Browsing Category

Vancouver

Style | The Latest Scoop

A sponsored post.

Part pop-up boutique, part shopping party, the Latest Scoop is a sparkly, sequin-y treasure trove of holiday style and home décor. The three Vancouver boutiques are only open for a few more weeks so I stopped in to their West Fourth location to scout out my favourite holiday looks.

Like this one. Love, love, love the white tuxedo jacket ($79.95) and its black detailing (doesn’t get any chic-er than black and white!) and I got a little too excited about that floor-length sequin skirt (also comes in black). This look would be a stand-out at holiday parties and new year’s eve bashes. I figure when everyone else is wearing black, that’s the perfect time to show up in white. And when everyone else is wearing short, show up in long.

Or just go for sequins and be a sparkly stunner.

And if you’re, say, going to to a charity ball or an office party and you need a dress that’s a little more conservative, then top it off with bold accessories. A classic LBD calls for rainbow bracelets ($44.95).

And if you’re hosting a dinner party, I love the idea of doing so in a dress like this ($89.95). Wear an apron over top while you’re cooking and then, when dinner’s ready, reveal all that sequin drama! That, my friends, is how you earn the title of the hostess with the mostest.

The Latest Scoop Kits: 2372 West 4th Avenue. Kerrisdale: 2138 West 41st. West Vancouver: 1731 Marine Drive.

P.S. Want the latest on the Latest Scoop? Follow them on Twitter and Facebook and sign up for their newsletter here.

December 12, 2011 by

After | The mint blazer

Ta da!

You’d never guess this jacket used to be this sexy little number, would ya? Just goes to show that scrunching up the sleeves goes a long way.

And piling on the texture (via a striped t-shirt) and the colour (via a rust-coloured necklace) makes the mint seem subdued.

But the real magic was worked by my tailor who added two seems to the back to take in the extra fabric, a material so light it let in this much sunshine when I slung it over my chair this morning. Love how it highlights the texture too.

The jacket’s bright, light colour and easy, breezy fabric seems made for Miami. Or at least Vancouver’s version of Miami — the courtyard at the Burrard. Seriously, that place and that jacket seem made for each other. Maybe that’s because it’s the same colour as the doors.

P.S. It’s hot and sunny on Facebook so add The Anthology.

December 8, 2011 by

Diary | Vancouver Fashion Showcase Wrap-Up

By Erika Renfrew

What’d you do on Sunday?  Sip pretty cocktails?  Sample mini cakes?  Or did you perform acrobatics while hanging from the ceiling?  I could never do that last one, but two out of three isn’t bad.

This weekend wrapped up the Vancouver Fashion Showcase, an event spotlighting 30 of the city’s top boutiques and retailers.  This four-day extravaganza began with a gala and runway show at the Vancouver Art Gallery. What comes after the pre-party?  More parties of course. Vancouver Fashion Showcase hosted three days of shopping with styling competitions, industry talks and exclusive discounts.

Sadly, no shopping for me!  I did attend the official wrap-up party at Canvas Lounge.  With giveaways and great music it was a night to mingle with the inspiring individuals involved, like Amy Podrasky (far left) and Marina Fernandes (centre) who volunteered to help plan the fashion shows and dress the models.

Now for the acrobatics.  I watched a strong, elastic-y woman perform an aerial dance.  She was all-smiles as she twirled mid-air; I was holding my breath that she didn’t fall.

Take part in any of the fun this weekend?  If you missed it this time around, consider this an ever-so-gentle nudge.

December 7, 2011 by

Diary | Lunch at Hawksworth with Tiffany & Co.

2012 will mark Tiffany & Co.’s 175th birthday. That’s right, all you math whizzes, the jewelry giant was founded in 1837.

Will their birthday cake look like this? Maybe. These Tiffany-inspired sweets were served as dessert at a holiday luncheon hosted by Tiffany & Co. at the Hotel Georgia’s Hawksworth Restaurant.

It was, needless to say, delicious. But the, um, jewel of the meal? Pasta with chestnuts. I can’t get enough of those little gems this time of year.

Tomorrow, Tiffany will open its second store in Vancouver — and only the fifth in Canada — at Oakridge Centre. Which means Vancouverites will now have a choice in where they’d like to try on million-dollar engagement rings.

P.S. If you’re in Vancouver, I’m hosting yoga with Vitamin Daily at Exhale Studio in Yaletown this Thursday (December 8, 2011) 8:30-9:30am! Come with — it’s free! There are only a few spots available so grab your yoga mat and RSVP to rsvp@vitamindaily.com

December 6, 2011 by

Style | Blanche MacDonald

By Erika Renfrew

Like the energizer bunny, the fantastic designs just kept on coming, and coming…and coming!

Blanche Macdonald presented the Colour Couture fashion show celebrating this year’s graduates in fashion design. Over fifty students showcased their work and with more than one hundred looks it was Blanche Macdonald’s largest show ever!

The designers set no limits on their imagination and wowed the crowd with just about everything under the sun.

There were plenty of wearable pieces; cropped varsity jackets, tuxedo blouses and flirty summer dresses.  And on the other side of the spectrum? Bedazzled swimwear, architectural outerwear, an ultra-sheer suit and dress complete with steel cage.

My pick for showstopper of the night was a black satin gown by Lillian Lim.  With a train of tulle, sequin embroidery and removable hot-pink skirt, the audience got some shock value before finishing off the night.

What’s that old saying?  Less is more?  In this case I’d have to disagree.

P.S. Keep up with Erika on Twitter.

December 2, 2011 by

Thank you WE Vancouver!

For featuring my smiley face in your Out After Dark column alongside some of my very favourite Vancouverites — the ladies of the Cross Decor and Design (happy 8th birthday!), Chambar’s new bar manager Jacob Sweetman (whose winter punch you really need to try) and Marc Brunet of BeautyMark (where I am about to stock up on all sorts of holiday sparkle).

May Globus, you’re the best!

November 30, 2011 by

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

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