Let's face it, we all like to consider ourselves savvy shoppers. Whether it's buying local in one of Van's favorite boutiques or pulling the chicest vest out of the $5 bin at the local thrift shop, finding a one of a kind item is always an ego booster.

Now, however, we can avoid the exhausting and tedious act of scouring every last rack in the store by attending Vancouver's very own Spend on Trend. The event, taking place September 5-7 at Scotia Bank Dance Centre, will feature 24 vendors from all over the country showcasing their latest and trendiest designs. If buying local and supporting your friendly, neighborhood designer is part of a recent attempt to be a better Vancouverite, this would probably be your chance to make good on that promise.

From bags to boots, dresses to denim, Spend on Trend Vancouver 2008 will be the first chance to buy Fall's latest fashions. Tickets to the event are $5 and can be conveniently bought at the door. $1 from each ticket is also donated to the St. Elizabeth Home Emergency Shelter for Women and Children (and who said shopping is selfish?). For the keeners out there, the first 25 people in the door receive a free gift bag valuing over $50.

Photos courtesy of Spend on Trend's website

I'm going to make T-shirts that say Hipsters are Not a Crime. After the explosion of anti-hipster sentiments sparked by an article about soccer, and after reading an article by local author Douglas Haddow in Adbusters, I feel like I need to make some sort of rebuttal. Now, I don't voluntary subscribe myself to the epithet hipster, but I realize, indeed I'm at many of the parties in the photographs in that article, that I must share some of the arbritrary tenets of this seemingly fashion-conscious doctrine. And I do realize that this is what they do and if anyone has a mandate, nay duty, to write about hipsterdom and its self-obsession its Adbusters, indeed I even sort of defended them on Tumblr. Fuck it, I basically wrote the same article like 4 years ago...

Canada's illustrious Fashion Magazine is finally opening up and listening to what the public wants. Last week, fashionmagazine.com announced that Canadians were now able to vote on who becomes the magazines next big online bloggers.

With 20 finalists representing each Canadian region, the 10 trend watchers with the most votes will be awarded the chance to give their weekly opinions on the hottest spots to shop, flaunt and horde fashion in their area.

I figure Vancouver, who is being represented by Craig David Long and Terri Potratz, has a good chance of winning the contest. With our growing number of independent shops and increasingly more fashion savvy individuals, Vancouver is finally starting to break out of the simplistic trends of yoga gear and plaid.

Keep in mind though, it's worth it to look at all the finalists. Good fashion is by no means restricted to one city or region. There are some talented writers from across Canada that are in the running to win the reporter challenge including a dear childhood friend of mine, Meghan Tooley, from Winnipeg.

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to voice your opinion. Voting ends tomorrow morning. Happy voting! Photo from FashionMagazine.com

When H&M; first came to BC, it was kind of assumed that it would open in some sort of central location - Downtown, Metrotown, South Granville... So when it was announced that the first store would open in Coquitlam Centre, the overall reaction was one of surprise. Most urban Vancouverites can barely describe where Coquitlam is, much less travel there to go shopping. The fact that a two-story flagship store is about to open in Pacific Centre is either a dream or a nightmare, depending on how you look at it. Many girls and boys are excited to have the store be so close - H&M; is great for affordable, trendy clothes and accessories. Others are already complaining that this is going to breed uniformity in a city where fashion is hardly bursting with excitement.

Personally, I'm happy to have H&M; be so close and accessible. I'm a student with limited funds, so I'm always price-conscious when I shop. The wonderful thing about H&M; is that you can buy seasonal pieces to dress up your wardrobe staples, and you can do so without too much guilt. I'm also super-curious to see how they've redone the space formerly occupied by Holt Renfrew, which has now become a behemoth of outrageous prices and luxury on the other side of the mall. H&M; is good with keeping a constant buzz around its brand, especially because of its collaborations with international designers and celebrities. Currently, they are featuring a collection with Finnish design house Marimekko, and although it's not my personal favorite, it will definitely be recognizable. For the next collaboration, that they are working with Rei Kawakubo, founder and head designer for Comme des Garçons. Now that is something to be excited for.

Who says clothes can't fuel a revolution?

Thursday, April 17 (tomorrow) hot, eccentric fashions are being brought to the streets of Vancouver. At 8pm, outside the Riot clothing and accessories store (1395 Commercial Drive) a new style of fashion show is being unveiled. With the promise to showcase this season's brightest, tightest and flashiest collections, Riot hopes to start, well.... a riot on the Drive. Fresh air and neon colors do, after all, mix very well together.

Look for fashions from such brands as Kensie, Hurley, and Level 99 Denim. If you are fun-loving enough to attend the rally and enjoy some trendy fashion, or hate this post enough to want to yell at me personally, then show up at 8pm tomorrow and let it all out.

Photo courtesy of Nicole Stewart PR and Riot clothing and accessories

Greens, and browns, and yellows, oh my! The fresh new fashions of Nicole Bridger came out full force this week at BC's exclusive fashion week. With an impressive resume that includes a partnership with Oqoqo and Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, and the Generation Next award for top new designer from BC Fashion Week organizers, Nicole Bridger certainly has a scent of success around her. Despite being a sophomore in the fashion designing world, Bridger already seems to be dedicated to proving that sustainable fashion can be comfortable and classic.