No spandex please
By Carol Liu
Fashion in general is tough. Combine that frustration with a city full of spandex-hugging enthusiasts and you get "fashion" in Vancouver.
Ugh!
The Block couldn't have come at a better time. Isabelle Dunlop, who is no longer with the business, and Jennifer MacKay founded The Block on April 1, 1999.
MacKay, whose background is in fashion and business, wanted a boutique that carried items she would buy and wear.
"Ultimately, I buy what I like. I do not care how cool or in fashion it is. If I do not think it is worth it, I do not buy it. It is really hard to sell something you do not understand, let alone like," says MacKay.
Lucky for us, MacKay has style. Each and every item she hand picks oozes an understated, yet simply chic silhouette. Built by Wendy and Nudie are just some of the hard-to-find international goodies the cubicle-looking store stocks. Some of the top local labels are Dace and Sunja Link.
Located in touristy Gastown, The Block blends right in.
"Gastown has character. Rent, although it is going up, is still affordable. There is a broad mix of independent shops and restaurants. A lot of interesting people work in the neighbourhood. Lots of designers, artists and students, plus more people are moving down here," says MacKay.
Since opening, The Block has seen a wide range of customers trek over their wooden floors, and have also "developed a great group of repeat customers" all looking for that special something, but with quality.
"I see customers saving for something really special. I think we appeal to a broad age range too because we do carry many classic pieces," says MacKay.
MacKay believes many of her customers are smart shoppers and crave difference and uniqueness in his or her clothing choices. Buying and supporting the local fashion scene can guarantee customers a wide range of looks, minus the mass production. In other words, showing up at a fabulous event in the same outfit as someone else is rare.
With so many local, independent shops popping up around Vancouver, determination and passion are qualities The Block can attribute to their continuing success for more than eight years.
"A small business can be tough. We have stuck to our guns and continued to find new and interesting lines, while still supporting the ones we have carried for a long time. Probably the most important thing is, I love my job. We have a really happy store, and I think too often, boutiques can be too snobby or too cool for school. We like to have a good time here and help people buy great things," says MacKay.
As for Vancouverites possessing any style, MacKay definitely sees an improvement. "I see less and less tracksuits in the store these days."
For more information on The Block, please visit www.theblock.ca
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Fashion for a good cause
By Carol Liu
For one night only, Caprice Nightclub will turn into a fashion show to help raise awareness surrounding displaced children.
Vancouver Venture for Diversity Society, which deals with displaced children, used to be a government program, until its funds were cut. Now "they are stuck trying to raise money themselves," says Jason Milot, project manager for the charity fashion show.
The growing concern is that many of the children are afflicted with learning disabilities or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and proper supplies are scarce. What's even more disheartening is that 70 per cent of the children are aboriginal.
"The government just doesn't give enough money to parents to help cover the normal living expenses. Such as food and clothing," says Milot. "If the kids don't get help, they are essentially going to be put back in the system. Twenty years down the road, because the kids have a learning disability, they are going to need assistance from the government because they can't hold down a job."
Milot's devotion towards this project is comparable to a wildfire that won't die out.
"This is my baby. These kids need our help. The fashion show is just a catalyst to raise money. We have a lot of support from the MLAs and the Premier," says Milot.
According to Milot, the project is already two months ahead of where it should be.
Scotia Bank, which works with the charity, has decided to do a 50 per cent match to the amount of money being donated.
Shannon and Shauna Baker - better known as the Baker Twins - are First Nations models, who will be lending their support for the fashion show. According to Milot, they will be part of the promotional material.
Other sponsors for the show include Beauty-A-Go-Go, a hair and makeup company, who will be doing their magic on the models, and Be Creative Graphic Design, who will be designing the promotional package.
As for the clothes, Mantique, a men's and women's clothing boutique, will provide the clothes for the models to wear.
Milot, who is also the store manager of the Yaletown branch, wanted the company to be active in the community.
"We want to give back, and we want our customers to go too," says Milot.
Mantique's in-house label, Sakura, which means little flower in Japanese, will be the focal point of the women's line during the fashion show. For the men's, brand names like Guess, Penguin and Ben Sherman will be featured.
The charity fashion show will take place on Dec. 13, 2007 at Caprice Nightclub on Granville Street. For tickets or for more information, please visit any Mantique store in the Lower Mainland.
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