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Allison Wonderland's Vancouver Love Story for Spring 2010

One of my all time favourite tales is that of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”. Built on dreams and fantasy, Alice finds herself dealing with obscure and sometimes delirious protagonists in a place called Wonderland.

Associated most commonly with the Disney adaptation, the Alice character in the 1951 animation is of the blond girl in the frilly, blue dress with big blue eyes and big imagination that took a tumble down a rabbit hole into a Technicolor world.

Pretty and feminine, Alice stands for all the social costuming that makes for a young lady. And reflecting the gentle Alice, are the flirtatious and breezy designs of Allison Wonderland, the label of designer Allison Smith.

With spring just a couple of months away and the rising of the sun for more than a few hours, we all languish the days where we can sit on the end of a pier, our naked toes skimming the glass-green water wearing sandals and skirts without stockings.

As the winter days melt and the temperature warms, so does our enthusiasm and love for the great outside world which is exactly what Allison’s spring 2010 collection is all about.

It is a love letter to Vancouver City.

“The new collection is all about basking in the sunshine at the beach and reading magazines,” says Allison. “It’s really a love letter to the city, inspired by patio parties, lying in the grass, dancing all night long, early morning swims at the beach, and backyard barbeques.”

Like Alice’s colourful dream, this year’s look-book is bright and breezy while remaining true to the tastes and flavours of Vancouver.

There is a cheery focus on gingham fabrics of light, pastel silvers and canary yellows, printed floral silk, a selection of dresses and tops in Twizzler red and corals and sophisticated indigo and neutral beige linens to suit a variety of spring activities.

The cuts are simple and straightforward. Suitable for a range of physiques, including cinched and high waistlines to provide definition, deep pockets for interest and a-lines to flatter.

The prominent fabric is cotton with touches of silk and lyocell with a variety of cotton blends of linen, nylon, bamboo and spandex to add relief from the heat.

Standout pieces to add to your daily wardrobe include:

The Georgia dress ($188): an elegant and charming piece to wear from work to cocktail hour.


The Pandora shorts ($138): ideal for pairing with kitten heels a sparkly top for dancing those balmy summer nights away in.


 

The Cordova Street tank ($128): just right for browsing the markets or for visiting your mother in with a pair of jeans and ballet flats.

 


 

The Beach Ave. dress ($184): a free and flowing gown to soak up the sun in, stroll through the garden holding hands with your summer love in or gossiping over cupcakes with your girlfriends in while pairing with Roman sandals and a tan leather handbag and big, light gold bangles.

What is wonderful about Allison Wonderland is that each piece can be worn and worn and worn from sunrise to sunset all day every day, for all of spring and summer. The collection, like the Carroll classic will throw you back to your childhood and put a smile on your face.

Allison in Wonderland is available at retailers in Canada, USA, and online at: www.allisonwonderland.ca 

 

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