Zen Fuschia Episode 3: Call it White Magic

A cool, bright morning in late August. I’m channeling Mrs. Onassis in oversized tortoise shades and a vintage mini-shift, sailing the 9 am ferry to Saltspring Island. I’ve got company: my dear friend K.T. in an acid-wash denim romper, her indie-rocker boyfriend who owns, like, two alternating t-shirts, and the Ageing Director in his standby summer dress jacket. In fact, the boat teems with faces from our crowd. We’re all en route to the wedding of a most fiery, least domesticated pal. Bronco is an actor who once confided he could never marry, because his real love – the stage – is a wickedly jealous mistress. In under five hours, he is scheduled to wed Chiara, an Italian-born choreographer whom none of us have met.

Perched on the ship’s top deck, salt-wind riffling our hair and flirting with the hems of our clothes, we wonder at the right words to ink on the card.

“Well you can’t use ‘joy’ or ‘forever,’” quips the Ageing Director. Somebody’s feeling cynical about his impending divorce. Maybe it’s the setting, the boat and the open ocean, but I feel a gradual lightness beginning somewhere in the centre of my chest.

“Write this,” I say to K.T., recalling the words of a prophet, “love one another, but make not a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea.”

Call it white magic, or good witchcraft. Just for today, call it a willingness to suspend my disbelief.

Style File: Rock and Roll meets the Wild West

The Style File by Leah Wong

Designers’ western sensibility extended past the incorporation of plaid in Fall 2009 collections. Denim dominated the runway – both the denim shirt and jacket are making a comeback this season. Leather often accompanied denim; fringed accessories completed the rocker chic looks. Drawing inspiration from fringe on the runway, a chambray shirt can easily be modernized when complemented by an interesting accessory such as the fleather earring.

Fashion on the Fringe

Western, prairie-inspired, cowgirlesque...whatever they're calling it, fringe is going strong this winter with appearances on everything from shoes and dresses to handbags and jewelry.

We love these fringe heels by L.A.M.B. - a perfect complement to Shi Studio's 'Fleather' earrings.

The classic tune, Mary Had a Little Lamb, inspired superstar Gwen Stefani to name her dog “Lamb” when she was a child. He followed her everywhere she went for the 16 years that she had him, and eventually became an inspiration himself for the name her hit clothing line, L.A.M.B. (which also stands for “Love.Angel.Music.Baby.”).

L.A.M.B. combines a luxury designer feel with street style, using creative cuts, fabrics, prints and more.

Diamond in the Rough

For those of you attracted to a more casual and local, handcrafted style, check out Ken Diamond's beautifully crafted, leather moccasins.


Ken Diamond consists of Ken Diamond and Jolene Eeuwes from Vancouver, BC. The philosophy behind the works of Ken Diamond are simple - high quality leather goods with classic designs, entirely made in their Vancouver studio. As leather work is a dying art, the pair work at keeping the traditions alive while using modern techniques to keep their works simple and minimal.


Ken Diamond's moccasins are now available for purchase online.

Thank you to Jeff Hamada and Booooooom for the inspiration and use of these photos. Get inspired at Booooooom and join in a community of people excited to go out and be creative!

Off the Cuff: with Cory Judge

There is a quality to the air and the light in the sky when summer turns to early fall that always strikes me. It is the time to put on a different hat, metaphorically speaking, and step into a more serious and focused me. The planning persona. In this business of artisan and craft industry we plan for shows months in advance. It is strange to be so intent on organizing the minute details of the Christmas show season months in advance...

How do I stay 'present' and in the 'now' with a business that demands such forethought? Maybe that is the quality of summer that I begin to tuck away as the season changes - the spontaneous ability to create adventure. Funny the subconscious symbolism of shifting light.

Zen Fuschia Episode 2: Blame it on Witchcraft

I've reached that age. All my wild, organic, artsy, Dionysian, don't fence-me-in, gyrating under the light of a full-moon, can't ever dream of settling-down friends are doing just that - halter and bridle. Colleagues, acquaintances, and even my kid sister(who, btw, is ten years younger, but hey, who's counting?) are tying the knot.

Not that I begrudge them their oaths, not at all. I'm a double-Gemini: too capricious to commit.

I could blame it on witchcraft.

When I was nineteen and visiting my football-player boyfriend on scholarship in West Georgia, a paper-skinned woman with a necklace of gator teeth jangled up to me in the Lost In Time Cafe in Cassadaga, Florida, and floated a molasses-hued hand to my head like it was the most natural gesture.

"You are of two minds," she said. "Honey, don't rush headlong into marriage."

Gracious, if that ain't enough to spook a girl from the chapel, then I don't know what.

Style File: Mad about Plaid

The Style File by Leah Wong

Far from its Scottish homeland, tartan was spotted on the runways this fall. More commonly called plaid here in North America, there are more ways than just the kilt to wear it. Plaid was a popular choice by designers on the runway the fall, and many style bloggers are incorporating the pattern into their own outfits. A lasso accessory is the perfect accent to any piece of plaid clothing.

Off the Cuff - Summer Memoirs with Cory Judge

Well here I go… Another crazy festival summer. I have been reflecting on the exciting and speedy momentum of motion, of being on the road zipping from festival to festival, yet the reality of a personal need for quiet stillness. I am constantly amazed at the dichotomy within oneself between the energy of frenetic social interaction and the energy of solitude. I personally revel in both, yet seek the balance between the two that is sustainable for the soul.

Well, enough of the inner thoughts – time to pack for the Calgary Stampede! The plan this year is to drive to Calgary for this event and work my butt off for 12 days with a couple of girlfriends (who are loving to party). Now this should be a blast!!

The Style File: Infusion of Colour

The Style File by Leah Wong

Unusual colour combinations such as red and pink were found on the runway during the Fall/Winter 2009 shows. Designers anchored the analogous colours with neutrals. Draw inspiration from the runway trends using the everyday sense of fashion bloggers. The incorporation of interesting colour combinations adds visual interest to any outfit. Red and pink can be found together on Chinese silk brocades, an easy way to to play with colour.

Off the Cuff - Summer Memoirs with Cory Judge

Wow, the summer season is done. Flew by! After the Calgary FF I was home for one day and then headed to The Filberg Festival in the Comox Valley. It was scorching hot there but my booth was right by the garden stage surrounded by flowers so all balanced out. Private stage in gorgeous setting while sweating! After this festival I drove home for 15 hours and then jumped on a plane for the Edmonton FF. I arrived on Wednesday just in time for an evening performance that blew my mind; Tracy Chapman and Sarah McLachlan. Pinched myself at least 3 times - 'this is actually Tracy Chapman on stage!'. I give thanks for the great response to Shi Studio yet again at this festival. Booth location was good and we were smoking busy all weekend. Now I am home and happily chillin on the beach for a day with my little girl. Phew!

Style File: Fall into Floral

The Style File by Leah Wong

Just as butterflies fluttered their way into fashion, floral found its place on the runway this season; blossoming in the 2009 Spring and Resort collections. While large, oversized floral prints were seen in many collections, the smaller floral patterns were just as popular. The floral fabrics this season are found in many different colours. A floral patterned accessory from Shi Studio is a simple, yet classic way to embrace this trend.

Zen Fuschia Episode 1: The Pink Rose

Truth: A semi-date with a man two-and-a-half times your age, to whom you are not at all romantically attracted can be very awkward.

Tonight, the Aging Director brought me a pink rose: a late birthday gesture. Next to carnations, I like roses least. Showered with baby's breath and standing in a blue ceramic vase, the rose holds about as charm for me as an amateur production of The Glass Menagerie. Sentimental and dusty - a stand-in for the sloppily naïve.

But how could he possibly know which flower makes me heady? And really, why should I care? Tonight was "Date Number Two." In quotes, because I don't know what else to call an encounter where you don your navy blue jersey LaRok mini-dress, Frye Campus boots and Shi Fleather earrings, only to venture into the downpour of a west-coast night to meet a man old enough to be your father, who treats you to duck tapas and espresso martinis. And who, though he "does not want to intrude upon your young life," invites you to join him in New York whenever you please, and let money be no object.

Wobbly from the twist of three martinis amid a week of liver cleansing, I teeter from the Land Rover after planting two chaste bisous on the pads of his cheeks.

How do I manage to get myself into these things?

*All names have been changed to protect those Pipar has slept with, acted with, drank with, fasted with, prayed with, or all of the above.