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Who can blame the music biz for occasionally selling its soul for style when every pop starlet worth her extensions is cashing in by pushing belly tops on the side? Some artist-fashion tie-ins actually have cred, though, offering merch-hungry fans design-conscious goods.
Sarah Doucet may often be referred to as singer/songwriter Luke’s jewellery-designing sister, but her Twitch Designs multicoloured necklaces ($60, Six Shooter Records, 1118 Queen East, 416-465-2459) have star power of their own.
If musicians can license clothes, Damzels in This Dress co-designer Rory Lindo can play drums for Toronto’s favourite fashion band, Satan’s Candy. Pick up a tulle-trimmed Damzels Hitchcock frock ($170, Doll Factory by Damzels, 1122 Queen East, 416-598-0509) to wear to the store’s NXNE backyard bash with Six Shooter Records Saturday (June 14), 2 to 6 pm.
Kurt Cobain was rarely seen without his Chuck Taylors, and this limited-release pair from Converse ($69.99, Da Zone, 468 Queen West, 416-868-9663) is printed with his angsty doodles and lyrics.
Semi Precious Weapons (semipreciousweapons.com) lead man Justin Tranter hawks his appropriately glam jewellery and makeup at shows (including three NXNE performances June 12 to 14). He debuts his lower-priced Precious Weapons jewellery line at Urban Outfitters (235 Yonge, 416-214-1466) in July.
The studded and bedazzled Smet T-shirt line ($160, Black Line Studio, 577 King West, 416-850-8227) is a collaboration with French rock legend Johnny Hallyday.
