On a street that can range from beautiful to a tad scary, you can find much in the way of wardrobe boosters on Cordova. If you’re planning on visiting Vancouver (or somehow (?) haven’t checked out this area) and want to come away with arms full of lovely new threads (many designed locally!), this is the perfect area.

Some of my favourite stores:

(212) – 454 W. Cordova
212′s designers flog trends straight from N.Y. and combine them with Vancouver’s local flair. Pricing is moderately high for what you get, though considering these are unique, local designs one can take the price hit when you find something here you absolutely love.

Deluxe Junk – 310 W. Cordova
This is a top-shelf consignment store. You will find anything from your grandma’s best vintage to recent rags from European designers. It really varies, and prepare to spend a bit of time here in order to look through it all. The biggest thing to pay attention to is the price tags. If you look closely, there are dates with corresponding price reductions. If the item has been in-store for longer than the date for a cheaper price, that’s what you pay!Dutil - 303 W. Cordova

Dutil houses your favourite denim, period. Anyone looking for jeans can find exactly what they need within Dutil’s walls. You can find labels such as True Religion, Paige Denim Stronghold, Rock & Republic and J Brand in scores, ready to find the perfect new home on your lower half. This store is fantastic, though prepare to pay for what you get. Don’t worry, it’s worth it.

Mintage - 320 W. Cordova
This is one store I will always rave about to whoever will listen. Mintage combines new stock (at the front, center of the store) and some of the best vintage available in Vancouver. They have

shoes, jewelry, and items to cover every part of you. Prices are reasonable, and the stock is dependably good and the employees are friendly and always helpful.

The Block – 350 W. Cordova
Some of the most lovely clothing can be found here, but prepare to really pay for it. Their carried list of line is extremely impressive (view here), with many lines as exclusives in Canada. This is not one to miss, and if you see they’re having a sale, get in there!

All of these shops are located in the historic Gastown district of Vancouver, B.C.

Last night was Paperbird’s fashion preview/tease at 1181. I say it was a tease because we got to see six outfits. That’s it. I’ve got to tell you, I was expecting at least double to triple the amount of clothing shown. I’ll start from the beginning.

The venue was 1181 on Davie Street. 1181 is a quaint, classy lounge. Unfortunatley, the actual sizing and layout of the room could not accommodate the mob of fashion hungry onlookers. You could see absolutley nothing of the girls walking up and down unless you were in the first few rows of people watching.

Additonally, the amount of people concentrated in the one spot made the venue extremely hot. Normally, this would be tolerated, but the show was over in, say, 10 minutes. The outfits were largely unimpressive and the models sub-par. I eventually weasled myself [and my camera] close enough to get a few shots of the girls, but most of the time the projection from the wall was covering their face with the “gossip” text. It was very distracting to the actual clothing, and seemed a bit amateur.

I really don’t know what happened here. On the Paperbird site, I really like their designs. They are a tad on the plain side, but pair with other pieces that have more flair and individuality and you’ve got a winning visual ticket.

Apparently the Small Town Jeans show at the Bourbon (in Gastown) was off the hook. It was unfortunate that both shows started at the same time! Apparently I made the wrong venue choice.

For anyone who is a fan of Made By Elves shoes, you know that they are exclusive to Urban Outfitters. Currently, UO.com is having a free shipping promotion for all orders mailed within America with the code FREEBIRD07.

Even though I reside in Canada, I still got to take advantage of the free shipping and subsequently got to avoid a potential extra $30 US tacked onto my total plus potential duties by shipping to a local receiver in the States. Picking up parcels for items manufactured in the States is also helpful; as you can actually use the North American Free Trade Agreement to your advantage when attempting to [legally] avoid those pain in the ass duties.

My local place is located in Sumas, Washington and is called Ship Happens. This particular place will receive (and hold) your packages for 60 days and charge you $4 US or Canadian to pick up your parcels. If you wish the items to be sent to you afterwards by freight, that can be arranged for $16 US or Canadian. I would suggest you check out the internets for your local operator if you’re not located near the Abbotsford, BC area.

This is a perfect time to take advantage (as I did) of the online sales in-store customers are no privy to. I bought a pair of Made By Elves Chain Gang heels at $29.99 US, and a gorgeous pair of high waisted Lux schoolboy shorts for $29.99 as well. The favourable exchange also makes a slight difference in orders, as well as the fact that products still are based on different pricing models for American and Canadian stores.

This free shipping madness all ends on 11/26/2007, so I would suggest you get your virtual butts into their online retail mecca before it’s too late!

This one is for the boys and the girls. Obviously pea coats are a wardrobe staple throughout the seasons (and has 300-season staying power under its proverbial belt), but the US Navy version has specifically caught my eye. I was lucky enough to find one at a local Value Village (and for a measly $7!).

Since bulkier coats are hot this season, and everyone wants to look like their favourite rock star (cough, cough…Pete Doherty…) it’s a fair idea to pick one up no matter what fashion circle you tread within.

They are also being seen on the runway, being flogged by many major designers like Marc Jacobs and labels such as Burberry. Besides being a snappy visual, pea coats are amazingly warm. It’s no wonder that sailors have been wearing this design for hundreds of years!

Men, this is an easy oppourtunity to pick up a piece that for once dosen’t require any layering, but rather sits on top of it all. This coat will be the finishing touch on your daywear and will translate beautifully into night time wearing.

Ladies, coats such as these can be either beautifully androgynous (think with an Englishman’s hat and your best cigarette pants, with leather boots or patent shoes) or quite feminine (perhaps with a mid-thigh length skirt with embellishments and colored stockings); all depending on the cut of the coat and what pieces you pair it with.

This is a very versatile wardrobe option that anyone can pull off, you must only have a strong sense of style and character to carry the look with you!

Tomorrow (November 8th, 2007) is the official release of Roberto Cavalli’s line to selected H&M stores worldwide. I have been into my local shop (in horrendous Coquitlam, B.C.) and confirmed from an employee that that specific location will be receiving shipments and items will go on sale tomorrow.

To keep everyone’s sanity, I have provided a list of things to observe when going shopping [especially] to a place you know will be a mad house. I would suggest you observe the following in order to not incite shopper’s rage:

1. Leave your kids at home. They have no place in a busy retail environment, and don’t even get me started on parents who bring strollers or kids in those backpack style carriers who clog up the aisles and threaten to take you out with their next turn.
2. Wear flats (sandals don’t count). Women in heels, you look silly attempting to maneuver through a crowd. Also, to all those who still feel it necessary to bare their feet in sub zero near-winter condition: please spare us all the drama when you get your nasty toes stepped on.
3. Wear deodorant. There’s nothing worse than shopping next to somebody who smells rank.
4. Eat before you get there, or bring some form of sustenance. We’ve all been there: the mid-shop blood sugar dive-bomb. It’s not pretty for anyone involved, so take precautions to avoid it at all costs! This does not, however, excuse anyone from attempting to mow down while you’re trying to find your sweater size. I suggest granola bars; as they can be consumed quickly and without much garbage or mess.
5. Remember to use your manners. Sure, sometimes shopping can be insanity (especially nearing the holidays or on new line releases!) but a little politeness can go a long way. Rather than rudely shoving somebody aside, or throwing your hands across the area they are reaching for remember a quick “excuse me”. This does not excuse anyone travelling and shopping abroad. Make the effort to learn the local language’s words for “excuse me” and “I’m sorry”, just in case!
6. If you’re bringing an iPod, keep aware of your surroundings. I’ve been guilty of this one for sure. You’re off in your own little musical world, drowning out the horrendous store soundtrack and the gabbing of those around you. You’re a hazard. You can walk into people, knock items out of people’s hands, the list goes on. The bottom line is keep your head out of the clouds and remain on task and aware of the people around you.
7. The change room is no place to take your time. Let’s face it, most places will have lines to get in. Large lines. Get in that stall and get out as fast as you possibly can.
8. Have your payment method ready. Use that lineup at the cash register to your favour and find that credit card, cash, or whatever you’re using before you get to the till. The frazzled cashiers will appreciate it, and you will be able to escape all the faster if you don’t have to rummage through a purse or wallet stuffed with mystery items and two hundred receipts.

Good luck everyone. Hopefully nobody maims/kills anyone from retail induced rage this season!

As we all know, Pete Doherty loves heroin. There are many that argue that he was probably consumed enough contraband to kill off a herd of elephants. I, for one, have come to the conclusion that he must be immortal. The man is either up to his burned out nostrils in positive luck or is Jesus in disguise; trying to judge the state of humanity today and how far he can take things before all hell breaks loose (no pun intended of course).

Seeing these Cavalli ads featuring Pete really saddens me; not because he will probably blow most of this modelling cash on smack, but because he looks so damn good when he’s all showered up and not blitzed! The man is very attractive. It pains me to see him looking like this, when we all know it’s possible to have the below look all the damn time.

Though I do like the photos, not much of the Cavalli line is really being flogged here. For images that are supposed to represent the entire menswear line for Fall/Winter 2007, the lack of actual advertisement for the house is painfully apparent; though we (or at least I) always enjoy a groomed and beautified Pete.

I’ve always enjoyed Doherty’s sense of style, especially his old world hats, fitted pants and blazers. The man is truly the spirit of rock and roll rebellion, put forth both spiritually and visually in the most unapologetic sense. Whether you love him or hate him, you cannot possibly deny the style that lives within his tortured body. Undoubtedly, anything on musical path that he sets his mind on he can conquer, I only hope that he dosen’t kill himself on his way.

I never imagined that within a city [especially one that is becoming more fashion forward as the days go by] as Vancouver that it would prove so difficult as to find some bloody opera length leather gloves.

As we all know, the cropped blazer is raging in popularity, it is the season for layered looks and leather itself is very hot right now; yet these gloves remain elusive!

I refused to run straight into the halls of our Pacific Center mall’s Holt Renfew. As somebody who does not make enough to justify spending a minimum $200 for an accessory, I could not bring myself to admit shopping defeat and throw down that much for these items right off the bat. I also checked Neiman Marcus’ site and found a minimal selection, though also very highly priced.

I searched multiple Winners locations, including the one on Robson and Granville.  I found two pairs of Nine West gloves (one in black, one in brown) with patent leather on the top half of the glove and matte leather on the bottom.  Sadly they were both ridiculously small and priced at $100 each.

I checked multiple sex shops along the Davie Street strip; there was nothing but a lot of rubber. Defiantly not what I’m looking for.

I searched many downtown clothing shops and usual vintage havens, to no avail. The vintage stores yielded a few cloth results, but all were sized too small for me. Apparently I’m not elf sized and therefore are not privy to vintage hand-wear.

Some may suggest eBay, but I like to hold auctions as a last resort for clothing. Since gloves depend highly on a good fit, I’d rather choose them in person than remotely guess over a sizing chart. I’ll keep that one as a last resort.

Finally, my friend Kenneth and I re-visited one of the sex shops on Davie (he was intent on buying me a pair of the rubber ones just for the stares I would receive in the street) and to my extreme luck, the tranny that was working told me that Le Château was selling matte black leather gloves in their stores.

Last night I ran into my local Château and to my delight they had exactly the gloves I was looking for.  They are the softest leather, available in a range of sizes and end up sitting just over the elbow.  I do wish that they offered more of a colour range, but I am very happy to have found at least the black ones; and they fit like a dream.

These gloves are priced at $60 CA plus tax.

Stella McCartney has designed a necklace featuring a pendant of a leg. Heather Mills’ amputated leg to be exact.

OK, either this is simply hilarious or a really petty dig. I’m all for the “who cares about Heather” bandwagon as this is simply getting old, but I figure this little accessory was worth a mention if only for the potential laughter.

There are no photos of the actual piece as of yet, but apparently the jewelry will sell for £300 with next season’s collection. The piece was shown in Paris last month to the shock and whispers of the crowd; some who thought it was too obviously a jab at Mills while others thought it to be quite hilarious.

Regardless, if this will spark a new trend in amputee-themed jewelry remains to be seen.

West-coast North America lost a brave soldier in the street style war this weekend.

Granville Street’s (Vancouver, B.C.) location was the only Heaven’s Playground in North America. The store carried Gsus exclusively, and had the most extensive collection that one would hope to get over on this side of the pond. There are many reasons why I like this label, the designs are adventurous, their men’s collection isn’t the doldrums, and they always had outrageous seasonal themes (the latest for Fall being Amish vikings!).

Besides the fact that I will miss their retail offerings, two of my friends are sadly now unemployed. The biggest kicker was that the corporate cats apparently called a meeting this last Friday and told them the store was to close the next day! I really would have expected better.

I’m disappointed that this company did not give their employees a chance to find new work, or liquidate their current stock to the people who had been loyal customers to them for the last few years. It’s quite sad to think that corporate greed won this round.

My thoughts are this: if the company was running the store at a loss for, say, the entire two years they were at this location; then what would be another two weeks? The gains for their employees would increase by scores, even if there was additional minor loss to the company; not to mention the fact that they could save on shipping their whole lot of merchandise back to Europe by having a sale.

Gsus, you could have done much, much better.