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The Anthology

It would be a dream

To collect so much art that every wall in my house would be covered. Floor to ceiling.

augustine-unintended-calculations

While none of these pieces are hanging on my walls (insert sad face here), they are hanging on Becker Galleries’.

unintended-calculations-artists

They’re part of Unintended Calculations, the show that unites four street artists from around the world. Curated by Indigo (far left), it features LA’s Augustine Kofie, Vancouver’s Scott Sueme, the UK’s Remi/Rough and Washington DC’s Jeremy Inscoe.

scott-sueme

It’s about four different approaches to abstraction.

detail-mixed-patterns

So I thought I’d dress the part in three different approaches to patterns — plaid, stripes and whatever you’d call the print on my clutch.

Want to see them in person? (The paintings, not my clothes.) Unintended Calculations runs until March 26th at the Becker Galleries. And if you want to see the artists’ work on an even bigger scale, stop by the Moda Hotel where they have collaborated on two four-storey murals.

[First piece by Augustine Kofie, second two by Scott Sueme.]

P.S. The Anthology’s Facebook wall is full of art too.

March 8, 2011 by

Now this is a good question…

Natalie writes:
I’m a huge fan! I don’t even know how I stumbled on your blog but am I ever happy I did. I really think you need to do a bit about prom for your under 18 crowd (like myself). What did you wear? Or better yet, what would you wear?

the-anthology-prom

This got me thinking. Both about time travel and about dresses. When I went to prom, I wore a printed silk dress from Holt Renfrew (pictured above). With a halter neck, angled hem and deep, rich colours, I still love it. But it’s no longer available.

nina-ricci-tiered-dress

So I started to ask myself if I were to go to prom today, would I opt for a little black dress? Nope. As cool as the LBD is, I’d prefer something with colour (it pops in photos). So then it was a question of whether or not I would want a glamourous floor-length number. I decided against it. Because even though they’re very on-trend, I’d rather go short (all the better to dance in).

Which brings me to this Nina Ricci tiered dress. It’s short in length but big on colour. Plus, it’s structured so it’s still formal enough for such an affair. At $1,690 USD, it sure ain’t cheap, but in my imaginary world of prom and time travel, that wouldn’t matter.

vintage-snakeskin-clutch

I’d opt to carry a printed vintage snakeskin clutch (there’s nothing like pairing statement accessories with a statement dress). I’d just want to make sure there’s enough room in my purse for a camera, cell phone, and touch-up lipstick.

To finish the look, I’d rock a pair of very pretty shoes, like these classic tie-ups by Diane von Furstenberg. Which reminds me; I would pack a pair of ballet flats in my purse too. After dancing all night, I’d want something to carry me through the after-party (sore feet are not happy feet).diane-v-furstenberg

Oh, and I’d arrive in a classic Bentley and bring James Franco as my date.

I hope this helps, Natalie! And I hope you have tons and tons of fun at prom.

Have a question for The Anthology? Send it to theanthology@live.com.

March 6, 2011 by

The A-list | Vintage shopping cheat sheet

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.

vintage-sequin-cardigan

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.

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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.

wedding-dress-after

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.

March 2, 2011 by

What a finale.

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.

eco-fashion-week-prophetik

His collection was inspired by the court of Louis XV with loads of floor-sweeping gowns.

lady-of-shallot

Some of which seem like the kind of thing the Lady of Shallot would wear.

prophetik-eco-fashion-week

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.

P.S. Wake up and add The Anthology on Facebook.

February 26, 2011 by

Didn’t get an invitation to the Oscars?

Hmmm… me neither. Must have gotten lost in the mail. No matter, though. You can still accessorize like an Academy Awards attendee.

buddha-and-raven-studio-bracelets

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.]

P.S. Tweet like an A-lister.

February 26, 2011 by

New Anthology Headquarters!

In other words, I have a newly decorated home office.

antique-tins-and-things

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.

mexican-blanket-1970s

This new (to me) carpet is actually a blanket my mom brought back from Mexico in the 1970’s.

world-map-file-folders

And even though organization isn’t my forte, I can fake it in style with beautiful folders (also from the Cross).

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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.

February 20, 2011 by