Holts Contemporary Blog | Holt Renfrew

On November 30^th, Montreal received its first snowfall. That’s when I realized I still hadn’t purchased a new winter coat. Even though I could still use my old ones, my heart was yearning for freshness in my winter closet! So, I quickly headed to Holt Renfrew’s Contemporary and Outerwear Departments. I had already tried on many styles at the end of October but I was so in love with all of them that I couldn’t make up my mind. First, I had to decide between wool and a more relaxed fabric, nylon, etc. Since I already own three Mackage coats, I skipped wool and opted for more casual styles, but I still tried on a few Mackage coats anyway and added them to my Christmas wish list. Who knows, maybe a fashionista Santa will reward me this year! I then moved on to the must-see parkas from Canada Goose; their coats sell like hot cakes at Holts. They’re warm, comfy and perfectly tailored. I put the coat back on the hanger feeling I need something different, still undecided. I put on a white one. Usually the dark-colored coat type, I figure I won’t like it. Nevertheless, I’m surprised with the perfect wintery look this coat gives me. I use my Burberry classic trench for fall, and I think I’ve found my casual classic for winter; a warm coat with the Burberry classic plaid printed on the lining, and adjustable waist belt. I’m falling for it. I buy it.

Please forgive the tired look I’m showing in the picture, I had an exhausting shopping day. I also raided the handbags section because I wanted to give myself a Christmas gift: from Me to Me. I’ll probably tell you more about it in the next blog… I hope you can find a warm coat of your own. Go look at Holts’ offering, you’ll be so delighted with all the assortment that you won’t be able to resist.

Note: the Mackage coat featured above is from the company’s website to show the details.

Alexis Bittar Personal Appearance

When I walked over to the jewellery section in Holt Renfrew to do a sit down interview with Alexis, I thought there must be a famous actor on the premise. A lineup of women surrounding a little table holding jewellery they purchased or already owned, predominantly beautiful lucite bangles, were waiting for autographs. Alexis looked humbled, giving every customer a big smile and a few minutes to answer any questions or just simply talk jewels.

He was trained early, and by early I mean at 8 years old. His parents wanted him to learn the value of a dollar by setting him up with a street cart full of flowers to sell across their apartment. This early entrance into the business world made Bittar what he is today, producing $37.5 million worth of costume jewellery last year. His jewellery is sold in the world’s top stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Holt Renfrew and about 800 others, two of which are his own flagship stores in Soho and the West Village.

What is really fascinating and romantic about Bittar’s jewellery is not only that every piece looks like a work of art, but the fact that he has brought lucite into focus after it faded from being commonly used in the 30’s and 40’s. He wanted the idea of treating plastics like a new medium of art to come into light again, and did he ever do it magnificently! His eye and craftsmanship got him discovered by the buyers for the Guggenheim Museum and
Henri Bendel; it’s been a success story ever since.

He has launched lines for distinguished names such as Tulle, Burberry and recently designed custom pieces for the Michael Kors runway, resulting in some being available in MK stores. He’s also working on collaborating for the Victoria Secret Runway show.

I squeezed a little fall ’10 preview out of him, and his jewellery magician mind is working on finding ways to capture reflecting light off of water in his pieces. Shapes wise he is drifting further away from hard lines and investing into more organic shapes “modern Art Nouveau” as he calls it. He closed off by saying “Like fashion and art, things are always moving” and on that note I was forced to move by another Bittar fan, “Alexis can you please sign this! I couldn’t leave without this bracelet!”