Oh my cherished boot collection how I love you so! There is nothing that can cure the ‘boo hoo winter is coming’ blues like unpacking pair after pair of suede, leather, short, long, flat and heeled boots. The only icy chill? Seeing the damage last year’s winter has reeked on my cherished gems. Salt stains, worn out heels, scuffed up toes. No wardrobe item should suffer such abuse! So before it really gets nasty out there, prep your boots and have them ready to fight the worst of the season.

Essentially, caring for your boots is a dirty and tedious job that I would say is best left to the professionals. Normally I am a total do-it-yourselfer, but the “How to List” for caring for leather and suede boots is a mile long and involves a long and arduous process that would take away from valuable fashion time (i.e. shopping, organizing your wardrobe, reading fashion magazines…) I have created my own condensed version that will help you protect your boots and your manicure!

1) Unpack boots from seasonal storage.
2) Wipe off boots with soft cloth.
3) Assess boots for damage. Check soles, heels and toes.
4) Take boots to shoemaker! Have them weatherproofed. Have broken heels fixed and thinned soles replaced.
5) Maintain boots for remainder of season. Here’s how:
a. Leather: Remove dirt or salt as it happens. When necessary use a half water half vinegar solution. Apply with a soft cloth. When dry, reapply leather protector spray.
b. Suede: Use a nylon bristle brush for suede boots to remove salt or other stains. The vinegar/water solution will also work on suede for removing tough salt streaks.
c. Pleather: Although I am not a great fan of this synthetic ‘faux leather’, it has sadly become the ‘norm’ in franchise footwear. Apparently a great product for cleaning this imposter is saddle soap (available in the shoe care aisle). It contains lanolin which helps to moisturize.
6) Make sure to protect them. Pick up a few good sprays and use throughout the season.

There is no greater fashion faux pas than dirty un-kept boots. Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration (which anyone who knows me knows I’m prone to) but salt stained, off kilter dirty boots are an absolute NO-NO! Make sure to leave room in your budget for boot maintenance. It’s worth the investment!

All of the HUSH girls made it out to Ottawa Fashion Week and loved it! The organizers pulled out all the stops this year! There was a great line-up of designers, the venue was absolutely stunning and the clothes were to die for! It was enough to help us day dream through the winter in anticipation of all the gorgeous spring trends that await us! Some of our favourite parts of the weekend include getting amazing front row seats, watching the Kania models and designer, Stacey Martin, not only strutting but dancing down the catwalk and finally having the chance to meet some of the amazing designers backstage! We are feeling a little sad that all of the excitement is over so we would love it if you come by HUSH and chat with us about your favourite parts, clothes and designers!


Oh yes, and we want to mention that the Rachel Sin Sample Sale has been extended until this Friday. All Rachel Sin dresses and skirts are 50-60% off so make sure you come and get them while they are still here! Check our her collection at Rachelsin.com

OFW 2010

The countdown is finally over. The day we've all been waiting for has finally arrived - tonight is the first night of Ottawa Fashion Week. At first we were worried that because there are so many amazing designers this year that it would be difficult to choose which ones to go see, but that all changed once we realized that for only $40 we could see every show all weekend long!! What is even more exciting this year is that day and weekend passes also grant access to the collections of the National Gallery, so you can browse in between shows. Since Alison is head stylist this year (did we mention how proud and excited we are for her!?), we've managed to get some sneak peeks at some of the new collections that will be shown this weekend. We don't want to give anything away but be prepared to be wowed! From the amazing tailoring of Trive ('ahem' male models), to the inventiveness and playfulness of Sugarbum Couture's dresses, to the wild designs of Adrian Wu on Sunday, we are sure that Ottawa Fashion Week 2010 will provide lots of excitement and quite the spectacular show! HUSH is sponsoring the event so you can be assured that the HUSH girls will be around all weekend long. Don't be shy, make sure you come see us! Tickets can be purchased at The LOFT (380 Elgin St.) and Le SPA (429 MacLaren St.) To buy tickets online visit http://www.ottawafashionweek.ca/

RACHEL SIN SAMPLE SALE!!

We've already fallen in love with Rachel Sin's line and by the end of this weekend we're hoping you'll feel the same way! Saturday is truly Rachel Sin day at HUSH. We are starting the day with a Rachel Sin sample sale at 10am and you are all invited! Yes you heard correctly, a SAMPLE SALE!! Rachel will be bringing in pieces of her past collections so that it will be a snap for you to find the perfect dress for your Christmas party, New Years, Girls Night Out, whatever the occasion may be. Who knows maybe there will even be a sneak peak of her new collection! Rachel Sin will be in store with us that morning. At 11 and 11:30am, her and Alison will be giving a Styling Workshop. They will explain how to dress for different occasions with dress codes like formal or cocktail. With gala season beginning this is the perfect time advice from the pros and maybe even find the dress you've been looking for!

Make sure you come early because Rachel and the Samples will only be around until noon! The day continues at Ottawa Fashion Week that night, where Rachel Sin will be showcasing her new 2011 Spring line at 9pm. Make sure you buy your tickets soon, as she is sure to be a favourite!!Check out Alison on Rogers Daytime last Friday talking about Ottawa Fashion Week and showing off some of Rachel Sin's gorgeous gowns!

Check out Rachel Sin and HUSH on Rogers for a sneak peak!

http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=4&sid=68&gid=72631

You may recognize Jessica Biffi from the second season of Project Runway Canada, but that was just a jumping off point for this talented designer. We are all very excited to have Jessica Biffi back at Ottawa Fashion Week this year! Her collections never fail to disappoint with bright colours and a slight flair for the dramatic! She is a force to be noticed, and has a new and innovative perspective.

Clean lines, eye catching details and fit are key elements of the Jessica Biffi Brand. Interesting mixes of fabrics bring an unexpected touch to structure and body conscience pieces. Sex appeal and confidence merge in quality materials and craftsmanship.


Jessica Biffi will be the grand finale show for Ottawa Fashion Week, so make sure you come check out her show this Sunday at 9pm!

We can’t believe that Ottawa Fashion Week is already less than a week away!!! Given this years gorgeous venue and amazing designers we expect it to be bigger and better than before! This year HUSH is sponsoring and our very own Alison Hughes has been asked to be Head Stylist for the event. We are starting our countdown and getting giddy with excitement!! If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, day passes are $30 and weekend passes are only $40! Also don’t forget that if you buy your tickets before October 27th, you will automatically be entered to win 1 of 3 fabulous grand prizes. So don’t delay!

Yesterday all of the Fashion Week models were fitted to get ready for the show. It was a long busy day and now that its all over it got us thinking, what are we going to wear? Black always seems like the obvious choice but there are so many gorgeous colours this season that it seems like its time to add some pops of colour to our black New Yorker imitation outfits. Blues, reds, purples and even the more neutral camel that’s been so hot this fall, can all add interesting details. Add a bright red purse or scarf to your LBD to spice it up. This is also the perfect opportunity to whip out those hot shoes you bought on a whim but have had nowhere to wear! We can’t wait to get our weekend passes, pick out some Carrie Bradshaw inspired Fashion Show worthy outfits and strut our stuff all weekend long!! Hope to see all of you there!

For more information about the event, the designers, the schedule and tickets go to www.ottawafashionweek.ca

Designer Spotlight: Rachel Sin

For those who aren't yet familiar with Rachel Sin, prepare to fall in love!! Rachel currently is a practicing Intern Architect in Ottawa and uses the fashion industry as another channel for creative release. If architecture must always be functional, then fashion should always be wearable. Rachel creates a ready-to-wear line that makes a maximum impact and impression at any special occasion. Refined and sculpted to the form of the female body, with architectural lines that are strong, yet feminine and always at ease with effortless function. Just one of the many things we love about Rachel is that she designs for the independent, want-to-do-it-all woman whose wardrobe is an extension of her confidence, originality and personal style. Since we carry Rachel Sin’s line in store, we at HUSH know from experience that it is an amazing combination of great tailoring for a perfect fit, fabulous fabrics and original designs!




Make sure you tune in tomorrow morning at 11am, to see Rachel and Ali on Rogers Daytime. Then don’t forget to come check out her sample sale at HUSH on Saturday October 30th at 10am, followed by a meet the designer and Holiday Styling Workshop at 11am.

Ottawa Fashion Week, We're So Excited!!

When I mention the upcoming Ottawa Fashion Week event, I get one of two polarized answers:
1 - Ottawa Fashion Week? I didn't even know we had one! or
2 - I know! So exciting! (Undoubtedly the one I prefer)

Ottawa, although the nation's capital, it is by no means famous for being a fashion capital. When we think fashion we think Paris, Rome, London and New York. Well, slowly but surely Ottawa is making its way on to the map.

In the past few years it seems that 'fashion' has become very de rigeur and many variations of 'fashion week' have come and gone. Ottawa Fashion Week (OFW) has endured however, and this upcoming fall showing promises a good one!

The new venue - the National Art Gallery steps things up a level. With such a magnificent back drop of glass, all of the models and the clothing are guaranteed to shine brighter than years past. The reformatted schedule (3 nights vs 4 October 29, 20 and 31) means a tougher qualification process and more competition to get a spot in the line up. Not to despair, the schedule is a great mix of local and national talent. Many new designers have signed on including Label, Elroy Designs, and Moda Suite. Better yet, some of our favourites are back to wow us again. I am seriously looking forward to Kania, Rachel Sin and Jessica Biffffffyyyyyyyyyyy!

For more information check out the website: ottawafashionweek.ca, or stay tuned. And stay tuned as we promise to bring you all the latest updates!