Dear Moms:

There’s no need to swap a stylish wardrobe for one designed around flexibility and durability, you can have both.  Here are three must have items that will keep you looking and feeling your best through motherhood.

The Tunic Dress: Exclusively tweaked for The Velvet Room’s clientele, The “Jillian” dress by Broken Doll Clothing, offers clients a flattering, versatile dress that is both casual and formal enough to wear to any event.  Teamed up with leggings, boots or flats it’s comfy at its best!  (shown on the left, sized S-XL, available in purple/black or grey/blue combination, $134.00)

This dress offers a flattering boat neck bodice with 3/4 length sleeves in the comfort of an eco-fabric.  Small gathers at the front allow the fabric to drape over post baby bumps while a thin block of colour creates a waistline (if yours is still in hiding).  The bamboo/blend fabric is durable and will last through the tugs, pulls and spills of young children.  Did we mention that it’s washable?

The Hilary Dress: It’s natural for your body to change shape, so if your chest is fuller and your stomach isn’t as flat as it used to be, fear not, the Hilary dress by Narcissist will help you embrace your new figure.  A “go anywhere” type of dress, the bodice has plenty of room for the girls, and a deep V-cut which is very flattering and not too revealing.  The high waistband is right where you want it and the ruching on the top and bottom of the bodice discreetely hides any motherly bumps or bulges.  (Shown on the right, sizes XS-XL, purple, wrinkle free, easy care)

The Harlem Bag: Incredibly stylish with a simplistic design the Harlem bag is a smart investment piece and will last from toddlers to teenagers.  It’s the perfect bag for a busy Mom who wants to retain her peace of mind and fashion savvy image.  The Harlem is the signature bag of Bronsino  made by Denis Wilson of Vancouver.  Light weight, with an over the shoulder option it has many compartments with easy access for the cell, keys and change and still has plenty of room to add a snack, toy or diaper.  (Italian calf skin, various colours, shown in grey, $440.00)

Available at:

The Velvet Room Boutique

Boudoir shoptalk for more fall fashions!

Narcissist has settled comfortably into it’s Gastown digs at #307 – 318 Homer Street on the corner of Homer and Cordova.  To carry the Narcissist line in your boutique or shop by appointment call 604-877-1555.

Beezum is shining the spotlight on one of Vancouver’s jewellery designer, the talented Andrea Halvorsen of Silver Trumpet.

“If you feel you have something to offer, go for it. It’s not a competition, there’s no need to compare yourself or feel intimidated. Be who you are, be unique. Be confident and believe in yourself..”

- Andrea Halvorsen, Silver Trumpet

“Andrea is passionate about her work and her enthusiasm has definitely rubbed off onto us! Whether you design jewellery or not, anyone who has the guts to start their own business and do something they absolutely enjoy, is truly an inspiration.”

- Priscilla Phan, co-founder of OhKuol jewellery boutique.

Goddess of the Vineyard Cameo

B: What inspired you to start Silver Trumpet?

A: My love of tradition, which I feel is becoming lost in today’s world. I am happy if I can spark old memories or make connections between generations.  The line seems to be appreciated by all ages and I am so happy to see this. I was trying to figure out a way to express my love for things like afternoon tea, beautiful vintage clothing, and grandmother’s jewelry box. All the things you have loved and treasured in your life, the textures and colour and antiquity. I realized jewelry would be the medium.

B: What do you enjoy best about being a jewellery designer?

A: The chance to have an opportunity and time to express my creativity has been a blessing.

B:  How would you describe your collection in two sentences?

A: Silver Trumpet jewelry combines a fascination for all things vintage, with a love for femininity and fresh ideas. From porcelain to cameos, vintage glass to  antique buttons, Silver Trumpet takes inspiration from the past and creates new, revived and unique pieces of jewelry.

B: Is there a significance in the name ‘Silver Trumpet’?

A: I grew up playing classical trumpet with a passion. I was challenged from childhood by serious anxiety and depression, and I moved to Edinburgh in my early twenties, hoping the mood would not follow me there. To earn some of the money to do so, I had to sell my precious silver trumpet. On arrival to the UK I missed my music. Coincidentally, I found an ad in the paper for auditions to a chamber orchestra. My dad sent me my brass trumpet in the post. I ended up having the best experiences with music I have ever had. I think of my silver trumpet as the catalyst for a period of my life where I was free of darker days.

The jewelry design is now another good space for me, the benefits genuinely help me through the same challenges with my mental health. It frees my mind. I truly believe that having a passion (of any kind) and pursuing it is hugely therapeutic.

B: What is the most challenging part about being a designer and how do you overcome these challenges?

A: Not having had any formal training, I’ve taught myself. I continue to put all I have into it and learn as I go.  Patience and perseverance have kept me going.  It has been a huge learning curve with some bumps along the way. For myself the challenges have to do with keeping myself healthy so that I can offer my best self, and my best work, as much as possible.

B: What advice could you offer up and coming artists?

A: Don’t doubt yourself! If you feel you have something to offer, go for it. It’s not a competition, there’s no need to compare yourself or feel intimidated. Be who you are, be unique. Be confident and believe in yourself.  I’m going to put that on my bathroom mirror!

B: Where could we find your collection in Vancouver?

A: At the moment I offer my pieces at 7 wonderful stores!

Barefoot Contessa 3715 Main Street

Barefoot Contessa 1928 Commercial Dr

OhKuol 2439 Granville St at Broadway

House of Jewels 953 Nicola Street in the West End

Forsya Boutique 2206 Main St (at 7th)

Tait Boutique 330 Cordova St Gastown

My Best Friend’s Closet 3190 Cambie Street

B: As a designer, where do you like to shop?

A: Window shop would be a better term.

It feels digitally (wd?) to say, but Itunes. Music is the best purchase I can make if I have extra (<-rare) money to spend. Working to music is fantastic. (the new Arcade Fire has inspired me so much who knows what I will do next!)

I love Purr on South Granville for clothes, and Little Miss Vintage on Commercial Drive.

I love The Regional Assembly of Text on Main Street, the selections of writing by local artists are so much fun to read I could stay in there all day. So good.

For wonderful antique hunting experiences, Salmagundi’s Antiques in Gastown is a favourite old haunt of mine, and Village Antiques Mall in Fort Langley. (worth the trip, I think they even serve pie. And it’s my home town .

Beezum would like to thank Andrea for answering our questions and sharing her insights!

Hope you all enjoyed our special feature, until next time!

Come in and take advantage of the amazing Summer Sale with an additional 10% discount on all sale merchandise.   This includes items from Mink Pink, Eight Sixty, BCBG Generation, T-Los Angeles, 212, Gold Hawk, Covet, Habitual, J Brand, and many more!

Vancouver’s rapidly growing fashion scene brings an increase in both employment and self-employment.  Interested in becoming a designer, retail manager, merchandiser or image consultant?  Do you want to explore options in fashion photography, journalism, marketing, PR and media?  Topics include:  Career mapping, entrepreneurship options, interning, mentoring programs and continuing education.  Meet industry leaders and hear their stories.

Explore fashion careers at a 1 day seminar with Deborah Richardson – designer, entrepreneur and business mentor.

Langara College   (course # 70464)

Saturday September 25th 2010 from 1000-1600

$69.00

The days are getting shorter and the evenings cooler here in Vancouver so it is now time for prices to get a lot lower!  At least temporarily.  With the Labour Day long weekend approaching, we’re quickly preparing the boutique for a full on turnover to fall fashions!  From now until September 3rd join DuJour for a final summer clearance and receive 40-80% off of all summer dresses in store. To sweeten the deals in store, you’ll also get 40% off (or more) on gowns outerwear, select handbags and accessories.  *excluding new fall arrivals; open regular boutique hours.

At the end of the sale we’ll say goodbye to the summer and welcome FALL with open arms, warmer clothing and a couple more layers.

Take a sneak peak at Fall.

Make it a staple in your wardrobe.  No really, the new ‘Staple’ collection goes by the saying ‘Extraordinary in the Ordinary’ and we believe it!  These modern and simple, yet classy silhouettes are a must have for the fall season.  With endless possibilities in how they can be worn, here are a few pointers:  enjoy a day out by pairing them with your boots; or, rock them for a night out with the girls by pairing them with a pair of sexy booties.  The possibilities are endless.

Limited time offer 40% Off Spring 2010 Coral Moon Necklace Sets and Earrings!

Style Tip:  Don’t be afraid to embrace the long necklace!  Long necklaces create a slimming look and divert the eye.  They create height in an outfit and slim out a round or square shaped face wonderfully.  Chose a necklace long enough to double or triple around the neck.  Wrapping it several times around the neck creates various lengths to cover an over exposed neckline or bits you want to hide.

We suggest avoiding overstated earrings when wearing large statement pieces.  If you must add an earring chose complimenting colors with a modest sized simple style.  Try teaming up summer jewelery like turquoise stones with a beige or brown sheath dress and red accessories.  You can also try putting lilac colored jewels with eggplant tops or dresses or dark forest greens.  All of these colors will transfer over into fall.

The Velvet Room Boutique at 2248 W 41st Ave. in Kerrisdale