By Anna T Fabulous

PEOPLE: Laura Cropper of Tara Parker Tait PR, Joshua Langston, Deanna Palkowski

PLACES: Secret Location, Gastown, Vancouver

THINGS: Spring 2013 Preview & Food Tasting

I can’t believe it has been almost a month of living in Vancouver already.  It has been amazing, fabulous, eventful and terrifyingly easy.  In my short time of being back I have had the privilege of meeting so many talented and passionate people within the industry, it has been really eye opening.  It’s overwhelming (in a good way) how many new boutiques, bars, restaurants and shops have opened up in the downtown core, it is like I moved to a city I have never been to.  The one shop I have particularly excited to visit is Secret Location in Gastown, but I wanted to save my first time visit for a special occasion.

Last week TSL was invited to Secret Location’s private Spring Preview hosted at both their retail space and their lounge restaurant.  What a perfect way to be introduced to the shop.  Josh and I met up at The Salty Tongue on Abbott on the rainy Thursday morning for a pre-preview breakfast sandwich.  Contrary to popular fashion industry belief, having an empty stomach sucks.  How can one concentrated on beautiful clothes when all you’re thinking about it food?  (PS- the brekkie sandwiches at The Salty Tongue are…to DIE for.  AND they are less expensive than your morning latte.  Go on gurl and get one!).

Upon entering Secret Location we were greeted by Laura of Tara Parker Tait PR, behind her were plates of sparkling water and mimosas.  Finally putting faces to all these names I have had long-standing electronic relationships with was outstanding.  No computer, email, iPad or iPhone will every replace the impact of meeting face-to-face.

The shop is…FIERCE.  I followed Josh around the store and we browsed through each section while we were waiting for other invites to arrive.  The store has everything: fabulous coffee table books and magazines, shoes that could kill, purses and accessories that make the heart race and an incredible selection of labels which are rare to see on this side of the world.  Secret Location has great taste.  I felt like I was in Paris.

During the preview we were shown a variety of trends for the upcoming Spring season, featuring the labels Secret Location carries from around the globe.  Their selection truly is outstanding; Rad Hourani, Camilla Skovgaard, Holly Fulton, Simone Rocha and United Nude are just a few.  Secret Location is the perfect place to come hang out and learn about the inspirational designers they carry.  Tough to girly, rough to flirty, their curation offers Vancouver a different look on fashion that is wearable yet unique.

After staring at all the lovely clothes (and feeling the hole in my pocket really start to burn), we were transported over the lounge side of the store for a delicious treat.  Fashion and food?  No one can say no to that.

Their tasting menu was filled with a variety of delicate tastes from meat to veggies to risotto and blood orange.  It was magnificent.  And the dessert?  You can go straight to hell.  The yogurt parfaits paired with house-made truffles almost made me pass out.

After day of fashion and fabulous food left me feeling very pampered.  It’s so incredibly inspiring to see the team at Secret Location taking the risk of stepping outside the  ‘Vancouver box’ and bring something fresh to the area (and do it so well).  I’m already ITCHING to go back to the store to shop and hang out.  It’s much cheaper (and easier) than buying a flight to Paris, that’s for sure!

Thank you to Secret Location, Tara Parker Tait PR and Marcel Da Silva for having us.  It was fantastic to run into stylist Deanna Palkowski, Mana of West Coast Style, Louisa of Ming Pao Van and Sheri of Where.ca.  Until next time!