Inside Vancouver

Got Craft? shows off Vancouver DIY culture, May 6

by Taraneh in Shop on May 4, 2012

Photo credit: Just Potters Vancouver Pottery Studio

DIY fair Got Craft? returns to Commercial Drive this Sunday, May 6. This biannual Vancouver event features over fifty local vendors selling a mix of jewellery, clothing, bath and body, paper goods, home accessories, artwork, plush kids’ toys, chocolate and more.

Why get crafty? Because “mall” is a four letter word and spring is full of gift-worthy occasions. Mother’s Day and an onslaught of weddings join the usual round up of bdays and anniversaries. Everything at Got Craft? is made by Vancouver’s talented community of artisans. And you often get to meet the artisans at the event.

While spring craft fairs abound, Got Craft? goes out of its way to amp up the ubiquitous show and sale with food carts, a DJ and even a DIY Sewing Lounge by Spool of Thread – the beloved East Van sewing hive.

Find out more about the exciting new vendors appearing at Got Craft? after the jump. Continue reading:
Got Craft? shows off Vancouver DIY culture, May 6

Nifty for Fifty indie design sale is back, April 22

by Taraneh in Shop on April 20, 2012

Bikini bottoms by Gastown-based Daub + Design. Photo credit: Daub + Design

Occasionally the title says it all. Nifty for Fifty – a sale featuring nifty goods all for $50 or less – is succinct poetry.

On Sunday April 22, over 25 Vancouver designers and artists will gather under one roof at Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street) for the fifth annual Nifty for Fifty sale, which runs from 11am-8pm. Known as an April Boxing Day for local design, this sale happens only once a year and offers shoppers deep discounts on unique pieces with fine craftsmanship.

MSN Travel slammed Vancouver fashion, naming Vancouver as one of the world’s worst-dressed cities due to an overabundance of yoga pants worn as street wear. Here’s your chance to view the counterargument.

Noteworthy participants include print-happy Adhesif Clothing, the chic, Gastown-based Allison Wonderland, leather work master Erin Templeton, and swimwear by Daub + Design. Find out more about participating designers after the jump. Continue reading:
Nifty for Fifty indie design sale is back, April 22

Exclusive collection Marni for H&M lands at the Pacific Centre March 8

by Taraneh in Shop on March 1, 2012

Marni for H&M; Image: H&M

Big news, design buffs. Vancouver’s downtown Pacific Centre is the only BC retail location and one of just two west coast locations to get the exclusive Marni for H&M collection, which launches in a week.

Marni is a Milan-based label known for its signature prints and eccentric statement accessories. Consuelo Castiglioni founded the cult-brand in 1994 and it’s grown to become one of the hottest global runway tickets.

The Marni for H&M collection is among the most exciting gobbets of Vancouver style news this spring. The sporty yet sophisticated spring capsule includes looks for women and men that are actually affordable and wearable. It’s already created a media buzz thanks to the artsy Marni for H&M commercial directed by Sofia Coppola. Then there was the mega-hyped collection launch party with Drew Barrymore, Freida Pinto, Winona Ryder and Milla Jovovich. Get a sneak peek at looks from the collection after the jump. Continue reading:
Exclusive collection Marni for H&M lands at the Pacific Centre March 8

Portobello West Art Market To Open Just Four Times a Year

by Dana Lynch in Shop on February 21, 2012

Photo: Portobello West

Portobello West, Vancouver’s monthly arts and fashion market and one of the top spots to shop for local and independent fashion in Vancouver, has been around since 2006, first at the Rocky Mountaineer Station, then at Creekside Community Centre in the Olympic Village (since March 2011), where it has been operating on the last Sunday of every month.

But its new(ish) high-traffic digs aren’t helping Portobello West’s vendors. According to The Georgia Straight, customers’ propensity to “wait and see what they have next month” is hurting the artists’ and artisans’ bottom line.

So Portobello West is changing their schedule in an effort to help their vendors:

Continue reading:
Portobello West Art Market To Open Just Four Times a Year

The Changing Face of South Granville – Big Brands Transform South Granville Shopping

by Dana Lynch in Shop on February 14, 2012

Eileen Fisher's first Canadian store opened on South Granville in August 2011. Photo: Dana Lynch

The last ten years have seen huge changes in most Vancouver neighbourhoods. Gentrification and development have made once “seedy” neighbourhoods hip and trendy (see: SoMa, Lower Mount Pleasant), created brand-new residential areas (like the Olympic Village), and transformed certain districts so thoroughly that, if you hadn’t seen them in ten years, you wouldn’t recognize them.

One such district is South Granville, the shopping and entertainment district in Fairview that extends from the Granville Street Bridge to 16th Ave. Known best for its art galleries (hence the famous moniker “Gallery Row,”), restaurants (West Restaurant and Vij’s are both in South Granville), and the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, South Granville has been developing its reputation as a major Vancouver shopping destination for many years. In the last five years alone, South Granville has transformed from an eclectic collection of mostly independent shops into a kind of Robson Street for yuppies.

Continue reading:
The Changing Face of South Granville – Big Brands Transform South Granville Shopping

Got Craft? shows off Vancouver DIY culture, May 6

Nifty for Fifty indie design sale is back, April 22

Exclusive collection Marni for H&M lands at the Pacific Centre March 8

Portobello West Art Market To Open Just Four Times a Year

The Changing Face of South Granville – Big Brands Transform South Granville Shopping

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