National Post

First of its name

Nordstrom’s flagship store opens with serious hoopla

- Amoryn Engel

The intersecti­on at Yong e-Du nd as Square was an absolute madhouse as traffic came to a standstill while hundreds of well- heeled guests celebrated the opening of Nordstrom at CF Eaton Centre.

Invited patrons cued up for blocks for a first peek at the sparkling new store.

Punchy drinks and plenty of white wine was on tap, as supermodel­s Petra Nemcova and Hilary Rhoda preened and posed on the red carpet. Nordstrom family members in

cluding co-Presidents Blake Nordstrom, Pete Nordstrom, and Erik Nordstrom and President of Full- Line Stores Jamie Nordstrom were all in attendance and that certainly had chins wagging. What excitement.

There was something for everyone; live entertainm­ent by DJ Jazzy Jeff, plus guest DJ appearance­s by Grandtheft and Killax-Kels and performanc­es by local supergroup Dwayne Gretzky, featuring members of July Talk and Born Ruffians.

46 models rocked the runway in 94 fall looks from top designers including Alexander Wang, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, Missoni, Lanvin, Loewe, Rubin Singer, Simone Rocha, Sonia Rykiel and Stella McCartney.

The fashion show and in-store gala raised $270,000 for Covenant House Toronto, Humber River Hospital Foundation, Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, SickKids Foundation, St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation and Women’s College Hospital Foundation.

“We’ve been humbled by the way this community has welcomed us with open arms,” said Karen McKibbin, president, Nordstrom Canada. “What better way to celebrate our first store in Toronto than with an incredible evening of fashion and fun that also supported six well-deserving local non-profits.”

The store was open for business and it was as though shopping were an Olympic sport. Patrons weren’t shy as they left with bags upon bags full of new goodies. All those gorgeous boutiques within the store too!

And what fun to arrive in one outfit, decide you don’t like what you are wearing and leave in something else! A stunning pair of For Restless Sleepers PJ’s had heads turning as I made my exit.

Welcome to Canada, my new very fashionabl­e friend.

 ??  ?? Todd Buntin
Todd Buntin
 ??  ?? Melissa Martin
Melissa Martin
 ??  ?? Canadian Tenors Clifton Murray and Fraser Walters
Canadian Tenors Clifton Murray and Fraser Walters
 ??  ?? Scott Meden and Dean the Basset
Scott Meden and Dean the Basset
 ??  ?? Hilary Rhoda and Petra Nemcova
Hilary Rhoda and Petra Nemcova
 ??  ?? Brynn Herthel and Dustin Conn
Brynn Herthel and Dustin Conn
 ??  ?? Jake Mossop
Jake Mossop
 ??  ?? David Dixon
David Dixon
 ??  ?? Todd Buntin
Todd Buntin
 ??  ?? Model
Model
 ??  ?? Dee Dee Eustace
Dee Dee Eustace
 ??  ?? DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff
 ??  ??
 ?? GEORGE PIMENTEL PHOTOGRAPH­Y ?? Kristen Vinakmens and Sahar Nooraei
GEORGE PIMENTEL PHOTOGRAPH­Y Kristen Vinakmens and Sahar Nooraei
 ??  ?? Models wearing designers looks available at Nordstrom
Models wearing designers looks available at Nordstrom
 ??  ?? Larry Wasser and Marla Wasser
Larry Wasser and Marla Wasser
 ??  ?? Barbara Hackett and John Tory
Barbara Hackett and John Tory
 ??  ?? Dr. Mark Greenberg and Dr. Corin Greenberg
Dr. Mark Greenberg and Dr. Corin Greenberg
 ??  ?? Wing Yau and Olivia Kim
Wing Yau and Olivia Kim
 ??  ?? Nadia Di Donato and Nick Di Donato
Nadia Di Donato and Nick Di Donato
 ??  ?? Jeffrey Latimer and Sean Jones
Jeffrey Latimer and Sean Jones
 ??  ?? Blake Nordstrom, Karen McKibbin and Erik Nordstrom
Blake Nordstrom, Karen McKibbin and Erik Nordstrom
 ??  ?? Glen Baxter and Jeanne Beker
Glen Baxter and Jeanne Beker
 ??  ?? Annie Raphael and Avi Raphael
Annie Raphael and Avi Raphael
 ??  ??

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