Oakridge Style

Valerie Tiu

Black is back. If you were at this year’s Oakridge Fall Fashion Affair, you may have noticed an absence of colour, but make no mistake: a little hint never hurt anyone. Colour is not just a way to liven up an ensemble. It can also enhance your features, express your personality, and create a style statement. 

Fall 2009 runways–from Dolce and Gabbana to Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior to Versace–all featured pops of colour. The hot trend for fall is colour blocking, a la Marc Jacobs, and mixing brights to contrast with stark shades (think Gucci and Louis Vuitton). This trend is great for those that may typically shy away from colour or, if you’re like me, have a wardrobe full of black.

Check out Crisca, Femme De Carriere, Jacob and Teenflo (pictured) for some stylish separates that can be easily mixed with basic dark pieces. All of these retailers are also great for classics like pencil skirts and trousers.

The key colour of the catwalk was most certainly red, in any shade: cherry, burgundy, scarlet and crimson. This classic hue was showcased with head-to-toe ensembles, simple pops of colour on accent pieces, and beautifully-mixed textures. My dream look for fall consists of a cherry red knee-length sheath dress, scarlet double-breasted funnel neck coat, and dark shades from DKNY–along with black thigh-high boots from Browns–very classic, sleek and mysterious.

Cool shades of purple, blue and emerald, and warm tones like orange, yellow and pink, were all seen as perfect accents on avant garde accessories, unique headpieces and fierce footwear. Just remember to choose colours that work well with your skin tone and flatter your figure. Aldo, Coach and Blue Ruby are sure to satisfy your colour craving with their charming bangles. Nine West, Ingledew’s and Jwalk also have fabulous footwear in a wide-range of palettes.

Peter T. Hoang

Flashing cameras, Vogue-worthy models, delectable sweets and the latest fall fashions – what else could a fashionista (or a fashionmister, for that matter) ask for?

Oakridge Centre’s Fall Fashion Affair in support of Dress for Success Vancouver, presented by Fashion Magazine and Y.E.S!, was an amazingly organized event. The occasion also served to highlight Oakridge Centre’s 50^th anniversary. A gorgeous variety of faces came out to support the annual fashion show and it was great to mix and mingle through the crowd. Any attempt at avoiding overindulging in the tempting plates of chocolate delights was futile.  I completely gave in and consumed plenty, leaving my mouth satisfied and my waistline ashamed.

The night was playfully hosted by Breakfast Television’s dynamic duo Riaz Meghji & Dawn Chubai. The pair did a wonderful job presenting the live auction at the event – but the night was really all about the fashion. Acclaimed celebrity stylist Tracey Pincott showed us precisely what was in style this fall with every single model she let sashay down the runway. 

This season, expect beautifully-structured, long coats in neutral tones (especially black) and tailored blazers and leather biker jackets worn over draped and sheer blouses. As for footwear, boots starting as low as the ankles and the recently-popular, over-the-knee thigh high are hot trends that swept the runway that evening. For us guys, don’t leave the house this winter without the long, wool peacoat, which can be easily worn with jeans and a shirt for a casual look or over a suit for a formal look.

With such a successful and fabulous night of fall fashion and friendly affairs, I’m already looking forward to next year’s Oakridge Centre fashion show!

Jessie Carlson

 There is something about Fall, and it gets me every time it comes around again. It’s that combination of autumn light, warm colours and that back-to-school excitement in the air. I always find creating a fall wardrobe a little more exciting than building one for Spring.

Sometime in August I start planning; magazines, people-watching expeditions and fashion shows act as sources of inspiration for every fall look I create for my clients. One of my favourite shows is the Oakridge Fall Fashion Affair.

On the evening of Tuesday, September 22, Oakridge Centre hosts one of Vancouver’s most stylish runway shows. The event starts at 7:00pm and showcases fabulous outfits from Oakridge shops. It is the ultimate in fashion inspiration – and so much fun.

Tickets are $50 or $75 (for VIP) and they are worth every penny. Bring your girls and make a night of it. I will see you there!

Ana Serrano

On September 12th, my fellow style agents and I headed down to Oakridge Centre to support the Dress for Success Vancouver clothing drive. It was with great elation that I came across so many women arriving with bags of business clothes to support the wonderful cause! The Dress for Success Vancouver team was all present – happy and excited – and Virgin Radio was a critical part of the event as well, exposing all of its Vancouver listeners to the opportunity.

An energetic team from the Virgin Radio Flight Crew was at the scene with Host Taylor Jukes updating listeners live on the radio about the campaign of generosity. It made such a huge impact on the amount of donations, so our greatest appreciation goes out to Virgin Radio. After a couple of hours, the rack of donations was nearly bursting with business suits, which caused more and more interested shoppers to ask questions about the charity.

Oakridge Centre lent a hand by providing donors with the incredible opportunity to enter to win a VIP ticket package for two to Oakridge Centre’s Fall Fashion Affair, including:

Congratulations to all of the members of this big-hearted charity on the much-deserved success. We applaud you for making a difference in the lives of thousands of women.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”
- Winston Churchill

Where there’s fashion, there’s passion, and we’re loving these looks from Fall 2009 RTW.

TOMORROW: RUNWAY TO REALWAY
You’re Invited! To Oakridge Centre’s Fall Fashion Affair. See fall’s hottest trends, on the runway. Read more, from Style Agent Ana Serrano.

Tuleh
We’re big fans of Bryan Bradley’s loose Winter-white pants, menswear touches and lively fabrication additions: sequins, and casual pieces, like hoodies, done in luxurious jacquard. His roomy, puff-sleeved blousons are also big on our list.

Alexander Wang
This CFDA/Vogue fashion fund winner has been thinking about how his clients are growing up. A slightly more sophisticated collection featured tailoring, luxury, and slightly more edgy pieces: very coordinated ensembles including matching bags, belts and shoes, jacket sleeves with cubed metal rivets, and foxtail-fringed leather.

Zac Posen
Zac Posen riffed off the ’40s and the Victorian era for Fall 2009 because these decades are known for “sculpting clothing”-his passion, of course. As hoped for, Posen showed mostly dresses, but also ventured into other pieces in varied fabrics: gingersnap plaid, violet moiré silk, and metallic jacquards. Despite mixed reviews, mostly panning Posen’s departure from attainable red carpet glam, we liked the collection.

Thakoon
Thakoon Panichgul’s Fall collection can be summed up as a more safe, retail-friendly foray (come to think of it, Wang’s was, too). It featured elements of his past work, and bowed to his passion for hints of surreal. We’ve added his cascading ruffle-patterned gown and built-in bows to our must-have list.

Temperley London
Alice Temperley ventured onto the Silk Route-and detoured into Japan-for Fall 2009. We adore the origami detailing, high-waisted genie pants, and jeweled necklines tunics balanced by sharp tailoring, and gold-studded leather jackets and coats-all catering to Fall’s edgier, stronger woman.

Get the Look
Find your own roomy blouses–in Fall’s classic colour: white–at the Gap. Look for tailored, Posen-ish dresses at Femme de Carriere, Banana Republic, and Edward Chapman Ladies Shop.

LET’S HEAR IT
What’s your fave from the list?