Wardrobe

Plum Clothing

I’ve been meaning to do a write up on Plum for a very long time. I think I haven’t done one yet in part because it’s sort of my best-kept secret store, in calgary anyways. Most women/clients I speak with have never heard of Plum. Thats too bad because it’s a pretty great store for many reasons. I guess I should start sharing my best kept secret and tell you all the reasons you should check them out for yourself.

1. Plum is a canadian company. Their head office is in Vancouver.  The have an in-house/exclusive line which is designed and manufactured in vancouver  (3 actually – Plum, Simone and Tobias). They also carry other lines as well, most of them canadian-based and manufactured in canada. Read more about how Plum is proudly canadian here.

2.  Department -store shopping experience. Sort of. I like taking clients to Plum because they have everything – cool jewellery (usually canadian designers), shoes, belts, accessories, handbags, clutches, scarves, under garments like sheer tank tops, leggings – clothing styles range from business clothing to party dresses, mavi jeans, yoga  jeans, blazers, sweaters… Yes. They have all this under one roof.

3. Price points are very reasonable, given the made in canada designation.

4. Customer service. Is always fantastic, at every location. (I’ve been to all of them) Never any pretension in these stores.

5. Plum is a mother/daughter type boutique which really just means age appropriate for all women.

a

it’s not too late!

Your gift certificate won't be this big!

The season is fully upon us – I’m not quite sure how it happened – but it’s here.  If you are choosing to buy gifts this year for loved ones, consider purchasing a Wardrobe Package gift certificate for the New Year.  Everything is pretty much done for you – no malls (don’t do it! trust me) or line ups, no gift wrapping, no returns, no fuss and no muss.  Plus, you will be counted as a thoughtful and creative gift giver

A Wardrobe gift certificate also happens to be a smart gift for someone who is especially difficult to buy for, and for that person who has everything.

Contact me for more information on wardrobe services, gift certificates and custom packages.

a

This isn’t your mothers Bay…

I’m going to make this short and sweet:  I love the Bay.

Have you been recently?  This isn’t the Bay your mother used to shop at.  They’ve modernized and are now very 21st century department store. the Bay has a new fashion director, Suzanne Timmins, who used to be a buyer at Holt Renfrew and I’m sure she is pretty much responsible for this new direction.  Thank you Suzanne Timmins. (I should also mention Bonnie Brooks, the new CEO of the Bay. The mastermind behind the transformation of the Bay)

Thank you for recognizing that clothing lines and brands like Beyond Vintage, Clu, See by Chloe, Comrags, TopShop and so many more can thrive and live beside established brands like Lord and Taylor, Jones of NY, Nygard etc.  It’s the marriage of the old with the new, the past with the present that really excites me about where the Bay is going.  Unfortunately, the flagship store in Calgary is not slated for The Room, the Bays high-end upscale designer floor. (Alaia, Jason Wu, Proenza Schouler, Erdem, Sonia Rykiel – I could go on) Look for The Room in Vancouver & Toronto stores.

and The Room – now…

The Hudsons Bay Co’s HBC Collections  have also re-designed their signature line, which happens to be very on-trend right now. Think heavy duty canvas bags, mens heavy wool peacoats, wool toques and mittens and shearling trapper hats –  all designed with the Hudson’s Bay Collection iconic stripes.  Designer collaborations on the HBC collection line include Pink Tartan, Smythe, Todd Lynn and others. Everything looks contemporary and old-fashioned all at once.

Klaxon Howl for Hudsons Bay Co

Did you know?  that the Bay is one of the oldest retail institutions in north america. It’s over 4 centuries old!  so I feel like it’s our duty to support this store.  Even though it’s not wholly canadian-owned… It’s a part of our tapestry and canadian heritage.

a

canada day 40% off sale :: d a c e

One of my very favourite local and canadian designers d a c e  is having a 40% Canada Day online sale.  There are some really beautiful (of course) pieces on sale from more recent seasons –  Spring/Summer 2010, Fall/Winter 2010 and also Fall/Winter 2009. * what! I made a mistake! Everything is on sale, site wide.

I had the opportunity to intern with  d a c e for  Spring/Summer 2010 as a Production Assistant.  I have been a fan of her label since it began in 2002/3 so this was pretty amazing for me to be able to work along side her and watch her creative process.

Her line is full of basic wardrobe pieces that have a slight edge to them.  Always modern and on-trend,  I regularly find my own and clients staple Spring and Summer wardrobe items from       d a c e.

ps  Dace sneak peek fall 2011 – here at front row mag.  I’m totally in love with the muted colour palette and voluminous knit dolman sleeve sweater.  I’m excited to see the whole line when it’s revealed.

a

Savvymom.ca lists us as a great Mother’s Day gift!

…and they couldn’t be more right!

We want to thank the ladies over at savvymom.ca for listing us as #8 great gifts for Mother’s Day.  Savvymom.ca is a group of savvy, well-informed women who know first-hand the challenges that modern day motherhood can bring.  They feature a very cool Canadian city-guide every month, highlighting the best things to do, read, play and get in that particular city.

Thank-you so much savvymom! We love you! and mothers everywhere

a

.

obakki | winter sale

<sigh>  I’m not in vancouver this weekend, but if I was I’d be at Obakki shopping their Winter sale…

obakki is a vancouver based fashion brand and design house with a strong international presence.  Using natural fabrics like 100% silk, virgin wool and leather, they design modern, soft architectural-like pieces. Effortlessly cool, undone style.

a