Randi Bergman

What They Wore: Capsule98.com Launch Party

3 December, 2019 Nelia

For the last couple of years, I’ve been obsessed with podcasts. Whenever I’m on the subway, or walking around by myself, I’m always listening to something fun, or educational, or both. The Capsule ’98 – a ’90s nostalgia podcast by a fellow Torontonian Randi Bergman, with featured guest appearances by celebs like Dan Levy and Sarah Gadon, and icons like Jeanne Beker and costume designer Mona May – is one of my personal faves and must-listens that I never skip. Which is why I was so stoked to see it expand with a fantastic new storytelling website Capsule98.com. There are Bedroom Diaries, featuring the coolest people you wish you knew, interviews about all things ’90s with celebs like Leighton Meester, and lots more. If you’re a child of the ’90s, or you simply love everything about that decade, you should definitely dive into this time capsule of pop culture, fashion, and nostalgia, I promise, you’ll love it.

Last week, Randi invited us to celebrated the launch of Capsule98.com with an epic slumber party, and most attendees certainly got the memo! From chic PJ sets, to glam boudoir lewks, this was the chicest slumber party I’ve ever attended. Despite having perfect PJs to wear to the party, I ended up throwing on my best Empire Records inspired outfit instead (silk PJs in the winter after getting over a cold was just not going to happen), complete with a fuzzy cropped sweater, mini skirt, and a vintage backpack, while my friend Anya rocked her fave Sleepshirt. We snacked on copious amounts of candy, lounged on Casper mattresses, sipped Ace Hill radlers, and posed for glamour shots by the incredible Renata Kaveh. It was a night to remember! Luckily, photographer Mauricio Calero was there to capture it all for posterity. Click through the photos below for those fab slumber party fashions, and check out Capsule98.com for all things ’90s nostalgia.

More photos after the jump!
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What They Wore: Vogue x Holt Renfrew Pop Up Shop

8 October, 2018 Nelia

Last week, Holt Renfrew hosted a chic soiree in Toronto to celebrate the new Vogue x Holt Renfrew Pop Up shop. Vogue’s West Coast Director Lisa Love and actress Kate Bosworth were in attendance to support the collab, and spent their time mingling with the stylish attendees and doing a little shopping too. As someone who used to love watching The Hills, meeting Lisa Love was a bit surreal, but she was perfectly lovely and warm in person. The pop up was curated by Vogue Fashion Director Virginia Smith and former Vogue Accessories Director Selby Drummond, focusing on three fall trends: Global, Bright, and Timeless, which resulted in a tightly-edited dream wardrobe, full of rich colours, eclectic patterns, and lush textures.

You can browse the pop up at Holt Renfrew Bloor Street, Calgary, and Vancouver, as well as online until October 28th. Happy Shopping!

More photos after the jump!
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What They Wore: Grey Goose Sunset Soiree Picnic

1 August, 2017 Nelia

I love picnics! I would picnic all the time in the summer, but I am way too lazy to put together a basket of provisions, blankets, utensils, drinks, and a million other things you need for an outdoorsy meal. Well, earlier this summer Grey Goose made my most exquisite picnic dreams come true and more!

The brand’s annual summer party was held at a Bridle Path mansion, its backyard set up with chic blue blankets and picnic baskets stuffed with a delicious meal prepared by Chef Justin Kent, along with an iced bucket of Grey Goose Rouge au Vin cocktail at the ready. With three lovely blanketmates, I enjoyed every moment of our picnic, sipping those refreshing cocktails, and devouring the incredible Poulet au Moutard, and other French-inspired nibbles.

After dinner, the guests spread around the grounds to enjoy the rest of the fun activations like a game of petanque, live music, a dove/goose balloon release, and Grey Goose Esspresso Martinis. There was even an artist on hand to sketch everyone’s stylish outfits! As afternoon stretched into late evening, the backyard was still abuzz with excitement – people dancing, mingling, and enjoying the free-flowing Grey Goose cocktails. And if that’s not a sign of a great summer party, then I don’t know what is.

If you’re planning on hosting your own al fresco soiree this summer, I highly recommend the Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz cocktail collection – these delicious concoctions will impress even the pickiest guest, and require only a few ingredients to whip up. I am also including Chef Kent’s recipe for Poulet au Moutard, because it was just too good not to recreate.

Happy picnicking!

More photos and recipes after the jump!
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What They Wore: Operanation 2014

22 October, 2014 Nelia

COC Operanation October 16th 2014- Tara Noelle-34

I’ll be honest with you, I am not a fan of galas. Don’t get me wrong, I do love to get dressed up once in a while, but when I have to go to a big gala event, where how you dress actually matters, I get anxious. Plus, I like to be in bed by 11pm (don’t judge!), and most galas just get going around that time. This is precisely why I’ve never gone to Operanation until this year. But after finding out that Yelle was going to perform, I pulled up my big girl pants and decided to go. And boy, was I a fool to have avoided it all these years!

First of all, Operanation was an amazing place to people-watch and witness some great fashion go down. I won’t go so far as to call it the Met Gala of Toronto fashion, but it’s pretty damn close. Most people stuck to the theme of the night, and lit up the room in neon gowns and accessories, sparkly beading, and pops of colour.

And then there was Yelle…Their performance was everything I hoped it would be and more – energetic, engaging, and SO MUCH FUN! I danced, tried to sing along (my French is very limited), and just watched Julie Budet (Lady Mary lookalike) do her thang. Oh, and members of the COC’s Ensemble Circle joined her for a few songs too. Best ever!

On top of the cool performance, and great people-watching, there were also limited-edition designer slap bracelets – coolest raffle entries possibly ever. One lucky girl walked away with a $10,000 shopping spree from The Room (!!!), while a few others snagged COC-sponsored prizes. There was also a churro bar, a photobooth, half-naked Calvin Klein models, hourly drag queen flash mob…in the immortal words of SNL’s Stefon Zelesky – Toronto’s hottest party of the year is Operanation and it has EVERYTHING!

Operanation 2014 (Tyler Rumi) 60 Operanation - Light Up The Night. Toronto, ON, Canada. October 17, 2014. (Image: Ryan Emberley)

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Nicholas Kirkwood and Sophia Webster Party at The Bay in Toronto!

22 October, 2013 Nelia

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The Bay is clearly ON FIRE this month! After hosting the lovely designer Sam Edelman two weeks ago, the magnificent department store welcomed not one, but two uber-talented British shoe designers at Toronto’s newly renovated “largest in Canada” shoe floor – Nicholas Kirkwood and Sophia Webster.

Having met Kirkwood a couple of years ago at the same location, I felt pretty lucky to get another chance to chat with this young and inspiring designer. He was just as approachable and easy to talk to as he was back in 2010, and as you can tell from that pic above, we are now BFFs for life! True story*. I also got to meet Sophia Webster, who used to be Kirkwood’s design assistant, and who has obviously learned a lot from her mentor – her shoes, just like his, are truly drool-worthy and must find their way to my wardrobe one of these days…soon.

Like most parties at The Room, this one was THE place to be if you’re into people-watching, what with stunning clothes, beautiful shoes, and notable attendees like Bonnie Brooks (in a pair of Kirkwood zig-zag shoes), Greta Constantine designers Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, Suzanne Rogers, Stacey Kimel, and Kim Tanenbaum, mingling with the guests of honor, who were both swarmed by an army of adoring fans for the majority of the night.

I know I’ve said this before, but if you still haven’t been to the gleaming new shoe floor at The Bay (Queen St and Yorkdale), then you are truly missing out. Even without designers in attendance, the shoe department is a sight to behold…and a place to find the most amazing shoes. My BFF Nicholas Kirkwood totally loved it and so will you.

*Not a true story

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More after the jump!

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Canadian Fashion Insiders’ Fall 2012 Must-Haves!

18 September, 2012 Nelia

fall-essentials-2012

A lot of you have emailed/tweeted asking about my must-have pieces for fall, and while my own wishlist is coming soon, I asked some of my favorite Canadian fashion insiders to share their fall picks with you! Read all about them below, and take note!