Yuletide opening hours at Urbanity

Urbanity's normal hours are:

Tuesday - Saturday: 11-18

Sunday:  noon -17

Monday:  closed

Yuletide hours this year are:

Open Monday Dec. 24: 

11am - 3pm

Closed Dec. 25 & 26, 31 & Jan 1

We will serve gløgg and goodies on Saturday, December 22nd.  We look forward to seeing you.

Busy December

We were so excited by this wonderful dress from McVerdi, that we decided to do a photoshoot in the hope the press would pick up the image.  We staged the shoot in the Scott Landon Gallery, and asked Jenn Walton from digiwerxstudio.com to take the Pictures.  Suzanne Nairne modeled the dresses so beautifully. This dress is so becoming, and although there is only one left in rust, we still have the dress in beautiful blue Italian corduroy, and in a wool blend.  We also have more styles from McVerdi -- relaxed Danish designs for worldly women!

We are so happy to tell you that we raised $250 for the Unions Gospel Mission on our first Christmas Day, December 2nd.  We enjoyed having Elisabeth Owre demonstrate making her glass beads, and Ratatouille Designs with a wonderful selection of vintage linens.  Cassandra Van Dyck sang for us as we sipped glogg!

Urbanity is all stocked up for the season.  We have lots of scarves of all kinds, sweaters, very cute brooches from K-form in Sweden, and belts made by Vancouver's Denise Wilson.  We also have an array of fun jewellery -- from Patsy Kolesar's silver jewellery to ceramicist Laura Vanderlinde multi-media necklaces.  As always we have a wide selection of socks.  Oleana is well-stocked and we have lots of wristwarmers, tights, and leg-warmers!  We look forward to seeing you!

Yuletide in Urbanity

Yuletide starts in Urbanity this weekend on Dec. 2nd!

It is a tradition in Urbanity that we start the season as they do in Scandinavia, by decorating, lighting candles, sipping Gløgg, meeting and greeting each other, sharing, and giving.

-This year we have invited Ratatouille Designs to show their re-purposed Vintage French linens, and Elisabeth Owre who will demonstrate making her beautiful glass beads.  The work of both artists will be available for purchase.

-We welcome Cassandra Van Dyck back again to sing for us. Cassandra writes her own songs which she sings with the voice of an angel.

-On this day we collect for the Union Gospel Mission, and the good work they do.

Please join us any time between 12 - 17 on December 2nd.
It will be 'hyggeligt'

Small Business Saturday - October 20th

When we heard of this yesterday we made a last minute decision to join in.  We are giving a $100 gift certificate to anybody shopping in Urbanity over this weekend - Oct 19 - 21.  We urge you to use your debit card to make purchases, and look forward to seeing you in URBANITY!  See more at www.shopsmallbiz.ca

Oleana presents.......

OLEANA celebrates their 20th birthday as they move into a new factory in a very old textile building in Ytre Arna outside Bergen in Norway.  Where else is there such a young knitting factory making such beautiful products?  Congratulations to Oleana and their designer, Solveig Hisdal!

OLEANA BLANKETS at the IDSwest September 28-30 2012.  Find us in the Studio North, right beside The District where the 'one of a kind' show makes a debut.

We have a bundle of $5off vouchers for the show.

The IDSwest is a designer exhibition of the highest quality.  (Not to be confused with the Home Show.)

Raincoats from McVerdi have arrived from Denmark!

Some of you have been waiting since last spring for the arrival of raincoats from McVerdi in Denmark.  We have two styles in the wool lined rubberized coat - one with a hood and the other with a big collar.  We also have three thinsulate coat styles--two orange and one blue.  These will repel water, where the rubberized are totally water-proof.  And it isn't actually rubber, it is Polyurethane Elastomer!

We also received some great dresses.  The were going fast today -- 

Just arrived!

Arrived today:  reversible Alpaca Vests - in three different colourways -- have been brought back by popular demand! We only have nine of these, so if you wished you got one last year, now is your chance!  And that is a wonderful Oleana merino-silk pullover underneath - Style 169, scarf 174!

September Surprises

We are patiently waiting for the arrival of boxes of wonderful clothes for cooler, and yes, wet weather!  I have a list of people waiting for raincoats from McVerdi, and I am told they are on their way.  I will call, or post on facebook when they are here.

We have also received the Oleana Winter collection, but have been asked not to post any images until everybody has received the collection and the pictures are posted on the Oleana website.  So, if you are curious, you will have to drop by.

For those of you who ordered Pinafores from Cut Loose, they have also been sent today, so you will hear from me as soon as they arrive-- probably in the middle of next week.  If you didn't order one, I will have a few extras, so you still have a chance.

We will be showing Oleana blankets at the IDS at the Convention Centre the last weekend of September. This is a great show of truly quality design (not to be confused with the Home Show).  I have vouchers to give away that reduce the price of entry by $5.

I love finding really unique, beautifully made clothes to bring to Urbanity. Earlier this month we received an exclusive collection from D-due - a small Spanish company that makes clothes from extraordinary fabrics.  The styles are quirky, and in some cases they have hand drawings on them. Coming from Spain they are made for warmer and less cold weather.

We love winter in Urbanity.  We have surprises coming from Sweden, and Portugal!  And this past week we received a shipment of organic merino wool tops and cardigans from GudrunGudrun.  We have waited for this shipment since October 2011!!

The Torso

We always seem to be wishing we are something different from what we are.  At URBANITY we have clothes that help you to accept the way you are by dressing in a way that works with your body type.
  
Most of us don't have much of a waist any more, so lets just skip it!  From around age 35, we begin to get shorter, and most of that happens in our spine, so our torsos get shorter -- and that is just the way it is!  We gain a bit of healthy belly fat too.......

Yes we have to look after our bodies by eating healthy food and getting exercise, and to do that, we have to like ourselves!!  Dressing in clothes that address our concerns and make us feel great and have fun in what we wear is what URBANITY is about.

We still have some lovely summer clothes for the warm sunny weather we are enjoying.  We are also receiving 'late summer' clothes -- clothes that edge into autumn.  Please join our  FACEBOOK page, to keep up to date!

Important Message! 

Very Popular Pinafores from Cut Loose
For the past two winters we have carried corduroy pinafore dresses from Cut Loose.  They have not been included in the collection this winter, but I am able to put in a special order for them.

If you are interested in one of these super comfortable, dresses please come by and choose your colour - the colours are really fabulous. I will ask for a $50 + $6 tax deposit for each dress ordered.  The final cost of the dresses will be $130.

Deadline for ordering is August 31st - email address is julia@urbanity.ca

Catching up with summer

It has been a while since I wrote on the blog.  I realize some of you don't get the newsletter and are not on Facebook, so the blog is the only way you can keep up with what is happening at Urbanity.

The shop is looking pretty.  We replaced the sandwich board with flowers -- it is a little touch of Copenhagen and the little enclave that really needs a bit of pretty. 

I have a new helper, and she does such a wonderful job with the mannequins and the displays.  She uses Karin Wagner's felt flowers creating wonderful little surprises.  I am really enjoying what she does.   I hope Tiffany will stay for a while - but an academic career awaits her so I can only enjoy her presence a month at a time.

We have a guest artist - North Vancouver  painter Catherine Fields' work is colourful and strong.  The work is for sale, and I take no commission - it is my way of supporting local artists.

We still have a nice selection of summer linens, and as a reward to those who bought early hoping for a long summer, I am offering 25% off on an item of a similar value for a few days  -- July 14 - 18.

More flowers are coming from Swiss artist Karin Wagner. Karin's beautiful flowers and garlands are a way to make a favourite casual dress festive for a wedding, or other special event.  We are proud to carry her work.


We are waiting or more linen pants and tunics from Cut Loose (apparently stuck at the border)....and lots of other summer products.

I am thrilled that an Oleana blanket appears in the August edition of
Chatelaine. The blanket adorns a sofa of a Quebec home, and is shown on two pages.  Do you know the design number of this blanket?  You might have to look at the second image where the design is unmistakable!

We are proud that Urbanity is a favourite shop for people visiting Vancouver from afar.  Make Urbanity your favourite, and tell your friends.

We care...

Last year we bought 6 dresses from Swedish designer "Up The Wooden Hills".   The clothes are made of beautiful Liberty cotton, and on the website it said "The days of ill-fitting clothes with bad pattern construction, too tight seams, stiff shapes and strangling necklines are over."  It was a bit of a shock when the dresses came and they were difficult to get into because there was no zip!  The sleeves, although hanging off the shoulders were restricting and appeared to be set in backwards. We did sell two of them, and rather than throw out that beautiful fabric, I found somebody who was willing to do a makeover on them --take out and re-cut the sleeves, and bring them higher up on the shoulder.  She put zippers in.  We told the two people who had bought the dresses that we were 'recalling' them.  Now the dresses really are comfortable and live up to the claim made by the designer!  The sleeves fit properly, and the dresses are easy to put on.  Now they are pretty, and look great on.  We did this because we just LOVE the fabric.  Now this model can smile!

Nothing like it

If you are looking for something unique, come to Urbanity.  We are the only store carrying Fog Linen clothes in Vancouver, the only store carrying Nygaardsanna, McVerdi, Uno in North America.  If you believe you are unique, then check out Urbanity before you go to the other stores.  If our natural fibres grown in European fields, designed by Scandinavian artists are not to your liking, then sure...go to the others.

Simply beautiful, for you....

The beautiful photographs for the NygaardsAnna catalogue were taken in a ceramic factory by Carl Bengtsson.   We have a nice selection of very simple and interesting linen clothes from Swedish designer Nygaards Anna Bengtsson in a variety of sizes. Even if you don't understand what Anna is saying, I think that by seeing and hearing her you will become closer to these clothes.  Pictured is a linen dress with many small buttons, and a knitted linen short sleeve cardigan. Nygaard is an old Scandinavian name.  Ny = new and gaard means 'enclosure', and is the name for a farm and a courtyard.  Traditionally, farms are made up of buildings that surround a space, or yard.  Your pronunciation will be close if you say New Gords Anna. Nygaardsanna is only available in North America at Urbanity.

2nd anniversary thoughts and pretty things

Tomorrow, May 11th will mark the day, two years ago that Urbanity reopened on South Granville after 5 1/2 years in Gastown.  I have grown very fond of my shop with the narrow window on the noisy Granville Highway!  But just when things seem to be settled, and I dared to extend my buying in Copenhagen in February, there was a shakedown.  Bab's shop has now gone, and an oriental rug shop - the 6th, or is it 7th? within two blocks, has opened beside me.  The attraction of two clothing shops on the scenic side of Broadway is no more.  No more morning chats with Viola as we sweep the sidewalk.  Now I am the only person within the 5 shop span owned by my landlord who sweeps at all!


It was also two years ago I discovered the Northwest Trend show -- a buyers market that happens every two months in Seattle.  I don't go every time, but when I do, I always find something that I think will be of interest to my valued customers.  At the end of March I found a collection of Indian fine cotton lawn nightdresses.  Beautiful cotton, and lovely (machine) embroidery -- so I bought 11 different designs.  We will be making these available for purchase on Saturday, May 12th for $65 each.

$200 Gift Certificate to Urbanity, and more -- The South Granville BIA has a Mom's Day contest happening right now.  You can help promote Urbanity, and win a gift.  Please participate by following this LINK.

May Day

We had a busy day in Urbanity on this first day of May.  We received a box from McVerdi that was full of surprises.  McVerdi collections are cut generously, so I had especially asked for this shipment to include more small sizes, and it did.  These will go quickly, so please don't wait.  This little top (pictured) is made from woven linen.  We have a similar one made from knitted linen.   It is simple and pretty.

The very popular dress has returned in black, light grey, and in pink.  The pink one has a woven stripe, and looks like candy-floss!
We have lots of linen pants.  Lots of the 'bloomers' pictured here in grey.
We have leggings too.
Maria Byman sent us more of her very simple linen/cotton top that works as a cover-up and a perfect layering garment over a sleeveless dress or top.  We know from years past that Maria's summer knits last and last, and hold their shape.

GudrunGudrun

Gudrun sewing in Torshavn -
photo taken by Beryl Woodrow,
Torshavn, Faroe Islands, 2010

Two years ago we brought GudrunGudrun designs to Urbanity, and we will soon be receiving more.
You might not be familiar with GudrunGudrun, because the sweaters sold so quickly you didn't have a chance to see them.
Now you can read the inspiring story about two women called "Gudrun" and their success in creating a fashion business using the wool and the knitters on the small Faeroe islands far north in the Atlantic ocean.   Click here.
Urbanity loves clothes that tell a story and are made by caring hands.

More arrivals

Last week  I told you about the arrival of the McVerdi collection -- and we have sold a lot!  I didn't write so much about the the jackets and coats we received, so since there is still a bite in the air, I want to let you know about these.  McVerdi started in Denmark 20 years ago specializing in very functional and attractive rain-wear. They still make a lot of coats and raincoats, as well as dresses, pants, and skirts.
This little boiled 100% wool jacket has been in the collection for ages.  We have it in cerise and grey/blue.  It has darts in the back so fits really well. PERFECT for right now.

FOG LINEN is back!  This Japanese designed line is such a hit.  The linen is grown in Lithuania where the fabric is woven, and then sewn there too.  This season they have made a larger size, so we have a nice selection of dresses, jackets, and pants for you to try. Remember, I only buy two of each style! Shown are the linen scarves that I found at the Copenhagen Fashion fair - also Lithuanian linen that is part of the Aurea Vita collection.

And now for a bit of colour!  Two weeks ago I went to a trade fair and discovered URU -- a California label. URU is not exclusive to Urbanity in the greater Vancouver area, but I fell for the vibrant colours and this particular print.  I have a selection of 12 pieces -- mostly tops in silk and pants too.
Remember, we buy only small lots, and we cannot always hope to get more of the same.  Don't lose out on something you love!

Long Spring weekend

We received new products from McVerdi just in time for the long Easter weekend.  Lotte Honore is the designer of the McVerdi line, and she knows what we want -- like pockets, and clothes that fit the way we want them to.  They are stylish, casual, comfortable, and made from pure natural fabrics.  This cardigan is made from linen, as are the pants.
Lotte also sent us some spring coats and jackets -- something new when cool weather lingers on and we are so tired of the coat we have been wearing for months.

Urbanity is closed on April 8 and 9th.

Inspiration

I often find myself leafing through Solveig Hisdal's book "Poetry in Stitches" where she writes about the inspiration she finds for her designs.  The newest Alpaca cardigan has a shell pattern which reminds me of the lotus pattern on the waist band on design 155.  The lotus pattern was inspired by Solveig's visit to China some years ago.  The shell pattern is often used in crocheted designs and has proven to be a difficult design for Oleana's knitting machines to produce!!

I have another book that I often look at -- actually a magazine called Traditional Knits.  It is one of those magazines that always seems to have hidden surprises that I have not seen before.  Today it was these knitted mittens that remind me of  Oleana's design 411 in the colours and a little in the pattern.

The mittens are designed by Robin Hansen, and are inspired by the children's story "Safe Return” written by Catherine Dexter.  The mittens have a wave pattern that reflects the Baltic Sea that surrounds the island of Gotland on the west coast of Sweden (where there are many sheep), which is the setting for the story.  Although inspired by mittens knitted in the early 1800 by Ursula, heroine of "Safe Return".  The waves pattern is based on one often seen in Middle Eastern knitting.  Pattern indeed knows no borders!

The arrival of Spring

It's SPRING - OLEANA arrived today!

Traditionally we start new seasons with lots of scarves, and the new OLEANA Collection! A box of lacey designed cardigans arrived from Norway today celebrating a new season in Urbanity!  The new green cardigan was quickly put in the window to celebrate St. Patrick's day!  The skirt is layered vintage lace....so pretty!

A small exhibition

We have a small exhibition of work by Sue Hiley Harris in the shop until Sunday March 4th.  The works consist of hanging and standing sculptures woven from stainless steel and enameled copper wire, and nylon monofilament and indigo dyed paper yarn.  The work is for sale.

Sue also brought some of her silk arashi shibori scarves dyed with natural dyes in soft colours.  We will be keeping these in the store, and they are also for sale.  They are shown here with Karin Wagner's felt flowers.

A Christmas in Wales

I am so pleased that my dear friend Sue Hiley Harris will be coming to Vancouver and sharing her talents, and the story of her life and her work with you all.  Sue was born in Australia, but she has made Wales her home.  I met her when I went to take a class with her on silk paper-making and we became friends.  That was around 1998.  We saw each other often after that, and the last time was at Christmas in 2003 when I spent Christmas with her and her family in the old stone mill where she lived.  It was a most wonderful Christmas.  I was thrilled when she called me and said she was going to San Fransisco to give a lecture, and wasn't Vancouver just up the road???

Sue Hiley Harris is a very talented artist.  The way she creates three-dimensional objects on the loom is nothing short of astounding.  She only works with natural fibres, and natural dyes.  She has raised silk worms and spins silk. She is an authority on silk and she has exhibited her work internationally.

Sue will be giving a lecture about her life and work on Sunday, February 26th in Vancouver, and again on Salt Spring Island. You can see more about Sue and get all the information about her activities while she is here. Please go to the page I have created at www.urbanity.ca/SueHileyHarris.htm

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