It’s about time you ditch that itsy-bitsy-teenie-weenie-yellow-polka-dot-bikini for something a bit more original. Swimwear companies are upping the ante when it comes to merging fashion with function, and you don’t want to be left behind. If you’re not sure where to start your search, why not try a couple of buzz-worthy ones on for size.
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North Star is set on proving that successful comebacks are not just reserved for fresh-out-of-rehab celebrities. After a 20-year hiatus the iconic sneaker line hopes to generate the same popularity today as it did in the Seventies and Eighties.
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What defines the perfect pair of shoes? Vancouver designers Damian Van Zyll De Jong and Matthew Penner think they should be unique, comfortable, lightweight, washable and capable of nixing odour-causing germs. Since launching in 2009, their Native shoes label has been selling unique sneakers all over the world. The affordable line features comfortable slip-ons in a variety of bright colours with no need for laces; the shoes are designed to naturally hug the shape of your foot.
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Check out the trailer here.

Dark wash. Medium wash. Light wash. Skinny. Straight. Bootcut. Flare. Trouser. Low rise. High rise. Basic. Sandblasted. Distressed. Ripped. Though it’s a wardrobe staple, picking the right denim can be a long, arduous task. Over the last couple of years there have been several brands that have really stood out from the masses as providers of unique premium denim.
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Our sixth in a series of six artist designed shirts is now up in our online store.

“Defense Merger” by Brian Donnelly, Available till May 1st, 2010.

Brian Donnelly is a Toronto-based artist who paints naked bodies with animal heads. His striking work can usually be seen on massive canvases in galleries around the world. Defense Merger is your chance to own a piece by Brian and wear it too!

Read more about Brian here.

Limited Edit[ion] is printed exclusively on FINN BRAND t-shirts by www.mycommunitee.com

Famously known as ahead of their time in denim designs, the small Swedish clothing line Julian Red emerged from the eclectic underground art and music scene below the streets of Sweden and is now hanging with top name designers and appearing in fashion weeks all over Europe. The men’s and women’s clothing line was named after head designer and mastermind Mattias Lind’s alter ego, Julian, who is himself based on a character from Bret Easton Ellis’ Less Than Zero, a story of a rebellious punk with a love of art, fashion and music. Red symbolizes being like no other colour and therefore is meant to mean “nothing in particular.”
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Our fifth in a series of six artist designed shirts is now up in our online store.

“Collecting Gretty Pirls” by the dark. Edition of 100, available till April 1st 2010.

the dark made a name for himself years ago by placing epic and sprawling stencils on the streets of Vancouver’s worst neighbourhoods. Tired of cutting stencils and dodging the police, the dark has moved on to photography and painting and has shown his evocative, haunting and, well… dark work in galleries all over the world.

Read more about the dark here.

Limited Edit[ion] is printed exclusively on FINN BRAND t-shirts by www.mycommunitee.com

Regardless of the city you live in, it has become increasingly difficult to weed out the bad seeds on streets littered with shoe stores claiming to offer quality footwear. Fortunately, there are a few sure-fire solutions. A visit to anyplace carrying Vancouver’s Fluevog Shoes or Dayton Boots will have your tootsies tapping happy tunes in no time.
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Stepping into Mr. Lee’s General Store and Haberdashery is like stepping into a captured moment in history. The Thirties-inspired gentlemen’s store, which is attached to a barber shop, gives the feeling of going back in time, when the focus was on giving men what they needed to be slick, stylish and suave. Large weathered cupboards and drawers display an eclectic range of goods like straight razors, hair creams, bags, sunglasses, cinnamon toothpicks and big glass jars of candy. Mr. Lee’s was opened in December 2009 by a group of three friends and is loading its shelves back up after nearly clearing out everything during Christmas. Although the store specializes in men’s needs, women will also find a fair share of unisex items. Mr. Lee’s is also your only source in Canada for Portland’s Stumptown coffee.

109 East Broadway, Vancouver
[mrleesgeneralstore.blogspot.com]
Words: Alana Turner

Haven Select is a new high-end clothing store in the heart of Gastown, steps away from the famous Gassy Jack statue. If you’re finding our recent weather too harsh to tackle, it also has an online store displaying all its products, including sale items. It couldn’t be easier. The store space itself is minimal, allowing the quality clothing to take centre stage. Haven Select features the best in men’s streetwear and active attire, including Levi’s vintage collection, Nike apparel, and Acronym. In keeping with the upcoming Olympics, Haven is launching a special capsule of products in collaboration with Maiden Noir. The collection follows the theme of “The Great North” and includes heavy flannel shirts, cotton tees, beanies and tote bags. These are a unique capsule of products to commemorate the Olympics—for information on availability, styles, and pricing check out the website below.
7 Gaoler’s Mews, Vancouver
[www.havenshop.ca]
Words: Rochelle Keenaghan

The most horrifying scenario for the fashion savvy girl? Spotting a rival within an uncomfortable distance wearing the same damn thing as her! In this case, it is time to start expanding options, and Vancouver has a lot more to offer than one may think. Designers Danny and Carla Hogg of Gentle Fawn and Heather Martin of Mono Clothing have the “think-outside-the-box” mentality for all those girls who wish to maintain their own unique style—and for the forward-looking fashionista, help prevent future face-offs from occurring.
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