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The Anthology
Some might say my vintage shopping is a little out of control. But I do it all for you. I swear.
How else could I answer Nicole’s question? She asked via Facebook which Vancouver vintage shops are my favourite. The short answer is Deluxe Junk in Gastown, F as in Frank on Main Street and Burcu’s Angels off Main, among many, many others.
See? My shopping is selfless.
Now, because I want nothing but the best for all y’all, I thought I’d update my guide to vintage shopping. (If you want a crash course, watch this clip where I take the camera crew from The Express on one of my excursions.) Below, you’ll find The Anthology’s top ten tips to sourcing spectacular vintage finds:
10. Be happy. If you’re not, it’s probably not the best time to wade through the peach palazzo pants in search of a treasure.
9. Hunt with an open mind. You can’t go searching for a midnight-blue floor-length sequin gown, you have to wait for it to find you. And when you do find a beauty, buy it. Even if it’s out of season. You’ll always need another dress to wear to the ballet.
8. Bring a friend. I would have never found this red leather skirt if my girlfriend Laura hadn’t spotted it. Just don’t bring your boyfriend. Or your mother. Or anyone who’s going to rush you. These things take time.
7. Short on time? Head for the accessories section — you don’t have to hit the change room to figure out if a belt, scarf or handbag is perfect for you.
6. Be adventurous. Thrift stores, which don’t curate their offerings the same way vintage stores do, can also have amazing finds. You just need to be a little elitist. Thrift stores in the ritzier parts of town tend to get donations from the ritzier parts of town (which means you’re more likely to find an Yves Saint Laurent scarf or, for that matter, an Yves Saint Laurent belt). My sister Larissa never fails to find the wacky and wonderful at the Sally Ann on fourth avenue in Vancouver.
5. Think outside the shop. You can’t even imagine the gems I’ve found at antique fairs, church sales and private school fairs (like Saint George’s and York House, to name a few).
4. Become best friends with your tailor. It’s so much easier than learning to use a sewing machine. I take almost every one of my vintage treasures to Oakridge Tailors before I wear it. That’s how my vintage wedding dress (pictured below) became a ballet-length beauty. But don’t forget that can add anywhere from $20 to $120 to the price of the piece.
3. Seek perfection. If it’s not in pristine, like-it-was-only-worn-once condition, put it back on the rack. But don’t worry if it doesn’t fit you perfectly. Your tailor is your best friend, remember?
2. Wash before you wear. Take your new-to-you skirt/dress/jacket to the dry cleaner. But this too can add big bucks ($50 for a leather skirt, $150 for a leather jacket).
1. And last, but not least… if you’re not into the hunting part of the treasure hunt, head straight to online supershops like Shrimpton Couture and Girl on a Vine where you’ll find nothing but amazing pieces. And if you’ve got something specific in mind, like, say, an eel skin purse, try Etsy.
Many of you are vintage connoisseurs — have anything to add to my list? Leave a comment. And if you have any questions about anything vintage or otherwise, ask via Facebook or send me an email at theanthology@live.com.
Vancouver’s Eco Fashion Week closed Friday night with a spectacle — Prophetik by Jeff Garner. With live bluegrass music, theatrical designs and an indoor snowstorm, Garner put the show back in fashion show.
His collection was inspired by the court of Louis XV with loads of floor-sweeping gowns.
Some of which seem like the kind of thing the Lady of Shallot would wear.
But I was most drawn to the menswear. I loved, loved, loved the jackets. Cropped, quilted, and recycled, one of them was even crafted from the designer’s childhood bedspread.
Now that’s a fitting way to put Eco Fashion Week to bed.
Hmmm… me neither. Must have gotten lost in the mail. No matter, though. You can still accessorize like an Academy Awards attendee.
Vancouver’s own Tiffany Haziza of Buddha and the Raven Studios was asked to design a special something for Oscar gift bags. She created lovely pearl necklaces for the affair, but my favourite designs are her beaded bracelets. Would love to stack them and wear them all at once.
Want to get your hands on some? You can order online here. And unlike your invitation to the Oscars, they’ll make it through the mail just fine.
[Images from Buddha and the Raven.]
You kind of have to dress green (it’s only polite). So I chose vintage, as did EFW president Myriam Laroche, by the way.
This vintage leather clutch, a gift from my sister, is perfect for toting my camera, my notebook, my everything. Want to see my EFW photos and post? You’ll find them on VitaminDaily.
In other words, I have a newly decorated home office.
My new desk is stocked with all the things I love. Antique tins make the perfect storage space for office supplies (who needs drawers?). If you look closely, you’ll notice the one on the right features an illustration of Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge (long before traffic became an issue, apparently). The Voluspa candle and alabaster stag are both from the Cross.
This new (to me) carpet is actually a blanket my mom brought back from Mexico in the 1970’s.
And even though organization isn’t my forte, I can fake it in style with beautiful folders (also from the Cross).
So does this new setup mean I’m going to be even more productive? Who knows. But it certainly makes me want to throw my hands up in the air and rejoice.
P.S. Quit procrastinating and add The Anthology on Facebook.
This print reminds me of the night sky.
And not just any night sky, but the kind you can only see when you’re away from city lights.
You know the kind — they have stars. Lots and lots of stars.
And even though this silk blouse (by the Podolls, from Body Politic) isn’t the type of thing you wear when you’re out in the middle of nowhere, it sure does make me want to go there.
[Second photo by Dominic Kamp]
February 14th is a day we celebrate love — love of candy hearts, love of chocolate, love of chubby cherubs. Since I’m Valentine’s Day’s number one fan, I thought I’d compile a list of seven ways to get into the VDay zone. You know, in case you’re bored of romantic candle-lit dinners and bubble baths.
1. Make like you’re in grade three and send Valentines to all your friends (“If you were a nose, I’d totally pick you”).
2. Eat cinnamon hearts until your mouth’s on fire and your tongue’s dyed red.
3. Wear red and pink from head to toe. Because today there’s no such thing as clashing colours.
4. See how many sentences you can make out of candy hearts (“Awesome smile, love bird. Fax me.”).
5. Be someone’s secret admirer. Because it’s fun to keep ’em guessing.
6. Watch Romeo + Juliet for the umpteenth time. Because Baz Luhrmann is b-b-b-bad to the bone.
7. Write a love poem for your loved one (“Roses are red, violets are blue. If you were a nose, I’d totally pick you.”).
[Photo found here.]