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Vancouver is home to a thriving fashion industry made up of individuals committed to its growth and success. Get to know these personalities in The Inseam and discover what makes the Vancouver Fashion scene so awesome. |
Image: courtesy Heather Huntingford
Kiss & Makeup is West Van’s sanctuary for all things ladylike. Carrying the best in beauty products and unique fashion finds, the retailer has the charm and appeal to cater to women of every age.
Owner Heather Huntingford discusses her beginnings, her favourite items and how our city influences the Kiss & Makeup brand.
Valerie Tiu: Can you tell us about your store? How did you come up with the concept for Kiss & Makeup?
Heather Huntingford: Our spiel in a nutshell - Kiss & Makeup is a collection of noteworthy finds spanning across all things apothecary to fashionable.
We opened in 2004 with a cosmetic focus (in a teeny tiny store). I have hypersensitive skin so it was a completely selfish ruse to find products that I could use. As the years passed and clients urged for more we more expanded into jewelry, then accessories, then shoes, then a larger space and now clothing as well. We truly are a one-stop shop for all things we think are cool.
VT: Did you always know that you wanted to open up your own store?
HH: Nope, sure didn’t. I was sitting in a 4th year Human Kinetic class at UBC, heading towards medicine and the idea was convinced. Next came a quick jaunt to BCIT in their Ventureship program and the store was born.
I do have to point out that I come from a family of entrepreneurs. Brother, father, mother, cousins, and uncles have all had, started and /or work in their own business – so it’s safe to say that it’s in my blood.
VT: What kind of labels can we expect to find at Kiss & Makeup?
HH: Those that are special. There is a serious vetting period between both the brand and us to make sure that the fit is right. What do they have to offer that is new, original, amazing, and makes the staff want to buy all of it before it goes on the floor?
Current favourites are Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Eugenia Kim hats, Rich & Skinny Jeans, La Licious body scrubs, Stila Cosmetics holiday palettes (value is incredible), and Frye’s, Frye’s Frye’s.
VT: Who shops at Kiss & Makeup?
HH: A woman on the go; be that a mother, jetsetter, entrepreneur, socialite or university student, these ladies are all hustling and bustling.
They appreciate and expect quality, that the piece has a story, that the makeup look is actually achievable, that when investing in a higher price point product it’s usually only one of maybe three that we have researched and brought specially into the store.
Our clientele also varies between those well versed in the world of makeup and fashion to someone who is on completely foreign ground; as in washes their face with a bar of soap (which is a no-no as it befuddles your skins Ph balance). Our job is purely to create a warm, inviting, playful and honest environment to ensure they come away from with the best possible product that fits their needs.
VT: You have a great eye for fun, yet functional products. What do you look for when you are buying?
HH: Thanks! Well, it obviously has to catch my attention. Is it a new concept to the store or is it overlapping with something else? Is it too far ahead of trend or perhaps behind? Do we love it, how’s the fit or texture, what’s the price, quality, material, where does it ship from, who else carries it, and does it fit our style? These are a few of the questions we always ask.
VT: Where do the ladies of Kiss + Makeup get their style inspiration from?
HH: It’s a combination really; we pull inspiration from the plethora of magazines we are constantly reading, the multitude of lookbooks and line sheets we get daily, what we see when we travel, and also from each other. We like to play dress up in the store and try a variety of ways to wear different things.
VT: How does living in Vancouver influence the Kiss + Makeup brand?
HH: Our West Coast lifestyle is completely entwined into Kiss & Makeup’s culture. Our day to day living, from eating organic food, going to yoga, heading to Whistler, going to a dinner party, or hitting the soccer field – it all plays into the brand that we have created because it’s how we live our lives.
We relate to our clients and understand their needs and the store is tailored to facilitate that the clothing they buy is functional, yet looks amazing and their makeup looks are achievable and transitional throughout the day, be that getting the kids from school, going grocery shopping, hitting the gym, or going to work. We want you to love and use what you get from us to help facilitate a greater enjoyment of all that Vancouver has to offer (and, right now that is a kick-ass rain jacket and pair of Hunter boots).
Kiss & Makeup is located h5 925 Main Street at The Village Park Royal, West Vancouver.
