Shop Talk is written by OM senior editor Dayanti Karunaratne and Sarah Fischer, OM account executive and fashion maven.

Let the fashion season begin! That’s what this grand opening of new Rideau Centre addition Judith & Charles, sponsored by Ottawa Fashion Week, seemed to signal. (I know, New York Fashion Week has come and gone, but we can’t all be so lucky, or should I say thriving, as the lovely and talented Erica Wark!)

We’ve been pumped about Judith & Charles ever since we caught wind of its opening through our sources at Rideau Centre. (Was that the day we borrowed these killer shoes from Michael Kors or the day we organized the shoot for Loukia Zigoumis? We’ve made quite a few trips to that happening hub this year!)

It certainly didn’t disappoint; while the colours were few, the lines and fabrics clearly showed a meticulous eye for detail. It was like shopping in the closet of an aunt whose style you aspire to — refined and uncompromising, with a healthy dose of edge.

In fact, the clothes demanded such attention that we decided, partway through the event, to abandon our plan to shoot the stylish folks that attended the event. And there were plenty; but in this world of grip-and-grin mingling, we felt the need to differentiate. (Plus, we were getting tired of gripping and grinning, and couldn’t bear to ask others to do the same!)

The event was laid back, but there was certainly a buzz in the air. When OFW’s Hussein Rashid and Christine Achampong greeted guests with a short speech, the music went up a notch and the energy escalated.

So enjoy some close-ups — maybe there’s something that works into your wardrobe (and budget) — and take in the sights that made the Judith & Charles opening un grand succès.