Wings & Horns (formerly Spruce), a relatively cryptic brand of upscale streetwear and casual workwear for men, designed and manufactured in our very own Vancouver, B.C. is having a sample sale at 188 West 6th Ave. I’d be inclined to say it’s one of the best sample sales ever displayed by the label, with stock that includes some of their famous tiger fleece hoodies alongside thermals, buffalo check jackets, raw denim and tees for ridiculously low prices. Sizes are available from XS – XL, and if you go early enough in the day there’s usually enough stock to give you a great selection.
Collections of Wings and Horns can be found locally at Holt Renfrew, Roden Gray,Gravity Pope (footwear) and Dutil Denim (denim). However, it’s a fairly certain guarantee that the deals at this sample sale will outshine anything those stores can offer. While their designs are usually not out of the ordinary enough to jutsify the regular retail price they command, the sheer quality of the material and details in the construction (No YKK zippers!) are definitely worth the prices you will be finding at this sale. Note it is cash only.
The concept behind Shop Cocoon (3345 Cambie Street @17th Avenue) is simple. Artists and designers lease shelf space from the store and are also required to work a minimum number of hours behind the counter each week, allowing them the opportunity to showcase their emerging brands without having to undergo the costs of starting up their own shop. The brands available at Shop Cocoon will not be unfamiliar to Vancouverites who are interested in the local and independent designer scene. From Tyte Lids to Filou Designs, these clothing and accessories have frequented the likes of Portobello West, Spend on Trend and more!
On Thursday December 4, from 11am to 9pm, save up to 30% off the entire shop for their friends and family sale. Goodies will be served.
“Suddenly, something lovely stirs in the air. Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker. Introducing a fragrance as lovely as the woman who created it. A signature scent that is feminine, timeless and ageless.
Despite only having seen a handful of SATC episodes, I thought Sex and the City was a great film. It combined all the elements of a chick flick – heartwarming one moment, heartbreaking the next, but always left with a warm, happy, fuzzy feeling about being content with who you are and having friends who will be there for you in a heartbeat when you need them the most. I love how the movie does not settle for a cookie-cutter version of happiness or romance. Everyone is different with different needs and aspirations and there is no generic happy ending which fits every person.
The success of Sarah Jessica Parker’s does not stop at Sex and the City. Like most shining starlets, she has leveraged her success and expanded further into the retail industry by launching a fragrance, appropriately titled “Lovely“.
Upon first glance, the bottle is a translucent pink with gold writing. When you think of perfumes, and all the aspects of femininity they encompass, you would not be too far off from the Lovely bottle. A circular ribbed lid caps the gold spray of the bottle giving it a simple but elegant look. Of ribbons – not of cuteness, but of maturity.
The perfume contains a bountiful of pretty layers including notes of mandarin, bergamot, rosewood, lavender, orchid, cedar, white amber and musk. If scents could be described by touch, I would say Lovely is on the softer side, but no where near baby powder. It is neither citrus-y nor overly floral but has a “grown up” smell of sophistication and maturity.
Here’s more good news: as an exclusive gift available only at Sears, purchase a Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker Eau de Parfum Spray (size: 100ml) and receive a copy of the much anticipated DVD release, Sex and the City The Movie.
Limit one bonus per customer while quantities last.
Billabong is having a sample sale on Wednesday October 1 & 2, 2008. Location is #226-1868 Glen Drive (GX Building), which is across from the Home Depot on Terminal Avenue. Drop by between 11am to 7pm. Don’t forget to bring cash!
On Thursday evening, I was lucky enough to attend the Changes (4454 W 10th) fashion show held at their Point Grey boutique. The store itself was delightfully cozy, jam-packed with patrons and Kwantlen Fashion Design Program students, not to mention the racks of conspicuously organized original clothing. Doors opened at 6:30pm, and refreshments served while we perused the one-of a kind store.
Changes offers shoppers “lightly used” designer clothing, for “real women”. The clothing is both from consignment and store buy-outs, ranging from $20- $160, and accessories from local and Canadian hand craft designers, ranging from $3 -$60. Changes strives to provide for the modern women who is not constrained by sizes or media influences because, “size means absolutely squat!”
The show started after a tearful speech by Rhonda, who stated the store 11 years ago in Vancouver, after her mother’s store in Calgary. Soon after the show began, showing various looks for fall, notably showcased on models of various shapes and sizes who are all loyal customers of the shop. Notable pieces were, a sea-foam green tunic blouse with silver sequins ($24), paired with a pencil skirt($89), and sling back Guess shoes ($39), as well as a black Kenzie blouse ($29), paired with a coral tank ($23) and a very characteristic 1950’s inspired poodle skirt ($39). The crowd favorite by far a navy and black bandeau satin dress with a bow at the waist ($89) paired with a black faux fur vest ($119-French Spy), with black heels by Feet First ( a steal at $29), crowned by a Kazumi necklace, made of Czech Crystal.
The night was finished with a round of cake, and much shopping ensued. 100% of money raised this evening goes towards the Central Asia Institute, which includes the building of schools in Afganistan. If you’re looking for a one of a kind piece in a store in which employees treat you like family, this is the place for you!
Their next show is on Oct 29th , for more info please see their website , or drop by the shop during opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday: 10am – 6pm
Thursday to Friday: 10am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 11am – 5:30pm
Twigg & Hottie, a local boutique on Main Street, is having their five year celebration with a show of fall 2008 and a preview of We3 designs’ spring and summer styles. Doors open at 8pm, fashion show is at 9pm. As for the rest of the night, get ready for prizes, drinks dancing and live music. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door. Call the store at 604.879.8595 to RSVP and purchase your tickets.
The Lav & Kush Fall 2008 Fashion Show at Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street) was a great preview to its autumn collection. Named after two royal descendents who were forest-raised in Hindu Mythology, the Lav & Kush line strives to embody the beauty, strength and lovableness from the mythical story of nature.
As the models paced briskly down the catwalk, with a single peacock feather adorning their hair, the loose-fitting and comfortable pieces from Lav & Kush flowed down the runway. The colors were generally solid, dark blocks but with a hint of subtle playfulness; the occasional ruffle, pleat or pocket makes the look less ordinary.
One piece which stood out in particular to me was a violet and cranberry colored dress with a paisley-inspired pattern on silky smooth fabric [see picture].
Style & Sustainability. Beauty & Awareness. Who says you can’t have it all?
The video below is a short clip of the Law and Kush fashion show.
Hotbox Accessories (2560 Main Street) is having a Fall Fashion Show on Friday September 26, 2008 from 6pm to 11pm. As the press release states:
It’s time to lace up those boxing gloves! Hotbox Accessories is hosting a “Hot Boxer Fashion Show” where ladies and gents will be duking it out in the season’s latest accessories!
Drop by for a visit for “sucker punch sangria” and great discounts! And best of all, admission is free!
Changes Clothing (4454 West 10th Avenue), a trendy consignment store and jewelry bar in Vancouver, is having their 11th birthday celebration Thursday September 25. There will be an in-store fashion show and an after-hours sale for all attendees.
The event will be from 6:30 – 9:30 and will feature fall fashions created with unique styling using new and like-new trends. WE will show you how to get the runway looks for less and how to turn up the excitement in your wardrobe with accessories, tips, and tricks.
Tickets are a suggested donation of $10 each with 100% of the ticket price going to The Central Asia Institute, a charity that builds schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan to help educate women.
For tickets, phone the store directly at 604-222-1505.
Shortly after 8pm, Susie Wall from CTV’s “eTalk Daily” gave a brief introduction of the runway show and praised the charitable efforts of Oakridge Centre – with refreshments and raffle ticket prizes in support of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. And great prizes they were, as the Oakridge retail community collaborated in the name of charity: from a “priceless” Trevor Linden Signed Canuck Jersey to gift cards from Marciano, Hugo Boss and Aritzia (to name a few).
Susie Wall
As the models posed in trios before disappearing backstage at the end of their catwalk strut, the crowd truly had an opportunity to digest the trends of the upcoming season. According to my observations, from trench coats and jackets to winter dresses and dress shirts, solid hues of dark colors dominated the runway – in both men’s and women’s wear. It was the subtle details which set the pieces apart from each other – the speckles on a formal jacket from Aritzia or the thin stripes on a Jacob dress shirt.
Hugo Boss
These darks colors are a sign of summer truly being over…until a trio of models wearing Swimco Swimwear appeared on the runway! If you are intending to take a tropical vacation this season, you can take your pick of two-piece swimwear, in red or yellow and splashed with tasteful polka dots or a plain white bikini paired with a wide-brim straw hat. Another colorful surprise came from Tru Drama with silky handkerchief inspired tops and dresses.
Tru Drama
Accessories were also duly noted in the fashion show. I spotted Matt and Nat bags from the Japanese Paper collection, showcasing the selection available from Valise at Oakridge Centre. From Tie Rack, brightly colored pashminas were used to contrast the dominating dark clothing colors. Similarly, pastel patterned leggings by Aritzia added a splash of feminine colors. In terms of jewelry, Blue Ruby displayed gold filigree earrings with a matching pendant necklace.
Aritzia
In light of all these classic clothing pieces and fashion accessories for the working-age crowd, don’t worry – the kids weren’t left out or left behind. As three children, representing Gymboree and Please Mum and clothed in colorful stripes, scampered onto the runway, waving with childlike innocence, cheers of encouragement were heard from the crowd.
All in all, I felt that the pieces chosen for the runway were extremely representative of the featured store’s collection. Several times throughout the fashion show, I could point out exactly which retail outlet the clothing was from: “That’s so classic – it must be from Banana Republic“ or “The casual skater look is very Quiksilver“.
Now I have a sudden urge to go shopping – and for good reason! For those of you who attended the show, don’t forget to redeem your $10 Oakridge voucher, found in your giftbag. Other discounts and goodies included a lipstick from MAC Cosmetics (and a complimentary booking for a makeover), redeemable product samples from H2O, $25 to RK, and more!
For one night only Ishara at Oakridge Centre will be serving up live models wearing trendsetting fashions, beverages, a candy bar, and unlimited eye candy. It’s their Eye Candy Soiree grand opening on Tuesday September 30th from 7-9pm. Ishara specializes in a decedent shopping experience with well merchandised garments that are as original as you are.
By bringing together the best pieces from noted designers in a comfortable atmosphere, ISHARA provides an ultimate closet of sorts to discerning women in Vancouver where they can choose that perfect outfit knowing that it won’t be found everywhere else.
Indulge for one night in shopping for hard to find and exclusive labels at 15% off!
RSVP to info@thehoneymustard.com
Holt Renfrew has been giving away complimentary samples of Laura Mercier’s new “Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer” to their Holts Style e-newsletter subscribers. To my delight, I had considered investing in Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in the past, and what better time to try something new when it’s for free? I asked the salesperson what it is meant by “illuminating” and she told me to take home my sample and see for myself.
Officially, this product is:
…a lightweight, buildable sheer foundation formula that delivers a youthful, radiant finish, while protecting skin from the damaging rays of the sun with SPF 20 protection. [A] Skin-friendly formula contains a unique Dewy Complex that is proven to keep the skin moisturized and better equipped to combat external aggressors and irritants.
But skipping the formalities, I thought this product was super lightweight and blended evenly into my skin. As for the “illuminating” aspect of the name, imagine very subtle sparkles on your face. It gives your face a purposeful bit of radiance without looking oily. For $42, you get a 50mL plastic tube with your choice of three shades (bare radiance, natural radiance and warm radiance).
Anyway, I believe that was my first beauty product review on Modern Mix Vancouver. I’ll end this off with a tip: when using tinted moisturizer, mix it in with a little bit of sunscreen to increase the SPF protection.
Since 2004, Spend on Trend has been an annual weekend mini-tradeshow and retail exhibition for Canadian designers. Tickets were only $5 for regular attendees with partial proceeds to the St. Elizabeth Home Emergency Shelter. I showed up at the event location, at Scotiabank Dance Center, on the first evening and was greeted with an Urban Fair gift bag full of sponsored goodies. From a bag of coffee beans from JJ Bean, to an organic “Spend on Trend” t-shirt by Parade, it was a nice start to the evening.
With over 20 booths this year at Spend on Trend, the event was more personable than a trade exhibition but much classier than a stereotypical craft fair, it was a diverse yet lovely opportunity to converse with the individual designers. And each artist had so much to say about their creations – from belts to hair accessories, from Chinese silk to leather and from Victoria to Montreal, Spend on Trend captured the essence of Canadian design with a national diversity. Each item had its own story, and each artist told it well; a narrative of their background, their inspiration, their hopes and their dreams.
Home Accessories by Track and Field Designs
For example, Sasha Barry of Track & Field Designs aspires to eventually move into making clothing that
reflects the same feel as the rest of her products. Currently, Track & Field Designs specializes in cutesy vintage-inspired home and fashion accessories: from cloth pouches screen printed with nature motifs to sturdy pin-cushions accented with a wooden button
Meanwhile, Cory Judge of Shi Studio is based in Victoria yet draws her inspiration from Asian design by using silk from South China and India in her jewelry. She views her pendants as stained glass pictures, silk pressed between cut glass with the edges soldered with silver. When asked why it matters to use quality, imported silk in her work, Cory responded saying that high-quality silks have a texture, iridescence, sheen and shine which cannot be reproduced with anything less.
Gold Jewelry by Tala Designs
However, she’s not the only artist at Spend on Trend with cultural diversity in her artwork. Bahar Taheri of Tala Designs used the Farsi word for “gold” to name her jewelery line. Adorned with Swarovski crystals and delicate chain, Bahar aims for a timeless look to her pieces which can be worn during the day with a smooth transition into the night.
Leather Cuffs by Catalyst Reactions
With a bit of an edgier look, Kat Bachmeier, the co-owner of Catalyst Reaction uses leather in her gender neutral accessories line with an eclectic mix of nature and urban street in the designs. For example, the Vancouver city skyline is printed on one of her belts; the outline of bridges and buildings roughly sketched onto durable leather. According to Kat, no matter how masculine the belt, she still sees girls buying the belts for themselves!
Similarly, Giselle Duval of The Rave ‘n’ Iron creates her jewelry line with reclaimed steel and meticulously hand-etches her scenic designs.
In conclusion, Spend on Trend was a great opportunity to connect with the Canadian fashion community and celebrate the national talent and diversity of our local community and beyond. Visit their official website at www.spendontrend.com to sign up for their mailing list and keep yourself in the loop for next year!
Print off the below coupon to use in-store at any RW&CO. location to recieve 20% off the last ticketed price (before taxes). Offer only valid on Sunday September 14, 2008.
It’s the best of both worlds at the Lav and Kush Fashion Show and Sale. Watch the tale of Lav and Kush unfold on the runway during a fall 2008 showcase and spring 2009 preview. Then shop the racks for samples from this eco-flirty local designer. It happens Thursday September 18 from 7-10pm at the Heritage Hall (3102 Main St.).
Riot (1395 Commercial Drive) presents the Valley of the Dolls fashion show on Thursday September 11 at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway at Commercial Drive). See what’s in store for their Fall 2008 collection! Tickets are $10 or two for $15. For more information, check out their Facebook Event.
Oakridge Centre is having their Annual Fall Fashion Show on Tuesday, September 16, 2008. “Kick your wardrobe into high gear” as the event showcases boutiques such as Michael Kors, MaxMara and Hugo Boss, among 40 other leading retailers. Hosted by fashion and celebrity insider Susie Wall from CTV’s “eTalk Daily” and The Vancouver Province, the runway show is one of Oakridge Centre’s top fundraisers for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice which is internationally regarded as one of the leading children’s palliative care centres.
Tickets to the event ($25 in advance through Oakridge Centre guest services or $30 at the door) include exclusive gift bags full of items courtesy of Oakridge Centre retailers and partners, refreshments and a chance to win a fabulous door prize from Air Canada.
Doors open at 7 p.m. at the southwest entrance. Seating is limited. For more information, please call 604-261-2511 or visit www.oakridgecentre.com. I’ll be there! Hope to see you too!
This entry is co-authored by Miranda Sam of Style By Fire and Vanessa Choot, Editor-in-Chief, of Modern Mix Vancouver with photographs by Grace Lau
Leather-bound notebooks by Fiveleft Leather
Spend on Trend is a fashion and jewelry trade show featuring Canadian designers. The show is run by Jody Phillips, who wore a kimono style meets Vancouver asymmetrical pattern top by TOGS. Like Jody, you too can support local designers! Spend on Trend runs until Sunday, September the 7th. Some of the stand out designer booths include:
Catalyst Reaction – Leather cuffs and belts imprinted with silkscreened designs, co-owner Kate Bachmeier describes her accessories as an eclectic mix of nature and urban street.
Fiveleft Leather – Beautiful leather bags, wallets, and more by Lincoln Heller. Clasps are made from reclaimed hood ornaments and bike spokes.
Shi – Stained glass Chinese & Indian silk pendants, hand made in Victoria. Designer Cory Judge describes them as pieces, “encased in a moment in time.”
Tala – Delicate gold jewelry designs by Bahar Taheri that’s classic enough to be worn through the day but stylish enough to transition into the night.
Toodlebunny – You can expect only the best from designer Trudy Wynans. She’s so meticulous, she bubble wraps each piece in individual containers, and packs them “Jenga style”.
Pendants by Shi Studio
There’s still time for you to meet the designers of these great Canadian brands and check out their goodies at Spend on Trend this weekend from September 5th to 7th at Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie Street). Times are as follows:
September 6th: 10am to 9pm
September 7th: 11am to 6pm
Stay tuned until next week for a full review of Spend on Trend and lots more photos from the event!
A while back, I posted an entry on Modern Mix Vancouver about the Matt & Nat schoolbag contest. Now that it has been a month and the 10 winners have been chosen (not me), all of the runner-ups were offered a consolation prize of 50% off selected Matt & Nat bags in the new Fall 2008 Collection! I have until September 30th to decide whether I want to take them up on this offer. These are the styles and colors I can choose from with their regular price
Threadless is an online community and t-shirt store with user-submitted designs. People can vote on your design on a scale of one to five and the highest scoring designs get turned into a t-shirt. For those who are not as artisically inclined but still want to participate, Threadless has a line of type tees with witty slogans submitted from users (ie. “magic is just stuff science hasn’t made boring yet“)!
Generally, their t-shirts are upwards of $17 USD and a couple of (reasonable) dollars for shipping and handling. However, every season they have highly discounted merchandise so now’s the time to stock up on t-shirts for $9 or $12! The last time I bought from Threadless, it was about $6ish for shipping (sent to Vancouver…obviously). If you take a picture of yourself wearing the t-shirt, you are credited with $1.50 on your next purchase too!
As you can see, designs are good mix of girly and boy-ey patterns. Maybe I’m gender-biased, but I can’t imagine why a girl would wear a t-shirt with a hamburger saying “I want to be inside you!” but I could see a guy wearing that.
If you do decide to browse the Threadless site and buy something, please do me a favor and buy through my referral link!
Despite only having seen a handful of SATC episodes, I thought Sex and the City was a great film. It combined all the elements of a chick flick – heartwarming one moment, heartbreaking the next, but always left with a warm, happy, fuzzy feeling about being content with who you are and having friends who will be there for you in a heartbeat when you need them the most. I love how the movie does not settle for a cookie-cutter version of happiness or romance. Everyone is different with different needs and aspirations and there is no generic happy ending which fits every person.
The perfume contains a bountiful of pretty layers including notes of mandarin, bergamot, rosewood, lavender, orchid, cedar, white amber and musk. If scents could be described by touch, I would say Lovely is on the softer side, but no where near baby powder. It is neither citrus-y nor overly floral but has a “grown up” smell of sophistication and maturity.
Changes offers shoppers “lightly used” designer clothing, for “real women”. The clothing is both from consignment and store buy-outs, ranging from $20- $160, and accessories from local and Canadian hand craft designers, ranging from $3 -$60. Changes strives to provide for the modern women who is not constrained by sizes or media influences because, “size means absolutely squat!”
The show started after a tearful speech by Rhonda, who stated the store 11 years ago in Vancouver, after her mother’s store in Calgary. Soon after the show began, showing various looks for fall, notably showcased on models of various shapes and sizes who are all loyal customers of the shop. Notable pieces were, a sea-foam green tunic blouse with silver sequins ($24), paired with a pencil skirt($89), and sling back Guess shoes ($39), as well as a black Kenzie blouse ($29), paired with a coral tank ($23) and a very characteristic 1950’s inspired poodle skirt ($39). The crowd favorite by far a navy and black bandeau satin dress with a bow at the waist ($89) paired with a black faux fur vest ($119-French Spy), with black heels by Feet First ( a steal at $29), crowned by a Kazumi necklace, made of Czech Crystal.
The 
It’s the best of both worlds at the 
