Pink products
Forget autumn reds, oranges and yellows. Fall's colour is pink, especially when Breast Cancer Awareness Month arrives in October. Rethink Breast Cancer (rethinkbreastcancer.com) has partnered with a long list of style businesses on a parade of pretty, charitable products. Pick up a Telus Blackberry Pearl, Roots watches and Fidelity jeans, all incorporating a touch of pink to support the cause.
Runway pass
The F-List (f-list.ca) is now selling tickets for Toronto Fashion Week at Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen West), taking place October 20 to 25. Day passes are $50 and include access to the fashion environment and a first-come, first-served runway room seat. The week's by-invitation-only catwalks are not included, but you can always try a "Don't you know who I am?" tantrum to scam entry.
Designer/artist
This is the year the Canadian fashion establishment bounced back. The newest designer to rise from bankruptcy is Sunny Choi, who opens her own gallery (1046 Queen West, sunnychoigallery.com) spotlighting her paintings and illustrations Tuesday (October 7) from 6 to 9 pm.
Over a Barrel
Crate & Barrel (crateandbarrel.ca) has opened its first Toronto store, stocked with homey housewares and furniture, at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (3401 Dufferin, 416-657-4100).
Sweet Deal bites
Grab a new fall topper for 15 per cent off at Girl Friday's (740 Queen West, 416-364-2511, girlfridayclothing.com) Soïa & Kyo coat night this evening (Thursday, October 2) from 5 to 8 pm.
George Brown College (200 King East) helps fund scholarships through an Arthur Mendonça (mendonca.ca) sample sale, to Friday (October 3), where the Canadian designer's pieces are 60 per cent off.
The discounts go up to 80 per cent at the Jessica Jensen (shopjessicajensen.com) handbag sale Friday and Saturday (October 3 and 4) at 150 John (fifth floor).
Visit Miss Rowe designer Ashley Rowe's new Toronto Fashion Incubator studio (285 Manitoba, 416-971-7117 ext 30) Saturday (October 4) from 2 to 4 pm for a 25 per cent off trunk show and a sneak peek at her spring 2009 collection.