Interview with Founder Gillian Downes of B Skin Beauty Products/Impossibe Diva Beauty

I had the pleasure to sit down with Gillian Downes the founder of B Skin Bath and Beauty/Impossible Diva Beauty products. Ladies just a quick note you can't walk in this store and be in a bad mood! With the stores ultra girly design of beautiful pink and gray walls it's no wonder customers can't get enough of B Skin products!
As soon as you walk in you are greeted by Gillian Downes the founder, who is very knowledgeable,so sweet and friendly.

She makes you feel welcome and lets you carouse the line to your desire. There are testers for every product out, so you can feel free to try them right there on the spot. Downes started making fun, girly bath and beauty products in 2001. Through her creativity her line transcended into oh so smell good, gentle, delectable products. Downes started making her line from home, which turned into her own flag ship store located in the trendy King Street West Village 766 King Street West.

Downes is also celebrating her one year anniversary at this location this month. Through this interview Downes talks about her favorite products, what inspired her to start the line,why her products are different from the rest, who her line caters too and best sellers. All of the bath and beauty products are filled with natural ingredients while the main ingredient is soy in all the products.

TorontoStyle-How did you come up with the idea for your line of products?

Gillian Downes- "I actually went on a trip in 2000 to Vancouver, and there I found that everyone was so happy and serene. There was no mad rush hour and everything was calm. I also found that about every few stores down there was a soap store where everything is organic and natural. We went into this one soap store and everyone there was just so happy and honestly you just cant be mad around soap! So, I decided to take it on as a hobby when I returned to Toronto. The hobby then turned in to courses, I found mentors, books and plenty of workshops. After that you just have to each yourself. I then launched B skin which is actually Brown Skin in 2001. The name actually changed to B Skin because I went to a craft show and someone asked if the products would turn her skin brown. I then changed changed the name within three hours to B Skin".

TorontoStyle- Who does your line cater too?

Gillian Downes-"I actually make everything for me, so it's been about seven years in the making. I actually made it as an answer for me. As black women we really didn't have a line of products like these for ourselves. We have all these other lines like Cake Beauty but nothing really for ourselves. So the line now really caters to everyone, who loves good smelling gentle products."

TorontoStyle- Did you start the line because you couldn't find what you were looking for?

Gillian Downes-"Yes, I was diagnosed with dermatitis, which I have had since I was 17 years old. So there was nothing really on the market, I didn't like how products smelled for my condition they where so medicinal. I can't stand the smell of medicinal products. So I started B skin, and as long as the product is gentle it can be used with what your doctor subscribes. I have never had a customer come in and say the products burned them or irritated their skin everything is made to be gentle."

TorontoStyle- What are your bestsellers?

Gillian Downes-"The High Maintenance Soy Shea Creme, The Black Mineral Mud and the Sweet Heart Soaps."






TorontoStyle-What makes your products different from the others on the market?

Gillian Downes-" My line of products are gentler, and it's fun. No one knows that the products are for people with clinically sensitive skin, but really it's for people who have dermatitis,psoriasis, and eczema."

TorontoStyle- What is Gillian's pick?

Gillian Downes-" The Mud by far, people with sensitive skin are not supposed to scrub. So you can put this product on watch your favorite show and rinse it off without scrubbing."

B Skin is having a variety of incentives every month,from in house makeovers,to 25% off the entire store and facials. B Skin in future will also be adding her own make up line and opening her second store in Vancouver. For further details about B Skin and other incentives go to www.becleansmellgood.com

Latest Trends!

Rihanna has done it again love the canary yellow top soo cute with the black skinny jeans!


Love this dress soo feminine!


The black and white combo is fieerce!


Denise Van Outen is working the dress im soo feeling the metallics this season!


For some reason I am not feeling this number on Kim Catrell, this one is a flop.


Not really a fan of the oversized shirt dresses but this one is soo pretty love the coral colour so summer!


This short dress is smokin on kelly love the plunging neck line, and those shoes! This girls swagger is off the hook!


Im lovin Rihanna hairdo's these days just bangin!


These are some HOT shoes!


Victoria why oh why! This is not a trend to repeat by any means!!

Interview with Kendra Francis one of T.O's Hottest Designers

I was given the opportunity to sit down with the lovely and extremely talented Kendra Francis of Franke clothing. Kendra is one of Toronto’s talented designers that has had longevity in the industry. Francis has been designing clothes since the mid 90’s to critical acclaim and has also had the success of her very own boutique from 2002-2005. During our interview Francis took me on a journey through her career as designer, her first break, her views on celebrity fashion clothing lines, her inspirations, and being one of the few African Canadian designers in Toronto.

TorontoStyle: When did you realize you had a love for fashion design?
Kendra Francis: “When I was really young my mother used to sew all my clothes, my cousins would sew and my uncle was a tailor. So that were the love of the craft began. Also one of my first design job was to do a relatives bridal party, so I made all the dresses, it was very 1980’s an angora vogue pattern, but fabulous nonetheless.”

TorontoStyle: When did you get your first break in the industry?
Kendra Francis: “My first break was Fashion Cares in 1996; I had a friend that was an fashion illustrator who gave me the heads up about entering Fashion Cares. I had until Monday to enter a gown and I was told on Friday. I only had 50 dollars to buy some fabric but I did it. My dress was actually the first dress out that night and was worn by Sonia Rodriguez a national ballet dancer at the time.”

TorontoStyle: What sets you apart from other designers in the industry?
Kendra Francis: “My designs are first things I like to wear, you can pull one of my designs out from 5 years ago and still rock it. I wouldn’t say I’m a trendy designer, but my clothes are still in fashion. My pieces are classical but sexy.

TorontoStyle:Where do you get your inspirations from your designs?
Kendra Francis: My inspirations come from fashion magazines, music, movies, reading a book and all walks of life. “

TorontoStyle: Have you designed for any celebrities/VIP’s?
Kendra Francis: “Yes some of the celebrities I designed for have been for Sara Taylor, YaYa of ANTM, Tanya Kim of E Talk Daily, and just recently Sarah Polley for the Cannes festival. “

TorontoStyle: Are there any designers your would like to collaborate with?
Kendra Francis: “I would like to collaborate with Zac Posen.”

TorontoStyle: What are your thoughts on celebrities having clothing lines?
Kendra Francis: “I think its ok as long as its honest and you cant really tell if its honest or not but through the clothing. Also if they are not out to make a quick buck then I can appreciate it for what it is. One celebrity clothing line I like is Gwen Stefani’s line, it looks like she put some thought into her clothing line and she seems to be really genuine about her designs.”

TorontoStyle: Do you find that African Canadian designers are getting enough exposure in Toronto?
Kendra Francis: “I only know one other black designer besides my self, there was also 2 black guys back in the day. But for Toronto Fashion Week I was the only Black designer there. The Toronto fashion industry is a very tight knit industry, it’s a hard industry to get into there is no government funding no government support. Sometimes you just have to leave get big and come back to make it. As for myself I got a lot of exposure through my boutique where people got to know my name and my line. I personally will be shopping my line around in L.A and New York and hopefully open some boutiques and take it from there. “

TorontoStyle: Whom does your line cater to?
Kendra Francis: “ I cater to women who like fashion and that are strong, empowered, sexy women of all ages. I have style women from 0-20, and I specialize in custom makes. For retail right now sizes go from 0-10 and any size after that is custom made.”

For more information on Kendra and her clothing line you cant contact her at:
http://www.myspace.com/iamfranke
www.iamfranke.com

It's All About The Summer Glam Dress!

This is one of this seasons hottest trends Glam Summer Dresses! Here are a few that you can find around the city in stores such as Marciano,Old Navy, Brazen Hussy,Costa Blanca,and Urban Behavior. This summer is all about being ultra girly so embrace it and enjoy! Happy Shopping!


Marciano 183.00


Marciano 183.00


Marciano 183.00


Marciano 183.00


Marciano 270.00



Brazen Hussy 120.00



Marciano 120.00


Brazen Hussy 120.00

Costa Blanca 35.50

Urban Behavior 39.50

Costa Blanca 49.50

Old Navy 29.00 U.S


Costa Blanca 39.50

Old Navy 29.00 U.S

Old Navy 29.00 U.S


Urban Behavior 39.50

Music Im Lovin

Ne-Yo oh Ne-Yo he has done it again I'm lovin this video and this song what more can I say LOVES IT! You can also Check out his new CD Because of You in your local HMV or Sunrise Records.





Amy Winehouse has an amazing voice and is extremely talented. Her voice blows me away evertime I hear one of her songs. Currently her album is on sale at HMV for 9.99, if you are into soul/jazz music you may want to purchase her new CD Back to Black. Fav's joints off the album are love is a losing game, you know im no good and tears dry on their own.


I was never really a fan of Rihanna when she first came out but I must say she is growing on me and I LOVE this video! Check it out!

Sarah Jessica Parker's New Frugal Line BITTEN!

So I had a change to take a look at the BITTEN line by Sarah Jessica Parker and at first I was a bit skeptical. I was pretty sure that this line would not cater to the consumer that loves fashion but wants to be fashionable on a budget. Boy was I shocked, this line is similar to our Canadian frugal line JOE Fresh and I must say I'm impressed,everything is under 20.00 dollars! BITTEN is filled with basics and some cute dresses along with shoes that can be played up by the lines accessories.

No word yet when this line will be reaching T.O but I will keep you all posted. Currently the line is located at the Steve and Barry's stores in the U.S, so if your are visiting the U.S you may want to check it out! Oh and the tag line for the collection is "Fashion is not a Luxury", I second that!

http://www.bittensjp.com/sjp/collection.php

Here are some of the designs all under 20.00 dollars and sizes are from 2-22!

Warehouse Sales Worth Checkin Out!

SHAW-PEZZO FINE FURNISHINGS & INTERIORS RELOCATION SALE

20 Pine St., Toronto, Ontario, M9N2Y8
[416] 784.4400

It isn’t often we get to feature a store best known for its quality, rather than its bargain basement pricing. However, Shaw-Pezzo is relocating, and rather than move existing inventory is selling everything at substantially reduced prices. Brand names include Century, La Barge, Maitland-Smith, Chapman lamps, Hekman and Jeffco – all at 50 per cent off. Collectible artwork and antiques are 25 per cent off. If you value quality and high end furnishings, shop early as this has never been offered before and will never be again. When it’s over it’s over.
Sale begins: Thursday May 31, 2007 to Sunday July 8,2007
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.




INESRA - (I’ll Never Ever Shop Retail Again) - Prom Fun

315 Albany Ave., Toronro, Ontario, M3R3E2
[416] 707.1695

There's another sale coming up-just in time for the Prom...if you haven't found "your" dress, chances are it's here! Brand new vintage, never been worn with the vintage tags to prove it! And well under $100 from dreamy to sultry. If you're past the Prom, lots of great summer duds and all seasonal wear is discounted. This event is held six to eight days a year, with more than 1,000 inventory items from the '40s to '70s. Stock up on one-of-a kind retro vintage summer clothes, or just browse the racks and have fun trying on something completely outside your wardrobe inventory. Day and evening wear, summer dresses, spring coats, lingerie, accessories (gloves, handbags, hats, scarves, jewelry) and much more on hand. The collection is unique in terms of quality and variety, in excellent condition at amazing value. Expect one-on-one service when needed, and excellent consultation on sizing and choices to suit you. Prices include tax. Cash only.
Hours: Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.


IN ACCESSORIES - SUMMER WAREHOUSE SALE

99 Atlantic Ave., Suite 205, Toronto, Ontario, M6K3J8
[416] 516.4661


Save from 60 to 95 per cent off retail prices at this not-to-be missed semi-annual sale of beautiful jewellery. In Accessories is a Canadian designer, with most pieces locally hand crafted. Included are samples, one-of-a-kind, and overruns. There is lots of variety, with over 2000 designs. Inventory is frequently re-stocked and new, never-before-seen pieces are added daily. This is a great opportunity to find fun and elegant jewellery pieces made with semi-precious stones, sterling silver, 14kt gold, Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls, at an amazing value.
Hours: June 6 to June 9, Wednesday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.