Last week, I was invited to have a sneak peak at the new CF Rideau Centre reveal, during the media preview party. The new expansion is amazing and does wonders for Rideau street. It looks clean, modern and rejuvenated. I also find that this expansion is doing wonders for mens fashion, maybe the most menswear available in one section of the mall!
So what new shops opened at Rideau Centre you ask?
Simons
H&M (yes, they have a plus-size section!)
Anthropologie
Disney Store
Zara
Massimo Dutti
Strellson
Rudsak
Sketchers
Roots
Vans
Frank + Oak
Steven Madden
L’intervalle
NYX
Bridgehead
Emilio Guido
Lululemon
Indochino
Adore
Squish
Trade Secrets
lole
Bento Sushi
Alex + Ani
With all these new stores added to CF Rideau Centre, it has once again become THE MALL, that bares it all! Personally, I am excited to add more L’intervalle footwear to my collection, and hope to get reacquainted with Anthropologie and Simons.
Again, I was busy with filming live video on Facebook that night, so I didn’t get many pictures in. Here are some pics that I managed to scrounge up of the evening.
Last year, around the same time, I had the privilege of attending the media preview for the first Simons opening in the area. The Simons Gatineau store opened in Les Promenades Gatineau on August 14, 2015, and I remember being told to stay tuned, because Ottawa was getting a store in August 2016. One full year later, and here we are! I can’t believe how fast time flies. The Simons store in CF Rideau Centre opens this Thursday, August 11, 2016!
The space is gargantuan, about 104,000 square feet! Like, you WILL 100%, most definitely get lost on the 4th and 3rd floor of the Rideau Centre (and you should!). Remember the old theatre?… there! The store is perfectly laid out, and includes the signature Simons price-point “mix & matching” merchandising strategy. There is no discrimination here, this shopper knows what she wants and can confidently style herself in a unique way.
“Oh fun! This $3000 purse will go great with my $40 jacket”
We had a chance to meet Peter Simons again, who does a lovely job of teaching us fashion bloggers the strategy behind maintaining a large private Canadian company, keeping the passion alive after 180 years of business, the thrilling ride of merchandising and buying, how to remain socially responsible and predicting trends coming out of the European fashion scene. He has a wealth of fashion knowledge and I feel like a sponge when he talks. (PS- feminine Parisian style is making a comeback, but this time it’s your own interpretation. No cookie cutter moulds for you to follow… so put some thought into it, would you?).
I did manage to snap a few photos, but focused on live video this time, to give you the full experience. You can check out the videos on facebook and twitter!
From now til August 8, the infamous Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (#NSale) should be on your Ottawa to-do list! But of course, that’s only if you’re looking for NEW, never seen before, fall items at discount price.
I was invited for a peruse on Saturday, and decided to share some behind-the-scene pics on my Facebook page, because the quality didn’t seem good enough for my blog. Apparently, you all could care less about the quality…. you just wanted to see more pics of me in the changeroom!!! I felt like a digital barbie model (and I kind of like it! hahaha).
Here are some pics of my makeover in the beauty department and some terrible selfie pics of me modelling different outfits in my badly lit change room!
I was walking in Westboro on Victoria Day, and noticed a new shop, and it was the only one open on the strip. Of course, being the curious person that I am, I walked in and started chatting with one of the employees. It’s an Australian brand that has recently launched in Canada called Bailey Nelson and is a prescription eye wear and sunglasses shop made in Canada. Every pair is slowly crafted and assembled in Canada, using the best quality products sourced from countries like Australia and Japan.
It turns out this is the company’s sixth store, and they opened it right in the heart of Ottawa’s boutique shopping district! I love it! The store itself is simplistic, with clean lines and natural accents. The company has an eco-friendly eye and a soft spot for maximizing sustainable materials.
The premise of this business is that all frames are $145 (taxes in!), whether it’s prescription or sunglasses. The sunnies are made with high quality lenses and they are all polarized, which means they are actually good for your eyes (bonus! fashionable and functional).
There are loads of gorgeous styles to choose: from feminine flirty to geek chic, with most options being unisex. I am told that the glasses are made in small batches, so the really popular styles will naturally become collector’s edition. At that price, you can afford to start your own collection and BUY THEM ALL!! hahaha
If you’re in the area, I highly suggest popping in to say hello! The staff are super friendly and the shopping experience will not disappoint!
Get out of your comfort zone, and start exploring the new shops that are popping up in Ottawa!