I have a major thing for awesome printed fabrics.  They make me happy!  Aren't the prints in this line by SUNO fabulous?

via

Today I visited the Musee de Beaux Arts for the Jean-Paul Gautier show.  I am not ashamed to say that it was not my first visit to this particular exhibit, nor will it be my last.  I just can't get enough of the amazing designs heavily adorned with fur, ribbon, layered cloth and pleating or encrusted with beading, Swarovski crystals, french knots, and buttons.

I loved how many of the mannequins had projected videos for faces and were talking and singing;  it gave the show an eeriness that seemed suitable to the dim lighting and overall dark, dramatic feel (Although there was one particularly flirtatious sailor who gave me the giggles).

Enjoy the photos, sorry for the poor quality.

xo Janna

Isn't this scarf gorgeous?  My dear friend Ana Isabel hand-wove and naturally dyed it.  It's 100% organic cotton, 10 feet long and oh so yummy.

This week Ana is participating in the Poppytalk Handmade Marketplace for their back-to-school market.  Check out her goods here.

Ana's Fall 2011 line of neckwear
Ana's Etsy shop
Ana's blog

There's a cool new segment on the Vancouver Is Awesome blog called The Opening, where they feature local artists, shows and interesting people in the visual arts community in Van.  Check it out here.  A few weeks ago they featured artist and associate curator for the Vancouver Art Gallery, Kathleen Ritter.  She was responsible for the How Soon Is Now show at the VAG which featured some textile based artists, (ie.Kristi Malakof - above).

And speaking of fibre-based art, there is a must-see show at the Richmond Art Gallery, Fibred Optics, on until August 28th. Read a review here in Canadian Art Magazine.   Montreal based artist Jerome Havre (above) is one of the featured artists.

Okay, so I know this is a different kind of post for us, but when I saw these on the Maiwa blog all I could think about was who and what Vancouver blog I could send them to so they could blog about it.  Instead I've decided to jump out of our usual realm and share them myself.  Aren't they spectacular?  They are made in India of reclaimed wood and are just some of the new stock at Maiwa East in East Van.  Maiwa East is the Maiwa store in Vancouver (one of three) which sells home decor items and furniture.  The other two stores, in case your unfamiliar, are both on Granville Island.  One is the textile supply store (including yarn), and the other is the textile store which sells beautiful clothing and home textiles as well as accessories and books.  All of their fabrics are naturally dyed, hand-woven and printed in India, South America and other places around the world where Maiwa has close ties.  Also a lot of their clothing line is designed in Vancouver.   Bellow are a few of my favourite things on the Maiwa website.

Why I love places like Maiwa:

About 6 years ago I decided that I would try to buy more locally made clothing and stop buying stuff that's made in China (unless I find it in a thrift shop) and found that purchasing less items for a slightly higher cost really pays off.  Not only am I now wearing more clothing that will last a lot longer than the China-made stuff that I would only wear for one season before it started pilling, stretching and falling apart, but it also feels really good knowing that my clothing is made and bought ethically.  Check out Maiwa's definition of "slow clothes" here.  I have a block print dress, a pair of linen pants and a linen tunic all from Maiwa that I've gotten a lot of wear out of for the past four spring/summers.  

PS.  I also love shopping at Tutta Mia for Vancouver/Canada-made clothing and accessories.


Janna