The personal delivery this week of 45 individually numbered Love Jules Leather boat shoes to on W. 4th is just one of the charming reasons the Whistler-based leather duo has such a loyal following. That and the fact that Julia Jules Vagelatos happens to be one of those artists you just want to know. With each hand-made piece taking upwards of 12 hours to complete, the leatherworker and her partner Josh Blodans effortlessly craft hot commodities. Born and raised in Vancouver, and influenced by their Whistler surroundings, the designers source local materials to meld traditional leather craft with stunning contemporary design. The Love Jules Leather X Sitka boat shoe, $200 at Sitka while supplies last; Lovejulesleather.com. Darby Magill photo
For every 500 of these water bottles sold, one water well can be drilled in Africa under a new program launched by the Obakki Foundation. Obakki partnered with bkr (pronouced beaker) to develop a 500 ml reusable glass water bottle with a sleek silicone sleeve. The bottles retail for $40 each and 100 per cent of the proceeds of each purchase will be used by the Obakki Foundation to provided education and clean water for communities in Africa. Until this fall, the bottles are available only at Obakki.com.
Vancouvers Lifetime Collective is ready to take on the world. On Feb. 28, it launched LifetimeCollective.com as a new web store that entertains browsers as they shop. High on the sites hit list will be the newly-released global spring/summer 2012 collection. Founders Reid Stewart and Trevor Fleming say, With clothing as the main focus, Lifetime is inspired by the communities we live in, the places we travel to, and the curious characters that surround us. It is a family-spirited operation receptive to ideas that are shifting and paths that are twisting. More than a brand of lifestyle, Lifetime is defined by the changes that occur and the creative ways we adapt.
Icebreaker TouchLab is launching the new spring/summer Black Sheep collection of clothing made from exceptionally fine merino wool, grown in New Zealands rugged Southern Alps.The collection is part of Icebreakers new Journeys range of soft, lightweight tees, sweaters, dresses and cover-ups. (Icebreaker.com, 2089 W. 4th at Arbutus).
J. Crew, the iconic American fashion retailer, will open a two-floor store at 1088 Robson. It will carry the J.Crew womens collection and, for the first time in Canada, its highly coveted mens collection, including the Ludlow suit and 484 and Wallace & Barnes Japanese selvedge denim. A curated collection for women promising everyday designs along with Italian cashmere, weekend, outerwear, handbags, belts, jewelry and shoes will mix with limited edition pieces from the Collection label.
