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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
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
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
Holiday Greetings!

Published Dec 24 2019 in behind the scenes, Canadian Designer, Canadian Made, Cherry Velvet, Cherry Velvet Dresses, Customer Appreciation, Employee Appreciation, Made In Canada, Made in Vancouver, Thank you, Vancouver-designed, Vintage Inspired, what's new

It's been another wonderful year, we thank you, all of our beautiful fans and customers for your support. It absolutely fills our hearts with joy to see our customers smiling; our dresses making you feel confident and ready for anything.

We know none of the success we've shared with you wouldn't be possible without *you*, and to be completely honest, it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable without you, either. So, once more, we want to express our great appreciation to you for being on this journey of fabulousness with us.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays, the merriest of Christmases and nothing but the very best for the New Year and beyond.

XOXO With Love from all of us Diane, Julia, Logan, and Tracy.
Style Inspiration - The Claire Capelet

Published Dec 18 2019 in Accessories, capelet, Claire Fraser, Design process, Fashion, fashion illustration, Fleur Delacour, inspiration, Made In Canada, Outlander, Short cape, Shrug

Does the term 'Capelet" make you think of a strong female character in a whimsical fantasy? Inspired by pieces worn by Claire and Brianna on the show "Outlander", we designed our Claire Capelet so you can be the heroine of your own magical story. This is a charming, flirty piece made to enhance the look you have on underneath.

Considering your helpful feedback on our Samantha Shrug collection, we wanted to keep this design clean around the neck, without a tie or collar. An important aspect to us was achieving the flowing, cape-like aesthetic, while ensuring that it would stay on your shoulders. For this reason, we set out to create a garment with sleeves.

The resulting effect would be that of a gentle swinging curved line, blending the sleeve in with the back, creating a unified smooth flow. We achieved this look after many versions and fit tests!

The fit was designed for 4 different sizes instead of our usual 8, as the capelet’s shape accommodates a wider range of body shapes. The smallest one, labeled “M” will fit from a tiny XS body to a true M. Size “XL” will fit L-XL, “1X” fits 0X-1X, and “3X” fits 2X-3X. (It would make an easy fit gift!)

Equally suitable over a casual outfit; elevating even a t-shirt and jeans the Claire Capelet is a versatile addition to any closet. Pick up this soft and lovely accessory to give your outfits a romantic, sophisticated finishing touch!

XOX Cherry Velvet

P.S. Try one on at the last Studio Shop of the year:

Friday Dec 20 from 2-7 pm and Saturday Dec 21 from 11-5
Cherry Velvet and Fluevog - The Perfect Pair

Published Nov 08 2019 in Canadian Designer, Cherry Velvet Dresses, Cherry Velvet/Fluevog Match, Customer Appreciation, Fluevog, John Fluevog, Made In Canada, Made in Vancouver

"One of the best compliments I've ever received was from my customer telling me she has a ton of Fluevogs, but even more of my dresses" ~ Diane Kennedy, designer

And what a collection our client, Jacqueline has!

It has been a long-held truth for many Cherry Velvet dress collectors that nothing really goes better with our unique dresses than a pair of Fluevog shoes. We like to think there is nothing so loyal as a Cherry Velvet/Fluevog client. They go together like gin & tonic, peanut butter & jelly or a cup & saucer - You get the idea. ;)

Over the years, many of our clients have brought their Fluevog shoes with them when they come dress shopping in our Studio. There have been many happy discussions about which shoes go with which dress.

We're blown away by this fabulous photo sent to us by our customer Jacqueline.

She's laid out all her dresses in a rainbow -
There was some question about how many there actually were but the final tally is 50 dresses!

Jacqueline has her own unique approach to her dress/shoe collaborations. She prefers to pick one perfect combination of matching shoes and dress that she wears more exclusively together. Of course, some dresses have more than one perfect shoe match; But the choices are always fluid, never static.

Can we just say wow! What a work of art this photo is!

Also known as @_cuddlefish_ on Instagram, she has an undeniable eye for colour and detail. Check out her lovely IG photos; mostly of her travels and nature. We feel so flattered that she's shared her amazing eye for fashion and corresponding photos with us! :)

Thank you, Jacqueline! <3

XOX Cherry Velvet