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