Vancouver designer Jason Matlo is holding an epic sample sale at his studio on May 1 – 5th, from 10AM – 6PM. There will be discounts of up to 80% off selected items.

Some of my favorite pieces are the batwing mini, tiered gold mini skirt, and the ruffle detail mini dress.

The studio is located at 508-857 Beatty Street, Vancouver (Buzz # 50)

Everyone is on the Balmain power shoulder train, even Barbara Hulanicki.  Her range for Topshop includes a suede blazer ($260 US) with distinct rounded shoulders that evoke a Balmain like appearance.

Though the Hulanicki jacket is clearly no Balmain, it provides an opportunity to jump the trend wagon for far less than $5,000.  Would any of you take her up on the offer?

Wear Else is holding a spring sale entailing 30-50% off select merchandise.

If you’re not familiar with Wear Else, they stock lovely brands, including Nanette Lepore, Donald Pliner, Stuart Weitzman, Calvin Klein, Modern Vintage and J Brand.

During tomorrow night’s spring Gastown shop hop, The Block will be marking down all merchandise and providing champagne for thirsty shoppers.

The sale will be on from 5-10PM.

Never fear, Doc Martens lovers – this heel surprisingly doesn’t look mismatched.

The heel is only 3″ high, but Martens placed a platformed rubber air cushioned sole on the boot to maximize wearer comfort. The patent leather definitely does the combat look favors – check out a front shot of the boots.

I’d be willing to part with some cash to wear these if they last as long as the regular Docs. I wonder how the heel holds up after prolonged wear… this calls for a personal testing.

This ‘Darcie’ boot was found at Opening Ceremony and sells for $200.

This is one sample sale you’ll want to spare some time to get to.

This Saturday (which is coincidentally my birthday, which equals out of control spending) the Dakota group is holding a spring sample sale for a number of labels they represent.

A few labels of interest include Soïa & Kyo, Frankie B, Dolce Vita, and Numph.

Seriously, check it out. The address is 179 West 6th Street, from 12-5 on May 2 and 10-6 on May 4 – 9.

Plen+y is having a customer appreciation sale, which entails 30% off all merchandise.  As a bonus, with a purchase of $125 the shop will give you a $25 gift card.

The sale runs from April 29 – May 1.

Punk-esque zipper embellishments are everywhere these days. With grunge forecasted to return by FW09, this spring season is the perfect time to stock up on your key pieces before fall sets in and prices have the chance to increase.

I’ll throw in a personal endorsement for the American Apparel zipper leggings (not shown, $52 CA); those are one hot ticket.  Glitterati magazine featured them in a recent photo shoot, check that out here.

You’ve got to stimulate the economy somehow, now get zipping!

Left to right: Unique suede zip skirt ($210; Topshop), Mini zipper ‘oxy’ legging ($154; Chickdowntown), Zipper front bodysuit ($38; American Apparel), Phillip Lim zipper ruffle skirt ($675; Barneys)

There’s a lovely comfort in wearing a boxy fitting blazer. Work with its natural androgyny and offset its loose look with shorts, leggings or ultra skinny jeans, or add a piece like a floral skirt to become even more on trend; see visual examples below for a few ideas.

If none of the below options fit your fancy, Fred Flare has its own incarnation ($64), Marc has his cream pinstripe ‘Gatsby’ blazer ($388) and Aqua has a plain black version ($88).

From left to right: ABS indigo blazer ($295; Chick Downtown), Boyfriend fit blazer ($110; Topshop), Boyfriend jacket (£45; Dorothy Perkins)

Gastown boutique Nouvelle Nouvelle is holding a special sale of 30% off all spring stock this Thursday.

The store is open to extended hours because of the Gastown shop hop as well.  You can shop from 11AM-10PM, but if you come by after 5PM you get champagne and cupcakes (!!)

As a side note, I’d suggest checking out the Nouvelle Nouvelle blog to see their latest stock and arrivals ahead of time.

It’s the design that’s getting attention just in time for summer months – the cropped western style boot.

I think I like this ‘Dylan’ boot because it’s so far from the typical western design.  I’ve never been a fan of an exaggerated Southern look, but this is subtle enough to be carried on with most any other clothing style.  Try wearing with patterned shorts, a loose tank and colored socks for a snappy summer look, or even with leggings and a streamlined minidress for evenings.

This particular boot clocks in at £65 (approximately $115 CA/$95US.  There are other more locally based alternatives, though they don’t share the low crop of the Dylan (think Aldo’s ‘Depriest’, $69 CA). If you’ve got mad cash to spend, check out Golden Goose’s ‘star zip short boot’, but it will cost over $1,200.

Mesh topped necklines are the latest trend regurgitation to fly down the pipes for SS09.  Thankfully a budget for Stella McCartney (bottom right) is not mandatory.  There are designs to fit most any budget, the most wallet friendly being the AMAP style, which also comes in coral/nude.

It’s also worth a mention that every single mesh combination dress I’ve seen has featured the sweetheart neckline – ’80s  prom night anyone?

From left to right: See through sleeve feather print (£69; Belle Sauvage), Two toned mini ($46US/$63CA; American Apparel), Stella McCartney mesh shift dress ($735; Net-A-Porter)

Nothing marks your brand for trend loving crowds as Lady Gaga modeling your designs.

Belle Sauvage has designed a line of pieces for UK retail giant ASOS.  The pieces are very loud, very 80s, and therefore very trendy.  This is very reminiscent of a range that Topshop would carry [and it's just as pricey], though the pieces are unique enough to warrant at least a second look.

The geometric lipstick top (£120) and digital print layer skirt (£185), both pictured below, are my top choices for the range, though the leather color block dress (£180) is a prime layering piece if you can afford to pay a higher price for something that isn’t a key piece.

Forever 21 gets so much stock it’s impossible to give proper nods to all its merchandise, but I’ve tossed together three examples of my interpretation of F21′s more formal digs.

It’s super simple to style from the ground up (literally) at a shop like F21, because they make everything and it’s so affordable. Take for example, the outfit to the left. The rose petal dress is $14, Guiliana platform pumps are $29, round sunglasses are $6 and bow necklace is $8. That is a complete formal ready outfit for $56.

The middle look is so easily transferred from formal to casual it’s almost laughable. All you really have to do is give yourself some shoes with a lift (such as these Virginia ankle boots for $26), and layer heavier jewelry ($10) over the ever popular updated boho dress ($29).

Benefits of buying affordably is that you can stretch your budget to include on trend items, rather than classic pieces only that could leave you feeling bored. With the outfit to the right, the distorted floral skirt is $14, acid wash tank is $12, zipper trim pumps are $28 and the jewelery [bracelet, necklace, sunglasses] are all under $8. F21 is even stocking vintage looking headgear at a reasonable price of about $15; or you could stick with rummaging through thrift shops as I do.

Aggy used to be one of my favorite models.  She was quirky, had great off the runway style and managed to pull it all off while defying the mindset of acting and appearing the complete opposite a top model ‘should’.

Now, after suffering the effects of parties attended and a few unflattering Romulan haircuts later, we’ve got the 2009 version of Agyness; a cross between a very tired acid head and a Geldof sister.

The Agyness that the fashion world grew to love needs to return with much haste!

This skeleton hand bracelet by Delfina Delettrez is hands down the raddest piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen.

Sure, you’ll be paying out the pores for it (the price point is approximately a whopping $27,000 CA), but come on, you get a uniquely shaped silver skeletal hand to wrap around your wrist [just like this]that makes it seem like you’ve got a macabre lover always tied to your hand.

How could that not look amazing?!

Too bad most of us would have to lose a few organs to be able to afford this lovely piece of skeletal charm.

Delettrez also has a nifty eyeball ring (approx. $104,000) and a daintier pearl and skull ring ($317) for more delicate and affordable tastes.

During this Thursday’s Gastown Shop Hop, Roden Gray is offering 15-25% off spring stock!

This is a sweet chance to grab some of their premium stock at a discount rate (yes, they carry Topman)

Beyoncé isn’t the only camera magnet that seems to be experiencing Balmaina; Michael — err — Rhianna has been photographed in multiple Balmain pieces as well. For the curious, this lovely military style jean jacket clocks in at over $5,075.

I’m a little boggled by the Michael Jackson look here, I’m not going to lie. I’m one of the most rabid lovers of band jackets, but the resemblance here in combination with the hair and sunglasses is too uncanny to be flattering.

So,  B  had the honor of wearing one of Balmain‘s FW09 dresses to the premiere of her brutal white chick vs. black chick movie.

Here’s the thing – I don’t think she pulled it off.  Her little pumps were swallowed by the overpowering train, and her hair was so dull in its usual poker-straight form.  Aside from that, isn’t Beyoncé a little too boring for this piece? You need a ridiculous attitude to pull a dress like this off, and you’ve got to have fun with it.  From what I saw, neither was accomplished.

British designer Barbara Hulanicki‘s range for Topshop drops tomorrow.

I’m not quite sure what to think of these – most of it isn’t really my cup of tea, and the pieces I can identify with style wise (designs with illustrations) can easily be created DIY. I’m not really feeling compelled to buy these pieces, but re-create them with my own interpretations.

Aside from the illustration printed casual wear, the other pieces failed to move me in the least. I do like the look of the coral red mini dress with the SS09 Balmain-esque shoulder, but can’t imagine many buyers being able to pull it off. Other than that, I felt the preview pieces were plain, dull and uninspired; the complete opposite product range I would expect from a woman that created the iconic Biba shop.