Vancouver Fashion + Style Blog | demiCouture

Toby Keith “Designs” Clothing Now
Thursday February 19th 2009, 1:05 pm
Filed under: 2009,fashion crimes

Apparently Toby Keith is setting out to prove there are millions of rednecks that are blind and mentally incapable of rendering proper thought. How, you ask? By become a fashion designer, ya’ll!

Seeing as I can’t type well while hysterically laughing, I’ll let the images of what I could call the Down Home Douchebag Collection speak for themselves.

Toby Keith "Designs" Clothing Now

Yes, some people apparently call this acceptable day wear.



Bill Gates Invested In Crocs. Hey, It’s The Four Horseman!
Thursday February 19th 2009, 11:17 am
Filed under: 2009,fashion crimes

Prepare for your day to be ruined.

The world’s favorite tech billionaire and creator of Internet Explorer (hah!) has invested in the horrific Croc brand, ensuring their days of survival have been extended.

If the red “x” dosen’t quite sum up my thoughts regarding these hideous pieces of garbage effectively enough, feel free to peruse the original demiCouture fashion crimes report on Crocs.

Fashion Crimes: Crocs



Your Dose Of Handbag Luxury
Thursday February 19th 2009, 10:52 am
Filed under: 2009,Accessories,Women's Fashion

Since all we’ve been hearing lately across the blogosphere is ‘recession this’ and ‘credit crunch’ that, I’ve decided to feature three outrageously priced yet lovely handbags from Chanel.

Normally I am not a supporter of the Chanel brand; its image has been cheapened from celebrity wear and the fact their logo is shamelessly smattered across their products isn’t admirable, but they have some gems buried under the horror of branded, quilted lambskin.

Below are three bags that could actually by styled effectively with an outfit. The Chanel logo is either decently camouflaged or entirely removed and the bags design itself is solid.

Dream with me, fashionistas.

Your Dose Of Handbag Luxury

I refuse to post the prices of these bags as they are ridiculous



Guest Blog Post For Invoke Media – Fashion Labels Take To The Twitterverse
Thursday February 19th 2009, 9:49 am
Filed under: 2009,Random

I am a great lover of all things Twitter, so it was only natural that I did a piece for Vancouver’s Invoke Media regarding fashion labels and their blossoming relationship with the Twitterverse.

Check out the entire piece on the Invoke blog!

Guest Blog Post For Invoke Media - Fashion Labels Take To The Twitterverse



TOPSHOP/TOPMAN OWNER CONFIRMS BRAND TO COME TO CANADA!
Thursday February 19th 2009, 7:45 am
Filed under: 2009,Stores

Sir Phillip Green has confirmed to The Toronto Star that his Topshop/Topman megachain will be expanding to Canada within 6-9 months.

I’m assuming this means a flagship shop in Toronto or Montréal, but I will continue to live in a dream world that includes the possibility of a Topshop in Vancouver.

Is this not fantastic news?! Sadly there are no further updates, but I’ll keep my ears to the ground.



Rumor Mill: Forever 21 Is Opening Shop In Vancouver
Wednesday February 18th 2009, 5:33 pm
Filed under: 2009,Stores,Vancouver

I haven’t been able to find any official documentation confirming that Forever 21 is indeed going to be opening a store in Vancouver, but the buzz keeps continuing.

Till the glorious day when a press release confirms the whispers, keep your ears to the ground! If you have info to dish, let me know.

UPDATE: LOCATION CONFIRMED

Rumor Mill: Forever 21 Is Opening Shop In Vancouver



Would You Borrow Luxury Items To Keep Up Appearances?
Wednesday February 18th 2009, 4:25 pm
Filed under: 2009,recessionista

In times when even the wealthy are getting stingy, how far would you go to keep up an appearance of never ending spending?

I was checking out Avelle (formerly Bag Borrow Or Steal); a website where you can rent luxury items on weekly or monthly basis.  Some items such as the vintage black crocodile skin Hermès Birkin bag can be rented for $1,690 per week, or $6,010 per month.  Some would argue that is a pittance to enjoy one of the most infamous bags (not to mention its worth being $42k), though I can’t imagine spending a mortgage payment’s worth to use a purse for seven days.

This begs the question of how far you would go to keep up with the couture sporting Joneses? If times have indeed become those which require even modest frugality, would you consider renting a pair of sunglasses and a purse to keep your friends thinking that your cash flow is never ending?

The way I figure it, that attitude is what got us in this credit crisis in the first place.  I’m guilty of it as much as most everyone else; spending on something you don’t want to even wait a few days for, or something you just have no need for.

The reason for having a luxury industry is to cater to those lucky few with intense amounts of play money; if your play money runs out, doesn’t that then bring you down to the level of other mere budgeting mortals? Or are you so addicted to an appearance of excess that you would venture into the realm of fakery?

To me, this beats the purpose of it all.

Would you go faux luxe?

Would You Borrow Luxury Items To Keep Up Appearances?



One/Two Of A Few VIP Sale Details
Wednesday February 18th 2009, 3:27 pm
Filed under: 2009,Sales,Stores

From Thursday, February the 19th – Sunday the 22nd,  get 50% off all Fall merchandise and footwear (discount taken off original prices).

Pieces on sale by Endovanerea, Chronicles of Never, Manoush, Unconditional, Lover, Anzevino & Florence and more.

One/Two Of A Few VIP Sale Details



New SS09 Floral Designs And Styling Options
Wednesday February 18th 2009, 1:09 pm
Filed under: 2009,Style Dissection,Trending,Women's Fashion

These pieces get my stamp of approval. I am a begrudging floral convert, but I’ve realized that they can be done without looking homely or like an escapee of a nursing home.

As we’ve previously discussed, style with opposites and keep your cuts and silhouette modern.

New SS09 Floral Designs

From left to right: Floral blazer ($135; Topshop), Floral strapless dress ($23; Forever 21), Rose cropped cardigan ($25; Forever 21), Floral flats ($10; H&M)

***

Styling options:

New SS09 Floral Designs



Kanye West Hangs With Susan Powter Lookalike & Disco Pants
Wednesday February 18th 2009, 10:01 am
Filed under: 2009,Random

Kanye West Hangs With Susan Powter Lookalike & Disco PantsI had no idea Kanye West liked bald chicks, though that’s entirely another matter.

The point of this post is to point out that said bald chick is sporting the red version of American Apparel’s disco pants, and has ended up styling them quite poorly.

Perhaps she should have opted with fewer trends; the socks and block heel sandals and thick belt created an image with entirely too much going on; not to mention that the red disco pants weren’t too flattering.

Kanye on the other hand, rocked his causal denim and bow tie combination.  Well done, son.



Never Heard Of YSL? What?
Wednesday February 18th 2009, 9:47 am
Filed under: 2009,Designers

Oh, Brandon. I always had a sneaking suspicion you had naught but a lazy mouse running on a wheel inside your head, but last night erased all lingering suspicion.

On the most recent episode of Project Runway Canada, the poor confused 22 year old known as Brandon Dwyer made a memorable exit after confessing to Iman that he had no idea who the dear recently departed Yves Saint Laurent was.  I almost choked on my grapefruit while watching; that’s like Barack Obama saying “oh hai Senators, who’s this Abe Lincoln guy? People won’t shut up about him.”

I suppose this makes for good television, but is the embarrassment worth it? I’m going to assume he wasn’t coached to say this since his design actually showed no knowledge of YSL style and he seemed generally clueless during the episodes that he remained on the show.  His collection on his website shows cohesive design, but I can’t get past his lack of knowledge when it comes to the greats.

Good night and good riddance.

Never Heard Of YSL? What?



Add Some Instant Color To Your Legs During SS09
Tuesday February 17th 2009, 5:04 pm
Filed under: 2009,Trending,Women's Fashion

I’m not talking about spray tan (gross), but colored tights. The colors below are examples from American Apparel (the high waisted sheer pantyhose to be exact), but you can find colored tights nearly anywhere these days.

Keep your colors bright and fun for spring. I’d suggest keeping with opaque tights since it breathes better and is a more summer friendly image than a thicker cotton legging. The tights below run at $17CA, though if you’re on more of a budget you can locate tights at almost any department store or find a boutique running a sale.

Add Some Instant Color To Your Legs During SS09



Carolyn Massey For Topman Lens And The Delectable Belted Denim Blazer
Tuesday February 17th 2009, 4:25 pm
Filed under: 2009,denim,Men's Fashion

Carolyn Massey For Topman Lens And The Delectable Belted Denim BlazerIn the style of Lanvin and Acne’s collaboration, Carolyn Massey has created a delicious belted denim blazer for her Topman Lens collection.

The blazer itself runs $140US/£70.  This is a delectable military inspired design; double breasted and perfectly tailored.

Oh, and boys; this one’s machine washable for those too lazy/poor for the dry cleaner. It’s a win-win!



Alexander McQueen FW09 Menswear Embodies Ripper Chic
Tuesday February 17th 2009, 3:31 pm
Filed under: 2009,Men's Fashion

When I first looked upon Alexander McQueen‘s latest menswear offering, I found the words ‘violent dapper’ came to mind. Perhaps the old world Englishman styling blended with equal parts Alex DeLarge and Jack the Ripper.

‘Twas a murderous collection; perhaps the leather aprons were to blame, or the makeup which had been applied to give the boys the look of wretched insomnia under their old world fedoras while brandishing their canes. I’d venture the fingerless leather gloves wouldn’t hurt this assessment, though the leather Gladiator esque chest pieces were altogether frightening without any other styling aid.

Overall, the collection was impeccably styled. I could very easily see a gentleman walking the damp cobblestone streets of a city in these designs, though I’m not sure if I would run to the other side of the street if I saw him coming or not.

Alexander McQueen FW09 Menswear Embodies Ripper Chic



Guys, Michael Jackson Is Auctioning The Raddest Jackets In Existence
Tuesday February 17th 2009, 3:26 pm
Filed under: 2009,Random

Hands down, these are some of the most amazing jackets ever to hit the auction block ; especially since band inspired styling has become commonplace again. Can you imagine strutting your stuff in one of these jackets?!

That black

Guys, Michael Jackson Is Auctioning The Raddest Jackets In Existence



Betsey Johnson FW09 Whimsical, Yet Controlled
Tuesday February 17th 2009, 12:19 pm
Filed under: 2009,Women's Fashion

Betsey Johnson’s FW09 collection was surprisingly only slightly more subdued than I expected it to be. A good chunk of the pieces (including this floral dress) would have been more suited to a SS09 look. Regardless, Betsey still has her charming mashup of gothy punk for better or worse.

Don’t expect to walk by unnoticed in a Betsey creation; especially the lilac prom dress (far right) that seemed to have been ripped from the a Disney animation cel. I find these collections stray too close to a kitschy Hot Topic image for my liking; the mis matched, almost juvenile patterns are forced together like wallflowers at a middle school dance and it looks visually uncomfortable.

It seems that Betsey has taken Alexander McQueen’s recent sequin legging design and re imagined them to suit her recent stylings; something that was foreseeable yet a bit disappointing since McQueen only recently released his design in FW08.

Regardless of your taste for her styling, there is always room in an eclectic closet for a Betsey piece; just don’t wear the whole line together or you may have some jaded grade 10 kids wearing too much eyeliner running after you wondering where you bought your clothes.

Betsey Johnson FW09 Whimsical, Yet Controlled



Introducing A Daily Dose Of Vogue
Tuesday February 17th 2009, 11:50 am
Filed under: 2009,Random

Vogue now has a blog-like section updated daily with little Vogue-ish tidbits.  I can’t help but wonder if this is step one of the slow takeover of the online environment versus the printed magazine…

Introducing A Daily Dose Of Vogue



Imitate Marc Jacobs’ FW09 Style With American Apparel
Tuesday February 17th 2009, 10:57 am
Filed under: 2009,recessionista,Women's Fashion

Marc Jacob’s FW09 runway show was a whirlwind of ready-to-wear magic; though sadly priced far out of any recessionista’s range.  There is one method of mimicking Marc’s day glo space warrior style; for that we turn to American Apparel’s California fleece cape ($89).

This cape is nearly spot on to Marc’s creation; the biggest difference is Amap has buttons up the front, while the Marc design is like a hybridized poncho-hoodie with a kangaroo pouch and a half zipper.

Though the AA version is currently only available in black or navy I have a sneaking suspicion they will be expanding their color palette in time for September ’09.

Imitate Marc Jacobs' FW09 Style With American Apparel



Menswear Has Met Its Boot Match With The “Miliken”
Tuesday February 17th 2009, 10:48 am
Filed under: 2009,Brands,Men's Fashion,Trending

Menswear Has Met Its Boot Match With The "Miliken" SS09 menswear has the perfect colored footwear accent.  To achieve this look, check out the Miliken boot by Fluevog.  Coming in both evergreen and olive, this boot will compliment the emerging colors in your wardrobe styling effectively.

I really love how new life has been breathed into the combat boot.  More often details get lost in a black-on-black design situation, though that is definitely not the case for either of these colors.

You get full view of the triple buckle, spray painted toe detail and multi colored leather pieces.

Milikens run at $425.



Fluevog’s “Heron” Is The Quintessential City Boot
Tuesday February 17th 2009, 10:30 am
Filed under: 2009,Brands,Trending,Women's Fashion

Fluevog's "Heron" Is The Quintessential City Boot With the a flat, colored heel the Heron boot is exactly what the urban warrior needs for adventuring in a concrete jungle.

I particularly enjoy the gray version with the red block heel and contrast stitching. There is an entirely black sibling, though that version lacks creativity and doesn’t have distinct character that the gray pair does.

The distressed leather, slight wrinkling and double strap gives the boot an authentically worn look, while the red accents keep the design up to date.  I’m quite pleased to see a pointed toe; this keeps the boot design sleek, streamlined and fluid while moving with your legs.

The Heron runs $459, so start saving now!


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