Fabulous heritage homes and garden’s of Queen’s Park

 It’s time to get walking! Thanks to the new pedestrian overpass, my route takes me up 5 sets of stairs (great for my butt!) and right over into the trails and gardens of Queens Park.  Within the next week I’m predicting an explosion of rose blooms to enjoy on this walk.  Past the park is the neighbourhood of Queens Park;  featuring so many lovely heritage homes and more beautiful, well tended gardens to pass.  Bursting peonies, flags of iris and the delicious scents of mock orange and honeysuckle brightened this journey. Join me on this first of many trips to come!

Bright orange Geum and brick red hens and chicks echo the vibrant colours of the paint

 

Bodacious Azaleas in salmon and pink complement or clash? I love it!

A pretty wrought iron gate and punchy red door jazz up this tasteful beige beauty

No shy paint colours here! I love how the graceful japanese maple accents the trim

How to Perfect your Travel Wardrobe this Season

With spring already here, travel season is right around the corner. If you’re like many women, spring and summer travel opportunities bring both anticipation (time to relax, experience new cultures and cities, have adventures) and dread… What on earth am I going to pack?! With increasing luggage weight restrictions this task can be even more daunting, especially for chronic over-packers.

Whether you’re skipping town for a weekend retreat in the countryside, or embarking on a whirlwind, world-wide tour, your travel wardrobe needs to be edited yet versatile. (And of course stylish!) We’ve put together a few tips for creating your own travel-friendly wardrobe.

One of the easiest ways to get more mileage out of fewer clothes is to choose a colour inspiration and use it as the basis for all your choices. This way, all your tops can be interchanged with all your bottoms, accessories, and so on.  

Also, a neutral wardrobe can be accented by pops of colour in easy to pack (and usually space-saving!) accessories. You’ll always be stylish and appropriately dressed for any situation.

Evaluating what kinds of activities you’ll be doing and the climate you’ll be in will also dictate the types of pieces you pack. After all, the amount of layers and sleeve lengths you’ll need while in Berlin is vastly different than those needed for Belize!

Not to toot our own horn, but Diane Kennedy pieces make perfect travel companions! Our fabric is soft and luxurious against your skin, and the added stretch ensures you’ll always be comfortable, even on those fourteen hour flights. Oh, and you can say goodbye to that crumpled fresh-out-of-the-suitcase look—just shake it and hang it up!

We want to know, where will you be taking your Diane Kennedy this season? Have a picture of you and your Diane Kennedy pieces on vacation? Share it with us on the Diane Kennedy Facebook Page.

Happy Travels,

Unveiling the Newest Addition to our Team: Barb Wilkins!

Our office is a noticeably livelier place these days with the addition of Barb Wilkins. Formerly of Bodacious, the ‘Mecca’ for plus size gals in Vancouver, Barb is heading up our international sales and offering her expertise to our team. Together we are brewing up some fabulous new projects that soon will be revealed… Welcome Barb!!!

 Many of you already know her, certainly all you curvy girls from Vancouver! But for those of you that don’t…

 The story of BARB:

 She has a voice that gets attention, a warm presence, and an unmistakable style. Barb is a multitalented chick, a Boomchick even! A singer and mandolin player, Barb is a member of several local bands, including the all-girls group Boomchix. She is the deeper counterpoint to the lush harmonies in this alt-country roots rock band. Playing shows regularly around our fair city, check out their all-original music here or go see Boomchix live! (You can also catch Barb in a band with her husband, called Wichita Trip.)

 Barb is a natural when it comes to selling Diane Kennedy. The Bodacious girls have carried Diane Kennedy in their store on Main Street for years, so she is no stranger to selling the line. Thanks to Barb and her business partner Lorna, we enjoy a loyal following in this city. (We were, ahem, #1 in their store!) Personally I love how Barb adds her edgy, alt-country style to my designs, proving that style comes from a very personal place.

“I like to dress like a cowboy…with big honkin’ boots and large silver rings! Today I’m wearing my Diane Kennedy ‘Gallery Tunic’ with a seriously distressed denim mini skirt and Diane Kennedy bamboo leggings. I’m totally addicted to these leggings—they let me get away with my love of short skirts! I completed this look with my favorite stacked-heel cowboy boots. I just can’t get enough of chunky boots!”

When asked to share her best picks of the Diane Kennedy Spring 2011 collection, Barb was quick to rave about the ‘Studio Zip’. “It’s the perfect weight for this cooler-than-average spring—AND the length is perfect, the collar is cute open or closed, and I can show off my big silver belt buckle!” She also loves the ‘Tiffany Skirt’ for its versatility and the unique design that gives it movement and interest—great for everyday and on stage.

 Next on Barb’s agenda? Bringing Diane Kennedy eco-boutique fashions to the rest of the world! (And writing and performing a Diane Kennedy theme song…)

 A big thank-you to Barb and all our loyal fans out there! We’ll be updating you regularly on our latest and greatest, so to keep up, please ‘like’ us on Facebook! You’ll be the first to get the insider scoop on coupons for on-line shopping as well as local shopping parties!

Diane Kennedy Trunk Show & Sample Sale!

We are so excited to announce this special event for all our Vancouver and Lower Mainland customers! We would love for all of you to join us for shopping, refreshments, and lots of girly fun.  With new Spring styles available is sizes S – 3X, and a ton of sample sale goodies, there’s sure to be something perfect for every ‘body’.  Co-hosted by Diane Kennedy and the lovely ladies of Bodacious, you’ll be privy to expert style advice!

See you there,

Boudoir Beauty: Cathy Empey Photography

Remember the pin-up style boudoir photoshoot I did with a bunch of girlfriends before Valentine’s day? We had so much fun primping and posing, and got some great shots that made us all feel sexy, glamorous, and beautiful! As more and more women are embracing their natural bodies and sexuality, boudoir photography is rapidly gaining popularity.

Cathy Empey, a friend and local photographer who specializes in Boudoir, is truly passionate about helping women recognize their innate beauty and love the bodies they have today. But she doesn’t just create pretty pictures. Through her work, Cathy empowers women to feel confident, strong, and gorgeous in their own skin…lumps, bumps, and wrinkles included! “Every woman is sexy,” she declared during an interview with Urban Rush. “I find it in everybody, doesn’t matter your size or age.” Cathy’s passion for boudoir and capturing a woman’s natural beauty is deeply rooted in personal experience. Towards the end of her last pregnancy, this mother of six (yes you heard correctly!) decided to commemorate the experience with a maternity photoshoot. The experience was transformational—for her self-perception and her professional direction.

“At the time, I didn’t feel great about myself. I was swollen and uncomfortable and somewhat awkward. But something magical happened after that shoot. When I got the pictures back, I saw a glow; a beauty. The happiness I was feeling on the inside was reflected back at me through the images. I couldn’t believe it was me! In that moment, I knew what I wanted to do – I wanted to help other women feel the way I felt looking at my maternity pictures.”

With her vibrant smile and fun-loving nature, it’s not hard to feel at ease around Cathy. From her subjects she extracts a raw femininity and softness, while also captivating their strength. This ability is undoubtedly the mark of a truly talented and passionate photographer, artist, and woman.

Blackberry Crush

Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and spring is upon us! As the sun begins to shine, brighten up your wardrobe with deliciously pretty hues. Our bestselling Gallery Tunic is back—shown here in delectable Blackberry—and ready to take you from strolls in the park to drinks with friends. From light and whipped to dark and muddled, join our crush on this juicy colour and inject a little blackberry into your style.

Blackberry Mojito

• 3 blackberries (fresh or frozen)
• Squeeze of lemon juice
• Mint leaves
• 1 tbsp simple syrup*
• 1 oz vodka (optional)
• Club soda
• Ice

In a glass muddle 2 blackberries and a few torn mint leaves. Add lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice. Add vodka if desired. Fill rest of glass with club soda, and garnish with the remaining blackberry and some mint leaves. Enjoy!

*To make simple syrup combine 1 part water and 1 part sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

1. Blackberry drink photo via Pink Parsley
2. Blackberry Limeaide via Cooking Light
3. Diane Kennedy Gallery Tunic in ‘Blackberry‘
4. Chan Luu Vintage Silk Beaded Necklace
5. MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in ‘Up the Amp’
6. OPI Texas Collection nailpolish in ‘Houston We Have a Purple’
7. Diane Von Furstenburg Paddie IPad Case in ‘Brambles Small’
8. Black Tulip Magnolia photo
9. Amethyst Crystal Photo

Ode to Julie: An Inspiration to All Us Curvy Girls

Julie was a young teenager when I met her. She is the daughter of one of my bosses from the first design job I ever had—over 25 years ago now. It was Julie that first came to me and said “Diane you should design a line of clothing for plus size women.” And so the seed was planted…

 Julie has always been one of my staunchest supporters. It’s been a pleasure to watch her come into her own over the years. Always a plus size, with her weight fluctuating up and down, she has come to love herself and bloom with a confidence that glows from within. She embraces life with zeal, doing crazy things like climbing rock cliffs and playing in a carnival band… just for fun!

One of Julie’s fitness goals was to sculpt her rather flat butt into one with bodacious curves. She loves to proudly show off her newfound ‘assets’, which always makes me laugh! She is also having fun dating—uncompromising in her demands on her potential partners. She loves to dress up, especially in the colour red; here she has on a fabulous custom made cape in a brilliant fire engine hue.

On her trips to Vancouver, Julie always comes to visit and buy clothes from me. We pull apart the showroom and we talk about life and love, fun times and shopping… 🙂 This time she fell in love with my new Tiffany Skirt and Switch Tunic.

What’s next for my beautiful friend? Julie is embarking on a rather interesting career path; after she gets her masters she plans on setting up a practice in sex therapy. I can’t wait to follow the next chapter of Julie’s life on her quest for happiness, fulfillment, and a career that promises to be both fascinating and rewarding. Stay tuned, with a little persuasion I’m hoping to convince her to guest blog. Way to go Julie!!

Freshwater Dreams

This spring, channel a tropical island getaway for your fashion inspirations. By taking your cues from watery blues and greens, you’ll feel instantly rejuvenated after a long winter. Nothing says crisp, fresh spring style like a pop of turquoise! What’s the easiest way to tackle a bright colour? Try one or two pieces in the same colour family, and anchor the look with neutrals. (It’s a great idea to look to eye shadow palettes for inspiration in this area—they’re experts at coming up with the perfect mix!) In this case, a stand-out piece like the Liberty Dress is balanced by the Carbon Café Leggings and a neutral sandal. To pull it all together, add a little pizzazz with your jewelry. You can really up the ante with a few hits of mix and match metallics. Metals act as neutrals, so feel free to wear more than one—the effect is modern and effortlessly chic!

1. Diane Kennedy Liberty Dress in Freshwater & Café Leggings in Carbon
2. Justine Brooks Sea Urchin Necklace in Silver 
3. Stella and Dot Goa Pendant Necklace 
4. Browns Strappy Leather Wedges in Grey 
5. Chan Luu Pacific Opal Wrap Bracelet 
6. Mac Eyeshadow in Aqua 
7. Lancome Colour Design 5 Shadow & Liner Palette in Teal Fury

Colour Inspiration: Designer Buttercups on Steroids

I love colour, and I think wearing colour is one of the simplest ways to emphasize your natural beauty. When choosing colour ways for my new collections, I often find inspiration in the world of flowers. My favorite garden plants are the hellebores. They aren’t difficult to grow and look beautiful for most of the year—especially in the early spring when they’re in full bloom! The easiest to find varieties have quite large flowers and dark leathery evergreen leaves. I call them designer because they have been bred and hybridized to come in many luscious colours and forms. They are often compared to roses—both single and double varieties—but really, they belong to a huge family of plants that includes the lowly buttercup. Most commonly found in purest white, green, and every shade of pink from pale to deep antique rose, Hellebore collectors look for butter yellow, cherry reds(rare), slaty plums and smoky black. As an avid gardener, I can’t help but be inspired by the juicy, berry stained shades of these wonderful, rewarding plants. In my spring 2011 collection, the colour blackberry was inspired by the beautiful stained glass effect created when the sunlight shone through these luscious petals in my garden.

What’s inspiring you this spring?

New Spring Tunics!

Just in time for Spring, we have new tunics at the Diane Kennedy online store!  Round out your wardrobe, and transition into warmer weather with these pieces inspired by Spring in New York City:

Liberty Dress

The Liberty Dress will serve you well as a versatile and easy-to-wear piece. One part dress and one part tunic, you have the ‘liberty’ to wear it your way.

 

Madison Tunic

Subtle details add interest to this tunic without detracting from the most important feature of all – your personality!

Tribeca Tunic

Add instant chic to your look with the Tribeca Tunic. The asymmetrical V-neck elongates your neck and works with the pleating detail to beautifully frame your face.

 

You’ll love the way these bamboo tunics softly drape across your body, and camouflage any lumps and bumps (especially in the mid-section!)… Available now in sizes S-3X from our online store, or check your nearest Diane Kennedy retailer for availability.