Apr 28, 2009

Modern Mix Vancouver One Year Anniversary Party Invite

This is your invitation to Modern Mix Vancouver's one-year anniversary & reader appreciation party on May 12th, at Suki's Salon (3157 Granville Street). 6:30pm to 9pm. Come and mingle with other MMV readers and celebrate with Modern Mix Vancouver for a great year! Appetizers will be provided by CRU, desserts by Ganache, and fresh frozen yogurt from Qoola.

Apr 27, 2009

Get $2 off admission to: MAKE IT market

PRINT this image out to get $2 off your admission to Make It Fashion & Art Market happening May 1st - 3rd at the Roundhouse. Shop, eat, drink, listen to Vancouver's hottest DJ's....not a bad plan!

Apr 25, 2009

April Contest


From now until April 30th, the person with the biggest list of sustainable fashion companies (can be retailers, or designers of clothing or jewlery) will win a $50 gift certificate to www.nextdoorstyle.com!

Email entries to info(at)nextdoorstyle(dot)com


*image from Lola&Rosanas

Apr 24, 2009

Next Door Style at Portobello West

Come check out the Next Door Style booth at Portobello West this Sunday April 26th at the Rocky Mountaineer Station, with $2 admission for the public (children 12 and under get in free!), on the last Sunday of the month from 12pm to 6pm.
Swing by our booth to enter to win a gift basket filled with locally designed clothing and jewelry worth over $300!

See you soon!

Apr 22, 2009

Earth Day in Vancouver: List of sustainable designers in Vancouver


For Earth Day I am making a list of any sustainable clothing companies in Vancouver and how to find them.

#1 - www.nextdoorstyle.com is an online store that sells sustainable designed fashion and accessories. Everything on the site is sustainable because it is made locally thereby reducing the carbon footprint. You can find clothing made of eco fabrics or handmade jewelry made of reclaimed components. Shop using "secret code": pr3s5 and get Free Shipping.

#2 - Rio Rain is a vertical retailer based in Vancouver, BC with stores in Park Royal Mall, Richmond and Kelowna. Rio Rain utilizes Sustainable and Recycled Fibers to create environmentally friendly fabrics. Bamboo, Organically Grown Cotton; Recycled Polyester (R.P.E.T.), Recycled Cotton, Activated Charcoal (made from ground up coconut shells and nano bamboo particles). By far one of the most transparent companies I have come across.

#3 - Nixxi offers classic designs in organic textures. Named after ancient water and life protectors, the line is inspired by nature's simplicity and modern minimalism. Dedicated to employing sustainable business practices, Nixxi sources fabrics made from natural and renewable fibres and works with a production house in Vancouver, BC. Shop Nixxi online here.

#4 - Bloomfield: Founded in the tradition of a 200 year old family name, BLOOMFIELD represents the inspiration to use sustainable, natural and organic fabric blends, featuring surface treatments derived from heritage lace and embroidery. Shop Bloomfield online here.

#5 - Movement 's goal is
to join the socially conscious global movement on our planet while buying clothes they love. Part of the proceeds of each sale contribute towards the Pamoja Foundation. Eventually the goal is that Movement Global’s clothing will be made by factories that are owned and operated by the women entrepreneurs benefiting from the Pamoja Foundation in Africa. Shop Movement online here.

#6 - Larry Designs emphasizes the importance of sourcing locally, and wherever possible all materials originate from within BC. Raw alpaca fleece travels from a ranch in the Cariboo to a spinning mill in BC, where the fiber is naturally processed and spun into yarn. Designer, Terri Potratz hand knits all items, and finishing touches such as buttons are made locally as well.

#7 - Ginger Pottin Designs, uses reclaimed leather pieces in many of her jewelry designs. She hand makes and customizes each component in her studio for truly one of a kind art pieces. Watch Ginger in action on YouTube or Shop Ginger Pottin online here.

#8 - Flora&Fauna pieces are locally, ethically, and sustainably made. Also they incorporate nature and animal themes into each design, and are proud to support local animal welfare and nature conservation organizations. Shop Flora&Fauna online here.

#9 - Bronsino introduced their line of reclaimed leather must have bags in the Fall of 2006. The designer's work has been featured in Fashion Magazine, the Georgia Straight, Vein Magazine, Real Weddings, Vancouver Lifestyle Magazine, Where and Shared Vision Magazine.You can find designer, Denise Wilson at Portobello West and online.

#10 - BuenoStyle is a line of vintage re-worked jewelry. Using vintage discontinued glass beads and brass stampings from the 1920’s to the 80’s, the BuenoStyle features limited edtion "one-of-a-few" pieces. Shop BuenoStyle online here.

#11 - Thug Fairy Designs hand makes beautiful Feather head pieces. The collecting of feathers is done sustainably so you can rest assured no birds are harmed in the making of these headbands. Get your own here!

#12 - Nate Organics is a trend setting, eco-forward clothing collective based in Vancouver BC. Globally minded and artistically driven, we produce organic apparel in order to enlighten, inform, educate and entertain. All pieces from the NATE line are hand-screened on organic goods from fair-trade factories only.

#13 - BYOB is a Vancouver-based business that cares and believes that living an eco-friendly life is essential. They offer us the best alternative to plastic and paper bags. BYOB bags are fashionable, durable, and Canadian made.

#14 - Twice Shy is out to prove to the world that SUSTAINABILITY can be SEXY.

#15 - Granville Island Organix offers a wide assortment of Men's, Women's and Baby clothing and accessories for the eco-conscious consumer. They are chemical and pesticide free, affordable, and very very comfortable!!


What YOU can do to make a difference:
Visit www.fashionhigh.ca and learn how to shop locally for sustainable design.

Check out this event:
GOING GREEN AND YOUR TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
With guest speakers Anita Hildebrandt from Rio Rain Eco Apparel and Amy Robinson from BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies)
Doors open at 6:30 at the VCC Downtown Campus Room 420. Speakers begin at 7pm! Tickets $5 for Members/Students $10 for Non Members

Visit Portobello West Market this Sunday April 26th at the Rocky Mountaineer Station,
with $2 admission for the public (children 12 and under get in free!),
on the last Sunday of the month from 12pm to 6pm.


Ok, now this city is so rad and I couldn't possibly list all the sustainable fashion companies. So...from now until April 30th, the person with the biggest list of sustainable fashion companies (can be retailers, or designers of clothing or jewlery) will win a $50 gift certificate to www.nextdoorstyle.com!
Email entries to info(at)nextdoorstyle(dot)com
Goodluck and Happy Earth Day!

Apr 21, 2009

YOU can help make Vancouver less boring!


If you have ever been to Raw Canvas, you will know how important they are to the arts community. And what kind of art community would we be if we couldn't art jam over a glass of wine. People, I don't even want to know! Help make Vancouver less boring. Let's petition the city for Raw Canvas to get their liquor license. Here's what you do:

Cut and paste and send the letter below (feel free to edit, embellish, expound) to liquor.comments@vancouver.ca


Dear Lucia,

This letter is in support of Raw Canvas Studios’ application for a Liquor Primary Liquor License at 1046 Hamilton St. in Yaletown. The proprietors, Steven and Paige, are good people and their concept is one that the people of Vancouver would benefit greatly from.

(This is where you tell her just how awesome, and responsible, they really are and how Raw Canvas is something this city needs)


Sincerely,

(You)

Apr 20, 2009

Clutch Jewels Studio Sale


'Shop on by' the Clutch Jewels studio for a night of pretty things Clutch Jewels style. You'll have the whole collection of Clutch Jewels to try on at your fingertips in a chill environment and its a great way to go through the two sale bins as well because they can be spread out on their long cuban bar as per usual.

Save The Date!
Tues April 28th 6-9pm

3066 Clark Dr. Van
Buzz Mary & Tyler
Between 14th & 15th. W of Knight St.

If you miss this sale, check the Clutch Jewels store online at NextDoorStyle.com.

Apr 17, 2009

Clothes Line SALE


On Saturday,(tomorrow), April 18th, 2009, the parking lot of Capers Downtown will turn into a recessionista's dream. It's the annual "Clothes Line Sale" in support of Fashion High. Featuring local designer samples and consignment clothes and accessories from Vancouver's most fashionable closets.

Apr 6, 2009

Run Away with the Circus...for one night.



You are invited to join Nate Organics on one night of adventure at
the Planet Claire Spring Carnival Fashion Show
April 9, 2009 • 7pm

Come one, come all to a spectacular spectacle at Vancouver's newest
events venue: Aisle 45 located at 45 West Hastings.
Prepare for an unrivaled night of riotous fun and magic… the Planet
Claire Spring Carnival Fashion Show brings you art, fashion, and
burlesque in a breathtaking venue, with circus freaks, fortune
tellers, and cotton candy!

Come early for your chance to win some amazing prizes by
participating in the "Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art Class" from 7pm to 8pm.
Then enjoy multi media art by local artists, live body painting,
burlesque by Sweet Soul Burlesque Troupe, DJ's , local designer
clothing sale and of course the Planet Claire Spring Carnival
Fashion Show featuring:
Nate Organics
Carny Love ( by Project Runway's Christie Clayton)
Sweet Soul Clothing
Elroy Apparel

just to name a few...


All this and your first drink for $20. Tickets can be purchased in
advance at Planet Claire (212 Abbott St,
beside the Lamplighter Pub)


Otherwise, see you there!

7pm , April 09, 09
Aisle 45 (45 West Hastings)
Tickets 20$ at Planet Claire (212 Abbott St,beside the Lamplighter
Pub) or at the door
778.829.9275
claire@planetclaire.ca

Apr 5, 2009

100 Amigos at El Kartel

Saturday night, worked late, no date. What's a girl to do? Show up at an art show opening by herself, duh! I almost turned around when I saw the line up at El Kartel. But it moved fast as the doorman kept the place within fire code...(although I doubt it) Head down, keeping to myself, not feeling insecure at all until some latino esl student walking by yells at me, "Hey baby, don't be sad, it's Saturday night!" Like, WTF?! That pisses me off.
Anyway, once inside, "Excusemepardonme sorry'scusemeoopssorry" Ahh finally, a familiar face...
Gordon Bruce and his Muse.Gord's painting was sold by the time I got there for $150
This painting was done by Vince Chan who is a cool dude too. He spoke at Pecha Kutcha in March. You can watch his segment HERE.

















Apr 4, 2009

VFW: VancouverIAm.com covers Eco lines



Eco Friendly Friday at Vancouver Fashion Week, was covered by journalists from VancouverIAM. The clip features interviews with Jenny Sandberg (Hawks Ave.), Pauline Siu (flora&fauna), Fierce Kitty, Kim Cathers & I put my 2 cents in there as well!

Apr 3, 2009

Connie Laalo: Double Trouble



Connie Laalo is a 2009 Kwantlen University Fashion Design and Technology Graduate. Wednesday was "The Show" at the River Rock Casino where friends, family, industry and media gathered to see who the up and coming designers were. Connie's line of playful intimates was designed and sewn by Connie herself. What I don't think a lot of people realized is that she actually designed the print and created the fabric for her line. My favourite design of the whole show was actually the dress that she wore herself. (It took 5 meters of crinoline to make that skirt!) The hat she also created.

Congratulations Connie!

Apr 2, 2009

Grand Opening of Please Mum Grandview Corners

At a time when a lot of companies are closing doors, Please Mum is celebrating the opening of their newest store in Grandview Corners in South Surrey. This weekend only, (April 3rd, 4th and 5th), in celebration of Grandview Corners, Please Mum is offering their customers $10 off any $50 purchase.


To get your coupon click HERE.