The Devil May Wear?
Whatever She Wants!
By Casey Strynadka
Tucked away around the corner from Main Street at 21st you will find a little store run by Stephanie Ostler - Devil May Wear. Carrying local and international lines as well as Ostler's very own label, Devil May Wear has a little something special for everyone.
Step inside the store and you find yourself in a cozy room big enough to be this writer's dream walk-in closet. Old vintage music fills the store. Artists such as Glen Miller, Nina Simone and The Sonics can be heard. Racks are filled with shirts, sweaters, jeans and a handful of men's tees. A trunk full of Devil May Wear's very own hand made undies and bloomers sits at the far back wall. Clothes are not the only items hidden away in this humble retreat. In the center of the room a display sits full of wallets, key chains and a few scarves. Ostler's hand made jewelry, aroma therapy products and bamboo tights cover a wall in front of the till. Prices ranging from $25 dollars to $200 dollars make it more then easy to find that perfect something for yourself.
Open for two years now, Devil May Wear is every fashionista's hidden gem. Supporting brands such as Silver Denim, Free People and Dear Pony the store is filled with many treasures. The store focuses as much as they can on sustainable materials such as bamboo, soy, organic cotton and wool. The wool happens to be from Vancouver's own 100 Mile House. Being a local designer herself, Ostler tries to keep her store filled with other local designers in order to continue supporting Vancouver's own fashion industry.
Ostler along with her two staff members Alex and Rebecca, make shopping at Devil May Wear an upbeat experience. There is such a fantastic vibe once you walk through the door that you just want to stay and hang out with the three of them. She describes Devil May Wear as a company with "dual personalities" - one consisting of her lively, eccentric and creative side and the other of her mature and more down to earth side. Future goals consist of expanding across Canada and around the globe, continuing to sell and support local designers and to get the word out on buying ethical items.
You can find Devil May Wear at 189 E. 21st and Main Street here in Vancouver. The store hours are 11am to 6pm every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and Noon to 6pm every Monday and Tuesday. For more information visit their website at http://devil-may-wear.com.
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