Michael Bastian debuts his Gant collection at Harry Rosen

Last night, the Bloor Street Harry Rosen played host to New York designer Michael Bastian, who was in town launching his collaboration with Gant, unsurprisingly named Gant by Michael Bastian. The menswear collection borrows from Bastian’s fascination with Americana—rugby, polo and lacrosse are obvious influences—and is perfectly timed to the release of True Prep, the follow-up to The Official Preppy Handbook. Rugby shirts abound, along with such prepster elements as chunky-knit sweaters, corduroy pants and collegiate blazers. Prices start at $130 for a knit scarf and run to $798 for a navy peacoat.

While the clothes aren’t exclusive to Harry Rosen, the store does have more of the collection than anywhere else in Canada; much of the basement-level floor is dedicated to the pieces. We spoke with the designer, who praised Toronto’s sartorial smarts. “Toronto is such a chic city. We’ve been to Stockholm, and it only has Gucci and a few other luxury stores, but you guys, you have everything. Toronto has so much!”

When we quizzed Bastian on where we could find his solo eponymous collection, he complained, “They used to carry it at Holts two or three years ago, and then they very unceremoniously took it all off the floor without so much as a phone call. I was shocked. I’m kind of pissed off at them right now.” In other words, don’t expect a satellite collection to pop up at Holt Renfrew anytime soon.