When womens wear designer Dace Moore established her first studio overlooking the steam clock in Gastown in 2002, the neighbourhood was nowhere close to its current status as one of the most stylish in the world. Moore is advancing her eponymous label, Dace, and Vancouver real estate frontiers again with her first storefront at 725 East Hastings in the heart of Strathcona.
I felt that I was at a crossroads with my career. I needed a change, says Moore, looking up from sewing her Fall 2013 collection. Its inspiring for me to have a storefront.
The 11-year-old label has built a faithful following in North America with versatile collections known for their wearable yet classy femininity.
Light streams in through the nearly floor-to-ceiling store windows, illuminating the modern 800 square feet of Rennie-owned space. Like Moore, the gritty stretch of Hastings east of Main is transitioning. Moore has joined a growing colony of creatives populating the refurbished 700 block of East Hastings. In a neighbourhood associated with drug use and prostitution, this enclave including a wood worker, artists and architects stands out from businesses like the now defunct Cigar Emporium. Not far away there are already established signs of the neighbourhood shift in the form of Les Amis Du Fromage cheese shop, Au Petit Chavignol wine bar, the new Finchs Tea & Coffee House and The Wilder Snail grocery.
We have a tight little community on the block. Were a young, family-oriented group. Every suite has a dog in it. We go to the park together. Most of us live and work in Strathcona, says Moore, whose coon hound Trout hangs out at the store.
The new Dace storefront/studio is a novelty in Vancouver retail.
The concept is to have an open, working studio. The front functions as a showroom. Its not open to the pubic as a retail store in the traditional sense. If were here, were here. Its nice to have people drop in and have a look.
Moore relies on the studio space to sell special items, like her new childrens line, in order to avoid wholesaling and keep the prices down. The range of kids dresses and separates made with luxurious European and Japanese cotton prints runs $55-$125.
For Spring 2013, Moore designed a chic collection including three styles of tailored cotton button ups, darling peter-pan collared tanks and playful striped dresses in neutral colours, with the occasional mint green accent.
Spring 2013 is not fancy; its day to day. The look changes with how Im changing. I had a baby. Im thinking cotton, but Im still going for stylish items youd want in your closet.
As if the fashion wasnt enough, you can also purchase the handmade wood furniture by Beau Kerner, Moores husband, who works out of the neighbouring studio.
Dace.ca | 725 East Hastings
