Theyre mittens. Theyre gorgeous. And fingerless for all your habitual texting needs (just dont text while walking or you might end up in our next Rants as the girl with the rad mittens who needs to look where shes going.) Available at , where new and recycled fabrics get all one-of-a-kinded, these mittens seriously fly off the shelf. Made from high quality reclaimed stretch wool panels (primarily cashmere and lambswool), these babies come in at $48; 2202 Main.
Catch the eye of your favourite natural beauty by putting a simply sweet piece from Jessie Turners Open Hearts and Stars collection under the tree. Available at (311 W. Cordova) in sterling silver or bronze, pieces range in price from $48-$380 depending on size. One of the citys top jewelry designers, after more than 10 years in Vancouver, Turner recently relocated her workshop to be closer to her roots in the Comox Valley. Since 1993, Dream Apparel and Articles for People has been showing the diverse collections of a wide array of locally made fashion designs, and in 2008, Little Dream (its a small shop) opened in the Net Loft on .
Plant a tree this Christmas by gifting a We Wood watch. Fashioned from sustainably harvested, reclaimed wood, these Italian-made luxury timepieces have state-of-the-art Miyota movements and somehow pull off being elegant yet funky (could be those lovely natural tones). While topping many a blog as one of this seasons best mens watches, the chunkier style also looks great on a slender lady-wrist. And shell always have something wood to knock on when superstition (or wrist fire) strikes. Made of 100 per cent natural wood, We Wood plants one tree in partnership with American Forests and Trees for the Future for each watch sold. $120-$139; Select colors and styles available at (737 Dunsmuir) and (1 Water).
Bishop, Cardinal, Chancellor, Count, Duke, Lord and Prince traditionally patriarchal authority figures. And youll want to collect them all when you realize that instead of stern men, theyre handsome, locally-designed leather bags (much easier to fit in a closet!). And what better way to commence the Dark Ages than with the Archbishop a chic, go-anywhere hobo with luxe basket weave detail and the perfect slim cross body strap at your side ($168; pictured left). But winter is coming (or maybe Im getting my medieval metaphors confused). Either way, this season, the Queen, Dame and Maiden have demanded an audience at court and are challenging for supremacy in the male-dominated world of One Fated Knight. Check out the feudal battlefield at or pick your winner at , , , , , Rescue and more.
As an adult, Id be hard pressed to rethink the design of Canadas national winter symbol The Toque after a steady school-aged diet of hockey, hockey and bad French cartoons about hockey. But perhaps a Bosnian-trained architect, who studied textile arts in Italy before moving to Canada and encountering this pervasive fashion accessory (and its quirky Canadian name), would have a better crack at it. Now based out of Vancouver, Lajla Nuhics handmade hats are half portable sculpture, half good old-fashioned practical headwear. Many of her crocheted forms captured in soft, fuzzy chenille or the natural textures of linen and hemp that beg to be touched are inspired by the structure of simple peasant homes, landscapes and rural habitats from her travels around the world. One of her hats is inspired by the conical domes of the Trulli houses in Southern Italy others seem inspired by the creatures of a tidepool or the shape of an ice cream cone, identifies architect Robin McIntosh on . Her work also effortlessly exudes the spirit in which she has embraced her new home in Canada. The Cleo, pictured on the left, is 90 per cent alpaca, 10 per cent nylon and $129. Icecream (right) is $135. Hats can be ordered online and are shipped within 10 days.
