Gastown - Vancouver's Soho

I went to Gastown today. The weather was sunny, but bitterly cold.

I went to Gastown many times, but I never saw cool shops before because I never went beyond the Spaghetti Factory.

I found some really cool stores and all were unique and locally designed.

Gastown has a lot of stuff that you wouldn't normally find anywhere.

The little boutiques are usually run by designers themselves or owners who personally select the merchandise.

Spaghetti Factory

Pourhouse Restaurant with its Art Nouveau Decor

Cafe life in Gastown

Gentille Alouette 227 Carrall St.

The one store that really stuck to me is "Gentille Alouette" where I met the designer herself.

I can't stop thinking about the skirt that I saw. It was very Vivian Westwood-ish.

The designer only makes one or two of each and they are not exactly the same.

She invests in each piece almost as an artwork that cannot be exactly replicated.

She told me she gets inspiration from time to time.