Latest article from Vancouver Fashion eZine - Blushing Designs

Many women dream of starting their own business. Not only has this artist achieved that, but she has successfully built a name for herself as one of Vancouver's prominent designers. Step into the world of Shelley Klassen at Blushing Designs.

What began as a love for sewing led Klassen to the Richard Robinson Academy of Design in Ottawa, which taught her the elegance of haute couture and the intricacies of pattern making. Upon graduation, she ventured on a seven-month trip to India, where she fell in love with the fabric, colours and textures of the country's traditional garments. After moving to Vancouver in 1999 and spending a year working in the costume and film industries, Klassen launched the label Blushing Designs. For close to seven years she wholesaled the label before expanding and opening her own shop doors in the summer of 2006. Known as Blushing Boutique, the garments are presented in an elegant setting in her store located at 579 Richards Street. The space is welcoming and fitted with unique, antique furniture which contributes to its stylish atmosphere.

The Blushing label is an outstanding collection of cocktail and party dresses that make the customer the belle of the ball or the spotlight of the season's social event. They are affordable, comfortable, and most importantly, wearable. The designs are feminine, classic and celebrate the female figure. Klassen doesn't want to cut a trendy line, instead she caters to women in their 30s and 40s who want to let their "girly girl out." She wants her customers to be proud of their curves and enhance the features they have. The Blushing wrap dress, a staple in any woman's closet, is easy to wear, comfortable and travels well. It sold out immediately this season prompting Klassen to do another run in four different colours and print schemes.

A recent addition to her repertoire is a new label, Shelley Klassen. This label delves into a line of very wearable separates, suiting and daywear - coordinated pieces for the office and the weekend. Both the Blushing label and the Shelley Klassen label are manufactured locally in Vancouver with colourful and textured fabrics sourced from all over the world. The designer also works with her customers to create a perfect fit, providing on-the-spot alterations and one of a kind custom pieces. Together they choose the fabric, cut and style of the garment to design something unique for a special event or a wedding.

With regular visits from high-visible customers such as television personality Erin Cebula, Klassen's designs continue to reach new audiences. It is no doubt that receiving feedback from customers who wear Blushing, such as "Never in my life have I had compliments like this," is what inspires Klassen to continue producing beautiful pieces.

For more information check out the website at www.blushingdesigns.com or stop by the store at 579 Richards Street.

The Modern Woman

What a delightful way to start a Thursday - a preview of the Vancouver Art Gallery's exhibition of The Modern Woman - drawings by Degas, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and their contemporaries, with the co-operation of the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. This is a unique opportunity, a landmark event, for us locals to experience these rare drawings as many have never travelled beyond the walls of the d'Orsay. 
Both the curator of the exhibition, Isabelle Julia, and Guy Cogeval, president of the Musee d'Orsay, were in attendance from Paris and presented the audience an overview of the collection set in the late-19th century France. This time was both fascinating and turbulent for France as it was involved in a period of social, economic and political change. It was this change which inspired French artists to take their inspirations from everyday life and experience. Modernity spread through the arts and formal portraits and landscapes were no longer convention. The drawings of the time captured honest depictions of daily life. A pure form of society in a much simpler time. Most importantly, the innovative and provocative works challenged the way women were presented as a movement away from the academic to the avant garde.
The exhibit runs until early September so I suggest you treat a dear friend to a nice afternoon "enjoying your leisure time" together.

The Dance of the Moulin Rouge, Toulouse-Lautrec 

Portrait of the Countess Anna de Noailles

Anna led an active intellectual life having wrote 

three novels, an autobiography, and many works of poetry.

Beach Scene - Boudin

Beyond the city, in the country and at new resorts.

Dance Class - Degas

Rehearsal scenes showing Degas' love for performance. 

His ballerina images and sculptures alone total over 1,500 works.

Woman Drying Neck - Degas

Looking through the keyhole of women's lives the subjects 

were in unconventional postures and unaware of the artist's gaze.

Her Hair

O fleece, that down the neck waves to the nape!
O curls! O perfume nonchalant and rare!
O ecstasy! To fill this alcove shape
With memories that in these tresses sleep,
I would shake them like penions in the air!

-Charles Baudelaire

The Burberry Trench

It was a typical day in Vancouver today - rain, rain, and more rain! Frankly, I am getting a little tired of it. Living in this city is so limiting in terms of what I can wear on a daily basis. The obvious rotation includes jeans, a wool or cashmere sweater, pashmina scarf, Hunter boots, and of course, my vintage trench. Although I really love this last piece, it's time for a change.

Originally from Spain circa 1970s and designed by Cortefiel, one of the largest fashion retailers in the region, I picked up this classic beauty from a tiny vintage store in Paris a few years ago. It's a wonderfully crafted garment incorporating warm fleece lining, a form fitted body, 3/4 length sleeves and I always get compliments on it, but I'm desiring something a little newer, something a little more modern, something a little more... Burberry!

I remember my last trip to the luxury retailer where I saw some truly exquisite pieces. Kudos to Christopher Bailey and team for creating such imaginative and inventive pieces with such a classic staple. This year's Burberry trenches feature detachable collars, luxurious furs, pleated skirts, just to name a few. I am most amenable to the double breasted fur collar trench in black. Priced at just over $2,500 CDN makes it just slightly out of reach here in Vancouver, so who knows, maybe it will be my first big purchase in London?!