What’s new in Toronto shopping this week

What’s new in Toronto shopping this week

The city’s best new stores and coolest pop-ups

An avant-garde fashion fest
Fashion Art Toronto, the provocative little sister to Toronto Fashion Week, is back at the Daniels Spectrum for its 11th season next week, presenting over 50 runway runway shows and performances. Highlights include a tribute to David Bowie from designer Evan Biddel, runway walks from model Chantal Winnie and a futuristic experiment that allows audience members to control dress colours with their mind. Tickets are $40 per day. April 12—16. 585 Dundas St. E., fashionarttoronto.com.

(Image: courtesy of eBay)

A charity-focused eBay collab
For spring, eBay has collaborated with three Canadian designers to create a trio of bold crimson handbags, including an envelope-shaped purse from Montreal-based Woolfell ($50) and an oversized clutch from Toronto designer Jolie ($75). Our favourite, a boxy cross-body bag (above, middle) with a removable tassle and gold hardware ($100) from College Street studio Opelle, is particularly sophisticated. All proceeds from the bags, which will be on sale from April 11—May 13, will be going to support the Canadian Women’s Foundation. Ebay.ca.

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A cool eco-friendly pop-up shop
Production company Vacantful (they organized Justin Bieber’s Purpose pop-up) and Toronto-based clothing brand LNBF (it stands for “leave nothing but footprints”) have organized a four-month-long pop-up shop in the entertainment district devoted to stylish eco-friendly goods (a.k.a. nothing too granola-y). Brands to look out for include local specs and shades maker Guild Eyewear and chemist-crafted beauty brand Zaya. The opening party is tonight (Thursday, April 7), and guests can RSVP here. Until the end of July. 82 Adelaide St. E., vacantful.com.

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Aesop is now open in Rosedale
The all-natural Melbourne-based apothecary brand has opened its second Toronto location at Yonge and Macpherson. Like the Queen West outlet, the brand-new space was designed by local firm Superkül, and looks nothing like former restaurant tenant Seven-East: the inside is characteristically minimalist and smells like essential oils (an atmosphere that’ll almost make you want to spend $80 on an eye cream). The skincare label now also has concessions within both the Eaton Centre and Sherway Gardens Saks locations. 1116 Yonge St., aesop.com/ca.

Kevin Pillar launches sock collaboration
Local sock brand and celebrity foot dresser Yo Sox has created a collaboration with popular Jays’ player Kevin Pillar. The eight-piece collection will consist of socks plastered in graphic depictions of mountains, tennis balls and compasses (among other things). Tonight’s launch party at Hudson’s Bay’s “Guys Night Out,” will be a discount-filled bash with free socks and Mr. Pillar in attendance. The collection will be available online at Yo Sox this summer. Yo-sox.ca.