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!

Valerie Tiu

Although it was one chilly Sunday afternoon, the mood certainly felt warm and fuzzy at the Rogers Santa Claus Parade last weekend. The event marked the sixth year of ringing in the Holiday season with the help of local businesses and organizations. Everyone from dancers, singers and musicians, to veterans, to sports teams, and of course, Santa and his Reindeer, were on hand to cheer on the large crowd.

Bundled up in my warmest winter accessories and Ray-Bans (from Sunglasses Hut at Oakridge, naturally), I made sure I was ready to brave the windy weather. The streets of downtown Vancouver were lined with everyone from playful tots to trendy teens to ladies and gents in their cozy winter gear.  Looking into the sea of people, it was easy to spot out many reindeer antlers and Santa hats, surely a sign of the festive times.

With numerous performers and beautifully decorated floats, there was plenty to feast the eyes on. But of course, what caught my eye was the fabulously dressed. There were plenty of stylish broads and beaus and surprisingly, tiny trendsters in the making. The most popular fashion of the day was to chic-ly shield from the cold. Warm wooly winter accessories, like scarves, toques and mittens were definite must-haves, while layering pieces were de rigueur. Standing in the brisk weather for a few hours surely made me think of an upcoming shopping trip to Oakridge for some fashion essentials. 

• Warm winter wear from The Gap for the whole family is always great.
• Fashion fans should check out Coach and Fossil for some chic accessories. Try picking scarves and mittens in bright colours and patterns to liven up your look.
• Mount Cashmere has luxurious knits that are sure to keep you warm for winter. Layer a cashmere piece to keep both warm and stylish.
• Gymboree and Please Mum have great winter fashions that both you and the youngster would appreciate.
• Invest in outerwear from Hugo Boss, Max Mara or DKNY.

These pieces are sure to last you through Vancouver’s chilly seasons. Just be sure to pick the right silhouette for your body and avoid the Michelin-Man look.

Valerie Tiu

The holiday season is upon us and the shoppers at Oakridge Centre are bustling. As the days creep closer to Christmas, I am certainly finding myself in a frenzy to finish up my gift shopping. I must say that it is a rare occasion for a shopaholic such as myself to–dare I say it?– take a break from buying. But we all know how hectic the holidays can get, so it’s important to relax and maintain your sanity.

What better way to unwind than spend a little time at the Oakridge Festive Family Film Event! It takes place this Sunday, December 13^th at 10:30am. Bring your best friends, your significant other, and the tots to watch a screening of the holiday classic, The Polar Express. Not only is this a great way to take a load off, but it is also the perfect approach to give back this season. A $10 per person donation from attendees will support Dress for Success Vancouver. Dress for Success helps women and their families work towards a positive future in the workforce. Read on, for more on Oakridge’s initiative for the DFS cause.

 Tickets for Oakridge Festive Family Film Event are available at the Concierge Desk. Just remember, the best gift during the holidays truly is giving back.

Valerie Tiu

Spotting stylish finds at Oakridge Centre’s newest retailer won’t require much digging. Fossil offers up vintage-inspired treasures that are timeless and easy to wear. Known for their classic watches, Fossil also features leather goods, handbags and functional accessories. Though I must admit that the brand was far from top-of-mind on my list of lusted-after labels, I was pleasantly surprised at the array of stylish items that I found on a recent visit to the newly-opened store. 

With its vintage style fixtures, rich wooden furnishings and rustic stone walls, the Fossil store is a charming addition to Oakridge Centre. Homey displays, like checkerboards and stacks of books, along with a welcoming and friendly staff, made me feel as warm and welcome as I do in my very own living room.

As I strolled around the store, I found myself making mental additions to my Christmas wish list. I loved the glazed leather cross-body satchels from their “Montreal” holiday collection (One in every colour, please!) Cute clutch wallets and coin purses would also make the perfect accompaniments to a brand new handbag.

 One of the latest trends in accessories for the season is the single tone watch. Fossil’s “Stella” watch collection includes all white elements for women, while their “Black Out” line focuses on dark hues for men. The best part about these watches is that fashion meets function with their water resistant features. 

I must say that my trip the Fossil store certainly motivated me to start shopping for the holidays. For the men in my life, I will be sure to gift a leather duffle bag or a chronograph watch. For my girlfriends, trendy bracelets and neckpieces. But I may also need to reward myself with one of those satchels while I’m at it. 

Visit Fossil at Oakridge Centre, located by the Food Court.

Valerie Tiu

With the release of numerous fashion-inspired works like Valentino: The Last Emperor, HBO’s Grey Gardens and, of course, The September Issue, 2009 certainly became the year of the fashion film. The latest from the fashion film crop is the much-buzzed-about Coco Avant Chanel. Decked out in true Coco-style and freshly-spritzed in No. 5, I recently had the pleasure of attending the long-awaited Vancouver film release. 

Directed by Anne Fontaine, the film chronicles the story of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in the years before she became famous for pioneering her signature menswear-inspired looks. The film may highlight Coco’s love affairs but, in my eyes, the most striking part of the film was the way it distinguishes the mademoiselle’s inimitable sense of style. Refusing the corsets and excess frills typical of the time, Coco would don simple and clean cut ensembles; even cutting up men’s garments to make her own set of suits. Although her outfits may have garnered snickers and sneers in the past, they would most certainly land her the title of fashion “it” girl today. 

Class, comfort and clean lines would eventually come to define the Chanel brand. Look for Chanel-esque pieces like suits, crisp white tees, and fuss-free staples at Hugo Boss, DKNY and MaxMara at Oakridge Centre. 

Coco Avant Chanel is a must-see if you’re a true fashion follower. 

Although it may not be classified a fashion film, Michael Jackson’s This Is It celebrates the pop icon’s signature style. Through the years, MJ became famous for his awe-inspiring looks. Who can forget that fedora hat, the red leather jacket, the sequined glove, short black trousers with white socks or the shiny loafers? The film features Michael in some stylish garments, including “it” items of the season: shoulder-padded Balmain band jackets and studded blazers. Everything he wears is embellished and adorned in ornaments, which leaves us asking if it is a coincidence that sequins are the hottest thing to hit the Fall 2009 runway? 

I must say that This Is It not only made me want to dance and sing, but it also inspired me to bust out my bling. Luckily, Oakridge Centre has everything we need to put together an MJ-inspired look. J2 has great fedora hats while Aldo Shoes has the perfect accessories, like soft leather gloves and shiny patent loafers.

Here’s a little taste of This Is It

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.

Valerie Tiu

There’s no doubt that Oakridge Centre is committed to supporting Dress for Success Vancouver. I must admit, however, that before I joined the Oakridge team, I didn’t know much about the charitable organization. After getting to know the faces behind Dress for Success Vancouver, I now fully understand the significance and hope that these people bring to women in need. This was further solidified when I had the pleasure of attending Dress for Success Vancouver’s Wrap Up Event.

Swarming with elegantly-dressed women (and the occasional dapper gentleman), the Pacific Palisades was transformed into a marketplace of sorts, complete with a showcasing area, a decadent buffet, and a makeshift runway. Hosted by CTV’S Keri Adams, the Wrap Up Event was packed with plenty of activities, giveaways, and of course, a little shopping! A percentage of proceeds went to support DFSV. Guest speaker Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale, DFS Worldwide Board Chair, delivered a truly inspiring speech. Rosalyn’s statement was simple: the women that DFS supports could be you or me; surely, a poignant and thought-provoking message.

The main event was a fun-filled scavenger hunt that led corporate sponsors for DFS scrambling through the hotel in search of interview attire. The players ended up strutting their stuff in front of a panel of judges to win prizes. The judges included Keri Adams, corporate representatives, and , along with fellow Style Agent Jessie Carlson, yours truly. I must say that it was definitely a challenge to judge so many chic ladies; given the short time they had to put together an ensemble.

Fun and games aside, I felt truly honoured to be invited to this Dress for Success event. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by women who dedicate so much time and effort to a cause like this.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”  – Anne Frank