“PAK SEN, NEWS photo Paul McGrath THE PETTICOAT Box is holding a Men's Night on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 7 to 9 9.m. - a practice Cullen brought with her from treland where she ran four boutiques. Cullen’s concept catching on From page 30 nadian women actually wear the wrong size bra, Cullen sees that sales staff are well-versed in the art of bra-fitting. “You’d be astounded,’’ she says with a faint Irish brogue. “People who should be in a D- cup are wearing B-cups."’ Cullen also occasionally hosts customer appreciation nights — champagne receptions with hors- d’oeuvre, chocolate-dipped strawberries and lingerie worn by models. The West Van boutique is even hosting a Men’s Night on Wed- nesday, Dec. 9, fromm 7 to 9 p.m. — with models, of course, Cullen says, breaking into a mischievous smile. This is a practice Cullen brought with her from Ireland where she and her husband Joe ran four high-fashion boutiques in Dublin and the surrounding area. . oo . “At home in a lingerie boutique you would have as many men coming in as you would women,”’ “she says, adding that men account for 25% of the business at The Petticoat Box stores. Unlike in freland where ‘‘on every street corner there’s a beautiful wee lingerie boutique,”’ and men are not embarrassed when surrounded by rack upon rack of silk and lace underthings, most Canadian men are tess in- timate — and less comfortable — with women’s intimate apparel, she explains. “Truthfully, men come in and they need assistance. They’re not sure of sizes or of colors. They come in and they say ‘! want ... umh ... you know what I mean ... umh ...” “They're talking perhaps about a bustier but don’t really know the name of it,’’ she says of her Tale customers who come in to buy gifts for their wives or girlfriends. And so that women can return the favor, The Pet- ticoat Box also offers men’s silk § boxers and briefs, and terrycloth g bathrobes. : Cullen’s concept seems to be g catching on and her goal of fran- § chising across Canada may soon § be realized. Plans are in the mak- ing for two more franchises — in J Keiowna and another in the B Lower Mainland — next spring, B and in Nanaimo and Victoria next & fall, a THANKSGIVING AMERICAN STYLE THURSDAY NOVEMBER 26 Serving up the Traditional Favorites PAT RES TAGRANT 926-8922 445 th St, West Van. ss Becoming lingerie literate AS CHRISTMAS nears, men may want to consider lingerie as a special and in- timate gift for a wife or girlfriend. Women may want io treat themseives or purchase lingerie for a bridal shower or other oc- casion. Becoming _ lingerie literate can heip ease the way and aid you in your search. Bustier — Made popular by Madonna, it consists of a bra top that extends beneath the cups towards the waist and is boned vertically aiong the rib cage and down the back. Sewn in brightly colored fabrics and heavier laces, it can be worn alone beneath a jacket. Merrywidow — Also known in Europe as a basque, it is much like a bustier, but the bodice ex- tends to the waist or hips and has garters attached. Traditionally worn beneath a wedding dress, merrywidows are now seen worn as daywear beneath a jacket or shirt. Stay-ups — These sensuous and popular stockings are held up at the thigh by a lace band backed with rubber. Body heat produces a suction that holds them in place. French Knickers — Known in North America as tap pants, these are sewn in silk or polyester-silk and are cut much like boxer shorts but with a scalioped hem that rises at the sides. T-bars — When they started becoming hot items in her lingerie store, Maria Cullen of The Pet- ticoat Box says she renamed them because customers were uneasy over their affiliation with strip- pers. This one shouldn’t be too hard to figure out. - Layne Christensen GREAT PROVIDER | With TL'AQWA.ELH (CHRISTINE McDOUGALL} ARD _ ARLENE OTKE From cradies ta mortuary boxes, cedar has always heen a pari of fife for the First Peoples of the West Coast. Jain Tlaqwa.elh, a Kwakwa- ka'wakw Elder, and Museum Educator Ariene Oike, fcr this interactive presentation on the importance of cedar to First Peoples. 133 East 14th Stree North Vancouver and 984-7133 Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind present “PET PICTURES WITH SANTA” * For your pets’ own safety make sure they are properiy restrained TECHHI-CAL CAT FOOD ADULT & “NEWLITE” FORMULA SS.48 4sg..... $12.88 KITTE?R FOOD ako $3.98 a0 ....$32.58 CANNED TECHNI-CAL CAT FOOD ADULT, NTE & KITTEN DATE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 28th,1992 NUTRO MAX DOG FOOD ADULT, MINI & LAMB + RICE sis... $5.68 2... $98.88 TIME 12 noon to 4PM CANNED NUTRO DOG FOOD ADULT 413 0 we . GRBES 0a. LAMB & RICE 15 02 SI BG ca POWELL RIVER Monday, November 23,1992 7:30 to 9:20 p.m. Salish Centre, Stiammon Sponser: The Sliammon Tribe and Powell River Historical Museum and Archives Phone: 485-2222 NORTH VANCOUVER Wednesday, November 25,1992 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. North Vancouver Museum at Presentation House Sponsor: Squamist: Nation Education Department and North Vancouver Museum Phone: 987-5618 SECHELT Thursday, November 26,1992 7:30 ta 9:36 p.m. Raven's Cry Theatre Sponsor: Raven's Cry Theatre Society and Etphinstone Pionger Museum Ministry of Totinim anid Ministry Resgamubie for Cultrey Hon. Dariens Marzari, Muvister