Vancouver - Christmas Dinner

This is a picture of my mom, standing in front of the garage, in her "The Commodified -inspired" christmas dinner outfit.

Straight Style

"Let's stop taking fashion so damn seriously!" in The Georgia Straight, by Pieta Woolley.

VANCOUVER - Ruffles Presents... Crystal Clear, 455 Abbott Street

Ruffles Presents is one of those blogs that you discover and love but just can't really explain why. Maybe its because you aren't really sure what it's about... or perhaps, in some strange and fantastic way it reveals your innermost desires.

Ruffles hosted their first party on thursday night, set to the tune of Swedish pop and cosmic disco. All I really remember was a jungle tune that made me twist and shake.

More Videos

Right now I'm really interested in the way the fashion industry is represented in film. Here are some movie clips i thought might keep you entertained.

1950s:



1960s:



1970s:

CBC Video Online

If you didn't get a chance to catch the segment about The Commodified on CBC's Living Vancouver this afternoon, you can click the this link to watch it online!

CBC Living Vancouver - December 10 at 1pm

The Commodified will be featured on CBC's television program Living Vancouver on Monday, December 10th, at 1pm. Try to tune in, but if you can't I'll also post the video or a link to the video once it's aired.

VANCOUVER - Cordova Street / Green is the New Black

The reason I only have one picture from tonight's Gastown Christmas Shop Hop is because I instead attended a screening of the documentary, Arctic Tale, presented by Zipcar. Normally I wouldn't mention this kind of thing on the blog, but the message in the film, and given by the director during questions afterwards, really struck me. It reminded me that as a fashion-enthusiast, I have a certain responsibility to consider the impact of my materiality. Although I like to consider myself conscious of climate change, I realize I'm pretty guilty given the high turn-over rate in my closet. Yet on the same note, I'm not about to give up my interest in fashion. I can't deny that consumerism is fun!

However, there are ways that I've been trying to incorporate a more sustainable mindset into my indulgences. I avoid taking plastic shopping bags when possible. I dress weather appropriate so I don't have to boost the heat or air conditioning. I use public transit for all my shopping adventures, and every other trip I take. I'm supporting local designers, Nicole Bridger and Elroy Apparel, who are making sustainable clothing fashionable, by putting their links here. And, of course, I'm buying most of my clothes second-hand, like I'm sure many of you are too.

These little things may seem trivial, but as they say, a small effort is better than no effort. So next time you feel the need for some shopping-therapy, try to remember the new mantra journalists are heralding: green is the new black.

Vancouver - SFU Harbour Centre, West Hastings

Vancouver Fashion Forums

In the comments for my last post, an anonymous commenter inquired about Vancouver Fashion Forums. I thought this info would be good to post, in case other readers are interested but don't often venture into the message boards of this blog. Here are some forums I know of:

"Vancouver Fashion Industry" Facebook Group

"Fashion Scene in Vancouver" Facebook Group

"Vancouver Fashion Scene" on The Fashion Spot

"Shop Vancouver" Livejournal Group

And of course, don't forget to take a look at my "Vancouver Fashion" links to the right. Vancouver has a number of good fashion blogs and websites that are always updating with interesting, relevant content.

VANCOUVER - PaperBird, SmallTown, GoodNews Performance

Last night (thursday), was an important night for two Vancouver designers. While Paperbird Clothing held an exposition at 1181, SmallTown Jeans put on a show at the Bourbon. Unfortunately, my timing was off the entire night, and I missed both collections. Luckily however, I didn't miss the crowd that stuck around for the after-events, which for SmallTown, included a performance by The Good News and DJ, my!gay!husband!.

Gastown Christmas Shop Hop

'Tis the season for Christmas shopping already! Here's an opportunity to get your give on. Head down to Gastown on Thursday, November 29th between 6pm and 10pm for the Gastown Christmas Shop Hop. You'll be lured around the cobblestone streets as 11 of Vancouver's best boutique retailers offer some of the greatest deals of the season.

Or, if for you its still too early to face the dreaded list, at least come down to show off your attire. I'll probably be lurking around a street corner, hoping to capture some fashionable shoppers.

VANCOUVER - Mavi Store Opening, 4th Avenue, Kitsilano

Seattle retrospective

So I headed down to Seattle on Friday, and I'm sad to say that I came home with no street style pictures. I think my empty-handedness all day left me feeling uninspired. But I really shouldn't blame Seattle the city for my unsuccessful shopping experience. I blame Barney's. I spent far too much time snivelling over the beautiful Dior Homme, Raf Simons, Jil Sander items I can't even dream of affording. What I needed was a good slap in the face and the hook of a cane around my neck, yanking me into Target (or Targé, as we call it here in Canada). I didn't even go to the outlet malls on the way home, which usually accounts for one unnecessary but gratifying impulse buy. So I'll just have to try my luck another time.

But in all honesty, the overall taste the short 7 hours I spent in the Emerald city left me can be summed up as "posh/punk", referring to Downtown/Capitol Hill respectively. I really just don't know the city well enough to hunt for street style, because I'm too busy hunting for Olive street, the only connection i know between the two neighbourhoods.

VANCOUVER - H&M Season Start Kick-off Party

H&M is preparing for its winter season, with some new collection pieces being launched November 8. This includes Roberto Cavalli for H&M, which will be available for men and women at the Coquitlam store. I'm not sure if it's worth making a trip out to the burbs, as they say it will all sell out by noon, especially because we'll be attracting the seattle crowd as well. In my opinion, you are probably better off just waiting for it to show up on ebay and hour later. But speaking of seattle, I'll be heading down there for the day tomorrow, and will hopefully be capturing a few south of the border street styles.



While I'm at it, i just want to express my love for watching promotional videos for new clothing lines on youtube. Here is another one of my recent favourites:

VANCOUVER - Heading Downtown

i just liked the colour combination. perfect for fall. and i always get a kick out of overalls.



it was this girl's dream to be caught on a street style blog, so i think i made her day.

The Commodified is Not Dead

I have a couple of pictures on my camera from the last week or so that I've been wanting to post, but I haven't been able to get around to uploading them. Please forgive the delay.

Craig

who what wear

Normally i wouldn't announce the fact that I've added a new link to my links list, but this one is seriously soooo good. If you like Fashion Verbatim, then you will definitely like this blog called Who What Wear Daily.

VANCOUVER - Sixty After Party, M Bank

This was one of the best after parties I've ever been to. But I guess that can be expected when Steve Aoki is djing and there is a free-refill policy on your vodka-redbull.

VANCOUVER - Sixty Boutique Grand Opening

Infamous Magazine

The Commodified appears in this month's issue of Infamous Magazine. View the PDF and scroll to page 16.

Out of the Game

how devastating.

VANCOUVER - Ion Magazine BC Fashion Week Wrap Party

If these pictures look at all like they were taken in someone's living room, it's because the Ion Magazine BC Fashion Week wrap party took place at Moe's Home Furnishings (Terminal Ave). What a great idea... each show room became a themed lounge!

VANCOUVER - Jason Matlo S/S 08, The Modern

Vancouver's own Jason Matlo brought home his collection after presenting in NY this season. Matlo's designs are evolving every season and are becoming increasingly exciting as a result. Yet he maintains a classic sophistication, which, in my mind, makes his pieces appealing to both young and old.

Sorry the pictures are so grainy. It was super dark and smokey in the venue (The Modern), so I had to do a bit of work in photoshop to bring out the colours.

EVENTS - Miss Sixty Store Opening

If you had asked me in May or June my opinions on Miss Sixty, I wouldn't have known what to tell you. I've since met an incredibly awesome person who calls Miss Sixty one her favourite brands and it opened my eyes to the great potential of their clothing. I mean, some of the bold prints are a bit much, but the cut and glitz of their collection is kinda exciting.

What does it mean now that a store is opening in Vancouver? Frankly, I think its great to see that these companies are recognizing that Vancouver is a market that ought to be tapped. Finally the world is seeing us as a fashion-conscious, even fashion-oriented city. At least now their will an alternative to Bebe when shopping for evening attire, and the average Vancouverite will look like they walked out of a photoshoot, rather than a yoga studio for once.

As for Miss Sixty's male counterpart, Energie, I have much the same to say. Although I find their advertisements incredibly appealing, its not a shop I would necessarily go to. However, if it brings a bit of variety to the standard faded-jeans-and-button-down male wardrobe, then I'm all for it! Actually, after giving their most recent collection a second look, I have to admit, the company is doing a good job of slowly pushing actual-men's fashion in a direction I think it should be going.

The location will be at 970 Robson Street. I think the Grand Opening advertised above is invite-only, but the store will likely be open to the general public on Friday, October 12.

Your Civic Duty

If you thought that your obligation to vote for vancouver was over, you are mistaken.



StreetClash: vote daily.

PARIS - Rock en Seine

Dani visited Paris back in August, and attended the "Rock en Seine" music festival. Here are a few pictures of some of the youngsters who were also in attendance.

















The last photo is of a fellow blogger named Geraldine Dormoy. Geraldine blogs for Café Mode.