U R B A N I T Y

A princess in the crowd

2012-02-03T12:55:00.000-08:00

Can you find the Princess in the crowd at Gallery? There was a bit of a buzz at the Fair when Princess Mary came to look at the new Winter Collections at Gallery, one of four places where Copenhagen fashion week is taking place. I will give you a hint, she is wearing green!
We are having a great time finding some amazing treasures and wonderful designs to bring to Urbanity for next Winter.

Time Zones

2012-01-22T18:26:00.000-08:00

Many of you will remember the fabulous exhibition Oleana had at the Pendulum Gallery in September 2009. Six 'stories' were created by Solveig Hisdal for the exhibition--large panels showing the inspiration for the Oleana designs over the years. I have taken the images and created 6 cards. The stories are now on the back. They make the most wonderful note/greeting cards. They are now for sale in Urbanity.
Come in and see the OLEANA spring designs - reserve your choice early!

PLEASE NOTE:
We will be closed on January 25, 30, 31 & February 1, 6, 7, 8.
Urbanity is OPEN on January 26, 27, 28, 29 & February 2, 3, 4, 5.
Back to normal from February 9th

Sue Hiley Harris workshop and lecture. You are welcome to join us for the Sue Hiley Harris lecture, and you can also join the workshop. We have one, maybe two places left. We are also trying to set up a two-day workshop on Salt Spring Island. Please look at www.urbanity.ca/SueHileyHarris.htm - the page gets updated as there is more information.

Its Now or Never

2012-01-17T13:30:00.000-08:00

Those of you who subscribe to my newsletter will know that we have reduced the prices on some items in the shop--designs and lines that we will not be reordering. If you subscribe to Facebook or Twitter, you will see that my newsletter gets posted there automatically when it is sent out to the list of subscribers.
In week 4 I will be going to Toronto to show the Oleana blankets at the Interior Design Show - IDS12. I am on a stand with 4 other Norwegian companies -- an opportunity created by the Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa, and Innovation Norway. We are on stand 1416 - INSIDENORWAY
From Toronto, I will go to Copenhagen where Copenhagen Fashion Week will be taking place. Our opening hours will be changed during my absence -- more info in the next blog post.
The Spring/Summer Oleana designs are available for a sneak preview in the shop, and soon will be posted on the Oleana website. You can see a glimpse at www.oleana.no. If you read Norwegian, you might like to read the article on Alpaca on the news page.

McVerdi

2012-01-10T22:54:00.000-08:00

Somebody asked me today about the designer of McVerdi. Here she is, Lotte Honore, with her daughter at the Copenhagen Fashion week in August 2010. McVerdi was born in 1985 in Copenhagen.
We still have a very few coats and dresses available.

An exciting New Year!

2012-01-05T16:04:00.000-08:00

The nicest things often do come in small packages. I received a paper gingham envelope serged around the edges containing a Christmas Greeting from Pernilla Svenre. She is celebrating her 15th anniversary this year, and it is 15 years since I first visited her stand at the Copenhagen Fashion fair at the beautifully renovated Øksnehallen (literally "cow hall"). The building was used for 150 years as the meat market. The Danes are masters at converting very old buildings into new spaces. I am very excited to be going to the Fashion Fair in Copenhagen in February.

Back to Pernilla's envelope -- it had a fabulous stamp on it with a drawing of a knitted scarf, honouring age old traditions of patterned knitting. You can click on the image to get a larger view.

I am taking the Oleana Blankets to the IDS12 in Toronto at the end of January. This time we will be on a Norwegian Stand. It is going to be a grand affair! More about that later.

Since moving to Granville Street I have experimented with buying designs from new lines. Some of these have proven to be a real hit, like the McVerdi collection of coats and dresses. We have reduced prices on items that are no longer in production, or that we will not reorder -- like this IVKO cardigan made from pure merino wool.

We are still receiving winter designs from OLEANA.

This is going to be an exciting OLEANA year! The new factory will open to celebrate their 20th anniversary in September, and there will be another Jubilee Collection!

Before I go, I would like to tell you about a guest I will have at the end of February -- she will be offering a lecture, and a workshop (or maybe two). She is a very special person, and an exceptional artist. You can read more here: www.urbanity.ca/SueHileyHarris.htm

Best wishes for 2012, and I we look forward to seeing you soon!!

Julia and Lisa

Magical Season

2011-12-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

The special days of this season merge together as we celebrate the winter Solstice, the 8 days of Hanukkah, and Christmas. Everybody works hard to make these days special, cooking, shopping, making lanterns, getting together with friends, family, with all the joys and obligations. I joked with my Muslim printer the other day, that the people who truly get a holiday at this time of year are the Muslims!!

We are receiving last minute deliveries at Urbanity. Cut Loose sent us more pinafores, lots of Swing Tees in many colours, and those popular dotty/striped scarves. MonaLin socks have arrived from Ozone -- which many of you have been waiting for, and Oleana has sent a final 2011 shipment due to arrive on Friday, Dec. 23rd. Urbanity will be open until 3 o'clock on Christmas Eve. We reopen on Tuesday, December 27th. at noon.

Yuletide Greetings

2011-12-18T08:51:00.000-08:00

Take a moment on this last Sunday before Christmas to drop by URBANITY for a glass of gløgg.......and see what we have:

December in Urbanity

2011-12-10T20:43:00.000-08:00

We have found the perfect dress. It comes from Denmark, and it is made from virgin wool (the first time a sheep is sheered the fibres are rounded on one end which means they are softer). It flairs from just above any bulges, and and it pairs perfectly with your Oleana cardigan. With or without a sweater, this is the perfect dress. We once again have two styles of McVerdi raincoats, lined with wool. The perfect coat for cold rainy Vancouver days.
We have something perfect for you!

Cosy Christmas days

2011-11-30T19:30:00.000-08:00

The candles are burning on the advent ring, and the store smells of fresh cedar bows. We enjoyed a steady flow of people on Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent. Cassandra sang her own songs for us. She has such a pretty voice.
We collected $15 in donations, and $45.60 in 5% of sales -- $60.60 for the Union Gospel Mission - that will serve Christmas dinner to 18 people! Past years we have collected a little over $100. If you wish to donate, it is easy--just go to the Web Page, .
We received a shipment of Pia Wallen slippers today, so now we are well-stocked in all sizes in shades of grey, natural, black, blue, and red.
McVerdi coats and dresses have been such a hit, we have ordered more, though McVerdi has also sold out of the grey one with the elastic hem. We have a couple of McVerdi dresses in larger sizes in both designs, still available.
New OLEANA items are on their way and will be here at the end of next week. Still only a portion of what I ordered, so if you are waiting for something from OLEANA, please drop me a line at julia@urbanity.ca
We have lots of unique and interesting items at the moment -- wristlets and text gloves from $45-$75, and lots of scarves from $65, and don't forget our fabulous collection of socks!!!
We also have special Christmas ornaments from Denmark and Tel Aviv!

Christmas is coming.....

2011-11-21T22:43:00.000-08:00

Sunday, November 27th is the first Sunday in Advent, and following Scandinavian tradition, it is the start of Christmas-- the day we light the first candle on the Advent ring. We celebrate the day in Urbanity by doing something special. We collect, either by donation, or by a percent of sales, for the Union Gospel Mission's Christmas dinner fund. And this year we have invited Olla Flowers from Gastown to have a trunk show in the store with her wreaths and decorations made using organically grown, local products. Cassandra VanDyck will sing for us.
Drop by any time in the afternoon, and enjoy a glass of gløgg and be a part of starting Christmas in Urbanity.

mixing, layering, and just having fun!

2011-11-16T19:35:00.000-08:00

(repost)If you have passed the shop in the last 48 hours you will have seen a wonderful combination of textures - a beautiful silk taffeta skirt from Oleana with a cotton/ramie blouse with a great big bow, snuggled under a raw wool cable shrug from Nygaardsanna. I am so in love with this look I want it to parade it up South Granville. Since I change the window every two days, this wonderful outfit will soon be replaced.
We have lots of lovely silk tafetta skirts from OLEANA that can be paired up with other more rough textures to create something extraordinary.
And under those skirts are newly arrived Sneaky Fox tights and leggings, and amazing socks from Ozone, made in Japan. (By the way, if you see socks on this site you love, please tell me).
Pinafore dresses from Cut Loose are back in new colours....dresses let you have fun layering your legs!

McVerdi has arrived

2011-11-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

I am sure you know how it is when you have waited for something a long time, and then it comes, you are almost scared to open it. That is how it was this afternoon when two boxes of surprises arrived from Danish McVerdi. It was at least 4 years ago I placed an order for their raincoats - wool lined 'gummi' outer shell. So perfect for a Vancouver winter. The style has changed a few times since then, but they are still GREAT! There are two models, one with a hood and one with a big collar. Both models are a very dark grey outside, and a light grey inside. And I had also been waiting for the light weight wool dress -- shown here with striped socks over tights. Yes, these came too... And the dress you see on the left, came in dark grey and in light grey. A super little winter dress made from 60% wool and 38%cotton-- so comfortable and with pockets too. Everything came in sizes xs to xl. You are going to love this McVerdi collection! I wish my batch of socks would come tomorrow, but it seems like we might have to wait a few days yet.

Hallowe'en!

2011-10-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

Pretty creepy!!! Following our annual tradition, we borrowed a First Nations mask from Hill's in Gastown, and with a little silk fibre for hair, we get into the spirit of Hallowe'en!

Back to normal!

2011-10-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

We still have a few of the felt items on display until the weekend, and we will be keeping the work of Dagmar Binder and the Karin Wagner for a while longer --. I loved having Felt Amazing in the shop, but it was also nice to get back to normal and to put out the new clothes we have received, and take some time to shake up the companies who have not yet sent us our order -- like our Pia Wallen slippers! Where are they????

I have just created a newsletter. If you want to receive them, please send an email to me at julia@urbanity.ca. They also get automatically posted on my Facebook page and on my twitter feed.

I have added a new link - down at the bottom of the list to the right. It is a wonderful film showing many ways of wearing a scarf.

Let us all have a very happy Diwali -- enjoy some Indian sweets and the festival of light.

Last day of Felt Amazing

2011-10-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

Sarah Fox

Lisa Klakulak

Today is the last day of the Felt Amazing exhibition in URBANITY.
I have been posting images of the larger pieces, so on this last day I want to post images of the small and exquisite work of Sarah Fox, and Lisa Klakulak

Lots of Felt in Vancouver!

2011-10-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

We have had a lot of fun with the Felt Amazing show in the shop. So many people have come to see it, and our regular collections. As the Felt Amazing show draws to a close, the Jorie Johnson show at the Silk Weaving Studio continues.

Felt Amazing ends at 6pm on Friday October 21st. and then the work will be returned to the artists. Don't miss the opportunity of buying an amazing felt design!
Many photographs have been posted on my Urbanity page on Facebook.

See the great article on the South Granville Blog

More from FELT AMAZING in Vancouver

2011-10-10T13:32:00.001-07:00

We opened the exhibition on the evening of Friday, October 7th. Only on that morning did we received the box of Dagmar Binder's work sent from Berlin, Germany. The box contained one jacket and a number of collars and scarves in different colours. The red jacket is made totally in one piece, with no seams, and even has pockets. It is an amazing jacket and is priced under $700. I have included a detail image, because I want to show how this jacket has so much detail with no sewing anywhere. Most of the work in the exhibition is for sale, and as we were arranging Dagmar's pieces, we sold three of her signature collars. You can see more on Dagmar's website.

Please pass on the word about this exhibition. It is scheduled to end on the 21st of October. www.urbanity.ca/FeltAmazing.htm

Each artist works with felt in a different way. It is a very wonderful exhibition.

FELT AMAZING in Vancouver

2011-10-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

We have almost finished installing the FELT AMAZING exhibition scheduled to open tomorrow evening, Oct 7th. I truly squealed with delight as I opened each box. We have jackets, dresses, jewellery, scarves, and lots of amazing felt flowers. It seems hardly fair to focus on any one artist, but Karin Wagner's flowers are so exquisite, I can hardly believe the delicacy of them. Each artists' work is so different from the other, yet the show is amazingly harmonious. You can see the websites of those in the show in the last post. All the work is for sale, except that of Charlotte Buch.

Update

2011-09-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

I just edited information given earlier about the participants of the upcoming FELT AMAZING exhibition--and it looks like an old post might have got re-posted.

So a quick update! Jools Elphick's show is now over, but we have made space for it in the store over the weekend -- This will be the last chance to both see and buy these hats, some of which only arrived on Septembr 28th

I am showing OLEANA blankets at the IDSwest show. We are a bit hidden by the designs of the stands around us, but the colour and freshness of beautiful OLEANA blankets still attract!

The (corrected) list of participating artists in the Felt Amazing show, opening on Friday, October 7th is as follows

Breanna Rockstad-Kincaid | Tennessee

Charlotte Buch | Denmark

Claudia Rosillo | Uruguay

Dagmar Binder | Germany

She Felt | Vancouver

Karin Wagner | Switzerland

Lauri Chambers | Washington

Lisa Klakulak | North Carolina

Marjolein Dallinga | Quebec

Sandra Loeffelman | Washington

Sarah Fox | Oregon

Torill Haugsvaer Wilberg | Norway

Thanks to Marjolein Dallinga for letting us use her image for the poster.

Busy times

2011-09-30T07:27:00.000-07:00

Jools Elphick's exhibition still has almost a week to go, and we still hope to receive the last box of hats, which would add five new styles to the exhibition. There has been lots of interest, and a number of hats have found a home in Vancouver (and the one pictured went to Toronto).

Next weekend we will be participating in the IDSwest show at the Vancouver conventions centre. While we are there, the shop will still be open as normal. I have a number of complimentary tickets for the show, so please drop by if you would like one. I also have a ticket to the lecture being given at Maiwa by Alison Ellen on Friday Sept. 30th that I would like to give away.

The OLEANA autumn collection has arrived - in part. And we have received partial delivery from Maria Byman , Pernilla Svenre, more big dot shawls from Oerskov in new colours....we are still hoping for raincoats and dresses from McVerdi, and the list goes on... small collections from intresting companies - keeping you unique. I don't stock much Cut loose in the winter, but when I got the message that the popular pinafore dress is being cut again, in corduroy, I put in an order. Also coming-by popular demand- are cord pants from Cut Loose.

12 Textile Artists FELT AMAZING in Vancouver!

In October 7th, we will open a new exhibition in the store. Inspired by the events of the Maiwa Symposium, I contacted 13 felt artists whose work I admire, asking if they would like to participate in an exhibition in my shop. Twelve of the thirteen said they would love to. Most of the artists are sending extra pieces for sale. This will be an opportunity to see and buy work in Vancouver that you would otherwise have to travel afar to source.

Here you can see the names and the websites of those participating.

Breanna Rockstad-Kincaid | Tennessee

Charlotte Buch | Denmark

Claudia Rosillo | Uruguay

Dagmar Binder | Germany

She Felt | Vancouver

Karin Wagner | Switzerland

Lauri Chambers | Washington

Lisa Klakulak | North Carolina

Marjolein Dallinga | Quebec

Sandra Loeffelman | Washington

Sarah Fox | Oregon

Torill Haugsvaer Wilberg | Norway

Last chance

2011-09-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

Jools Ephlick's exhibition is scheduled to end today. Yesterday we received the third box, and it contains some super hats, so I will try to keep the show up until mid afternoon tomorrow, September 29th.

We are showing the Oleana blankets at the IDSwest starting Friday morning, September 30th, so all our blankets will be on display in the shop for the weekend.

The opening of the show!

2011-09-16T14:10:00.000-07:00

I was biting my nails, as was Jools over in England -- it was opening night and only one of three boxes of hats had arrived. What to do?? We decided to put out the few hats, open the bubbly, and go for it!! We had got great press from Maiwa, SDAbc, Marilyn Wilson -- literally thousands of people had been told about the show and that the opening would be on the 15th of September. Members of the weaving guild were dropping in on their way to their meeting.

It turned out to be a great evening as hats were tried, examined, and raved about! They are made from cotton chenille, so not itchy! Today another box arrived, so now the show looks complete. The exhibition of knitted hats by Jools Elphlick continues to September 28th.

Opening the Show

2011-09-11T09:42:00.000-07:00

Jools Elphick - knitted hats for the Theatre of Life

We will be exhibiting knitted hats designed and made by British Textile artist Jools Elphick from September 14 - 28th.

You are invited to come to join is on September 15th from 7-8 when we officially open the show.

Inspired by tribal art as much as contemporary culture, Jools creates her amazing hats by a combining hand and machine knitting.

She has exhibited and sold her work widely in Britain and internatonally.

See more at www.urbanity.ca/JoolsElphick.htm

August moving into September

2011-08-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

Local artist - Robert Chaplin came into my Gastown store soon after I opened. Since then he has brought me much delight with his humour and unusual work. He has just opened a little shop on the corner of Cordova and Carrall street where he is showing his snowflake series www.royalcanadiansnowflake.com where you can sponsor a snowflake! Give it a name!!! Robert is a frequent visitor on the Fanny Kiefer show on Shaw. I have always carried Robert's books. At $20 each these signed editions are a delight for adults and children.

We are on the brink of the Maiwa Symposium where every second year we are given the opportunity of meeting amazing artists, writers, and doers from around the world, going to workshops, lectures, shows, and events. It is an extravaganza that goes on for some months! I have taken the opportunity of having two shows in the store insprired by the Maiwa events. The first one starting mid-September will show 'contemporary head-dresses' from Jools Elphick who I met when I was staying in Brighton in 2003. Jools' hats are machine and hand knitted, and explore head-wear inspired by many cultures.

OLEANA blankets will be shown at the end of September at the IDSWest show. Very exciting!

For the past four months Mieka has been working in URBANITY. She took the helm last week and gave me the opportunity of taking some days to tidy up my house - which looks like a home now instead of a waste-paper basket! Mieka is a student at UBC and has been given the opportunity of having a role in the Model UN conference being hosted by the University in March 2012. So, although she will be in for a couple of weekends in September, she has started a new path.

We are being asked when we will begin to have autumn collections in the store. They are on their way, and I expect that by Jools' exhibition we will have made the transition. I love it when the woolies take over, though have to admit, this year, I have wanted summer to really play itself out. We still have some linens that are great for fall transition.

The Award for Design Excellence

2011-08-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

I have often been asked about the words on the back of the tag on Oleana products where it says 'Tildelt Merket for God Design - Norwegian Design Award 1993, 1997 & 1999'. The words basically mean, 'Award for Design Excellence', and now the Norwegian Design Council has created a logo that can be used on products that have been given this award. You can see more HERE. An exhibition called 100% Norway organized by the Norwegian Embassy in London highlights products that can boast the logo shown here.

This item has nothing to do with Norway except that I found it in the Norwegian InteriørMagazine, and is exceptional in its design, I think, maybe because I am a magazine hoarder. If I had seen this I would never have thrown or given away all the wonderful magazines I have collected in the past. You can see more HERE.

I found another kind of design here in Vancouver on the weekend. It is a garden project called The Bulkhead Urban Architecture Project and is on the Seawall, just west of the Athletes Village. You can see a film about it HERE. I have posted many pictures of the garden on my personal facebook page, and here is one of them. If you are in Vancouver you might enjoy having a look.

And here in URBANITY we are making plans for the Autumn. In the meantime, we are happy to see the summer stock going out the door. It is Fall cleaning time (I always prefer to clean house ready for Winter,. than to clean house ready for Summer) and all kinds of items are appearing that bring extra interest to the dwindling summer clothes racks!!

Timeless fashion

2011-07-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

The latest Selvedge has featured Nygardsanna on the cover, and has some pages inside from one of the previous collections. I recently found a film with Anna Bengtsson giving a talk as part of the exhibition of recipients of the Guldknappen -Golden Button- award for fashion, which she won in 1998. The Nordic Museum in Stockholm is having an exhibition showing the work of the designers who have won this award over the past 30 years.

Hot summer days are here and now you can buy a timeless piece of Cut Loose at cut prices! Look for the coloured dots on the tags.

Pattern knows no borders

2011-07-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Oleana's designer followed the silk road from Grenada in Spain where the Moors brought Islamic patterns to Europe, then on to Istanbul, and further to China. Patterns flow from one country to another, from one culture to another.

Pattern knows no borders

We mourn for Norway.

Summer flowers

2011-07-19T21:28:00.000-07:00

We were expecting a summer collection from McVerdi in Denmark, but it never arrived, which for a while was a bit of a worry. As it turned out though, the collections that did come seemed to be perfect for the weather we have been having. We are close to August which is bound to be sunnier than July, and so I am pleased that a small collection of Indian cotton dresses from Anokhi via Magic Mountain, have arrived. The dresses are made by Anokhi in India for Magic Mountain which is an Ontario based company. They are block printed in wonderful colours. It is still my dream to bring Anokhi directly from India.

I ordered more linen 'lantern' pants from Cut loose which are on their way. Because I have had requests for them, I have also ordered a good selection of corduroy pants for the autumn -- basic cord pants that are the perfect basic casual pant.

Two of the 6 Liberty print dresses have been sent from Up The Wooden Hills in Sweden -size S and L. Two more are expected to be sent over the coming weekend. I am very interested to see the first two dresses which should arrive before the end of the week. Designer Lisa makes each dress herself

I have just enjoyed some days at home while Mieka has looked after the store. I have enjoyed exploring all the new shops and coffee shops in Gastown. I will add these two special places to my list on the right hand side of this page, but in the meantime, if you are in Gastown, do visit Olla Flowers, a most unusual flower shop on the second floor (where Mooncruise used to be). And although there are lots of places to enjoy a cup of good coffee, I have totally fallen in love with Nelson the Seagull on Carrall Street. They make their own slow-rise bread and everything is organic. It has become a popular spot for lunch. They serve their delicious coffee in thin cups, so it is piping hot.

Grab the sun!

2011-07-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

As I write this there are soft clouds in the sky on a beautiful summer evening. We are still receiving summer clothes, and when the sun shines we want light printed cotton dresses, so those are coming too.

Last week we received another small shipment from Fog Linen. I had been waiting with glee to see what the 'carat' pants would be like, and we had a lot of fun in the shop as people tried them on. They are very practical and somewhat unusual. They look like a skirt-- a skirt you could wear on a windy cliff with no fears of it blowing up over your head. Carat pants are very popular in Japan.

New Arrivals

2011-06-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was in Toronto. Just as I was leaving for the airport boxes began to arrive. Mieke worked hard to get everything unpacked, steamed, and priced. I think we have a wonderful collection of linen clothes to suit just about everybody looking for casual clothes that will look lovely for years. I have chosen a few to show you here, and there are more. (formatting in this post is very strange...please keep scrolling down, it is a long post)

Many of you are familiar with the felt jewelry that we carry that comes from Peru. There is a new felt necklace available in three colours, and some very simple ribbon earings that play with 4 different colour palettes.

I get many requests for Cut Loose, and always have a list of people waiting for special items. We have sun dresses, tops and skirts, pants, tees, and jackets. In this image you can see a skirt and top belted with an Anokhi indigo patterned scarf. The felt necklace is locally made. The 'dotty' scarves on the right are striped on the reverse. Tied loosely they are stunning, and soft too. On the lower right is a selection of linen scarves that have been available in all the summer colours.

Nygaardsanna sent me another dress in three colours that has an uneaven hem and small buttons (and button holes) all the way from top to bottom. The Nygaardsanna dresses are very popular and only get more beautiful with wear. They are made from beautiful thick linen in a soft weave. We have a number of dresses and blouses from their 'hytnes' collection that harks back to the simple clothes worn at the turn of the 20th century in the countryside. You can see one of Patsy's necklaces on the mannequin to the left. Urbanity is the only shop in North America carrying Nygaardsanna (noo gohrds anna) - no relation to the other.

Fog linen work has a small collection of clothes as part of their larger collection of homewares. The linen is grown in Lithuania, and the clothes are made there. Each collection brings surprises in the pattern of the weave, and like Nygaardsanna, there is a country feel to the designs. I joke that these clothes are 'one size fits small'. Lucky are those who fit these lovely designs. We have dresses, shirts, and pants..

I am excited by the small collection of linen clothes that arrived yesterday from a designer in China. Each of the 8 pieces are different from the other, but all of them have a very interesting design. These dresses are for those of you looking for something bold and funky.

We only have one GudrunGudrun piece left. This cardigan is made from silk yarn with 'stars' knitted with rough Faeroe yarn. GudrunGudrun (a partnership of two women with the same name) have their garments knitted on the Faeroe islands. They also make thin woolen 'shirts' from eco merino that are knitted on machines in Latvia. They make many wonderful sweaters, and I am looking forward to carrying more. The cardigan shown is unisex.

This is Oleana's newest alpaca cardigan that is inspired by a traditional Norwegian sweater from Fana. We have paired it with Nygaardsanna linen shorts, and a white shirt from Guatamala. We had these shirts last summer, and they have been brought back by popular demand. There are 5 classic styles available made from a robust cotton fabric.

We have been promised a very hot summer, a bit sun sure would be nice! Nothing is more comfortable than clothes made from natural fibres when the weather is warm. Urbanity focuses on clothes made from only natural fibres.

Oleana is moving!

2011-05-23T23:37:00.000-07:00

Arne Fabrikker ca. 1880

Oleana's production has outgrown the space it has occupied since starting in 1992. News of the move has been posted on Oleana's website. Oleana is moving a few kilometers away from their present location to Ytre Arna, a town that was built around the oldest textile factory in the Bergen area -- Arne Fabrikker, dating from 1845. The building lies right on the Sørfjord. Ships used to bring cotton from Egypt and the Americas directly to Arne Fabrikker -- the first mechanised cotton spinning and weaving factory in Norway. You can see an old film from the cotton mill where bedding was made. It is not subtitled, but is still interesting. 1000 people used to work in this factory! Oleana with its 60 factory workers will have space to grow in comfort! Oleana will celebrate their 20th Anniversary next year in their new home!

May 17th

2011-05-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

We acknowledged Norway's National Day today with an extra-special newsletter, and a window boasting our newly arrived Oleana Peony cardigan and checkered blanket. A teeny Norwegian flag is pinned onto the belt on the mannequin, and was seen by a Norwegian passer-by who did not know about Urbanity and the Scandinavian selection we carry. For those of you who don't get my email newsletter, here is one of the goodies it contained today. You might remember this beautiful voice from the Winter Olympics at Lillehammer.

A taste of Oleana spring has arrived!

2011-05-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a wonderful day! The sun was shining and a delivery of long-awaited Oleana sweaters and blankets arrived. We quickly unpacked, priced, and made phone calls and sent emails. Many people have been waiting for their chosen sweater, but we did get a few extra. The pictured cardigan is covered in Peonies - no two flowers the same, and two butterflies too!

Knitting Values into Fashion

2011-05-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

More than two months have past since Signe and Torbjorg came to visit, and tantalized everybody with the beautiful new Oleana spring collection! (You can see Torbjorg here wearing the very popular long cardigan in a new spring colour.) Partial shipment will hopefully be sent this week, so please make sure your name is on the list of first recipients. You can see the collection on http://www.oleana.no/
If you missed the lecturegiven by Signe at Kwantlen on February 21st, you can now see it on YouTube. It has been posted in several parts under the title "Knitting Values into Fashion"

More arrivals

2011-04-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

As the Easter Weekend arrived so did new stock! Nygaardsanna linen dresses and blouses arrived from Sweden, and after they have been steamed they will be hung on the racks - that will happen today. We also received summer socks, and leggings from b.ella, more leggings are on their way from Sneaky fox. URBANITY is closed Easter Friday and Monday. Open as normal Saturday and Sunday. For info please email me at julia@urbanity.ca

New Arrivals

2011-04-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

We have received a small selection of Fog Linen - simple linen dresses, pants, shirts, socks, and sun-hats! These quality garments are designed in Japan and made in Lithuania from beautiful Lithuanian linen. The clothes are one size and mostly for those with a smaller frame. Fog linen also makes linen items for the table and kitchen, which you can find in other Vancouver stores!

A wonderful selection of leggings from Sneaky Fox are about to arrive. Linen socks from Fog Linen are made in Japan from Lithuanian yarn.

Spring thoughts

2011-04-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

As spring tries really hard to become a reality, we have to look for ways to remind ourselves that cold WILL eventually turn to warm.
We have had a bit of a discussion on Facebook about the pleasures of shaving pills off sweaters, as a way of passing time as we wait for warmer weather. Pills are hard to avoid --unless the natural characteristics of the wool fibre have been changed. The use of a purse other than smooth leather can create a cluster of pills. Washing your sweater can help to almalgamate the fibres reducing the tenancy to pill, but when all goes to pill, just shave 'em off! There are all kinds of pill shavers available at a variety of prices.

Bright colourful cotton scarves have arrived from Anokhi. I picked up some wool/silk scarves in light colours from Asia Eye last weekend when in Bellevue. Some amazing Danish shawls in pink & red (wow!) are very slowly making their way from the customs office in Ontario, to Vancouver.

Fabulous birds and girl and boy rabbits have come from far away to celebrate the 'easter' season with us. They come from where it is warm, so they are snuggling under woolen sweaters waiting for the sun to really shine! They are so beautifully made and organic too--safe for little kids.

Waiting for the OLEANA Spring collection

2011-03-06T17:52:00.000-08:00

We are going to have to wait at least a month before we get our Oleana for spring/summer order. Some of you were lucky enough to see the collection when it was here, and placed your orders for when the shipment arrives. My colleague Grete in Switzerland has posted a YouTube film of the catalogue for everybody to see! This beautiful peony cardigan comes in two colour-ways and is simply exquisite.

New OLEANA skirt

2011-03-04T16:29:00.000-08:00

The Oleana skirt with the box pleats has been available in green and brown for a few years and now black has been added. The woolen fabric is just amazing. This skirt is a wardrobe staple that will never go out of style. We have combined it in the window with a new short alpaca Pernilla jacket, and an Oleana top with belt. It looks so fresh for days moving into spring. The necklace is from Connie Wright on Bowen island.

Also featured in the window is the work of Morija designs, from Vancouver--beautiful textile jewellery made from finely pleated silk embedded with beads

Spring cardigans

2011-03-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

Urbanity has carried softly knitted cardigans made by Pernilla Svenre and her team of 6 people since our very early days. I met Pernilla at the Copenhagen fashion fair way back in the '90s and loved her casual style. I promised that one day I would have a shop where I would sell her designs! Pernilla works with a basic model using different yarns and knitting styles. This season she has made a short version of her cardigan that can be tied or left loose. We have it solids, leaf patterns, and super soft alpaca in a lacey stitch.

Getting to the roots - Knitting Values into Fashion

2011-02-25T17:35:00.000-08:00

A visit from OLEANA reminds me of what my concept is and why I am doing what I am doing. Why I have a store that sells products made by caring hands, a store that does not mark up in order to mark down. A store that addresses the need for less but more beautiful clothes. URBANITY is about clothes and accessories that look at the roots of our being, and responds in a new way to old designs -- not copying old, but being inspired by them.

Fana sweater by Oleana

(Click on the image to read the story about the history of Knitting in Norway.)

Watching people touch and savour the glorous colour and the softness of natural fibres and who feel at one with what URBANITY is about makes me really happy.

Signe Aarhus, co-owner of Oleana, visits Vancouver

2011-02-17T15:21:00.000-08:00

Keeping you up-to-date!

2011-02-09T22:00:00.000-08:00

The Grass Roots Wedding Fair is happening on Saturday, Feb 12 at the Heritage hall on Main Street from 11 - 16. I will be showing OLEANA silk skirts and tops -- perfect for any member of a wedding party -- or any party! There will be lots of goodies, and I will be giving out $20 coupons for an Urbanity purchase - to sweeten the $15 entrance.

Last weekend my info-mail did some-thing strange. We tried to send it twice. Still, many people did not get it. You will always get news when you are signed up here!!

Upcoming visit from OLEANA!!!! Signe Aarhus, co-owner, and founder of OLEANA will be here for only one day on Monday, February 21st. She will be giving a talk about OLEANA at Kwantlen-Richmond, and YOU ARE INVITED! Signe is so interesting listen to. I hope you can find time from 11.20 - 12.20 to join us. More info will be sent soon.

Toronto

2011-01-31T07:10:00.000-08:00

I saw this wonderful look on one of the guests at the Toronto Interior Design Show this past weekend. Leg warmers OVER boots! Stunning! Urbanity stocks leg-warmers - still available in many colours. You can do this too!

Oleana blankets at the exhibition were a huge hit. It was so much fun to show them at such a fabulous venue.

Interior Design Show - Toronto

2011-01-24T06:13:00.000-08:00

OLEANA blankets are being presented in Toronto at the Interior Design Show happening this weekend - Jan 28 - 30. Please tell your friends and family who live in the Toronto area to make sure to visit us on stand 26 in the North Studio section. You can see more at http://www.oleana.ca/, and you can see the blanket collection at http://www.oleana.no/

Sweaters for everybody and any occasion

2011-01-12T11:42:00.000-08:00

work by Anne Lene Løvhaug 2007

"Contructions: contemporary Norwegian design and crafts" is beautifully imaginative and playful. The exhibition, curated by Edith Lundebrekke, will be displayed at the Design Exchange in Toronto, November 19, 2010 - January 24, 2011.
234 Bay Street, Toronto
Read more

Happy New Year!

2011-01-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

This beautiful amaryllis is only 2/3 in blossom! People stop to look at in the window -- I am sure they think it is artificial!
The corduroy pinafore dress just managed to get its picture taken before it was happily bought and taken out the door. These dresses from Cut Loose have been such a hit, that I have ordered another batch of them, expected to arrive around Jan 24th. They go so well with the new Oleana pullovers. They come in two sizes, small and big, and are perfect for post Christmas days. The purse is made from Salmon skin, on Iceland.

The year that was...

2010-12-30T22:52:00.000-08:00

2010 was an exciting year for URBANITY. We started the year in anticipation of the coming Winter Olympics, and in the wake of the OLEANA exhibition, Beyond Borders that had brought a lot of attention to the OLEANA collection. Then, at the end of March I made the decision to move the store away from Gastown and closer to my customers. The decision was not easy, but as the months have gone by I am really happy to be on Granville Street, in the South Granville shopping and gallery district. Thanks to all off you who have been a friend and customer of URBANITY whether for 6 years or one week -- may 2011 see your wishes come true.

God Jul! It's Christmas!

2010-12-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

opening hours are posted on our website www.urbanity.ca

Lille Julaften

2010-12-22T19:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve is quickly approaching. In Denmark, December 23rd is called Lille Julaften - little Christmas Eve. Christmas in Denmark is really magical and making the day before Christmas eve a special day just makes more room for all the magic.
Oleana's motto is that the world needs less, but more beautiful things. Here at Urbanity we too believe this, which is why we have only luxurious items that will last for a long time, bringing pleasure for years to come. We are open to 8pm on lille julaften.

Carol singers in URBANITY

2010-12-18T17:48:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful Saturday surprise! 'Fandango' came into the store and sang for us!

OLEANA for Christmas

2010-12-11T10:28:00.000-08:00

The last Oleana shipment before Christmas has arrived. So many pretty cardigans and pullovers made from cosy alpaca, and easy to wear merino-silk. From wristlets to sweaters Oleana makes something for the very perfect pretty gift to give -- also to give yourself!

Follow us on Twitter, and Facebook -- find the links on our website

New arrivals from Pernilla Svenre

2010-12-06T15:27:00.000-08:00

After sitting in a box in customs for almost two months we have finally received a selection of merino 'jackets' from Swedish designer Pernilla Svenre. Pernilla's soft merino one colour cardigans are a regular in Urbanity, and this year I added a few leaf pattern and lacy knit models with matching scarves. Pernilla works with a team of 5 and also sells from her Stockholm butik.

Beautiful scarves by Kate Barber

2010-12-01T23:16:00.000-08:00

We carry the work of local textile artists -- one-of-a-kind wearable art from BC. Last week Kate Barber brought in three exquisite scarves woven with very soft wool and linen. Kate has developed a complicated method of fabric treatment that results in exquisite surface design. Please visit our website to see the artists we represent.

Our Christmas 'Julestue' is on Sunday

2010-11-25T12:32:00.000-08:00

Tradition will have it that we start our Christmas celebration this Sunday, the first Sunday in Advent. We will serve warm Gløgg, something yummy to eat, and give you the opportunity to make a Christmas decoration. On this day we invite you to make a donation to the Union Gospel Mission either through a purchase, or just as an offering. For the cost of an Americano, you can buy a full Christmas dinner for a person in need. Drop by between 1 - 4 Nov. 28th. We look forward to seeing you. (click on the image to see a larger version.)

Its sweater time :-) !!!

2010-11-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

From my window I see a healthy dusting of snow on the north shore mountains, and the radio tells me that is cold and getting colder. It is sweater time! Oleana has introduced two new Alpaca styles this season. This beautiful cardigan is also available in shades of red. It is a longer version of one of my favourite woolen cardigans from 7 or so years ago. The grey colour is new.

Just Arrived! Lots of slippers from Pia Wallén

2010-11-16T15:10:00.000-08:00

The perfect Christmas present for the whole family! Woolen felt slippers from Swedish Pia Wallén in ALL sizes, from Baby to Dad. Black, grey, blue, red - unisex and slip-ons. Slippers are priced from $48 to $75. For babies we also have Oleana blankets and b.ella socks.

Christmas Recipes

2010-11-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

Crackerjack opened last night in West Van, and to help with the evening's festivities I served Stollen and Apple Gløgg. Both were such a hit that I promised to post the recipes here. The Stollen was made following a recipe on-line with reference to the Stollen recipe in the Larouse Gastronomique. I used less than half the sugar for the marzipan, and I added the egg yolks from making the marzipan to the dough. The apple cider gløgg recipe is as follows:

Apple cider glogg (no alcohol)

1 organic orange

1 ½ liters of organic apple cider

50 g. sliced fresh ginger

4 star anis

8 cardamom pods

50 grams big light raisins

Slice the orange. Boil the cider with the spices and orange slices. Reduce the mixture to 1 liter. Strain over the raisins

New arrivals

2010-11-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

This has been an exciting week in URBANITY! We received some wonderful coats and triangular scarves (pictured) from Ivko. The colours are amazing and attracting a lot of attention (click on the images to get a closer look.) We also received some really funky coats from Swedish Olars Ulla. All items are not available anywhere else in Vancouver. A variety of very cute alpaca scarves that I bought back in March arrived -- fabulous for Christmas presents -- so soft and colourful.

Our Halloween window!

2010-11-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks again to Hills Native Art in Gastown for providing us with a mask for our Halloween window. This year we only had one mask because we only had one mannequin in the window. The mask was carved by William Watts, and is astounding!

Tomorrow is VIP night in South Granville. Click on the link to see who is participating. Bring your friends for a great evening.

VIP shopping night Nov. 3rd from 5.30 - 8.00 pm

2010-10-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

An evening of shopping on South Granville with refreshments and specials.

We have invited Lemon Park to hold a trunk show as part of the VIP shopping night in URBANITY.

Lemon Park is a Vancouver based jewellery design business that started in the fall of 2006. Created by two sisters, Penny and Tania Gleave, Lemon Park takes a bold, modern and adventurous approach to their jewellery designs. Their unique pieces are designed and created in their studio in Vancouver.

We've got a name!

2010-09-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

This morning, bright and early, our name got put on the building above the window!!! It was a day to celebrate! With the sign came a new energy, and people have been streaming in all day. There is nothing like having a NAME!!!

I often get asked the question.......

2010-09-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

...what should I wear under my Oleana cardigan?
Oleana makes matching shells, and short sleeved tops in the same colourways as the cardigans, but some people prefer to wear cotton. The designer, Solveig Hisdal often wears a blouse casually, over her skirt or pants, as can be seen here when she was in Vancouver last year opening the exhibition "Beyond Borders"

and socks for babies too!

2010-09-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

Today I received the long awaited leggings (footless tights) that I had hoped for in July! And in the box were tiny little baby b.elle socks for boys and girls made from cashmere, angora, wool, viscose..... they are just tooo cute! Remember that we still carry baby blankets from OLEANA!!

Treading lightly into Autumn

2010-09-09T14:49:00.001-07:00

It always amazes me how trees begin to change colour on the Labour Day weekend telling us that the season has officially changed! We have had a wonderful summer and despite the changing leaves, we can expect to enjoy late summer for a while yet.

We might not be ready for sweaters and winter coats, yet everybody is getting ready to layer, and even though it is nice for our toes to be bare, colourful socks are a lovely way to start getting ready for winter.

Just arrived are wonderful coloured socks from b.ella made from wool, cashmere, angora. More cotton socks have arrived from Ozone.

Along with the wonderful array of tights from Danish Sneaky Fox, we have almost everything you might wish for. I say almost, because I am getting a lot of requests for leggings! So leggings are on their way.

These items make great (Christmas) presents!

Join the Sketchbook Project!

2010-08-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

Some while ago Patsy found this link to the sketchbook project and put it on Facebook, and I am so glad she did!! Now I have my lovely red sketchbook, and am all ready to go!!! You can join the project too!
click here

A hidden treasure

2010-08-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

OLEANA has their own shop in each Scandinavian capitol. I had never seen the shop on Gamla Stan in old Stockholm, which is also the home of the Royal Palace, so I set off to find it and take some pictures. Nestled between shops and a cafe on Jarntorget, I probably walked past at least 4 times before I counted house numbers and then the sign jumped out at me. The shop is small and very pretty--and very worth a visit!

Copenhagen style

2010-08-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

Copenhagen women continue to embraced layering their clothes. Baggy pants seem to have replaced leggings. These are worn under long tops, or dresses. The pants often have interesting details, and no matter what, the look is tall, casual yet elegant on every body type.

One of my favourite places

2010-07-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the beauty that people create. One of my favourite place to wander is amongst the Alabama Chanin pages on Facebook where I randomly found this amazing image. I just want to clip it out of the screen and put it somewhere where I will see it all the time! It has such serene beauty.

Facebook also offers me another daily treat--Jessica Bell has pledged to post an image a day during her 33rd year. The image is two joined images--"one look through each eye". You can see them here

Saturday on THE RISE.....

2010-07-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

Saturday is the day where good friends, who work during the week, get to hang out together having lunch, going shopping, maybe taking in a movie......

I used to suggest Jules Bistro for lunch when URBANITY was in Gastown. Now I suggest 'Salade de Fruits' which is the local French Bistro just down on 7th.

URBANITY celebrates 2 months 'on the rise' today!

One-of-a-kind linen dresses

2010-07-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

I was at the NW Trendshow in Bellevue in March where I saw a few samples of unique dresses from Poland and coats from Sweden, so I bought a small selection of each. After waiting more than 3 months, and almost forgetting that I had placed an order, the linen pieces arrived. Shown is an appliqued dress made from three different linens. This dress is made by Mara Gibbucci--each piece is unique. You can visit her website at http://www.maragibbucci.com/

Perfect with this dress is the treasure chest necklace in shades of brown made by Connie Wright from Bowen Island. Each necklace that Connie makes is totally unique, made up of beads and trinkets found from her travels to her grandma's button box.

Fashion at Granville and Broadway

2010-07-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

10 models walked the cross walk at Granville and Broadway wearing clothes from URBANITY and neighbour Babs as part of our meet and revisit evening on June 29th. It was a wonderful summer evening. Thanks to all who came!

Party tonight!

2010-06-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

You are invited to join URBANITY and my neighbour BABS as we have an evening of goodies, and fashion.

A colourful update

2010-06-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

The shop in the new location continues to be beautifully busy. I have been wanting to share these wonderful brooches with you (before they are all gone) made by Peruvian Vacide Erda Zimic. And speaking of colour, the incredibly colourful Ozone socks I ordered back at the end of March finally arrived! They were meant for the cool spring days, but it looks like summer might just have arrived in Vancouver!

A summer Wedding???

2010-05-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

OLEANA skirts and tops make the perfect wedding dress, or any dress for the wedding party. Made from silk tafetta, or silk damask, they are available in a multitude of colours and styles -- long A, short A, or pleated in three lengths. The tops are all sleeveless. You can mix and match, and use the belt to accent or change the look.

URBANITY on Twitter

2010-05-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

I am a newcomer to TWITTER (my username is 'myurbanity') so I spent some time this morning looking for people to add to my network. I found this fabulous cookie company called "a couple of squares". The cookies are wonderful pictures!

Fine cotton knits from Serbia

2010-05-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

On this rainy Vancouver Tuesday, I received a small selection of soft cotton knits from IVKO! I first saw these knits around 3 years ago, so I am thrilled to have this cotton collection, in a variety of sizes, in the store. The quality of the cotton is amazing, and the colours are VERY colourful! I have put a coat in the window that is made from embroidered linen and knitted cotton. If you go my FACEBOOK page you can see an image of one of the three dresses.

Daydreams

2010-05-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

The shop is closed today because it is Monday. I have enjoyed my day wandering in my thoughts and in my neighbourhood. I do love what I would call the 'craziness' of my 'hood -- it is full of opposites. I enjoy juxtapositions and contradictions. For this reason I got excited when Patsy posted the website of Danish designer Violise Lunn! Violise makes shoes and dresses from paper. Her shoes make feel amazingly happy and contented too, because they are such beautiful pieces of work. Some years ago I saw an exhibition in Hove, England called Princess SuSu. It was an exhibition of 'unwearables' that I often think about! If you search, you may find more images from the Princess SuSu exhibition.

In the meantime, make sure you visit the exhibition of Vancouver 'real' shoe designers John Fluevog and Peter Fox at the MOV.

URBANITY is now open on Granville Street!!!

2010-05-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

It has been such an exciting 4 days! So many people coming into the shop, so many people passing by, telling their friends!!! I am thrilled to be here in South Granville!!! There has not been time to finish setting up, so we are bit of a work in progress, but it is ALL GOOD!!

Ready....set......

2010-05-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

Today was the turning point at the new shop. My friend Judy came to help again today and finally the paper was taken down from the window - at least for a while - and when we left at 9pm I took a photograph from the outside. Tomorrow the mannequins will get dressed, and the displays will be made. If you are in the neighbourhood, please come in--!! It will be great to see you!!! Otherwise OPENING DAY is TUESDAY, May 11th at 11 am!

Opening May 1st???? Sorry.....we are delayed.....

2010-04-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

I am really starting to get anxious...and excited about getting the store open. It has been a huge job for my one man and an electrician. BUT it is looking GREAT!
The Chandelier is in the window just waiting for the paper to come down so we can greet the world.
Although the shop is not ready I am happy to make an appointment with anybody who is needing something in particular. It is best to send me an email - julia@urbanity.ca

OLEANA and PKK design Jewellery

2010-04-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

Patsy recently did a photoshoot of her jewellery using models wearing OLEANA and other URBANITY items. You can see more on Patsy's website and blog.

The new URBANITY is taking shape

2010-04-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

I want to give you an update on the progression of URBANITY 'on the RISE'. As you can see, we are not about to open in the next week!!! We are waiting for the materials for doing the floor, coming from Dartmouth, N.S. -- that got delayed in Toronto! When the floor has been finished the walls can be painted, and changing rooms made. In order to get open as soon as possible, no changes will be made to my display system, for now. I am growing really fond of the space, and getting to know the neighbourhood. I think you are going to really enjoy the New URBANITY.

U R B A N I T Y is on the MOVE

2010-03-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

After pioneering Abbott Street in Gastown for 5 1/2 years, URBANITY is moving away from the neighbourhood. I left Denmark almost 6 years ago because this neighbourhood had won my heart, and I had decided to both live and start my shop here. My fondness for my neighbourhood and all those who live here and start their business here has not diminished, so leaving has been an emotional struggle. As I distance myself from it though, I think I am making a very positive move. URBANITY will reopen towards the end of April at 2412 South Granville Street. Phone number and email address will remain the same, and although I might not be taking calls, I will be checking emails.

Where Oleana blankets are made

2010-03-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

There is no end of beautiful images on Lene's Blog from the small town of Roros, where Oleana blankets are made. From the annual winter festival held in the third week of February to images of Roros' own blankets, akvavit, and rows of brightly coloured houses, they make your mouth water. Scroll down past the Copenhagen Chocolate festival to where the Roros images begin.

The Danish Curling team's clothes

2010-03-08T16:58:00.000-08:00

The Olympics are over, but curling has set the scene for fashion statements.

The Danish curling team wears short pleated skirts, tights, and leg warmers. I wonder if they are from Sneaky Fox?

Norwegian Colours!

2010-02-16T12:37:00.000-08:00

The Norwegian Curling team are wearing the flag on their pants!

The 2010 Winter Olympic games have started!

2010-02-12T21:53:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Olympic games have started in Vancouver.
You can support your team wearing a beautiful red and white alpaca cardigan from Oleana. Go Canada!

New Textile Jewellery

2010-02-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

I found the work of Peruvian Vacide Erda Zimic when I was in Toronto at Christmas. She makes these amazing necklaces of wrapped bundels of fabric. She also makes felt flowers from waste industrial felt. The flowers come in the forms of brooches and rings. We have a wonderful selection of colours and designs. Yummy!!

Happy Birthday Ole Bull!

2010-02-05T06:13:00.000-08:00

Today, February 5, 2010 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Ole Bull!!! The handsome violin virtuoso was born in Bergen, and has provided the inspiration for Oleana - the Norwegian Story. He created a settlement for Norwegians in Pennsylvania that he called OLEANA -- Ole after his father and Ana after his mother. It was Ole Bull's dreams that inspired Oleana - the Norwegian Story. Click here to read more about Ole Bull and his music.

OLEANA blankets

2010-01-21T23:01:00.000-08:00

I found these images on a blog.

They are from a Swedish magazine.

'W' returns!

2010-01-10T21:01:00.000-08:00

The Woodwards 'W' is once again rising high inviting everybody to come down to Gastown!! The population of the Woodwards project seems to mean that more people are walking around and discovering the neighbourhood. Its GREAT!

It's 2010...and the Olympics are coming!!

2010-01-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

The Winter Olympic Games are coming to Vancouver and we are going to see lots of SCARVES! Here is a picture of Anna who lives in Copenhagen. She is wearing a scarf Copenhagen style! Lots of scarf make great summer and winter accessories. And URBANITY has lots of SCARVES!

Season's Greetings one and all!

2009-12-20T16:35:00.000-08:00

We will be closed on Dec 24 to 28th. Open on Dec. 29, 30, 31. Closed January 1st

Michelle Obama LOVES OLEANA!

2009-12-15T16:27:00.000-08:00

I got a morning message from OLEANA:
Michelle Obama chose Oleana!
As the US president Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel’s Piece Prize this year, Norway had the honour of hosting Mr. and Mrs. Obama last week in Oslo.

One of our customers, Heimen Husflid, who is located quite close to Grand Hotel where they were staying, had taken the initiative to give the couple some presents from Norway.

We can now proudly break the news that Michelle Obama went back to the USA with four Oleana sweaters in her suitcase! She got so enthusiastic about her present that she bought three more, all from the Oleana-collection. We take it as a big compliment to our line and it is great fun.

Michelle Obama gets many positive remarks on how she dresses and now you can tell your customers who is buying Oleana that they have as good a taste as she has!!

With these good news we would like to wish you a happy Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Scandinavian Christmas goodies

2009-12-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

We've got lots of cute Christmas ornaments this year from the Danish company Maileg, such as mushrooms and little pigs!! Not only do we have pixies but also boy and girl mice and even angels!
Of course we have lots of wonderful accessories: legwarmers from 2 Danes, muffediser from Vancouver's Mimi design, masses of wonderful scarves and mittens, and of course, gorgeous cosy sweaters.
Come and brows!

Remembering the Oleana exhibition

2009-12-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

A picture of Laura and me from the last Friday of the Exhibition, BEYOND BORDERS, OLEANA the Norwegian Story, published in the latest edition of Scandinavian Press.

Gastown Shop Hop and Sans Soucie

2009-11-30T13:10:00.000-08:00

The Gastown Christmas Shop Hop is this Thursday, Dec. 3rd from 5 - 9pm. Bring a friend! It is a festive evening of sales and sips. URBANITY will be offering yummy hot gløgg and special prices on Sans Soucie designs.

For this week only, we have an exhibition of Katherine Soucie's newest work. The Christmas window looks fabulous!

VANITAS by Katherine Soucie

The recent collection Vanitas, produced by Vancouver based clothing and textile designer Katherine Soucie, is a new series of garments created in response to investigation into the concept of modest indulgence and what that has come to represent in today's society.

This new body of work was initiated through the support of the Downtown Eastside Small Arts Grant Program and Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Soucie who was selected as a recipient of this grant this past summer was inspired to create this new work after being donated an obsolete industrial embroidery machine in conjunction with experiementations with a digital embroidery machine recently acquired by Emily Carr University. This funding not only encouraged the development of new work with this equipment but also has also enabled for other artists and designers in the community to have access to such equipment for research and development purposes.

Soucie was selected among 10 other artists who live and work in the DTES of Vancouver as a recipient of this grant which is a new program designed to help artists and designers produce a new body of work that will allow their practice to be taken to the next level in their career.

Yuletide* at URBANITY

2009-11-28T08:15:00.000-08:00

Sunday, November 29th--please come by!

We are starting our Christmas season at URBANITY traditionally, by lighting the first candle on the advent ring, serving glogg, making a decoration (if you wish), being entertained by Anne-Elise Keefer from 1 - 2.30pm, and Pat Ernst from 3 - 5pm. You will be able to make a $5 donation to the Union Gospel Mission who offer meals to our less fortunate neighbours.
*In Denmark this event is called a Julestue (yool eh stoo)- literally translated as a "Christmas Room".

Opening of Beyond Borders

2009-09-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

THE EXHIBITION OPENED on Thursday evening, September 10th, and will continue until the 26th. The opening was wonderful. Lots of people, food, good feelings, and a super dance performance choreographed by Kokoro's Barbara Bourget.

This is the first opportunity I've had to send you a note to tell you
what a superb job I think you did on the Oleana opening. It was by
far the most sophisticated opening I've attended, with the beautiful
exhibit, splendid food, truly sensational dance (I loved that the
dancers were simultaneously sensuous and awkward---so effective), and the heart felt speeches. You are to be thoroughly applauded for a job exceptionally well done. -- Cher