(c) 2008 The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd.
2008 ARC Awards Finalists
Agent Provocateur & Gumdrops
Cadillac Fairview is pleased to announce the 2008 ARC (Achievement in Retail Concept) Award finalists. From a field of 27 entries, four finalists were chosen, and they share one thing in common: they've turned traditional retail on its head and encourage Canadian consumers to take a walk on the retail wild side.
Agent Provocateur
During a business trip to London, England, oil and gas executive Jean Florendo did a career about face when she walked through the doors of high-end lingerie retailer Agent Provocateur. Just one look was all it took and Jean decided to say goodbye to greasy overalls and to slip into something more comfortable and distinctly more feminine.
Jean says she was "swept away" by the unique and intimate in-store experience offered by this saucy and playful luxury lingerie retailer which led to her becoming the Canadian licensee for Agent Provocateur.
Agent Provocateur was launched in 1994 in the UK by Vivienne Westwood's' son Joseph Corre and Serena Rees. It hit the big time with patrons such as Kate Moss, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kylie Minogue and Victoria Beckham. Today, Agent Provocateur has stores in the UK, America, the Middle East, Russia, Hong Kong, Europe, and now Canada. The product line includes exquisite lingerie (in a variety of sizes), and books, fragrances, shoes, jewellery, and other beauty products.
The first Canadian Agent Provocateur in November 2007and it has become Vancouver's go to spot for high end, high style lingerie. Based on the "Dream of Venus", a surrealist fantasy, the inspiration is a magical fairytale landscape that unfolds on entering the front doors and stepping onto the custom made fuchsia-on-pink floral carpet.
It features "The Enchanted Forest", a 3D black lacquer forest, complete with a bed overgrown with ivy, and trees reaching out from the walls. The store creates a unique, and sublimely seductive, retail experience. The lingerie is displayed on the walls like art and is organized by collection. The goal of the store was to create an intimate in-store environment that celebrates female sexuality and encourages customers to explore and discover.
Gumdrops
Rainy days and Vancouver are synonymous, and even die-hard fashionistas have to face up to daily doses of light drizzle or torrential downpours that can ruin a fabulous pair of Manolo Blahniks or a chic suit. But now there's hope: Introducing Gumdrops, a new wet weather boutique that carries chic rain gear to keep you warm and dry. What's behind the delicious name? Gumboots + Raindrops = Gumdrops.
Originally from Australia, where she had experienced a five year drought and water rationing, owner Shanda Jerrett embraced Vancouver's rainy weather by declaring, "If you can't beat em, join em"! She opened Gumdrops in October 2007. The store features hip rainwear designed to shield men women and children and man's best friend from the elements. It is a one stop shop for funky and stylish boots, umbrellas, raincoats, hats and other weather friendly essentials like backpacks and laptop cases.
This store explodes with colour, fun and vibrant design. It features puddle shaped ottomans handmade by Shanda and a wall of whimsical rubber boots. Shoppers can choose boots adorned with Ed Harvey inspired rock and roll tattoos (guitars, skulls and roses), daisies, ladybugs, cupcakes, and even a colourful knee high lace-up boot from Danish designer Ilse Jacobsen. And for die-hard traditionalists Shanda stocks English Wellies in basic black.
Shandra offers weather weary Vancouverites some tips for beating the rainy day blues: Change your attitude and remember if you can't beat it, join it. With the right rain gear anybody can get wet in style and give the darkest rainy day the boot.
Cadillac Fairview is one of North America's largest investors, owners and managers of commercial real estate. For more than 50 years, Cadillac Fairview has been leading the way in commercial real estate with innovative design, development and management.
Go to http://www.cadillacfairview.com for more information.
Produced by Media Masters Video Productions
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