iNDEX Senicrs Home & Garden Celebrations Sports Van Designer’s label known for commitment to quality NANCY Lord occa- sionally bat- tles the mis- conception that her lux- urious fash- ions are priced out of reach. Fine wools, Italian Jambskin and cashmere- backed tnicrofibres certainly do push up the cost of her clean-lined designs but Lord is a strong, advocate of what has become popularly known as “investment” dressing. “HH you're going to pay $500 or S600 for 2 suit that the buccons fall off, why nec pay a litle more for one that will last seven to 10 years?” notes NANCY Lord's double-zippered raincoat in waterproof microfibre reverses to cashmere. asks the Vancouver designer. For our early morning meeting at her Granville Island showroom and studio, Lord is dressed smartly in a pinstripe suir of lightweight wool that sells for about $975 and is suitable for year-round wear, In the summer, she slips the Jacket over a linen dress. In winter, she adds a sweater. It's a design philosophy that seems to be work- ing. Now approaching her 10th year in business, Lord has quietly built a name for herself in Vancouver's competitive design community, steadily building a loyal fan base tor her simple yet sophisticated designs and supple fabrics that have become her signature style. In the 80s, Lord worked in Montrea! as an assistane designer to Jean Claude Poitras. She was working for Ports International in Toronto when she met her future husband and business part- ner, Brian Sterling, a buyer for The Bay. Sterling wanted to live in Vancouver, says Lord, and in an attempt to woo her, he flew her out for a weekend in May. The flowers were in bloom. They staved at the Wedgewood. “He was very, very strategic,” Lord recalls with a laugh. “He rook me to Seventh Heaven at Whistler for skiing and there were people in bikinis.” They moved West. Lord took a year’s contract at Jax where she was charged with the task of revamping the laysport line. Jax liked what they saw and wanted to renew her contract bur Lord wanted to go out on her own. She started her own line, sewing the designs herself at home and shipping them to friends in Toronto for sale through home parties. She made $22,000 in sales the first night. ' WEWS photo Paul McGrath MADE to measure is the cornerstone of designer Nancy Lord's business. Clients can choose from a broad selection of speciaity fabrics and designs. Lord hired a seamstress. Eventually she opened a showroom and studio in The Net Loft on Granville Island, home to Paper- Ya, Edie’s Hats and Beadworks. “People thought | was nuts,” she recalls of her choice of logation, away from the city's fashion centre. “But tor me Granville [siand was everything.” “People are natural when thev walk in here. You see what they feel and what's in the air.” She currently employs a statt of 27 sewers, pattern drafters, “digitizers” and cutters who keep the sewing machines hamming seven days a week. Her showroom is busy 12 months of the year, and attracts locals and teurists alike as weil as the odd celebrity who is filming in town. (Tom Berenger and Susan Sarandon are recent visitors.) Four years ago, Lord moved her production trom the back of the shop to an office space upstairs. But now she's even out- grown thar and is working on expansion plans. Two years ago Lord and Sterling moved with their children, ages five and cight, to West Vancouver's Eagle Harbour area. See internet next page SUNDAY, NOV. 14: Scars at Capilano Mall hosts a cos- metics and fragrance evening, 6 to & pam. with demonstrations, makeovers, specially priced gift sets, free gilt wrapping, entertainment and refreshments. ‘Tickets are S10 and redeemable rowards purchase, available from) the cosmetics department: or by phone ar 985-7722 local 285 or 283. TO NOV. 4: Capilano College instructor Yvonne Wakabavashi’s textile designs are included in the Canadian Craft Museum show Cobalt & Indigo. Hours Sunday are noon to 5 p.m. Regular admission is $5, $3 for stu- dents. Info: 687-8266. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17: The Motion Wear Company at 206) Lonsdale Ave. in North Vancouver will hold a fashion show in-store from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Ladies and nien’s golf, fitness and leisure wear will be shown. Retreshments will be served. Space is limited so please phone to reserve, 986-1185. SATURDAY, NOV. 27: Touch of Culture presents TOC Legends, a fashion show and auction art the Squamish Nation culrural centre, 100 Capilano in North Vancouver. Doors open at 6 p.m. Refreshments inclide gourmet snacks and desserts. All proceeds to ben- efit “Just Do It” Squamish Nation youth — programs. Tickets are $35 per person, $500 for a table of eight, by calling 980-2443. — Compiled by Layne Christensen Nancy Lord SPECIALTY items like the merino wool shaw! (above) complement Nancy Lord designs.