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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
