For the next eight days, Western Canada Fashion Week reveals the latest spring and summer looks. It's a great opportunity to freshen up the wardrobe.
For the next eight days, Western Canada Fashion Week reveals the latest spring and summer looks.
It's a great opportunity to freshen up the wardrobe. But what happens when a fashionista's budget puts a crunch on her spending limits?
Few women have a bottomless credit card and fewer still are celebrity fashion icons. But that doesn't mean a woman can't create a champagne style on a beer budget.
For many, that means getting a membership at the V & V Boutique. The Gazette challenged two fashion forward businesswomen to put together stylish outfits from St. Albert's newly opened Value Village.
Rowena Cui, co-founder of PlanIt Sound, a music video and TV commercial recording studio, and Sabrina Thievin, owner of Sabrina Dance Studio, were tasked with building two trendy outfits that would make them feel sexy and confident. The maximum price point per ensemble, including accessories and shoes, was pegged at $100.
Grabbing a couple of carts, they walk down the aisle flipping through a dizzying array of possibilities. Both are intelligent, adventurous women with lots of nerve and verve, and prefer to stand out rather than blend in. However, each woman creates a very distinct style.
A new mother of a 16-month-old son, Red, Cui reminds one of a delicate, exotic flower. But she is no stranger to heavy work, directing and lugging equipment around the studio.
Along with husband, R.J., she is heavily involved in numerous charitable causes and promotional events. Holding down a packed schedule, her choice of attire is multi-purpose yet creates a youthful, polished downtown vibe.
“I like feminine, flirty clothes. I love colour and mixing things up. I wear what I feel looks good,” said Cui. “I'm content with a playful look.”
On the other hand, Thievin is a woman in motion. She teaches ballroom dance, hosts dance events, and chauffeurs two children Alex, 14, and Juliette, 9, to numerous activities. In her spare time she does Pilates.
Although Thievin juggles a thriving business with a soccer-mom lifestyle, her style hallmark is casual sophistication.
“I like clothes that are comfortable, quirky and practical and I like to throw in something unique. I like colour and texture. I often shop by feel. I touch the clothes. I like clothes that move with me – something that attracts attention. I am not a wallflower,” she laughs.
The duo successfully stepped out of change rooms with four snappy outfits ranging in price from $46 to $76.
Cui's centrepiece is a floaty, floor-length dress with an ethereal goddess vibe that could be dressed up or down with a blazer. Accompanying it was a snappy red purse, Cui's favourite colour, and Steven Madden shoes.
Her second choice was a yellow flirty floral dress topped by a black vest ideal for multiple daywear activities. Tying the colourful palette together was a pair of red shoes and a blue Chi purse.
Thievin instead opts for a blend of classic and exotic. Pairing a red drop top under a leopard print vest and Lycra suede pants creates showstopping, cross-cultural panache. And the sunglasses add just the right touch of glam.
Her second outfit, a more casual laid-back affair with a ruffled sage top and twirly floral skirt screams summer barbecues and Canadian chic.
Cui and Thievin complete the challenge with a girl's gab about consignment shopping. In summary, they agreed it offers variety, flexibility and the opportunity to create truly original ensembles.
Thievin also notes, “I love the thrill of the find. You can find good quality clothes at huge markdowns and get what you want.”
And Cui adds, “Because the price point is stretched, you're willing to take more fashion risks.”
The day ends with a hug and a business card exchange. A day of shopping equals a day of making new friends.
