Sounds pretty sweet, does it not?

The sale is only occurring at the Richmond Centre location, and you can expect 50% price cuts or more off everything in the store.

The sale has already begun, get in there!

Hours after I went off about the utter failure of print magazines, Dorothy Perkins just happens to release an online magazine as an interactive advertising tool.

The entire advert is in magazine format, only digital.  The pieces being shown can be clicked on to purchase, the layout and information provided are all in traditional layout, yet the format has been updated.

I can easily see this being first implemented in more retailers, then possibly a beta run by print magazines (if they’re smart about their survival plan of action).  If [for instance] Vogue had a link to everything they featured in an editorial and received a commission if a click through purchase was made, that is instant income.

This format has incredible potential – congratulations  to Dorothy Perkins on keeping two skips and a hop ahead of the pack!

He recently used thick girls on his London runway, but apparently he was on to create a range for Topshop even before the fat hit the fan. Mark Fast is a fellow Canadian and has officially entered into the high street big leagues.

It’s not shocking they accepted Fast; I’ve seen Topshop hawk loose knits like this before, so this whole brand integration thing won’t be extreme. I do hope he comes up with a variance of loose knits, since I don’t think Topshop customers care to see the same [or very similar] pieces appear for sale.

I wonder what will be done in the design studio to ensure that his pieces stand alone and warrant the [undoubtedly] high price points than the average Topshop piece.

I hope to see his SS10 bead net wraps and his recent layering ruffles at the very least.

Moschino was the first SS10 collection that actually intrigued me.

The collection was quirky, creative, detail laden and there was certainly no lacking of accessories.  Moschino gave us a fun outlook for the coming spring; not the diluted vision that so many other designers were presenting, but a hopeful and sassy silhouette that inspired.

Even the monochrome pieces were cut and draped perfectly, cut with precision and observed trends.  There was enough properly designed pieces to balance the cheery cherry minis without having them look gauche, and multi print wrap dresses transitioned their fancy free predecessors to the loud dresses of spring with ease.

I thoroughly enjoyed Moschino’s vision of SS10 and am thankful that they emerged to brighten my day.

It’s official – Topshop is selling Peter Jensen‘s Greenlandic boots that he received death threats over last spring.

If you would like to wear Jensen’s interpretation of the traditional Greenland design, you’re going to have to fork it out – $400 US to be precise.

If controversy isn’t your thing, you could always check out another Jensen design also available at Topshop; a black ankle boot with a lovely multi elastic detail at the heel ($270).

Peter Jensen is a regular design collaborator with Topshop – keep your eyes open for new pieces by the Danish designer.

Prada begun with sterile grays and ended with chandelier draping overlays - quite a juxtaposition, yet neither did day or evening wear justice.

I was looking forward to a ridiculous runway heel this season (especially after the flower pumps!), but I was let down again.  The models were forced to endure Muicca’s version of a stripper gone to the office mid height pump.  If the heel designs from the runway are always calmed for retail, then why would Prada not have gone for a more exciting piece? I found the whole collection to be a half effort by a house clearly trying to dumb itself down with disastrous results.

The empire waist tops made the models look pregnant, and the 70s cut shorts climbed and poofed more unflatteringly.  Beach prints were used to unsuccessfully mask the fact that the pieces had such minimal design to them they weren’t looking as if they belonged to the Prada house at all.

I was thoroughly let down as a young person, though I’m sure the affluent over 50s would eat this stuff up with a silver spoon.

Topshop Unique’s FW09 collection continues to slowly enter the buying environment, and I had to mention these squiggle leggings ($90).

These were part of the Unique Fw09 runway collection, and are available (and going fast, even at $90) right now. If you don’t fancy squiggles, Unique does have a pair of leggings in the print of glowsticks (also $90).

If you enjoy Topshop Unique’s eccentric taste, keep up with their range as new pieces slowly trickle into availability.

Aritzia is officially stocking Swedish luxury label Acne‘s POP collection, which is a watered down version of their trademark line.

I’m disappointed that they aren’t going for the more adventurous main range; going for this plain Jane All American version seems to be a wee bit of a cop out.

If local favorites like Aritzia don’t start dipping into more creative pieces, how on Earth is Vancouver ever going to get out of its sad style rut?

Not much needs to be said except death to all Crocs. I’m not even going to hold out for torture – quick and painless works for me.

This is the Footwear Antichrist, and it’s up to you to ensure that this vile piece of plastic and cheap faux fur does not have the freedom to terrorize the public.

It may try to convince you it’s ‘easier’ to wear them, but remember nothing was achieved by taking the quick and easy path. Yoda said so.

Oh, lordy – this is an epic disaster of behemoth proportions.

Perhaps it has something to do with the slow yet inevitable extinction of print magazines, but the staff member(s) that thought of this debacle are truly a burger and fries short of a Happy Meal.

The idea is to poll Walmart (yes – Walmart) shoppers on their opinions as relating to all things published by Vanity Fair.  The magazine hopes to then appeal to a larger mass of potential readers with their content altered to fit their interests.  My first thought would be that unless Vanity Fair intends to feature best buys for Welfare Wednesday, this is a failing effort.

Anna would never resort in polling commoners, because luxury and fashion is not a common indulgence.  Because of this, it makes a subterranean amount of sense to take interest to this particular chain.

I’m not on a mission to hate on the Walmart shopper (with exception to those who seem to have illegal licenses and only eat peanut butter on white bread) because I’ll be honest – I do shop at the big W from time to time.  The first priority of most Walmart shoppers is to purchase items at a discount; not to catch up on current events or educate themselves on the great wide world beyond their house brand, George.

Let’s get with it, Vanity Fair – if you’re going to save your skins you had better think of better schemes to pull that off.

After all, there is a reason that People Of Walmart exists.

Well, he’s done it again. After the intense clamor over his knuckle duster clutch, McQueen madness is back again thanks to his Union Jack box clutch – complete with a jeweled skull ($1,575).

This is an incredible visual for an accessory, especially considering it is based almost solely on the British flag.

Despite the incredible price point for a simple box clutch, this piece is already sold out from Net-A-Porter after being released today.

Never underestimate shopper’s love for everything goth McQueen!

When I first heard about matte nail polish as a trend for the fall, I was intrigued. There have been many variations of nail polish over the years (glitter, confetti, diamond dust), though matte versions are largely unexplored lacquer territory. As all major polish brands have released at least one collection of matte shades for FW09, it’s hard to pick which polishes to invest in – this is where matte topcoats swoop in and save the day.

Instead of buying multiple shades of matte nail polish at $10 a pop, buy one bottle of matte topcoat instead! This provides endless possibilities for changing any of your current nail polish colors into a gorgeous and on trend matte shade while keeping you on trend and within your budget.

My matte topcoat of choice is Essie’s Matte About You. It provides smooth coverage with a beautiful, even matte finish. The formula glides on easily and dries quickly, leaving little room for smudges and nicks that constantly spoil a manicure.

Matte topcoat is that it leaves you endless options for creative nail decoration. My personal favorite is a black matte nail with a shiny black tip; it’s a FW09 update twist on the traditional manicure.

Essie Matte About You is one of a few matte topcoats released this season, along with OPI and China Glaze versions. Matte about you retails for $12 a bottle and can be found in Vancouver at Shifeon on Robson or at Beauty Mark in Yaletown.

As we usher in year 2010 within a few short months, we need to re-evaluate what we’ve come to expect from the printed medium.

As one who has grown up reading monthlies of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and the like I was perfectly trained to become a regular magazine patron, but somehow even a lifetime of exposure did not turn the desired buying course.  If a lifelong magazine convert won’t give up their dollars to purchase style bibles, then how can they expect to survive?

I haven’t warranted an issue worth parting with my money in over two years.  It’s not for lack of love for the content, adverts or simply being against the frivolous use of paper; it’s just no longer worth it.

Why?

All well managed magazines run online content, which is updated daily, hourly or live.   Printed content is a minimum of nearly two months aged; the content must be submitted and approved ahead of time in order to meet printing schedules with enough time for delivery circulations.

There is no reason I would purchase a magazine with a trend report I had already read numerous pieces on weeks ago.  Especially in the age of blogs, there is no need to pay for these ‘industry insiders’ who are placed on an unreachable and unrelatable pedestal.  An online community is exactly that; users reacting in forums, a comment area creates an interactive and non sterile environment which trumps printed media every time.

Since there isn’t a faster way to produce content up to the standards of stringent editors and printing takes time, I’m not sure if the magazine world will be able to survive this dead knoll.  Lest we forget, though, that the record has experienced a resurgence of popularity – perhaps print can ride its coattails into consumer favor, but I’m not holding my breath.

Online magazines are the future.  Prepare for it.

Well lookie here – it’s American Apparel’s black diamond grid bodysuit as I’ve never seen it used before.  It’s an interesting little on site advert for Nicole Miller jewelry, and quite visually pleasing.

There was no mention of the bodysuit’s origins, though, even in fine print.  I consider that a bit misleading since it leads the consumer to believe that the bodysuit is also a Miller piece.

As FW09 lookbook release time continues, I got a chance to peek at what Fairground has to offer this season.

I found it difficult to focus on details of the pieces since the lookbook images were incredibly dark! From what I could see, the floral minis and skirts were quite nice, and there were a few military inspired jackets that I took a fancy to.

The denim jumpsuit was particularly eye catching and effortless to integrate into an established wardrobe. I can’t get behind any of the darker pieces without seeing them in proper light, but I’m sure once these Fairground pieces hit retail environments the detail photography will give us a proper look at all the pieces.

The thing I love most about patriotic luxury retailers is that they highlight exquisite work that international or North American purveyors may choose not to pick up or may not be aware of.

From the fine jewelery chapter of Luisa via Roma comes a skull and crystal cluster ring by Iosselliani ($346).  For a piece like this detailed and handmade by a fine jewelry designer, this ring is at a surprisingly affordable price point, even though the stones are only crystal.

If you’re looking for a neck adornment rather than one for a finger, Iosselliani makes a delightful twisted cable necklace ($510) which is complete with crystal and multi strand embellishments.

This is the first excellent piece I’ve seen from Dan and Dean in quite some time (especially after that Starbucks runway fiasco).

This is one beautiful piece of screw laden art, complete with a frontal harness and an excellent juxtaposition of patent sheen and matte suede.

Don’t get too thrown off your rocker, though – this studded wonder will throw you back about $1,008.

While you’re in the DSquared territory, check out their boxy leather shorts and this studded and belted leather vest – they’re equally impressive.

I had heard about positive effects of volcanic ash for the skin and body, but I didn’t know what to expect when it came to actual application.

The scent of the volcanic ash exfoliator was a pleasant surprise – it was a wee bit of lavender, but nothing too intense.  My skin type is very temperamental and needs all the help it can get, so it was important that the exfoliate was gentle enough to not cause further irritation.   The ash had an instant mattifying effect on the skin and absorbed surface oils effectively, which was the prime reason for wanting to test this product.

After initial application, I was a shade terrified to see exactly how much I need a pore minimizing product as the black mixture sunk into the skin.  After the general shock wore off, I found the volcanic ash and Vanuatu sugar crystals were easily scrubbed over skin and the crystals dissolved easily into the black ash mixture.

I would have preferred that there was more ash to scrape away dead topical skin cells, though it was still effective and priced $8.50 less than current exfoliate, M.A.C.’s microfine refinisher.

All in all, I’m sold on this particular product.

Check out Oak NYC‘s crazy rad stock and get 10% off with promo code “GLITCH” while you’re at it.

Oak has a pristine collection of both men’s and women’s pieces, and has an extensive amount of lesser known design talent.

Oh, and they have the Acne Atacoma wedge shoes. Just so you know.

The much feared trend of my pre teens has come back to haunt – velvet has come up from it’s hiding place in the depths of style Hades.  I still remember the horror of receiving crushed velvet shirts from aunts that saw me twice a year – thankfully this time the velvet is completely un-crushed and quite snappy.

Velvet blazers have always been a favorite, and Topshop has quite a lovely boyfriend blazer design ($170).  A velvet boyfriend blazer is dual trend heavy; the cut is current and the use of velvet amps things up considerably.  Take styling cues from Christopher Kane’s velvet moto jacket ($1,408) and Balmain’s ruffle jacket ($8,520).  The pieces are exorbitantly priced, but you can built affordable outfits by using these pieces as guidance.

It may shock, but velvet don’t necessarily mean frumpy. Burberry has a lovely evening bodycon dress ($795), which Dorothy Perkins has created a close version to [with power shoulders] for £30.  Moschino has a lovely pair of leggings, which are actually crushed velvet ($585), or there is a Member’s Only pair on sale for $62.