Meet Julie Hebb, owner of Main Street’s awesome Forsya Boutique…

Scout Q&A

Three things about your neighbourhood that made you want to set up shop there: Main Street is great area to find unique items away from the mainstream, [also the] community based atmosphere [and the] the stretch of Main I’m on is very up and coming, full of artist studios and great local restaurants

What will Vancouverites find at Forsya? A friendly customer motivated shop that carries local and independent designers from across Canada.  Focusing on customer service we provide free alterations on everything in the store, even sale items! Interesting and unique items that can be custom fit to your needs. We also offer custom clothing and your own personal alterations.  We show local artists on the walls and are in the process of developing our own clothing line with the helpful suggestions of what the customer wants.

What inspires you at Forsya? When I go shopping I want to have a great experience, not just find a great piece to add to my wardrobe. At Forsya we focus on customer satisfaction. If it doesn’t quite fit, we’ll help. If we don’t have what your looking for, we’ll make it. If we have the right designer but not the item, we’ll call around to other great stores to find it. If you just got some great item from another store but it doesn’t quite fit, we’ll fix it!  I’m inspired to create a community-based business, supporting local and Canadian talent and bringing the highest quality and best customer service I can.

Tell us what fall fashion item you are most looking forward to for the 2010 season: Anything from Eve Gravel…seriously, love it all!  She is one of my favorite designers right now.  Also, another favorite, Annie 50 and Dru’s Designs have some amazing pieces with a hint of military inspiration but still very feminine pieces.  Also, our line is filled with  some great separates to wear to work or dress up for an evening out, plus a couple fantastic cocktail dresses!

What about your favourite 2010 fall accessory? We have some lovely mitts and arm warmers by Paper People Clothing out of Toronto, a fantastic line that uses recycled clothing to create new masterpieces, plus some wonderful wrist warmers and multi-use circle scarves from Floating Gold Iceberg.

What sort of music does Forsya like to play in store? Right now…OMG 80’s! 80’s music can make anyone smile!

Why is Vancouver a good city for independent design? There is just so much talent in this city, we need to support local as much as possible, in these economic times, people are really thinking about where they spend their money.  Vancouver designers focus on quality and ready to wear items that so many different types of customers will love.

Is there a local designer or artist that you admire above all others? Hmm…there’s more than one, but I’m going to pick Ryan Heshka as one of my all time favourite illustrators. He has a new book coming out that I will hopefully have in the Fall and we’ll be doing a book signing with him!

Best Vancouver place to be inspired by emerging artistic talent: The Drift is a great Art walk on Main Street happening in October that is a fantastic way to see talent in this city. Great local independent stores and restaurants displaying the next best thing gives you a chance to check it out as well as merchants all up and down Main.

Best Vancouver location for people watching: Right outside my window can be veeeeerrrry interesting, but if its serious people watching, pick a beach right now and you will be entertained!

Three websites you visit every day: 1. ETSY. 2. Blog surfing, checking out all the creatives out there. 3. Craigslist, for some great mid century modern pieces, mostly for my Mum.

Three places you like to take out of town guests: Antiquing/ Vintage shopping on Main, Commercial, New West. Locus, my fave place for brunch right now. Granville Island.

Where do you enjoy shopping in Vancouver? Tell us about some of your favourite local haunts: For food, Quejos. For clothing, vintage shops on Main and Commercial. I always make a point to stop at The Front for some cool finds too! For jewelry, IFound Gallery is pretty interesting place to find some cool finds. For art, the VAG.

If you were going to recommend a Vancouver artist/designer/musician/personality for Scout to interview, who would it be? Rebecca Chaperon, our next featured painter in the shop. She’ll be up for The Drift and we’re so exciting to have her. Not only is she talented, but she’s also pretty much the sweetest person you’ll meet. And she’s got style!

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