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Canadian-born, Portland-based fashion designer Rachel Mara has enjoyed a fast rise to success since launching in 2001: she’s now carried in such US trendsetters as Fred Segal and Ron Herman and as far away as Tokyo and France. This fall, her sophisticated styles centre around chic blacks and whites imbued with retro ’60s touches like oversized buttons and houndstooth, at Moule (1994 W. 4th Ave.; 604-732-4066). Stella McCartney lends her name, and her vision, to a collection of sportswear, shoes and accessories for Adidas Originals this season. Standout pieces include multipocketed messenger bags and backpacks; bone-white winter jackets set off with diagonal zippers; and a collection of puff-sleeved Ts, sleek tights and strappy tops that will turn heads at the fitness club or back at school, at Plenty (1107 Robson St.; 604-689-4478).
Swinging-’60s London puts the soul into many of the shoes at Aldo (1025 Robson St.; 604-683-2443) this fall. Guys’ sleek ankle boots and elongated-toe oxfords are made for mod suits and narrow ties. Women’s styles run the gamut from high-heeled granny boots to funky patent pumps. The Australian Boot Company (1968 W. 4th Ave.; 604-738-2668) goes far beyond Down Under to source its collection. This month, earth-friendly footwear from Spain’s El Naturalista arrives. The line uses only vegetable-tanned leather and recycled rubber.
• Edie Hats The cozy Granville Island hat haunt becomes even hipper this fall: the shop is the exclusive local carrier of one-of-a-kind, streetsmart designs by Barcelona’s Sergi Granados for the Goorin Brothers (4-1666 Johnson St.; 604-683-4280). • Paper-Ya Back-to-school stationery for stylin’ students, with notebooks that get an A+ for eye appeal: the Italian leather-bound numbers look straight out of a Renaissance still-life, while the famous black Moleskines let aspiring scribes play Hemingway (1-1666 Johnston St.; 604-684-2531). • Vancouver Pen Shop Invest in a Montblanc or Cross to make those homework assignments and lecture notes a little less banal, or go for the full flair of an old-fashioned fountain pen (512 W. Hastings St.; 604-681-1612).
Canadian jewellery artist Loranne Kettlewell uses richly hued crystals, gold beads and freshwater pearls in creations that burst with femininity. This fall, matte wood mixes with sparkly crystals and leather, while pale Victorian cameos string along intricate gold chains, at Object Design Gallery (1551 Johnston St.; 604-683-7763). Dainty hoop drop earrings and necklaces that end in tiny chains of cascading crystals are just some of the artfully eclectic pieces by local jeweller Tala Designs, at Jeweliette (692 Seymour St.; 604-687-5577). Butterfly and dragonfly wings blend with gemstones in Vancouver designer Mikel Lefler’s Bijoux du Monde insect jewellery. The artist sets the delicate wings into resin, then combines them with sterling silver and stones like garnet, moonstone and amber. Her brooches, rings, earrings and pendants draw inspiration from the autumn colours of Spanish Banks and Crescent beach, at stores such as Dream Apparel (311 W. Cordova St.; 604-683-7326) and Crafthouse Gallery (1386 Cartwright St.; 604-687-7270).
Wallow in the West Coast weather without a parka or rubber boots at Spa Utopia & Salon (1001-999 Canada Place Way; 604-641-1351). Its Rainforest series of treatments uses hydrotherapy that can take the form of an invigorating downpour or a gentle drizzle. Fully indulge in the Rainforest Royal package, 90 minutes’ worth of mineral-salt exfoliation, a de-stressing whoosh in the water and a Swedish massage.
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