Oakridge Style

Jessie Carlson

Our fair city may not be New York, Paris or London, but Vancouver does have a fashion week that showcases some of the most creative local minds. Vancouver Fashion Week came to a close this Sunday, after six days of fashion, music, make-up, parties, hair and tons of photographers.

I saw a number of shows, including Red Jade, Lav and Kush, and Kersh.

If the runways of the event were any indication, next spring, we can expect to see a huge focus on natural and organic materials, short dresses and bright colours. Think yellows paired with grey, and bright floral patterns.

VFW was held in a huge warehouse in Gastown – and it was packed! It was hard to move but so much fun. I swear I saw some of Oakridge Centre’s most stylish people there. In fact, I know I did.

The colours were bright and the styles simple, easy and comfortable. Perfect for our laid-back west coast lifestyle. I can’t say for sure, but I have a feeling we will be seeing some of the best pieces at Oakridge come Spring/Summer 2010. I know that the Bay carries Kersh. Check out their fabulous cardigans!

I am told the week was a huge success and, in my opinion, it most certainly was.

We were really starting to worry. All this talk of major couture fashion houses undergoing hard times and even going broke had us wondering what the true fashion artisans would do. The specialized embroiderers, tailors, hatmakers and seamstresses are the biggest losers in the worldwide decline in luxury goods sales. The number of small French businesses serving the high-end fashion industry has shrunk to 115 in 2007 from 468 in 2000, says the French national statistics agency INSEE.

Luckily, the French government is stepping in. (Imagine living in a country where the government really cares about fashion!) Apparently, France’s Prime Minister Francois Fillon will meet with government advisors, luxury-goods execs, and artisans to talk about what the government can do to help.

We’ve got our fingers crossed they come up with a viable solution.

LET’S HEAR IT
Do you care about couture? Should the artisans be getting assistance?

Peter T. Hoang

After recently opening their immaculate doors at Oakridge Centre, Teenflo celebrated in true sophisticated glamour with a launch party that surely impressed even the most fashion-conscious socialite.

Guests were warmly greeted at the door and promptly served champagne or sparkling Voss water upon entry. The store was very well lit, which helped accent the label’s chic merchandise. Attendees mingled through the sleek, elegant store, surrounded by fresh cut flowers and trays of delectable treats from my favourite catering group at C Restaurant. Sophisticated music was spun by a talented DJ, helping to create an ambience that was both stylish and smooth.

Teenflo, a Parisian brand licensed in North America, showcased an incredible classic-with-a-modern-flair women’s wear collection. I was very impressed with many of the beautifully-structured coats, lavish silk tops and lovely cocktail dresses that were proudly produced in Canada. I also became obsessed with the store’s amazingly detailed accessories: leather studded belts and intricately designed jewellery.  In addition, being the big eavesdropper that I am, I overheard that Teenflo’s holiday collection–which will soon arrive at the Oakridge location–will be even more glamorous and stunning, perfect for all those festive gatherings.

Already thoroughly impressed with the store’s excellent collection of women’s wear and superb coordination of the party, I had my night perfected when I was handed a generous parting-gift. So, with my attention completely captured, I am pleased and absolutely delighted to welcome Teenflo to Oakridge Centre.

It’s all going down, all over the fashion news scene. The furor over Ungaro’s initial appointment of scandal-loving Lindsay Lohan to position of artistic advisor was huge. Even fashion industry insiders who initially refused to comment couldn’t hold their tongue, blurting that, “it must be a publicity stunt.” (Sorry, we can’t reveal who said that.) The brand’s president, Mounir Moufarrige, essentially agreed; when asked about the decision to have Lohan sign up, he explained that “It’s the clothes that talk. People are interested, and our business is to sell.”

So people are interested–witness the backstage media scrum and TV cameras at the Paris Spring 2010 show. But will the people buy? Sources say the Ungaro shops are busier than ever. But Lohan’s recent collection, a tandem design effort beside Ungaro designer Estrella Arch, horrified fashion critics. Leggings paired with bra tops and heart-shaped nipple pasties might work on Rihanna and Lady Gaga, but critics were unimpressed. Initially saying the experience was “a fairy tale”, Lohan quickly changed her tune once the reviews were out, blaming “coming in so late and not having that much time to do a whole collection.”

The best that can be said: at least they tried.

Get the Look
Find tips for a classier take on leggings and sexier dressing, and where to get the look at Oakridge, here.

LET’S HEAR IT
Lohan: artistic advisor or publicity stunt?

We’ve perused, we’ve panned, we’ve praised. And now, we’re sharing five of our faves from Menswear Spring 2010 in Paris.

Two themes stood out: Explorer, and Easy.
EASY
1. Dior
Kris Van Assche showed a looser look, using fluid trousers, layered tanks and vests, and sleeveless in mostly blacks and whites, but also browns and beiges.

2. Lanvin
Lucas Ossendrijver’s collection was modern, wearable, more dramatic and edgy, but, he says, straight from the street. Intended to give men plenty of “no uniform” options, the collection also included fluid pieces: silk shorts, tartan pants, and sleeveless jackets, in dark colours.

3. Rick Owens
Owens even injected ease into zippers–keeping them curved–and boots, leaving them loose at the ankle and undone. His collection was black, gauzy, flowy, and filled with taffeta.

EXPLORER
1. Kenzo
Antonio Marras was inspired by Africa, more specifically the 19^th-century Italian explorer Pierre de Brazza’s experiences there. Models marched single file down a runway lined with giant bottles tipping sand at their feet; they wore hats and shorts in dusty hues and subtle floral prints.

2. John Galliano
Napolean Bonaparte’s journeys through southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East inspired Galliano to turn out flowing shirts, cargo shorts, tanks, and waistcoats embellished with military-style embroidery, and often in dusty suede.

Get The Look
Find your Explorer digs at Banana Republic.

LET’S HEAR IT
What’s your fave: easy or explorer?