By CHLOË LAI
Mar. 2020
New season, new outfit, new you.
1 See the world through rose-coloured Harlow sunglasses from Bailey Nelson.
By CHLOË LAI
Mar. 2020
New season, new outfit, new you.
1 See the world through rose-coloured Harlow sunglasses from Bailey Nelson.
By SHERI RADFORD
Mar. 2020
In the spring, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of…chocolate. That’s the case in West Vancouver, anyway, where Temper Chocolate & Pastry tempts with dark chocolate bars, milk chocolate and salted caramel cake, and chocolate-covered lemon peels. Not a chocoholic? Try the lemon tarts, candied ginger, or hazelnut toffee. And give the Easter Bunny a hand by picking up some sweet seasonal creations. No one will judge you if you buy an extra one (or several) for yourself.
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 LUCAS AYKROYD
July 2018
Photo by Edgar Bullon/Dreamstime.com
Exploring Metro Vancouver by SkyTrain this summer is a fast, fun, and family-friendly way to go beyond the downtown core. (more…)
By JILL VON SPRECKEN
July 2018
Being eco-friendly has never looked so good
Searching for swimwear that’s as easy on the eyes as it is on the ocean? Then dive in with Canadian brand The Saltwater Collective. These figure-flattering suits make a splash, thanks to eco-friendly fabrics woven from nylon waste like discarded fishing nets. Shop online or at Zebraclub.
By JILL VON SPRECKEN
Illustration ©Isaxar/Shutterstock.com
Jul. 21, 2018 The city’s style-savvy are off to the races. The Kentucky Derby–style Deighton Cup is devoted to fashion and frivolity (and horse racing, too, we hear). But all bets are off when it comes to sartorial style—expect to see over-the-top hats, fascinators and fedoras alongside silk bowties, fancy frocks and three-piece suits. (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 CHLOË LAI
May 2018
Photo by Joseph Cruz/www.cherryblossomportraitstudio.ca
Coco Chanel once said that “in order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” Local textile artist Morija Reeb more than meets that challenge: every item in her collection is crafted entirely by hand, ensuring unique patterns and textures. Using natural dyes and ethically sourced raw silk fibres, Reeb creates singularly stylish scarves, necklaces, earrings and floral pins that you’ll never want to take off. Discover Morija Designs online, or in person at the Silk Weaving Studio.
On May 13, delight your dear mama with the perfect gift, something she can treasure all year long. (And maybe pick up something for yourself at the same time.)
By SHERI RADFORD
May 2018 (more…)
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…)