News

• Petites Please

  Published Nov 12 2020 in #bestfit, #cherryvelvet, #madeincanada, #petite, #plussize, #shoplocal

  A customer recently asked me if I would ever consider making dresses for Petites which really surprised me because our dresses already fit many petites very well. Just to clarify a 'Petite' is a woman that is 5"4" and under. The definition of Petite is not about 'size', it's possible to be a small woman and be petite or a plus size and also be petite. We certainly make dresses that fit many types, heights and sizes of women. 

  

  As a Petite woman myself, I understand the dilemma of a short woman. In fact this was one of the catalysts for me to begin designing dresses in the first place. Dresses on the rack never did fit me, they were always too long in the waist, which meant that the smallest part on the dress sat right at the fullest part of 'me' (my stomach). When I started designing Cherry Velvet almost 10 years ago, I absolutely made sure the dresses would fit my body. Right?!

  Many of our classic styles sit high on the waist, sometimes also known as a empire waist. The bonus of this empire style cut is that it also gives you more fabric across the tummy and can actually fit taller woman as well. For reference,  we do make also make dresses that fit more traditionally in the waist length for women that are taller.

  But if you're short like me and I know many of you are shorter, (several are 4'10") this is what you need to know. The really important measurement for a petite woman is the waist length. This is measured vertically from the prominent bone where your neck intersects the top of your back straight down to your true waist. Many of our dresses are really quite short waisted and sit right under the bust line which makes them very suitable for petites (Some styles are more suitable than others).

  Sometimes the upper bodice length is too long for petites and this can be remedied by having the strap shortened. If you're concerned about overall length, hemming a dress is the easiest alteration, far easier than waist length. especially in the cotton fabric we use. Any seamstress should be able to do this for you.

  The best Cherry Velvet dress styles for Petites include Brigitte, Doris, Brooke, Chrissy, Olivia, Rhapsody and Marie in the plus sizes. If you ever need help or advice on fit please don't hesitate to send me an e-mail and include your measurements. (instructions here in our fit guide)

  We get asked the question a lot if we ever make custom dresses and the answer is no, nor do we plan to add 'petite' dresses specifically. On a positive note we will continue to vary the cuts of our styles to fit many different body types for as many women as we can and especially woman with the curvy bits we love :)

  XOX Diane

   

• Confessions of a Fashion Designer

  Published Nov 05 2020 in #cherryvelvet, #pinupdress, #plussizeretro, #retroglam, #retropinup, #themarvelousmrsmaisel

  Thanks for sending in your Cherry Velvet questions! We caught up with Diane as she opened up about what she's doing next, her process and her take on the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. 

  
  
  I have a lot of trouble doing up the zippers in the back of the dresses. Would you ever consider changing your zipper to have a pull that would allow the use of a zipper helper?
  
  Great question. I'm so glad a few of you brought this to my attention. I've always cheated and pulled the dresses over my head without ever undoing the zipper. (as a plus size this is possible, but not for the smaller sizes) So going forward I've changed the zipper we're using away from the invisible style zipper. The tiny pull does not allow the attachment of a ribbon or hook to help with doing up the zipper. So starting with our next dress, the Olivia, most of our dresses will come with this new exposed zipper that allows for the attachment of a longer zipper pull. I want getting dressed to be easier for you!
  
  What trends do you follow when picking prints?
  
  As a dress company inspired by vintage dress designs, I admit we really don't follow a lot of trends. Every season I comb through the fabrics offered by a multitude of fabric companies in search of the prints that I think you will love to wear. Lately, I've found a beautiful 70's inspired floral, and as 70's fashion has seen a resurgence in the past year or two, that's probably the closest we get to a 'trend'.
  
  Do you follow colour trends? Is that a byproduct of fabric trends?
  
  Again I have to say, I don't really follow colour trends much. Perennially popular are black dresses with bright prints. I do try to keep a nice assortment for all of you with colours like red, blue, aqua, purple and the occasional green. Less often you'll see colours like pink, orange or yellow, even though I truly love these colours. Right now I'm considering a print with a goldenrod yellow background.
  
  Are you the only designer or is there a design team?
  
  I am the only designer, however my staff does provide feedback and input on choosing new fabrics. I did have an assistant designer a while back, but she left on maternity leave and I have not replaced her.
  
  When will the Vanessa dress come back in stock? I am looking to update my wardrobe with dresses that cover the chest area a bit more.
  
  Thanks for your feedback. I agree the Vanessa was a great style, however it was hard for the factory to sew the tip of the V neck accurately and I was not 100% satisfied with the result. Hence I decided to discontinue this style. There is going to be an updated version called Jacqueline that will be loosely based on the Vanessa but with a change to the neckline design.
  
  I think you will like the Olivia, this classic dress is suitable for work as it covers the chest nicely. I had planned to cut this new style weeks ago but, unfortunately there have been two unforeseen delays with the fabric. The Olivia dress is in production now and I'll have this one for you very soon in 6 lovely prints.
  
  Do you make any styles that are longer?
  
  This is a question we get asked a lot. I would love to make a few dresses that are longer, but the reality is that takes a lot more fabric to do that. The cotton we use is very narrow, only 42" wide, so making longer dresses really adds to the cost of the dress. I did make a style that is longer called the Waterfront dress and it comes in 4 beautiful prints here.
  
  Have you watched The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? Did any of the dress styles in it inspire you?
  
  I ordered Prime just so I could watch Mrs. Maisel. I was not disappointed, the clothing was fabulous! There was an adorable stripe dress that caught my eye later on in the season. I'm always looking for a stripe fabric that's just right to make a sundress. I did find one for Spring that's inspired by the bands on vintage Pyrex kitchenware. Making a stripe dress offers unique challenges but the results can really be striking. Besides her dresses, I was enamoured with her coat wardrobe! Just WOW. So many beautifully cut and tailored coats and those beautiful bright colours!

  
  
  I would love to know what the process is for when you make a new dress design. Are there special ladies that inspire you and you create a dress that you feel is "them"? I ask because I have noted that all your dress designs are ladies names.
  
  I confess that usually I have an idea of a dress I'd like to wear myself and I go ahead and make it happen. Sometimes I see a photo of a dress that inspires me that was worn by a famous star like Marilyn or Dita. Or I imagine one of my girlfriends or customers that I think would look amazing in my design. I am absolutely inspired by the female figure. It's so important to me that my dresses really look good and flatter a women's curves. Not much makes me happier than seeing my ladies looking and feeling amazing in my dresses.
  
  I really love the Marie dress with the zipper in the front. Will you ever make any other front zip styles?
  
  As a matter of fact, I'm planning a sleeveless style with a front zipper in the Spring. I'm guessing it'll show up around March as long as the fabric fairies are on our side and the Spring fabrics arrive in a timely manner.

  
  
  How do you encourage/support your creative spirit during this pandemic?

  Other than slowing down a bit mostly due to delays with the fabric supply, really my creative drive is still strong. I truly love my job and so it's not like work to me. I love to look through fabrics and plan what's coming next. The pandemic has impacted my social life far more than my creativity. If anything, the slower pace has encouraged more time to be creative. I have new dresses and prints already planned into next summer.

  How do you measure for the varying sizes when making dresses? (Some companies are so off)

  When I make a dress pattern for the first time I start with a block which is the technical term for a base pattern. By reusing the same base pattern each time it allows for more continuity of fit. In the final result there will be some variation in the fit between styles, but that does allow for the variation that happens naturally between women's bodies. There are other natural variations that occur with fit, for example if the fabric changes, the fit can also change. After the pattern is finalized the grading rules are applied to create the other sizes. This means the pattern grows and shrinks from one size to another by the same amount no matter the dress style. 
  
  What are your top 5 favourite Cherry Velvet dresses ever?
  
  Oh well, that's easy and hard to answer at the same time. Often my favourite dress is the one I'm currently wearing! My all time favourite dress is the Norma, I just love how it enhances the feminine figure. My favourite Norma prints are Unhappy Hour and Santas in Space; both amazingly artistic and special prints. My next favourite dress is Doris, because I love the cut of this style around the bust. My favourite Doris print is Enchanted garden, it's a spectacular large scale floral in shades of pinks, blues, purple and jade. The Shelly dress is another  favourite named after my girlfriend Shelly and my favourite print is called Party dot. It was black with vintage coloured dots. A classic! The Brigitte in the Camera print will forever be my favourite sundress. I love the shorter length (I'm short) and the open keyhole back detail. *Please note none of the prints I've mentioned are still available
  
  What is your inspiration for choosing new prints for each season?
  
  Customer requests are often my motivation for looking for new prints. I also might look for a colour we haven't had for a while. But mostly I just look for the the coolest, the most beautiful and unique prints that I can find that I think are worthy of becoming a Cherry Velvet dress. Last year when we did a survey the top requests were dinosaur prints and florals. So I've been looking hard to find these prints for you. You might have noticed our amazing "Dino-might" glow in the dark print, and there is another Dinosaur print coming very early next Spring. Also, I've found lots of beautiful florals for Spring and can't wait to show them to you.
  
  Thanks again for sending in your questions!
  
  We're always happy to hear your opinions, suggestions and feedback. Feel free to send in your comments anytime!
  
  XOX Diane

• Everything Cherry

  Published Oct 22 2020 in Canadian Made, capecoat, cherries, cherry, Cherry Velvet Dresses, shop local

  It’s no secret that we adore the humble fruit that makes up part of our company name. Yes, cherries are delicious, but we also love how a classic cherry print is symbolic of retro chic. There’s also something evocative about the word, and that bit of naughtiness is part of our sass and our celebration of all things feminine and girly.

  We’re excited to bring you our Top Ten list of all things cherry-related, personally curated by our designer, Diane.

  
  
  

  	1.  OPI Nail Polish in Chick Flick Cherry Treating yourself to a manicure can help you feel “polished”, and there’s nothing more classic than deep red nails. OPI is simply the best, and their Chick Flick Cherry shade is a classic cherry red that will add glamour to your fingertips.
  	2.  Our Cherry Cola Necklace & Earring Set This striking set is a perfect match for so many of our dresses, and adds a vintage polish that makes an outfit feel complete. It’s handmade in Canada – we are proud to be a local business, and we are passionate about bringing you products made right here in beautiful British Columbia!
  	3.  Marc Jacob’s Eye Palette in Cherrific Playing with eye colour is a fun way to elevate your make-up game, and these ultra-pigmented, cherry-inspired shades can create a stunning neutral for daytime or an extra-special seasonal look. Plus, we love the limited-edition cherry packaging!
  	4.  Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia Ice Cream Is there anything that soothes the soul like the perfect spoonful of ice cream? When we indulge, quality is paramount, and this treat is first-class blend of cherry ice cream, real cherries, fudge flakes and a touch of almond. No wonder it’s the most famous of Ben & Jerry’s fan-suggested flavours.
  	5. Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colour in Cherry A strong lipstick creates an iconic look. Bobbi Brown’s formula blends the look of a lipstick and the feel of a balm for extreme wearability, and the Cherry colour is a mid-tone berry that will flatter many skin tones.
  	6. Our Cherry Red Cape Autumn weather means layers, and we’re thrilled to bring you our latest offering: our “A Cappella” cape. This elegant topper comes in a variety of rich, vibrant shades, including a delightful red. We expect it’ll be the cherry on the sundae of your fall ensemble!
  	7. Ward’s Cherry Apple Cider The most important lesson we’ve all learned lately is that local businesses need our support to survive, and it’s not difficult to find wonderful BC beverages to tickle your palate. Ward’s Cider gives a true taste of BC Okanagan Valley, situated on a fifth-generation family orchard that was settled in 1918. Their Cherry Apple is a lovely rose cider with delicate cherry notes, and it’s gluten-free.
  	8.  Viktor & Rolf’s Magic Dancing Roses Eau de Parfum Finding your signature scent is like unlocking a delightful secret that you get to share with the world. Diane loves this fragrance, with its blend of rose essence and cherry liquor.
  	9. Forbidden Fruit’s Cherysh Cherry Rose (Wine) The BC interior is renown for its many wonderful wineries, and fruit wines have been gaining prestige. Forbidden Fruit Winery uses cherries to produce an off-dry rose that’s rich and versatile, with hints of sweetness. It’s made with organic fruit, harvested with a joyful commitment to the stewardship of the land.
  	10. Cocktail Cherries A skillfully mixed cocktail is a work of art, and a delicately placed cherry can be the ideal finishing touch. A well-stocked bar deserves something extra special, like a jar of bourbon-soaked sweets. These are delicious right out of the jar and a 'kick up' from maraschino.

  It goes without saying that our very favourite cherry-related thing is our own brand. We’re so proud to make our dresses right here in BC, and to provide them to you, our beautiful, unique customers. We hope to share our passion for retro class with modern sass for many, many, cherry years to come!

   

  XOX Cherry Velvet

• Behind the Pictures – Get to Know Leah!

  Published Oct 15 2020 in behind the scenes, Cape Coat, Cherry Velvet Dresses

  Cherry Velvet fans will recognize Leah Paley Tuttle from our website and social media – recently, she’s modelled our Marlene and Angelina dresses. What you may not know is that Leah is our sales agent and has been for nearly 12 years! She knows the brand inside and out, so she was the perfect choice to join the team as our new Marketing Manager. We wanted to give you a closer look at this beautiful, accomplished woman, and tell you about the origins of her endless enthusiasm for this industry.

  
  
  Leah has a secret obsession that began at three years old: Barbie walked into her life and opened the creative floodgates to inspire a career in fashion. With coloured Kleenex, tape, scissors, and some fabric remnants, a fantastic wardrobe of endless possibilities could be created. Barbie had her choice between fur, sequins, cowboy boots, a wedding dress, or a ski suit, and the dramas could then play out accordingly. As a young girl, Leah’s mind was allowed to be free and limitless, and this freedom captivated her.

  
  
  A passion for fashion set the course for Leah’s career. She’s worked with designers, artists, retailers, and wholesalers, as a buyer, as a stylist, and as a personal dresser. Every day, she finds new delight in seeing the new clothes she gets to work with – to be honest, the only thing that has changed over the years is the size of her Barbies!
  
  Leah is a multitalented woman. Sales and marketing are her forte, but she's also a chef, and cultivates organic botanicals for her own skincare line, Wildcraft Organics.

  
  
  Now that Leah has joined the Cherry Velvet team, she’s been discovering more and more similarities with Diane, our designer. Aside from red hair and green eyes, and their passion for fashion and cosmetics, both ladies have a love of organic gardening. They are a pair of tea drinkers, and currently sharing organic "Tranquility Tea" that Leah made from lavender, lemon balm, calendula, and camomile from her garden. Diane and Leah have similar tastes in movies and books, and appropriately enough for the Halloween season, they’re both currently reading The Witching Hour and sequel Lasher; horror classics by Anne Rice. Around the office, you’ll often hear one or the other exclaiming to each other, “Oh, yeah – me, too!" 

  
  Leah's favourite Cherry Velvet style is the Norma dress, and she's excited about the vintage travel poster print that's already arrived for our spring collection. Now that she’s part of the team, we’re excited that Leah is here to help us bring this dress and many, many more to you!
  
  

   XOX Cherry Velvet

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Hello Halloween!

  Published Oct 02 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Costumes, Dresses, Halloween, Outfits

  The seasons have changed. If you're in the northern hemisphere like us, the breeze has just started getting cooler, and the smell of pumpkin spice permeates the air. Even if this is not your favourite time of year, there is a special type of joy in seasonal wear that really shines when Fall begins!

  Whether you express your spooky style year-round, or you wait until now to let your inner ghoul out... We have the perfect looks for you to make the most out of Halloween! From the most subtle to the most fun, here's our spooky selection for you:

  Walk through the eerie gates of a haunted house in our elegant Norma in "Haunted Manor" (only size L left)

  

  Featuring sugar skulls in a subtle pattern, the Elizabeth in "Graceful Dead" is perfect for the Halloween season all the way to Dia De Los Muertos! (only L and 1X sizes left)

  

  This classic print is based on an actual vintage fabric, and with its pink roses and delicate spiderwebs is just the perfect style for a bombshell Halloween look! Try the Chrissy in "Spinderella"

   

  Dinosaur skeletons are still skeletons! These super special fossilized bones will be the star of any Halloween party when they glow in the dark on your Marie in "Dino Might"

  

  Or you may prefer a romantic, gothic style straight from the crypts? Rock & roll with the skulls from the Marie in "Roses Are Dead"

  

  Take a walk through a haunted forest where you just feel like you're being watched... Because you are! Dozens of cute (but spooky) owls have their golden eyes on you on the Marie in "Hoot's Watching"

  

  In need of a perfect dress for casting spells? Feel the magic fly right off the shimmering, starry fabric of our Dita in "Golden Galaxy"!
  

  

  Colour is key! For a very subtle Halloween look or a simple base for your best accessories, get our super flattering dress with 3/4 sleeves, the Stacy in "Deep Purple". Or, for a glamorous, brilliant black base that will perfectly accent any horror and special effects make-up looks or pointy hats, try the Lana in "Black Shimmer"

  

  And last but most definitely not least, layer this most magical, ethereal, flowy cape-shrug hybrid over your dress, and you will have additional warmth and flair with the Claire Capelet!

  

  Fashion has the power of bringing joy to our everyday experiences. We hope we've inspired you to have fun with fashion this Halloween season, and given you many outfit ideas with our dresses!

  Please share your spooky outfits with us! Send them by email to info@cherryvelvetdresses.com or tag us on your posts @cherry_velvety #cherryvelvet. We love seeing and sharing your photos!

   

  XOX Cherry Velvet

• What's Up and Coming

  Published Sep 16 2020 in Cape Coat, Cherry Velvet, Fall 2020, Veronica Belle, what's new

  How about a little update about what's happening here at Cherry Velvet? We've settled into our new digs and we're loving it here. But we're sure you're all  wondering what's coming in the way of new and pretty things...

  For starters, coming soon is a new wool cape design for Fall in 5 beautiful shades. This item sold out last year so we've designed another updated version just for you. It's not only goes perfectly over your dresses, but you can wear it with just about anything from jeans to cosplay, and style it anyway from casual to dressy. It's the perfect weight to transition the seasons if you're in a colder climate. But if you live in a more temperate area, this could do for most of the cooler months of the year.

  

  Just to show you how great our new A Cappella Cape looks over our dresses, Veronica Belle models it over our Marie Dino Might dress. (P.S. Don't wait on this dress, some sizes are already sold out!)

  

  New for fall we've designed a blouse (we're excited!) that will be coming in 4 new prints including the music print you may have helped us name. (Winner TBD) There will also be a new necklace in music notes!🎵🎶  Here's a peek at the blouse fabrics:

   

  There will also be a new Coat Dress (more details closer to the release) and another new dress style called Jacqueline that will unfortunately be coming a little later than originally planned as there has been a fabric delay. Sneak peeks of all the fabrics for this dress will be on our social media channels in the coming weeks. 

  In other news, we're thrilled to have a new staff member, Leah Tuttle. You might recognise her as she has done some modelling for us. Here she's wearing the Marlene dress in Cherry Tart-an. Leah has also been our sales agent for Western Canada for over 10 years and as such knows our brand inside and out! 

  

  We hope you've enjoyed our update. Thank-you for all your amazing messages and photos. We love you all and miss seeing you at our studio shops.

  Take Care, Be Kind and Stay Safe

  XOX Cherry Velvet

   

   

• Close to Home: Having Fun and Staying Safe

  Published Sep 09 2020 in Body Positive, Cherry Velvet, COVID-19, Dresses, Made In Canada, Retro

  When all the things we love doing are on indefinite hold, it takes a little bit of creativity to keep the fun going. And with autumn around the corner, and the long winter right behind, there’s no time like the present to think of some new ways to enjoy ourselves while focusing on self-care, body positivity, our friends and family and yes, fashion too. We’ve come up with a few ideas to help our Cherry Velvet family during the ongoing pandemic as we all continue to stay close to home:
  
  Escape into Fantasy
  
  There’s a reason it’s called “escapism” – the right book or movie can draw you in so deeply, you forget where you are. There’s never been a better time to tap into the joy of a story that helps you disappear for a few hours. We can’t travel right now but we can go anywhere in time (or space) with the right novel or film.
  
  -Grab an old favourite and re-read: has it been a few years since you read the Outlander series? Time to pluck it off the shelf and dive back in. (As fans ourselves, we even found inspiration in Outlander for one of our pieces last year. Check out Style Inspiration – the Claire Capelet.

  https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/blogs/news/style-inspiration-the-claire-capelet

  
  -Check out some fantasy faves: Hunger Games will take you into a dystopian future and the latest book in the series – a prequel to the original trilogy called The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is out now. Also new and certain to be popular is Midnight Sun, the latest in the Twilight collection, which (if you don’t already know) will let you disappear into a world full of vampires and werewolves. If you prefer outer space, there’s an endless supply of science fiction to help you escape to Mars, or the other side of the universe – and everywhere in between.
  
  Go Retro
  
  We love all things vintage. From the tips of our toes to the tops of our heads, we adore a retro look: shoes, dress, jewelry, old-school hairdo. Now’s a great time to indulge in some vintage fun.

  -Enjoy some old Hollywood glamour with a movie night of classic titles. Make some popcorn, pour yourself an Old-Fashioned (if you know how to make one) or a Shirley Temple, and enjoy a film night from another era. Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Ginger Rogers, Mae West … the list goes on.

  -Always wanted to learn how to do a victory roll or another hairstyle from the 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond? There’s hundreds of tutorials on YouTube. Pull out the curling iron, the hairspray, and get started. Upshot: if you mess it up, you can just wash it out.

  -Put on one of your favourite Cherry Velvet dresses. Don’t save them in your closet for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion! Get dressed up for dinner and pull out the best dishes and light some candles while you’re at it – or just throw one on to wear for a walk or around the house. Putting on a dress doesn’t always equal dressing up. Not all dresses feel “easy” but ours definitely do – we even wrote about it in this blog post: Actually Dresses ARE easy. https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/blogs/news/actually-dresses-are-easy

   

  Cozy Up
  
  With autumn on its way, now is a good time to start “nesting.” This year especially, some of us may be dreading the shorter days and longer nights, but if we plan ahead, we can create our own cozy retreats from the world

  -String up some little white lights around your living room or bedroom. The warm glow feels cheerful.

  -If you’re a tea drinker, stock up on some new varieties. Add a warm blanket and a good book or movie (see the above tip about escapism) and you’re all set.

  - Get creative with indoor arts and crafts on a rainy day. We have our very own pin-up colouring sheets to download (https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/blogs/news/colour-me-cherry) so grab some markers or colouring pencils.

  
  
  Do Good
  
  It’s a tough time for many people these days. If there’s ever been a time to make the world a little bit better, in ways both big and small, it’s now.

  -Drop off some food to your local food bank. Better yet, make a financial donation online from the comfort of home (most food banks have websites where you can donate cash.) This allows the food bank to target spending to those items most needed. More people than ever are relying on their local food banks.

  -Call a friend, even if you don’t think they’re struggling. Sometimes our most upbeat friends may be the ones having the hardest time in private. Reach out to a friend. And if your friends are all doing well, make a new friend: many seniors’ homes and local agencies have opportunities to be matched with a stranger to write letters or make phone calls, to help people from feeling isolated.

  -Learn and get involved. We recently wrote about our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and our support for Black Lives Matter. If you’re not sure where to start to become better educated and be an ally, we have a few suggestions on our post here: In Support of Anti-Racism and BLM https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/blogs/news/in-support-of-anti-racism-blm

  

  Don't forget, we always love to hear from you. Send us your thoughts, ideas, dress and print wishes and of course photos of you in a dress. Don't forget to tag us :-)  #cherryvelvet 

   Christina Meyer for Cherry Velvet

• Keep Calm and Carry On

  Published Sep 03 2020 in Body Positive, Cherry Velvet, COVID-19, Dresses, Made In Canada

  We do things a little bit differently here at Cherry Velvet. From the way we make our dresses (locally designed and manufactured) to our focus on body positivity (with sizing that’s inclusive and designs that are comfortable), we pride ourselves on having a unique approach to fashion, business, and life in general.

  
  
  And we find our customers – all you fantastic fashion divas with fun-loving attitudes – do things a little differently, too. Over the years, so many of you have shared wonderful glimpses into your diverse lives (and oh-so-colourful closets) by sending us notes, photos, and highlights from your weddings, parties, travels, stage performances, and more “everyday celebrations” than we can count.
  
  These days, things are definitely different – but in new and challenging ways. Those birthday parties and overseas adventures aren’t happening. Theatre and music shows are on hiatus. Our normal routines and activities are on all on hold. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and tired – like life has lost some of its colour.
  
  We’re all eager for a time we can gather with friends and family and return to our favourite activities – but how can we bring back some of that colour to our lives, symbolically and literally, right now?
  
  We have a few ideas on how to cope during this pandemic in our own unique Cherry Velvet style. Here’s a few tips on how to keep calm, carry on, and have some fun along the way:
  
  Love Yourself
  
  Easier said than done at the best of times, and you may find that it’s uniquely challenging to feel worthy and valuable right now. There’s a lot of body-shaming and hurtful jokes about weight gain online these days. Social media can feel like a landmine, and prioritizing self-care can be a challenge when you’re juggling different responsibilities.

  - Make a list of five attributes you love about yourself. If that feels too hard, make a list of five things that others have said they love about you. Look at the list when you go to bed, and again when you wake up.

  - Trim your social media by keeping the people and organizations that offer support, care, and valuable content. Unfollow or remove those that do the opposite. Curate your social media for body positivity!

  - Check out our blog post from earlier this year applauding some famous women who are making big waves in the body positivity and size inclusion realm. Reading about others can feel inspiring. https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/blogs/news/judge-not-our-bodies

   

  Safety First (But Keep the Fun)

  -Missing parties? Host one on zoom. Go all out with a theme – encourage everyone to dress up in the style of a particular era or go tropical with sundresses and Hawaiian shirts.
  -Wear your mask when out in public. And you might as well make it fun – and fashionable! There’s plenty of options out there now but our favourite is, of course, the ones we’ve been making right here at Cherry Velvet. Our beautiful printed masks come in packs of three, or as singles, and are made from two layers of tightly woven cotton. They are washable and adjustable, with a row of elastic that is worn behind the neck and one on the back of the head, rather than tucking around ears. Check out our colourful selection here: https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/collections/face-masks
  -Stay safe and shop from home. Find your favourite retailers online (especially the ones local to you) and see what they’ve got on offer. Treat yourself to something fun and new: some pampering treats like a face mask or new candles, a cozy new pajama, or a book. Better yet, bring home some colour with one of our many newly released designs and fabrics! Check out all our New Arrivals https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/collections/new-arrivals

  

  Think Local

  This is a catchphrase going back years but it means more than ever right now. Since most of us are staying close to home, we have the chance to explore (and make an impact) in our own neighbourhoods. Here’s a few ideas:

  -Explore your local area by going for walks in different directions and routes each day. Even better, bring along a small garbage bag and pick up litter you see along the way.

  -Check google maps for your closest parks and wildlife areas. Many of the favourite outdoor hotspots are extra busy right now (in Vancouver, this includes some of the beaches and world-famous parks like Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park.) Are there smaller places close to where you live that you haven’t explored yet?

  -Support businesses that are owned and operated locally. Restaurants, small shops, and local services need support right now. Many have options for curb side pickup or delivery. You can also buy gift certificates now and save them to shop another day.

  Stay tuned for more ideas next week in Part 2 :)

  Christina Meyer for Cherry Velvet

• Care of Your Cherry Velvet Dress

  Published Aug 27 2020 in Care Instructions, Cherry Velvet, Cherry Velvet Dresses, Fabric Care, Garment care, Made In Canada, Washable Cotton

  Cherry velvet dresses are super easy to care for. With minimal fuss, our high-quality cotton dresses will last you for years. They resist shrinking and fading and are so timeless they can be worn over and over. You don't need to save them for a special occasion!
  
  To give you the official low down on care, here are the steps:
  
  1. Machine Wash, gentle cycle on cold or warm (separate the colours....so no RED socks, please). Also don't wash Black print dresses with other black items like pants as the black could get on the lighter printed parts. (It's ok to wash all your dresses together as the colours on our dresses don't run)
  
  2 Hang to dry
  
  3. While still wet, smooth out the wrinkles.

  
  
  Yep, that's it. It's worth spending a few minutes on #3. Taking the time to smooth out the wrinkles after hanging it up will go a long way toward being iron free! Smooth the collar, put your hands in the pockets, run your hand along the hem until it's hanging straight.
  
  If you're going somewhere special or your dress has come fresh out of the box, go ahead and iron it with steam on a cotton setting.
  
  Hanging around
  
  When it's time to hang up your dress for another night, be sure to give it a little room in your closet so it can hang freely. That way when you are ready to put it on again it will be crease free and ready to go when you are!
  
  Wear your dress!
  
  It's very important to take your dress out and wear it whenever possible. You'll want to accessorize in a way that's appropriate to the occasion although not having an occasion in mind is perfectly alright. You may illicit wistful stares and long lingering looks when wearing your dress. This is quite normal. You may also be approached by other women demanding to know where you found your dress. Just send them our website and we will look after the rest. Don't forget to smile and say "Thanks!".
  
  XOX Cherry Velvet

• Beauty and the Belle

  Published Aug 20 2020 in Cherry Velvet Dresses, Made In Canada, Pin Up, plus, Plus Model, Veronica Belle, Vintage Inspired

  She’s one of the most familiar faces here at Cherry Velvet and for good reason: Veronica Belle’s iconic style – a blend of old-school glamour and pin-up bombshell – is a modelling match made in heaven.

  
  It’s been five years since Veronica’s first Cherry Velvet shoot, which took place near Robson Square in downtown Vancouver in October 2015. That shoot saw her in a pair of now-retired styles that were a great match for her classic style: the Tatyana dress in “Burgundy Tiger” (a unique criss-cross bust design with a stylized tiger pattern) and the Aurora dress in “Guitar Picks” (a multi-coloured fabric with a sweetheart neckline, cap sleeves, and a side bow at the waist.) Both dresses were popular additions to the lineup, offering Cherry Velvet’s unique approach in creating dresses that fit curvy and plus-size customers in flattering and fun designs.

  

  
  But the plus size model and body positivity advocate doesn’t just wear our dresses on photo shoots. She’s also a long-time customer herself, with plenty of our most popular designs hanging in her own closet. As a plus size 0X (about mid-range in Cherry Velvet’s inclusive sizing that runs from XS to 3X) she’s one of countless curvy women who have fallen in love with Cherry Velvet’s fun designs, retro charm, and classic elegance.

  
  
  
  And it’s no surprise the camera loves her: a self-described “total ham” and huge fan of all things Disney, she grew up doing theatre and today is an accomplished singer. She performs with her husband, Ben Klein, a well-known international Elvis impersonator. With her 'Snow White' colouring and his matching black hair, they make a striking couple on the stage – a flashback to the classic looks from an old black-and-white film.

  
  So when Cherry Velvet launched a dress that was equal parts old Hollywood glamour and retro pin-up – with a sprinkling of happily-ever-after princess – it was easy to decide who to name it after. The “Veronica” dress is a satin pin-up style wedding dress with a full circle skirt (with lots of room for a matching crinoline) and a banded waist with a picture-perfect bow.
  
  
  If plus modelling and performing with her spouse don’t keep her hopping all day, Veronica has a host of hobbies to occupy her time: she’s artistic and loves to both paint and draw. She’s also a book worm (current read is the long-awaited new Twilight series book Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer) and she’s a big fan of true crime, from podcasts to books.
  And she’s always been a little bit quirky: not too many kids have a Jaws-themed birthday cake – but she did, on her fourth birthday. Sharks are still one of her favourite animals today.

  

  We love you Veronica Belle! Thanks so much for being uniquely, wonderfully you and such an amazing model for our brand ❤️

  Christina Meyers for Cherry Velvet