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• A Model for Living - A Profile of Viola Evans

  Published Aug 19 2020 in ageless, bamboo, fashion, over 50, over 60, Silver Hair, style, Vancouver designer

  One of most familiar faces of the Diane Kennedy brand is my silver-haired muse, Viola Evans. 

  Viola wears the Screen Playsuit and Perfect Top (new colours coming soon)

  This ageless beauty became a model in her early fifties! She was “discovered”  while working at an auto body shop. Later, she became the store manager of a clothing store in the South Granville neighbourhood of Vancouver that carried my Diane Kennedy clothing. I met Viola at this shop, and ever since we've shared a professional relationship and friendship that are both extremely important to me.

  

  Viola starting modelling for me 10 years ago, and she was 56 at the time. I was immediately struck by her natural beauty, and she was so effortless in front of the camera. Viola was (and is) genuine and radiant, and her every pose appears relaxed and easy. 

  

  Her passion for the brand shines through every image. “DK clothes are classic and work for every body,” enthuses Viola. “When I talk about the brand, my motto is ‘love the comfort, love the look!’ Back when she worked in retail, her comment was, "Diane Kennedy is so easy to sell, once anyone puts on the clothes, they fall in love with the cut, the style and especially the soft, comfortable feel of the bamboo.”

  Viola wears the Illusion Tunic in Moroccan bamboo

  Viola’s approach to beauty is simple. "I know I'm supposed to do skin care, but I don't. I just wash with Dove soap." Her makeup routine is equally uncomplicated. “I do like wearing lipstick, especially MAC, a Canadian brand. Even if I have no other makeup on, I always wear lipstick to match my outfit.”

  Viola models the Cozy Coat and Soft Shirt over the Balance Pant

  It’s not just Viola’s appearance that’s inspiring - her lifestyle is an ongoing, active celebration. In the winter, she usually goes to her condo in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, but she always summers in Vancouver. She swims, paddle boards, and kayaks, and she recently bought an eight-foot kayak that she can fit in her car, making new adventures that much easier! She’s a true Renaissance woman; her other hobbies include learning to read music, playing the ukulele, learning Spanish, and drawing.

  Viola wear the Spellbound Tunic in Raisin and the Pacific Pant

  Adventuring with Viola is a joy. One of my favourite memories with her was spent kayaking. We took off from Deep Cove and ending up finding our own private island. We perched on a rock, laughed, told stories, ate heirloom tomato sandwiches with mayonnaise and salt and pepper, and then we swam with the moon jellyfish in a tiny bay. 

  Viola represents everything that I want the Diane Kennedy to brand to reflect: beauty, versatility, and genuine zest for life at any age! I’m so grateful to have her working with us, and so delighted to have her as a friend. 

   

• It's In The Bag

  Published Jun 12 2020 in diane kennedy, eco friendly, environmentally friendly, ethical fashion, fashion, happy, Made in Canada, Mystery Bags, online shopping, shop local, shopping, slow fashion, Special Offer

  A mystery most stylish is afoot at Diane Kennedy - So we're packing our bags! (in more ways than one...)

  Come the end of June, our East Vancouver doors will close and our operations will be moving to New Westminster. More details on this to come; for the latest update, we invite you to sign up for our newsletter (which will give you 15% off your first purchase!) 

  In the meantime, starting today, we are offering something we've never done before...
  
  
  
  Mystery Bags! 
  
  Diane is filling a limited number of "bags", with some of her favourite pieces - You'll find one-of-a-kind looks, along with a variety of samples. In fact, many of these items have never been available online! Due to size availability, at this time, we will be offering these in size Small, Medium, Large, and X-large only here.
  
  Whether you're one of our regular customers or have been wanting to try our signature bamboo styles, this is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself or someone else to a little surprise.
  
  Just a peek of some of the pieces you may find...
  
  
  
  For a limited time, we're offering 5 items per bag with a regular retail value of at least $650 for $100 plus free shipping! All are Made in Canada at our local factories.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  
  

• Caught in Cotton

  Published Jan 24 2020 in 100% cotton, cotton, fashion, Made in Canada, over 50, slow fashion, tunics

  If you've been following us on social media, you may have seen some little teasers of a new fabric that we're bringing out this Spring 2020. We're happy to introduce woven 100% cotton to our collection! You may know we've been making dresses using this same fabric for our other clothing brand, Cherry Velvet dresses for many years. To that end, we can confidently attest to the quality and wearability of this wonderful fabric.

  

  Several customers had asked about Diane Kennedy items using cotton prints. It was such a good idea, we made it happen!

  We'll always continue to use our signature bamboo fabric. We know many of you love it for its exceptional softness and ease of wear. That being said, this cotton brings to the table something that we've never been able to find in bamboo; a wide range of beautiful, stylish prints. Our Spring 2020 collection was designed around some lovely, artistic brush stroke prints mimicking the surface of water. 

  

  Cotton Care:
  
  Crisp, cool and comfortable - our new cotton fabric is very similar to care for as our Bamboo. Wash it like any other garment in the washing machine and hang to dry. When you hang it spend a minute smoothing out the wrinkles by hand or iron with a cotton setting if you prefer.
  
  Where to wear!
  
  This cotton fabric travels very well. We recommend folding your cotton pieces on the very top of your suitcase, right before you're going to zip it up. Hang them when you get to your destination and they'll be ready for wear, where ever you are. 
  
  Later this season, the Sightsee shirt will be released. It can be worn as a jacket, shirt or even a beach cover up, making it the perfect travel garment. In fact, Diane is planning on bringing it with her on a well-deserved sailing trip to Greece later this year!

  
  
  
  We hope you love these cotton pieces as much as we do and would love to hear your comments and feedback -
  
  To let us know the kind of prints you would love and/or items you would like designed, please fill out our survey here:
  
  https://forms.gle/wQU6Y7B7bF7mvqMz8
  
  Once completed, we'd love to thank you for participating, by giving you a 20% discount code on your next purchase.
  

   

  

• Your Style Suggestions - Diane Kennedy Survey

  Published Jan 17 2020 in customer survey, design, diane kennedy, fashion, Made in Canada, over 50, survey

  

  In order to best provide you with what YOU think are the most flattering and stylish designs, we'd love to hear your opinions, please.

  It's survey time!

  As an added incentive, at the end of the survey, you'll receive a 20% off discount code to use on your next purchase*

   

  It's the pot of gold at the end of the survey rainbow!

  Please Fill Out Our Survey Here

  We're always striving to make clothing that you'll love - thank-you for helping us to do that :)

  

  *After completion of the survey, you'll receive a code for 20% off our online store, valid until the end of February (one use per person, cannot be combined with other codes & excluding New Arrivals).

• Adaptable Design Musings

  Published Jan 09 2020 in ageless style, design, diane kennedy, fashion, fashion over 50, Made in Canada, vests

  Often my designs evolve out of need. In this case, my specific want of a sleeveless top that could also be worn as a vest. Many women critical of their arms avoid showing them; I just don't feel the same way. In the spring/summer when it's warm or even in the office, I find sleeveless garments to be the most comfortable. Viva le cool comfort!

  

  So I said to myself, "Why not design an item that can be worn multiple ways, without being too finicky?"

  

  Then voila! Out of my head popped a solution. Here's my new design of a vest or sleeveless top with layering capabilities; Adapt-A-Vest. 

  
  
  With my design in hand, I set out to create the pattern, building off the tried and true fit of the Recharge Vest; a long time favourite. This vest will be asymmetrical with a long panel, a slit on one side and a draped edge on the other. The lines are long and slimming, when worn as a vest. Worn as a top, the right drape crosses the chest to button securely on an angle, creating a modest V-neckline.

  
  
  Adapt-A-Vest is 2020's version of my "Add Pockets" piece from last year. Perfect for warm weather yet versatile enough to carry you through other seasons. Whether you wear it on its own, like I do, or over a top like our Perfect Top, I think you're going to love its versatile style.

  It's coming out later this season, in 4 Spring colours. I know I'll be wearing all of them. ;)

  Hope you love it too!