INSPIRATION: Toronto-Dominion Centre (66 Wellington W.) designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1967.
With his “skin and bone” skyscrapers, Mies (1886-1969) was not only a pioneer of modern architecture, but one of the inventors of 20th-century aesthetics. His “less is more” philosophy has popped up in the fall runway collections of Marc Jacobs and Alessandro Dell’Acqua.
Clean lines, pure colour. As you enter the Centre’s banking hall, check out the bright yellow flowers in a fishbowl vase (a Mies trademark) at the service counter. BAIA yellow silk dupioni dress, $206.99, available at The Bay (176 Yonge, 416-861-9111, www.thebay.com).
Mies used industrial materials like steel, glass and aluminum for his ostensibly simple designs. SUEDE & Co Barbarella purse in silver, $110, available at Capezio (Eaton Centre, 218 Yonge, 416-597-6662) and other downtown locations (www.suedeandco.com).
Who says black leather can’t reflect Mies’ black steel beams? Chuck Taylor All Star Slip in black leather, $59.99, available at select Converse retailers (www.converse.com).