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| Vancouver Fashion and Shopping Blog |
| Invito Couture |
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| Wednesday, June 02, 2010 |
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Category: Fashion |
The most recent jewel in the crown of International Village is Invito Couture. This gem of a store devoted to offering women beautiful European evening wear and accessories is the brainchild of Yeliz Delaney, a young woman with an eye for style and a passion for fashion.
 After relocating in Vancouver from Istanbul, Turkey, she realized that with her knowledge of fashion honed by her European and Asian background, she could bring a wealth of design options to Vancouver women. Thus Invito Couture was born and the collection is exclusively available in Canada at the boutique. In Italian invito means invitation, and couture is French for fashion.
Located on the East side of the main floor of International Village, affectionately known in the city as Tinseltown, this boutique displays its formalwear offerings in a simple yet modern setting. Pristine white walls and floors with a white sofa and zebra patterned rugs, lit by a cascading chandelier, make a perfect background for the dresses.
Long and short gowns in a myriad of bright colours including regal purples, royal reds, garnet black, emerald greens, and other gemstone shades such as white are temptingly embellished with embroidery, rhinestones and beadwork, all done by hand. Colourful patterns including an outstanding leopard mixed with florals, is as sophisticated as any Roberto Cavalli or Dolce & Gabbana creation. The selection is suitable for special occasions such as graduation, bridesmaid, cocktails, black-tie affairs, and of course that wonderful walk down the red carpet.
 Created in Turkish and Italian fabrics including crepe, duchess satin, chiffon, jersey and lace, the styles are available with cowl necks, off-the-shoulder, strapless, one-shoulder, halter and other treatments, such as godets, ruching, draping, bias cut, and crystal pleating. The luxurious sequins, beadwork gemstones and appliqués give each dress or gown its individual look. Sizes are from 6 to 12, and special orders can be filled within 7 days for other sizes.
Every creation bears the label Invito Couture which fashion-savvy women can find in numerous countries such as England, France, Belgium, Italy, Holland, Spain, Russia, Australia and Middle Eastern countries. It is also available in New York and Los Angeles. The mother company, Invito A.S., was established in 2003 in Turkey and has evolved into an international success. The design team in Turkey keep a sharp eye on the runways of the fashion capitols of Europe and put their own touch to each collection.
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| Marks Made Over |
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| Sunday, May 02, 2010 |
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Category: Fashion |
 To me Mark’s Work Wearhouse was the place where my parents and my parents parents shopped. Of if I ever needed a sturdy pair of work boots or a good pair of scrubs I knew that Marks was the place to go.
After attending an interactive style event with a team from Marks at the Metropolitan Hotel in Vancouver, I realized that Marks has made a shift in clothing to appeal to people……well…...like me.
For women’s wear, Marks is targeting women in their 30’s – 40’s who are confident, educated, stylish and sensible. With a lot of their clothing lines, they have incorporated their signature technologies to produce clothing that not only is fashionable but functional and durable.
Check out this super cute yoga jacket I picked up. It has a 100 wash guarantee and contains FRESHTECH™, which is their advanced anti-microbial protection that inhibits the growth of odour and stain causing bacteria. Perfect for yoga wear!
So, the next time your Mom or Grandma wants to go shopping at Marks, tag along cause you mind just be surprised at what you'll come home with!
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| Nicole Bridger Lookbook Photoshoot |
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| Tuesday, April 20, 2010 |
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Category: Fashion |
Last week GoodieBag.ca was invited behind the scenes of Vancouver eco-designer Nicole Bridger’s photoshoot for her fall/winter 2010 lookbook.
Renowned fashion photographer Candace Meyer shot model Nicole Tusznio (Mode Models) in a beautiful heritage apartment in the heart of Kitsilano. Only natural light was used for the shoot, which give the photos the softer, ethereal look common to Nicole's lookbooks and Candace's signature photography style. The setting and style of the shoot were cohesive with the laid-back west coast esthetic of the Nicole Bridger collection.
The Nicole Bridger FW10 collection is called "Healing Heart". Every season Nicole looks to her personal life to draw inspiration for her collections, and at the time she was creating this collection she was divorcing her husband and doing what she needed to heal her heart. This is a smaller collection, and it is primarily made up of "signature pieces" - the best sellers which really portray the esthetic of the label. She has also added three new pieces, the Grateful top, the Today tunic and the Healing cardi.
The colour palette of this collection is primarily neutrals (Nicole Bridger staples) with the addition of a rich aubergine and a black and grey striped organic cotton. Each piece has her signature “I AM LOVE” label sewn in, as a reminder to speak kindly to yourself and to others, and to help spread positive energy.
Nicole Bridger Designs is located in Vancouver, B.C and the collection is available online and at select boutiques across Canada and the United States. For more information and to view and shop the entire collection, visit www.NicoleBridger.com.
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| Main Street Just Got a Little More Magical |
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| Wednesday, March 17, 2010 |
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Category: Fashion |
Forsya (pronounced fors-eye-ah) has already been touted as the shopping
destination for local fashion and art. Now, this Main Street boutique
and gallery makes its mark on the design world as its owner launches a
house label, Forsya by Julie Hebb.
 It’s only the morning and
Julie is already multi-tasking between planning her
boutique’s anniversary party, coordinating the store’s new spring
lines, preparing for a new artist showcase and putting the finishing
touches on her own line.
“It seems like a lot to take on,” says
Julie. “But this whole collection was inspired by my girlfriends’
never-ending search for easy-to-wear, flirty and feminine
pieces. If they don’t exist, make them yourself right?”
It’s no
wonder then, that all of the designs are named after her picture
perfect posse. The Gracie Dress ($129), a high-waisted mini with a mock
collar and ruffled detailing, is already a Forsya fan favourite!
“My
favourite part about this piece is the interchangeable brooch,” says
Julie. “Like most of the collection, the design is very mod, slightly
80s, and all woman!”
Get ready for a bright season as the new
line is set to be unveiled at the boutique’s one-year anniversary party
and fashion show on April 9. Think pieces in light fabrics like woven
stretch cotton, jersey and bamboo, in pretty lemon, sky, dove grey and
lavender.
So be sure to check out Forsya’s first house
collection sold exclusively at the boutique and gallery. “And to all
the out-of-towners who can’t make it down, look out for our online shop
coming soon!” says Julie.
To find out more about Forsya, stop by the store in Vancouver at 2206 Main Street (at 6th Avenue) or visit www.forsyaboutique.com. Prices for the line range from $59 for blouses to $129 for dresses.
To interview owner and designer Julie Hebb, or to receive imagery of the collection, please contact:
Nicole Stewart PR
Publicity, Marketing & Event Planning
778.997.1944
nicole@nicolestewartpr.com
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| West Coast Fashion |
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| Tuesday, February 02, 2010 |
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Category: Fashion |
By incorporating fashion with Northwest Coast Native Art, Kulus Designs captures the essence of West Coast heritage. Using inspiration from Native ancestors, Kulus Designs newest piece (just in time for the Olympics) is a limited edition t-shirt featuring a woman's profile with a Kulus within the woman's hair. A Kulus is a mythical bird and family crest.
Shirts are available at:
Dream Apparel
311 West Cordova St
Vancouver, BC
P. 604.683.7326
Shop Cocoon
3345 Cambie St
Vancouver, BC
P. 778.232.8532
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| Socially Conscious Contemporary Women’s Wear |
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| Wednesday, December 30, 2009 |
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Category: Fashion |
Local designer Nicole Bridger creates more than just pretty pieces to add to your wardrobe – her pieces in fact makes a statement.
Nicole Bridger’s collection entire collection is made of sustainable organic fabrics and manufactured ethically, affirming that you are contributing to the earth in a positive way. The designer takes sustainable fashion to the next level by promoting the humane treatment of sheep in the production of the line’s organic wool.
From oversized layering pieces to fitted cardigans and billowy dresses; the collection is stripped down much like its 80s grunge inspiration to bare modern and simplistic sustainable styles.
Simple pieces make layering easy for the season, from warm wool modern cardigans and vests to casual organic tees and smart button down blouses, the fall wardrobe is paired down to cool modern classics.
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| Chip + Pepper Tease |
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| Thursday, December 17, 2009 |
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Category: Fashion |
 After the success of their pop-up shops in Hollywood and Toronto, Chip + Pepper launched their innovative concept in Vancouver last week at Blushing Boutique.
Their highly successful line will be available in your hot little hands until March of next year and is here just in time for the holiday season. The designers boast a collection of one of a kind, minimum cut items that will not be available anywhere else.
I had the opportunity to check out the exclusive opening and fell in love with their new slider jeans-a basic skinny with a retro eight inch zipper at the ankle. They are available in white, dark denim, grey and my personal favorite the distressed. These are definitely going to be on the top of my Christmas wish list!
Visit them at 579 Richards St. for your limited time opportunity to get your Chip + Pepper fix.
~Contributing Writer Navjot Atwal
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| Bra Allure |
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| Tuesday, September 15, 2009 |
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Category: Fashion |
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How
many of you ladies are in constant search of a comfortable yet feminine
looking and elegant lingerie?
Bra Allure
- the new Canadian online lingerie store is dedicated to bringing you
those rare, hard to find lingerie pearls: fruity colors, sensual and
delicate embroidery for both comfort and refinement. Natasha Foresi, owner of Bra Allure shares a few of her favorite picks from the Lou Brand fall collection.
The Lou brand - relatively new to Canadian market has a very youthful and daring style. “Chic lingerie with a decidedly youthful attitude”. Her favorites in this fall collection are Edward and Music Hall.
* Edward arriving later this September is truly one of a kind
collection. Very contemporary motif with floral embroidery makes a very
feminine combination
* Music hall, which is available in caramel color throughout the year, will arrive this October in Black Current (or cassis as the French call it). Very comfortable in both half cup and moulded cup versions. Music hall mixes the softness of microfiber and the elegance of a geometric motif embroidered on elastic tulle. Authentic Swarovski crystals give a final touch to this gorgeous collection.
For those of you wearing D cup and higher Foresi recommends the brand Empreinte. All of their bras without exception are stunningly beautiful and comfortable. Paloma is probably their most innovative collection this fall. Moulded cup is decorated with Calais Leavers Lace with velvet ribbon for glamorous style. This is a great bra for an evening dress.
And at last, this fall season is marked with dark purple colors. Every brand though came up with their own particular name:
black grape (Charnos, Anais collection), dhalia (Empreinte, Melody collection) and cassis (Lou, Music Hall collection), fuchsia (Felina Conturelle, Chalet collection).
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