For vintage pros, there is little better offered in Vancouver than F As In Frank‘s fill a bag sale.  Unlike other vintage purveyor’s sales (ahem, Mintage), there is no shortage of clothing offered at the sale.  It may be a bit of a clothing-in-massive-piles free for all, but I’ve always left with amazing finds.

Previous catches include a woolen military capes, fatigue jackets, leather trousers, tees aplenty (the list could go on).  The sale goes off next Saturday, April 28, at 11am.  Get there early (there will be a queue), and RSVP on Facebook.

See you there.

I’ve been sent $150 from Value Village, and I’m about to see if I can locate 3 complete outfits (I’m talking hat to shoe, here!) with that $150.  It’s going to be tough, but I’m going to be using all of my thrifting skills [and a bit of luck, as is always needed when thrifting] by exploring the Vancouver areas’s best Value Village spots.

I’m damn determined to find pieces that are going to shock you; it’s happened before, and I’m certain today’s soggy transit fuelled search will yield some brilliant results yet again.

I’ll be shooting these outfits in the next week (approx), so you’ll see exactly what the pieces look like, will have the all important detail shots, prices of each items and which location I found each item at.

Peek over to the right at that amazing talon ring, fresh from the new, Vancouver designed, Army of Roksz jewelry range. The AOR collection includes a motley group of claws, nails, native inspired carved shapes in silver discs and crystal shards, so pretty much the hottest accessory trends of the current market.

I have a claw ring, which basically wears like a claw shaped brass knuckle.  It’s pretty amazing, and even better due to the designer carving all pieces first out of wax, then hand casting each unique piece.

Even better is she takes custom work; nothing is off limits! Pick her brains, beacuse it will be truly worth it.

If you want a piece of the action, visit Jennyfleur Loves in Yaletown, which is the only retailer in Vancouver to carry the range.

Come and see the art show that I’m participating in on November 10th!

If you want a preview of what you’ll be seeing, I shot the photo in the background of the flyer below.  There is a complete set of five, along with 8 other artists, so you’ll have lots to see.

Opening event is Thursday November 10th, though the show runs till the 22nd if you can’t make the original opening.  The show is at Rize [Googlemap] in my hood, Mt Pleasant, Vancouver.

Below are two outtakes from the photos I’ve created for an uncoming group show themed on movement at the Rize space in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver.  The photos in the collection are anonymously themed; the images are about the body of the subject, how she moves and what is created during the movement.

Event details in flyer form are coming up, but the opening night is November 11th.  I want to see you there!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I guarantee you know someone who has been affected by the big C, so give the video below a little play and get acquainted with Telus’ Pink Network.

Fan and add to the photo gallery on The Pink Network’s Facebook, and Telus will donate $1 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  $25 is also donated for every Blackberry Curve 9360 sold, as well as $5 from every pair of pink Wicked Metallics headphones. They are prepared to donate $400k, so do your part.

Vancouver Fashion Week is an event that occurs twice a year, despite planning and execution flaws one could drive a Coast Mountain bus through.  It’s a humiliation of our struggling style scene, and an insult to professionals and those within the community fighting to support those with quality labels attempting to make a living while working within Vancouver.

My 2009 breakdown of Vancouver’s fashion week issues remains true years later, whilst ever-present blunders as shows being filled with unfit models and badly designed labels continues to occur.  As one who is a noted crusader against VFW continuing, I’ve come across Vancouver Fashion Weak, an established blog to bring down the VFW enterprise.  After seeing what they have to offer, concerns with how this website is being run and how they have chosen to execute their argument have surfaced within myself, prompting this response.

There are there three overall concerns, all of which have me convinced that Vancouver Fashion Weak is facilitating more harm than help, illustrated below.

Poor execution

When one rallies against a poorly executed event, ensuring the highest quality critique is released should be paramount.  When taking offense to an event, taking the time to create an intelligent, fact driven, concise, professional assessment is essential.    Vancouver Fashion Weak has shown itself to be none of these things.

They have spammed members of the media community, not bothering to form a written request as to why they are being contacted, and as a coup de grace have not BCC’d the mailing list.  Not only is this group ensuring they are respected just as much as VFW itself, but they are insulting those being contacted with their pitiful attempt at communication.

Aside from one original writeup which reads more as a personal vendetta towards the director of VFW [whether this is true or not is moot], and is supported by a number of public polls at the bottom.  This effort translates as misguided, amateur and damages Vancouver just as much as when VFW takes advantage of an intern, or is accused or workplace exploitation.

Even worse, there are accusations within the text that are not substantiated.  I do not disagree with these accusations, though it is very dangerous and rather thoughtless to pointedly accuse someone of workplace exploitation, or other similar infractions.  It’s one thing to have first person accounts from accusers or sharing your own experiences, but setting yourself up for a slander suit is entirely another.

Hiding behind a URL

Criticisms are powered by the identities behind them. When I originally spoke out against VFW in 2009, I stood behind my opinions despite knowing there would be a group divided.  When you officiate your statement with your identity, a stand is taken and your cause is validated.  We are not acting within a community wherein harm would come if your identity is disclosed, so pluck up some courage and attach your name to your attack.

They’ve become part of the problem

When you are doing more harm than good, you’ve become part of the problem.  Instead of providing firsthand accounts filled with factual proof of VFW’s shortcomings, Vancouver Fashion Weak has opted to chew the cud of irresolution, unwilling to take a real stand against perceived industry injustice.

Vancouver Fashion Week does need [at minimum] acquire new administration, though there is no way an effort such as this would inspire such changes.  I’m all for getting the word out, but let’s execute the effort with more style, grace and effort.

More than ever, I believe you can’t fight Week with Weak.

Toss the bull; here are the cold facts: MSN Travel and GQ has [correctly] named Vancouver the worst dressed Canadian city and 3rd worst dressed city in the world. The excerpt below is quite apt.  So yes, we deserve this for every pair of Lulus (and their knockoffs), fuggs and crocs.

There is one reason, and one reason only, why we’ve decided to include Vancouver on this list of the sartorially damned: yoga pants. We blame you, Vancouver, birthplace of a certain, insanely popular yoga gear brand which will go unnamed, for spawning a street trend dreaded by all women with wobbly bits and fat deposits in the wrong places. Really, what gives with the whole wearing of bum hugging workout gear to every other place except the gym? On behalf of women with hips and thighs everywhere, who like their pants to have buttons and zippers thank you very much, and who are of the opinion that yoga pants are a ruse worn by lazy pseudo-fashionistas, we beseech you: unless you plan to do a downward dog within the hour, spare us the yoga pants and put on some real trousers .

Vancouver, you shame yourself.

The image below is a preview of a group feature within Vancouver Magazine’s September issue spotlighting Vancouver’s best fashion blogs, and the faces behind them.  I was asked to take part in the feature, along with the lovely Sarah Bancroft of VitaminDaily, always charming Paul of StyleQuotient, M’c kenneth Licon and Jen Tam.

If you’re wondering about the leather suitcase, it’s the No 3 [small] from Palmer & Sons.

TONIGHT, we have the first in a weekly line of parties at the just launched Haiku Studios within the Dominion Building.  Locally produced swimwear is all on sale, and you get Palm Bay to boot.. what’s not to like?!

WHEN: June 17th, 11AM-9PM
WHERE: 410 West Hastings Street [Googlemap] (it’s a short walk from the Stadium skytrain station)

Brock Anton, the moron now infamous for posting the below message on his FB during the 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup Riot, apparently loves his white sunglasses.

As I’ve suspected for some time, douchebags love white sunglasses (and Louis Vuitton).

Now it’s a fact.

Maced in the face, hit with a Batton, tear gassed twice, 6 broken fingers, blood everywhere, punched a fucken pig in head with riot gear on knocked him to the ground, through the jersey on a burning cop car flipped some cars, burnt some smart cars, burnt some cop cars, I’m on the news….. One word…..
History )

Last night, the local Vancouver hockey team was decimated by their American challengers and thousands of morons took advantage of the mass disappointment to assault fellow revellers and police, destroy property and break into and loot local businesses.

Counting amongst the stores looted (as far as I know) is Louis Vuitton flagship, The Bay, Brooks Brothers, Michael Kors and a handful of smaller retailers which haven’t confired damage.  After searching on Craigslist today, it appears that 685 people have listed items on Craiglist tagged with Louis Vuitton. While not all of these people are criminals, I would wager that over half of this merchandise was looted last night.

We’ve learned that not only do douchebags hate books and love Louis Vuitton, but are also morons – what a crop of idiots just waiting to be hauled off to jail.

Men size 9, make your way to ALIFE this Saturday, for a sample sale to cure all your footwear blues.  Remember, it’s cash only!

WHEN: Saturday, June 19 from 10 Am- 5PM
WHERE: Alife head office; 411 West Cordova [Googlemap]

Pyrrha‘s wax seal inspired jewelry never fails to make a statement.  I had the pleasure of visiting Pyrrha’s Vancouver studio today, and got to view demonstrations on how the jewelry is finished after casting.  Check out the images below; they’re a wee glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes at the seal adornments.

If you like what you see, check out their online shop; particularly the wax seal necklaces (those are my favorite)

Vancouver has a new option for the ladies, or men that fancy themselves gender defying – Queens boutique in Gastown.  Queens packs a street wear punch; you can acquire accessories, re-worked vintage men’s tees (made to fit the female form), and some pretty sick nail art.

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.

This one is a bit of cheap self promotion since I shot it, but I’ve yet to meet a person or creature who does not love a larry! It was a surprisingly lovely break in torrential rainstorms that have been beating Vancouver in the last few days (Gastown streets flooded a few days ago), which made for a delightful creative.

The full set is on Flickr if you prefer a slideshow.

Below is a wee preview of a creative I shot with Team Larry yesterday. Full photos to come soon!

Oh, this would be glorious The Bay arse kicking news if this where true.  Not only would be get Nordstrom, but the true glory lies within the possible coming of Nordstrom Rack!

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…

It’s time tonight for another round of the CHOSEN ONES at The Waldorf Hotel [Googlemap]!! This equals hand picked vintage, great deals and good times due to the party that’s being held during the sale.

Deets:

Pre-sale—Friday April 15th, 8-11pm
Join us for a special Chosen Ones presale. Drop by to get first dibs on vintage selections from all of our vendors and enjoy drinks on us. This is a not to be missed preview of the best weekend finds.

Dance Party—Friday April 15th, 11pm-2am
Join us for a dance party in the basement of the Waldorf. Ten different Chosen DJs spinning party tracks all night. Nails by Cristina Culver. Live Hair show by Barbarella and Video Installation by Mila Franovich.

Weekend Sale—Sat&Sun April 16th/17, 11am-6pm
The day after and the day after that….we will be set-up all weekend long for our regular Chosen Ones sale. With more vendors than ever, this is going be the most massive sale yet.

It’s that time again!

The Waldorf Hotel is hosting March 2011′s edition of The Chosen Ones vintage sale next week, and you’re not to miss it! The Chosen Ones is always a hot ticket for amazingly picked vintage, so get your buns down to the Waldorf on the 18th and 19th!

WHEN: March 18 and 19th, 11AM – 6PM
WHERE: the Waldorf Hotel [Googlemap]