Photos by Jennifer Morden

When I received an invite to the Lundstrom show a few weeks back, it got tossed on the desk amongst Chinese delivery menus and coffee stained cahiers. Every once in a while, I’d gaze up over my laptop and think, Lundstrom? I hadn’t thought about Lundstrom since forming that absurd lesbian crush on my English Lit teacher in grade eleven. Lundstrom? What will Linda be parading down the catwalk – draped baggy clothes shrouding bad perms? Instead of RSVP’ing I ended up disposing my gum in the invite. (I know, I’m an asshole)

But something inside pulled me towards the tent, a voice that chanted, “JEN….YOU MUST SEE LUNDSTROM….L-u-n-d-s-t-r-o-m!!”

Guess what, I fell hard for Lundstrom’s Fall/Winter ’09 collection. Either I’m getting old at a remarkable rate, and will soon be walking a Scottish terrier in Lawrence Park chatting with Mary about John’s affair or Lundstrom has kicked it up a notch and is in full swing for a huge comeback. (Truthfully, probs a combo of the both.) T’was no surprise that scrutinizing fashion bloggers quipped, “Ohhhh no, not another Laparka”, but I was too entranced with the black coquette tunic dress to get sucked into their bitchy banter.

Since the show, I’ve asked around and there seems to be a divide in opinions. Half of the twenty and thirty something’s say ‘ugh, not Lundstrom’ while others decree ‘You know, I really liked it’. Trying to explain my new affection to sweet girl on the spot, I found myself saying “maybe its because it reminds me of my mom, there’s something about Lundstrom that is comforting – like mashed potatoes” Flowy, soft, layers that would nicely caress my hips as I swagger for another hot tea, while also some terrific dresses for giddy nights on the town. The clothing calms me.

Later that eve, lying in bed shaking out the goods in my gift bag while watching Jon Stewart – I was stunned at how much coin Lundstrom had dropped on fancy print materials and swag. Accordian fold-outs of of ’08 and ’09 collections, mints, a wine opener and a pen (in a soft felt pouch no less)….all in a reusable Lundstrom branded bag! AND THAT’S NOT ALL – a one-sheet insert offers up a trip to the fashion capitals of Europe – Paris & Milan from Sept 16 – 24 with Linda; that is if you can swing the $3299 price tag. Someone has clearly decided to go balls out with marketing and cover every possible angle.

I was almost sold on this new Lundstrom me – but when I searched for where to purchase, the only place that popped up in Toronto was at Don Mills and Eglinton. Ugh…well at least I can hit up Sunshine’s Salad Bar on the way home. It’s closed you say? Frig, there goes my incentive to head north.

Although there is seemingly only one outlet in Toronto, Lundstrom is booming in Upcountry – Aurora, Bob Caygeon, Bowmanville, Kenora, Kingston, Port Perry, Nepean – the list goes on and on.

I was nearly comfortable taking a leap into new persona; Blake Lively meets North Toronto but I can’t say I’m ready, as of yet, to mould into Tim Hortons hockey MILF from Bowmanville.

Life decisions to contemplate over zingy Lundstrom mints.