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Style | Vancouver Fashion Showcase Wish List

This weekend marks the first (possibly annual) Vancouver Fashion Showcase. To celebrate Erika Renfrew picked her favourite pieces from a few of the 30 participating boutiques. She’s made her list so you can check it twice…

1. Ishara
Save a little and splurge a little, the holidays are about give and take.  This studded Rebecca Minkoff bag ($295) is not for the meek of heart.

2. LYNNsteven
Literally all a girl needs, this Ela clutch ($280) holds your M.I.L.C.K. (money, id, lipstick, cell and keys).

3. Nouvelle Nouvelle
The holidays should be all about R&R, so spread the word with an uber-comfy Cheap Monday sweater.  Hands-free never looked so cool with a T leather phone case.

4. Oak+Fort
Mila lace shorts and a Nicolas blouse are lovely pieces together and apart.  Easy to fit and easy to wear makes for seriously stress-free gift-giving.

5. Obakki
Baby, it’s cold outside and you’ll want every inch covered.  This Anise silk scarf ($255) may not look toasty, but that’s what all the other layers are for.

6. LYNNsteven
With a pair of Granted wool mittens ($49.50), you’ve got everything a Vancouver gal should bring to a fabulous holiday party.

7. John Fluevog
No trying-on required with a one-size-fits-all Hudson iPad or journal case ($189).  Warning: despite all budgeting efforts, you’ll probably end up shoe shopping too.

8. One of a Few
Made in Los Angeles, Clare Vivier handbags are beautiful and designed for travel, whether you’re jet-setting to an exotic destination or the other side of the city.

P.S. Follow Erika on Twitter riiiiiiight here.

November 29, 2011 by

Diary | Cocktails with the Ladies of Vancouver Fashion Showcase

“I’m entrepreneurial in nature,” says Vancouver Fashion Showcase founder Florence Leung when I met up with her at the Diamond a few weeks ago. She said she’d been working since 7:00 am that morning, wasn’t going to stop until well after we finished our chat, and yet she was as chipper as ever. That’s got to be because she has a team of eight dedicated volunteers, like Rita Fung (far right), who have been pounding the pavement — and the keyboard — to pull together this weekend’s four-day celebration of Vancouver retailers.

“I find the local retailers are the ones that are most unique. I love when people ask Where’d you get that?” says Leung.

“If you’re just focusing on the designers, you’re not necessarily helping the retailers that sell them so we were looking to partner with retailers that are uniquely Vancouver. We went in and were like ‘We appreciate what you do.’ I don’t think they’d ever heard of someone focusing on local in that way.”

Vancouver Fashion Showcase brings together 30 retailers (including those featured in The Anthology’s wish list) for four days of parties, contests and shopping from December 1-4. If it sounds a little like Fashion’s Night Out, that’s intentional; Leung is toying with the idea of bringing FNO to Vancouver in the fall of 2012.

“Because I’m more business oriented, if I pushed more sales this weekend I’d consider that a success.” It doesn’t hurt that she’s aiming to raise between $5,000 and $10,000 for Dress for Success Vancouver while she does so.

November 29, 2011 by

Diary | Joe Fresh and PC Home

This is a big year for me.

Why? Because I’m finally going to ditch the over-the-top cheesy, tinsel-y, multi-coloured decorations that have been the hallmark of my holiday decor in years past (party tip: bring your tacky inflatable lawn ornaments indoors if you want to kick your house party up a notch. Take my word for it — they’re a sure-fire hit). Instead, I’m going to opt for a look that’s a little more sophisticated. Think cool white and icy metallics instead of blinking reds and flashing greens and twinkling purples and flickering blues and sparkling oranges and glimmering yellows.

And though I might live in Vancouver, a city with very few snow days, I’m dressing in winter wonderland chic. Add a faux-fur trapper hat that I borrowed from that mannequin (what? she didn’t mind) to my oversized hand-knit wool sweater and I’ll be ready for a ride in a one horse open sleigh.

Funny what one little afternoon can do. Had I not stopped by the Joe Fresh and PC Home holiday showcase, I might be inflating my Snoopy Claus lawn ornament instead of setting my table with silver bon-bons. Actually, forget everything I just told you. I’m going to do both.

[Joe Fresh hat, Ralph Lauren sweater, Rock & Republic jeans, Matisse boots]

P.S. Add The Anthology to your circles on Google+

P.P.S. Joe Fresh just opened a store in NYC (thank you, Tolek, for pointing that out!). The Canadian invasion is going according to plan…

November 28, 2011 by

Style | Jacqueline Conoir and Anne Carson

By Erika Renfrew

There is something about a rainy Vancouver day that makes me crave an afternoon looking at beautiful things.  Lucky me, this weekend I got to do just that.

Jacqueline Conoir boutique hosted a Style Scene shopping event complete with sneak-peek fashion show for F/W, trend details and lots of lovely to look at.

This locally produced label brings together Parisian training with a modern “I don’t have time to change after work” twist.  Designer Rozemerie Cuevas livens up a sophisticated style and makes tailoring downright sexy.

My eyes lingered even longer on JAC; an edgier line with shorter hemlines, plunging necklines and that ooh la la factor.  Being a shopper that has to touch everything, the studio merits a visit for the fabrics alone.

Partnering with Jacqueline Conoir is jewellery designer extraordinaire Anne Carson.  Using semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls and sterling silver (doesn’t that just sound sumptuous?) she creates true showstoppers.

It pained me to leave without a amazing black velvet smoking jacket; I mean it practically had my name on it.

November 28, 2011 by

Diary | Banana Republic’s Holiday Style in the City

Holiday parties, people! I can’t get enough of them. This week, the team from Vitamin Daily, Anya from I’m the It Girl and my very blue self hosted a party at Banana Republic on Robson.

And I just have to tell you how much I love these things. Not only because I get to talk leopard print and sequins (see above left) but because I get to see so many of your bright, shiny faces IRL (that’s “in real life,” mom). And I get to play dress-up in a gorgeous cobalt number. Can you guess where my dress is from?*

Plus, there are cupcakes, lots of sparkly holiday goodness and makeovers by the lovely BeautyMark makeup artists. (I left with Essie’s Bobbing for Baubles nail colour, a dark blue-y grey that’s the same colour as Vancouver’s night sky.)

‘Twas quite the night!

*If you guessed Banana Republic, you guessed right! And if you guessed Banana Republic’s Monogram Collection, you guessed extra right! Man, you guys are good at this game.

[Thanks to Leila Pejman for that incredi-blur Instagram shot.]

P.S. There are more photos on The Anthology’s Facebook page so hop to it and tag your face!

November 25, 2011 by

Style | John Casablanca’s Obsidian

By Erika Renfrew

Ever been coal mining?  Didn’t think so. Ever smeared dirt on your face and strutted around in fabulous clothing while holding a mining pick? I can tell you who has.

I had the pleasure of attending John Casablancas Institute’s Obsidian fashion show.  Celebrating the graduating class of Fashion Business and Creative Arts, students put an ooh la la twist on the otherwise eerie underground.

With clothing and accessories from local boutiques and emerging designers, students styled chic and funky looks for guys and gals.  The theme came together with asymmetrical hems, teensy velvet dresses, ultra sheer tops and plenty of metallic.

With John Fluevog on their feet, chunky sky-high boots were left unbuckled for a little bit of high-fashion grunge. While the male models were left to brush that dirt off their shoulders, the ladies sparkled with gold flakes painted on their skin.

The Obsidian fashion show was a fundraiser for the Looking Glass Foundation, an organization working to open Canada’s first treatment facility for eating disorders.

Congratulations to all the graduates!

PS. If you are reading this and have been coal mining, I think that’s pretty darn cool!

November 23, 2011 by

Style | Tiffany Leather

What would Audrey carry?

You know, if she were around today…and having breakfast at Tiffany’s with Tiffany leather design directors John Truex and Richard Lambertson, I’m the It Girl’s Anya Georgijevic, Demi Couture’s Victoria Potter, West Coast Style’s Mana Mansour et al.

Would it be this Tiffany blue leather handbag? Perhaps. “We wanted it to complement Tiffany jewelry with the spherical shapes and silver beads, but have each piece stand on its own next to Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermes,” says Truex.

“We’re not borrowing from the jewelry, but being inspired by it. That’s why we’ve got the Tiffany blue accents. The more closely you look at each piece, the more you discover.”

You know what I discovered? I love this bag. It’s fit for a modern day Holly Golightly. Or at least someone who’s had breakfast at Tiffany’s.

P.S. Holly Golightly would totally follow The Anthology on Twitter.

November 22, 2011 by

Style | Forme Fashion

By Erika Renfrew

Just because the days are turning dreary, doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to scream winter blues. FORME Fashion’s evening of music, art and fashion was full of life, colour and a whole lot of sparkle.

Every corner of Vancouver’s Ayden Gallery celebrated design. In a gathering of Indian culture, we were welcomed by live tunes and called to loiter around the treats table for cake pops and spicy brownies.

The main event, you ask? A runway show by a new-to-Vancouver fashion house Lotus Eye. Creative Director Paromita Naidu fuses South Asian flair with a contemporary west coast twist.

Draped around the (almost unfairly) gorgeous models were jewel tones, ornate patterns and embroidered fabrics. While supporting tradition, Lotus Eye created easy-breezy maxis, fitted tunics and classic blouses, all topped off with some shimmery accessories.

Judging by the audible oohs and aahs, I’d say I wasn’t the only one who thought Lotus Eye designs to be stunning.

November 21, 2011 by

You’re invited! | Banana Republic’s Holiday Style in the City

A sponsored post.

I love holiday season! The sequins, the red lipstick, the big cozy coats, and of course the holiday parties. I’ll be hosting one at Banana Republic alongside Vitamin Daily Editor-in-Chief Sarah Bancroft and I’m the It Girl’s Anya Georgijevic.

And we’d love to see you there! Join us Wednesday, November 23 5:00 – 8:00 at Banana Republic on Robson. You’ll get 25% off the new collection, complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a special gift with purchase.* Also, enter for a chance to win a $500 Banana Republic holiday shopping spree.

Want in? Of course you do! RSVP so you’re on the list!

Wednesday, November 23 5:00 – 8:00
Banana Republic, 1098 Robson St., Vancouver
RSVP: intern@taitpr.com 
Twitter: #BananaRepublicxVitaminDaily for event updates
*Gifts with purchase while supplies last. Discount applicable to regular-priced merchandise only.

November 18, 2011 by

Bookmark | Spell & The Gypsy

In The Anthology’s Bookmark column we explore some of the most inspiring places on the wild, wild web.

It might be far from spring in North America. But guess where the warm, sunny days are getting longer instead of shorter?

photobucket

Australia! Which is where sisters Elizabeth and Isabella, the creative minds behind Spell & The Gypsy, live.

spell-studio-2

Reading their blog is like living in an eternal summer.

tipsy20gypsy

Spell & The Gypsy chronicles the work, photo shoots and inspiration of the two Byron Bay-based artists, designers, and boutique-owners.

spell-studio

If you’re down under you can visit their Spell Boutique in person and if you’re elsewhere in the world, you can live vicariously through their beautiful blog. So make like a bourgeois bohemian and bookmark it already.

P.S. Bookmark The Anthology while you’re at it.

November 17, 2011 by