Soia & Kyo Mens

So we have some exciting news for you! We are proud to announce we will be selling Soia & Kyo Mens for western Canada.

If you are not familiar with Soia & Kyo Mens, it is an urban outerwear line that skillfully balances classic, vintage details and functional, modern style. Soia & Kyo is the brainchild of designer, Ilan Elfassy, who started the line in 2004. Based out of Montreal, Soia & Kyo first made a name for themselves with their form flattering women’s jackets and launched their equally successful men’s line six years later.

We just received the Fall/Winter 2012 samples in the show room and have fallen in love. Here’s a sneak peak but if you want to see the full collection, you’ll have to book an appointment!

A close-up of the Hogan double breasted coat from Soia & Kyo's Fall/Winter '12 line. The bib piece is detachable!

Natalie’s Favorite Spring Trends

Who’s ready for a new spring wardrobe!!?

Nothing excites me more than to see bright colors and prints return to people’s wardrobes! Enough with the dark dismal outfits, spring is just around the corner and I can’t help but notice the bright color blocking, the tangerine hues, the beautiful soft pastels and the graphic prints that have been circulating the runways and clothing racks! I say jump on these exciting spring trends, they are the perfect way to make the transition between your winter and spring wardrobe. It’s fun yet simple to add a punch of citrus to your outfit, or if you aren’t ready to go so bold, try mixing in a soft pastel or choose a feminine printed top (like the bird or floral print!).

I can’t forget to mention one of my favorite items that have been a huge hit for this spring, the bralette tops! I think these little tops are absolutely amazing! They are so versatile and they can definitely spice up any outfit. Whether you are pairing it with a high waisted skirt or wearing it underneath a see-thru top or loose tank, these are definitely something you want to throw into the Spring wardrobe!

Here are a few of the new trends from some of my favorite designers!

Bird printed blouse by Gentle Fawn, one of my faves!

You can't miss this beautiful Tunnel Dress in Hibiscus by Funktional from their Spring '12 collection, definitely a must have for this season

Rachel is definitely rocking this 80's inspired outfit! Drape Jacket by Funktional; bralette by Motel Rocks; black tube skirt by Gentle Fawn.

It doesn't get any cuter than this. This suit by Funktional is absolutely adorable! Rachel is wearing the Joan bralette, Joan jacket and Joan shorts from Funktional's spring '12 collection.

Written and photographed by Natalie.

Our model is intern-extraordinaire, Rachel.

Monkee Genes Don’t Monkey Around

I feel like this blog post could be filled with monkey puns and banana jokes, but I’ll refrain.

We are pretty excited about one of the latest additions to our family of brands. Not only are Monkee Genes making versatile, colourful and fairly priced denim but they are taking their impact on the world very seriously. According to their website, they are “the first and only jeans label to have unique mix of astute acreditations from The Soil Association and the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS)“. That’s fancy talk for, they use organically grown cotton , which is really cool.

But that’s not all! They also recognize that the quality of the clothing is directly related to how the people who manufacture the clothes are treated. So you can feel great wearing their pants because you know that the people who made them have been fairly treated!

I can honestly say, it feels really good to put on a pair of pants that were manufactured with minimal impact on the environment but it feels even better knowing that the people who made those pants have been paid a reasonable wage while working in a safe and clean factory. And to look good in those pants on top of it, makes me pretty ecstatic. Monkee Genes is definitely setting the bar for ethically made clothing and they will be one to watch in the coming seasons.

So many colours and styles!

Neat-o! Interchangeable labels!

Staying dry with llse Jacobsen

A big welcome to one of our newest lines here at the showroom, ILSE JACOBSEN.

All the way from Denmark, Ilse’s Rub & Rain Collection has the trendiest hand-made rain boots for women (love her famous lace up style rubber boot!). I think we all need a pair of these since this is Vancouver – there is always room in the closet for a new pair of lovely rain boots to help keep us dry on those rainy days, ladies! And did I mention they come in an array of the cutest colors (like cobalt blue, hot pink and yellow)  and they’re cotton lined to make them extra cozy?

The best part is you can pair them with one of Ilse’s functional yet comfortable rain jackets, which also come in the same colors as the boots! Her collection doesn’t stop there, warm up with one of her beautiful knit sweaters or stay comfy and hang out in soft cotton sweats..definitely a must have on a cold rainy day.

Add on any rain gear accessories she offers from from bright colored umbrellas to cozy warm socks.

Office assistant and blog author, Natalie, is wearing the grey hooded rain jacket with the pink lace up rubber boots and large black umbrella!

Here she is wearing the Army Green Teflon rain jacket paired with the black ankle lace up rubber boots and the hot pink umbrella!

Stripes

I spoke too soon when I mentioned that polka dots excited me for spring becasue now stripes are turning up in every collection, in every color, in every style! There is certainly something for everyone who loves stripes!

It’s hard for me to pick a favourite so I just have to give props to MOTEL, COVET, Colcci and Funktional for having me happily dizzy with their beautiful stripe peices!

Seeing spots?

Spring is one of my favourite seasons!  The flowers start to bloom and the sun shines a little bit longer and all those beautiful spring clothes come out!

It is usually the seer sucker stripe Trend that gets me going for Spring but this season we have seen Polka Dots in our favourite collections and I have never been so excited!

Polka dot cropped tops, Long skirts and midi dresses from Covet and cutie cute cocktail dresses from Eryn Brinie! What more could a girl want!

Covet polka dot silk chiffon pleated sundress in midnight/ivory dot on Kathleen and dune/black on Mimi. Brooke is wearing the Eryn Brinie Spring ’12 polka dot dress.

All things Chaser

I am super excited about the latest addition to our amazing roster of brands! Chaser, an L.A. based brand, is best known for its insanely soft, graphic tees and sweatshirts featuring all of your favourite classic rock icons, from Iron Maiden to Eric Clapton to Blondie.  This brand is a total celebrity favourite, as it combines absolute comfort with a rocker edge that’s perfect for that It Girl on the go.

Recently Chaser’s taken their super soft fabrics and transformed them into an easy-to-wear collection that’s totally on trend with unique silhouettes, vibrant colours and unique dyes.

We’ve taken a few of our fave pieces and mixed-and-matched Chaser graphics with collection pieces.  Which one’s your favourite??

Cut off recycled denim shorts in grey, colour blocked open cardi with the Smoking Kills muscle tee

Buck skin colour blocked moto jacket with the seamed maxi dress in iris, House of Harlow Sage shoulder bag

LOOKK: Connecting Designers and Consumers

I am a huge fan of social media and what it has done for independent artists. Since the introduction of Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, artists of all mediums have been able to reach a wider audience and gain exposure that would have been costly and next to impossible before.

I recently came across this great website, LOOKK, that is doing for fashion designers what Myspace did for musicians. LOOKK is an open social network that allows designers to upload their collections publicly and retail their products worldwide. What is particularly special about LOOKK is that it gives consumers the opportunity to discover new designers, connect with their favorites, vote on their favorite designs, leave feedback and learn about the people behind the clothes. Visitors can view the A-Z directory, search what’s new or filter their search by style, gender or season.

I am super excited to see what this website can do for small independent designers and the fashion industry in general. I hope you will take some time to explore and while you’re there be sure to leave some feedback on one of our favorite designers, Kai-Aakmann’s summer collection.

Happy exploring!

Brookie loves Covet

There are many things that excite me on a daily basis, not only do I get to work at the best agency in Canada but I also get to work with the best of the best in the fashion industry.  One of my favourite people to talk to, laugh with and inspire to be like is Amanda Moss form Covet.  She is the designer and creative director of the line.  Amanda’s designs make my feel like I am the cutest, smartest, sauciest girl on the streets of Van City.  Her eye for prints and colors are one that I have not seen in a while.  My favourite thing at this moment is the wave print shorts from her Summer collection.

Kisses to Amanda from West Coast to the East love Brookie Cookie!