 11th from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. and May 12th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Where: 70 Wingold Avenue, Toronto.

Who: Canadian pop star Fefe Dobson, 2005 Canadian Idol winner Melissa O’Neil, hosts from MTV Canada Diane Salema and Nicole Holness, and DJ Baby Yu.

Why: The event will support Interval House www.intervalhouse.on.ca, a shelter for abused women, celebrate the social, economic and political achievements of women, and create awareness of domestic violence against women in Canada.

When: May 12, 2007. Doors open at 8:15 p.m.

Where: The Opera House Concert Hall, 735 Queen Street East, Toronto. Tickets can be purchased on the TicketWeb website or by calling 1-888-222-6608.

What: Great deals on Italian men’s label Mondo and jewelry line Icerok.

Why: Men's blazers for $125, jeans for $100, and shirts from $25 to $50. (Plus, if the guys running the sale see there is enough demand for the exclusive Italian line, they just might open a Mondo retail boutique in Toronto - fingers crossed!)

When: May 5th and 6th from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Where: West Lounge, 500 King Street West, Toronto. Visit the IceRok website to view their collection.