Vancouver Fashion Week F/W 2016 Day 1

image

So it has now finally arrived, the much anticipated Vancouver Fashion Week is here and day 1 was the opening gala. Here are some of the highlights and the designs that stood out for me.

image

image

image

image

image

image

And some very very few photos of my friends that have attended.

image

image

If you would like to see all the designs featured for this day I have a video of all of them >HERE<

People of NordstromVan Vol 1

So as you all might know,  I have switched careers and I’m now currently working at Nordstrom Vancouver, specifically at the Men’s Designer department.

This series will be dedicated to featuring the outfits of my co workers and to show the diversity of our styles and influences. I’m doing this in the hopes of opening your eyes and to be able to appreciate them. Hopefully to get you to try and explore from your normal routine of how you would dress yourself.

This post will be twice a week, every Monday and Friday so be sure to regularly check it out!

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

Everyone’s A Model

Damn Danier!!! (Daniel Leather Closing Down)

danier-insolvency-20160204

Danier Leather Cosing

“We tell our story through our commitment: to quality in our product, in our stores, in our design, in our craftsmanship and most importantly, our commitment to our customer.

Danier began as an independent family owned design house, manufacturer and retailer in 1972. With an expertise and heritage creating leather garments, handbags and accessories we have evolved into an essential fashion destination with a modern sensibility and timeless aesthetic.

Each season we offer a full collection available exclusively online and at 90 Danier stores across Canada.” – Danier Leather Canada

So after 34 years of being in business, Danier Leather is closing it’s doors, but before that they are doing a massive liquidation sale on all of their stores, outlets and online. This is a sad day for another Canadian owned company. I myself own a few of their leather jackets which is what they are known for. They make good quality products but I guess they just haven’t evolved with the times and the trends.

If you go on their site, you will see the big signage below

Screen Shot 2016-03-10 at 3.54.01 PM

So if you are in the market for some good quality leather, I would suggest stock up and head to the closest Danier store or online.

Shoe Shine Please!

So here’s the thing, most people either don’t clean their shoes at all and let it die a slow miserable death or they don’t clean their shoes properly. So i’ve teamed up with a shoe shine expert to help you and I do things the right way.

image

So I’ve asked to help of Harry Sima, a shoe shine expert at Nordstrom Vancouver to give us some pointers on how to do a proper shoe shine. By the way he has his own youtube channel called The Shoe Show so show him some love.

Anyways, without getting any sidetracked, here are the steps!

1) Wipe down the shoe with saddle soap, using a gritty cloth

2) Apply cream to condition the leather

  • Don’t be afraid to use a lot
  • Spread evenly by hand, cloth, or dauber
  • The leather will only take in what it needs
  • Brush off the cream with a horse hair brush

20160220_132628-01

3) Apply polish and let the layer sit

  • Ideally, the polish should sit for about five minutes
  • let it sink in

20160220_133639-01

4) Apply sole dressing

  • Don’t get it on the upper
  • Go slow

20160220_133303-01

5) Work in the wax with cloth or brush

  • The key is to use little dabs of polish and rub in small circular motions
  • Use small amounts of water when cloth is dry

20160220_133639-01

6) Buff out the shoe

  • Makes them POP!

20160220_133814-01

So here’s the end result!

20160220_132427-01

Basically good as new!

Here are some pro tips on why you should get your shoes shined!

  • It prevents leather from drying and cracking
  • Extends the life of shoes exponentially
  • It looks good and feels good

So if you guys liked this article and would like some more posts like this, please leave comments and share it with your friends and i’ll make some more!

 

 

The Saints have landed

So as some of my followers from Vancouver would know, the new section of Pacific Centre Mall has finally opened. It just so happens that one of my favourite brands has opened and that would be AllSaints! The London-based brand has now opened it’s 2nd store here in Canada and the first one being in Toronto. I love their classic Rock n’ Roll style, it has that bit of edginess in it without looking grungy. In my own words, I would call it “sophisticated streetwear”.

With this being said, for the first time in my blog, i’m doing a one-branded lookbook and I hope you guys would like it!

Just a tip for the guys, if you haven’t tried on a pair of skinny jeans from AllSaints, you’re missing out. You just have to try it for yourselves and see how awesome the cut and feel is. Every guy should have a go-to pair of denims and this one ranks pretty high up there. AllSaints know their stuff when it comes to a pair of skinny jeans. I’d also rock their leather jackets since its actually their main staple product but it’s still a bit hot right now but maybe in my future posts I would do one on it. For now though, I hope you guys like this look!

Vancouver Art Gallery Throwback

So here’s a bit of a throwback for you guys, a friend of mine recently acquired a new lens for her camera and she had asked me to be her test subject and to give her some pointers. Since i’m so nice and awesome, I obviously said yes (haha).

Here’s some of the shots! Enjoy!

Pocket Square is by Sebastian Cruz Couture

Socks are by Wits and Beaux

Shoes are by Allen Edmonds

Jacket by H&M

Watch was purchased on Ebay, it was a refurbished vintage watch!

Oregon Trip

So my Auntie and cousin from Vegas came on a spontaneous trip as usual and we have decided to go to Portland to visit the Grotto and the International Rose Test Garden. This was our second attempt at the International Rose Test Garden, because during our last visit, it was during the winter time and the roses were already all gone. This time around though we got lucky with our timing! Knowing the trip would involve some nice flowers, I wanted to compliment what I was wearing along with it! Here are some of the photos!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Shirt: Stockhomme | Pants: David Bitton | Shoes: Cole Haan | Bag: Flyye Industries | Watch: Citizen

Remember to follow me on Instagram @ramirphoto and on twitter @ramirphoto

Parker Sample Sale

How’s it going everyone! I just want to let you know of a event that’s happening right now!

Parker Sample Sale!

Parker sale Square-1

While you’re there be sure to use the promo code “SIDEBUY” to get a additional 10% off your entire purchase. 

So I went to the second floor since the 1st floor was all for women and found Kent Bitz’ area and did my search! Kent was there who gave me a very warm welcome and actually showed me around and talked about some of the pieces that he has and what makes them so unique! (Very informative guy and he does know his stuff) after his spiel I went on by myself and found my one item which I promised myself I will just keep to one item only haha since I just came back from a vegas trip for a bachelors so i’m running low on funds. (by the way, he has one section at his store that is on a really good deal which is everything is $45 but if you buy two items its $80 and if you buy 3 it’s $100 PLUS if you use the SIDEBUY promo code you still get the 10% OFF!!! WHAT A CRAZY DEAL FOR SUCH QUALITY PRODUCTS! 

I can’t emphasize enough on how much of a great experience this was and how nice the products were! It is a definite must to check out!

So here are some photos!

photo with Kent and the David Bitton Pants I bought!
photo with Kent and the David Bitton Pants I bought!

Summer Whites

Summer’s here and it’s looking to be a real hot one! For the past few weeks the weather has been consistently hitting over 20 degrees and i’m loving it! This past May 22, I had to go for a friend’s Convocation and help take photos of her family as she celebrates her momentous day. As for me, I didn’t feel like wearing a full suit as i’m going to be taking photos and wanted more comfort and not to get too hot as well. I still wanted to dress up since it is not just a regular event.

So here’s what I did.

My first piece of inspiration was my white V Neck shirt from H&M then I worked my way down to my Club Monaco pants.

Since I have a whole white thing going on already I decided to add my white Ferragamo Shoes and added some other bright colors with my socks. (You know I always have to get funky with my socks).

I just have to praise Ferragamo for this awesome shoe of theirs, I love the logo it’s very simple and it doesn’t scream their brand, it just looks like a very nice emblem on the shoe. Super clean detail!

So while we got the shirt, shoes, socks and pants out of the way it was time to get on the suit, and since I noticed the blue emblem on the shoes, I decided to wear a blue suit to go along with it. This suit was part of a bespoke suit that was made for me by “Be Custom Suited” and the fit is just amazing! With all being said and done, I just added my white Ceramic Citizen Eco Drive watch to complete the whole outfit (I love my Eco Drive also since it runs on any source of light for power, no need for batteries and its not automatic so it’s not pricey also and not as bulky).

So there you go, my outfit for the day when I have to take photos but still want to dress up! haha!

Almost forgot, rockin my awesome pocket square also by Sebastian Cruz Couture!

Hope you guys like this post and please spread the word by sharing this around!

More to come!

Happy Air Max Day

Photo: Nike
Photo: Nike

Nike Air Max 1

“It’s a shoe that’s older than we are, but it remains handsome and relevant to this day. In 1987, Nike released the Air Max 1 – a piece of groundbreaking design, which, for the first time, gave consumers a view of the Air Sole unit that underpinned the comfort and performance of designer Tinker Hatfield’s celebrated Nike Airs. Yup, this was the birth of ‘visible air’, inspired by the architecture of Paris’ Pompidou Centre – a building that looks like it’s been sprung inside out, boasting inner workings that are visible through its exterior.” – from Asos.com

So here’s the inspiration

Paris Pompidou Centre
Paris Pompidou Centre

I just find it amazing how one architectural design influence another now iconic shoe design. The Air Max line of shoes by Nike has got to be one of the most reinvented sneaker line that I know of along with Chucks which is also owned by Nike.

With this being said, here’s a photo of my own Nike Air Max

IMG_20150326_102237

Ain’t it so cool? Haha!

Now here are some of the ones that I like from the world of Instagram

Bright red with geometric shapes!
Gotta have love for camo!
Screenshot_2015-03-26-11-00-46-1
Nice clean white with powder blue swoosh!
Screenshot_2015-03-26-11-01-14-1
Floral and Cork! Just an awesome and unexpected combination! I’d rock this anyday!
Screenshot_2015-03-26-11-02-07-1
Here’s a lady with quite a collection!
Screenshot_2015-03-26-11-03-09-1
MMMMM purple!!!
Screenshot_2015-03-26-11-04-07-1
Classic black and white!
Red and white paired with Marvel themed socks!
Screenshot_2015-03-26-11-07-29-1
Just an epic shot!
Screenshot_2015-03-26-11-04-33-1
Even the kids are on it!
Screenshot_2015-03-26-11-07-45-1
All white, super clean!
Screenshot_2015-03-26-11-07-59-1
Floral overload, but just WOW!
Screenshot_2015-03-26-11-08-41-1
Just the sheer contrast of colours. Nice!

As you can see, the influence alone of these shoes transcends gender and age! From the most muted designs to the brightest of colours even the use of different materials such as Cork! Nike Air Max has come a long way!

How about you, do you own a pair? Share your photo on the comments!