Oakridge Style

I am the first to admit that I have been somewhat judgmental about Vancouver’s fashion scene. As a younger 20-something, I traveled a lot – often to glamorous European cities in which professional dog walkers and newspaper delivery-people were better dressed than those in my fair city. In fact, it was the despondency that I felt – when analyzing Vancouver fashion – that inspired me to start a business as a stylist. I thought I might be able to single-handedly change the way women in our city dress. A lofty goal, but why not aim high? Since then (I am now in my 30s…and oh so much more mature), I have to say that Vancouver has done me proud. As much as I would like to take the credit – or at least a little credit, I attribute Vancouver’s style to the following:

• Local designers and fashion junkies: It feels like each year Vancouver is producing more and more fabulous designers like Dace Moore and Nicole Bridger, the women behind Wilfred and Tallulah Babaton, Fidelity, Simply Sublime and Red Jade to name just a few. (Note that Wilfred and TB as well as Fidelity can be found at Aritzia in Oakridge)
• Bigger city = more people = greater style influencers: Vancouver street style just keeps getting better. Does anyone else notice this? I saw a girl walking down the street yesterday wearing the cutest Rachel Comey skirt, Wilfred t-shirt and wedge sandals. I had to stop her and compliment her on her outfit. Coincidentally, she bought the sandals and t-shirt at Oakridge. (She didn’t buy the skirt at Oakridge, but I have seen one similar at Ishara.) To be clear, it’s not labels and brands that define style, it’s how it’s all put together, and I think most Vancouverites nail it.
• Music scenesters and risk takers: Vancouver’s underground music scene kills it. Every rock show that I have been to in the past few years has been packed with such fantastic style that I spend more time people watching than I do watching the band. I think that people are more open to taking risks in their personal style, less conservative, less safe, and more “out there” – pushing the boundaries. Jackie O’Brien, owner of one of my favorite boutiques, has confirmed my thoughts on the matter. With locations in both Vancouver and Toronto, she notes that the buying trends of women in Vancouver show a little more fashion focus and risk taking, while women in Toronto tend to play it safer.

I have to say that, as this city continues to grow, it is only going to get better. I think with my help and the help of our three other Oakridge Style Agents we are going to take Vancouver fashion to the next level.

We’ve paired some of the top spring beauty trends with perfect pieces.

1. Shout-Out-Loud Lips
Really bright lips, as seen in Chanel’s Spring 2009 collection, in hot colours like Euphoria, Fuego, Rose Rebelle and Gipsy Scarlett, pop with spring black-and-whites from Jacob. Find plenty of the duo-tones in pants, Bermudas, capris, skirts and dresses in fabrics from silk to linen.

2. Fun with Florals
Flowers bloom, and so do perfumes. Hot pick: the new Yves Saint Laurent Paris Eau de Printemps. Pair any petaled brew with floral dresses by Sandra Angelozzi at Femme De Carriere http://oakridge.shopping.ca/retrievestore?id=2450&mallid=oar, a pretty in white with red flowers number from Wear Else, and cute floral Ella Moss off-the-shoulder short sleeve Ts or cami tanks, at Ishara.

3. Up and Away
Twisted updos always take the stage in spring. At Carolina Herrara, Orlando Pita secured them with pins; they topped off lady-like skirts and dresses ending just above the knee, or down-to-the ankle. Take your own tresses to the top with a fabulous frock from After Five.

4. Fresh-Faced
The clean-faced no make-up look, by Nars make-up artist Lisa Butler, made it big on the BCBG runway. The look was a perfect match for the flowy, easy—sometimes done with slightly complex draping—dresses and jumpsuits. Visit BCBG Max Azria for more inspiration.

5. Kinky but Sweet
Textured, “I just left the beach” hair (read, wavy and loose), done by lead Redken stylist John Ruidant, made waves (pardon the pun) at designer Chris Benz’s runway show. Find your flow in loose, relaxed Sportmax Spring 2009 Collection pieces at Maxmara.

Spring arrives in a flash. Suddenly the rain and grey, bare tree limbs transform into rays of sun and hues of pink-petaled cherry trees and magnolias. Cozy winter layers make way for lightness and fun. Celebrate with the Top 6 Spring Trends, straight from the runways.

1. Big, Bold, and Bent

Fabric folded, twisted, and boxed out is (literally) big this season. Dolce & Gabbana did oversized sleeves, Calvin Klein showed boxy dresses, and certain Oscar de la Renta skirts were crafted with a permanent kick ruffle above just one knee. Big and bold, these pieces go pop.

Get the look:

BCBG Max Azria’s colour blocked halter mini dress with contrast pleated balloon skirt or oversized pieces from the Sportmax Spring 2009 collection at Maxmara -each crafted with careful draping and tucks.

2. Going Goddess

Grecian draping is a perennial favourite. Marchesa, Yves Saint Laurent, Malandrino, and Monique Lhuillier are all fans this spring, often accenting their goddess gowns with jewels.

Get the look:

Circa Ici’s endless supply of fresh and now dresses that have helped it win over three generations of shoppers; and many elongated dresses, straight from the runway, at BCBG Max Azria.

3. Recessionista Chic

Designers dipped into Depression-era archives, circa the crash of 1929, ingeniously aligning pieces with this year’s dip in national finances. To wit: sparkly flapper frocks by Alberta Ferretti and Aquilano.Rimondi; Burberry and Bottega Veneta faded sack dresses; and Raf Simons’ fringed dresses and suits for Jil Sander.

Get the look:

After Five’s Jovani fringed knee-length flapper-style cocktail dress in red, black or white and many faded, loose pieces in the Spring 2009 collection by Sportmax at Maxmara.

4. Mostly Marrakech

Ralph Lauren did the Ali Baba pants, Gucci the long and loose hooded djellabas, and turbans, turbans, turbans-done well first by Prada-were everywhere this season, from Dries Van Noten to Paul Smith. So were slouchy, flowing jumpsuits.

Get the look:

Jumpsuits galore are at BCBG Max Azria and nearly anything from the Trina Turk line at Wear Else will work.

5. 80s Chic

Not quite the trends some stylistas would rather forget, the new 80s look is tempered and even chic. Shoulder pads, ripped denim, and shredded lace showed up at Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, and London’s Meadham Kirchhoff.

Get the look:

For denim and updated 80s dresses head to Ishara, and of course find the cure for denim blues at Marciano.

6. Athletic Fashionism

Definitely not for the gym, athletic-inspired looks had the fashion set thinking utilitarian chic at Louise Goldin, Missoni, and Michael Kors, who showed running pants, hoodies, and body suits, respectively. Glorified boxing gear got the urban jungle treatment at Kris Van Assche.

Get the look:

Perfectly utilitarian, athletic-inspired chic at United Colors of Benetton, or by T Luxury at Ishara.

Papparazzi and Red Carpet
The paparazzi at the 41st and Cambie entrance were just the beginning. Once Oakridge shoppers got past the flashing cameras, hollering ‘members of the press’ and red carpet, they got even more. Models dressed in clothes from 1959—the year the centre opened—strolled by, flanked by a concierge team member there to explain their fancy dress. More models, live mannequins really, stood super still on raised platforms, decked out in duds inspired by every decade the centre’s been open: 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Every piece was so now, so fresh, and so available at the top shops in the centre. And a grand main stage sat right beside the concierge desk, complete with flat-screen TVs and a speaker’s podium. And of course, a cake. It was, after all, in celebration of the centre’s big 5-0. Defining moments for 50 years.

Backstage Buzz
Backstage, in the auditorium, the newly-crowned Style Agents, all dressed up with somewhere to go, chattered with the judges who’d chosen them: FASHION Magazine’s Rebecca Tay, Kwantlen Fashion Design and Technology’s Sharon Greeno, and Oakridge’s marketing director Kimberly MacAulay. SAs Peter Hoang, Jessie Carlon, Valerie Tiu, and Ana Serrano talked New York black suits, the definition of laid-back style in Vancouver, and just how tiny VOGUE’s Anna Wintour really is. The convo wasn’t the focus, though. Everyone was waiting for the big moment: the grand unveiling of Oakridge’s, and Vancouver’s, new faces of fashion. The call came in: go time.

Main Stage Madness
The crowd gathered around the main stage was as diverse as it could possibly be. High style twenty-somethings mingled with grandparents, middle agers, and young couples with kids. Oakridge Centre general manager Kathy Barr thanked everyone for making Oakridge a key community hub and shopping destination; marketing director Kimberley MacAulay was excited about Oakridge’s emphasis on creating a legacy—the centre is committed to raising $50,000 for non-profit organization Dress for Success. And finally, the big moment came.

New Faces of Fashion: Style Agents
Down the escalator paraded the four Style Agents, all eyes on them as they showcased their personal, diverse, and totally beyond trendy style. The paparazzi came close behind, calling out their names, snapping shots, and taking notes. Each agent stepped up onto the stage, introduced by microphone maven Kuljeet Kaila of Virgin Radio. “We’re so excited!” they trilled.