Oh, Vancouver.. prepare yourselves for a super collab, which has resulted in one of our most exciting pop-up shops yet.

Scope the flyer below for the official opening party event on August 26, which includes drinks, sounds and discounts – a shopping triple threat.  The event runs from 5-9PM, during which you can get all One of A Few merch at 25% off, Two Of A Few footwear at 20% off and surprise gift bags for the first 30 customers.

If you aren’t familiar with Vancouver-made darling designs of Lily + Jae, get to know their designs by scoping the L+J FW10 lookbook!

WHERE: One Of A Few [Googlemap]
WHEN: August 26, 5-9PM
WHY: Sample rack, vintage rack, deal rack (starting at $9.99) and new arrivals from Lily + Jae’s FW10 collection. Oh, and there’s cupcakes.

The pop up shop will continue to run from August to the end of December 2010, so you’ve got time even up to your last minute Christmas shopping to stop by!  All items (including vintage) will be available, though the One Of A Few discounts will only be available on the opening event day.

If you’re coming to the launch par-tay, RSVP on Facebook so they know how many cupcakes to have ready!

Some of the most sought after designer labels will be selling sizes up to 14, and some to 20 at Saks‘ new department for the larger ladies.  Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana, YSL, Alexander McQueen, Fendi and Cavalli will be included amongst the plus sized wares, though one has to wonder if they’re going to actually go up to a size 20, since 14 really isn’t that much of a stretch, especially considering European sizing is usually less than America’s concept of vanity sizing.

Reportedly Armani, Carolina Herrera, Escada, Donna Karan, St. John, Oscar de la Renta, Max Mara, Valentino and Michael Kors will be amongst the designers available for buy in extended sizes.  One has to wonder if this is part of America’s size acceptance, or a byproduct of a hurting retail industry.

Urban Outfitters may be founded by those with shit morals, but it’s good at what we need it to be: a place for fast fashion for the hip-loving modern spender.  My near 16 year old sister happens to quite enjoy UO, so I decided to hit up the Buchanan Street location in Glasgow for a gift find.

This may have possibly been the most boring fast fashion retail outlet that I’d yet been to… and that says something.  The store was filled with paper thin blouses and shapeless playsuits; even the Vancouver UO has a more startling selection than this one.  There were items on sale, but they were only more thin blouses and shapeless playsuits that roused less than interest (that’s saying something, since I usually love shapeless playsuits).

It was then I happened on the Kirkland Signature button ups.  Yep.  KIRKLAND SIGNATURE, the freaking Costco clothing brand.  It wasn’t a mistake, because there were 10 of them – all discounted and sitting amongst other various UO house labels and vintage reworks – one really felt odd about it.

The only saving grace was its designer sale; a £40 anchor knit cardi by Le Mont St Michel and the Vivienne Westwood Anglomania flower leggings for £80.  Sadly, it was all too much fail to warrant a purchase… no Vivienne for me, no gift for sister.  Sad, sad.

North Americans know the excitement of cheap, amazing fashion finds.  It’s due to two things; scarcity of reliable deal sources and lack of retail outlets willing to supply said merchandise.  The weekend, I’ve officially had my first Primark Experience.

At first, it was very much a Target feeling; messy and overwhelming.  Once the mental dust settled and I began to take a look at what Primark actually had to offer, the excitement set in.  Leather gladiator sandals for £10, thin metallic brogues for $8, colored leather court shoes for £6, and printed sweaters for £11!

Beyond that, there were floors and thousands of square foot’s worth of amazing merchandise.  The Glasgow Primark that I’ve been at is located on Argyle Street, incredibly close to Buchanan (the famed style mile) and the Glasgow Central Station (rail).

Primark’s website may be awful and completely without product details, pricing or even a proper list but it’s surely worthy of a visit.  My only suggestion is to eat a decent meal and prepare yourself for the chaos before you arrive!y

It’s the season of the pop-up shop, and what better way than for Vancouver’s Wear Else to spread their wings and fly to Coquitlam!  It’s 40-70% off to boot, so it’s worth a trip (and technically a short term outlet!)

The WE pop-up shop is open from June 19, for only four weeks.

Can I get an ‘it’s about time”?!

Luxury giant Net-A-Porter has announced a menswear site, Mr Porter.  The site will launch in time for the SS11 season, and will provide everything women have come to expect from the site – styling advice, editorial content and varying emerging and established designers.

That likely means that sister site The Outnet will soon have a male version – what great news for fashionable boys the world over!

I’ll still be in Italy, which means there is more designer consignment at Coquette to be grabbed up by everyone else still in Vancouver.  OK, perhaps I jest (slightly), but this is an event to get your gem loving butt to.  Coquette is not a regular store but a host of seasonal private sales, which means more, higher quality selection.

They carry a ton of designers, and consigning your clothes means some extra cash (which everyone can use, let’s face it) and you’re ensuring your threads get to an owner that will treasure them.

Coquette’s early summer sale kicks off June 25 at East Van Studios; times listed below in flyer [Googlemap]

Need Supply is one of those boutiques that has everything you want, and most of it is reasonably priced for those of us in the constant poorhouse.

Current faves include Jeffrey Campbell’s Boat C ($90), Grey Ant’s Status sunnies ($230), Mini for Many’s striped canvas wedges ($135) and the utterly amazing Sierra bag by Collina Strada ($328).

Start creating your wish list now.. I know I have!

If you’re on of those with the budget for couture (even if it is second hand), then 20th Century Couture is the shop for you.

The stock is limited, but they do have a small selection of haute dresses, accessories, many of which are vintage.  The summer pastel creation to the left was born of Valentino in 1974.  Don’t get sideways in hopes over pricing – this piece is $4,950.

Not all the pieces are that pricey – other very notable (and more affordable) designs include an orange Thierry Mugler suit from the ’90s for a very reasonably $398.  There’s also a silver Versace bodysuit ($350), Matsuda twist back vest ($198) and even a Gianni Versace studded leather cap ($250).

Philanthropy is Vancouver’s newest pop up shop, but it’s not your average retail joint – Philanthropy is 100% not for profit, and sells pieces donated from designers and boutiques.

Starting Wednesday (June 2), Philanthropy will be open for 6 weeks, from 10AM from 6-8 PM.  With each purchase, you will be helping move Philanthropy closer to their $50,000+ donation goals to their two target charities – Arts Umbrella and Canucks for Kids Fund.

Donated items for sale include wares from Harriet Grey by Mimi and Marge, Living Space, Sun Ice and Chip & Pepper denim, with the inventory changing on a daily basis.

This Wednesday, come and check out Philanthropy for yourself! They’re located on West 4th, right by Gravity Pope (what a locale!) [Googlemap]

Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani know what a rocker rad outfit looks like, which says a thing or two about John Varvatos‘ boutique where they were spotted shopping yesterday.

Not only is there an amazing rock ‘n roll look to be had from JV’s clothing, but he lives the life and the design reflects that.  If you’re looking for some amazing menswear, check out the canvas and leather Argo boots, crinkle garbardine Murray messenger, or try shopping pre-styled looks if you’re not sure what you’re after.

Vancouver’s premium menswear shop Roden Gray has officially launched their online shop.

That means a whole lot of Wings + Horns, Filson, Gitman Bros, Levi’s, Pendleton x Opening Ceremony, Band of Outsiders and a whole lot of other menswear gems.

Word of advice – the Pendleton x Opening Ceremony shirts are on sale right now– check em out!

Gastown’s best loved designer menswear boutique Roden Gray is having their summer sale, which means you can get 30% off selected items in store.

Sale/brand details:

Pendleton x Opening Ceremony – 25% Off
KZO – 25% Off
Apolis Activism – 20% Off
Wings + Horns outerwear – 20% Off
Wings + Horns hoodies – 10% Off
Band of Outsiders short sleeve shirts – 20% Off
S.N.S Herning – 30% Off

To coincide with the Gastown Shop Hop tomorrow, Nouvelle Nouvelle is offering the entire shop at 30% off.  If you aren’t aware of what NN carries, check out their goods on their blog to prepare.

Now you know, so plan to get shopping tomorrow night!

While doing the daily peruse of Net-A-Porter, a new little stamp popped up on a few items.  It was a notification of an investment piece, which is just another way to casually suggest that that $2,000 Proenza bag is worth the buy.

Clever, Net-A-Porter, very clever.

Once again, it’s time for the Gastown shop hop to take place.

Your favorite roster of boutiques are participating, including favorite neighborhood newcomer LYNNSteven.  It all goes down Thursday April 22nd from 5 – 9PM, and all shops will be holding special sales and providing complimentary bevvies.

AllSaints is one of the most defining online boutiques available; they have mid luxury basics, and an incredibly designed mainline range – some of these pieces could easily be mistaken for high designer.

It was the Vivienne Westwood-esque dresses that first caught my attention; the Cana and Idun trench dress rely on the look of draping to be so effective.  The skirts have similar parachute effects as the dresses, which is beautifully portrayed on the Konaki.

The trousers create the same draping effect; we have the Bell leggings and Cosmic Gun jodhpur style jeans.  There is also a very wearable casual collection, much shown in graphic t-shirts and tanks.  This is topped with a small, yet effective group of leathers – one of the defining pieces being the Post Commando jacket.

AllSaints also has a selection of very Gravity Pope-esque footwear – faux worn leather and suede brogues such as the Frankie flat, military style Sand boot and buckled Damisi boot.  This house has a distinct style – the style is much as a New Yorker caught in the desert sands of Las Vegas; it is eccentric, striking wander gear for the individualist.

Remember, if you’re wanting to meet Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas and didn’t win passes via demiCouture’s contest, today is the day he’s gonig to be there.

Line up early, because it’s going to be bananas.. if you’re going, you had better leave now (it starts at 1!)

Swedish taste is certainly different, and when you stumble upon a random site of unique, reasonably priced items it’s time to get hyped.  Modekungen is just that; they have such an array of quirky, trendy items that you can’t help but sweep the whole site as soon as you stumble upon it.

The pieces you see below are all currently available at Modekungen; a long army jacket is $125, printed sweaters for $70, printed blazers for $125 and crazy Swedish t-shirts for $55.

Important: Unless you can read Swedish, you’re going to need an online translator to poke around Modekungen – I suggest Google Translate.  While one never knows if an automatic online service is going to providing 100% accurate translation, Goog seems to have it down pretty well.

Enjoy, my pretties.

San Francisco peeps, this is a pop-up shop you’re going to want to get your butt down to visit. Seriously, if you’ve never been to Oak in NY, then you don’t even know what is about to grace you with their glorious shades of grey!

The Oak NYC A-OK pop-up shop’s official opening is on Thursday, April 29th at The Seventh Heart on 1592 Market Street [Googlemap] – - don’t miss it!

OH, AND OAK — WE WOULD LIKE A POP UP SHOP IN VANCOUVER PLS THX