Fashionista: The Definition:

fash⋅ion⋅is⋅ta  /ˌfæʃəˈnistə/ OR [fash-uh-nee-stuh].

1. a highly fashionable woman, usually
working in the fashion industry.

2. A term used to define a woman with a penchant for shopping and a natural flair for combining both current and vintage fashionable trends.

3. A woman devoted to high or unique fashion, with style unlike others that is not only chic but flattering


Sunday, December 28, 2008

Even Fashionistas Take Holidays


Fashionistas and Potentials,


It's that time of year again.

Boxing week in Canada has not gone as good as we have expected it to.

Here in Vancouver, the downtown sales are just good enough to drag people out of their beds and brave the slush to get their hands on a 25% off pea coat or trench for January. But not enough to allow them a few hours to dig through the jeans in hopes of a perfect fit. Who has that kind of time, anyway, when the sale isn't even worth it?


Disappointing, and with all that talk of economic failure you'd think that the stores would muster up some sort of a mind-blowing deal that could save themselves. Once again, consumerism sits outside the store windows just waiting for a cue to come rescue the corporations.


In reality, it's not that bad. Robson Street (see picture) is still lively, as is the Pacific Center. In the suburbs, retailers gather up more courage. Similarly, some stores beat out others in a race to have their labels on your backs.


Still, this one fashionista thinks that the time is definitely not right.


Yours, tried and true.

One Fashionista.

Monday, October 27, 2008

The Legacy

The legacy of the Chuck Taylor Generation will never end.

Forgive me on being cliche with this post, but I felt that I needed to make and reiterate this point. Pull open any magazine that showcases the sporty chic... and the high-top clad models will never fail you.

Built for complete convenience, style, comfort (although not exactly ease of wearing), the Converse High Tops will not only continue to represent the original basketball shoe, it will remain as the universal and affordable practical yet cool shoe of the century. The rich and the poor, the rock boys and the prep girls... may no one be left behind.

And today, I salute you, Mr. Chuck Taylor.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The Buckle, Oh.

This season's boots, like the one shown here on the left (Franco Sarto, $120, townshoes.com) mean to me the ultimate question: buckle or no buckle? The buckle has always been a touchy subject to me. To elaborate, fashion crimes with specific tools (such as the buckle boot) lead me to think uneasy about such articles of "fashion". And unfortunately, said boot has long been a victim. Black pleather buckle boots with the rubber flat sole, no heel. I shudder even thinking back about it. And countless offense after each other, I began to be skeptic.

19 pairs of leather, suede, gum and sheepskin boots later, I can safely tell you I haven't even come close to considering a pair of les bottes avec buckle. Not even close. But designers such as Steve Madden and labels such as Chanel have and are fearlessly incorporating such styles this year and previous seasons. The claim: an accentuation on lovely slim calves, or an demonstration of a simple chic, easily obtained. But I will tell you, fearful fashionistas, that if you can prove me wrong I salute you.
The decision is yours. The magazine ads don't lie. And neither, I can assure you, do I. When it comes to the shunned victims of fashion abuse, I have composed a lengthy list.

Don't even get me started.

BEG to differ... by leaving your comment.


Sunday, October 19, 2008

Combined Forces


Rei Kawakubo (left), the brainchild of Comme Des Garcons, and arguably one of the world's most creative fashion designers with her own unique message in her designs, has combined forces with the Swedish fashion "empire" of H&M. I happen to be an H&M VIP, I can't get enough of them. The Japanese entrepreneur/designer and founder of a $30 million profiting clothing chain has created many works of art for H&M featuring black and white polka dot ensembles on women who really represent the blonde image of her. Not that the heavy black liner is the same, just the hair. Nevertheless, Kawakubo stated that designing for this fashion giant was "interesting". This new line of must-haves will hit stores a week after its premiere in Japan. Stay true to your own, as they always say.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Kudos to Interpretation

It's true - every country's city gals have a unique style, one that shows their nation's origins or role models in fashion. For example, in North America we have a standard for "classy" and "casual" as well as "walk down the street chic" that we subconsciously KNOW. Likewise, in countries such as Japan and Korea, we see the norm reflecting off their fashion influences- mainly here, in the West.

But here's the catch: these evolutionary Oriental nations have interpreted our status quo into something that resembles our attire, but changed it as well. For example, they take our everyday denim and add grunge textures and hobo shapes that are then brought back into America for further refining and voila! production. Inevitably, they have evolved our way of thinking in terms of style and have brought it further. The denim shortalls have become a denim dress and tights affair. Never before has the full bangs look been so now.

With change comes more change and new ideas. What couldn't we love about this?

Kudos to our international sisters for this revolutionary process.



Any questions for style tips and fashion in general, make your mark with a comment.

Day One - Pea Coats For All

Fashionistas and potentials,

Welcome to the inner-city, soulful and most insightful blog you will ever encounter. Looking for your fall fix? Need a break? I don't even need to convince you. I'll keep you posted on all the alerts (fashion-wise) and everything else that revolves around us.

We keep the city alive, and we keep the people coming back for more.

Ready? Set? We're there.