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Dutil makes a spectacle
If you know the name Eric Dickstein, it’s probably as owner of raw denim brand , which was established in 2006. But the Vancouverite actually has a passion that far predates his love of jeans: eyewear. He worked with glasses brand Oliver Peoples for more than 20 years and set up Gastown eyewear boutique Durant Sessions in 2015. Now, he’s created his own spectacles line under Dutil, called the Quintessential Series and intended to shake up the eyewear industry. “Consumers are more conscious than ever before. They don’t enjoy products passively; they want to be excited about products and informed about what goes into retail prices,” he explains. Dutil’s specs are pricey (they start at $598 for frames only and $698 for sunglasses) but Dickstein says this is justified by the quality –Ěýthe five-strong collection is designed in Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»and handcrafted in titanium and acetate in Japan by a manufacturer that’s so exclusive, it accepts brands by interview only. Available at Dutil locations and select retailers internationally.
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Pop-up Canadian fashion
Shoppers are finally getting on board with the idea that a) less is more when it comes to fashion consumption, and b) Canadian designers are producing some of the most interesting fashion around. So hooray for First Pick Handmade, a new two-day pop-up at Heritage Hall, Main Street. The 3,300-square-foot “boutique department store” will feature 29 fashion and accessories designers for men, women and kids. All are Canadian, and many come from the slow fashion movement, where pieces are made to last, often from recycled or repurposed materials. Our picks are both from Vancouver. Anderson’s Boots makes rugged but cool-looking footwear from vegan leather.Ěý Hetki / A Moment does Scandinavian-inspired made-to-order garments. First Pick Handmade takes place on Sept. 16-17 and entry costs $3 each. Find out more at .
Rihanna releases makeup line
We’ve been eagerly awaiting this new range since it was announced in April 2016 – partly because Rihanna always looks perfect and partly because the beauty industry absolutely needs more makeup developed by women of colour. It doesn’t disappoint. The collection comprises 16 products including foundations in 40 (40!) different shades, contour/concealers, brushes, oil-blotting sheets and a universally flattering nude lipgloss. Bonus: the whole range is cruelty free. Meanwhile in Canada, the Weeknd has created his second line for H&M. He already has his own streetwear label, XO, so is no stranger to design. The 18-piece collection will drop on Sept. 28.
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Fashion week celebrates all sizes
Fashion giants Louis Vuitton and Gucci have just gotten around to from the runway and campaigns, but Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»Fashion Week is ahead of the curve. It’s actively encouraging the casting of models of different sizes for its Spring/Summer 2018 showcase. “Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»is a city built with different cultures and diversity. We want to keep the same appeal ... It's what makes us different from any other show,” says VFW founder JamalĚýAbdourahman. And, says model director Yuli Chou: “We want to give everyone a chancebecause beauty can beseen in many different ways.”VFW takes place Sept. 18-26. The fastest growing fashion week in the world will this year showcase 40 local designers and 50 global ones.
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Babaton gets standalone store
Aritzia continues its high-street takeover with the opening of a Babaton boutique at Pacific Centre on Sept. 21. The Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»brand’s minimalist aesthetic will be mirrored in the store design: metal, glass and stone, a marble cash desk, exposed concrete details and an interior garden with, “curated plants.” It’s the third standalone Babaton boutique (the 84th Aritzia location in North America) and will span 3,000 square feet.
Uniqlo opens soon in Metrotown
Another day, another Japanese fashion retailer opens in Metrotown. The new Uniqlo store will occupy 20,000 square feet on the mall’s ground floor and lower level, and will sell men’s, women’s and children’s fashion. The brand does great affordable fashion pieces (we’ll be stocking up on the collab with Brit designer JW Anderson), but is probably best known for its practical outer- and innerwear. Must-buys include packable Ultra Light Down jackets and base layers from the Heattech collection, which are perfect for skiers and hikers.
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Turn your soles pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month
Forget Christian Louboutin’s famous red soles: this October, we’re turning pink. For Breast Cancer Awareness month, Quick Cobbler Shoe Repair (430 West 2nd Ave.) will be re-soling and re-heeling men’s and women’s shoes with pink material. Ten per cent of the proceeds will go to breast cancer research charities as part of the Repair with Pink initiative. “One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime,” says Ronald Nijdam, Quick Cobbler’s owner. “By repairing with pink, women and men can show solidarity and support the grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, wives and friends who have fought and continue to fight breast cancer.” To find out more about the project, visit .
