Fashion Monday with JJ Lee

Ravi Bansal, beauty queen, local plumbing magnate (really, not a joke), and Olympic standard bearer for Moldava (found between Russia and Romania but after Mexico during the march of nations) gives us the inside skinny on the opening ceremony. What were you wearing? I was wearing the outfit from Joe Fresh. It was a white skirt out of cotton. On top, a nice comfortable t-shirt. Like a two-piece slip, together. What you saw on television was a wrap-around dress jacket. A ski style with quilting on the inside. It had a nice white leather belt to make a more hourglass shape. A very clean look. Any favourites? The shoes were cutest. They looked like little white ice skates. Just a small block with a little bit of fur on the top. I’ll never wear them again but they were cute. They were the icing on the cake. I assumed all the athletes and bearer must have been sweating during the athletes’ march... No. It was quite cool while were waiting. It was such a great adrenaline rush you didn’t notic...

Originally airing on CBC Radio One's On The Coast with Stephen Quinn, my main man. Few designers have their own Olympic moment, but for Yumi Eto and the design team at Aritzia it has arrived. Tonight, the gold medal for Canadian freestyle mogulist Alexandre Bilodeau will be presented at BC Place. And while he will be decked out in gear by HBC , the sophisticated clothes worn by the athlete escorts and the medal and flower bearers will be wearing Eto et al. The Heritage Sweater is the standard look for presentations in Vancouver, while a black ski coat with a faint plaid and a flaring skirt is the choice for Whistler's outdoor Victory Ceremonies. There was much excitement at the office during the interview. The Aritzia squad had marching orders to be backstage at BC Place for Bilodeau's big moment. Their job will be to make the ceremony garb looks picture perfect when thousands across the nation tune in to sing the national anthem. Oh Canada never looked so good.

At 5:45 PM on CBC Radio One, JJ Lee brings in an interview with the Fashion Designer whose work will be in the middle of a Golden Moment for Canada tonight. JJ Lee and Aritzia's Yumi Eto talking about Olympics and fashion. Live streamed here , On The Coast.

Walking down Robson Street, an Olympic visitor may see the same boutiques and clothes they find at home. So, you can't blame them if they find it hard to uncover truly unique Vancouver fashion items. But we can help. For those in search of a stylish memento of West Coast style, consider a trio that is simply solid gold: Cowichan sweaters. They're already the hottest fashion items of the Olympics. HBC started offering REAL Cowichan sweaters after a snafu with its Cowichan-like take for its Olympic collection. However, finding one at The Bay Downtown might be pretty hard. But don't give up. Authentic Cowichan Knits (424 West 3rd Street, North Vancouver) has been selling them for years. Give Suzanne Nahanee a call and find out what they have in stock, 604-988-4735. Grab onto Erin Templeton's medium sized leather tote. Made at her shop at 511 Carrall Street in Vancouver, her bags give a woman the same saucy swagger of its charming maker. Be warned, and this is from experie...

I am not the official fashion guy of the 2010 Olympics. But I did get to broadcast from the GE Plaza's rink at Robson Square this Monday. I had a chance to skate with a pair of lovely young figure skaters, Haley Adams and Samantha Wong of the Grandview Figure Skating Club. Plus I had a chance to interview Julie Rithaler. Rithaler, a go-to skate costume designer in the Victor Kraatz circle, has had her work hit World Championship ice. Click here to hear my conversation with her.

MEC's Uplink insulating layer with elasticized thread quilting for a ruched loo k Consider me the Steve Yzerman of Vancouver fashion. My job: to select a fashion dream team that best represents West Coast style. This time I was looking for a rock solid, stay-at-home defencemen. My selection was Mountain Equipment Co-op . I spoke with Spring Harrison, senior designer. Listen to interview

Got this from the best FB'er I know, Joan Chang. Love her links. Ahem. Women do want pants that stretch. Elastic waste bands, etc. They don't want the stigma. With this ad, there is no subtext.