esigner’s direction is at crossroads of change Arnina Centurione boutique opens in downtown's revitalizing core VANCOUVER DESIGNER Anna Centurione is hoping her choice of sites for a new store will be a winner. By Avra Appelbaum and Mark Hurtubise The Anna Centurione boutique inhabits the corner of Hastings and Richards on the edge of Gastown. The slightly down-and-out neigh- borhood may seem an odd choice for an upscale designer boutique but Centurione is quick to point out that the area is on the verge of change. The imminent conversion of the old Woodward's site into condos should bring in| cash-carrying urbanites. The development of a new convention centre, hotel and retail complex on the same block should bring the tourists, is her rationale. In the meantime, Centurione’ draws her customers from the near- by business corridor. The former design director for Poor Boy went out on her own last spring, custom designing formal ue and bridal wear in her fifth-floor - studio. In July she opened her retail ’ Space, _.Her store occupies an imposing space on the ground floor of a restored heritage site, the Standard Building. Its classical and elegant ‘interior, set off by marble pillars and an expanse of space and light, reflects the clothes and attitudes of this Vancouver designer. . . Centurione’s designs for fall °95 are simple, classy and elegant. The Ryerson-trained designer delights ‘in ‘using’ top-quality fabrics: silk piqué, silk shantung, wool crepe ‘and burnout velvet. Because she is able to cut out ~ the middleman, the wholesaler, she is able to price her creations in the moderate range: $145 for a. silk _ shift dress:$225 for a faux-leopard- trimmed wool jacket and $120 fora matching wool skirt; and $395 fora spaghetti-strapped column dress in a liquid Fortuny-pleated silk. Centurione is assisted in her business by husband Robert Bos, a photography technician at UBC. Bos has learned to operate the fub- ric cutter, which he does after Woodward's Staff reunite -FORMER EMPLOYEES of ‘ Woodward’s siores are invited to a reunion on Monday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. _ There ‘will’ be entertainment, tefreshments, a raffle and silent auctions, with all proceeds to Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children. Sunny Hill is a major assessment and rehabilitation centre providing specialized services for children ‘with disabilities throughout B.C. The reunion takes place at Points West Fashion Outlet, a store that is owned and managed by former Woodward’s managers. The loca- tion is 3695 Grandview Hwy., at Boundary in Vancouver. Admission to'the reunion benefit is free, and 10%. of all store sales _for the evening will also be donated “to Sunny Hill. For more ‘information, phone . Points West al 435-6303. el Photo Robert Bos ’ LUXURIOUS FABRICS are the hallmark of Anna Centurione’s designs. For the holiday season, she offers this bias-cut slip dress, $195, in iridescent gold/burgundy silk damask or in black or plum silk satin, available at Anna Centurione in Vancouver. work. Centurione rises at 6 a.m. for a couple hours of design work before opening the store. That she works the sales Moor, enables her to cater to her cus- tomers’ needs. She can shorten a hem, sew a wrap to.accompany an evening dress, or even cut a design in a different color. Centurione, who has 12 years of design experience, : is currently relying on word of mouth. not advertising, to build up her clien- ‘tele. The designer hopes, eventual- ly, to put on Tunch-time fashion shows to attract more business and to display her designs more effec- tively. Through her focus on personai- ized service, promotion of her own designs and daring choice of loca- tion, Centurione has positioned her downtown stere at the crossroads of change. - —— . 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LP ASAD Kitchen and Bath Seminars Presented by Lonetree Ent., Est. 1970 2 - One Night Seminars: FREE Tues., Nov. 7 - Kitchens Thurs., Nov. 9 ~ Baths From 7 to 9 p.m. R.S.V.P. — Limited Seating ~ Selection’ of material Sp a Nese > * How, to select a Drofe Tonsten Enterprises Ltd, (Est. 1970) , 2990 Arbutus St. 739-11 10} The THRIFT SHOP of the Auxiliary to L. LG. H. celebrates its: 35th Anniversary Nov. 5th, 1995 Thank You for your past and future donations of used clothing and miscellaneous items and for shopping with us. nos . Your generosity last year enabled us to give $75,000 to our Hospital for needed equipment. Keep your donations comningilt THE THRIFT SHOP 128 West 15th St, North Vancouver 987-5938 117 - GAT W. 3rd St, North Van + Behind Cap Mall Pt. Coquitiam 942-3911 Vancouver 264-7255 ‘Squamish 1 5252" whist 932- tl?