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

Bookmark | Atlantis Home

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

You’ve already bookmarked Sea of Shoes, right?

But have you bookmarked Atlantis Home? Run by Judy Aldridge (mother to Sea of Shoes’ Jane Aldridge) it’s one of my very favourite style/design/inspiration-filled blogs.

I love her jewelry line. I love her style — she’s mastered the art of the ladylike jacket, rock ‘n’ roll t-shirt and roughed-up jeans with funky footwear. And that’s a style that will take you from work (if you, like me, work in a creative industry) to post-work cocktails to a midnight show.

And I especially love her love of all things vintage.

So bookmark Atlantis Home already. And bookmark The Anthology while you’re at it.

December 5, 2011 by

Beauty | Emmy Beaton’s Wish List

To kick off The Anthology’s series of wish list guest posts, Emmy Beaton, a makeup artist from Victoria, BC, shares her picks for holiday beauty must-haves. And boy are they sparkly…

1. Lise Watier Eye Glitter Liner in Black Diamond and Smokey Gold
This year, glitter has been huge – from shimmery frocks to those famous glitter-heeled Miu Miu booties. I’m taking some artistic license and adapting that trend by incorporating some glitter into my eye looks. These Lise Watier glitter liners are amazing – they are easy to apply both as a thin liner or across the lid, and are also easy to layer for more intensity.

2. Julep Maven subscription
Lately the hottest thing in beauty is subscription boxes. Glossybox, Luxe Box, Glymm Box…there are many companies offering similar services – every month they send you a box with trial sizes of premium products, allowing you to test a large quantity of different things without committing to full sizes. Most of the boxes contain a large number of skin products and I love this idea, but alas, my skin is very sensitive. The Julep Maven subscription is different: for $20 a month you get around $40 worth of nail polish and treatment products. I buy two nailpolishes a month (that’s a conservative estimate!) so for me this would be perfect. Are you listening, Santa?

3. Sultra The Bombshell
I’m obsessed with conical wands. They are so versatile, style your hair in half the time of regular curling irons, and never snag or pull your hair. You can even use them to create volume by running holding them against the root while you hold a section of hair vertically. Amazing. So far this tool has been something used exclusively in salons because it’s easy to burn yourself. This one, however, comes with a protective glove!  How smart is that!?

4. NARS Danmari All About Cheeks palette
Whether you’re a hardcore beauty junkie, a lady who travels for work, or just someone looking to simplify your life, these six shades are made for you. This palette has been haunting my dreams. I can’t wait to glow, bronze, and shimmer my way into the new year with this sleek black, mirrored palette. I die!

5. MAC Cosmetics Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Quite the Thing!
MAC describes the colour of this lipstick/gloss hybrid as ‘deep blue plum.’ I’m deeply smitten by the shade – it’s both sheer and bright, and complements all complexions. On fair skin you’ll have a just-bitten pout and on darker skin you’ll get a sultry berry with a bit of shimmer. When everyone else is doing red lips this holiday season, you’ll stand out wearing this knockout purple. The best part is that the formula is so amazingly comfortable, you feel like you’re wearing lip balm!

6. Shiseido Perfect Rouge in BE208 – Baby
Shiseido’s Perfect Rouge line is an excellent range of lipsticks with a really sophisticated formula. Neither glossy nor matte, these lipsticks are somehow light, hydrating, and long-lasting with none of the waxy feel of other lipsticks. I love the warm nude colour of 208 – Baby for the holidays – the perfect complement for a sparkly new years eve look.

7. LeSportsac Charleston Kevyn cosmetics case
Recently I’ve been on the hunt for a cute cosmetics case that I would be proud to pull out in a club or restaurant. This super cute case is fun yet classy, and bears the name of my favourite makeup artist. The collector in me also loves that there are lots of other coordinating items with the same pattern, so I can mix and match. Sold!

December 4, 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

Now it’s your turn!

Tell us…

What’s top of your holiday wish list? Share it and I’ll post it on The Anthology!

It could be a new book, an old dress, a pair of snowshoes or a puppy. Send me a note at KDundon@TheAnthology.ca, tell me what’s on your wish list (and why!) and I’ll post your picks on The Anthology just in time for the holidays. Need a little inspiration? Take a look at Erika Renfrew’s wish list.

[Image found here.]

November 30, 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

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