Fashion Designer Vaneesha Advani has launched Kapade Fashion Labels a new boutique in the heart of downtown Vancouver as of November 20, 2018. The boutique carries European fashion and accessories and one label from New York.

“Kapade means clothes – I hope to bring a new clothing concept to Vancouver. The concept of the store is to bring in amazing capsule collections from Europe that you can mix and match – making Kapade a one stop shop. It’s all about creating a timeless, classic look.” Advani

Advani will also be carrying her own collection Designs by Sonia made in Eindhoven. The store will serve as the second workshop for her line which she created in Netherlands. Her own jewellery line currently is carried in showrooms in Paris as well as Japan and one of her fans include the infamous Iris Apfel.

The store is located on 440 West Hastings and carries unique holiday gift ideas.

Kapade, was just a fluke, I did not put much thought behind Kapade everything was rather organic and came about at the right time. Just a month prior to leasing this place I overheard my mother telling someone that I will be opening a store soon, when I heard that I was upset as I had no plans as such, I just wanted to continue designing my own collection and attend shows as always, work with Japan and Europe.

Month later I was browsing through the net with no serious intent, I came across few places for rent, just curious out of curiosity I called the realtor, who responded right away and showed me the place which I am leasing now. I remember telling her no way, I was ever going to take this place as it was huge.

I kept looking at smaller spaces out of curiosity but now I was starting to become serious. All the smaller spaces I saw I did not like any one of them, the day I was disheartened and wanted to give up, I got call from the same persistent realtor she knows who she is and I am glad she did and rest is history.

As far as labels are concerned I know almost all the designers personally, Daniela of Elementum and myself have known one another from Eindhoven, The Netherlands, we both started designing our collections from there and also did photo shoots together, Mutsaers leather handbags also from Netherlands, I used to go there to have my leather cut and still do, the company has history it is one of the oldest company in Netherlands.

Their handbags are handmade in their factory and are of high quality and high standard, the company was started by the grandfather and now is run by his son and grand daughter. When in Eindhoven I spend time with them in their workshop/factory, it feels like home. NRK, well Ana and myself meet at the shows in New York, I love her collection, buying as a designer is totally a different experience.

As mentioned above, it just happened more like serendipity one thing after other. Once I made up my mind about the store I knew what I wanted and which collections I wanted to have in the store, I had a vision which was clear, of course the store has a lot of potential and is still work in progress, which is quite apparent as Idid not have much time, from the conception to present it has not even been two months, basically this store as you see was build in less then two months.

Inspiration for designs by Sonia collection came from my travels to Africa initially, I fell in love with their old beads, I am fascinated by old and new, I like to take old materials and create contemporary designs or take new materials and make them look old. The collection is mainly sold in Europe, in Japan in Plain People stores who are all over Japan and in USA and now also in few selected stores in Canada.

In simple words they all work well together it is like a thyme, you can mix and match just about any piece with another designer’s piece, it is effortless look and yet very today.

Nrk: New York, Elementum: Netherlands and Portugal, Petrucha: Spain, Ablesia: Portugal, Henry Christ: Germany and Designs By Sonia: Netherlands, Mutsaers: Netherlands and Uli: Netherlands and few more to be added soon

Yes, I am planning on adding more designers but will only disclose once those collections are in.

An All Candidates meeting for Surrey School Board of Trustee candidates was organized by the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) on October 16. The event was held at the Surrey Schools District Education Centre. A video recording of this event will be available on the Surrey DPAC’s website (surreydpac.ca) until after the election. Candidates checked in at 6:20 pm and drew numbers to determine seating arrangements. Candidates were able to display their materials and mingle with attendees before the meeting.

Surrey DPAC’s acting President Jyotika Jasuja called the meeting to order and began by welcoming parents, guests and 21 of the candidates running for the Board of Trustees. Jasuja also appreciatively introduced the current DPAC Board of Directors, Secretary Amanda Grimson, Treasurer Anissa Riemer Ly and Directors Robert Ran, Jagwinder Mahal, Peter Johal (absent), Nicole Cook (absent). Jasuja was proud of this new team’s efforts for their contributions towards this event and regular DPAC activities. She briefly spoke about DPAC and its non partisan role.

Summarizing, Jasuja advised “We are the parent voice” and emphasized that DPAC is non-partisan and free from political influences. She introduced volunteers Eric O’Dell (moderator) and Simon Wu (photographer/videographer), and thanked them for offering their services. She also acknowledged the presence and media coverage by ZEE TV Canada, which was reflective of their strong community involvement. The meeting was divided into four sections. Candidates began with one-minute introductions, answered pre selected questions from the DPAC Board based on parent concerns, answered written questions from attendees, and gave a 30-second closing statement.

Candidates were also asked to respond to six written questions on major parent concerns. Responses are available at surreydpac.ca and printed copies were also available at the meeting. This was a great interactive platform for all the candidates running for the board of Trustees at the Surrey school board (District #36) and a very good opportunity to connect with the parent members, attendees and the community. 24 candidates for Surrey Board of Trustees had registered with DPAC for the meeting and 21 attended.

Candidates in attendance were Lisa Alexis, Sonia Andhi, Balraj Atwal, Cindy Dalglish, Rina Diaz, Charlene Dobie, Kapil Goyal, Gordon Hepner, Bob Holmes, Aronjit Lageri, Laurie Larsen, Dean McGee, Jasbir Narwal, Diana Ng, Niovi Patsicakis, Julia Poole, Dupinder Kaur Saran, Garry Thind, Gary Tymoschuk, Mary-Em Waddington, and Adele Yu.

Jasuja acknowledged everyone for their presence and wonderful participation. Everyone’s enthusiasm and interest at the event was commendable and admirable. Voting rights are a privilege of democracy. Jasuja closed with an inspiring message to the community that along with exercising the voting rights that a democratic country offers, people must also rise above to eliminate differences that exist in a diverse community and come together supportively to embrace the basic human values and ethical conduct, which will be “a true representation of democracy!”