Posts Tagged ‘Design’

Get back to school ready with PW market finds by Herrohachi, Kukubee, and Sideline Designs!

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

Our monthly markets are all about providing you with unique and affordable finds and what better way to stand out in school this fall than with one-of-a-kind, standout products made by some of our talented designers? The first day of school is always a fashion show of some kind so make sure you come to our anniversary market on the 29th of this month to find everything you’re looking for, for this up-coming school year!

Herrohachi has this neeenja canvas tote that is super cute for the fall and very practical for all of your school essentials like your pencil case, notebooks, cell phone, lunch money, and of course my ultimate essential: chapstick! If you’re like me and you don’t like carrying a backpack because it never matches your outfit, then you’re definitely in luck with this tote. Best part of all? It’s $35, yeap, you heard me. While all of your friends are walking around sporting a tna or lululemon bag, you’ll stand out because you’ll be toting around this one-of-a-kind canvas bag!

As I mentioned earlier, it’s more than likely that you’ll have a pencil case in your school bag so it’s best to have all of your writing utensils stored away so you won’t lose anything. Is it just me or are school supplies a lot expensive now?  Anyways, Kukubee makes a ton of these cute little zipper pouches that will fit all of your pens, pencils, and erasers! They come in an assortment of designs and colors, all handmade with love btw,  and are only $12 a piece. I’d get like 5 of them if I were you because you’re friends are going to try and steal yours and I don’t blame them one bit.  It’s an amazing find at at an amazing price, you can’t go wrong!

If you’re feeling kind of depressed that summer is almost over, don’t worry you can still wear your tank tops, dresses, and shorts for just a little while longer if you have something layer over. These scarves by Sideline Designs are wearable art that are made using the Nuno felting method with a silk scarf center to provide durability and strength. Long story short, you’ll be warm in one of these guys. You can put one in your book bag if the weather is looking a little questionable or you can pull one out if you’re getting chilly in a lecture! See, pretty AND accessible! For $35, what more can you ask for? :)

Back to school is a lot more fun if you get excited about all of the new things you can buy for yourself without feeling guilty. I mean come on, you need all of this stuff for school! It’s totally justifiable, wouldn’t you say? Back to school never looked THIS good!

Oh, and remember to mark the 29th off on your calendars this month because it’s our anniversary market! It won’t be a par-tay without you all!

xoxo

Look into My Eyes and What Do You See?

Friday, June 25th, 2010

There’s something that needs to be said about beautiful photographs and some words that come to my mind are “what a wonderful world”. I think often times we take the simple things in life for granted by constantly flooding our minds with work, relationships, and things that shouldn’t be over analyzed and made complicated but are. We forget to recognize and take in the humidity of a warm summer’s day, appreciate the aroma of freshly cut grass and even see the authenticity and beauty of an old building that we walk by every single day. Photographs convey forgotten and under-appreciated moments that are timeless: My Eye Photography does that to perfection.

Tamara Lee, a local Vancouver artist, began her journey at a very young age with a toy camera. After taking various photography classes in high school, Langara College and Focal Point, Tamara developed her own process that enabled her to mold her craft into something beautiful and eye watering.

With digital media and photoshop taking photography by storm, Tamara still believes that there is something to be said about film. All of her work is shot on 35mm and medium format film, hand printed and uniquely perfected by herself. It takes a lot of patience, talent, and love for what you do to create an actual process that could have otherwise been done with technology. If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is.

My Eye Photography will be at Portobello West Market this Sunday, so make sure you visit Tamara and tell her how amazing she is!

See you all on Sunday!

D + C = Designing and Conquering the World

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Hello Fashion Lovers,

Most of you are aware that in March we launched our first ever Portobello West Market in Calgary and it was a huge success. Well, even though our next Calgary market won’t be until the fall, in the spirit of fashion, it only seems right build up the anticipation by keeping you all intact with Calgary’s fabulous designers and fashion events (you can thank me later hehe).

If you aren’t familiar with Design + Conquer, I feel kind of bad for you. But don’t worry, that’s why we’re here :) . D+C jewelry is truly the definition of innovation and fun. Even though they’ve only been around for about 2 years, they’ve already conquered the fashion world with their designs featured in Elle Canada, Vancouver and Toronto Fashion Week, the National Post, FASHION Magazine, and most recently with their collaborations with Flora and Fauna. She accomplished this in 2 years, think about the many possibilities and opportunities that will come to her in the future! Crazy right? I’m so jealous.

Morgan Mallett, the designer of D+C, works out of Calgary but was raised in Vancouver. She obtained her B.Des in Graphic Design from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and her BFA at the University of Calgary. With her background in design and illustration as well as receiving several jewelry inquires, it only seemed right that she further her talent in jewelry design. So long story short, she’s a smart cookie with a heck of a lot of talent.

Alright, I’m just going to come right out and say that her stuff is awesome. D+C prides themselves on their original yet modern perspectives of what jewelry should be. Their spring/summer line focused on playful and bold experimentation with tasteful yet fun color combinations and interesting shapes. These pieces can be purchased on her etsy, click here to start shopping :) . Their fall collection takes things a little bit further by taking you back into a realm of classic 1980 movies such as The Neverending Story, StarWars, and TRON and to  electronic tunes by the music group, Telefon Tel Aviv. Keep in mind, these pictures are from her spring/summer line so there is definitely lots to look forward to come fall 2010!

Have I gotten you all excited yet? If talking about this amazing designer isn’t enough for you, boy do I have a treat for you! You are ALL cordially invited to Design + Conquer’s fall/winter 2010 launch party, happening on May 13 at the Marquee Room in Calgary! See event details below :)

Take advantage of this fashionable event to get in touch with your inner fashionista and support Morgan on her design quest to conquer the world!

xoxo


Fashionably Ever After…

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Once upon a time there lived a group of students at a University not so far away from here, that each year strive to put on an amazing  fashion show  benefiting a different charity. Now this year, this club has decided to put all proceeds towards The Cinderella Project- a local charity who’s sole purpose is to celebrate the achievement of high school students who have overcome adversity in reaching their goal of graduation. Students are provided with formal attire, by their very own fairy godmother (of, course) and then are sent off to celebrate their fairytale night in style.

This years fashion show, Fashionably Ever After, as well as many other  events, are put on by the Chinese Varsity Club at the University of British Columbia. This club of 1200 members is led by 70 executive team members and prides themselves on being multicultural and using their powers for good, so don`t let the name fool you. These events are open to the public so don`t be a Debbie downer and cop out because you don`t think you`re invited, because you are :) .

Just to get you excited, here`s some stuff from Fala`s Spring/Summer line. I bet it looks better in person :)

Fashionably Ever After will showcase several local designers and boutiques such as Fala,Killa, Wanny Tang and so soo many others! But that’s not all, purchasing a ticket to this event will also get you free cover to the after party held at AuBar Nightclub. Although this fashion show is an all ages event, all Cinderellers and Cinderellas under the age of 19 will have to have their after-party at home. Fairy godmothers can only do so much. All this charity goodness is making us at PW feel a little left out, so we’ve decided to share the love of fashion by providing ALL attendees with FREE PASSES TO OUR MAY MARKET! Now if that isn’t reason enough to go, I don’t know what is.

So here’s the breakdown of the event. Tickets are 25$ that include both the show, the after party AS WELL as a free pass to our May market. It will be held at the swanky Pendulum Gallery @ the HSBC Building (885 West Georgia Street) on Saturday, May 1, 2010.  Doors open @ 7pm and the show goes on  until 10pm! For more information about this event click here and to order tickets please email inquiry@ubccvc.com. To find out more about The Cinderella Project, check our their website at thecinderellaproject.com.

There’s no better way to support a charity than to support it with
fashion, parties and Portobello West.


and so they all lived fashionably ever after…

J

The Tiny Fig

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Full of cute and fun stuff, The Tiny Fig offers thingamabobs and jiggameradoos including: accessories, apparel, handbags, housewares, jewellery, paper good, stamps and cupcake deco. Yes, cupcake deco :) These graphic goods are designed by Connie Lim, the creator of The Tiny Fig. I’d say her art style is a mix between the twitter bird and Hello Kitty. It’s super kid friendly.

Connie Lim started The Tiny Fig as a hobby to keep her time occupied while she was out of school. As a business and accounting student, starting up a company was only natural. Unfortunately she had to drop out of school due to health reasons. As she began creating her creations, more and more people fell in love with them. Mix in some hard work, business smarts, and dedication and she got The Tiny Fig (the sweet figments of her imagination).

Find more trinkets at The Tiny Fig. It’s sure to brighten up any cloudy day.

Hamburger Disco – T-shirts celebrating the hamburger

Friday, March 19th, 2010

I remember seeing these guys at Canamade back in February. It’s one of the few stalls that made an impression on me.  Considering I still remember them till this day, I’d say that’s a major accomplishment. I remember saying to my friend, “what an odd concept pairing hamburgers and disco”. But when you look at their t-shirts… It works. Hamburger Disco just recently released four new designs. Check them out at the upcoming Portobello West market.