Violet Boutique is home to your three new best friends. Their names are Suno, Fetherson and Whit. Suno is eclectic, she likes to mix prints, wears hats when she gardens and is not afraid of colour. Fetherson is outgoing and flirty – she is the type of chick that will make boys drop to their feet with her feminine dresses. Whit is a simple gal, she prefers the outdoors, is inspired by the seventies and likes to keep things clean and classic.

I had the pleasure of meeting these lovely “ladies” and a few others during their introduction at Violet. With enough treats to leave you with a sugar high, Pink champagne, and nail art by Christina Culver, the soiree was the ultimate girl’s night out.

Violet Boutique is located at 3012 Granville Street, Vancouver.

1,2. Suno, Erin Fetherson and Whit at Violet Boutique.
3. Genevieve and Stephanie of Violet Boutique.
4. Belinda and Adele Tetangco of Dace Clothing and consultant for Blank Communications.
5. Joy Pecknold, Western Editor of FASHION and Deanna Palkowski, Fashion Stylist.
6. Anya Georgijevic of I’m the It Girl and her intern, Shakeira.
7. Nicole Durnin, owner of Lynn Steven and Sunny Shum of Partly Sunny and Style Nine to Five.
8. Lisa Wong of Solo Lisa.
9. A very stylish couple – Michelle and Matt.
10. This party-goer is one of my picks for best dressed of the evening – love how she mixed prints with bold jewelry!
11. Nails by Christina Culver on FASHION’s Joy Pecknold and stylist Deanna Palkowski’s killer rings.

By: Valerie Tiu, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @valerietiu.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

September is my January. It’s that time of year when I make my style resolutions: what to keep, what to store away, and what to invest in for the upcoming season. On the top of my shopping list? Accessories – from beautiful boots to luxurious handbags, the abundance that fall has to offer are difficult to resist. Check out a few of my favourite accessory trends of the season:

1. MILITARY: The Military trend remains a top look for Fall. Look for buckles, straps and industrial detailing, like this bootie by Sam Edelman (This boot gets bonus points for being named after my home!) The Vancouver Boot ($215, available at various retailers across Canada and online).

2, 3. NATURE: Beautiful creatures and nature elements dangled from models’ ears, crept on necklines and wrists all over the fall runways. This bib necklace by Candace Ang makes a statement without looking overdressed ($185, available at Goldwyn Online).
I am a bird lover and scarf-fiend, so this piece by JUMA is a must-have on my list ($200, available online and at LynnSteven Vancouver).

4, 5. HERITAGE: Fall 2010 marks a return to the classics. Clean lines, timeless shapes, and luxurious materials hark back to the old days. Think Hermes, Mulberry and Max Mara as inspiration for this look. Until I am able to purchase a Birkin, I will settle for this purse from Urban Outfitters ($48). The classic box shape makes it easy to work into my everyday look.
Hats are the new cool. Try a wide-brimmed fedora, bowler or parlor hat like this twenties style by Brixton ($50, at 80s Purple online).

6,7. FUR/SHEARLING: Fur, faux or real, is back in a big way. Accessories with accents of fur or shearling are a great way to experiment with this trend if you aren’t quite ready to go full out and cop a coat. Urban Outfitters Faux Fur Hobo Bag ($58) and Aldo sherpa-lined clogs ($80).

8. GOTH: Skulls, skeletons and scary stuff are inspiration for the latest looks in accessory trends. Pamela Love (seen on Rumi Neely of FashionToast) creates beautiful, eyecatching pieces. Pamela Love Sterling Silver talon ring ($300, available at Obakki Vancouver and Jonathan + Olivia Toronto, and online at Net-A-Porter).

By: Valerie Tiu, Vancouver

There was no denying the ubiquitous presence of nude and blush tones on Spring runways, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, brights and neons also made a big splash. High wattage hues in every shade of the rainbow made appearances on many a recent catwalk and red carpet. In a sea of black and beige, a bold candy-coloured number is guaranteed to have all eyes on you. So go ahead and invest in a bright cocktail dress or blouse and think of it as your little secret weapon (lsw) that’s guaranteed to knock ‘em dead. Just make sure to give the said item its due credit and avoid overkill by keeping other parts of your ensemble and accessories in more neutral tones. Any true fashionista will also know to use her newfound power for good, and that means saving your lsw for parties and social functions, not an 8am boardroom meeting. Any of our picks will definitely give a shock to the system, in the best of ways.

Shopping info, left to right: BCBG ($248USD) available in stores and online. Forever 21 ($35) available in stores or online. Mason Silk Dress ($365) available in Vancouver at Holly (215-332 Water St., 604-681-8883, www.shopholly.ca).  Ella Moss ($177) available online. Mason Silk Tunic ($300) available in Vancouver at Holly. Twinkle by Wenlan ($410) available in Vancouver at Lynn Steven (225 Carral St., 604-889-0808, www.lynnesteven.com) and Mela Boutique in South Surrey (#112 2940 King George Hwy, 778-394-1887), Rachel Leigh Ring ($68) available at www.shopbop.com and in Toronto at Dew (1553 Bayview Ave., 647-436-1232), Heartstrings and Simple Chic. Plenty Frock by Tracy Reese ($395) available in Vancouver at Jules and Eve (2009 West 41st Ave., 604-569-0844, www.julesandeve.com), and in Toronto at Canopy Blue (2582 Yonge St., 416-483-2583, www.canopyblue.ca) Leigh and Harlow (634 Queen St. West, 647-430-7774, www.leighandharlow.com) and Trapeeze.

By: Chloe Berge, Vancouver

http://site.btvancouver.ca/video/?bcpid=16157553001&bclid=16349005001&bctid=70993989001

Look 1. Lingerie-inspired trend. What typically is worn in the bedroom is now worn as outwear. Keep it classy and layer under a blazer or cardy. Aritzia.

Look 2. Military trend. Utility elements are key for looking up-to-date. Love olives and khakis. Zara.

Look 3. Digital and techno prints mixed together. Twinkle dress from Lynn Steven in Gastown.

Look 4. Minimalism trend. Simple, clean and classic lines. Add thick black frames (from Bang On) and Oxford style shoes from Aldo. Club Monaco.

I wore: Vest and white tee from Club Monaco.