Lily + Jae and (212)

Spring fashion collections have always been synonymous with all that is super sweet: from baby doll dresses to bubble skirts, to an abundance of frou frou patterns. This year, however, fashion has a brand new outlook on femininity. Gone are the days of box-like, shapeless silhouettes. Instead, Spring ‘09 calls for mixing, borrowing from the boys and creating effortless looks that remain functional.

Enter Vancouver’s own Lily + Jae, whose very name reflects the relationship between the masculine and feminine. In the words of designer Judith Feller, ”It’s the tomboy flirting with the idea of being girly… boyish silhouettes with hidden details [are mixed with] vintage silhouettes paired with cute prints.”

No-fuss natural fibres like cotton, lightweight denim, cotton jersey and terry make up the base of Lily + Jae’s collection. “We’ve also recently moved onto working with more mature materials such as silks, wools and organic cottons,” says Judith, ”You will rarely find a synthetic material in the line.”

These unique elements stem from Feller’s own creative experiences. She was raised by an artist, has previously worked in film and television designing costumes, and was known to change her clothes “at least five times a day” in her childhood. Lily + Jae arose out of Feller’s need for functional, casual yet detail-oriented clothing.

The line has evolved since it launched as a nine-piece collection in Spring ‘07. This year, Feller has designed her largest collection to date: 32 pieces. Her practical, yet intricate clothing has become a staple of Vancouver fashion.

But what about the boys, you ask? Look no further than Gastown’s (212), a label that brings trendy New York style for both men and women to the forefront. This retailer houses its own private label in addition to urban designers like Interlude, Odyn Jeans and menswear by Shades of Greige and Rise & Fall. (212) is all about effortless dressing, an aesthetic that is sure to appeal to the Vancouver crowd.

The store is the creative collaboration of Anthony Castro and Scott Walhovd. “I wanted to bring something new and refreshing to Vancouver that was different from the staple, unchanging fashion that currently was available,” says Scott.

Anthony attributes his interest in fashion to his youth in New York. “Growing up in the East Village in New York City, it was so vibrant and inspiring that clothing for me was a blank canvas where I [could] express what I was feeling at the time. Vancouver is a vibrant city with lots of artistic ambience.”

For Spring ‘09, (212) is preaching youthful and effortless style in natural and luxurious materials. “It’s light and airy with classic silhouettes of American sportswear,” says Anthony. “The collection consists of beautiful muted florals and colours pertaining to spring and summer.”

After a mere four seasons in the business, (212) is expanding rapidly. It recently launched into wholesale and plans are in the works for a full fledged lifestyle brand. According to Castro, “Pretty much, the sky is the limit.”

Lily + Jae is available online and at various boutiques around North America. Visit (212) online or at 454 West Cordova St. in Gastown.

www.lilyandjae.com
www.twoonetwo.net

Words: Valerie Tiu
Photography: Kyla Hammelgarn
Styling: Toyo Tsuchiya