From the moment Erica and I spotted sparrow-printed Miu Miu Mary-Janes, we knew we had to ask RACHEL-NAPHTALI TOSCANO to be this week’s Girl of the Week. I also loved her scalloped shorts and layers of pearls casually strewn about her outfit. Rachel has worked for Aritzia for the past 5 years (wow!) and says that (sometimes) she lives for clothing (I bet we can all relate to that!). For the past 2 years she has made the New Year’s resolution to always wear heels (a girl after my own heart) since she is only five feet tall. A girl with an adventurous spirit who loves to travel, ladies, meet Rachel.

Wearing…Wilfred free tank, vintage vest, pearls from my friend’s jewelry box, SEE BY CHLOE shorts, Marni clutch and Miu Miu Mary-Janes.

My personal style is…undefined, everyday is fresh and I wake-up a blank canvas. I let my mood inspire me as I stare blankly at my closet. Everyday is new and I am new to everyday.

Current wish list…Too long to write, I currently am divided between enjoying summer fashion while coveting the chunky knits, fur, drapey pants, tweed, boots, and all the lovelies that come with fall. I am also currently obsessed with pondering over the J. Crew fall/winter lookbook!

Favourite accessory…My watch. It’s an old man watch and I feel incomplete without it on my arm.

Go-to Look…My Ksubi’s spray on jeans, a baggy sheer t-shirt, my motorcycle jacket and wicked shoes…never fails!!

Footwear of choice…Heels of course… platform clogs, peep-toes, nude pumps, mary-janes, wedges…anything high is my weapon of choice.

Three items in my bag…iPhone, camera and lipgloss.

Favourite local hot spots…I’m from Calgary, Local 510, The Ship & Anchor and Beatniq.

Most recent purchase…The most amazing pair of Wilfred silk pants from Aritzia in the colour soleil which is breathtaking!

Summer essentials…The loosest fitting smock to beat the heat, my dream catcher necklace by Neverevercrywolf, and my camera.

Can’t live without…My puppy Zooey, inspiration, and an amazing playlist to tie it all together.

Nicole Soon, The Style Spy
nicole@thestylespy.com

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Girl of the Week COURTNEY ARCHER is just one of the fashionable and gorgeous gals we spotted at the Aritzia Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Show. We knew we had to photograph Courtney when we started discussing her outfit and whether we could wear something like that to work (the consensus was no, but maybe with leggings - but nonetheless, the outfit looked amazing). It was no surprise when we found out that Courtney has most recently been working as a stylist for music videos. Meet Courtney.

Wearing…A silk Wilfred button up dress with a skinny Wilfred belt. The feather earrings are just from a little stand on the street. The shoes are patent leather pumps I’ve had in my closet for a while. And the chunky beaded ring is from Barefoot Contessa on Main Street.

Most memorable fashion purchase…Tough call, but I guess I would have to say my Mackage black leather jacket. Or my Marc Jacobs hobo bag - I had been dreaming about it for a while and finally took the plunge!

Wish list…Fidelity military style pants, LnA deep crew neck zipper shirt (where do you find them in Vancouver?) and hot pink Hunter Boots (fall is approaching).

Wardrobe staples…My style is all over the place, it depends on my mood. I wear a lot of flirty, feminine pieces. I’m big into dresses, rompers and flowy tops. But on the other side, when the weather isn’t so hot, I wear my Mackage leather jacket all the time. I couldn’t live without my jeggings, leather leggings and my Steve Madden riding boots. And boots, boots, boots for sure in fall/winter.

Every girl should have…Jeggings, a leather jacket or a good mini-skirt.

Fave places to shop…Aritzia, Holt Renfrew, Urban Outfitters, Hills in Kerrisdale. Best cities to shop in - New York, London and Melbourne. And fave online stores - singer22, ASOS and Shopbop.

Beauty must-haves…Mascara, hot pink blush and lipgloss.

Signature scent…Sud Pacifique Vanilla Coco from Sephora. It’s amazing. Chocolate Praline Sephora body butter (you can only find in Europe) and Philosphy Flirty Girl.

Never leave the house without…my Blackberry and lipgloss.

Drink of choice…Wine, caesars and tea!

Erica Lam, The Style Spy
erica@thestylespy.com

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I’ve known of ALICIA QUAN through her blog and Twitter for a few months now. Just recently she completed an amazing feat called the “30 for 30 challenge” where she picked 30 items of clothing from her wardrobe and had to create new outfits/looks from those 30 pieces for 30 days (something I probably couldn’t do). When she’s not blogging or tweeting, she is the Online Marketing Specialist for Plum’s Design Department. She also teaches preschoolers how to dance (how sweet is that?). Ladies, meet Alicia.

Wearing…Aritzia tank top, Kersh cardigan, H&M skirt and bracelets, Joe Fresh sandals, and Marc by Marc Jacobs watch

My personal style is…Romantic girlie meets silly fun and joins forces with classic chic.

Most-enduring piece…A bubble gum pink Marc Jacobs envelope clutch that was my first designer handbag purchase.

Favourite accessory…I have a necklace from London that says Hello? with a little rotary telephone below. It’s a great conversation piece and it’s special to me because it’s from my trip to the UK.

Wardrobe staples…I have a closet full of dresses and they are such a staple in the summer heat.

Next purchase…My shopping ban finished this week, so I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time! I’ve decided that I want to invest in a fabulous pair of boots this fall and a unique winter coat…the Vancouver essentials!

Beauty routine…I’ve always been very simple when it comes to any sort of beauty routine, and by simple I mean that I don’t really have one. My nana stressed the importance of moisturizing your face every morning and night though, so I do make sure that I do that!

One thing every girl should have…Confidence. No matter what you’re wearing, if you don’t have the confidence to back it up then it’s never going to work!

Go-to Look…I’m obsessed with the high waist in everything from pants to skirts.

Worn-out items…My boyfriend blazers and Mavi Serena Denim Leggings are going to need a break soon, I wear them way too often!

Three items in my bag…My camera, iPod, and agenda! I couldn’t possibly survive without them.

Guilty pleasure…Right now it’s watching MTV’s Teen Mom. I don’t usually get sucked into “reality tv” but I’m super hooked!

Nicole Soon, The Style Spy
nicole@thestylespy.com

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You might run into Girl of the Week GRACE ALTOBAR at Front & Company - she works in the consignment department - hello, first dibs! A recent fashion school graduate, Grace would love to pursue a career in fashion merchandising - in the meantime, over the next few months, she hopes to discover all the hidden fashion gems in Vancouver (suggestions people?). Meet the lovely Grace…

Wearing…3.1 Phillip Lim pink polka dotted dress, vintage leather belt, Spring cognac cutout open-toe shoes and Forever21 bracelet.

My style is…All over the place - I like to switch it up depending on what’s going on with the fashion world. I follow trends a lot and I try to keep up with it..I also find myself mix and matching everything from designer pieces with vintage and with “cheap mall-brandy” names, and I try to make all three elements look expensive.

Hair tricks…I like to keep that as a secret. I do however use John Frieda Frizz-Ease Take Charge Curl-Boosting Mousse and Garnier Fructis hairspray. A curling iron, and 25mm rollers depending on how I want my curls to look.

Wish list…This oversized gold runway watch by Michael Kors that’s been on my wish list since Christmas. Asymmetrical Cropped Pullover by Alexander Wang and Jeffrey Campbell Lita boots.

Best find ever at Front…This AMAZING Gianni Versace thigh-high boots that I bought from my employers consignment two years ago. It was in mint condition considering the fact that she bought it back in the late 80’s - it was well loved.

Fave piece in your closet…I have this 1940’s inspired dress that my dad brought back from the Philippines a few months ago that always get me smiling everytime I look in my closet. And all the designer pieces I have in my closet.

Fave places to shop…I’m a Main Street girl and I literally live 2 blocks away from the trendiest local boutique shops. The largest consignment store on Main, Front & Company is definitely on top of my favorite places to shop, there is always something new everyday. I also love walking down to Temple of the Modern Girl, and F as in Frank - I never leave that place empty handed. I shop just about everywhere! You can find me shopping at the mall, at vintage shops in Gastown and West 4th and to outlets stores all the way in Seattle.

Three essentials in your purse…Waterproof mascara & eyelash curler, my debit card, and 1.5 oz Johnson’s baby powder that does wonders for me at this time of year. I’m currently using this mustard leather hobo bag by Cole Haan.

Drink of choice…Red wine and hot chocolate from The Grind.

Can’t live without…Lip Smacker lip balm - my day is ruined without it! Arts and fashion IS my life.

Erica Lam, The Style Spy
erica@thestylespy.com

Photo by Nicole Soon

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