Object of Desire: hard graft Cube Tote Bag

Recently, Stephen-Thomas has been telling me he is looking for a great tote bag for work, but sadly, he cannot find the perfect one in Toronto. Today when I opened my email box, I think I found him the perfect bag.

This cube tote is hard graft's latest creation. The brand has now introduced canvas to its line of products and just like the others, this bag is very durable with a sleek design. What I like the most about this tote is that it can turn into a cube if you do not have a lot of tall things to carry.

Seriously, you can never go wrong with hard graft, and I hope to see someone carrying it on the street soon! For more information, please visit hard graft website.

Courtesy of hard graft

Object of Desire: Prada F/W 2014 "Micro Octagon Print Saffiano” Capsule Collection

I still remember the first time I saw the Holliday & Brown octagon print on a Prada tie few seasons ago, I was so eager to own it. However, I didn't make the purchase because there was a little damage on it. Now it seems like Prada is giving me a second chance.

For this F/W 2014 season, Prada is releasing the "Micro Octagon Print Saffiano" capsule collection. The Holiday & Brown octagon print comes in 3 colour versions, and it is printed on 3 iconic Saffiano calfskin Prada models - shopping bag (tote), briefcase, and the man bag.

The print + the Saffiano leather is such a perfect combination because the octagon print has a retro vibe to give the 3 iconic models a nice pop art twist. At the moment, my eyes are definitely on the red+blue version.

This capsule collection is now available at Prada stores.

Courtesy of Prada

Object of Desire: Linjer Fine Leather Goods

Bag is a very important accessory to me since I need to carry all my business tools to different meetings in town. Today one of my friends sent me this Indiegogo campaign and I immediately fell in love with few of the leather goods.

Based in San Francisco, Linjer is a new fashion brand specializes in fine leather goods. Roman Khan and Jennifer Chong use the best materials, such as full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather, YKK Excella zippers, and military-grade polyester thread to produce these clean and minimalist products.

As a person who loves simple and sleek bag design, I am completely in love with the briefcase and the portfolio case. Both of them are very practical and look very modern. Also, the price point is very reasonable as the designers are not marking up the price by 10 times the cost.

Currently, the brand is looking for $50,000 to complete this campaign. I personally think that if you are looking for some great leather goods for work, you will want to back this brand up! I hope they will reach $75,000 so the mocha version of briefcase will be available for purchase!

Briefcase:

Portfolio Case:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fine-leather-goods-without-the-luxury-markup

Trendology: Diet Coke X Gilt.com

Ready for a refreshing update to your fall wardrobe? Diet Coke Get a Taste Style Bar has just launched with Gilt.com to promote five curated collections all centred around the colour palette and refreshing experience of Diet Coke.

As a former retail junkie, (who am I kidding, I will always love the world of retail,) I am impressed with the concept and the execution of this collaboration. The luxury online retailer, Gilt.com, worked with the Diet Coke brand colours (red, black, white and of course metallic silver) as the inspiration to curate the five collections titled Red, Light, Refresh, Boost and Luxe. Each week starting September 24th a new collection will be revealed at Gilt.com. The collections range from trendy casual, to sexy and dressy. Those who cannot wait for the weekly reveals can get a special preview of select items at the Diet Coke Get a Taste Style Bar pop up shop, open now through October 23rd, noon to 8m daily.

The spacious pop up shop is located at 363 King Street West in Toronto Ontario and is a must see. Divided into various rooms, guests can wander and explore the collections, enjoy a Diet Coke and of course place orders for their favourite items using conveniently located ipads loaded with Gilt.com.

Flying mannequins illutrate the light taste of Diet Coke.

Sultry red dresses and tailored black jackets for a night on the town.

Larger than life, Diet Coke and Gilt are on trend this fall with soft greys and even softer fabrics.

All Photos: Sonia Recchia / Getty Images

Object of Desire: Moda:Ko has you stylishly covered

Perfect shoes? Check!
Perfect shirt? Check!
Perfect pants? Check!
Perfect blazer? Check!
Perfect iPad sleeve? Uh oh! Better get a Moda:Ko!

Gone are the days of stuffing your precious electronics into utilitarian looking solid coloured neoprene zippered sleeves. Say hello to Moda:Ko, the brand designed to stylishly celebrate your electronic best friend as you move through your day to day and into the night.

Canadian made Moda:Ko is the fashion child of designer Kelly Ho Chia Lee and Byron Hawes and is, "an accessories line borne of the idea that a constantly carried accessory, like an iPad or MacBook, should be treated as a fashionable possibility. That function, fashion and fun need not to be mutually exclusive."

The line is divided into two collections known as the Downtown Collection and the Uptown Collection.

The spirited Downtown Collection, (starting at $45,) is bold and ready to make a statement with its energetic patterned fabrics including seersucker, houndstooth, polka dots and tartans. A thoughtful back pocket, (available in both collections on the iPad and MacBook cases,) allows for easy access filing of your phone and other "need to grab in a flash items," such as business cards or your Starbucks Gold Card as you breeze through the cash filling your "frappa-cappa-addiction".

A selection from the Downtown Collection.

My must have print is the, surprise surprise, black and grey Neville madras print. What can I say, it simply goes with everything, has a distinctly masculine vibe and is casual and sexy all at once.

Neville - black and grey madras

The luxurious Uptown Collection (starting at $125,) is made with Italian leather detailing, sleek textiles including chrome tweed and black waxed cotton. The iPad mini version features a removable shoulder chain, allowing it to double as a clutch for the ladies. Fun fact, the chrome tweed fabric for the Uptown Collection was originally designed for Chanel. 

A selection from the Uptown Collection.

My favorite fabric combination in the Uptown Collection is the Phillip in black and silver metallic tweed with leather. I can see any woman of any age carrying this thoughtful combination.

Phillip - black and silver metallic tweed with leather.
Images courtesy of Moda:Ko

Please visit wearemodako.com to see the entire Moda:ko collection .

Object of Desire: Sully Wong x Amanda Lew Kee - SWALK01

I was first introduced to Sully Wong 2 years ago, and at this moment, I am still feeling sad that I cannot get the orange SWJ Heavyweight Sneaker because my feet are too small. However, the following collaboration may give me hope to own something from this brand.

For this season, Amanda Lew Kee is teaming up with Sully Wong to produce the first premium Hi-Top women's sneakers called the SWALK01. What I love about this sneaker is the Japanese leather lined denim interior, which works very well with the raw-cut leather outer layer. The design is sleek, smart, and fashion forward. Even though it is a women's sneaker, for men who have small feet like me, I guarantee it will look great on them!

This limited edition sneaker will be available online at SullyWong.com & GotStyle boutiques in Toronto starting October 9th. Don't miss it!  

Courtesy of Sully Wong / Amanda Lew Kee

Object of Desire: Gap x GQ Best New Menswear Designers in America Collection 2014

Every year the Gap x GQ capsule collection is what I look forward to the most.

Why? Because this collection introduces some of the best menswear designers to the world.

This year,  Brooklyn Tailors (Daniel Lewis), En Noir (Rob Garcia), John Elliott + Co (John Elliot), and M.Nii (John Moore) were selected by GQ’s editor-in-chief, Jim Nelson, creative director Jim Moore, and the magazine’s fashion editors as the 4 best menswear designers in America. Each brand represents a different aesthetic of American men, and I have to agree with Jim Moore that this is definitely the most diverse group of designers to date.

The collection will be available on September 30th at select Gap stores worldwide. If you live in Canada, you can purchase the collection at the following locations:

Toronto: Eaton Centre (375 Queen St. E.), 60 Bloor St. and Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Montreal Eaton Centre
Vancouver at 1125 Robson St
Calgary at Chinook Mall

(Also Gap.com)

Before you rush to the stores, let's look at some of my favourite pieces from this collection: 

M.Nii Shearling Corduroy Jacket

John Elliot + Co Pullover Hoodie

Object of Desire: Atelier Swarovski by Viktor & Rolf Fall 2014 Collection

For people who love Swarovski and Viktor & Rolf, you are going to love this Fall season. Why? Because these two power houses have done an awesome collaboration!

This Atelier collection was first debuted in March at the Viktor & Rolf F/W 2014 runway show. For this particular collaboration, Swarovski introduces 2 new elements: the Velvet Rock (crystals coated with velvet), and Frozen Crystal (contrasts matte and sparkling crystal stones in Black Diamond and Jet color ways). The pieces are bold, glamourous and have a hint of mysteriousness.

You can now purchase this Atelier collection online. This collaboration also has a sister line called the core collection (which the price point is a bit lower with no velvet involved), and you can purchase the pieces at Swarovski flagship stores.

Courtesy of Swarovski

Object of Desire: MYKITA x Damir Doma Acetate DD1.2 Sunglasses

I am loving this MYKITA x Damir Doma collaboration, especially the following sunglasses.

The inspiration of this pair of sunglasses is from the traditional 1940s pilot frames. In here, the designer adds a new modern twist to it by using a transparent frame. It's a classic model with nice modern flare.

You can now purchase this pair of sunglasses at Oki-ni

Courtesy of Oki-ni

Object of Desire: Dom Pérignon Metamorphosis by Iris van Herpen

As a fan of fashion designer Iris van Herpen, I was extremely excited to hear of this collaboration with Dom Pérignon!

To end the Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004 era (aka First Plénitude) with a bang, the company is teaming up with Iris van Herpen for special project called "Dom Pérignon Metamorphosis by Iris van Herpen".

Iris has designed a special limited edition bottle and package called Cocoonase. Both are inspired by "the importance of time in crafting the Dom Pérignon vintages." The use of green and black represents the energy within the wine as it shifts and transforms from its First Plénitude to its Second Plénitude. The dark green colour is an iconic code for the champagne brand as it is a reflection of the soul of the wine and its intensity, depth and complexity.

Here is what Iris has to say about the creation of this special edition bottle.

“The name Cocoonase references the butterfly which softens her cocoon shell before she goes into her next stage of metamorphosis. This piece of art houses Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004, symbolically nestled inside of the cocoon structure, and its fine ribs and lines represent a one-way passage out. Cocoonase acts as a shield that protects the Dom Pérignon bottle as it prepares for its metamorphosis.”

This limited edition bottle will be available across Canada in limited quantities.

Watch the campaign below featuring Anja Rubik in Iris van Herpen Haute Couture collection.

Courtesy of Dom Pérignon

Object of Desire: Prada x Dover Street Market Capsule Shirting Collection

This is probably the best way to celebrate the beginning of S/S 2015 Fashion Week season!

Dover Street Market has teamed up with Prada to release a set of 8 poplin shirts for the gentlemen, and they are exclusively sold at the Dover Street Market New York store (160 Lexington Avenue.). All the prints are from the archives (remember the bananas print from the S/S 2011 season?), with each shirt retails for $730. If I were in New York, I would probably get at least one of these shirts!

Happy Fashion Week!

P.S There are some items for the women too. Visit Dover Street Market website for more information!

Object of Desire: Alexander McQueen: Tan Suede Metallic Trim Sneakers

Looking for a pair of awesome sneakers this fall? Look no further, this might be the one!

This pair of tan suede sneakers is from Alexander McQueen F/W 2014 collection. The gold metallic leather panelling at the sides gives a nice kick to the design, so is the zipper trim at welt. Because of this colour combination, it will go well with many outfits you have in your wardrobe.

It is now available at Ssense.

Courtesy of Ssense