News

Colour Me Cherry!

Published Mar 27 2020 in Body Positive, Cherry Velvet, colouring pages, Customer Appreciation, inspiration, Made in Vancouver, paper dolls, pin up dresses, retro dresses, stay at home, vintage dresses

Long time Cherry Velvet fans may remember our darling Pin-Up Paper Dolls (which are also fun little crafts for you and/or your wee ones) so we've decided to follow them up with...colouring pages! We wanted to offer you a stylish distraction and bring some fun to your day!

Simply click on the images below to download and imbue some hues on these sweet ensembles!

We hope we sparked your creativity with this little activity. Please feel free to share. We can't wait to see your ideas and creativity!

#cherryvelvet #colourmecherry

Much love to you our awesome customers. Stay safe and far apart!

XOX Cherry Velvet
Frocks In The Time Of COVID-19

Published Mar 17 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Dresses, New Arrivals, new dresses, Norma, Studio Shop

During this complicated time, we have still decided to open up for shopping on the 20^th and 21^st of March. We’d like to talk about this decision, and the current state of things.

Here at Cherry Velvet, we typically don’t have much close contact. There’s only 4 of us (Hi from Diane, Logan, Tracy and Julia!), and we sit about 12’ apart in the office. We only have customers in occasionally, on scheduled appointments and, twice a month, for our studio shops. As it is, we’re usually pretty isolated.

But we have fun here so it’s okay!

We’ve decided to open up for shopping amidst the current COVID-19 situation largely because… we’re not that large! Your regular shopping mall retailer will, each day, receive hundreds of customers and be manned by over a dozen staff members. But the nature of our business means that much of it is done online, and only a limited number of shoppers come by when we open up.

In our province (British Columbia), social gatherings of over 50 people have been cancelled for the time being. That said, our studio’s capacity is about 10 people at maximum, and we normally have under 5 guests at a time. It’s a comfortable shopping experience, and you will still maintain a reasonable distance.

Hugs were allowed around Christmas time, but not currently encouraged ;)

We will, of course, maintain our standards of hygiene, and have our bathrooms equipped with the most luxurious, delicious hand soap (by Barefoot Venus) for all your disinfecting needs. We also gently ask that if you or someone very close is ill, that you stay home and rest for this one! You can always shop online!

Another reason why we’d still like to open up shop is that we’ve just received brand new frocks in super exciting prints! We have not made these available online yet (although we’re hoping to soon), so the best way to see them at the moment is to come try them on in person!

We believe that, in this trying time, we should not fall into despair. Even during periods of seclusion, dressing up for the day and treating yourself well can have a powerful impact on your mood.

So, wear a pretty dress and lift up your spirits!

We’ll make it through this!

XOX Cherry Velvet
Judge Not Our Bodies!

Published Mar 13 2020 in Billie Eilish, Body Positive, celebrities, Cherry Velvet, inspiration, Lizzo, Rihanna

It’s so inspiring to see the latest celebrity news about body positivity, and how things evolve in real time. Let's talk about the people and events that drive this change!

Of course, we could describe the scandals and infractions of the Victoria’s Secret brand, which has been dropping in sales and share value in recent years. But we’d rather talk about a big game-changer in the underwear industry, as a type of “anti-VS”: Savage X Fenty by Rihanna. The famous singer idealized her radically inclusive lingerie line, featuring all sizes and colors of women in her products. But even more significantly, for the past 2 years the brand has put on NYFW fashion shows that promote body positivity in an unprecedented manner. Small, large, trans, pregnant, and practically every other type of woman of every color have been seen on the catwalk, wearing Rihanna’s designs. Her message is clear: every woman can be sexy.

Not only is she championing body positivity, but she’s also currently the richest female singer!

Also making loud statements about body acceptance and self-love is breakaway singer Lizzo (winner of 3 Emmy awards). The plus-sized artist writes songs that promote the idea that she – and women like her – are sexy, desirable, and beautiful. More than just preaching it, Lizzo also lives by her word, performing and dancing confidently with her body on full display. In August 2019, her show at the VMAs made headlines for flaunting her and her plus-sized back-up dancers' beauty unabashedly. Give her music a listen, and we can almost guarantee you’ll feel more powerful and confident!

Her VMAs performance also included a giant inflatable bum! Fun!

Our last mention is of young musician Billie Eilish (who scored 5 Grammys this year, including Album of the Year!). Billie became famous with her first hit single in 2015, when she was only 15. Even though she was just a teen, her body was sadly the focus of many headlines – some even discussing the size of her bust. She soon became known for her oversized, masculine clothing, which was often misinterpreted as an opposition to the so-called “slutty” style of other popstars.

Just this week, Billie (now 18) made headlines for her body once again. This time, though, it was through her own narrative. On the first concert of her new tour, she played a video of herself stripping layers of clothing to the sound of a voiceover. In it, she criticized social ideas of how women should dress, and bravely states that she will be judged no matter what she wears, and therefore will not be ashamed of her body, and will dress how she likes. The statement is in line with past interviews, where she has brought up feeling uncomfortable showing her body, largely due to the media attention.

“If I wear what is comfortable, I am not a woman. If I shed the layers, I’m a slut. Though you’ve never seen my body, you still judge it and judge me for it. Why? We make assumptions about people based on their size. We decide who they are, we decide what they’re worth. If I wear more, if I wear less, who decides what that makes me? What that means? Is my value based only on your perception? Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility?”

Inspiring words! You go, Billie!

In this day and age, it’s sad that women are still not allowed to just be themselves in peace. Our bodies are subjected to judgement and shame. Even young girls still face this issue. But there is hope that we can change things. Celebrities and brands can help shape culture, and that is what we want to do with our dresses. All bodies deserve love and respect.

Keep loving yourself, unapologetically.

XOX Cherry Velvet
Jaunty Julia on the Job

Published Mar 06 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Fashion, Staff, staff profile, throwback

When we met Julia, with her passion for art and fashion, we knew she would be a great fit for the Cherry Velvet team. If you've seen our adorable drawings these past few months, they are all hand drawn by her! Julia manages our social media, helps out with graphics... and even modelled for us recently! Today, we've dedicated our blog to her, so read on and learn about our newest member of our fam jam:

Julia wears our Leanne dress

Julia grew up in the south of Brazil; where the heat and rain are plenty and the indoor heating, scarce. She tells tales of the weather - where the temperature in her hometown could reach – gasp – an unimaginable 1°C! (That sound you hear? It's all Canadians laughing.)

In her teenage years, she experimented with many fashion styles. Most notably, she loved Japanese culture. Inspired by “Tokyo street fashions”, she spent her time combining outfits, sharing them online, and attending meet-ups with other Harajuku lovers. (Here are some old photos for your enjoyment!)

Can you find the cherry in one of these pictures?

She loves fashion, along with all things vintage. She enjoys watching old movies, is a fan of Audrey Hepburn, and can recite the lyrics to (almost) every song in "My Fair Lady" (a useful skill, for sure!)

What about cherries here?

Aside from her passion for fashion, Julia has always been an avid artist. After many years of drawing, and playing around with Photoshop, it came time to choose what to study. She, unsurprisingly, opted for Graphic Design. Eventually, an opportunity came up at her university, and she decided to come to Canada as part of her studies. She soon realised Canada is too beautiful, too lovely, and too full of opportunity. She simply had to stay!

Julia has had a variety of jobs here in Canada. She even worked at a chocolate store, where she was encouraged to sample their products to give recommendations to clients (how could she leave that??!)

In the end, her passion for fashion, vintage, as well as her skills and education, all seemed to naturally lead her to us. Kismet, if you will.

Credit goes to her for all our recent drawings, such as these!

Her contributions, her wise-beyond-her-years and professional demeanor belie a big personality with a hilarious sense of humour. Her warmth that fits in so well with Cherry Velvet's cheeky mission statement: "Retro Class with Modern Sass". We're absolutely thrilled to have her as part of our world.

"Get dressed, jump out of bed and do it best" - The Strokes
(Julia's fave band.)

XOX Cherry Velvet
NEW DRESS ALERT! :: Introducing The Leanne

Published Feb 28 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Design process, New Arrivals, New Dress, prints, what's new

May me introduce you to our freshest creation... The cool, new girl in town...
Welcome our latest dress - The Leanne!

We've named her after one of our most committed (and tall!) customers :)

Leanne has photos of all her Cherry Velvet prints in her phone. Isn't that smart!

As always, it was of the utmost importance for us to design a frock that flatters. That’s why our designer, Diane, always makes 2 different patterns for each style; one for regular sizes, as well as one for plus sizes. This ensures the scaling is a perfect fit for every size.

With this design, we aimed to create a new classic. We wanted a dress that is the ideal canvas to feature new, exciting (and most importantly, beautiful) prints. A look that’s a crowd pleaser. Gorgeous garb with new, BIGGER pockets.

Can we all get a hell YAY!?

In this first release of The Leanne, we picked some wonderful prints that had our hearts fluttering in excitement. We’re sure there’s a print that will make your heart flutter, too!

To demonstrate its beauty, we created these simulated images - These frocks are still factory-fresh and have not had the pleasure of having their own photoshoot yet.

Let's begin with our "Infinity & Beyond" print. Space themes have always been highly requested, and galaxies are both beautiful and awe-inspiring. It's no wonder this subject seems to captivate so many; We're all made of stardust, after all.

From the highest height of space, to the deepest depths of our wonderous ocean, we present our "To Dive For" print! This look is all about the unique vastness under the sea, featuring beautiful reefs and colourful marine life.

Some would say this print reminds them of the classic Windows 2000 screensaver. Points for nostalgia!

Looking for something sweeter? When you set your eyes on our "You're My Jam", which is a classic "strawberries on the vine" print, you can practically smell the Smuckers! Don it, and it dawns on you; the thought of picnics in the sunlight, daisy chains and decadent fruit pies cooling on a windowsill.

...At last (but not least), our two final offerings:

Full of tropical treasures; these vibrant themes will bring summer fun with you, wherever you go. BUT! These two beauties are still unnamed, so make sure you follow us on our Facebook and Instagram, and participate in our popular, upcoming "Name That Print" contests!

We hope you love our Leanne dress, as much as we love Leanne, herself. ❤️
It was our pleasure to announce this dress with prints it will come in and we hope this teaser has tickled your fancy!

The Leanne is available online right now - click here to see it!

Come try it on at our next Studio Shop:

Friday, March 6th - 2pm to 7pm
Saturday, March 7th - 11am 5pm

XOX Cherry Velvet
The Survey Shakedown

Published Feb 20 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Cherry Velvet Dresses, customer feedback, Dresses, pricing, prints, sizing, survey, what's new

As many of you know (almost 300 of you in fact!), we asked you, our wonderful customers to do a survey. We wanted to know what you think, so we can better provide you with the frocks that will most delight you. Thank you so much for your participation. We have a lot of fun and interesting statistics to share!

First of all, congratulations to the 13.6% of you that's part of the "Cherry Velvet Collector’s" Club. You've got yourselves more than 10 different dresses of ours over the years!

It’s not a problem, really. It’s a solution!

And thank you to all who have responded our survey from far and wide. We even had a respondent all the way from... Russia!? Spasibo! (That's "Thank you" in Russian 😊 )

Here's something we found out about your style preferences: 60% of you are all for short or cap sleeves. Over 70% like their skirt right below the knee. And about 70% like your skirts either full or A-line, with many of you requesting very full or straight skirts. It’s clear to us that many of you enjoy a very balanced fashion - not too much and not too little!

And finally, the juicy stuff:

Our most popular prints are, by far, the florals and the polka dots. These timeless classics have been remixed in many ways over the years, and we always make sure to bring them back! We currently have many of those available, including the Doris in Black & Red Polka Dot or the Chrissy in Bird of Paradise for example.

Here are some hot takes from what you requested.

1 - Cats Rule and Dogs Drool

Not by a lot, but cats still definitely took the lead here: Cats got 23% preference, and dogs only got 14%. It's nothing to bark at, but it's certainly the cat's meow to hear!

2 - You really looooooove Space

With an incredibly high amount of mentions – between stars, space, and galaxy, we have just about 20 specific requests for Space themes. Don’t worry, ladies, we’ll keep them coming (out of this world)!

Marlene in Written in The Stars / Dita in Golden Galaxy

3 - You want Dinosaurs, Books, Music, and Geometric Prints

What does that say about our audience?

Maybe you're a math-loving brainy bunch, with a palaeontology hobby, erudite music training, who love spending time in libraries familiarizing yourselves with the classics of English literature!

We're not sure we can find a print specifically with all those factors in at once (what a print it would be, huh?), but we hear you! We'll make sure to incorporate (or perhaps already did... mua-ha-ha!) these very hotly requested themes into our next seasons. Stay tuned!

And the most unexpected requests were...

Krakens and Yetis.

Nothing against them, but those prints might be hard to find!

Best friends forever

Q&A

On our Survey, you also had the chance to tell us anything you like, and it was so delightful to hear your feedback and concerns. Most of the comments were so sweet - we were smiling all day reading them!

We’d also like to answer a couple of the more frequently asked questions here. Although we’ve addressed some of these before, we’re more than happy to revisit them.
- Manufacturing issues (slight fit inaccuracies)
All our garments are handmade, very carefully by local seamstresses here in metro Vancouver. As such, we can often deliver a much higher standard of quality than clothing manufactured overseas. There can, however, be some small variations from seamstress to seamstress. No different than getting your latte from different baristas There is also the off chance that a garment can get the wrong size label. While it is RARE to see a manufacturing flaw, they do happen, so please inform us immediately so we can fix that for you.
- Limited sizing
All our dresses are limited edition runs; if you love a style, you may want to grab it in your size quick. We enjoy knowing that as each limited run sells, our clients will have the satisfaction of knowing they are one of a few to own that special print.

As much as our mission statement is to provide amazing dresses so you can be lovely and stunning at ANY size, it is not always possible to have every print in every size. Running a fashion business that produces ethically poses some unique challenges that brands which manufacture overseas won’t face. Costs can often be prohibitive, and there are minimum quotas and specific requirements when it comes to placing orders. In general, we try to have a broad selection of sizes. We do, however, occasionally opt to produce fewer in certain sizes or skip them altogether for these reasons.
- What’s up with the pricing?
The pricing reflects much more than just the fact that most of our dresses come in limited edition availability. Our frocks are ethically manufactured in the same city as our headquarters, Vancouver BC, Canada. Wages in Canada are much higher than other countries and our minimum wages are very much on the rise (which is a good thing for workers!) Our production does not rely on certain “more affordable” options, we choose the best quality zippers and fabrics we can get our hands on. It’s ethical production, and that's how we've chosen to function. We strongly believe this is a necessary step for the fashion industry. We want no part in the suffering of workers in unsafe conditions. Although our garments may take more saving up for, we 100% stand behind the fact that they are worth it.

We always love to hear your feedback, please feel free to write us and tell us what you think!

XOX Cherry Velvet

P.S. Hope to see you this weekend at our Warehouse Sale / Studio Shop:

Friday Feb 21 from 2-7 pm

Saturday Feb 22 from 11-5 pm

@1635 Powell Street, Vancouver BC
A Cherry Velvet Love Story

Published Feb 13 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Cherry Velvet dresses, Disney, love, love story, Valentines Day

Love is in the air today and we wanted to share a very special Velvet-ine story that’s near and dear to our hearts here at Cherry Velvet.

You may be familiar with two of our team members here; our long time Art Director/Photographer, Logan and our Marketing Assistant, Tracy. But did you know they met and fell in love among our dresses? It's a tale as old as time! Which makes perfect sense, being a retro brand and all 😉

Now this is a story of all about how
their lives got flipped, turned upside down
and we'd like to take a minute, just sit right there
and we'll tell you all about how they fell in love, right up in here.
- The Fresh Prince & Princess of Cherry Velvet

August 31, 2015. The very 1^st picture Logan & Tracy took for our Instagram account - @cherry_velvety :: Dress pictured - Kate in "Black String Theory" (Print sold out)

When Tracy first started here, way back in 2015, they both worked very closely together and it became very clear that Tracy could match Logan’s enthusiasm and positivity. As a marketing team, they shared their creativity and continued making our office a fun work environment to be a part of.

Tracy wears our Doris Dress in Royal Rose & Logan wears our Charlie Shirt in Automation

As the weekdays went on, they discovered how much they had in common; graphic design, photography, bad puns…and a shared love of all things Disney.

Tracy recalls the exact moment she fell for Logan -

I was hanging dresses in our showroom and singing “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” from the Lion King. Unbeknownst to me, Logan walked past and sang along as he disappeared up the stairs. I couldn’t help but blush and felt my heart beat just a little bit faster. I later found out that Aladdin and Lion King are 2 of his favourite Disney movies and I just about lost it. They were mine, too.

Logan recalls his “moment” –

She immediately stood out to me. Not in a romantic sense (not at first, anyhow!), but as someone who experienced and went about life differently from anyone I had ever met before. She's such a curious person and she initially asked me lots of questions; questions that I've never been asked before. About my life, goals, ambitions, and our now shared love of Disney! I'm actually thinking it was when I first heard her passionately explain all the many reasons why she loved Disney (for so much more than the films) and why everyone else should, too. That's when I started to fall for her — I loved her energy, it was contagious! She was (and obviously still is) absolutely beautiful, too, so that certainly didn't hurt the situation 😉

After several photoshoots and a Halloween party after work; Christmas came and went.

Christmas Staff Party, 2015 - Tracy wears her Betty - On The Rocks, 2 piece Cherry Velvet outfit (sold out!)

All the while, shy glances and silly jokes continued. Finally, a furtive invite from Tracy to hang out followed by an intense amount of text messaging led to Feb. 1^st, 2016 - where they officially went from being coworkers to a couple. ❤️

4 years later, while many profess they could never live AND work with their partner, Logan and Tracy continue living that sweet Cherry Velvet life together, as well as sharing a magical home. Love, like life, always finds a way, and these two certainly exemplify this sentiment.

We hope you loved hearing about our very own Cherry Velvet love story! Wishing you all a happy and magical Valentine’s Day,

XOXO Cherry Velvet
The Retro's In The Details

Published Feb 07 2020 in Accessories, Cherry Velvet, Modern Vintage, Retro, Staff, Style tips, Tips, Vintage

When wearing our modern vintage frocks, you may be inspired to bring a little more of that old-times-past inspiration into your look. Many of us, in fact, try to dress retro every day. But outside of the perfect dress, we often want an extra detail to give our outfit a definitive mid-century look. And whatever it is, it must fit in our busy routines.

Like, who's got the time to set their hair in pin curls every day?

Unless you have one of these.

The ideal solution for your daily dose of retro needs to be quick and easy, something you can throw on effortlessly. Luckily, our staff has a few ideas!

Julia loves giving herself a DIY mani in red for that extra vintage feel. That usually lasts her about a week. Another excellent way is to go get your manicure professionally done in gel polish like Diane, and that small time investment will last you a whole month. Plus, it's a nice little treat to yourself.

For all your immediate vintage needs, red lips are the way to go! It works well even with clean, neutral make-up. With a quick swipe, you can get much closer to the iconic look of decades past, so make sure to always have one with you! Julia loves the NARS Annabella, Diane is a fan of MAC Russian Red (classic!), and you can even get some authentic vintage shades in gorgeous packaging from Bésame Cosmetics.

Julia wears the Angelina dress in "Dragonfly In Amber", and the Dark Garden necklace and earring set

Tracy can always be seen wearing black winged eyeliner. We think she may have been born wearing it. She says it's her go-to retro look, and she won't spend a day without it! She uses the Marcelle 2-in-1 Retractable Eyeliner most often, and Diane's favourite is the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. Once you get the hang of it, it can be done in just a minute or two. After her health issues this past year, Tracy had to re-learn how to apply her eyeliner. If she can do it (twice!), so can you!

Tracy wears the Doris dress in "Briar Rose"

Even Logan, the lone male in the office, can often be seen sporting vintage accessories. From him, we hear that a nice hat will cover up any bad hair day situation instantly! ;) He got this dapper one at Goorin Brothers, but thrift stores are also a good bet for unique finds.

Cherry Velvet's designer, Diane, is always impeccably accessorized. Her signature items (other than Fluevog shoes) are her cat-eye glass frames. It's impossible to not look retro with those on! Diane gets hers at MOSH Framemakers and Clearly. For jewelry, she's often seen in Mirror Mirror Bijoux's retro designs (all handmade here in Vancouver, BC!).

Diane wears the Marlene dress in "Heaven Scent" and the Dark Mirror Ball necklace and earring set

There are, of course, many more vintage accessories you can use, but this selection is our staff's usual picks. We hope to have inspired you to get a little more of that retro feeling each day with these easy additions.

Let us know if you liked this post, and if you'd like to see more tips like this!

XOX Cherry Velvet
Good Vibes + Lots of Love = A Tracy Update

Published Jan 30 2020 in Customer Appreciation, encephalitis, staff update, update, what's new

Our Cherry Velvet community is full of beautifully strong, devoted and kind individuals…with absolutely great style ;) And it’s no different with our Cherry Velvet team; we have some pretty awesome people here.

A while back, you may have heard about our marketing assistant, Tracy’s battle with Anti-NMDA receptor Encephalitis.

Hiya! That was me!

6 months ago, I looked like this:

I saw and heard that many of our clients were asking about my recovery and I am so grateful for all the thoughts, prayers and good wishes that came from all of you, as well as my wonderful coworkers and Diane.

Diane & Co sent me some magic & good vibes when she heard how bad things were*

Since that last blog, I was discharged from GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre mid-October and there was the expectation that it would be at least until the New Year, before I would be able to return to CV.

Turns out, I couldn’t wait and returned shortly before Halloween. :)

As a Professional Excited Person (PEP, if you will), I am over the moon to be back here. Everyone, along with our wonderful CV community, has been such a wealth of support and positivity.

Spending my entire summer bed-ridden at the hospital; Re-learning how to talk, walk and do all the basic things we take for granted, has given me an even more positive outlook on life and I never stop feeling truly alive now. I implore you all to do the same.

While it will still be a couple of years before I completely recover, I feel incredibly blessed to now be spending my 9-5 surrounded by everything and everyone I love. Life is too short to punch in & punch out. Love what you do. I certainly do and feel incredibly lucky to be able to do so.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here… And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should… in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. – Desiderata, Max Erhmann
❤️❤️❤️ Tracy
Follow me on IG :: @jolieholiday
Frock Flashback: the Danielle

Published Jan 24 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Cherry Velvet Dresses, cotton dress, Danielle, Made In Canada, Vintage Inspired

The Danielle: A much-beloved sassy frock, produced in about 15 different prints over Cherry Velvet history. Named after a darling previous staff member and model, this design was released for the first time way back in 2015.

With so many versions of it, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at all the past Danielles! Plus, here's a secret just for you: A little bird has said we might be seeing this frock again this summer...

Image credit: Disney

One of the special features of the Danielle is that we often use one-way prints. This takes more fabric, but also means that we can use more unusual and striking prints.

This charming design features an alluring "V" neckline, with buttons that match the print, a pointed collar and best of all a unique peek-a-boo back. After all, your exit is every bit as important as your entrance! The full skirt looks lovely on its own or with a crinoline, and includes (as always!) hidden pockets in the side seams.

If you like it from the front, wait 'til you see it from the back!

And now, for your viewing pleasure, here is a gallery of all our past Danielles!

Let us revel in nostalgia...

Prints: Bazaar, Celestial Damask, and Red Rose

Prints: Hexi Dot, Bird Bath, and Bento Box

Prints: Rose Picnic, Cherry Luau, Poppy Lagoon

Prints: Silhouette, Shutterbug, and Black Geo

Prints: Beach Pugs, Rose Floral, Retro Star

We know, we know. They're so beautiful and fun. We wish they'd still be available too, but they are long sold out. However, fear not: we have exciting new things coming this year!

Did you enjoy seeing the history of our Danielle dress? Let us know if you did, and if you'd like to see more Frock Flashbacks.

Stay tuned for Name That Print contests, new releases, and other fun news!

XOX Cherry Velvet