Did you miss our West Queen West POP UP- Shop? Well then, we welcome you to visit us at our studio for our Design Lab: Drink + Think on February 23rd. Located at 116 Geary Street. Just west of Dovercourt, north of Dupont.

Here at CBE we’re all about fostering Creativity [and having fun in the process.] We welcome all CBE fans and friends to join us for casual drinks, chitchat, and even participate in our blank canvas process. All attendees are welcome to draw and create anything they wish on the canvas. This will be fun.

In addition to the Design Lab, we are also showcasing past experimental projects, other samples and seconds. Plus get a sneak peak of what’s to come. We’re showcasing more crafted goods from CBE. All made in Toronto.

DETAILS:

Design Lab opens at 6:45pm, Feburary 23rd.

Admission: $25 -) Drink and Hoody included (From our selection of samples and seconds. On a first-come-first pick basis. Limited sizes and quantities. So come by early for first picks. One per person.)

Once you secured a sample of your choice, well take care of it till you’re ready to head out. So, come by and visit. Meet the team behind CBE and the rest of our friends too.

You can purchase tickets online in advance to ensure entry, drink & hoody, but you’ll still need to come early for first-come-first-pick: http://cbeshop.myshopify.com/collections/cbe-event/products/design-lab-drink-think

www.clothingbrandexperiment.com

So we’re officially into 2012; before we move forward lets take a recap of all the wonderful events of 2011.

Yes! We’re finally closed for those who don’t know. It was a successful experiment that we set up. Thanks everyone that came by. Even local publication, TheGrid, took notice. Naming our store product the Cream of the Crop.

Another highlight of 2011 was the Winter One of a Kind Show . If you’ve yet to attend we highly recommend it. Here’s a our video that we did with MyCityLives (Sign-Up Today), we’re giving the inside view for all you virgin show goers and lovers of all things one-of-a-kind. Click the image or watch here.

***To those who helped us gain new Likes on our Facebook page thanks again. We’re still looking to reach our goal of 1000 Likes. In addition, we’re here to announce the Give-A-Way Prizes! Winners are soon to follow.

3rd place draw : Any CBE Tee.

2nd place draw: Full Fleck Sweat Suit.

1st place draw: Full Swag! Hoodie of choice from the Primary 11/12 Line, Fleck Sweat Plants, and any CBE Tee.

So now that it’s officially 2012, what are we up to?  - To say it best, we’re back in the lab again, experimenting with new things. Stay tuned for more updates. 2012 is going to be crazy.

Baby, it’s cold outside. So get yourself a Caninja. That’s right, a CA-NINJA: a hooded-scarf-hat created by Adrienne Butikofer. First invented back in 2003, this lovechild of fashion and warmth is fashioned out of unique sweaters, making every Caninja design an original, no copy cats here folks.  These are perfect for the avid biker, protecting your face and head from the elements in a stylish and functional way. Wearing a Caninja makes you a seriously cool “climate fighter”.

Originally from Winnipeg , Butikofer recognizes that dressing appropriately for Canadian winter is important but doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. While growing up in the prairies Adrienne became interested in the ways of the pioneers, inspired by their self-sufficiency she became entranced in the process of creating her own clothing. She then continued her passion for clothing creation at Fanshawe College in Fashion Design, starting Butikofer, a women’s wear clothing line, soon after graduation.

Inspired by the process and technical aspect of her craft, she loves having the ability to take a 3 dimensional idea and translate it into a producible 2 dimensional flat pattern. Adrienne does admit to disliking the fact that she has to shave down many of the sweaters she uses for Caninjas so that the patters are more visible, but the result is outstanding. The mathematics behind the pattern of a Caninja are no easy feet either.

Over the past few years Adrienne has taken a step out of the lime-light to mother her two beautiful young daughters. Even while chasing around a busy 2.5 year old and a 10 month old, inspiration is never far away, finding new ideas in everything from her collection of vintage new craft and sewing textbooks to glimpses of everyday life.  Adrienne is a self-described “piñata of ideas” always brimming with creative juices for new designs and products. 

Butikofer is now focusing her energy on product design rather than designing full collections. Her line of Skinny Sweats are fabulous and this CBE staff member can hardly wait to see what she will come up with next!

The Pop-Up Shop has many cool Caninjas to choose from, so don’t suffer in the cold any longer, come on it and try one of these bad-boys on!

If you’ve been to the POP-UP SHOP recently you will have undoubtedly noticed many little monster eyes staring at you from our window. Do not be alarmed by this pint-sized army of red hooded Colins, they mean you no harm, they’re just curious. Coming up THIS Saturday December 10th from 1pm to 3pm, we are giving monster fans the opportunity of a lifetime, to learn to stuff your very own Colin! You will be instructed by the Monster Factory staff on how to stuff Colin, giving him the gift of life. So try something different this Saturday while you’re out and about looking for that one of a kind present.

Although Colin is certainly CBE’s #1 monster of choice, he is sporting a wicket red hoody after all, there are loads of other monsters looking for a home this holiday season. Take a look on the Monster Factory website or come by the shop to meet a few of them in person.

If you haven’t already heard, the Toronto One of a Kind Show is the place to be this weekend! Come by and shop the wares of the 800 talented artists and designers from all across Canada. We know some of you last minute shoppers may guffaw at the thought of starting your holiday buying before December 24th, but this is a great way to support Canadian designers and artists, as well as get a jump-start on your shopping. Most importantly, CBE and many of the designers of the Pop-up Shop are stationed at the One of a Kind Show. Come by booth E-38 and be prepared to rub shoulders with CBE founder, Elly Green. She’ll likely convince you to try on a hoody, don’t try to resist, you know you want to feel that plush hoody softness against your skin. The show ends on December 4th, so run down to the Direct Energy Center and get your hoody-on.

For more One of a Kind info: http://www.oneofakindshow.com/toronto/

CBE Booth E-38:

SLO is in love with sewing. Sarah Lynn Ottewell (SLO) started her business 6 years ago, creating the warmest of mittens from recycled sweaters. Not only does SLO make brilliant mittens, but also breathes new life into scrap materials by transforming them into cuddly animal ornaments. SLO has dreamed up everything from a cheeky blue octopi to multicoloured kittens and bunnies. Every one of SLO’s creations is original, the patterns and colour combinations are extremely individual.

With winter peaking its head around the corner, your little (or big) paws are sure to need some extra TLC, so treat them to a pair of these cozy mittens. And don’t forget about SLO’s animal ornaments, their little button eyes are sure to melt your heart. Available at CBE’s Pop-Up Shop or from SLO’s etsy shop .

Having fallen in love with the versatility of screen printing in her second year at OCAD university, Geneviève Jodouin has taken this medium by storm. She tests the boundaries of screen printing by printing on: paper, t-shirts, wood, leather, and walls. The prints can be 30 feet long or 3 inches wide and allowing Geneviève the freedom to make art to exhibit in galleries, or cards and brooches to sell in boutiques and at craft fairs. Importantly, Geneviève loves to share her craft with others by teaching a screen printing class at Open Studio (401 Richmond Street West) where she has printed her own work since winning a scholarship with the studio a few years back.

You can often find Geneviève at local music shows, getting inspiration from the bands’ live performances. The energy put into the shows really stirs up Geneviève’s creative juices. Geneviève also loves vintage wallpaper, letter pressed cards, William Morris; pretty much anything with beautiful floral patterns makes her want to print! We have some romantic patterned broaches and whimsical cards by Geneviève Jodouin for purchase at CBE’s Pop-Up Shop or take a look at the awesome prints on her website here.

Inspired by our cold Canadian winters, Julie Sinden Handmade products are for those of us who like to slow down, grab a cup of coffee, and go for winter walks. Created from 100% merino wool these lovely items are made wool that has been boiled and pre-shrunk to be made extra durable and warm. Julie learnt her craft from a fellow student while attending the Kootenay School of the Arts in BC, a unique school which provides artists and craftsmen with the opportunity to expand creatively while surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery. Part of the beauty of these handmade hats is that they cannot be rushed, the process is long, but undoubtedly worthwhile. Here at the CBE Pop-Up Shop we are providing Torontonians a chance to look chic this winter by donning a fur, button, or skull cap by Julie Sinden Handmade. Be sure to take a peak at Julie’s website HERE.

So stop by the shop and try on one of this beautiful chapeaus, you’re sure to fall in love (as this writer already has).

May28th is a one-of-a-kind creator of colourful and unique watches, made right here in Toronto. In February 2010, Agni Tilla started up May28th, drawing inspiration from patterns, textures and colours that are present in everyday life. Each watch-face is covered by a dynamic print, along with a solid coloured watchband. The patterns that are created for May28th watches are derived from “shapes and textures of the natural world and weaves and knits of textiles”. Agni is a self-taught horologist (which is a darn sweet term for a professional watchmaker), and chose to pass on her tricks of the trade to Canadian designer Gillian Johnson as the business flourished. Based in Toronto, Kuala Lumpur and Riga it seems that the sky is the limit for this in-demand and ever expanding company. With a world-wide customer-base, May28th watches are available in stores from Germany to Hong Kong, you can count on seeing these watches on the wrists of many. Browse the loads of amazing May28th designs HERE at their website.

CBE is ecstatic to be able to offer Torontonians the bold and graphic designs of May28th, so come by the Pop-Up Shop and try one of these babies on.

creAAAtive was started by a local OCAD University student. Alysha loves designing and doing hands-on work with metals and minerals; turning them into unique, creative, one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art. Her inspiration stems from places that have intrigued her in her travels; connections with special people that have touched her life and heart, and things that have caught her eye, in nature and the world in which we live. Coming from a background in Graphic Design her work is expressed in clean simple lines, enhanced with organic details and texture.

She creates bold pieces that resonate with the wearer, and elicit a sense of confidence, comfort and charm. Make sure to check out her stuff at the Toronto Made CBE Pop-Up Shop or on her website here.