Already, I must admit, my mind has been doing a little springtime fantasy shopping.  Maybe it’s my upcoming trip to California (just 2 more sleeps now!), or maybe it’s all the blogsphere banter about a recession-driven return to simpler more refined styles, but I’ve been coveting the classics.  This spring, there seems to be no better bet for me than a timeless trench coat, so I will keep my eyes peeled for one that will last long into the future.

“It’s best to build a wardrobe of beautifully made basics and investment pieces”, they say, “then, add personality with accessories.” 

Well this year, more than many before, this sage style advice seems to really resonate.   While recently perusing some of my favourite shop stops on the Internet, I came across this versatile Elizabeth and James version, and it has captured my imagination.  Not only does this put together piece appear to serve its primary purpose very well, this little number can also make the switch from bad-ass bolero to sweet sleeveless dress in no time flat.  How cool is that?

Elizabeth and James Trench, from Net-a-Porter.com

So, while I am West, I will be watching carefully.  In the meantime, here are a few springtime inspired outfit options…

Casual Saturday by Kitelove featuring Forever21 bracelets

Serious Business by Kitelove featuring Elizabeth and James outerwear

Classic Glam by Kitelove featuring Elizabeth and James outerwear

Tres Chic by Kitelove featuring Elizabeth and James outerwear

Out and About by Kitelove featuring Bottega Veneta bags

Working with freshwater pearls, semi-precious gems, foiled glass, Swarovski crystals, and sterling silver among other things, this local entrepreneur has been hand-crafting and selling one-of-a-kind pieces for over 5 years.   Recently, Walker-Khoury expanded into the area of custom bridal jewellery, and has helped more than a dozen soon-to-be betrothed ladies express their personal style on their wedding day.  Currently, Frash Femme is  available online and at Victoire, one of Ottawa’s most established and popular Indie boutiques.

As it turns out, Isobel Walker-Khoury is what I once heard referred to as an  “embedded creative”,  which means that she spends her most productive hours in a job completely unrelated to her deepest passion or true talents.  It also means that she – like me – harbours some pretty serious escape fantasies.  So, given this most interesting added twist,  I set out to find out more about a fellow cubicle dweller with creative ambitions! 

In short, here is a bit of what I learned about Isobel…

Hometown?  I was born in Red Deer, Alberta and lived in Edmonton until 1989 when I moved to Ottawa.  I  have loved it ever since.

Occupation? Public Servant/Indie Jewellery Designer

Passions?  Fashion, designing jewellery, mid -century modern furniture and films.

I am at my best when…   I have had a really good sleep, or a nice hot drink and some new jewellery supplies.

Wildest dream?   To travel around the world (literally) and sell my jewellery out of a backpack.

Most treasured belongings?  A vintage Eames side chair that I restored myself. 

source

Perfect day?  A long day of making jewellery, while watching great films and munching on my mums mac & cheese.

Childhood ambition?  To be a writer.

What do you talk about most?    Fashion, love, films, and of course, my aspirations!

Can’t live without?   My cats, my husband and Value Village (not necessarily in that order!).

Favourite colours?  Aqua and hot pink.

What impresses you?    A unique fashion sense.  It really doesn’t matter what size a person is, if they have a unique style that suits them, I find it very sexy.

Where do you feel most at home and why?   I feel at home at Chapters.  You can find me there at least once a week flipping through books and magazines looking for inspiration. And, my non-fat decaf Caramel Macchiato is never far!

Where do you find inspiration?   Films, magazines, and my friends.

What recommendations can you make for eating, shopping, and having fun here in O-town?

Eating?   Totoya Sushi restaurant  on Dalhousie.  It has an amazing sushi pizza and the best all you can eat deal!  

Also, I can’t lie.  I am a sucker for the Wendy’s JR Bacon Cheeseburger. ( And – yes – I dip my fries in my frosty!).

Shopping?  Value Village, Victoire,  and the Ladyfest Ottawa craft shows.

All around fun?    Movies at the Bytowne Cinema and the Canadian Film Institute.  And,  I love having Rock Band parties!

It is still a bit hard for me to believe, but my closet was actually built custom.  Talk about every girl’s dream come true!  Prior to moving in, storage of any kind in this house was nonexistent, so it really was a necessary addition.  Fitted with shelves, drawers and an accessories rack it has a place for everything.

Would you believe then, that after more than a year of living here, I still don’t have it organized?  Even after I threw a bona fide hissy fit explaining to the the fella that a girl should not have to share – I’ve left it chaotic and crammed.  This beautiful closet – in its current state – is not worthy of so much as a matched hanger.  Shame on me!

So tomorrow, I will take it on.

Not only do I have visions of a systematic arrangement of wardrobe essentials – punctuated of course with a few spectacular special pieces – I want a closet with personality.  I want a closet where I can see what I’m looking for and where I can spend a little time.  One that is feminine, fun and fabulous, and one that inspires just that little bit of extra effort when getting dressed.   And, I hope it ends up being just a little bit like me: sufficiently cluttered so as to not limit creativity, but adequately ordered to ensure efficiency.

Here are a a few that have stirred my closet cravings…

Collage images via Domino, Design-59 & Brilliant Asylum

While I do love to scrounge around at the local Sally Ann or Value Village in the hopes of scoring a find, there is really something to be said for taking a more civilized approach.  Rather than suffering bright lights and sifting through the racks, the little girlaboutOtown and I had a lovely morning browsing in the warm glow of the sun, surrounded by the sounds of Jack Johnson singing softly in the background, and indulging in some seriously sweet treats.  All of this, and we were presented a spectacular selection of top notch vintage pieces, lovingly curated and displayed with careful attention to detail.

Legendary in local circles for her vintage clothing collection, Harris was trying out the “trunk show” concept following the recent closure of her Ottawa Antique Market store.  With considerable stock still in storage, and plans to continue selling her wares at various antique and vintage clothing shows, Harris was looking to  reduce her inventory to a more manageable and moveable size.  Lucky for us! The variety of clothing, jewellery, and accessories was impressive, and the prices were downright fabulous…

It is clear that Harris loves her work, and is deeply committed to the ‘rescue’ of top quality, finely crafted, beautifully preserved iconic wardrobe pieces.  This was no traveling trunk of junk.  Instead, Harris made it super easy for vintage fanatics, shopaholics and fashionistas alike by offering up the good stuff.  From refined sweaters and scarves to elegant dresses and coats, it was hard not to “ooo” and “ah” aloud while taking each and every timeless piece out to admire, even when there was no chance it was going to fit. 

In any event, it seems to this girlaboutOtown that Harris’ trunk sale was a total success.  In addition to the Harris team of friendly (and very well dressed) helpers, there were plenty of people enjoying this uncommon occasion who obviously appreciate the appeal of vintage fashion.   The dressing room was permanently occupied, the racks were constantly replenished, and the spirit of cooperation was tangible.  I, for one, hope this first was not the last!

For more about Mary Ann Harris, check here. To find out more about upcoming shows and events, join her new Ottawa Vintage Fashion News Facebook group.

Vintage Rage announcement courtesy of Mary Ann Harris, photo collage by me.

Well, here is the official update.  Just this morning, the Canada Post man dropped off my new pair of Sigerson Morrison Belle 5700’s from Gravity Pope in Calgary!  “Good grief” some may be thinking, “what’s the big deal?”. 

I cannot tell you how happy these make me!  It has been over two years since I ran across this pair of boots in a magazine, and ever since, I have not been able to find anything even remotely close.  I have considered countless stand-ins, but could never quite get this pair out of my head. 

Even when I found them last fall, I hesitated.  The price just seemed to exorbitant given the state of the world, and I had trouble rationalizing their purchase, in spite of my vintage living philosophy and my strong conviction that I would love them forever.  I was resigned to the fact that I might never satisfy my boot related longing.

Then, on a wishful whim, I happened into the Gravity Pope e-store just after Christmas.  I was thrilled to find my beloved boots on sale!  I did a double take, and immediately went elsewhere on the Internet to compare prices.  Indeed, I discovered they could still be found at Revolve, Zappos and Net-a-Porter, some even at a discount, but nowhere could I locate my size.  Once again, I lamented, I had missed the “boot boat”.

So, revisiting Gravity Pope once again, I bit the (boot) bullet and submitted my request for a size check (this fantastic shoe retailer makes their stock available online, but their e-store and real store inventory are not yet in sync).   Fast forward 24 hours and lo and behold, my size 8’s had been put on hold for a whole week.  After more than two years of imaginary outfits and missed occasions, I had been granted another week just to be sure!  I canvassed friends, and re-read my old posts.    I tallied my Christmas bills, double checked E-Bay, and even called customer service at Gravity Pope to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.  In the end, I accepted my fate, filled in my payment details, took a deep breath and just hit send on my keyboard. 

Today, they came.  As I unpacked the box (a really nice box BTW), I was anxious.  I have not previously spent so much of my hard earned coin on footwear, and I worried maybe they wouldn’t be the right colour, or their construction would let me down, or worst of all – they wouldn’t fit.  Well, my concerns vanished as soon as I slipped them on. They fit wonderfully and are unbelievably beautiful.  Once I’ve done due diligence – by reinforcing the sole and protecting them from the elements, I will wear them with attitude and gratitude for a long time to come!

These are my forever boots.

Here are a few of the outfit options I’ve been dreaming about…

Saturday boots by Kitelove

Working Lunch by Kitelove 

In the Office by Kitelove 

Dinner Date by Kitelove

However, there is some evidence this may be changing.  While utterly unscientific, promising signs have been observed that this uncommon population may be on the rise.

On the street, an increasing number of grown up men appear to be emerging unafraid to express a bit of personality through their sartorial selections. Starched shirts, sharp ties and smart shoes have also been spotted.

This trend might be attributed to a more “conservative” context here in town, or it could be the result of some kind of generational or demographic shift. 

Regardless of its cause, the effect is downright positive!    

Lets face it – grown up men walk a fine line. Those who walk it well stand out. 

For most women, there is nothing less attractive in a man than obsessive vanity, but slovenly nonchalance is equally unacceptable. 

Stuck somewhere between a deep fear of  fashion and the everyday necessity of getting dressed to go to work in a town where its casual Friday every day, too many men fall back on their chinos.  The golf shirts demand no thought or foresight and the sport coats are an effortless accompaniment.  In some locations, white socks and baseball hats are de rigueur, and suits are reserved for “the suits”.  Unfortunately, once these unspoken dress codes are established by a group of men, their patterns are difficult to break – especially if left to their own devices. 

(Hint: The girlaboutotown style council reports that typically, it is at the early stages of mating that these behaviours can be most successfully influenced.  Later on in a partnership may be too late!) 

Anyway, I count myself fortunate to call a few of Ottawa’s best dressed men my friends (you know who you are!). 

These are not business heroes, movie stars or famous politicians, and they’re not made of money.  Instead, these are great guys who take care with their appearance without taking themselves too seriously, and who make sure their outside look matches what they’re feeling inside.

I congratulate these men for raising the bar… and encourage the rest of Ottawa’s male population to follow their fine example!

For more details on “how to”, check out these basic men’s style rules from a trusted source on the subject: Holt Renfrew.

Images from from The Sartorialist, selected as one of Time Magazines’s Top 100 Design Influencers. 

Image credit:  Ottawa Sun Photo Gallery

For those who find themselves more than a few years into cubicle based careers, it is at the very least encouraging – if  not inspiring – to see a generation of young and energetic creatives refuse to fit into the box.  Instead, these driven few have turned their passion into real life work right here in O-town,  and they have taken the initiative to just get started, in spite of the skeptics.

No doubt there will be growing to do and some very real kinks to iron out, but these aspiring designers, stylists, photographers and models should be congratulated  for their courage.  Far from being foolhardy, this  savvy crowd understands that fashion and design can offer creative types the opportunity to develop legitimate – even lucrative – careers while all the while contributing to the economic, social and  cultural fabric of a community. 

This recent interactive photo essay from the New York Times takes viewers on a tour of Fashion Weeks from around the world, and suggests very clearly that any effort to put Ottawa on the style map will ultimately benefit us all.  From Buenos Aires to Berlin and from Singapore to Sao Paulo, cool cities are building their brands by supporting their creative economies.  We in O-town should do the same!

For more on Ottawa’s fashion scene, check out:

OTTAWA FASHION WEEK
CAPITAL FASHION WEEK
OTTAWA START FASHION GUIDE

THE DINNER JACKET

And of course, read up regularly on Ottawa’s fashion blogs, listed right here on the girlaboutOtown blogroll!

I know there are way more important things going on in the world these days, but this girlaboutOtown just can’t help herself… 

I came across the Sigerson Morrison Belle 3259’s in a magazine a few years back, and have three separate tear sheet photos of them stuck to my bulletin board.  You can even catch a glimpse on the girlaboutOtown header!  I have been beyond obsessed.   Aren’t they beautiful?  

Anyway, by the time I clued in, they were nowhere to be found.  They were gone.  Sold out.  Vanished. 

I gave up and began searching for a reasonable facsimile.   I perused Zappos, Piperlime, Revolve, Bluefly, Urban Outfitters, Net-a-Porter and even Ebay in vain.  I bought a pair of Neptunes from Michael Kors last year, but had to return them.  Recently, I thought I had finally come to the end of my epic search, but had to leave Holt Renfrew empty handed and disappointed after finding this pair from MIchael Kors. They would have done nicely, but for some reason my left foot didn’t fit (I will spare details here). 

I have also done due diligence, and considered my vintage options.  I checked out the the Chatte Bottée Vintage Shoe Shopping Party held earlier this fall at Byward Market boutique Victoire and  have been shopping furiously on Etsy, which has a surprisingly amazing selection of vintage footwear.

What’s more, I actually need a pair of boots at this point.   

So imagine my shock when I came across these Sigerson Morrison Belle 5700’s just the other day.  

Earlier this week, a friend of mine broadcast a message to her female board of advisors looking for directions to a renowned Calgary shoe mecca.  Not remembering the store’s name, she surveyed her style savvy friends, hoping at least one might be able to provide specifics.  Sure enough, one thing led to another, and I there I was online shoe surfing at the Gravity Pope e-store, the fabulous web location for the same place I frequented this past summer. 

It seems Sigerson Morrison has brought these beautiful boots back, but doubled the investment.  Apparently, I can get them now - in Canadian dollars – and have them next week.  All I need to do in exchange is hand over $655 of my hard earned bones.  Yikes. 

So far, its near consensus among those I’ve consulted… 

“Get the boots”  they say, “you’ve been obsessed for 2 years!”. 

“Cheap is expensive in the long run” they remind me, “there is no doubt you’ll love them forever.” 

“You and your vintage living philosophy…your little girlaboutOtown will want to wear them as soon as they fit!”.

So now, I propose to survey my own style savvy advisory board….

What is your vote?

Featuring photography from creative collaborators John Smith, Lindsay Ralph, and Dan Ziemkiewicz, their inaugural effort is focused on vintage clothing, and profiles well known local dealer Mary Ann Harris of the Ottawa Antique Market, among others.  Well hello there!

Resolved to put Ottawa on the style map, they have challenged us all to “throw off our Smart Set blazers in exchange for a dinner jacket”. 

I, for one, applaud them! 

Aside from free parking and admission, this first ever event promised plenty of independent fashion, one-of-a-kind jewellery design and vintage clothing from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto vendors. Thankfully, it did not disappoint. 

Absent were the harried crowds you might have encountered at the other big consumer event of the weekend, the Capital Fall Home Show.  No aisles congested with enormous strollers, no heavy plastic bags filled with boring brochures, and no cheese ball expert seminars!  Instead, the Capital Clothing Show offered a relaxed atmosphere and an eclectic mix of stylish and unique wares.  Far from intimidating, there truly was something for everyone – from the old school to the fashion forward…

To a keen observer though, it was clear that tastes were skewed in favour of the vintage clothing and estate jewellery, with elegant, effortless and enduring pieces garnering the most attention from Ottawa style seekers.   Hardly boring or predictable, the appeal of restrained, ladylike attire can be so quietly sexy, and so very difficult to resist! 

Visitors to the show were mostly women, ranging in age and maturity from the young and trendy to the timeless and classic.  Regardless of experience however, all were decidedly well dressed – proving again that in Ottawa, where there is supply, there is demand.