The difference bewteen Toronto and Miami stores

I have heard many times before that Toronto is slow with fashion, that Toronto follows other cities. I didn't know what this truly meant but it was fun to joke about it.

I was quite surprise on my visits to stores in Miami that the managers actually told me the time the buyers would be in and how to see the buyers. In contrast to Toronto where the staff and even the buyers try whatever they can to avoid you.

Buyers in Miami were happy and excited to see the JUZD line. They are friendly people.

But this all makes sense you see. The world and people in Miami look to Miami to set trends. The best new lines strive to have their lines sold in Miami and only the best survive out there. While in Toronto, the lines that approach the stores are local lines and the majority of these local lines are not good and don't go much further than a few Toronto stores.

And the world and people are not looking toward Toronto for trends. People in Toronto want to go to a Toronto store and buy lines that are popular in LA, New York, and Miami. Torontorians don't go into stores in Toronto looking for the latest and hottest Toronto brand. You can see this from the buying of stores like TNT and Over the Rainbow. The one store that supports local artists is Got Style. I hope with the success of JUZD more artists from Toronto take starting a clothing line more serious and determine to compete like they do in LA and New York.

Chris Bosh’s 25th birthday gala gets JUZD

The day couldn’t have gone any better with a Raptor win over the LA Clippers, undoubtedly an early birthday present for Chris and his teammates. The adrenaline level was sky high and the team made a special effort to look and smell good for the highly anticipated festivities that the night would bring.

Liberty Street had never felt so alive on a Sunday night; the street was filled with high energy and people, who braved the frigid cold, on a day where usually the street is calm and quiet. The storm was just about to come. Chris’s friends and family were riled up to celebrate Chris Bosh's 25th exclusive birthday gala at Maro nightclub on Sunday March 22, 2009.

The red carpet was rolled out with style and the crowd was decked out to the nines. People were definitely ready to get JUZD. Lots of people ran out to buy the exclusive, hand made, one-of-a-kind BIG 25 JUZD, hand crafted by Jing Liu. The shirts were sold before the event and those who purchased beforehand, took advantage of the VIP treatment in the club. The BIG 25 shirts were also selling at Maro as a souvenir commemorating a new milestone in Chris’ life.

Hundreds of Bosh’s closest friends including Jay Triano, teammates: Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker, Jose Calderon, Jason Kapono, Andrea Bargnani, Kris Humphries, Roko Ukic and Joey Graham were among some of the Raptors in attendance. Hallie Dixon, Trex and Devo Brown were also anticipating Chris’ arrival. The paparazzi were ready with their extra large SD cards and as soon as Chris rolled up to the club, the flashing lights from hundreds of cameras started. 4Korners welcomed him with 50 cent’s “In Da Club” and the crowd sang “Go Shawty, it’s your birthday." Shawty was quite the irony standing tall at 6’10!

It only took minutes for the friends and family in the VIP section to start popping bottles to help celebrate Chris’s 25th.

The party went on until the wee hours but who would turn down celebrating in style with Chris for his quarter century milestone? Here’s to brilliant year Chris, all the best from your closest family and friends in Toronto!

JUZD’s Jing Liu Poses with FLOW 93.5 Host Devo Brown

Toronto Raptors Star, Anthony Parker

Toronto Raptors’ Anthony Parker and Jose Calderon with friends

Enjoying the Evening

DJ 4Korners

Jason Laquian (Buyer for TNT Blu) and Jing Liu poses for the Camera in Style

Clubbers Posing for the Camera

Clubbers

JUZD Team Tiffany, Rebecca Lam, Benny Yeung, Jason Wong (JUZD Photographer)

Hallie Dixon

Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh Celebrating his Birthday in Style

Clubber

JUZD model Neila Smai with Toronto Raptors Teammate, Shawn Marion

Even at the Bar, the Bartenders got JUZD!

Stephanie with Toronto Raptors’ Roko Ukic and Jason Kapono

Friend Josh, Daniel Carmen (Buyer for Over the Rainbow), A Cool Partyguest, and Jing posing for the Camera

Andrea Kertesz (Makeup Artist) and Jing Liu engaged in conversation

JUZD Poses with Cool Partygoers

Jing Liu handmakes JUZD shirt for Chris Bosh's 25th birthday gala

Chris Bosh is turning 25!

To celebrate this milestone JUZD is releasing a special, limited edition t-shirt. JUZD lead designer, Jing Liu, custom designed and handmade only 100 female 100 male shirts for sale. Six of Toronto’s finest boutiques will receive an exclusive one-time only shipment of 14 shirts per sex: Gotstyle, Show Room, TNT Blu, Over the Rainbow, Coal, and Almost Naked. Not in Toronto? Go to JUZD online shop to get your hands on the handmade shirts.

The shirt is the ONLY way for the non invites to get into Chris Bosh’s 25^th PRIVATE Birthday Party on Sunday, March 22^nd 2009. Hosted at an undisclosed location (visit www.juzd.com to find out).

View Press Release

Gotstyle

489 King St W

Toronto ON, M5V 1K4

416.260.9696

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Show Room

278B Queen St W

Toronto ON, M5V 2A1

416.977.3888

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TNT Blu

Hazelton Lanes

55 Avenue Rd

Toronto ON

416.972.1593

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Over the Rainbow

101 Yorkville ave

Toronto ON, M5R 1C1

416.967.7448

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Coal

803 Queen St W

Toronto ON

416.301.COAL

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Almost Naked

479 Queen St W

Toronto ON, M5V 2A9

416.360.8200

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Shopaholic Cocktail Party in Toronto

Our friend Yvonne Kai is having a Shopaholic party in Toronto. Over 400 RSVPs on Facebook :D!

Get your girlfriends, plan your outfit, buy something new, and have the time of your life.
“If I don’t stop shopping, I’ll send up a bag lady; a Fendi bag lady, but a bag lady…” Carrie

With music from Toronto’s #1 female dj - dj Lissa Monét + “Profile pic worthy” photography from Flash Velvet, true beauty junkies know about Make Up Forever, Brazen Hussy fashion show, décor by GetFlowered, mini manicures from BUFF, sparkly jewelery from SugarLime, sweet giftbaskets from Dolce Vita Magazine, goodies from Universal Music, cupcakes from PrettySweet and tea-Martinis from DAVIDsTEA...and lots lots more!

I am a Shopaholic will be held at the Fifth Social Club in the heart of Downtown Toronto on Feb 12, 2009 from 8pm onwards.

Limited tickets on sale at Buff Nail 117 Front St E & Brazen Hussy 803 Queen St W for $35
Also available online at www.heydoyou.com
BUY TICKETS NOW

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Photos from JUZD’s first collection released today to the public

Him: JUZD Original (black), Her: JUZD Original (black)

Her: JUZD Plain Tee (white), Him: Studio (black)

Him: All-Star (black), Her: JUZD Plain Tee (black)

Her: Konceptz (grey), Him: Tech (grey)

Him: Stylez (white)

Her: Stylez (black)

Her: JUZD Plain Tee (white), Him: Studio (white)

Her: Konceptz (grey), Him: Tech (grey)

Him: JUZD Original (black)

Him: JUZD Original (black)

Him: Stylez (black)

Her: Stylez (white)

Him: All-Star (black), Her: JUZD Plain Tee (black)

Him: All-Star (black)

Her: JUZD Plain Tee (black)

Her: Konceptz (black), Him: Tech (black)

Him: Tech (grey)

Him: Stylez (black)
Her: Stylez (black)

Her: JUZD Original (black)

Photos from the shoot for the 1st collection of JUZD shirts. In stores in late July.
Available at Green is Black and Got Style.

Green is Black
Fashion for the conscious
624 Yonge Street
416.454.5650
www.GreenisBlack.ca
info@greenisblack.ca

Got Style
489 King St. West
416-260-9696
www.gsmen.com
info@gsmen.com

Photographer: Igor Yu
Creative Direction: Dale Hodder
Lead Stylist: Nikita Stanley
Assisting Stylist: Eda Greff
Make Up & Hair Artist: Sasha Simler
Assistants: Ashley Athill, Michael Nguyen, Davi Tam

Models:
Evan Spergel
Vlada V.
Endri Hoxha
Camila Mendes

Accessories and jeans sponsors:
Over the Rainbow
101 Yorkville Ave.
416-967-7448
www.rainbowjeans.com

UPC Boutique
128¼ Cumberland Street
Toronto, ON
416-929-9209

Bamboo line Juzd provides "Eco-Aggression"

Original article written by Jatinder Dhoot of www.toronto.cityguide.ca on Wed June 25 2008.

Ever wake up one morning and decide to create clothing line? It's not an ordinary occurrence but Torontonian Jing Liu is not an ordinary individual. Liu, creator of Juzd clothing, which is promoted as being the first bamboo designer label, is the lead designer for the urban streetwear line. "I just woke up one day and decided start it up and just focus on doing this", comments Liu on the origin of Juzd in April 2007.

The web designer amongst other things at the time, came up with the idea for Juzd--a name which had some influence from the much talk in the media of "juiced" baseball athletes doing steroids. Although aggression is part of the brand identity of Juzd, there's an element of nature and environmental friendliness to the line. "Organic aggression", comments Liu on what the brand represents—the bamboo being tied into the organic. "I thought about what would represent something natural and organic and I thought bamboo”, explains Liu. The choice itself was a natural one as the plant was a mainstay during Liu's childhood years which were spent in China.

Despite the organic and environmental underpinnings to the line, Juzd isn't spiritual retreat or vegan pot luck apparel. "I want it to be eco-friendly but not hippy", comments Liu. The clothes are designed mostly for the fashion conscious 18-34 demographic of both genders, which Liu is passionate about channeling his creativity to cater to.

His enthusiasm for the line shines forth when he chats about the positive reception line has garnered and how he was an inch away from getting in Holt Renfrew; when he bounces off ideas with Deniz Reno, the model sporting his apparel in these pictures; and as he encourages me "Go Bamboo", a personal catchphrase of Liu for his line. His excitement is indicative that his seemingly random decision that Spring morning in 2007 was a correct one.

If you would like to pick up some Juzd clothing and "Go Bamboo", visit GOTSTYLE and Green is Black.

Private Party footage finally released

Finally! Here's the video footage from the JUZD by-invite-only Private Party in February. For those that didn't get a chance to go, watch out for the next JUZD event.

People go crazy, pays $2 for a free JUZD bag

The JUZD team was at its first tradeshow, Green Living Show at the Toronto Exhibition place. And people there went crazy for the JUZD bag. People were dropping by ever so often saying “Here’s the booth with that bag.” They apparently saw other people carrying it around.

I was thinking, no way, everyone is giving away free eco-friendly bags, no way people will pay $2 for this.

The bags were supposed to be free with a purchase of a shirt. But some people were so fixed on getting a bag they didn’t want to hear about the shirts. I turned away many people before I realize I can make money from this. So we started charging $2 for the bags. I was thinking, no way, everyone is giving away free eco-friendly bags, no way people will pay $2 for this. But pretty much everyone that asked bought one. And we sold a lot of shirts too.

People were grabbing these shirts from left and right...

These types of tradeshows are littered with cheap clothing and big discounted shirts. I wasn’t expecting to compete and sell shirts. It was more for awareness and exposure purposes. But to my surprise people were picking up the shirts. What I found out was that people actually cared about the quality and efforts put into the shirts. People were grabbing these shirts from left and right, lots of other exhibitors were getting it, parents and aunts were getting it for their kids, and of course the fashion forward wanted to pimp it themselves. At the end we sold over 20 shirts, which was a big surprise.

“people want to pay for art, the bag is an art piece”

But the biggest surprise has to be all the people wanting to ‘buy’ a bag and buy other memorabilia. The bags were supposed to be a promotional item. People were paying to have my bag and promote the JUZD brand. But as I was told by a photographer “people want to pay for art, the bag is an art piece” she said. Then she asked if she can buy one of the signs to have it as the main entrance piece at her studio.

JUZD Bamboo Streetwear - an Asian Inspiration

In the spirit of the L'oreal Toronto fashion week Jing Liu our lead designer for JUZD Bamboo Streetwear was interviewed by Theresa Laurico of the new show Asian Inspiration. This fresh new show on Rogers TV airs this week 6:30 PM Thursday for people in Toronto. Times differ based on your region. The JUZD episode will air week of April 6th. The episode will feature two great Asian designers from Toronto, Andy the Anh and our very own Jing Liu.



While Theresa and the Rogers crew was impressed with the beautiful packaging, the talk of the night was the bamboo fabric. "..you have to feel this, this is so comfortable!" commented by our beautiful model Donna Milburnent.

Dom Rebel - one of the hottest up and coming labels

I finally got a chance to meet the founders of one of labels I really admire. If you know anything about street culture in Canada you know Dom Rebel. These guys are the talk on the streets. Justin Svatina the Lead Designer for Dom Rebel of Montreal is a pure artist.

Dom Rebel's success is different from the other brands who seem to make it because they copy what's hot or have a celebrity friend put on the shirt. Dom Rebel's success is based on artistic talent. In talking with Justin he's in his own world not too concern about what's out there or what others are doing. That is the true epiphany of a great artist that sets the trends not follow it.

Justin said he draws skulls just because he likes it. His skulls are not mad or angry like others. It's just is. His skulls are poetic. It's not a copy of the typical angry skull that you find on many (too many) shirts.

One thing you will also notice with the Dom Rebel collection is that all the shirts are consistent. One of the reason I started JUZD was that it is common for a collection to consist of different styles different designs with no coherent theme. The philosophy of clothing labels seems to be make as many designs as cheaply as you can and hope the consumers will bite on a few. Dom Rebel even goes a step further.

Each season is a different theme and different concept says Justin. And the designs are different for each season. He does not reuse any designs so once the season's over you can't get that shirt anymore. This season is "Fire in the Disco", it is like the Devil's playground says Justin. You will notice that the colours of the shirts are bright and fruity, contrast with the rebellious and aggressive designs, creates a very unique feel to the shirts.

The reason that Dom Rebel is so hot and why they would stay hot is that it's truly about the art. Justin is a pure artist. In following Dom Rebel for over a year now and personally going through the same path as Justin I am very impressed at the amount of artistry in his designs especially being freshly introduced to silk screening only in 2003.

Justin Svatina (Head designer Dom Rebel), Jing Liu (Co-designer JUZD) - Terence Chung (Co-designer JUZD), Don Nguyen (Sales Marketing Dom Rebel)

Some of the shirts take 5 to 8 hours of labor (of love) to make. Yes! That's on just one shirt. Even Don Nguyen, marketing and sales said he still sees it as doing something they love.

Each shirt is truly a piece of art. That's why this label is on fire with stores carrying it all over the world. Check out the Dom Rebel Collection.