Unspeakably elegant, boldly colored jackets at once contemporary and drawing on West Coast indigenous traditions — are the hallmark of Canada’s foremost native designer, Dorothy Grant. One of the many artistically gifted Haida of the Queen Charlotte Islands, Grant makes and shows her garments, blankets, and hats at a studio just off Granville Street (1656 West 75th Avenue, South Vancouver, 604-681-0201, www.dorothygrant.com).
Luxury lingerie has found a niche in this city. Christine Designs, by silk designer Christine Morton, have graced the limbs of Gwyneth Paltrow and Elizabeth Taylor and can be found at Diane’s Lingerie & Lounge Wear (2950 Granville Street, Central Vancouver, 604-738-5121). They’re also sold at La Jolie Madame Lingerie (Pacific Centre, Downtown, 604-669-1831), along with the coveted work of Patricia Fieldwalker, whose silk signature pieces were worn by Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.
In the dress design category, a current star is Yumi Eto, whose clothes have generated something of a tsunami from here to Japan and on to Europe. Ultra-sophisticated yet still cultured, demure, and sculptural, the wonderful creations of this young Vancouverite can be seen at her Yaletown studio (by appointment only, 604-689-8320).
Appointment-only status also applies to the evening wear of Catherine Regehr. Stars who’ve worn her luxurious pieces include Kim Basinger, Gillian Anderson, Anjelica Huston, and Natalie Cole, now that we’re into name-dropping. Call her Kitsilano studio at 604-734-9339.
At the funkier end ofthe design spectrum, check out Dream Apparel (3” West Cordova Street, Downtown, 604-683-7326). Owner Wendy de Kruyff stocks locally made clothes for the young and hip, including Shelley Klassen’s Blushing Designs (read: shapely, sexy). Similar lines are found at Liquid Clothing (2050 West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano, 604-737-1600) and House of Jewels (953 Nicola Street, West End, 604-662-7360).
Natural fabrics and distinctive details are the hallmark of European separates by young Hajnalka Mandula. Her Mandula Designs are sold at shops worth seeking out in their own right. They include Eugene Choo (3683 Main Street, East Vancouver, 604-873-8874); Circle Craft Co-op (i666 Johnston Street, Granville Island, 604-669-8021); The Block (350 West Cordova Street, Downtown, 604-685-8885), Point In Time (1302 Victoria Drive, East Vancouver, 604-255-8407), and, back downtown, the purveyor of all things cut¬ting edge for both sexes, Bruce (1038 Alberni Street, Downtown, 604-688-8802).
I shouldn’t forget FAB (2177 West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano, 604-734-0139). This very hip jeans outlet sells the likes of terry tube dresses, “hoodies,” and slip-on sandals that a Georgia Straight fashion writer de¬scribes as John McEnroe-meets-Pamela Anderson. You get the picture. Yet another Vancouver designer, Sara Robson Francoeur, shows her cotton, jersey, and Lycra tops, dresses, and pants at Narcissist Design (2323 Quebec Street, Central Vancouver, 604-877-1555). And not to be overlooked — ifyou carry a pretty thick wallet, that is — are the artfully woven, casual (if high-culture) dresses and coats of Zonda Nellis (2203 Granville Street, Central Vancouver, 604-736-5668). Her pieces can be found hanging in more than a few elegant bou¬doirs around the world.
Finally, Ron Ct Normand (Ron Escher and Normand Brouillette) boast Céline Dion as a client and will show off their glamorous evening wear by appointment (604-684-6244).
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