style
canvas 4 NEW BEAUTY LOOKS bold eyes & lips
season of reinvention s/s 09 THE
TREND REPORT
STYLECANVAS.COM
REFINE YOUR LOOK | UNDERSTANDING THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE
style
canvas
SPRING ISSUE ‘09 / CONTENTS
every issue 6 EDITOR’S LETTER 8 A WEEK OF STYLE 24 STYLE SABBATICAL 45 10 MOST WANTED 52 IN THE LIGHT: DACE
FASHION
16 PRÊT-À-PORTEA polished springtime frocks in a classic monochromatic palette 28 NIGHT MOVES dark beauty and bold colours make for a fresh fashion forward aesthetic 30 GASTOWN GIRL stay chic at home with four different globally inspired looks created by mixing high end statement pieces with high street basics 36 SPRING TREND REPORT our takes on this season’s biggest runway trends
BEAUTY
46 BOLD EXPOSURE sweatproof gel-based foundations, winged liner and beautiful coral lips rule the runways and beauty closets this season to help you stay serene and sun-kissed in the sweat and smog and get you in the mood to be pretty
LIFESTYLE 54 A WEEKEND IN THE CITY an insider’s guide to spending away those hard earned days
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cover look
PHOTOGRAPHY ZENAIDA KWONG. FASHION CHRISTINE ANG AND SANDY YOUNG. HAIR AIMEE COX. MAKEUP COLLEEN CONROY AT THEYrep.COM USING MAC COSMETICS. MODEL ALEISHA JONES AT LIZBELL AGENCY. FITTED MESH RUNWAY DRESS BY ALEXANDER WANG FROM MISCH. CROSS-FRONT SANDALS BY BETSEY JOHNSON FROM LORD’S SHOES.
contributors ZENAIDA KWONG
Vancouver based fashion photographer, Zenaida Kwong creates visually stunning imagery that tells tales, often dusted with a twinkle of nostalgia. Driven with the passion of creating stories, she treats the world as her canvas, her concepts often inspired by the locations she stumbles upon, an old movie, or the unique beauty of each individual that steps in front of her camera. Stimulated by the organic beauty of Vancouver, often using it as her backdrop, Zenaida is moved by the rawness she finds in nature and the glimmer of natural daylight. Originally trained as a fine art photographer; in a world where fashion photography was frowned upon; at 16, Zenaida spent endless hours working in the dark room, developing black and white images of her friends playing out her latest vision. Fast forward a decade later, at 26, Zenaida is engaged to be married this summer. Though she’s had the opportunity to work alongside many great professionals in the Vancouver fashion scene, she knows that this is just the beginning of her journey as she has just begun to pave her way in this city she calls home. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT ZENAIDAKWONG.COM
THE LIST (212) (604) 685-2426 www.twoonetwo.net
JULES & EVE (604) 569-0844 www.julesandeve.com
MISCH (604) 731-1017 www.misch.ca
THE BLOCK CLOTHING CO. (604) 685-8885 www.theblock.ca
ISHARA (604) 264-7494 www.shopishara.com
TENTH & PROPER BOUTIQUE (604) 222-1115 www.tenthandproper.com
DACE (604) 694-2442 www.dace.ca
KERRISDALE OPTICAL (604) 267-1618
GRAVITY POPE (604) 731-7673 www.gravitypope.com
LORD’S SHOES (604) 730-2914 www.lordsshoes.ca
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style
canvas Sandy Young EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Christine Ang CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brittany Wong MARKETING & PR DIRECTOR Adrienne Tsang ART DIRECTOR
Shuling Sum COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Jessica Chen FINANCE MANAGER
CONTRIBUTORS Kirsten Bailey, Alex Baranovsky, Angela Cappadocia, Maureen Chang, Vanessa Choot, Aimee Cox, Sophia Dishaw, Kelly Frisby, Joshua Grafstein, Aleisha Jones, Zenaida Kwong, Erica Lam, Ying Chuan Lin, Michelle MacKenzie, Sophia Meyer, Bree Nakatani, Jeffy Ou-Yang, Ivory Stanton, Andrew Szeto, Veronica, Stephanie Yu.
Copyright Š 2009 styleCanvas Communications
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EDITOR’S LETTER
SEASON OF REINVENTION
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lthough things may seem discouraging, I believe it is a blessing in disguise. Designers have perfected the balancing act, showcasing the new philosophy of dressing during these unpredictable times; giving us both collections that either rebel against the economy with decadent luxury, or embrace change with bare minimalism—allowing us both to dream, while simultaneously keeping it real. Designers envision and execute creativity; consumers observe, appreciate and internalize the final product, adding their own personal embellishments and signatures; fashion is something that comes after style. Fashion is about expression and creation; style is about making fashion personal. The lines between art and fashion are blurred, in fact, fashion is art. Just as the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual homage to couture bring fashion and art closer each year with the Models as Muses benefit gala this past spring, coupled with the release of Coco Before Chanel in North American markets in early fall (while the film has already graced European screens last month—protest we may, but c’est la vie). Think of it as an intimate invitation into a designer’s personal atelier; to see the life and love of the legend behind the 2.55 (which Karl Lagerfeld takes to breathtaking new heights each season)—black and white never looked so chic avant Coco. Fashion is becoming more personal. We invite you also to retreat into our personal fantasy worlds providing sheer escapism in spring’s prettiest frocks: think Alice Goes To Wonderland in Prada lace stockings, don’t leave without joining us for an intimate tea party in “Prêt-à-Portea” (p.16). Pierre Hermé macaroons, anyone?
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EDITOR’S LETTER
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ow, back to reality. Being forced to be friendlier and more accessible (at least for now) can give fashion a new reputation: something to keep us together during these seasons; and being more discerning about purchases refines our selections and sartorialsavvy. “Gastown Girl” is a vision of downtown eclectic—a mixed portfolio of textures, globally-infused pieces and highs and lows. Consumers are being forced to discriminate innovatively outside the fiscalfashion box and make unconventional choices: reissuing last summer’s Balenciaga gladiator sandals into your style regime is not a fashion faux-pas right now—they’re practically vintage; throwing both Forever 21 and Ferregamo into your sartorial mix is not only permissible, but highly encouraged. Maybe another 2.55 is not a realistic purchase this season, but a Chanel lipstick does offer some consolation. With the tightening of the (high-waisted) belt, a higher emphasis is being placed on beauty, where quick-changes—from coral lips to sapphire-lined eyes–can provide a mood lift and style update without breaking the bank. While this season is about “luxe trimmings, updated prints, origami pleats, and the new prep” (p.36); it is predominantly about reinvention and a shift in fashion paradigm. Think quality, not quantity. Look for refreshing pieces with intrinsic value; invest in timeless pieces that will take you through seasons while preserving a fashionforward edge: classic does not mean boring. Keep your chin up, think creatively and gravitate towards authenticity and look to refining your personal style. We set our hope on not what is seen but things that are yet to be seen; and this hope does not disappoint us.
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style
a week of
mix-and-match closet staples with updated must-have pieces and bold accoutrements for a sartorial sensibility to take you through the week with effortless style SANDY YOUNG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY YING CHUAN LIN CLOTHING PROVIDED BY ISHARA AND TENTH & PROPER
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monday
CORPORATE COUTURE Nix the conventional power suit for a chiffon blouse tucked into a structured pencil skirt. Throw in an eggshell scarf in a loosely-fitted knot for an interesting interplay of texture and volume. Glossy black patent pumps and an envelope clutch bring a little fun into the office while preserving a professional cool. black skirt, banana republic. white silk tank, madison marcus.
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tuesday
SAMPLE SALE A relaxed cotton dress facilitates quick changes in-between clothing racks—essential for trying on and snapping up quick purchases. A drop-waist belt with grosgrain and enamel detail coupled with camel booties give the low maintenance outfit a polished edge. knit woven dress, james perse. booties, zara. belt, vintage.
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wednesday
ART GALLERY OPENING A concoction that would make Oscar de la Renta proud: a refined boat-neckline offsets a 50’s waistline complements curves and displays a delightful tumble of colors and textures, juxtaposing Jackson Pollock postmodernism with an art-deco inspired canvas, creating very wearable art. sleeveless boatneck, james perse. ava print skirt, nougat london.
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thursday
CONCERT The new philosophy of style is throwing together something quiet and something bold in the sartorial mix. For an effortless cool, don a vintage leather jacket and statement silver-link bracelet to give a hint of rock edge to a pretty chiffon top. Black patent pumps under stacked skinny jeans create a structural silhouette. brown leather jacket, pull & bear, vintage. white silk tank, madison marcus.
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friday
DATE NIGHT Look positively regal in a delectable rich-satin empire-waist dress with a playfully feminine hemline and pleated collar. Fashion meets art as midnight-blue silk encounters feathered accoutrements, channeling a nautical-prep meets Dubaicharm. A long, gold-hammered necklace serves as a layering piece to anchor the delicate proportions, taking you the fashion distance from the restaurant to the Jazz club. capri habotai dress, susana monaco.
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saturday
COFFEE SHOP Pore over Hemingway and Fitzgerald with a foamy latte in a loose peasant blouse balanced out with lean lines of a gray legging (a refreshing deviation from the standard black). Keep it cozy with comfortable layers: wedges accented with thick straps and hands-free clutch in cool candy pastels of coral and saffron. cloud voile top, graham & spencer. gray leggings, american apparel.
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sunday
BRUNCH Muted skinny jeans let the pleated details and delicate straps of the cerulean blouse do the talking; while taupe heels and a praline purse embellished with gold hardware skillfully frame the outfit. The bold textures of satin and luxe leather infuse a Rodeo Drive sensibility with an Upper East Side discernment, making it the perfect companion to Clicquot and croissants. front pleat cami, graham & spencer.
STYLING CHRISTINE ANG AND STYLECANVAS.COM SANDY YOUNG. MODEL JEFFY O.
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Straddle the line between coy and coquette in a high-necked bow-tie halter in black silk, complete with peep-toe pumps and a vintage cocktail ring. MONETTE TOP, TWENTY8TWELVE.
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prêt-à-portea
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREW SZETO STYLECANVAS.COM CLOTHING PROVIDED BY JULES &17 EVE
Keep with the pastoral theme and stay Little Bo Peep innocent in white satin. VINTAGE DRESS.
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Enjoy tea for two in a color-block dress with a 50’s-inspired cinched waist. RUFFLE DOLL FACE DRESS, CULVER 10.
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Here’s looking at you - sitting pretty and sipping tea in a delicate crochet top. Black lace spices up a typical tea party, while a pearl bracelet keeps things dandy.
URBAN DRIFTER
TOP, PLENTY BY TRACEY REECE. AUDREY SKIRT BY JASON MATLO.
Stop and stare at striking silhouettes and unconventional shapes in a season of sophistication and new glamour.
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MAKEUP MAUREEN CHANG. MODELS BREE NAKATANI AND ALEX BARANOVSKY.
Say a sweet godbye in an even sweeter monochrome cocktail dress with black lace. SANDRA CALLA LILY DRESS BY JAY GODFREY.
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style
sabbatical
join our editors as they reflect on the evolution of personal style KNOW YOURSELF
In my younger and more vulnerable years, a fashion editor of a well-known publication imparted an important pearl of sartorial wisdom that I have held dear to my heart ever since: know thyself. There are the label-chasers, and there are the blue-blood fashion queens who discriminatingly discern quality, texture and craftsmanship. If you have to buy the Hervé Léger dress which was already featured in four fashion editorials
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and worn by both the Olsen twins, dress it down with vintage heels of an indiscernible make and embellish with accessories—a layered necklace, stacked cocktail rings, or a tank watch will add bolder personality to your ensemble. In other words, wear your clothes, don’t let your clothes wear you. Having a list of favorite designers isn’t about simply buying into a brand label, but getting acquainted with each designer’s creative vision
STYLECANVAS and signature style, and adopting their inspirations into a personal style. Look to icons as inspirations, not carbon copies. Be able to appreciate an outsider’s (that girl at work who always has that je ne sais quoi) or a close friend’s style (my best friend has the gift of mixing and matching her closet to maximize its full potential of utility and chicness)—yet know what suits you and stay true to that. By emulating another’s style, you’ll end up looking like a second-rate copy. Being fluent in the current trends is not enough, even if you manage to create an exact replica of an It-girl outfit, you won’t feel as confident or comfortable if you instead dressed to impress your inner muse. Know yourself. For the fresh beginners, knowing yourself is the first step to defining your personal style, and slowly experimenting with looks and styles to find out what looks best on you. Think about the image you want to portray and stick to it: preppy-bohemian, rockn-rolla, hipster-glam, or laid-back-luxe; the art of dressing is precisely what it is: an art. Think about how Picasso’s personal style carried strongly over his various collections or Hemingway’s minimalist, structured prose maintained his strong voice throughout his many novels. Similarly, fashion designers maintain a strong sense of personal style in their collections; variety is abound each season, yet each piece still carries the House’s signature design. While it is important not to be a style chameleon, be unafraid to occasionally ditch your sartorial safety net and throw on something fresh— while preserving basic personal style principals. Having a strong sense of personal style does not
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mean being stuck in a style rut; yet experimenting with new looks does not equate waking up and looking like polar opposites each day. Think about how crazy it would be if Serena showed up one day in a high necked ruffle blouse tucked into a pencil skirt and Blair came in all hipster-esque with skinny jeans and a slouchy top—even if they did, Serena would have thrown a vest, killer heels and bold accoutrements to completely transform her outfit; and Blair would have added a headband, pearls and an Hermès Birkin to take her outfit from downtown L.A back to Upper East Side. Remember that fashion is something that comes after style—it’s really about taking it in and making it your own. Think about the quintessential flash of red underneath a pair of Louboutins: be recognized for a certain way of pulling styles together that stands out and is distinctively yours.
‘We modify our PERSONAL STYLE to EMBODY our ideals, inspirations and aspirations.’
THE LEARNING PROCESS
Have you ever looked back on old photos and thought what was I thinking when I decided to put that on? I do—all the time. Whether it was an archaic shade of eye shadow, a prom dress with puffed sleeves or bell bottom blue jeans with glitter (yes, guilty as charged), we all have at least one mortifying unfashionable moment in our past which makes us now cringe in agony. However, looking at this from a brighter perspective it’s important to recognize the progression of your sense of style when flipping through those fashion faux-pas photos from the past to trendier pictures of the present. Year after year and bit by bit our personal style changes to reflect fashion au courant and STYLECANVAS.COM
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trends of the season. Our personal style evolves as our bodies change and as we discover what works best with our body types. We modify our personal style to embody our ideals, inspirations and aspirations. Determining our own personal style is an ongoing development because we are continuously learning to apply new looks and trends from what we see in magazines, on our favorite celebrities and on the runways during much anticipated fashion weeks around the world.
Summer, but where do editors of Vogue, ELLE and the like source this coveted knowledge? It all stems from the runways of New York, Paris, Milan and the other fashion capitals of the world. Thanks to style.com, the events at Bryant Park and the Tuileries Gardens are accessible to us non-VIP pass holders mere hours after the runway shows occur. One of the easiest ways to stay updated on the latest fashion week is watching the style.com video coverage of both well-known and emerging designer collections.
Essentially, it all comes down to this: establishing your own style is a learning process. It’s inevitable that everyone (even those celebrities who always seem immaculately dressed) will experience a fashion blunder more than once in their lifetime. Finding your own personal style doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye—it will take time. Personal style is about taking risks, learning from mistakes and being open to change. It’s about learning how to portray yourself in a manner that stays true to your personality and who you are. Keep your eyes, ears and hearts open to new things and don’t forget to have fun on the way!
Each video highlights the top looks from the respective collections and features up-to-the-minute reactions of fashion’s most influential execs and editors. Exposing yourself to runway trends straight from the source means that you can personally adopt whichever style elements appeal to you, and translate them into a wearable component of your wardrobe. Beyond the designers known to all of us on a first-name basis (Karl, Marc, Stella, Diane), there are countless up-and-coming designers each year that have highly inspiring collections and fresh ideas to offer. Some of these daring designs may seem a little too extreme for dayto-day dressing, but there are always small elements within the collections that can effortlessly transform one’s style in a subtle way.
“Relying solely on the FASHION WORLD for inspiration is a creative limitation that NO ONE should impose on themselves – personal style is about TRANSFERABILITY.”
AWARENESS
We are constantly surrounded by catchphrases such as What’s Hot This Season, Top Trends for
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STYLECANVAS INFLUENCE
Sometimes following the unwritten rules of style can be exhausting. Constantly poring over the latest fashion magazines starts to feel akin to a chore and the current trends are not always completely appealing even if every Hollywood It-girl is advocating the look. Not every girl is going to want to get behind every single trend that crops up, oftentimes items just aren’t flattering if you’re not built like an Olsen or feasible if you want to maintain a semblance of sanity and respectability at the workplace (sadly, we’re not all off-duty models and rockstars). The thing is, relying solely on the fashion world for inspiration is a creative limitation that no one should impose on themselves—personal style is about transferability, being able to look to the past and beyond to the future for new ways to reinvent an established signature look. This is where influence comes in. Rejuvenating your style by taking a leaf from the unique interests that extend far beyond an interest in fashion easily allows one to truly embody the meaning of personal style. Influences spring up in all sorts of places, oftentimes unexpected and on a subconscious level. The way that I like to think of developing an innate sense of style is as a mental kind of scrapbooking. The way we are dressed as little girls, the chic women on the street that we admire from behind our sunglasses, the items in stores we just can’t seem to resist, individual interests and the quirky habits they inspire - these are all a part of the minor yet very influential details that go into creating the unique fabric of one’s own distinctive look. The clothes that sit in my dresser and hang in my closet wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for the influences that drove me to choose them in the first place. While my extensive headband collection can be attributed to both thirteen years of a traditional school uniform and
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of course, the emergence of the brilliant guilty pleasure, Gossip Girl, not everything is so easily explained. Breaking down one’s interests and obsessions and relating them to what’s hanging in the closet is a refreshing way of looking at one’s own style and provides a multitude of options for changing a look completely or simply evolving it further. A little detail here and there goes a long way and can dramatically change an outfit while simultaneously give others a visual clue about the girl wearing the clothes. My penchant for classic sixties rock ‘n roll can be taken in more than one direction – the constantly reinterpreted mod chic (Twiggy, Brigitte Bardot, and Françoise Hardy all come to mind) or the always relevant unkempt cool that never goes out of style (think The Rolling Stones and their fabulous girlfriends—Anita Pallenberg, Marianne Faithfull). The combination of the two mixed in with contemporary trends can result in eclectic, but pulled together, on-trend styling. Fashion is all about looking toward the future for new and better things, but the beauty of looking to the past is finding something— whether it is a cut of dress or a small detail like a Jackie O. inspired headscarf—timeless to go along with the new. Old Hollywood actresses also serve as timeless muses for me. Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood, and Audrey Hepburn remain classic sources of style inspiration. Their looks have been immortalized in film and serve as brilliant reference points of style. But it’s not just about the clothes—these women always took on roles with fabulous attitude and carried themselves in a way that is awe-inspiring. A myriad of influences are bound to clash and encourage different style personas. Mixing these outside sources of inspiration with the design aesthetics of my industry favourites such as Ralph Lauren, Chanel, and Burberry results in endless combinations and collisions of the various spheres that are key to refining and maintaining a distinct personal style. STYLECANVAS.COM
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night moves when the sun goes down, the wild things come out to play, a pop of colour takes you boldly to night from day... PHOTOGRAPHY BY ZENAIDA KWONG
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MODEL DARYA K. AT LIZBELL AGENCY.
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gastown
girl.
diversify your wardrobe by mixing high-end statement items with high-street staples to create a balanced, globally infused look ADRIENNE TSANG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSHUA GRAFSTEIN
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n
miss match
SILK TIE-FRONT DRESS BY (212), (212). LARGE MID-CITY TOTE BY FOLEY + CORINNA, BLOCK.
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california waiting SILK TANK, HAWKS BY GEREN FORD; DENIM CUFFED SHORTS, BDG, AVAILABLE AT URBAN OUTFITTERS. LARGE MID-CITY TOTE, FOLEY+CORINNA, AVAILABLE AT BLOCK.
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tribal fusion PRINT TANK BY URBAN RENEWAL, URBAN OUTFITTERS. WRAP BLOUSE BY FREE PEOPLE, BLOCK. HIGH-WAISTED ZIP-FRONT JEAN BY (212), (212). STYLECANVAS.COM
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take me out TUXEDO JACKET BY SILENCE + NOISE, URBAN OUTFITTERS. GAUZE TEE BY SILENCE + NOISE, URBAN OUTFITTERS. TULIP SKIRT BY OPENING CEREMONY, GRAVITY POPE.
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LOG ON FOR YOUR DAILY DOSE OF STYLE, UP TO THE MINUTE FASHION NEWS, LATEST BEAUTY TIPS AND TREND SPOTTING STRAIGHT FROM OUR EDITORS.
FASHION IS SOMETHING THAT COMES AFTER
style
canvas
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/BLOG
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s/s ‘09
TREND REPORT:
LUXE TRIMMINGS
this season is all about the small details, whether it be 20’sinspired beading and fringe or delicate feathers.
origami pleats adopting this recurring theme seen on the spring runways doesn’t have to be as complicated as folding a paper crane. pair an ornate silk top with basic black to emphasize the complexity of the construction.
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updated prints designers have been offering prints inspired by everything from intergalactic scenes to Warhol-esque portraits. keep an eye out for statement pieces to perk up a solid wardrobe.
THE NEW PREP
anything but the uptight looks of Nantucket, a mixture of vibrant/sunny colours with clean stripes will give you a fresh outlook with the sunny weather to come.
LUXE TRIMMINGS
JEWEL COLLAR OVERLAY TOP BY PHILLIP LIM, MISCH.
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BEJEWELED
JEWEL NECKLINE BALLERINA DRESS BY PHILLIP LIM, MISCH.
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BATHED IN LUXURY
SILK GODDESS DRESS BY ALEXANDER WANG, MISCH.
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THE RIGHT FOLD
SILK CHARMEUSE HUDSON DRESS BY NILI LOHAN, MISCH. FINA CROSS-STRAP CONE HEEL BY BETSEY JOHNSON, LORD’S SHOES. DOUBLE BREASTED SILK RUFFLE VEST BY PHILLIP LIM, MISCH. KNEE PLEAT SKINNY PANT BY SHARON WAUCHOB, MISCH. FLORENCE BOW PLATFORM BY BETSEY JOHNSON, LORD’S SHOES.
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MODERN WAY
PAPYRUS DRESS BY VENA CAVA, MISCH.
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COLOUR BLOCKED
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TWO-LAYER DRESS WITH MARBLE PRINT HEM BY ALEXANDER WANG, MISCH.
UPPER EAST SIDE
TRENCHCOAT BY GRAHAM & SPENCER, ISHARA. LEGGINGS BY CLUB MONACO. FLORENCE BOW PLATFORM BY BETSEY JOHNSON, LORD’S SHOES.
STYLING CHRISTINE ANG AND SANDY YOUNG. HAIR AIMEE COX. MAKEUP COLLEEN CONROY AT THEYrep.COM USING MAC COSMETICS. MODELS ALEISHA AND SOPHIA AT LIZBELL AGENCY, KELLY FRISBY AT JOHN CASABLANCAS. HATS PROVIDED BY ALICE HART COUTURE MILLNERY ALICEHEART.COM
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style
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FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT BRITTANY WONG AT BRITTANY@STYLECANVAS.COM
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THE WEARABLE GLADIATOR Purr sandal, Payless, $36.99
RETRO CHIC retro bikini, H&M, $16.90 per piece
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SMOKE SIGNALS Smokin’ Eyes Kit, Benefit Cosmetics, Shoppers Drug Mart, $42
10 MOST WANTED This summer indulge in luxurious fabrics and bright candy coloured pieces and accessories with these lovely finds.
PRETTY IN PINK pink skirt, H&M, $49.90 ERICA LAM Editor-in-Chief, TheStyleSp y.com
RING THE BELL Hennessey pant, Lily + Jae, lilyandjae.com, $147
is the insider’s guide to shopping in the city. Always on the lookout for the hottest finds, whether a killer sample sale, a must-have handbag or the best mascara on the market, TheStyleSpy.com has it covered. Get your daily fix at www.thestylespy.com.
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8 GOLD MINE O Bronze, Smashbox, Shoppers Drug Mart, $34
7 GLITTERATI Adelita nail polish, NARS, The Bay, $21
6 GARDEN PARTY Kelly cuff, Stella & Dot, stelladot.com, $109
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FRUIT PUNCH Dylan folding tote, Linea Pelle, Blubird, $949 CASUAL LUXE Paul jacket, Mike & Chris, Holt Renfrew, $1011 STYLECANVAS.COM
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( beauty )
BOLD
exposure PHOTOGRAPHY BY ZENAIDA KWONG
It’s time to shed some skin—bygone are the dry and cold wintery months. Warmer weather calls for a new bag of tricks to combat the au courant enemies: humidity, heat and sweat. Gear up with an arsenal of beauty tools and trends to keep you looking fresh and unruffled throughout the sweltering season. Intense-yet-polished eyes and bright lips in unpredictable shades add boldness and drama, reflecting spring’s playful vibe while sheer-finish foundations laced with illuminators keep you glowing in all the right place. SANDY YOUNG
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LET THE LIPS TALK
Coral drenched lips stand out as spring/summer’s most coveted accessory. Draw from an Andy Warhol inspired pop-color palette. Instead of a predictable pink or tried-andtrue red, opt for a piquant hue in the de rigueur shade of the season, Stila SPF 20 Shine Lip Color in Charlotte. The surprisingly wearable orange undertone provides versatility: brightening both porcelain complexions and complementing bronzed skin. Barelythere liner and like-velvet skin provide a pretty canvas to preen and pout.
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IT’S ALL IN THE EYES
Nude lips paired with navy eyeliner are smoking for the summer season. Bobbi Brown Sapphire Shimmer gel liner is easy to apply and smudge-proof, and comes in a transportable, compact pot, perfect for touch-ups on the go. Using an eyeliner brush, stamp the gel-liner on both top and bottom lids, staying close to the lashline. Nude lips are undeniably sexy without trying too hard: NARS Belle du Jour is a beauty staple: its pure, creamy formula delivers a vivid color, as the lipstick offers an old-school beauty glamour in the world of fastfashion gloss. Roberto Cavalli applied a similar look for his models this season, but amped up the glam factor by smudging the liner, creating a tousled messy-beautiful counterpart to the polished trend. A voluminous updo brings your coif to new heights of perfection.
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THE MINIMALIST TREND
Less is more, as Chloé’s backstage beauty advocates for spring. The focus is a fresh face, with water-resistant cheek stain and minimal eye-makeup. Sweep the eyelids with a monochromatic palette of beiges, sands and coppers: M.A.C eyeshadow in Retrospeck, Stila in Kitten and Urban Decay in Sin. Softly-glowing blush appears less deliberate, more of an after-thought of careless swipe: employ Benefit’s rose-tinted cheek and lip stain in Posietint for a pristine yet provocative glow. Radiant skin is must-have for each season—Benefit High Beam, a jojoba-infused highlighter gives an allover gleam when applied liberally under M.A.C’s new gel-based Studio Sculpt Foundation, or hint of dewiness when dabbed onto cheek bones—is key in the minimalist trend to keep it more boom than dull. Hair is set in loose and bohemian waves. STYLECANVAS.COM
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JET-SET BEAUTY
Whether your summer destination take you to the dusky streets of the Left Bank or the nautical-luxe Hamptons, winged liner — which was rampant on Lanvin’s runways — offers versatility and ease with a simple flick of a precise liquid eyeliner. This season’s take on the perennial cat’s eye is more subtle and provides a modern translation to a classic look. Chanel Precision Liquid Eyeliner in black does the trick. Think rich, luxurious, and understated elegance.
HAIR IVORY STANTON. MAKEUP ANGELA CAPPADOCIA. MODELS VERONICA AND MICHELLE M. AT RICHARD’S MODELS. STYLING ASSISTANT CHRISTINE ANG.
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IN THE LIGHT
dace Her ultra-wearable designs may have crossed the border into Los Angeles and New York, but Dace Moore’s aesthetic remains laid-back and true to her West Coast origins. Dace Moore confesses to being somewhat obsessed with clean lines and small details, and so far this obsession has led to an ever-growing following since the label’s debut in 2003. This Vancouver-based designer with a trendy Gastown studio boutique has carved a recognizable fresh outlook on everyday clothing. Described as clothing that is “never outrageous, but always classic,” Vancouver’s most fashionable have effortlessly embraced Dace’s well-tailored and modern pieces into their wardrobes. Her latest spring collection provides us a with quintessentially Dace pallette of soft blues and khakis, and super sweet striped prints. Perfect for that picturesque spring afternoon by Lake Okanagan, no? CHRISTINE ANG
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IN THE LIGHT
IN THE LIGHT WITH DACE MOORE Q How has your design aesthetic changed over the years? A The use of better quality fabrics. Q Which fashion icon (current or past) would you love to see in your clothes? A Audrey Hepburn Q What is your biggest accomplishment with the label up until now? A Being able to do something I love and have it pay the bills! Q How has dace’s international scope affected your style as a designer? A It allows me to travel and get inspired in different countries. Q What is the secret behind dace’s easy-to-wear pieces? A Most of all, the styles are versatile so you can change your look by changing shoes or layering. Q Who is the dace woman in one sentence? A She is a woman who likes simple, timeless pieces that are unique. Q Who is your personal style icon? A People in the streets, I love seeing how other people wear things. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT DACE.CA
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Get the scoop on how to fill up the end of the week with the latest Vancouver hotspots from seasoned bloggers Kirsten Bailey of 6oz and Vanessa Choot of Modern Mix Vancouver. Kirsten Bailey is a university graduate fresh from a five year stint abroad but calls Vancouver her home and her passion, becoming more so as she “rediscovered the tucked away gems, funky locals and hideaways of the city” she left behind so long ago. Her blog, 6oz (http://6-oz.blogspot. com), is written for friends and fellow Vancouverites “who are looking for new and fresh suggestions of what to do, see and love about Vancouver.” Jump over and join the adventure. Vanessa Choot of modernmixvancouver.com is a graduating UBC marketing student. She has a strong interest in advertising and would like to work in the agency-side marketing industry upon graduation. Influenced by her entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to take initiative, Vanessa is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Modern Mix Vancouver (MMV), a daily-updated current events and lifestyle website with entries in categories including the arts, fashion, dining and nightlife. This past December, MMV won the “Best New Blog (2008)” award in the Best of 604 Metro Vancouver awards. Vanessa loves to connect with her blog readers and welcomes you to drop her a line any time!
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a weekend IN
the city
STYLECANVAS
( lifestyle )
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KIRSTEN’S PICKS
CAFÉ MEDINA Found: Café Medina, a boutique Belgian waffle house in Gastown. Food: Breakfast & brunch, which can include heaven reincarnated into waffles, omelets served in cast iron skillets and gourmet coffee. Atmosphere: exposed brick walls, glossy hardwood tables, baby blue paintings, black-framed windows and door, long & narrow room, 15 foot ceilings, antique styled mirrors and clocks. Pro’s: Waffles that match or excel those from the eponymous country of Belgium, atmosphere with a charm and character not often found in, but yet so definitively described as, Vancouver. Con’s: It’s pricey and you will often have to wait for a table as they don’t take reservations. Recommended: visit with one or two guests only. Seating is a tight squeeze, go early on a weekend and don’t leave without trying the waffles! Look for: Café Medina styled matchboxes on the bar top. Café Medina: 556 Beatty Street. 604.879.3114. www.medinacafe.com
RAW CANVAS Found: Raw Canvas. Bohemian artist café done in Yaletown fashion. Food: artist-named sandwiches made from organic ingredients, artist named smoothies made from organic ingredients, organic coffee and wine. Everything’s pretty organic. Atmosphere: whitewashed walls, white washed wooden beam ceilings, paintspeckled white smocks, painted canvases everywhere, strung lightbulbs, macbooks on paint smeared wood tabletops. Pros: wi-fi on the lounge side but the main attraction is the studio space where a canvas can be bought and creativity explored ($40 - $130 per canvas, depending on size. Paint and brushes included). Cons: Food and drink are on the expensive side. Recommended: For the neophyte in all of us, Bob Ross nights aka“Pretty Little Evenings.” Look for:Well thumbed art texts and magazines for inspiration. Raw Canvas: 1046 Hamilton St. 604.687.1729. http://www.rawcanvas.com
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VANESSA’S PICKS
LOBBY AT GINGER 62 LOBBY at Ginger 62 (1219 Granville Street at Davie) is your premium nightlife destination on Friday nights. Recently renovated with an upscale, classy interior, a roomy dance floor and an elevated DJ platform with its resident DJs spinning house and electronic beats, LOBBY is an experience which guarantees that you will return to visit again. Organized by The Canthrill group, their hospitality knows how to cater the scene for a stylish crowd with a consistently great time. For guestlist requests, email guestlist@canthrill.com.
Browse stylish products at the front and get pretty’d up at the back at WINK Beauty Lounge (67 Cordova Street) in Gastown. Best known for its eyelash extension services, each lash is semi-permanently attached with careful precision by a certified professional. Not ready for quite a change? Then browse the front for a wide product selection of fake eyelashes in colorful styles instead. Other services include manicures, pedicures and facials.
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PRADA, DIOR, CHANEL, TOM FORD - ALL AVAILABLE AT KERRISDALE OPTICAL
last look
If there’s one item you can afford to make a little splurge on this upcoming spring - it’s sunglasses. Whether you wear them atop your head as a decorative adornment, to complete your everyday spring look or to party at night, classic, understated frames will never fail to take you from day to night and from fussy to nonplussed. ADRIENNE TSANG
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www.kersh.ca
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