Archive for November, 2010

Brill Holiday List | Lisa

We decked the halls of  the Brill Brill early with our holiday preview in August; now that it’s actually time to start celebrating we’re making our lists and checking them twice. Each week we’ll share what we’re coveting and what we’re gifting. First up: Lisa.

What I’m gifting: Links of London has these gorgeous friendship bracelets that I know my sister/BFF will love. These hand woven, sterling silver bracelets are both sophisticated and sentimental and will suit her haute hippie vibe perfectly.

What I’m coveting: Hands down the Proenza Schouler PS1 bag is dominating my fashion daydreams – oh the possibilities! I love the structured appeal that is perfect for all my work essentials mixed with the whimsical colour palette. If Santa spoils me I would choose the teal, no the purple, no the tangerine…

What’s on your list? Tweet us.

Cheers,

The Brill Team

Fashion Bulletin: ECCO SS2011

Clouds. Sea. Sun. Everyday paradise. Get inspired with these videos from ECCO Shoes, shot on location in Denmark:

YouTube Preview Image YouTube Preview Image YouTube Preview Image YouTube Preview Image

Click here to view the SS2011 collections in our Flickr gallery.

Cheers,

The Brill Team

Fashion Bulletin: In My Bag | Jura

Meet Jura Landry, our “Québécoise expatriée” (whom we affectionately refer to as the token Frenchie). From Montreal to Toronto, Jura has been with Brill for three years and always adds a certain je-ne-sais-quoi. Her design background brings an inspired voice to the team. Take a peek inside her bag:

  • Sketchbook
  • iPhone
  • Lancome Juicy Tube lip gloss
  • Marni sunglasses
  • Moleskine diary
  • Bubblegum by Lolita Pille
  • Keys
  • Staedtler pigment liner pens

What are your must-haves? Tweet us.

Cheers,

The Brill Team

Holiday Sales Round-up

Cross everyone off your holiday shopping list in one fell swoop with our guide to seriously super sales happening this week. Shopping for yourself? We won’t tell.

(Click the links below for flyer with hours, location, and full details)

Josephson Opticians Annual Sale

On now until Sunday, November 28, 2010

Save up to 70% off eyewear.

–

Esprit Warehouse Sale

Wednesday, November 24 – Sunday November 28, 2010

Up to 80% off men’s and women’s clothing and accessories.

–

ECCO Shoes Holiday Warehouse Sale

Thursday, November 26 – Monday, November 29, 2010 and Friday, December 3 – Monday, December 6, 2010

10 Whitehall Rd. (off Rodick), Markham, ON

Weekdays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. + Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Up to 70% off

–

Lundstrom Warehouse Sale (all sizes)

Saturday November 27 - Sunday November 28, 2010

Coats from $55.00
Dresses from $25.00
Tops from $9.99
Pants & Skirts from $20.00
Blankets from $15.00

–

Happy shopping!

Cheers,

The Brill Team

Bruce Willis in DANIER

Check out Bruce Willis in the official poster for his latest film, RED. From IMDB:

When his idyllic life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, former black-ops agent Frank Moses reassembles his old team in a last ditch effort to survive.

In theatres now, the action/suspense flick also stars Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Mary-Louise Parker, and John Malkovich.

Bruce Willis in DANIER

Cheers,

The Brill Team

Esprit Reaches 3 Million ‘Bangs’

To celebrate the opening of the SOS Children’s Village Alibaug, India, a village completely financed by Esprit, the BIG BANG initiative was launched on October 26, 2010. A global campaign aimed at raising awareness of the charity project.

Alibaug, India

THE GOAL

To reach 3 million ‘bangs’ globally (online virtual drum via esprit.com/bigbang and in-store super drums at select Esprit stores across the world).

THE RESULT

With still two days to go, Esprit has exceeded its goal by over 1 million ‘bangs’ and will donate 500,000 Euros to the SOS Children’s Village Alibaug, India.

SOS Children’s Villages also supports vulnerable children and their families through family strengthening programs, which aim at ensuring access to essential services and provide health, educational, and psychosocial support.

Paris actress Aissa Maisa


BIG BANG Day in Paris

Kuala Lumpur actress Belinda Chee

BIG BANG Day in Kuala Lumpur

BIG BANG Day NYC | Whitney Port

Thanks to everyone who supported this cause in-store and online! Click here to visit our Flickr for more BIG BANG Day images.

Cheers,

The Brill Team

Brill About Town | Montreal | Denis Gagnon, un couturier au Musee!

Quand je suis de passage à Montréal, ce qui est arrivé très souvent dernièrement, je suis toujours curieuse de voir quelle exposition me réserve le Musée des Beaux-Arts. J’ai adoré Le Verre Selon Tiffany (au printemps 2010), j’ai manqué We Want Miles (cet été), et je viens de voir Denis Gagnon, un couturier au Musée.

Ayant moi-même une formation en design de mode, une telle exposition me fait grand plaisir puisqu’elle reconnaît le design de mode en tant que forme d’art. Bien sûr, cette expo n’est pas la première en son genre (Yves Saint-Laurent, présentée en 2008, présentait les styles du créateur légendaire), mais cette fois-ci, le Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal célèbre un des siens. Denis Gagnon est le premier designer québécois à exposer ses créations au Musée, plus précisément dans le Carré d’Art Contemporain du MBAM.

Dans l’installation conçue par l’architecte Gilles Saucier sont suspendus une vingtaine de mannequins blancs, portant chacun une création Denis Gagnon. On peut donc admirer de près les pièces du créateur, qui sait travailler la matière comme nul autre. Les robes à franges de sa dernière collection n’en sont qu’un exemple! Sans parler du cuir qu’il manipule de façon unique, des nouades et des fermetures éclair torsadées qui ont fait sensation en 2010.

L’exposition est une occasion unique pour tout le monde de découvrir et d’apprécier le travail de Denis Gagnon. On peut s’attarder plus longtemps devant les pièces que l’on ne verrait que quelques secondes lors d’un défilé de mode, et tout le monde y a accès, contrairement aux défilés réservés journalistes et aux initiés de la mode.

Denis Gagnon, un couturier au Musée est présentée au Carré d’Art Contemporain du Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal jusqu’au 13 février 2011. L’entrée est gratuite – allez-y!

À la prochaine!

Jura, de l’équipe Brill

Fashion Bulletin: That 70s Appeal

ECCO’s coming up daisies. Earlier we posted retro ads from heritage beauty brand, Yardley of London for a wink to the 60s. With all of the inspiration 70s inspiration we saw on the runways for SS2011 we thought we’d share an ECCO ad from the archives – 1974! Can you dig these wooden clogs?

Cheers,

The Brill Team

How We’re Using Social Media: Part One

Social media is the name of the game and Seth Godin said it best:

“How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of our generation?” – Seth Godin (bestselling author, entrepreneur, and agent of change)

As a PR and communications agency that works in the notoriously fickle industries of fashion and beauty, we’re used to change. In fact, we thrive on it. Social media is an important ingredient in the Brill mix. Here’s how we’re using it to strengthen our team and our clients:

Twitter (AKA microblogging) is great vehicle for us to communicate with editors, writer, bloggers, fellow PRs, PR students, and customers to share both agency and client news and beyond.

Funny story: When the #NewTwitter rolled out, I was the last to get it which caused for some feathers to fly (mostly my own). I like the new Twitter for its timeline refresher and its one page media viewing but the limited hourly API usage has me looking to Hootsuite (#poweruser). Tip: click here for #NewTwitter shortcuts.

ON THE GO

The (new)age old question: Blackberry or iPhone? We’re half and half. For BB we like the standard Twitter for Blackberry - it’s clean and easy to use. For iPhone we fancy echofon for it’s slick interface and seamless management of multiple accounts.

Flickr is really a dream for sending massive high-res images to editors. It allows us to easily link to look book images and runway shots – and bonus: it’s searchable and public. Flickr stats (must have a PRO account) make the process smart and measurable and can be checked at any time.

Facebook is really everyone’s friend. We keep ‘fans’ up-to-date and share relevant media hits, news, and industry buzz.

*New and Notable*

This week I’m testing out SocialScope (thank you to Anita for the invite) which should allow me to experience Twitter and Facebook in one mobile app. Synergy is the keyword here. Click here to request an invite.

As for daily browsing I’m a big fan of Google Chrome. It has downloadable extensions which are little tools to increase ease of use and productivity. New on the scene is RockMelt (currently in beta testing) – it was designed for the social media savvy to streamline by housing your accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Gmail, Foursquare, etc…) into one window (noticing a trend here?).

The good news for Chrome users is the interface was built on Chromium so extensions will be supported. Thanks to Breanna for the invite. Click here to request yours.

This is really just an intro of the tools we’re using on a daily basis. Stay tuned for our favourite social media reads and resources in part two.

Cheers,

Ashley, the Brill social media gal

Fashion Bulletin: In My Bag | Sherrill

Meet Sherrill McCormick; she’s been on the Brill team for three and a half years. Whether she’s wrangling cameras backstage or prepping our clients for on-air appearances, she’s really got her finger on the pulse of PR. Our resident sweet tooth, Sherrill can always be counted on to bring her A-game and a smile. Check out her everyday essentials:

  • Bag: Michael Kors
  • Notebook
  • Blackberry
  • Sharpie
  • Pen
  • Maynards candy
  • Esprit umbrella
  • Oliver Goldsmith sunnies from Josephson Opticians

What are your must-haves? Tweet us.

Cheers,

The Brill Team