Oakridge Style

On Wednesday September 1, please join Oakridge Centre and FLARE Magazine for a preview of FALL 2010’s FASHION & BEAUTY TRENDS. Much like our past Style Night events, the West Galleria will be transformed into an exclusive event venue where guests will be treated to a special “insiders” trend presentation and question and answer period, hosted by Lisa Tant, Flare’s Editor and Chief.

Guests will be asked for a $20 donation at the door. All proceeds support Dress for Success Vancouver. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as you pick up your gift bags and check out the raffle prizes. And did we mention there’s a $500 Oakridge Gift Card door prize?

Doors at 6:00, Show at 6:30
West Galleria

Space is limited, so please RSVP by August 30 at www.flare.com/Oakridge.

He may hail from across the pond, but since it’s no small feat to garner the Member of Order of the British Empire honor from Queen Elizabeth II, we feel we should raise a glass (or post) to Burberry designer Christopher Bailey. The designer, he of the perfectly mussed hair, is known for taking one of the oldest fashion labels to new heights.

The inventors of the trench coat, Burberry is now known as a youthful yet sexy luxury brand that retains its distinctly British roots. Bailey took the reins when he was just 29, assuming the post of creative director. He’d spent over five of the previous years working under (our King of Fashion) Tom Ford. Bailey made the name big by pairing street fashion with high fashion; he adds surprising embellishments–such as feathers or chiffon–to classic pieces. He even reportedly banned the classic plaid from runway shows, though kept it for the fans, on umbrellas, golf gloves and luggage. Share prices since his arrival have apparently skyrocketed.

Bailey happily skipped showing in Milan for Spring/Summer 2010 to help London celebrate its 25^th birthday. We adored his reinvention of the classic trench; he turned it into a dress.

So it’s no surprise to us that the queen has honored his skills.

Get the Look
Find check pieces and tartan plaid–inspired by the Burberry classic–at stores in Oakridge Centre.

Valerie Tiu

Doesn’t it feel like it ought to still be mid-November? If you’re like me, it feels like the holidays have quickly arrived and the whirlwind of the seasonal events has left you with some serious last-minute shopping to do. Christmas may be a few short days away, but don’t sweat it. Whether you are shopping for your best friend or the big boss, the shops at Oakridge Centre have you covered.

KADO + KARCH carries classic handmade glass sculptures, imported stone fixtures and luxe printed pillows for the friends on your list with a passion for artistic home decor. Personally, I recommend their collection of Tea Fortè silk teas, chocolate-covered sunflower seeds by The Cocoa Room, and tiny trinkets for some unique stocking stuffers.

CRABTREE AND EVELYN and THE BODY SHOP have beautiful, holiday-ready gift sets that are pre-made or customizable – and, no, these are not just for the ladies anymore! Both retailers have skincare and toiletries for the men in your life. Crabtree and Evelyn’s soft terry bathrobes also make the perfect accompaniment to a relaxing spa day at home.

Who doesn’t love a little luxury? PERFECT MATCH, MOUNT CASHMERE, HARRY ROSEN and MICHAEL KORS all have investment-worthy pieces that will have your friends jumping for joy – that’s if you have the will power not to keep something for yourself! Try a cashmere scarf or warm, fur-lined leather gloves.

If bling your thing, try a classic piece from MONTECRISTO, FOSSIL, or RODEO JEWELLERS. The trend of the season is a sleek, elegant oversized watch for both men and women.

For the gadget lover on your list, head over to APPLE for the latest crop of stylish accessories to go with an iPhone or Mac. If you’re a true music lover like me, you can never have too many iPods; one for every genre and in every colour, please.

HMV and ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE have great gifts for gamers and movie buffs. For Hollywood fanatics, I recommend HMV’S movie gift sets, or a coffee table biography on a favourite celeb.

Visit GODIVA CHOCOLATIER, PURDY’S or the HICKORY FARMS kiosk for some decadent stocking stuffers. Gifts are always better with a little something sweet, no?

If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with an Oakridge Centre Gift Card! And don’t forget to get your gift-wrapping done in the West Galleria to save some precious time.

Happy Holidays!

Brad and Angelina’s jewelry line, Madonna for Dolce & Gabbana, Lara Stone for Louis Vuitton–the list of celeb-fashion partnerships goes on. Here, a rundown on who is doing what with whom.

1. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have debuted a new jewellery collection, The Protector, for Asprey. Snake-inspired, the collection includes diamond, black diamond and pave rings in addition to bracelets, earrings, men’s cuff links and dress studs.

2. Madonna has signed on to be the face of Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2010 collection–featuring their sultry corsets.

3. Model with the Mick Jagger mouth Lara Stone has replaced Madonna as the face of Louis Vuitton.

4. Victoria Beckham has reportedly signed Gossip Girl Blake Lively for her new collection.

5. Lindsay Lohan is said to be staying on at Ungaro, despite the horrified general reaction to her first collection.

We adored Stella McCartney’s Fall collection for GapKids. Oh, the gray skinny jeans with ankle zippers, the sweater dress with a leopard on it, and cable-knit cardigan dress. Not to mention the military jacket. Many of her hoodies, jackets, tops and pants were meant to be worn by both boys and girls. The kids in our lives never looked better.

It was said to be just a one-off collection. Get in, and get it before it’s gone. Lucky for them, and us, McCartney has signed on to do a Spring collection, too. Apparently, the Fall pieces were so well received, Gap head honchos can’t conceive of going into another season without her. Though details of what the line will include have yet to be released, we’re hoping that, like the Fall collection, it will mimic the delights she did for adults in the same season.

On that note, we bet our trés skinny friends will be angling to try the pieces–officially for kids up to age 12–for themselves.

Get the Look
Find your runway-adorable looks at GapKids at Oakridge.