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On Local Looks, High Heeled Oxfords, And Woody Allen Looking Bummed

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1. Etsy’s Industrial Revolution | The world of DIY and vintage has become a viable market for craft lovers and those preferring to purchase items with some hand-made flair. Etsy, the world’s vintage/craft epicentre, recently announced an upcoming change in policy that backpedals on everything they built their business on. A recent New York Times article states that the company is facing the same issue that led to the Industrial Revolution. Ultimately, it’s not Etsy’s policy change that is questioned, but rather what exactly defines something as “hand made”. It makes for an interesting read about the future of the craft industry in e-commerce as well as our changing appreciation for artisanal products. 

2. Park Royal Re-Opens | November 30th marks the grand re-opening of the present mess of a construction site called Park Royal. Anthropologie, Sephora, Anne Taylor, J. Crew, and Zara are among the big name retailers set to be revealed there at the end of the month. So, expect more traffic, longer delays, and less parking in West Van than ever before come the holiday season!

3. Nicholas Ghesquiere at Louis Vuitton | The old assumption that the fashion industry is really incestuous is confirmed. Nicholas Ghesquiere, previously of the house of Balenciaga (which is now headed by that of Alexander Wang), moves to Louis Vuitton as creative director upon Marc Jacob’s departure. It is one of the biggest stories regarding high fashion this year and it will continue to be until the IPO for the Marc Jacobs line is released. Ghesquiere will hopefully “bring a new era to Vuitton in the same way he did at Balenciaga” (via Vogue UK)

4. Old Navy opens on Granville and Robson | Another giant chain moves onto Robson Street (and there wasn’t much rejoicing). Following the opening of Victoria’s Secret on Burrard and Robson, is anyone really surprised that the only store with enough dough to spend on Robson rent is a company that owns both The Gap and Banana Republic? Didn’t think so.

5. Hudson’s Bay Co. Jacket | As seen at the Grand Opening of Still Life on Main Street. Never goes out of style.

6. Isabel Marant for H&M | Why hasn’t my Instagram been flooded with boys and girls sporting the newest designer collaboration with H&M? This could be why: writer Alexander Fury claims that Isabel Marant is a “step down from the other talents H&M have tapped”. In other words, Isabel Marant doesn’t compare to the likes of Rei Kawakubo and Maison Martin Margela. However, her entry into the H&M designer collaboration hall of fame is not for her progressive designs; Marant is heralded for her knack of knowing who the modern French girl is and what she’ll be wearing. In any case, thanks to Fury, I don’t feel so bad for sleeping in on that fateful November 14th morning when the collaboration was launched.

7. The Bullet-Proof Suit | No, we’re not talking about an extra stylish suit to protect you from social media ridicule. We’re talking about an actual bulletproof suit made for super-heroes and gangsters. Garrison Bespoke in Toronto has launched a line made to withstand a spray of lead whilst looking dapper. The luxury tailoring house said, “after receiving requests from high-profile clients who travel to dangerous places for work, we went out to develop a lightweight, fashion-forward bulletproof suit as a more discreet and stylish alternative to wearing a bulky vest underneath”. So if you’re in the market for a good suit and you want to feel like Batman (and you have an extra 20 grand burning a hole in your pocket), consider a bulletproof suit by Garrison Bespoke. Oh, and it also protects against stabbing. Yay.

8. Black & White Acre Projects | A minimal black and white outfit as seen at the Acre Projects Fashion Show last month.

9. Fur and striped jacket | Spotted at the Vancouver Public Library.

10 Leather and sparkle | Pair something harsh like a black jacket with a leather lapel with something more girly and feminine like a sparkle-embellished athletic sweater. This local girl pulled it off.

11. Polka Dots: This outfit is very Karen Walker Spring/Summer 2013, what with the light blue and white polka dot dress and white cropped blazer. As seen at Cavalier.

12. Obscenely Popular Shoes with Questionable Aesthetics Explained | It’s far too easy to adopt attitudes towards fashion trends and styles because we see it in popular media. Attraction towards something because someone else is wearing it seems perfectly natural but we’re just not entirely sure WHY we like it. Thanks to Bullett Media, current shoe trends and styles are analyzed from an outside perspective, completely disconnected from the blogs and magazines that influence taste. Give it a read; it’s funny because it’s true.

13. Cat Dress | Quirky prints and a coffee make an outfit more interesting. Seen at Revolver.

14. Damien Hirst for Alexander McQueen | Damien Hirst has launched a capsule collection with Alexander McQueen. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of McQueen’s iconic skull scarf (emulated everywhere), the artist has created 30 different styles ranging from the Forgiveness scarf featuring butterflies in various colours and other flying insects surrounding a prominent skull image in the centre, to the purple Perfect Moment scarf with scattered butterflies joining in the middle to make up a skull image. The pairing of these two visionaries is perfect; they share an aesthetic that is dark, eerie, and mystical. The collection launched Friday and is available at Alexander McQueen boutiques. (via T Magazine)

15. Must See Fashion Documentaries | Rainy days call for spending much-needed time inside watching movies. This weekend, consider skipping that Lord of the Rings marathon and take it upon yourself to brush up on your fashion history. Check out this list of “Must See Fashion Documentaries” care of The Style Spy. Not included in the list (but very worthy of your time) is the Yves Saint Laurent documentary, L’Amour Fou and the biopic starring Andrey Tatou as Coco Chanel in Coco Avant Chanel.

16. Must follow Vancouver fashion blog: Style is Style | If there’s one thing I love, it’s a girl who can rock a style no matter the era. Lydia, of Style is Style, can sport anything from thrifted items and adorable boat hats to full A-Line skirts, oxford shoes, and vintage blouses. She’s got a thing for colour and she’s incredible at mixing prints, plus she has a talent for thrifting. So, to say that we should take a few style notes from Lydia would be a severe understatement. We should do ourselves a favour and take a lot.

17. Woody Allen | Woody looking like he’s waiting for a girl to try on a new dress at Oliver & Lilly’s new location near Beaucoup Bakery.

18. Toques & Muted Colours | Restrained colours are popular this winter; stick to more muted tones like beige, caramel, black, rusty red, and white. Toques, natch, are a staple.

19. Black Patent Heels | Spotted in Gastown – a pair of black patent leather oxford heels, perfect for the season.

EVERYWHERE YOU LOOKCITY

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Robyn Yager is the style reporter for Scout Magazine. She is enthused by anything out of the ordinary, loving art, striped shirts, macchiatos, classic literature and picking through thrift stores for unique treasures. Her mission is to inspire Vancouverites in their sartorial choices and to see beauty and style everywhere.