Have a little heart....

FUSS scarves are made from a single twisted thread (one ply) of merino wool yarn, are double, and are bouncy!  They are sold at some of the best design shops in Denmark, and now they are sold in Urbanity.  $145 for a very special scarf for either him or her.  Karen, the designer, also designs cushions and throws.  Please do look at her website.  Her marketing is tops.  Of course that is why she is in prestigeous places.

Oleana blankets for those you love

The Globe and Mail has featured a beautiful Oleana blanket in their Valentines Day Gift Guide this weekend. This kind of editorial is invaluable for a small independant shop like Urbanity, and I have made sure that I have linked my Toronto client to this opportunity through my rep website www.oleana.ca. Blankets are for those you love -- starting with yourself!

It is only two weeks since I was in Toronto at the IDS12 where I gave out 1000 cards to prospective clients and customers.  Once again the event was fun and productive.

Last Sunday morning I was in Copenhagen having brunch with friend before heading out to the last afternoon at the Fashion Fair.  I found some fabulous small companies to buy from.  The fair was for next winter's collections, but I did also find a few summer items to supplement the collections I have already ordered.

I arrived  back at Urbanity on Thursday to see that my neighbour shop is up for rent.  Babs has decided to focus on an on-line business and is looking for somebody to take over her lease asap.   I very much hope that a complimentary shop moves in.   I am somewhat shaken by this turn of events, as I have heard that a Pizza Slice shop is pressuring the landlord.  (note, the link to respond to this post is julia@urbanity.ca)

A princess in the crowd

Can you find the Princess in the crowd at Gallery?  There was a bit of a buzz at the Fair when Princess Mary came to look at the new Winter Collections at Gallery, one of four places where Copenhagen fashion week is taking place.  I will give you a hint, she is wearing green!
We are having a great time finding some amazing treasures and wonderful designs to bring to Urbanity for next Winter.

Time Zones

Many of you will remember the fabulous exhibition Oleana had at the Pendulum Gallery in September 2009.  Six 'stories' were created by Solveig Hisdal for the exhibition--large panels showing the inspiration for the Oleana designs over the years.  I have taken the images and created 6 cards. The stories are now on the back.  They make the most wonderful note/greeting cards. They are now for sale in Urbanity.
Come in and see the OLEANA spring designs - reserve your choice early!



PLEASE NOTE:
We will be closed on January 25, 30, 31 & February 1, 6, 7, 8.
Urbanity is OPEN on January 26, 27, 28, 29 & February 2, 3, 4, 5.
Back to normal from February 9th

Sue Hiley Harris workshop and lecture.  You are welcome to join us for the Sue Hiley Harris lecture, and you can also join the workshop.  We have one, maybe two places left.  We are also trying to set up a two-day workshop on Salt Spring Island. Please look at www.urbanity.ca/SueHileyHarris.htm - the page gets updated as there is more information.  

Its Now or Never

Those of you who subscribe to my newsletter will know that we have reduced the prices on some items in the shop--designs and lines that we will not be reordering.  If you subscribe to Facebook or Twitter, you will see that my newsletter gets posted there automatically when it is sent out to the list of subscribers.
In week 4 I will be going to Toronto to show the Oleana blankets at the Interior Design Show - IDS12.  I am on a stand with 4 other Norwegian companies -- an opportunity created by the Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa, and Innovation Norway.  We are on stand 1416 - INSIDENORWAY
From Toronto, I will go to Copenhagen where Copenhagen Fashion Week will be taking place.  Our opening hours will be changed during my absence -- more info in the next blog post.
The Spring/Summer Oleana designs are available for a sneak preview in the shop, and soon will be posted on the Oleana website.  You can see a glimpse at www.oleana.no.  If you read Norwegian, you might like to read the article on Alpaca on the news page.

McVerdi

Somebody asked me today about the designer of McVerdi.  Here she is, Lotte Honore, with her daughter at the Copenhagen Fashion week in August 2010.  McVerdi was born in 1985 in Copenhagen.
We still have a very few coats and dresses available.

An exciting New Year!

The nicest things often do come in small packages.  I received a paper gingham envelope serged around the edges containing a Christmas Greeting  from Pernilla Svenre.  She is celebrating her 15th anniversary this year, and it is 15 years since I first visited her stand at the Copenhagen Fashion fair at the beautifully renovated Øksnehallen (literally "cow hall").  The building was used for 150 years as the meat market.  The Danes are masters at converting very old buildings into new spaces.  I am very excited to be going to the Fashion Fair in Copenhagen in February.

Back to Pernilla's envelope -- it had a fabulous stamp on it with a drawing of a knitted scarf, honouring age old traditions of patterned knitting.  You can click on the image to get a larger view.




I am taking the Oleana Blankets to the IDS12 in Toronto at the end of January.  This time we will be on a Norwegian Stand.  It is going to be a grand affair!  More about that later.

Since moving to Granville Street I have experimented with buying designs from new lines.  Some of these have proven to be a real hit, like the McVerdi collection of coats and dresses.  We have reduced prices on items that are no longer in production, or that we will not reorder -- like this IVKO cardigan made from pure merino wool.

We are still receiving winter designs from OLEANA.

This is going to be an exciting OLEANA year!  The new factory will open to celebrate their 20th anniversary in September, and there will be another Jubilee Collection!


Before I go, I would like to tell you about a guest I will have at the end of February -- she will be offering a lecture, and a workshop (or maybe two).  She is a very special person, and an exceptional artist.  You can read more here: www.urbanity.ca/SueHileyHarris.htm

Best wishes for 2012, and I we look forward to seeing you soon!!

Julia and Lisa