Layered Blog

Back in the early 90s, my friend Alison bought an quirky pair of shoes by a local Vancouver designer named John Fluevog. These five inch wedge-type heels with immaculately detailed stitching were the most outrageous yet beautiful pair of shoes I had ever laid my eyes on. Alison wore those shoes with her Catholic school uniform and rocked them like nobody’s business. At the time, I had never seen anything like them nor had I heard of ‘Fluevogs’ but instantly fell in love with the idea of traffic stopping footwear made with love and a quality that was (and still is) hard to find. The price tag reflects the labour that is put into the production of these shoes but it’s worth every damn penny. I thank Alison for sparking the life long love affair with John Fluevog shoes.

When I lived in Toronto, I just happened to live around the corner from the Fluevog shop on Queen Street…coincidence? Maybe.

So you could imagine my excitement when I read of “Fox, Fluevog and Friends” at the Museum of Vancouver. Always eager to spread the Fluevog gospel, I invited my friend Molly to accompany me to see the exhibit. Being Molly’s first time in Vancouver, it was only natural that she also be introduced to John Fluevog and his panache for creating the most interesting, artful and down-right pretty shoes.

Starting from the initial collaboration of Peter Fox and John Fluevog following right through to the Fluevogs we know today, the exhibit displays a wide array of photographs, concept drawings, sketches, the progression of Fluevog marketing and of course the actual shoes. No matter if it was the clogs that catapulted the Fluevog legacy or the stained glass boots (see MOV marketing), the one thing that holds consistent and true is the absolute craftsmanship of each shoe. If  you could only reach out and inspect each detail…

To see, read and understand the evolution of the business is to learn and appreciate the love, mastery and artistry that is involved in the production of this fine footwear. This made me fall in love all over again and to regain the severe loyalty that comes with being a Fluevoger.

Of course after seeing the works of art up behind glass, Molly and I had to make a trip to the Granville St. store to see more fashionable footwear up close. Molly instantly found a friend in the RTP boot of the Radios family, resulting in a purchase of her first ever Fluevogs!!! (see her review…Molly from Seattle). A successful Fluevog-ing day? I think so.

The exhibit has been held over for another week ending this coming Sunday, October 3, 2010 so if you haven’t already…GO!

And remember…

I am back blogging. I’m not sure if it was being in Toronto/Scotland for a month and (almost) unplugged, lack of inspiration or because I wasn’t particularly feeling well (resulting in a visit to the Glasgow Infirmary) but I definitely did not keep this blog up to date. My apologies…

To get back into the swing of things and remind myself why I love visual merchandising, I have posted pictures of some of the in-store mannequins and displays I did back for Spring and Summer 2010. Because I work for a corporation and their policies and procedures are quite sticky about posting photographs bearing said company’s name for public consumption, I have edited the photos quite tightly to eliminate identification but also to illustrate the styling detail…ENJOY!

International Visual Competition winners were announced recently by VMSD. Nice to see The Bay’s Queen St. location (Toronto) out on top in a number of categories. Look forward to the July issue for more info and pictures!

I love it when smart people like to share ideas, their thoughts, what they’ve been reading, watching and listening to…which is why when my lovely friend Ashleigh told me about the Communicatrix blog she has in her Google Reader, I was intrigued.

Colleen Wainwright, the “communicatrix” , a long time copywriter now spends her time teaching other creative souls how to talk about “what they do in a way that wins them attention, work and satisfaction…“, connecting and communicating with passion. Her punchy, humorous writings are a daily highlight since this blog sits comfortable in MY Google Reader now. She recently participated in the TEDx conference in Tacoma…

TED.com is dedicated to “ideas worth spreading” and so much knowledge, wisdom and down right great advice can be found within the site – outstanding talks by outstanding people – FREE! TEDx is a program that enables local communities to organize, design and host their own independent, TED-like events. Snippets of various talks can be found on YouTube, such as Colleen’s opening chat: Playing with Fire.

Enjoy!

Do you put your hours to work or leave them to waste?

DO SOMETHING INTERESTING!

Winning the category for Best Short Film (Animated) at the 2010 Academy Awards is LOGORAMA! A clever insight into our saturated world of marketing…who wouldn’t want to see Ronald MacDonald with a machine gun?

Another website launch for us! Check out The Nicaragua School Project Society. A non-profit organization dedicated to providing Nicaraguan school children with school supplies, a place to learn and love.

Google inspired fashion…

…make LEMONADE!

A movie about what happens when people who were once paid to be creative are forced to re-examine and become creative in their own lives. The recession hit tons of people within the advertising world and these are some of their stories.

Visit www.lemonademovie.com to find out more information on the film, how to buy the DVD and book or donate. Unfortunately, all of the screenings so far in the States…..but you never know, there could be a ‘pop up screening’ near you!

Head on over to Ryan’s Blog and check out how I spent my day today!

Big thanks to Colin Wiley at Tattoo Zoo, one of the oldest tattoo shops in Victoria. For such a small place, Victoria has 15 (yes 15!) tattoo shops. This creates some tough competition but I did my research and after coming across Colin’s work, it was an easy decision to make as to who I would get to do this piece. Such wonderful work and such a cutie!

Many thanks to Ryan for being there just in case I needed some support and for taking the snaps. Much love.

Layered Design is proud to announce the recent launch of a brand new website for the Vancouver Island Pipers Club. This organization is dedicated to the promotion, encouragement and support of the local Scottish bagpiping and drumming community. Having been around since 1968, the Club has solely relied on word of mouth and the current membership to gain an audience. We are hoping that this new found online presence will garner some more interest for not only the local players on the Island but anyone that has a general passion for Scottish music. Learn more about the Club at www.vipipers.com!

ALSO….with a photographer in the family, you are never far from a photo opportunity….check out the latest Photo of the Week (it just happens to be me!) by Ryan MacDonald on Photographer Network. This network comprises five talented photogs who all attended Western Academy of Photography right here in Victoria. Every Monday each one posts a Photo of the Week – such a wonderful way to start the week!