Holts Contemporary Blog | Holt Renfrew

In June 2009, Holt Renfrew paid tribute to six bloggers internationally known for their talent as fashion reporters. Its windows featured installations representing each one of them. It felt like a fusion of traditional and underground fashion.

Among the featured fashion writers was Jane Aldridge, a 17-year old teen living in Dallas who appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and many other well known publications. Her fashion blog, Sea of Shoes, is one of the most followed. It makes sense since this high school student swirls us into the vortex of her larger than life imagination.

I am telling you about her now because she recently launched a shoe collection at Urban Outfitters that is very trendy and affordable. From Marie-Antoinette pumps to boots with a more rock edge, she knows what works best.

She admits picking her influences from various cultures and from labels such as Balenciaga, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. This girl is living out our ultimate fantasy: virtually limitless access to life’s luxuries and fashion trips around the world to source out new trends and designers.

On her last trip to Asia, she posted images of fashionistas roaming the streets, and at charming little cafés and extravagant boutiques. Note to those girls who cannot afford a trip around the globe: she will entice you into saving your money to travel or into spending everything at Holts!

I owe my Holt Renfrew blogger status to this pioneer because she inspired me to create my own fashion blog not too long ago, and convinced me of the power individuals hold and of their ability to communicate universally. She is a self-made woman who opened a fabulous communications channel to discuss her passion with people worldwide. I invite you to check out her blog (seaofshoes.typepad.com) and to search the Internet for innumerable fashion sites that will inspire your next closet addition and get your imagination going.

This family-owned and run business was established in 1999 when Anzie Stein started creating jewels as an emotional outlet after being struck by bad news: her husband was suffering from colorectal cancer. Her first creation was a bracelet named Lifesaver that looked like the famous candy – a percentage of the proceeds were donated to raise awareness for Colorectal Cancer. These bracelets have also been used to support numerous other causes like Diabetes and Breast Cancer. Today, Mr. Stein is doing well but the family is still in the jewellery business. Jaclyn, the eldest daughter, who is based in NYC, creates the designs, her brother is in charge of the Website and her sister Joanna is the Marketing Director. I had the privilege of discussing with the latter about the company, the jewels and the passion her family has for jewellery.

What materials are you using to create your jewellery?
Precious stones, sterling silver, 14 K and 18 K gold, amethysts, topazes…

What is the price range?
$150-$10,000.

Who is your clientele?
Working women over 30, as well as their teenage daughters.

What was the inspiration for this collection?
Nature, dew, flowers and simplicity.

Key words to define this jewellery line?
“Everyday Luxury”

One of your best-selling items?
A pendant you can personalize with your own initial.

Trends in jewellery for this Fall/Winter season?
Bigger earrings, large bracelets.

I’ll let you in on something this week: I love Chanel. I often go on pilgrimage to the Chanel store, located on the 2nd floor of Holts, to marvel at the bags, the suits and the jewellery. Karl Lagerfeld is really eccentric and totally puzzling. He has been able to keep the distinction and the luxury created by Gabrielle Chanel alias Coco. Having read all the biographies on her, I was delighted to learn that there was going to be a movie as well. The movie is called Coco avant Chanel and I recommend strongly that you see it. The wardrobe is breathtaking and the dialogue, fascinating. We follow the story of Coco from her childhood spent in an orphanage to her achievement as a couture celebrity. Audrey Tautou plays with such accuracy, making us feel a variety of emotions. Special mention to Alessandro Nivola who plays one of Coco’s lovers; his eloquence and his joy of living fire our imagination. This love and self-discovery story is a hymn to feminism. Gabrielle wears her pants with pride, her cardigan with class and her beret like an urchin. So, take out your pearls and your striped sweater, go see the movie with your girlfriends and then visit the Chanel store at Holts.