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Style | Art Institute Paparazzi Fashion Grad Show

By Erika Renfrew

Two words you may not expect to start a fashion show summary: Flash and Mob.

To kick off The Art Institute of Vancouver’s Paparazzi Fashion Show, students, teachers and two seriously talented hip-hop dancers took turns jumping out of their seats and gettin’ down.

The Paparazzi show presented the final collections of The Art Institute’s fashion design grads. Still an AI student myself, it was inspiring to see semesters of, not really blood, but definitely sweat and tears, come to life on the catwalk.

I swear on my Steve Madden oxfords I hold no bias.  The show was terrific! Each designer created three looks, and was given the freedom to be authentically themselves.

There were red carpet-worthy dresses, rock n’ roll patchwork, tulle gowns and a dash of menswear.  Did I mention the wired, pompom skirt?  These budding designers literally leaped outside the box.

Congratulations to the fashion design grads!  Keep your eyes peeled for them, folks.

[First look: Victoria Patterson, second look: Jonie Wong, third look: Amanda Warwaruk]

November 16, 2011 by

Diary | Cupcake Girls and Mobilicity

I have two addictions — sugar and my phone. (Actually, if you count vintage clothes, Twitter and my iPod, I have way more than two addictions, but we’ll ignore those for the moment.)

Last week, Mobilicity hosted me at the Cupcake Girls set/bakery for a delicious little cupcake-icing demo, which we shot on Mobilicity’s smart phones. “It’s as easy as getting a cupcake,” said Mobilicity’s general manager Matthew Gould.

And waaaaaay easier than icing a cupcake.

The Cupcake Girls Lori Joyce and Heather White (pictured with yours truly and Matthew Gould) are about to resume filming their third season of their hugely popular show.

And with cupcake-icing skills like these, I’m expecting an invitation to be a guest on their show…any day now.

[I’m wearing a vintage dress and a vintage YSL belt.]

P.S. Feed your Twitter addiction — follow The Anthology!

November 14, 2011 by

Sound | Yukon Blonde at the Biltmore

When Yukon Blonde head-banged their way across the Biltmore’s stage on Thursday, Braden Paul was there to capture the action.

Are these fair locks the inspiration behind the band’s name? I’m gonna go with yes. (And then you’re gonna want to fact-check that because I totally made that up.) Can you guess where they’re from? It ain’t the Yukon. I’ll give you a hint: the refrain for “Wind Blows” goes a little something like this: “Listen to the raindrops outside of my window, the treetops glistening with water running down them.”

Yes, my friends, they’re Vancouverites. And they were joined by fellow British Columbians Kingdom Cloud, a bandana-clad trio who sound like a synth-ier, happier Interpol.

And Mississauga’s energetic six-piece The Paint Movement. Her dress is amazing, non? Not unlike this photo, in fact.

[Photos by Braden Paul]

P.S. Check out Braden’s photos of Deer Tick and Guards at Rickshaw, his shots from last summer’s Sasquatch Festival, and his pics from my very favourite band to see live: Chk Chk Chk (!!!).

November 13, 2011 by

Diary | Shoppalu

By Erika Renfrew

I am neither a hunter nor a gatherer when it comes to shopping.  While I appreciate vintage clothing, I prefer a simplified shopping experience. Solution? Shoppalu. They do all the work: find, restore and revamp vintage apparel and accessories.

At the Shoppalu F/W 2011 sale, racks of retro maxis and fur coats were hung alongside brand-spanking new designs. Vintage shoes, jewellery and leather belts filled the room (I didn’t bring nearly enough money). Shoppalu also carries new fashion labels from around the world.  I was ready to give my foot for a pair of leopard print, studded Matiko loafers.

My favourite new piece is an amazing pair of high-waisted floral, corduroy shorts from Lucca Couture. With a spirited and trendy eye, Lucca Couture has that special something something.

Do yourself a favour and take a peek!

November 13, 2011 by

Linked | TEDxVancouver, I am Downtown, Wu Lyf and more…

The Anthology’s list of what’s new, what’s now and what’s next…

1. Art attack. The Eastside Culture Crawl’s 15th anniversary is coming up and there’s no better way to spend it than by creeping through artists’ studios, which is exactly what I’ll be doing November 18 – 20.

2. Ideas worth spreading. TEDxVancouver hits UBC’s Chan Centre tomorrow. I’ll be there bright and early with a triple shot of espresso in hand. Will you? There are still a few tickets left.

3. Rock out. Other Lives, the band that blew me away when they opened for Bon Iver at the Orpheum a couple months ago, will be playing the Media Club on Friday, December 9.

4. Rock out some more. New Jersey’s Wu Lyf will be bringing their husky-voiced indie pop to the Electric Owl on Friday, November 18.

5. I am downtown. Not literally, mind you, but on Wednesday, November 16, Pacific Centre will be hosting a shopping event and you’re all invited.

6. Warm up. Kove x The Anthology giveaway winner Kelsey Klassen wore her chevron scarf to shoot Vancouver Fashion Week. How much do you love it with that printed top? Soooooooooooo much!

Movamber alert. The ladies who started a fundraising campaign for the fight against prostate cancer were aiming for $5,000 and have upped that to $10,000 thanks to all your support. Donate here.

Plus (see what I did there?) The Anthology’s now on Google+ See ya there!

November 11, 2011 by

Diary | Festive Collective

By Erika Renfrew

When the clock strikes twelve on October 31, an invisible switch is flicked and we move into all-out holiday fanatics.  (I get criticism for playing carols through most of November.)

Of course, I jumped at the chance to attend the opening of the Festive Collective One-Stop Holiday Shop where talented Vancouver-based artists showcase and sell everything from fashion and handcrafted jewellery to adorable kids’ apparel and vegan handbags.

A few things on my wish list?

Lotus Designs presented some truly unique jewellery ideas (think birdcage pendants and strawberry stud earrings).

Daub + Design displayed tie-dyed underwear that literally felt like a buttery second skin.

Mimosa, creator of art, fine paper and children’s clothing, showed sweet little onesies that I couldn’t help but picture on my nine-month-old niece.

Take it from a true holiday enthusiast; November is never too early. The Festive Collective takes place at The Rize until November 27, every day except Mondays.

[First photo courtesy of Lotus Designs.]

November 9, 2011 by

Diary | Canada Goose at Hawksworth

Does this look like the first Canadian to summit Mount Everest?

If you answered yes, you’re right! About the jacket, at least. It was designed by Canada Goose for Laurie Skreslet, who in 1982, became the first Canadian to summit the world’s highest peak.

So why was I wearing it as I ate compressed watermelon and drank dandelion-infused cocktails at Hawksworth Restaurant? Because it’s the coziest thing in the world. Also because I was having dinner with Canada Goose CEO Dani Reiss, a man who has had his fair share of adventures — polar bear treks in the north and soon enough, a trip to the South Pole. Turns out, when you make the world’s warmest jackets you get to wear them in the world’s coldest places. (And I thought I was hardcore for going heli-hiking.)

If you were, say, a scientist in Antarctica, you’d be rocking one of Canada Goose’s heavy-duty styles. But if you, like me, live in Vancouver, you’ll probably find their new Hybridge Lite line chic, sleek and just what the cold weather ordered.

They’re made in Canada, eh!

[Thank you, Anya, for taking the first photo!]

P.S. Get cozy with The Anthology on Facebook.

November 8, 2011 by

Playlist | Deer Tick and Guards at Rickshaw

Deer Tick’s shows are famously raucous.

Or, as photographer Braden Paul, put it, “Absolutely nutty.” He was at Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre last night to capture the Providence-based band’s blood, sweat and tears.

But mostly the blood. (That’s apparently what happens when you beat up your guitar.) It’s funny, because when you listen to Deer Tick’s albums, you might not picture a show like that coming from a band that sounds like they do — upbeat indie rock laced with a bit of country twang.

But that’s the beauty of live music, amirite? Speaking of beauty — you can download a free EP from openers Guards, which is filled with all sorts of gritty, Sixties-inspired tunes, right here.

[Photos by Braden Paul.]

November 7, 2011 by

Style | Mortar & Pestle

By Erika Renfrew

Vancouver Fashion Week wrapped up this weekend and lil ol’ me was lucky enough to get a terrific first taste.

In true Vancouver style, Mortar & Pestle Apparel approached S/S 2012 with effortless sophistication. This is clothing that looks chic in a hurry, when you can’t afford a doubtful second glance.

Relatively new to the fashion scene, designer Jillian Zdunich launched the label this past March. She polished up one of the season’s biggest trends and took colour blocking to a softer, more elegant level.

I loved the sunny yellows, eclectic clutches and more specifically the oh-so-svelte teal jumpsuit. Mortar & Pestle proves that less really can be more and by keeping it classic, you sometimes stand out the most.

[First photo courtesy of Mortar & Pestle]

November 7, 2011 by