By SHERI RADFORD
Jul. 2018

Lemongrass House in Vancouver (Photo by Alison Boulier)

Folks around the world have long enjoyed the essential oils, body lotions and soaps from Lemongrass House. Until recently, North Americans were left out of the fragrant fun. Now, finally, the popular Thai brand has opened its first store on this continent, in Gastown. It’s filled with all-natural spa products for grown-ups, babies and even the family dog. Stop by the welcoming store to pick up a new lip balm or room spray—or just take a deep breath and enjoy all the enticing aromas.

This local artisan crafts souvenirs you won’t find in any shopping mall

By SHERI RADFORD
Jul. 2018

Photos by KK Law

Monique Ouellette never does things the easy way. Visit her studio, and you won’t see a single sewing machine. All of the gorgeous leather totes, satchels, journal covers and bracelets hanging from the walls were cut and stitched—painstakingly—by her own hand. She embraces the distinctive marks and textures that make each piece of leather different, not viewing them as flaws but rather as evidence of character, and she leaves the leather raw and uncut as often as possible. Before making a single stitch, she carefully measures out where each stitch will go, then punches a hole in the leather for each one. A journal cover might take two hours in total to construct, while a complex bag with zippers and pockets requires nine or 10 hours. Each creation is undeniably unique—just like Ouellette.

Stop by Trace of Grey Designs, Ouellette’s studio/store in Railtown, to customize your new favourite bag by choosing the leather, pockets, hardware and more.

By SHERI RADFORD
Jun. 2018

Nespresso’s first standalone boutique in BC, at Metropolis at Metrotown

Attention, coffee connoisseurs: Nespresso recently opened its first standalone boutique in BC. In addition to selling coffee capsules and machines, the shop showcases the brand’s sustainability initiatives: tabletops made out of coffee grounds, wood sourced from reforestation programs, and systems that reduce energy and water. Plus Nespresso has launched a pilot project with Recycle BC to collect used pods. Time for a coffee break!

By SHERI RADFORD
Apr. 2018

At Billy Would Designs, reclaimed skateboard decks and hardwood floors are transformed into beautiful, wearable pieces.

For more than a decade, Adea Chung has been handcrafting one-of-a-kind wooden pieces. The multitalented Vancouverite and founder of Billy Would Designs creates earrings, necklaces, cufflinks and belt buckles out of reclaimed wood such as broken skateboard decks. Her ingenious threaded wood necklace (pictured) has no clasp; instead, the stick goes through the loop to hold the necklace in place. Find her pieces at Bird on a Wire, or browse the full collection online.

By SHERI RADFORD
Apr. 2018

Diane Gagne poses in The Apartment, which is Holt Renfrew’s by-appointment-only private shopping area, wearing a jacket and blouse by Alexander McQueen and wide-leg pants by A.L.C. (Photo by KK Law)

Diane Gagne has “been in fashion forever,” but she loves it so much that she hesitates to call it a job. Her artistic tendencies, combined with a love for the Elle, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazines she grew up with, led her to be a make-up artist, and from there her height and striking looks caused her to fall “totally sideways” into being a model. Soon she started producing and styling the shows she was in, and from there a career in fashion-show production and personal styling began. (more…)