Vancouver Designers

When one thinks of Vancouver, one doesn't normally think immediately of fashion unless one is thinking of yoga-wear. This is due to change because one thing Vancouver is not lacking is an abundance of gifted designers and artisans.Treana Peake, Dace Moore, Malene Grotrian and Leanne McElroy are just a few examples of Vancouver's local talent.This season in stores such as Eugene Choo, Forsya, Twigg & Hottie, and Dream, there has been a common colour pallete of rich jewel tones and soft neutrals such as camel, chocolate brown and black. Lace fabrics, cozy cashmeres, heavy knits and florals in subdued autumn colours were also prevalent. Below are a few of my personal favorite pieces by some unique Vancouver designers.

Obakki

• Obakki is a Vancouver-based luxury apparel company founded by Treana Peake in 2005. The company is well recognized internationally as well as in North America with celebrity fans such as Tyra Banks and Kate Hudson. Obakki recently closed their flagship store in Gastown but their clothing is still being sold online as well as at Park Royal and Moule ( West Fourth, Vancouver). What attracts me to Obakki (and Dace) is the quietly luxurious aesthetic of the clothing. The clothing isn't particularly flashy or ornate but the attention to fit and detail and the fabrics chosen (from Italy, France, and Japan) make Obakki unique. Obakki is very much class over flash. This "Sophia" blouse is a cropped, sleeveless button down shirt. The fabric is sheer, 100 % silk. This shirt is sophisticated with a subtle amount of sex appeal. The Sophia blouse also has some Victorian details such as the buttons and the high neckline. This blouse retails for around $175.00 on Obakki's online store.

https://shop.obakki.com/ca/women/fall-winter-2011/sleevelessbuttonfrontshirt.html

Malene Grotrian 

Malene Grotrian is a dutch-born Vancouver-based designer who designs women’s clothing, in particular evening wear, with a penchant for glamour and sexiness but a focus on practicality and comfort. Malene is especially known for her bustiers that are sexy and tasteful. Malene designs her bustiers knowing that real women with real bodies are inside of them. Malene Grotrian Designs also strives to create a postive impact on the world, by supporting charities and non-profit organizations, an example being the Children’s Wish Foundation. Malene Grotrian Designs are available at her store, located at 207 W. Hastings St # 910 in Vancouver.

This coat from the Fall/Winter 2011 collection is lovely, and a unique way to cover up during the chilly winter months. I love this coat, it has a kimono-esque sillouhette and I feel like it has a very old Hollywood vibe. It reminds me of something Rosemary Clooney would have worn and looking at it makes me want to watch White Christmas with a cup of hot apple cider.

Elroy Apparel

• Elroy Apparel is an eco-friendly, Canadian clothing company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company was founded in 2007 by Leanne McElroy. Elroy Apparel’s better priced clothing is designed and manufactured in an ethical and green way. The clothing is made out of fabrics such as organic bamboo, organic cotton, hemp and pineapple silk. The company makes optimum use of social media and communicates with their customers through Twitter, Facebook and a blog http://www.shopelroy.com/blog . Elroy Apparel strives to inspire customers to consider the impact they make on the earth and live their lives in a socially and ecologically responsible way.

 The "Idra" top from Elroy's Apparel comes in two versions. The black, plum and royal (above) version is made with 100 % linen while the sky and white version is 100% cotton. I personally would choose the cotton version because of linen's unfailing tendency to wrinkle but for autumn, this option is a better choice. I like the linen version because it has an artsy quality. The colours reminds me of when I went to France, the paintings in the Louvre or a rainy day in Paris, which sounds totally pretentious but I don't really care because that's what this blouse reminds me of and is why I like it. This blouse is from the Spring/Summer collection but I think it could be worn in the Fall. The Idra top used to retail for $88.00 but is now on sale at $45.00 on Elroy Apparel's online shop.
http://www.shopelroy.com/clothing/Elroy-Apparel/Idra-Top.html

Dace

　Dace is a high-end clothing label created by Vancouver designer Dace Moore. All Dace clothing is designed and manufactured locally in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dace Moore's studio is located at 300-76 West 6th Avenue in Vancouver. Dace Moore wholesales her designs to stores in Canada and the United States but has recently gained international attention for her beautifully tailored blazers and jackets and her stunningly designed, comfortable clothes with superb attention to fit, detail and fabric. From what I have seen of Dace clothing, all fabrics are natural ie. silks, wools, cotton, viscose which I love. The clothes are not overtly sexy or in your face luxury (ie. tacky). They are subtle, wearable and unique. Dace clothing is definitely my personal favorite and when I get my first paycheck ( I just got a job as a Sales Associate at Orb ) I think I might treat myself to a piece by Dace.

 It is a little bit impossible for me to limit myself to choosing just one piece that I love. But Dace clothing is definitely a recurring theme in my thoughts so Dace pieces will be a recurring theme on my blog. This "Mystic" coat is aptly named as it certainly portrays an exotic image of mystery and intrigue. It's made out of 80 % wool and 20 % cashmere and comes in black and olive ( I love the black ). This oversized coat has an oversized hood and it closes with a leather braided loop that's attached to a tassel made out of horse hair. This coat is very practical but has a high fashion edge that is not all that common. This coat by Dace is unique and makes enough of a statement to be a showstopper but is low-key and classic enough that it won't go out of style. At $396.00 the Mystic coat is not cheap but could be considered an investment piece considering it's wool and cashmere and is of impeccable quality.

 Holiday 2011 by Obakki