Vancouver Fashion + Style Blog | demiCouture

Aritzia’s A Moveable Feast AMELIA Is The Most Affordable Leather + Shearling Jacket You’ll Be Finding
Friday November 19th 2010, 12:25 am
Filed under: 2010,Women's Fashion

A Moveable Feast is Aritzia’s newest house label, and though it has a moronic name the pieces are nevertheless quite lovely to behold.  AMF is minimalistic power wear a Wang fan would take fancy to, and it’s just launched at Aritzia shops; you can view the entire current collection online, or take a gander in store.

The Amelia jacket is doubtlessly the pick of the litter, and for a few reasons; not only is the leather and shearling combo a hot ticket trend, but it’s priced at $595.  This may seem high, but check your alternatives – you’ll be hard pressed to locate a jacket in those materials for under $800 at the moment.

The Amelia features gorgeous lines, is minimalistic to accent any look and is oh so versatile.  The only downside is it’s not available ’till January 2011, though that does provide one time to save up.



Hey Dummies, Your Hunter Wellies Are SUPPOSED To Get Wet
Thursday November 18th 2010, 11:47 pm
Filed under: 2010

I’m not sure if this is purely a Vancouver handicap, but it seems that those (who seem to be mostly female) wearing Hunter boots don’t like to walk through puddles.  Indeed, they seem to be avoiding them with great care despite that they are wearing rubber rain boots.

These booties were literally made for puddle jumping, people.. get off your high horse and start splashing around!



Exquisite Mulholland Leather Goods On Sale @ Gilt Man
Tuesday November 16th 2010, 12:06 pm
Filed under: 2010,Men's Fashion

Now these are gifts to make a man in your life feel freaking special! Gilt Man is holding a Mulholland Leather Goods sale, the best of which is identified below – the carry on trolley ($799 from $1,140), Shorthorn weekend bag ($515 from $735) and the leather covered flask ($39 from $58).

There is also a golf bag ($799 from $1,140), shave kit ($105 from $150) and a leather divot repair tool ($25 from $38) – all very worthy gifts for your valued fellows.

Gilt Man is invite only, so get one and get shopping!



9 Beanies You’ll Need, Because The SNOW IS COMING
Tuesday November 16th 2010, 11:17 am
Filed under: 2010,Men's Fashion,Women's Fashion

Well, the snow is coming (or has already arrived) for many.. not just ‘lil Vancooter.

The colder the weather turns, the more you’ll need to insulate that head of yours.  While the theory that something like 40% of your body heat is lost through your head is complete crap, it’s still wise to bundle up and one must start with their crown!

Neff has some funky favorites of mine; the cupcake and ice cream cone (which I have).  They’re kitschy, but we can’t always have serious headgear! See by Chloé’s black sheep beanie is a close second, along with the Stella McCartney snake intarsia knit style (which actually turns out looking more like leopard print in my eyes).

Last of all are the classic styles; a Valeur’s Franc for a minimalistic style, Missoni’s pompom, the Grace bow pin pompom, GAP’s Fair Isle and Billabong’s classically preppy Session beanie.



NYC: Nudie Event @ Atrium
Tuesday November 16th 2010, 12:22 am
Filed under: 2010,new york

New Yorkers, prepare to get into your favorite Nudie jeans and get your shop on at Atrium this Friday.  Atrium is offering free gifts with Nudie buys, 20% off your Nudie purchase and face time with Nudie specialists.. not something to miss.

WHEN: Friday November 19,  3-9PM
WHERE: Atrium NYC [Googlemap]



AUSTRALIA: Senso Warehouse Sale Deets
Monday November 15th 2010, 11:58 pm
Filed under: 2010,Sales

Australians are lucky buggers; it’s Senso warehouse sale time again! There is scads of both clothing and shoes at super massive discounts, so if you’re in OZ it’s time to shop!

WHEN: November 25-27, hours listed below on flyer
WHERE:  Basement of 20 Hutchinson Street [Googlemap]



Investment Purchase: PEA COATS
Monday November 15th 2010, 1:57 am
Filed under: 2010,Men's Fashion,Women's Fashion

There is little more classic and dependable than the pea coat; forever on trend, warm and easy to wear.. what more could we ask for?  The beauty of the pea is that both genders can wear it beautifully; both genders have similar cuts, military feel and heavy wool – these jackets have curb appeal with the warmth for battling icky weather.

Favorite jackets for the female realm (or boys that enjoy their fits more tailored) include Andrew Marc’s olive Comrade, Topshop’s Ultimate pea coat and Reiss Marleen’s coat with removable shearling collar.  The men’s picks boast the double breasted Topman creation, AllSaints Prior and Peoples Market’s Lafran.

Whatever pea you select, make sure it is classically designed – that means no ruffles, ruching or fancy bits that could make your jacket any less classic.  Remember, this design is great due to its seasonlessness!



Visiting Yaletown’s Bombay Brow Bar For My First Threading Experience
Monday November 15th 2010, 12:18 am
Filed under: 2010,Vancouver

When it comes to brows, I’ve always been an at home DIY plucker; nothing adventurous and other than free has ever been my steeze, until now.

I swung by Bombay Brow Bar for their henna event with world renowned artist Ash Kumar (I had no idea the man that was doing these designs on my arm had done the same for the hottest Bollywood actors, and freaking Madonna! It was fantastic, and he was such a lamb), but before any of that went down, I had my brow cherry popped.

I’d never had my brows threaded, or even witnessed a threading – I literally had zero ideas of what to expect.  The threading lady sat me down, outlined the natural shape of my brows and we discussed how I wanted them shaped and how she would like to approach doing so.  I leaned back on the magenta chair, and the threads went to work!

After the shaping, I had an Indian head massage and was presented with a mirror to check out my new brows.. I was not disappointed.  As you can see below, I was given amazing shape with nearly no pain or discomfort at all! The only precaution I may offer is a word to my fellow contact lens wearers – when you’re holding down the skin around your brows, don’t let your fingers slip or you’re going to have your lens flutter out!

The Bombshell Brows treatment I received is $23; the Bombay Brow Bar itself being in Yaletown [Googlemap]



Lose Monochromatic Rain Boots For Supercharged Color Wellies
Saturday November 13th 2010, 10:08 pm
Filed under: 2010,Footwear,Women's Fashion

It’s that time of the year for soggy streets, and as I’ve experienced soggyfoot myself tonight I figured now would be a beautiful time to feature some beautifully bright rain boots.  We’ve all seen the bore-tastic black boots, but what about something with a little splash of color? In bleak weather, it’s a splash of color that can set your mood up a notch or two.

Of course we have the obligatory Hunter inclusions; teal and iris are my personal favorites.  Aside, we have the limited edition pink Tory Burch Breast Cancer fundraiser, which donates 15% of every boot purchase to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Kamik has a brilliant orange boot, while Salvatore Ferragamo’s Freeze tartan boot is perfect for super chilly rain blasts – either that, or you can insert a boot sock into what you’ve already got for similar effect.  Lastly, we have the Steve Madden Tsunamii; a black boot with a splash of color through the a rear zipper – SM has two colors to choose from; yellow and red.



VIDEO: CHOSEN ONES Vintage Sale @ The Waldorf PREVIEW
Saturday November 13th 2010, 2:08 am
Filed under: 2010

It’s my first squirrely video, so laugh with me and enjoy. ALSO: take special note at the vintage goods profiled; they’re all available tomorrow morning at The Chosen Ones sale at the Waldorf.

My fierce videographer sidekick is Danielle Sipple; check her work and prepare for more video awesomeness coming at your eyeballs!



CONTEST: WIN MARC JACOBS’ BANG
Friday November 12th 2010, 1:46 am
Filed under: 2010,Contests

It’s my favorite time again!

This time around it’s a bottle of Marc Jacobs’ newest and hottest fragrance BANG up for grabs.  To enter, you need to fan demiCouture on Facebook.. it’s that simple.  This isn’t just any fragrance giveaway; this is the best scent I’ve had the pleasure of owning (and actually wearing) in years – I can’t recall a fragrance in memory that has been more personally appealing!

One winner will be chosen at random on November 21 [after 11:59AM] out of the demiCouture Facebook fans.  You will be contacted via Facebook, so make sure you actually check your messages for notification or your prize will be redirected to another winner.

So we’re clear:

TO ENTER: fan demiCouture on Facebook (comments on this page are rad, but they won’t count as entries) and you’re in!



Tamara Mellon’s Jimmy Choo Pushes Out Another Design Winner
Friday November 12th 2010, 12:47 am
Filed under: 2010,fashion crimes

It’s about that time when we stumble upon a Jimmy Choo piece and make fun of it, because, you know, it reminds you of a discount mall accessory that a dropout with an underbite would find really fucking rad.

Perhaps that was harsh; I know there are all sorts of Jimmy Choo fans waiting to wear their $795 flaming leopard scarves out with their Jimmy Choo FUggs.. sorry about that, guys – my bad.



Modesty Hemlines Take Over Skirting Lengths
Thursday November 11th 2010, 11:47 pm
Filed under: 2010,Trending,Women's Fashion

Louis Vuitton’s hemlines plunged in their FW10 runways, dropped skirt lengths are now super chic.  If the long A-line is in your crystal ball, there are loads of textile styles to go with your new modesty.

My favorites are Topshop’s leather and suede skirts; skins are the hottest fall style right now, and the look of a leather with a more traditional skirt cut is always an excellent juxtaposition.  Next are the woolen selections; Ines’ check and AllSaints’ Hermine skirts are perfect heavy fabrics to accompany your cold weather layering.  Last of all is Marc by Marc Jacobs’ Blanket and Bensoni’s brocade skirts; prints to give yourself a little visual texture – they’re super feminine, yet prints give them statement power.

http://www.us.allsaints.com/women/tailoring/hermine-cullottes/black|ecru/wpf029-604


Boat People, Your Newest Favorite Vintage Fur Purveyor
Thursday November 11th 2010, 9:48 pm
Filed under: 2010,vintage,Women's Fashion

Quebec’s Boat People boutique isn’t just another online vintage boutique; besides stocking one of a kind items you’re going to mess your Depends over, they are incredibly reasonably priced.  Case and point, their fur foray is incredibly impressive – you can acquire an immaculate spotted fur coat for $255 CA, multiple fur chapkas for $36-50, muffs, vests and loads more.

My personal faves have to be the Clin d’oeil muff ($45), Siberia fur hat ($36), Katmando mink beret ($44), Chubaka raccoon fur coat ($180) and the spotty Ocelot coat ($255).

These are all vintage pieces, so no new furries have had to die for your new acquisitions.. this is a clear conscience shopping environment, folks.



Stompin’ In My Blue Suede Shoes
Thursday November 11th 2010, 9:08 pm
Filed under: 2010,Footwear,Women's Fashion

Since I can’t stand anything Elvis related, this is a tribute to Carl Perkins who originally wrote and recorded the iconic tune taken over my the swivel hipped crooner. These are four of the bluest, suede covered kicks available at the moment, varying in styles and pricing.

Jeffrey Campbell’s Pixie are the most urban of the quad, with the Minimarket inspired hind zipper and strong wedge.  It and the Miller are the most modestly priced kicks out of the group, to be certain.  When it comes to luxury, YSL and Giuseppe Zanotti are synonymous with the look; the Palais pumps and ruched ankle boots are certainly no exception.



ON TREND: Holiday Tassels
Thursday November 11th 2010, 6:30 pm
Filed under: 2010,Women's Fashion

Tassels are often seen in winter gear, though the items below are more than cold weather styles – they personify trendsetting holiday dressing that steers left of average.  These visual tone of the pieces are dark but fun, ready for chill but cheery to look at.. let’s check out the goods.

Tassel boots are a standard choice for fall; you can have a heel with Jeffrey Campbell’s Man, or an everywhere walkabout boot with Fluevog’s Frontier Hi.  If footwear is less your thing, Wonderkind’s fur collar coat is particularly spectacular; the fur, red wool and brown fray leather trim are a truly stunning package.

Accessories can be your tasseled look; Malene Birger’s cotton scarf for that wrap around warmth, or you can frost yourself with jewelry ala Debenham’s drop or Lanvin’s luxurious pearl tassel necklace are two options from the opposite end of the budgeting spectrum.  If it’s a bag you’re wanting, ASOS’ leather tassel bag is an excellent (and affordable) piece to add to your collection.



Topshop Gets Inspired By Alexander McQueen, Erin Wasson x RVCA
Thursday November 11th 2010, 3:07 pm
Filed under: 2010,Women's Fashion

Topshop’s newest crop of goods includes two heavily sought after items on the designer circuit – an Alexander McQueen style print bodycon dress and denim shorts with peek-a-bo chain mail detailing underneath, ala Erin Wasson x RVCA.

These pieces evoke the styles of the originals, though have enough original style to avoid looking completely knocked off; the stained glass print of the bodycon dress is particularly visually pleasing without looking too carbon copy.  Not a bad item for $135, either – the original McQueen hovered around a grand, while the RVCA shorts priced out at $300.

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=2074432&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208579&parent_categoryId=&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=20


demiCouture’s 2010 Gift Guide
Wednesday November 10th 2010, 8:20 pm
Filed under: 2010

It’s about that time of year again, so sharpen your elbows and get ready for the next round of holiday shopping fever.  When you’re buying for someone who is past the clothing and accessory horse stage, and wants some amped up gifting gems.

What’s new is old again

Records, turn tables and even cassette tapes are hitting decade high notes of late, which makes a musical throwback the ideal gifting option.  Favorites found were John Varvatos’ Project 3 (call 1-315-BOWERY to buy) or the Ion USB or Crosley AV USB turntables are super rad options; all pricing between $140 – 399.

Capture moments between the moments

Cameras are my favorite thing to give; the potential that one camera gives is so exponential it hurts the brain to even consider! Instant cams are a fun gift, which will also make the recipient as happy to receive the camera as you are to give it – my personal recommendation is the full size Fuji Instax 210.  The Instax is the polaroid for the ’10s; the instant full sized photos are beauty instant photos, wide screened images and everyone loves to pose for the Instax.

Alternatively we have refurbished 35mm Russian cameras, the 5B for instance being a very affordable model at $115 US.  For more bang (and buck); the Fed 1 or 135 BC/M pieces are beautiful choices.

Home for the holidays

Home deco isn’t just the tacky, Griswold-esque mental image you may think it is.  Gifting home accents has also advanced; we have the mini donut maker (no deep frying involved!) for the fun lover, the obligatory flask mention for the hipster drinking through his beard or a knit hot water bottle cover.

Safety first

There have been many casualties over the last year across the globe due to cyclists and [certain] motorists not wearing proper headgear.  Whether this is due to most helmets looking dorky or not, the Les Ateliers Ruby’s Colette helmet is definitely the antidote to dull.  You can even customize your Les Ateliers helmet via Colette, though it will cost you.

Give good face

Since my visit to Dermalogica’s Vancouver HQ, I’ve been obsessed with their skincare collections.  It’s been under a week and I’ve already noticed a calming of my skin, which brings us to my recommendation of their holiday gift packs – they range from $50-250 and provide bonus gifts with purchase.

Get plugged

Headphones are the gift of sanity; morons on the bus, wailing banshee children, hippie drum buskers, your friends and family can banish it all with a plug of their new headphones.  Beats by Dre are the clear choice for the ballin’ gifter, though colorful Roxy earbuds or Skullcandy’s in ear headphones are beauties for blasting sound in.




GRAVITY POPE OUTLET DETAILS – ALL ITEMS 50-90% OFF
Monday November 08th 2010, 4:01 pm
Filed under: 2010,Sales

This is massive news, people! Gravity Pope is holding their first ever pop-up outlet starting November 11;  if you are in (or around Edmonton), this is a shop you absolutely cannot pass over.

All footwear and clothing at the outlet is 50-90% off, which equals below cost for every single item stocked.  This is massive… if you need a reminder of the brands Gravity Pope stocks, check out their brands carried and get ready to shop ’till gravity drops.

OH - just so you know, the brands and pieces being stocked at the sale haven’t been confirmed by Gravity, so I can’t guarantee that a particular item of brand is going to be on sale.

Vancouver, this means road trip time! Fingers crossed GP decides to spread the love to YVR next.



Hearts For Rachel Comey’s LEATHER SOCKS
Monday November 08th 2010, 2:35 pm
Filed under: 2010,Accessories,Women's Fashion

Leather has covered much ground in the style world in the last few years; leather dresses, tees and loads of other accessories have shown up in the last few seasons.

The latest and greatest is Rachel Comey’s leather short socks – these look like little slipper booties, but are quaint leather socks.  They may be $635 per pair, but I can imagine these would be an incredible addition to any of those open toed booties you’ve been forced to stow away for the winter months.

The Comey socks come in black or caramel leather; I can’t wait until we have a taller reaching style.


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