Christie Smythe & Andrea Lenczner (Kunst)

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Designers, Smythe. Toronto Doesn’t it always seem that power chick duos come as a blonde/brunette package? Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, Emily Current and Meritt Elliot, uh…us? Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe are another duo to add to that list. Meet the brains behind the luxe (and Canadian!) womenswear line, Smythe. (You may remember the moniker as the blazer Kate Middleton wore during her trip to Canada last summer.) It’s no secret that we love a Canadian success story. In fact, both ladies played mentor to Erin when she joined them at The Globe Showroom—Jeffrey Cayer reps them, too! (Look for the EKI guest appearance in Andrea’s closet below!) Christie and Andrea are the perfect ying to the other’s yang. It’s amazing how different yet complimentary they are: Andrea’s home is very minimal, modern and futuristic, while Christie’s is more contemporary, cozy and homey. But for two girls with opposite aesthetics in interiors, they seem to fuse their visions together perfectly when it comes to the clothing. In fact, they share a shoe size, which comes in handy when they’re making tough purchases. “Christie and I couldn’t decide between the open and closed-toe version of this perfect stiletto [by Alexander Wang], so we got both and share them!” Andrea told us. And sometimes Christie’s things seem to uh, magically walk-off into Andrea’s closet. “This jet beaded tie necklace was an amazing gift from my mother-in-law…I have to watch out that Andrea doesn’t steal it—she loves it too.” Even their kids have great style. We couldn’t resist peeping Christie's little girl—Coco's—closet, and completely lost it when we found her Stella McCartney jacket. "Coco loves wearing blazers, too—it must be genetic,” Christie joked. We spent the rest of the afternoon swapping stories and getting the secret scoop on their strategic plan to get Kate Middleton in their jacket. (Sorry! Our lips are sealed.)

Things I can't live without:
•1. iPhone Camera.•2. MAC Ruby Woo Red.•3. A Perfectly-tailored Black Blazer.•4. Eyelashes by Beyond.•5. Eyebrows by Lylla.

Toronto-based label Smythe took the fashion world by storm in 2004 when designers Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe first introduced their now iconic tailored jackets. The luxe toppers flew off the racks and their designs have been wardrobe staples for in-the-know fashionistas ever since, including celeb fans like Anne Hathaway and Blake Lively.
Taking inspiration from their own lives, Andrea and Christie design jackets to fit a woman’s real lifestyle. “We’re both working mothers, so we have our social lives, our work lives, we love to travel, and we have our home lives with our kids,” says Andrea. “We try to design a jacket or coat for all those different scenarios and moods — every collection feels like someone’s closet.”

This fall look for comfy, worn fabrics that have a heritage feel. “We’re always inspired by fabrics that are nostalgic and take you back to your childhood,” says Andrea. Case in point, their new blazer for fall, dubbed the Dickens, has a worn, cherished, thrift store feel — part of another complete collection which also includes a classic le smoking, a fitted equestrian-inspired jacket and a slouchy boyfriend blazer. View the fall collection here.

Get to know the ladies behind the fashion world’s favourite jacket with this month’s scintillating installment of Designer DNA. Want to know what they agree on, how they’re different and how close they really are? Read on for the scoop on the girls of Smythe.


What do you consider your worst trait?
Andrea: Irritability.
Christie: Hm…what’s my worst trait? You know.
A: You care too much if people like you.
C: Yeah.
A: And I find that irritating.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A: Peace of mind.
C: Agree. An uncluttered mind.

If you could choose an occupation other than your own what would it be?
C: A florist.
A: A bird watcher.
C: Oh god, why?!
A: It would give me peace of mind and then I’d have perfect happiness!

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
A: “Oh my god.”
C: “Whatever” and “love.”

What is your most treasured possession?
A: Our families and each other.
C: Aw, I’m so touched!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzKPPaNC-1I
http://thecoveteur.com/Smythe