LOOKCITY: On Autumn Wishes And Seeking Intelligent Solutions To Leaky Rain Boots

Movember is here. Not everyone can rock a Magnum P.I. moustache, so please…gentlemen, know your facial hair limits. Consider these classy alternatives. Now, back to fashion…

Moulé on Fourth Ave has lined their shelves with some new Autumn duds. I was in over the weekend and fell for this sweater. It would look perfect with a camel coat, am I right?

Because everyone should have an excellent camel coat! Vintage is a good option, but if you feel like you can shell out the big bucks, Eugene Choo on Main has a 3/4 length stunner selling for $700. It’s a Steven Alan, and it’s fucking beautiful. Emerson Made also has this one, which is awesome. My personal favourite is the casual and cute Ulla Johnson ‘Alice’ coat at The Block in Gastown. Feels like butter.

Ah, what about rain boots? I’m looking for a new pair because my Hunters leak like the Bush White House. I want something with some style, but seeing how this is Vancouver, gumboots need to…well, be gumboots. The trouble is, do I go for a new pair of Hunters or switch up to the Isle Jacobsons that I saw at Umeboshi on Main? Maybe some Natives?

Boys, enough with the hoodies already. You need some thick, warm and cozy Fall/Winter shirts. Lucky for you there is a pile of new Penfield gear at Mr. Lee’s General Store and Haberdashery. So great.

Sick to shit of Fall/Winter already? Yeah, I get it. Dig the new COMUNE 2012 Spring & Summer Women’s Collection (see video above). Sigh.

PS Good news: Community Thrift and Vintage is opening another shop. The new digs will be located at 311 Carrall and will open next month. Yay!

LOOKCITY: On Retiring The Bikini For Autumn Fashions & Faces Full Of Good Skin

by Ashley Gesner | Retire the denim cut off shorts, TOMS and striped bikinis. The best time for fashion – Fall – is upon us!

I’m loving the Octoberish duds from Portland based Bridge and Burn. First spotted at Eugene Choo on Main Street and then again at The Block in Gastown. Classic preppy appeal.

Vancouver designer Dace has some beautiful pieces on the go.

Hometown kingpin Obakki throws down with their Holiday 2011 Collection (see image at top). Is it too soon to think about holiday parties? Nope.

Have you seen Strawfoot Handmade Bags (see)? Perfect for autumnal day trips! “Strawfoot is a small operation from Northern California that crafts durable bags from American made waxed cotton canvas with hand tools and a vintage single-needle sewing machine.” Must. Have.

The Sartoralist gives us a taste of  what was seen on the streets during Milan Fashion Week. Man Repeller gives the not-so-subtle version (and throws in a video chronicling the process of how to become a man repeller, check it) and Poppytalk just focuses on NYFW hairstyles.

Back in Vancouver, we prepare for Eco Fashion Week (just around the corner from October 5-7).

Oh, and seeing as it won’t be long before leggings are a requirement, so check out One of a Few for the best in town. On to the face after the jump… Read more

Talking Shop With Local Designer Nicole Bridger In Advance Of Eco Fashion Week

Nicole Bridger is a locally produced line of socially conscious clothing and also a woman (locally produced as well). While this interview is concerned with both the clothing and the woman, we’re focusing on the latter while fully appreciating the difficulties of separating the two.

Nicole,as we’ve obtusely made clear, was born and raised in Vancouver. She studied fashion design at Ryerson University in Toronto and then she went to London (UK) to intern at Vivienne Westwood. But here’s the thing: instead of getting carried away with the extravagant and conflicted world of high fashion, she saw that she could use her talents with fashion design as a vehicle for some of the changes she wanted to see in the world.

To take care of the Earth we use sustainable fabrics that are from natural and renewable resources and are dyed with low impact dyes. We consider the impact that we have on the earth and do the best we can to minimize it.

For the People we use ethical manufacturing practices. The majority of our goods are manufactured locally in Vancouver and if we manufacture overseas, we use fair-trade factories.

Finally, for Spirit we sew into each piece of clothing our affirmation labels that say I AM LOVE. This is a reminder to the wearer to speak kindly to themself and to others and help spread positivity throughout their day.

Long story short, Nicole moved home where set about establishing her own clothing line. Today, Nicole Bridger the company, like Nicole Bridger the woman, is guided by the axiom that one must strive to do what is right for the earth, for people and for spirit. We caught up with her to ask a few questions as Eco Fashion Week approached here in Vancouver (October 5-7 at Storyeum)…

Three words that capture your design style: Effortless, drapey, sexy.

Favourite luxury purchase hanging in your closet? My Vivienne Westwood sheerling jacket, though it was a gift.

A Fall 2011 item every girl should have: One of our new organic wool coats. They make me happy that Fall is here. Read more

LOOKCITY: On Baggy T’s, Filson Bags Of Beets And Freakin’ Sweet Gandalf Tattoos

Welcome back to LOOKCITY, a rebuttal against the old notion that ours is a city without style. To prove the easy point – that we aren’t all head to toe in Gortex or Lululemon – Scout puts up a weekly gallery of local people exhibiting individual looks, as seen on our travels around Vancouver.

EVERYWHERE YOU LOOKCITY

LOOKCITY: Art Project “Poses” Captures The Absurdity Of Modern Fashion Magazines

Via Racked:

Artist Yolanda Dominguez’s “Poses” video project features normal women vamping like models on the street and the bewildered reactions they receive from those passing by. The video, which she says addresses how many women feel about fashion magazines and the models they employ (“absurd, artificial, a hanger to wear dresses and bags”) also features two women holding clutches on top of their heads.

Cool Thing We Want #294: Knitted To Order R2-D2 “OMG You’re Such A Nerd” Sweater…

Because of course we do! Etsy maker EricaKnit out of Arizona custom knits every order for $450USD. I agree that that’s pretty steep (like “Beggar’s Canyon back home” steep), but to quote C-3PO, “He should be quite well protected. If he survived the freezing process, that is.” Check the back of it and the cute matching cap here. Should you be geeky enough to be remotely interested, put your order in now before the bleep bleep bloop, and may the women be with you.

EVERY COOL THING WE WANT

LOOKCITY: Eunice Quan & David Lin Open “The Board Of Trade” Store In Strathcona

A heads’ up for fashion savvy Vancouverites: The Board of Trade has opened it’s cool, understated doors in Chinatown/Strathcona. We happened upon proprietors Eunice Quan and David Lin as they were setting up shop last week at 227 Union (right next door to Charlie & Lee and down the street from the Jimi Hendrix shrine off Main).

It’s a ‘concept clothing boutique’ that aims to showcase up-and-coming designers (local and international) and provide great quality products at affordable prices. Take a look at our snaps and head down this weekend to check out the real thing.

The Board of Trade | Monday-Saturday: 11am-6pm Sunday: 11am-5pm | 227 Union Street

LOOKCITY: On Head To Toe In Primaries & Rocking The Hell Out Of Grandpa’s Jacket

by Ashley Gesner | Welcome back to LOOKCITY, our weekly rebuttal against the old notion that ours is a city without style. To prove the easy point – that we aren’t all head to toe in Gortex or Lululemon – Scout puts up a weekly gallery of local people exhibiting individual looks, as seen on my travels around Vancouver.

LOOKCITY: On Spotting Little Orphan Annie On East Hastings And Bathroom Buckles

by Ashley Gesner | Welcome back to LOOKCITY, which I hope to see evolve into a strong rebuttal against the old notion that ours is a city without style. To prove the point – that we aren’t all head to toe in Gortex or Lululemon – Scout puts up a weekly gallery of local people exhibiting individual style, as seen on my travels around Vancouver.

LOOKCITY: Final “Put This On” Visits One Of The World’s Most Elegant Men, Gay Talese

The final installment of the awesome web series “about dressing like a grown up”, Put This On, reveals, among other things, that there’s actually a Corduroy Appreciation Club (because of course there is).

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