What’s cool, cutting edge and important.
DISCOVERY CHANNEL
If you’re already a fan of Nordstrom’s SPACE concept—an in-store boutique that stocks buzzy designers (like Molly Goddard, Undercover and Mira Mikati)— then you’ll like the sound of the retailer’s latest project. The Lab is a shop-inshop dedicated to introducing people to even more emerging names in fashion. For spring, five designers were chosen: Vejas (the award-winning label run by 20-year-old Toronto wunderkind Vejas Kruszewski), experimental New York label Eckhaus Latta, Kanye-approved brand A.W.A.K.E. and alt-cool newcomers Dilara Findikoglu and Eric Schlösberg. Come fall, a handful of new names will be brought on board. Here’s to the next wave. (From $235, at Nordstrom CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Nordstrom Vancouver Pacific Centre and nordstrom.com/space)
EASTERN EXPOSURE
Min Liu, the designer behind six-yearold Chinese label Ms Min, rose to worldwide recognition (with the international stockists to match) after being shortlisted for the LVMH Prize in 2016. The spring collection contrasts parts of China’s sartorial history—from traditional silk embroidery to Mao-era high collars and utilitarian patch pockets—with soft tailoring and flared silhouettes. Liu’s clothes are nostalgic, luxe and a little subversive. (From $460, at The Room at Hudson’s Bay)
I DREAMED OF THE PERFECT SUMMER VACATION AND WHAT I WOULD WEAR. I WANT TO BE BOTH COMFORTABLE AND FEMININE: NOT TOO ROMANTIC AND NOT TOO STRONG. I FOUND THIS BALANCE BY COMBINING LINEN AND SILK BLOUSES COVERED IN NAIVE FLOWERS AND FRUITS WITH HEAVY RAW DENIM. – Designer-to-watch Ksenia Schnaider on her spring/summer collection (from $140, at stylebop.com)