As a celebration of Zara’s new online availability, I’ve selected a handful of favorite items from the online store.  In the world of accessories, Zara features reasonable prices and decent construction; check the Bulcher lace ups, brown Chelsea boots and the color blocked soft leather shopper.

For clothing, Zara can’t be beat for reasonable work pieces; these can be dressed casually for day to day wear or fit within a professional environment.  I’m particularly into the grey V-neck jumper, ankle crop trousers and the fall delight wide lapel blazer.

You’ll also not find a piece like this for less than $19 if you’re looking for a functional face, but hey, who actually needs one of those when we’ve got our mobile phones?!

They’ve got a nail technician in every day, that had quite the range of styles, all of which start at $40 and go up with add-ons (gems, that sort of thing).  IMO, Queens’ pieces are best worked into a juxtaposing style look; streetwear is simple, and you will need to mix it up to stand apart.  Logo tees are ace under leather, while a large earring or blangin’ nails will do any look justice.

Need more info? Check out their location deets.

It’s like the Father and Son of the department store trinity.  Can you imagine?!

Now if only we could get a J Crew and Topshop…

This is quite a cute little shop with some excellent label stock and a snappy ‘tude, and to celebrate their move, they’re offering an additional 20% off sale items (up to 70% off) from their online store within the month of March w/ the promo code “MAKINGMOVES“.

There isn’t any word yet on the exact located C&L will be taking over, but rest assured it will be announced as soon as I hear.

For your high street picks, Vincent Park is well worth the trip to 27th Ave. VP is home to the just launched Cheap Monday Cult Club, a host of brands as MinkPink, Super Sunglasses, Funktional, Fred Perry, Alkemie and Something Else by Natalie Wood. [Googlemap]

Burcu’s Angels is vintage fit for the ultimate selective shopper.  Burcu’s picks are romantic, eccentric and individualistic – these are detailed, often period pieces that are going to astound and spotlight those who choose them. [Googlemap]

When it comes to vintage, F As In Frank is one of the city’s favorites.  Frank’s style of vintage is much different than Burcu’s; where Burcu is classically eccentric, Frank is hipster friendly and far more urban.  This is the place where you can acquire everything from hip-hop inspired street wear to leathers and fatigues. [Googlemap]

Mandula may be Main Street’s newest addition after they recently took over grace-gallery‘s old space beside the Narrow Lounge (my favorite Mt. Pleasant hangout) but it is not a strange label to Vancouver’s observant style crew.  Mandula’s pieces are ethereal and will take your breath away; see the new space and take in the label’s works. For those outside of YVR, Mandula has a handful of items available within an online store.  [Googlemap]

Check it out if you’re in the ‘hood – 148 Spring Street [Googlemap]

I’ve heard rumblings that Vancouver may be getting a DM store of all our own, but for now that’s just conjecture.  It would be pretty incredible to have that kind of selection available, though.. cross yer fingers.

It is well known that Joe Fresh has an impressive selection of woman’s clothing, and holds a variance of worthwhile basics and more style driven pieces alike (think the faux leopard coat and knit leggings), after further inquisition the details are more impressive than initally suspected.  Brogues, over the knee (for most) boots ($69), hand studded moto boots ($159), faux fur jackets [white and leopard] were the main stars of the boutique, all shoes were constructed with leathers, many with hand detailing.

The faux fur coats were a particular highlight, not only due to their price point ($69) but the quality of the fibers used to imitate genuine furs – they were soft, plentiful and did not clump; all required aspects of a respectable faux fur garment.  The boots were of a higher quality than the average high street footwear (Urban Outfitters, H&M), and surprisingly their pricing remained reasonable .  Knit and woolen garments found (military style skirts [$39], gloves, leggings [$24]) were all good buys, though none truly stood out as heavily individualistic.

Problems came with the ascending of stairs; particularly with the men’s section, which was really a corner.  It is no surprise that the Joe Fresh menswear selection is lackluster at best, though I had some expectations that [like the womenswear selection], the men’s pieces would be more plentiful, with a bit more attention put to the amount and style they provide.  The men’s corner was full of two things that unnerved me; block color basics and loads of casual, more sport based styles – two looks that men do not need more of.

The general excuse for the state of the menswear was that Joe Fresh was a ‘primarily woman’s focused brand’ (true), and that the collection will be expanding ‘within the next two years’, or so said the associate in the department.  The visiting Loblaws rep assured me that they have the men’s selection on the radar for expansion, though if the design team had put even a fifth of the thought and focus into the menswear that they did in the ladies’, they would have had a much more appropriate range to show off.

Men and women who shop for men in Joe Fresh do not have astronomical expectations for the men’s styles, though when we see a mannequin outfitted with sweat pants and a pea coat, it is cause for concern.  The combination of  brights, lack of attention to the whole gender’s look and overall questionable styling, it is a curious image that Joe is projecting.  While it’s clear that the men’s range would not be an overall bread winning line even if it was amped, more attention needs to be paid for a range that the label stands behind; one can’t have faith in a designer if they can only do one gender justice.

Agree? Disagree? Share your feedback with Joe Fresh on Facebook, and while you’re over there fan demiCouture’s new FB page.

On Thursday September 18th at 8-11PM, Fluevog on 253 Grant Avenue [Googlemap] will officially open.

The gallery space will hold both Fluevog related and unrelated art showings, and the opening party will show creatives from the 28 FluevogCreative finalists.  Money will be raised via silent auction to the charity, Drawbridge, an arts program for homeless children.

There is no word on when it will officially open, though one can be sure it’s going to have one hell of an opening party for some lucky  New Yorkers, (you dogs!)