Apparel, Products, Watches

The New Black. And the Other New Black.

If you happen to have read our original post on the revolutionary Mutewatch, you’d know that this design-conscious timepiece is not only a sleekly styled, conversation-worthy accessory, but also a practical everyday wristwatch, complete with alarm, timer and USB-charging port. Plus a touchscreen interface and glowing, on-off LED display. And while we might trumpet about the perfect synchronicity of form and functionality, it can’t. Because it’s mute. Silent. Noise free. Even in alarm mode.

For the last six months it’s been available at Swipe – the only Mutewatch retailer in Canada – in Poppy Red and Charcoal Grey. Both bold, both beautiful.

So what’s next? (Drum roll.) Enter Svart. This special-edition black (svart) Mutewatch comes with geometric gold detailing and a kaleidoscopically inspired gift box. Created in collaboration with Swedish artist Jesper Nyrén, it draws on the connections between shape and content, nature and architecture: “I have started with thoughts about time and repetition,” explains Nyrén, producing a design “based on crystalline shapes that are repeated, mirrored and shift in different colours.” Just released, it’s gorgeous and ultimately giftable.

And if you’re pining for basic black, but ornamentation is not your thing, no need to worry. Another new addition, Pure Black, has also joined its red and grey siblings in the classic Mutewatch.

All four styles can be purchased at Swipe. Quantities are limited, so call or email to secure yours.

Mutewatch (Poppy Red, Charcoal Grey or Pure Black): $299.95
Mutewatch Svart by Jesper Nyrén: $329.95

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To purchase any of the products or titles mentioned here, please visit our downtown Toronto location, call us toll-free at 1-800-56-swipe or email us at info@swipe.com.

Sale

Fido Come Home! (The Great Swipe Dog-Tag Drive)

If you’ve shopped at Swipe over the years, chances are you’ve seen one of these. You’ve likely got one or two hiding in your wallet, or lurking at the back of a drawer. Maybe you’re one of those hoarders (we know you’re out there) with a box full of them under the bed. Or a vaseful on the mantel. Or a sparkling array still attached to last year’s Christmas tree. (They come in red and green, as well as blue, silver and gold.) Wherever they are, we want ’em back.

Only a finite number of these shiny little suckers were ever made. And we are almost out. At the end of the leash. Scraping the bottom of the dog-tag barrel. So we’re putting out the call: round ’em up; hunt ’em down; flush those dog tags out of hiding and trade them in at either of our stores – Swipe Design at 401 Richmond, or Swipe DX at the Design Exchange.

They’re just like cash, only better, because they’ve got our name on them. They never expire. You’ll enjoy the sweet-tasting goodness of getting something for nothing, and we’ll get the chance to pass a bit of dog-tag love on to even more of our loyal customers. And if they happen to be attached to your dog? Well, bring Fido too.

Architecture, Children's Books & Products, Exhibits & Events

Join Us in Launching Young Frank, Architect: Thursday 10 October



Please join us for a talk by award-winning illustrator and children’s author Frank Viva, followed by a book signing and light refreshments.

Frank will be doing a drawing demonstration for the little ones. (Children are welcome too …)

With its rich colour palette of greys, olives, ambers and cream (it’s printed using nine colours instead of the usual four), Young Frank, Architect is a gorgeous publication, an inspiration for budding architects and a lesson for those who think they’ve seen everything.

See our Facebook page for more details.

Apparel, Exhibits & Events, Products, Stationery & Pens

Christian Louboutin: Designer, Artist, Magician.

The extraordinary Christian Louboutin exhibition at the Design Exchange continues for another two and a half weeks, winding up on September 15.

This career-spanning celebration showcases twenty years of the French shoe designer’s theatrical, fantasy-forging creations, from Cinderella-worthy filigree stilettos, to heeled and tasselled leather boots, to a wealth of footwear for men (no less coloured, textured or studded, but with fewer 9-inch heels in evidence…).

“Fetish”, a darkly sensual side gallery of limited-edition, almost unwearable (and certainly unwalkable) shoes featured alongside their erotic photographic counterparts, was created in collaboration with filmmaker David Lynch.

For a less sadomasochistic experience, you can watch Dita Von Teese perform a cheeky burlesque every 30 minutes in the exhibition’s main gallery – a nod to the influence of showgirls and music halls on Louboutin’s work. Okay, so she’s just a hologram – courtesy of technological illusion makers Musion – but if you blur your eyes just a touch, it’s really quite convincing.

In conjunction with the exhibition, Christian Louboutin has designed a range of exclusive memorabilia, available for purchase at Swipe DX for the duration of the show. Items include a luxuriously soft, cashmere-and-modal scarf, a gold-brass keyring and necklace featuring iconic shoe and purse charms, a selection of glam notebooks and note cards, Louboutin tattoos, and his Little Red Guide to Toronto (complete with fold-out map).

Also available for purchase is the impressive monograph Christian Louboutin. Published by Rizzoli, this 304-page volume boasts gold-edged pages, elaborate fold-out binding and a stiletto-wearing pop-up. With interviews, behind-the-scenes photographs and a full catalogue of Louboutin’s work, it offers a comprehensive overview of the designer’s life, artistic and personal journey, and the intriguing history of his signature red-soled shoes.

Christian Louboutin by Christian Louboutin (with photographs by Philippe Garcia and David Lynch): $160
Christian Louboutin Tattoo Sheet: $9.95
Christian Louboutin’s Little Red Guide to Toronto: $22.50
Christian Louboutin Kaleidoscope Notebook: $44.95
Christian Louboutin Loubi Print Notebook (with sticky notes): $44.95
Christian Louboutin Kraft Notebook: $54.95
Christian Louboutin Note Cards (set of 8): $59.95
Christian Louboutin 20th Anniversary Keychain (with shoe charms): $174.95
Christian Louboutin Sweet Charity Necklace (with purse charm): $284.95
Christian Louboutin Scarf: $274.95

Books and cool stuff on advertising and design