The New, New West
There are the fabulous events (finally, a chance to wear that green 3.1 Phillip Lim dress with rosettes!) and the once-in-a-lifetime designer interview opportunities (last year’s roster included Robert Rodriguez, the boys behind Badgley Mischka, and jewellery magnate Kenneth Jay Lane), but perhaps the thing I’m most excited about as I step into my new role as FASHION’s Western editor is the opportunity to report on the rapidly-changing fashion scene on the West Coast.
On a recent trip to Toronto, I packed lightly. And while I picked up a few pieces on requisite visits to my favourite “H” stores, H&M—sorry, even Burnaby is still too far—and Holt Renfrew, I was surprised to note that I didn’t have to cross my fingers as I passed through security, hoping they wouldn’t stop to weigh my bulging carry-on. Indeed, everything fit perfectly into my overhead compartment–sized Samsonite.
I love perusing the quaint shops of College Street or Queen West and stopping for lunch at Whole Foods between visits to the luxury boutiques of Yorkville, but I didn’t get the feeling I wouldn’t be able to find the very same merchandise back home. Sure, the Bloor Street Holts flagship had those YSL star-spangled sandals I’ve been lusting after, but when it comes time for me to hand over two months’ rent for shoes, I’m sure the ladies at my local store can order them for me, no problem. And those Marc Jacobs pumps with the wickedly odd heel? I was prepared to hand over the plastic—but alas, no store in Ontario ordered them, either.
Perhaps that’s what makes the fashion scene out here so exciting right now. We no longer have to go east to find the things we’ve been eyeing. Finally, we can proclaim things like “Edmonton has Canada’s only Mandarina Duck store!” and “the first American Apparel California Select concept store north of the border is in Calgary!” And of course, “Welcome to Vancouver, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Lululemon, Aritzia, the country’s first Shangri-La Hotel and Spa, Agent Provocateur boutique and a Michael Kors lifestyle store!”
Plus, with rumours still circulating of new flagship stores across Alberta and B.C. for Chanel, Crate & Barrel, Prada, Sephora, Burberry and Louis Vuitton, and as our population continues to soar, the growth of the west promises to continue to be an exciting story.
I look forward to bringing you the best of the stylish west.
Shown: Agent Provocateur, Vancouver boutique. Visit agentprovocateur.com
