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.