Mark Your Calendar: Three Must-Attend Style Events

Scoop up end of summer steals and on-trend fall wardrobe staples from Vancouver’s edgiest designers

 

Fashion forward and forward thinking? Bag a bargain, and be set to strut your stuff in the city when the leaves begin to change colour, with three of Vancouver’s best summer fashion events.

 

  

 

Summer Sidewalk Sale

Dru’s Design Marj Dress, Forsya Boutique House Line, Lizzie Lemon Dress and other treasures to be found at The Summer Sidewalk Sale. (Image: Dru’s Design and Forsya Boutique)
 

The Summer Sidewalk Sale is half street party, half bargain heaven. If you prefer edgy local designers but usually limit yourself to purchasing one special piece while filling in with thrift store diving, this event removes your budget constraints from the equation.

 

 

Adhesif Clothing’s Melissa Ferreira promises, “New designs will be up to 50% off and designs from previous collections will be discounted as much as 70% off.” Many items will be $50 or less, just like the annual Nifty for Fifty Sale.

 

Granville has given Adhesif lots of love in the past. Refresh your memory here. Forsya Boutique’s in-house line and Dru’s Design also represent some serious local talent. Forsya’s tan and poppy-red Lizzie dress will transition nicely into fall. The Marg dress by Dru’s Meghan Irish is a classic, gray sheath trimmed with femme, cream lace.

Once your shopping tote is bulging, grab a vegan cupcake from Sprout Bakery and join the street dance party—delta blues slide guitarist Rob Bertrand will provide soulful Dylan and Beatles covers.

 

When: August 20, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Main and 6th
Admission: Free

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Portobello West’s Five Year Anniversary

Head to Portobello West and check out delightful wares like Daub + Design bikinis. (Image: Daub + Design)

 

Break out the cake because Portobello West is turning five August 28, when the market will transform into a rocking birthday party with 45 loot bags for the first 45 guests and balloons galore. Portobello West has always focused on nurturing Vancouver’s local designers and the market has fostered many super heiss success stories.

 

Designers like Nicole Bridger, Blushing Designs and Two of Hearts have all opened their own boutiques. Kdon and Carny Love participated in Project Runway Canada. Local artisan Phillip Adam Soap has even landed a big time retail deal with Whole Foods.

 

But if these names sound familiar, you still haven’t seen it all. New designers, like textile and bikini experts Daub + Design, are always joining. Come celebrate the old and discover Van’s latest crop of top designers.

 

When: August 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Creekside Community Recreation Centre

Admission: $2

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Spend on Trend

 

Check out the trendiest of the trends at Spend on Trend. (Image: Dru’s Design and L’arbre Love)
 

Spend on Trend is back to unveil new fall collections before they hit stores. This annual September event was created to showcase independent designers in apparel, accessories and even jewelry.

 

I’m particularly fond of the eco-friendly dresses and separates from Elroy Apparel, plus bright, whimsical Japanese cotton/linen totes and pouches from Noei. When it comes to baubles, L’arbre Love’s raw, simple pendants, made with cherry wood and sterling silver, each with unique engravings, will enhance any basic blouse.

 

For the full list of designers, visit the Spend on Trend website. And don’t be late: the first 25 people in line each day receive a hefty swag bag.

 

When: Friday, September 16: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, September 17: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, September 18: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Admission: $5

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