Spring style, Vancouver edition

Candied delights, Parisian dreams and worldly flair—Vancouver designers bring in spring 2010

This winter hasn’t been as harsh as in the past. And I must admit, once or twice I’ve even gotten away with wearing a light jacket. Despite the mild temperatures, I know we’re all still itching for that day when we can free ourselves from our winter wardrobe and run around in our light-as-air spring wear and summer shoes! Here are my choice picks for coveted styles from local designers this season.
 

Noir Bonbon

Noir Bonbon is welcoming the warmth with sweetness. You’ll find that the pieces in the candy-inspired collection range from a muted signature black (“noir”) to cavity-inducing bright blues and pinks (“bonbon”).

The fashionable confection from Noir Bonbon combines feminine and masculine shapes in maintaining a great contemporary and versatile line. The eco-conscious, made-in-Vancouver label also uses natural fibres whenever possible, including Azo-free and pesticide-free silks, organic cotton, soy, and the biodegradable Tencel.

 

The Anise channels the sweet flavour of licorice	The bubbly Wrigley dress reminds me of my favourite chewing gum	The mouthwatering Coco dres

 

Dace

Who loves Paris in the springtime? Dace does! The Vancouver-designed and produced label is bringing the land of l’amour to us with its Spring 2010 line, inspired by Francoise Hardy, the iconic French singer and actress.

The romantic spirit of Paris is infused in each piece, while the feminine silhouettes are attributed to the soft flowy fabrics of silks and cotton-linen blends. Neutral tones of blue, khaki and off-white are mixed with brighter hues of purples and indigo.
 

Going for an evening rendezvous? The Annabella Dress will definitely make heads turn.	Sport the Coco Pants + Joelle Blouse while biking to the café.	The Lucie Dress will look great for sunny weekend excursions.

Even better? Check out these sweet numbers made from organic cotton:

The breezy Manette Dress.	The Ismay Dress has luscious texture.	The simply classic Emelle dress.

Carrying simple yet luxurious pieces, Dace is definitely all for effortless style. Jump on your moped and score a couple pieces, vite!
 

Tension Clothing

Have your luggage ready on standby! Tension, locally designed and manufactured, is giving us a whirlwind-tour in their spring/summer “Passport” Collection. Sister clothing line, Sweet Chemise, focuses more on party dresses.

 

Pulling inspirations from New York City, Paris and Tuscany, this line is a great mixture of sexy, sophisticated and classic.

Bright colours and eye-catching patterns tell a story from each city:

Bold stroke patterns in the Passport Sheath Dress echo the architecture of New York City and the famous “lines” of the Brooklyn Bridge.	The charm of Paris is found in the Journey Top, with a bricolage of texture and dazzling print.	The Avenue Dress reveals Tuscany’s warmth and beautiful hillsides in the whimsical floral pattern.

Full of key versatile pieces, Tension’s line is definitely travel-friendly and a great option for those of us who can’t afford an international shopping tour! I do hope, though, that they will start incorporating eco-friendly fabrics in the future.

 

Make sure to get started on your spring wardrobe early—the sun is already peeking out trying to get a glimpse of all you fashionable Vancouverites! Don’t let him (or her) down!
 

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Marjolyn “MJ” Ustaris is best known for mjfromaroundtheway.com, her personal blog dedicated to art, fashion and local events. She has been labelled “MJ of all Trades,” being the creative mind behind many local art and fashion events, bringing visions to life with wardrobe styling and a unique written voice.