Today You Are Special Boutique Opens in Gastown

• By
• Taraneh Ghajar Jerven

Image by Today You are Special
Today You Are Special stocks contemporary labels and quality vintage for Vancouver's fashion seekers

Newly opened Today You Are Special boutique specializes in contemporary looks for the carefree West Coast woman

Gastown is Vancouver’s preeminent design district and the fashion talent just keeps getting better. Designer Amaly Narong, known for her eponymous jewelry line and her stint in design at Gastown boutique Oak + Fort, recently (soft) opened independent boutique Today You Are Special at 158 Powell Street.

The designs on offer are characterized by clean lines, touches of glamour and neutral accessories – the stuff the Vancouver fashion conscious can't get enough of. Targeting women from the post-secondary to early career range, the price points remain friendly, spanning $40 to $300.The store design is also noteworthy - it's sparse and attractive - more style installation than retail shop.

The boutique joins the other Powell Street newbies including tapas bar The Sardine Can and Lily Mae’s, a comfort food joint, which, according to word on the street, will also open in July.

Window shop Today You Are Special’s offerings below. The official launch party is TBA.  

(Image: Today You Are Special)

Today stocks contemporary fashion finds such as Finders Keepers, cult-fave of the twentysomethings and thirtysomethings (pictured below).

(Image: Taraneh Ghajar Jerven)

If you haven’t heard of American Gold, it’s time to get acquainted. The California-based label is a visual representation of the American (arguably North American) spirit, with a touch of old world glamour. You're looking at a plum velvet tunic, bandito bells and lace flares (below). Other independent labels carried by Today: MINKPINK, Cameo Clothing, For Love and Lemons, Evil Twin, Black Oak Jewelry and La Fee Verte lingerie.

(Image: Taraneh Ghajar Jerven)

You’ll also find an expertly curated vintage collection, aptly named Yesterday, in a palette that any woman can easily integrate into her wardrobe. Think pastels, creams, whites and blacks.

(Image: Taraneh Ghajar Jerven)

Other fun items worth noting? Accessories buffs will appreciate Amaly’s line of hand-carved, casted and finished rings and bullet casing pendants. There are also fun, geometric statement pieces by Vancouver jewelry designers Army of Rokosz and Broken Promises (pictured below, right).

(Images: Taraneh Ghajar Jerven / Today You Are Special)

I have a handbag addiction so I’m particularly taken by the (handy) Baggu minimalist mini bags and totes.

If you’re the girl who’s always trying to find the perfect scent, but sick of flowery perfumes, try CB I Hate Perfume’s line of alcohol-free water and oil perfumes (pictured above, left). Fragrance becomes an adventure to the destination of your choice (winter 1972, a Jean Cocteau film, a cedar wood forest) as opposed to getting locked into a florist’s shop.