canadian

Mackage Opens First Retail Store, Chooses NYC

Known for its leather-trimmed, fitted outerwear, Canadian coat designer Mackage on September 1 opened its first stand-alone store, and chose NYC's hip Meatpacking District. I stopped by the store to check it out. The full Fall/Winter 2009 lines for men and women were on display in the small but classy store. Mirrors here and there make it easy (and tempting) to slip on a leather coat, puffy jacket, trench, or packable anorak. I commented to the rep helping me that the line looked familiar -- she said that certain styles were in Bloomingdale's and other high-end stores, but never the whole line, which is why Mackage decided to open its own store.

The coats are beautiful -- from wools to leathers to styles with fur trim, all are designed to be warm and fashionable, a rare combo. Even the packable anoraks are upscale. Rather than try to describe all here, check out the gallery for a few representative styles.

The store is a pop-up boutique, aka a limited-run, just for September, so Mackage can gauge interest and see if it wants to continue in this retail venue. So don't hesitate if you want to see the new line. There even will be special promotions this month with the chance to win a free coat or a free blow-out. Or ...

To see Mackage's Fall 2009 line, stop by the store (829 Washington St, NYC, 212-255-3807) on Thursday, September 10, as part of Fashion's Night Out, a worldwide event that coincides with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Fashion authority Phillip Bloch will be on hand offering free tips and consultations from 7 - 9 p.m., Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon will be doing blowouts from 6 - 9 pm, and model Irina Lazareanu will DJ from 9 - 11 pm.

Gallery: Mackage Coats, Fall/Winter 2009

Tags: Canada, Canadian, coats, entertainment-awards, Fashion Week, Fashions Night Out, FashionsNightOut, FashionWeek, Mackage, NYC, outerwear

Canadian Trains Top Travel Awards

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

At the recent World Travel Awards, where travel agents from around the world pick some of their top travel choices in various categories, the Royal Canadian Pacific Trains were found to offer the best luxury train experiences. The company was founded in 2000 and maintains a fleet of fully restored, 1920s-era railcars." They offer luxury tours and private bookings. The other nominees for the luxury train service award included the Blue Train (South Africa), the Eastern and Oriental Express (Asia), Pride of Africa-Rovos Rail (Africa), Palace on Wheels (India) and the Venice Simplon Orient Express (Europe).

The Canadian trains also did well in other categories. The Vancouver-Banff GoldLeaf Service provided by Rocky Mountaineer Vacations was declared to be the "world's leading travel experience by train."

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Tags: canadian, railway, royal canadian railway, train, trains, travel canada

This Is It Worldclock

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Timepieces / Watches

This is it is a design group in Canada that strives not only to create outstanding works, but to stick with the simple motto: "this is it." Their designs tend to speak for themselves. The Worldclock 2001 is an unusual clock that gives the time of 81 cities around the world simultaneously. The clock was limited to a production of 100 units, all of which are made of aluminum and are 3" deep and 48" across. A highly attractive piece, the clock would be an inspired addition to the home or office of a busy business person or traveler, someone who doesn't want to feel like they're missing out on what is happening elsewhere in the world. Price: $3,500. A less expensive, 20-in. version is due to be released in the near future.