Diary | Art. Design. Fashion. Music.

By Erika Renfrew

Here are a few of my favourite things: fashion (obviously), music, art and now, blogging. So put all of these things in one funky loft-like setting and voila! Paradise.

The evening celebrated the A.D.F.M. store launch, an online lifestyle shop that blends art, design, fashion and music under one seriously creative roof. Founder (and super cool lady) Michelle Wong emphasizes culture, community and under-the-radar talent.

Coffee table books were spread about, including a complete moustache grower’s guide (Movember anyone?). With art on the walls, shoes on the table and a DJ spinning all evening, the A.D.F.M. team created a really cool vibe.

A.D.F.M. stands for Art, Design, Fashion and Music or “A Design For Me”. Clever, huh? This online oasis even offers the help of personal stylists. Bringing culture and inspired living to your home, I spent the evening making a mental list of must-haves. Go on, take a look…

 

Giveaway | Kove x The Anthology

One of you is about to get very cozy, my friends! The winner of this gorgeous hand-knit chevron scarf by Kove is…

Kelsey Klassen (I totally rigged it because I liked her name), who entered via Twitter. Congratulations! Send pics of how you style it, mmkay?

P.S. We’ve got more giveaways coming up on The Anthology, so put on your lucky hat.

Before | The Upcycled Necklace

Normally “before and afters” on The Anthology involve hideous vintage pieces that I have my tailor rework (see Exhibit A, B, and especially C).

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But this, my friends, is a whole new ballgame.

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I’m taking two once-loved pieces of my own — a black-and-white silk scarf I bought in Paris and a plastic chain necklace I bought somewhere far less glamourous — and I’m going to make my own “after”. All by myself. I’ll share it with you soon (as long as it doesn’t look like a 6-year-old made it).

P.S. I whipped up my own “After” once before and I kind of love how it turned out. Let’s see if lightening strikes twice.

Art & Design | Alberta Ballet’s Jean Grand-Maitre

Never in my life have I seen so many nude body suits.

And I certainly wasn’t expecting so many of them at the ballet (then again, where else would I expect to find so much head-to-toe spandex?). Before the dress rehearsal of Love Lies Bleeding, I sat down with Alberta Ballet’s incredible artistic director Jean Grand-Maître, who choreographed the piece that chronicles the story of Elton John’s life.

It’s cabaret meets Broadway meets Vegas. And it’s set to Elton John’s music. But does it include “Tiny Dancer,” you ask? Well, I’m not going to spoil it for you.

You’ll find my interview on Vitamin Daily.

Thank you | Flare

It’s LG Fashion Week! And Flare is celebrating by featuring a few of your favourite Canadian style bloggers (including yours truly) wearing our favourite Canadian pieces. Shockingly, none of us wore a maple leaf fascinator. Take a peek.

Thank you, Ryan Michael Cheung and Andrea Karr!

Giveaway | Kove x The Anthology

There’s only one reason I love autumn. And it ain’t the changing leaves, people. It’s the bundling up!

Kove Knitwear Made By Hand Vancouver

And there’s no better way to get cozy than with a hand-knit chevron scarf by Vancouver’s own Kove, who, by the way, has a pop-up shop open until October 30. This supersoft wool and acrylic scarf is valued at $160 and you could win your very own. How?

For one entry: Comment on this post and tell us what cozy means to you. (Getting curled up by the fireplace with your kitten on your lap?)

For two entries: Write on The Anthology’s Facebook wall and tell us how you plan to stay warm this winter. (With a hand-knit piece by Kove, perhaps?)

For three entries: Holler @TheAnthology on Twitter.

The contest is open to readers worldwide. The lucky winner will be chosen on October 19th, 2011 (contest closes 5:00pm PST 10/19/11). Good luck!

UPDATE: And we have a winner! Congratulations Kelsey Klassen!

Diary | Vancouver International Film Festival

35091Three cheers for film festivals! The minute I got back to Vancouver I picked up my VIFF media pass and jumped straight into the film fest fun.

Last night was the premier of Nash, the Documentary (thank you Tiffany and the Donnelly Group for the invitation!). Even I found the story of Canada’s favourite basketball star fascinating, which is high praise coming from someone who’s never sat through an entire b-ball game in her life.

Another favourite? Patang, the story of six people whose lives intertwine during India’s biggest kite festival.

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The film is so beautifully shot it makes me want to go to India. Like, right this minute. Patang was featured at Berlin and Tribeca and had its Canadian premier at VIFF, where it will be showing again this afternoon.

Then this weekend I’m off to the closing gala. Can’t wait! Have you seen any of the films? Which did you love most?

P.S. Shout-out to my friend Shevawn who designed the Vancouver International Film Festival artwork. Holler!

P.P.S. You’ll find a few more of my VIFF picks on Vitamin Daily.

Style | Nicole Bridger

By Erika Renfrew

It was pure poetry, the mixture of fashion and dance in Nicole Bridger’s S/S 2012 performance at Eco Fashion Week. Now, I use the word performance because the show stretched far beyond the traditional runway strut. Bridger called this season Allowing Grace, reflective of her inspiration and a reminder to us all to have faith and be exactly as we are.

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I got chills through my camera lens. Models and dancers shared the runway, and Bridger’s effortless designs shined next to powerful contemporary movement. With bare feet and long, loose hair, a story of freedom and optimism was told.

Nicole Bridger S/S 12 detail

Muted pastels, organic fabrics and Bridger’s signature draping allowed room for intense choreography (and also work fabulously in everyday life). This emotional portrayal was topped off with the delicate sounds of Bon Iver.

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It just makes sense; fashion is expression, dance is expression and Nicole Bridger united both for one truly chilling performance.

A little too awestruck, I just about forgot to applaud.

Say hello to…

Erika Renfrew! Writer, fashion marketing student, and now, intern at The Anthology and Northill.

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Erika’s still in school, but she’s got her heart set firmly on the communications industry, and not just any part of the communications industry, but the fashion marketing and writing part. Which makes her a perfect fit and I am so very thrilled to have her as part of the team.

The Victorian-turned-Vancouverite loves dance, music, art, and almost everything creative and cultural. Oh, and also, daydreaming about travel, drinking coffee and doing crosswords.

She joins Liv Hung as part of the Northill team and photographer Braden Paul and writer/actress Katie Burnett as contributors to The Anthology.

So when you see Erika at events, covering shows and/or doing research for Northill’s clients, say hello to her, will ya?

Welcome aboard, Erika!