Natasha Koifman

Black Is The New Black – RUDSAK Fashion All Summer Long

Posted on May 13, 2015 by caitlin

Here at NKPR, it’s no secret that we love fashion…especially anything that comes in black! From red carpet events to dinners on the town, black is our ultimate go-to. After all, Neiman Marcus did say: “Women who wear black lead colourful lives.”

One of our favourite Canadian fashion brands, RUDSAK, is best known for their signature “all black everything” style offering trendy pieces that can be worn all year long.

When it comes to black, there’s a fine line between boring basic and sophisticated chic…the secret is in the details. So if you’re wondering, “How do I make black work in a season full of pretty pastels and feminine florals?” don’t fret – RUDSAK has everything you need to embrace your own cool-rebel spirit.

Women’s Fashion

A classic leather jacket is a seasonal staple. Throw this RUDSAK ELSA on over your skinny jeans for instant rockstar vibe or make an edgy statement by wearing it with this season’s popular boho trend.

The three most important letters in any fashionista’s vocabulary: LBD (Little Black Dress). RUDSAK’s OPHIRA dress has put an end to the eternal fashion scavenger hunt; this form-flattering jersey dress will take you from the office to dinner to dancing and beyond!

Our favourite trend right now: combining sheer and lace! The RUDSAK OBELIA skirt is the perfect choice for evening weddings or as a versatile transition piece from day-to-night. Pair with a bright top or a silk cami for a rebel ballerina look (Step aside Black Swan!).

Men’s Fashion

Summer can mean unpredictable weather (looking at you mysterious rainclouds!). The RUDSAK TRAVIS is a Letterman-style bomber jacket with RUDSAK’s signature leather touch. The full sleeves made with genuine sheep leather ensure you’ll be set for all weather conditions and social events.

Who doesn’t love a combination of classic and casual? The RUDSAK KINGSTON button down with lamb leather sleeves is a man’s best friend for spontaneous summer adventures. Easily dress this piece up with a dinner jacket or keep it casual with dark denim for all those budding social events on your calendar.

What’s your favourite way to wear black in the summer? Tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!

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Scotiabank Photography Award Winner: Angela Grauerholz

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Ashton

“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.” ― Ansel Adams

Earlier this week, Scotiabank named Angela Grauerholz as the winner of the 5th annual Scotiabank Photography Award.

As the largest annual peer-nominated and peer-reviewed celebration of excellence in Canadian contemporary photography, the Scotiabank Photography Award includes a $50,000 cash prize, a solo Primary Exhibition at the Ryerson Image Centre during the 2016 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, and a book of the winner’s work to be published and distributed worldwide by renowned art book publisher, Gerhard Steidl.

Angela Grauerholz is known for work that feels as if it were plucked from a dream, with a uniquely personal and philosophical insight that brings an unparalleled depth and presence to her photographs.

Some of Angela’s incredible work…

NKPR is honoured to work with the Scotiabank Photography Award celebrating amazing contemporary Canadian photography and we look forward to seeing Angela’s exhibition next year!

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Support Save Our Scruff at PYA Importer’s Sample Sale: May 7-9

Posted on May 6, 2015 by caitlin

Although it’s really no surprise to anyone…here at NKPR, we’re all about the puppy love! Few things warm our hearts more than a fluffy, cuddly kiss from a puppy (and that “new puppy” smell – don’t even get us started!). This weekend, we’re shopping an amazing cause in support of our favourite furry friends.

From May 7-9, PYA Importer (famous for brands like LINE Knitwear, John and Jenn, and Patrick Assaraf) is hosting a Sample Sale with a percentage of proceeds donated to Save Our Scruff – an incredible Rehome & Rescue dog shelter. Not only will you find all your fashion must-haves at amazing prices, you’ll leave knowing you helped find a puppy a brand new home!

How you can support Save Our Scruff:

1) Post a photo showing puppy love on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter

2) Tag @saveourscruff and #PYALovesPups

3) PYA Importer will donate funds for each post

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Free People: Festival Fashion

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Ashton

We’re getting into the Coachella spirit this weekend! Some of our favourite festival-inspired fashions from Free People Canada…

What’s your favourite festival-inspired look? Tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!

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Inside NKPR: All About the Art!

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Ashton

Springtime inside NKPR is all about the art!

Kicking off the art season next week, we wait (not so patiently) for the second instalment of the Love Art Fair; a simple yet inspiring environment for high-quality contemporary art.

Following the Fair, we’ll have the inside scoop on the upcoming announcement of the winner of the Scotiabank Photography Award, plus the highly anticipated CONTACT Photography Festival!

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned vet, this year you’re sure to find inspiration for that piece you’ve been searching for!

Here are some highlights from the upcoming Love Art Fair, Scotiabank Photography Award and the CONTACT Photography Festival…

Love Art Fair

Unicorn by Marjorie Campbell
Alison Milne Gallery
On display at the Thompson Toronto Hotel, April 7-16
Available for purchase at Love Art Fair, April 17-19

This life size sculpture is made of wool, wire, glass marbles, thread, found wood, and gold leaf, by Marjorie Campbell, a fibre artist who resides in Toronto. Inspired by forest and fauna, her work is both realistic and whimsical. She explores the possibilities of felt in a soft and gentle world where life is heightened and magic exists. As wool is pulled and forms are sculpted, alluring and complex worlds emerge, and the persona of the animal reveals itself.

Scotiabank Photography Award

Self-Portrait as Edmund Precelman (Officer) b. Poland, 1890s d. Poland, early 1940s by Rafael Goldchain

Rafael Goldchain is one of the three finalists competing for the 2015 Scotiabank Photography Award, alongside Angela Grauerholz and Isabelle Hayeur. This year’s SPA winner will be announced on May 6.

This photograph is a part of Goldchain’s “I Am My Family”, a collection of digitally altered self-portrait photographs where Goldchain re-enacts familial others through genetic resemblance. Through the conventions of the portrait photograph, these self-portraits suggest that we look at family photographs in order to know ourselves through the photographic trace left by our lost ancestors.

CONTACT Photography Festival

Water Pump With Hoses on Orange by Jimmy Limit
On display at Clint Roenish Gallery from April 30-May 30, and on billboards across Canada from May 1-31.

This photograph is a part of Surplus, Jimmy Limit’s featured exhibition at CONTACT. For his compositions, Jimmy Limit selects objects based on their formal qualities, often avoiding items with clear functions. Inspired by industrial supply catalogues and store flyers, the St. Catharines, Ontario-based artist uses colourful hardware store goods and industrial or domestic wares. He lifts these common objects out of context, alters their appearance, and combines them in strange and compelling ways. His precariously-arranged scenes may only last for a moment, but his seductive images have the deceptive gloss of advertisements. Limit’s photographs conflate function, merchandising, and desire, drawing attention to the complex relationship between product and consumer.

What’s your favourite piece of art? Tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!

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NK Loves – Must-Haves for Summer 2015

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Ashton

Which products will be your summer essentials? Tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!

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Vote Now – Jack Daniel’s Supporting Act Fan Choice Award

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Ashton

For the past few months, Jack Daniel’s JD Supporting Act has been making musical dreams come to life for young artists across Canada. The calibre of talent and the love for music in our country is nothing short of incredible (can we talk about Alanis Morisette at the Junos, anyone?).

In Jack Daniel’s Supporting Act’s inaugural year, over 65 Canadian artists shared their musically-driven stories in a short 60-second video outlining what they need to make their dreams a reality. Over the course of 16 weeks, the contestants were narrowed down by a panel of judges and one artist was chosen every two weeks winning everything from electronic drum sets to touring the UK! Now you have the chance to be a part of someone’s musical journey to stardom!

This week it’s up to you to vote on the finalists to decide who will be receiving the JD Supporting Act Fan Choice Award! From March 13-25 your votes will decide who the final winner is!

Watch the finalist’s videos here: http://www.jdsupportingact.com/videos

Previous JD Supporting Act Winners:

Winner 1: Tim Popek – The music teacher won an electronic drum set, recording software and a new computer, allowing him to create an online drumming school.

Winner 2: Kink the Band – The duo, who strives to promote female empowerment in rock and roll, won funds to record their first album with local Toronto producer Jason Pierce.

Winner 3: Young Running – The folk rock group won funds towards a Western Canada Tour. The band just returned home after three weeks living out their dream playing music in the Rocky Mountains.

Winner 4: Stone Iris – After winning Indie Week Canada, the band from Alberta had the opportunity to play Indie Week UK. Jack Daniel’s gave them the means to tour the UK before their headlining experience.

Winner 5: Sidney York – The indie avant-pop duo from Calgary received funds to produce and market their new album release, showcasing their talent for playing instruments seldom seen beyond the orchestra pit.

Winner 6: Bathurst Station – The up and coming Toronto band was the second to win an opportunity to tour the UK.

Winner 7: The Elwins – Hailing from Keswick, Ontario, this group of long-time friends received funds to purchase new instruments to complete their world-wide tour, aiming to sound better than ever on stage.

Winner 8: JD Supporting Act Fan Choice

Which musical act is your favourite? Tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!

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Vote Now – Jack Daniel's Supporting Act Fan Choice Award

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Ashton

This week it’s up to you to vote on the finalists to decide who will be receiving the JD Supporting Act Fan Choice Award! From March 13-25 your votes will decide who the final winner is!

Watch the finalist’s videos here: http://www.jdsupportingact.com/videos

Previous JD Supporting Act Winners:

Winner 1: Tim Popek – The music teacher won an electronic drum set, recording software and a new computer, allowing him to create an online drumming school.

Winner 2: Kink the Band – The duo, who strives to promote female empowerment in rock and roll, won funds to record their first album with local Toronto producer Jason Pierce.

Winner 3: Young Running – The folk rock group won funds towards a Western Canada Tour. The band just returned home after three weeks living out their dream playing music in the Rocky Mountains.

Winner 6: Bathurst Station – The up and coming Toronto band was the second to win an opportunity to tour the UK.

Winner 8: JD Supporting Act Fan Choice

Which musical act is your favourite? Tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!

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Nastia Liukin – Competing on Dancing With The Stars

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Ashton

We are so proud and excited for our very own NK Artist and Olympic gold medalist, Nastia Liukin, to compete on this season of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars (DWTS)! In its tenth year and twentieth season (wow!), we can’t wait to watch Nastia bring her grace, strength, and undeniable beauty to the DWTS dance floor and inevitably to Mirror Ball victory!

Nastia never shies away from a busy schedule. As a full-time student at New York University, a Subway sandwich ambassador, NBC analyst and creator of Supergirl by Nastia, she manages it all with a natural ease only an Olympic champion can relate to.

A true match made in heaven, Nastia has been paired with five time Dancing With The Stars Champion, Derek Hough. With Nastia balancing classes at NYU and Derek busy with Move Live Tour, “Team Houghkin” is the only DWTS pair to rehearse in NYC (one of our favourite cities) and is already deemed the crowd favourite and pair to watch!

Watch the premiere episode Monday, March 16th at 8:00pm EST. Stay tuned for details on how to vote for Team Houghkin!

Unknown-6 — Image via ABC Dancing With the Stars

Follow @NatashaNKPR for an inside look at Nastia and Derek’s Dancing With The Stars journey!

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Valentine’s Day Dinner Guide

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Ashton

It’s no secret that the way to anyone’s heart (male or female, let’s be honest…) is through their stomach. And what better reason to enjoy a delicious, mind-blowing feast than on Valentine’s Day?

This year, treat that special someone to one of Toronto’s best restaurants for a meal that will be as unforgettable as the time you spend together.

We’ve rounded up the best dishes from our favourite restaurants for you to enjoy this Valentine’s Day…

Montecito – 299 Adelaide St. West

Our Pick: Chef Jonathan Waxman’s JW Chicken