News » Cherry Velvet Dresses

• 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

   

   

   

   

   

   

• 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

• Frock Flashback: The Marie (New ones coming soon!)

  Published Aug 07 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Cherry Velvet Dresses, cotton, Marie, New Dress, What's new

  What better time to reminisce on past dress releases than Flashback Friday? Today we're doing just that, looking back on some of your all-time favourite prints in the unique, smart design of our Marie dress.

  This dress was named after the brainiest of babes, Polish-French scientist Marie Curie, who discovered Radium and Polonium. Many of our Marie prints, right from its inception, have been focused on things intellectual girls love.

  Right off the bat, we need to talk about its shining feature: the zipper front! That is definitely a modern take for a retro-inspired dress, and it adds so much to the design. You can play with the amount of cleavage you want to display, making it so versatile, you can wear it to work or for a fun night out!

  

  On top of that, if you've tried the Marie before, you know that the zipper's superpower is that... you never need help to zip up! Now that's smart design!

  The sharp collar and sleek lines give it a look that's both prim and proper for a cool geeky look or a little bit edgy for a rockabilly style!

  2017 Release

  Our first release was a total success. We had prints like Genius, which is like a blackboard covered in equations; Jet Set, with postcards from famous tourist spots around the world; Double Feature, with popcorn and drinks for the cinephiles; and Mini Donuts... who doesn't love mini donuts??!

  

  Genius, Mini Donuts

  

  Jet Set, Double Feature 

  2019 Release

  For last year's release, our brainy look was the Chemistry Cu-Te, an ode to all lab-dwelling beauties. The geeky Spaced Out pays homage to classic Atari video games; Jelly Jam is a marine biologist's dream with a multitude of cnidarian specimens, and Prismatic Peacock was geometric with classy gold details.

  

  Chemistry Cu-Te, Spaced Out

  

  Jelly Jam, Prismatic Peacock

  Coming Soon

  Our upcoming release has already arrived in the warehouse, and we couldn't be more excited to share these new dresses with you! (we're just waiting for the official photos) You may have seen some of these prints on our social media as you've been helping us name them. Here is the complete assortment:

  

  Floral Fireworks, Spot On, Roses Are Dead, Our unnamed Owl print, and Dino Might

  Are you excited about the new frocks? Which are your favourites? Stay tuned for a new Name That Print contest soon, and for the announcement of the release!

  We can't wait to see you in these new looks!

  XOX Cherry Velvet

• Which Cherry Velvet Dress Best Suits Your Personality?

  Published Jul 10 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Cherry Velvet Dresses, Personality Test, Quiz

  Looking for inspiration for your next Cherry Velvet dress? We made this quiz thinking of you! Answer a few questions, and we'll try to guess the dress which best suits your personality. Have fun, and make sure to share your results!

  ** Mobile users may need to scroll inside the blue box! **

    

   

  We hope you had a fun time taking our quiz. Did we get it right?
  Let us know if you'd like more quizzes like this!

  XOX Cherry Velvet

• Frock Flashback: the Doris (+ New releases coming soon!)

  Published Jun 19 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Cherry Velvet Dresses, cotton dress, Doris, Made In Canada, Vintage Inspired

  This flashback friday special is all about the Doris dress, one of our customer favourites. Join us for a stroll down memory lane, as we look back on previous releases of this beautiful style, and get excited for the new prints coming out very soon!

  Named after 1950's songbird Doris Day, this dress is just as lovely as the lady. With a bustier style top, the details are fabulously flattering and just perfect for the summer, with straps that perfectly cover your bra's. The full skirt looks lovely with or without a crinoline, and there are pockets, of course!

  2015

  In 2015, the Doris was first released in 4 beautiful and iconic prints - including our signature cherries on polka-dots (available right now!). For that season's photoshoot, we went to the stunning Hycroft Manor, an Edwardian mansion in Vancouver that's a popular spot for weddings.

  Our model for this shoot was Charlotte, who's also an advocate for body acceptance. Didn't she look so lovely in the Doris?

  

  2016

  You can say our 2016 release was definitely "stellar"! With two galactic prints (one that glows in the dark), we brought back the cherry dots, and added a fun digital-age pixel print.

  We chose to shoot this time at Pier Park in New Westminster, BC (near Vancouver), with its beautiful greenery. Veronica Belle was on the mission this time, with her bombshell glamour shining as much as the glow-in-the-dark Star Magic dress!

  

  2018

  In 2018, we released 5 fun and beautiful new prints. We had more kitschy options, like Bat the Lash and glow-in-the-dark skulls, and realistic prints, like Rose Crush and Citrus Slice, plus the stunning floral; Enchanted Garden.

  Our model, Veronica Belle, is pure pin-up glamour and a Cherry Velvet veteran, shooting with us until this very day!

  

  2020

  And that brings us to our newest releases! You can look out for these beauties very soon on our online store, and our lemon-y "Squeeze The Day" is available right now! 

  

  Squeeze The Day - Swizzle Sticks - Violet Femmes - Fly With Pride

  It was fun looking back, but you can see there are also many exciting things to look forward to!

  We hope you enjoy these new releases and make sure to follow us on our social media or subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to hear when all the new Doris dresses are available.

   

  XOX Cherry Velvet

• Moving on up!

  Published Jun 12 2020 in Canadian Designer, Cherry Velvet, Cherry Velvet Dresses, Customer Appreciation, Fit, inspiration, Made In Canada, Made in Vancouver, sizing, Staff, staff updates, Vancouver-designed, what's new

  We have some big news....!
  

  
  
  After many years in Vancouver, we are moving our operations to New Westminster. We close our doors in East Vancouver, at the end of June. We will definitely miss the bright and creative atmosphere of this neighbourhood; it was always so inspiring to be surrounded by local artists. 
  
  We've made so many memories in this studio. One of the first notable ones is our #stunningatanysize shoot which we made right before we moved into our fresh new space.
  
  
  
  Since then, we've done so many photoshoots and events, What a pleasure it's been to be here. <3
  
  
  Cherry Velvet's "Pucker Up Party" Valentine's Day Event, 2016
  
  
  Our Men's Shirt Launch, 2017
  
   “What about Studio Shops and Personal Shop Appointments?”
  
  For the time being, it will not be possible to shop in person. However, we will be holding Pop-up Shops and doing events when it becomes safer to do so.  The best way to find out what's happening with us is to sign up for our Newsletter  (Not to mention 15% off, if it's your first online order.) 
  
  Getting Your Best Fit Online

  During this time of transition, we encourage you to shop online. We are always happy to help with fit and answer your questions.

  "The very best way I can accurately help you with fit is to email your measurements. It is just as important to me as it is to you to ensure your dresses fit!" ~ Diane

  Please also be sure to check out each style's specific fit guide (found on each product page).
  
  Don't have a tape measure? Click here for our printable, handy dandy solution!
  
  So that's our big announcement! :) We're so excited about the future ahead, and we always appreciate your continued support. 

  As always...more new dresses coming soon!

  
  XOXO 
  
  Diane Kennedy & The Cherry Velvet Team

• 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

• 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