High Fashion: The Low-Down On Shopping Your Way Through Vancouver’s Dominion Building

Like attracts like. Which explains the phenomenon of the Dominion Building, a Beau-Arts heritage structure perched on the edge of Gastown. Inside, between the fourth and 14th floors, is a collection of retailers selling new and preowned fashion that ranges from true-blue vintage to luxurious resale. In short, it’s a vertical retail hub.

“It’s a bit of a newer concept for Vancouver,” says Randa Salloum, owner of Collective Will, located on the 14th floor. “You see stores like mine in other cities, like New York, Montreal. But Vancouver retail is predominantly store level, it’s street front.” Let’s take it from the top. —Jill Von Sprecken

14th Floor: Collective Will

This jewel box of a shop carries a mix of old and new with a common theme: Fashion with a capital F. The past treasure trove of items has included a Louis Vuitton leather-knit top alongside a Moschino couture My Little Pony t-shirt. The owner, Salloum, has also created her own limited-edition Reworked Collection that focuses on tailoring—keep your eyes peeled for future drops. Among the consignment are new pieces, such as Montserrat cowboy boots, jewellery from Vimeria and Laguna, and scented essential oils from Sangre de Fruta. Buzz 62. shopcollectivewill.com

12th Floor: Siista

Keyhole tops and lace knee-high socks. Caught your attention? Siista is your destination. This light and airy shop has bows and ruffles in spades, but it’s not cutesy. Sexy is the vibe—firmly in the coquette-core realm—with pieces that stand out rather than blend in. There are plenty of independent designers on the racks: like drapey tops from Belle the Label, gauzy hooded shirts from Geel, and swoon-worthy LBDs from Rumored. Local brands, like jeweller Wolf Circus and clothing brand Brunette the Label, are also represented and have flirty items ripe for the picking. Buzz 104. siista.com

9th Floor: Once Twice

Big event on the horizon? Try renting. It’s easier on the wallet, and saves closet space, too. With sizes ranging from XXS to 2X, finding a gem at Once Twice is simpler than anything else you can rent—take movies and cars, for instance. The rental period is four days (extensions are an option), and the brands run the gamut: slinky numbers by Silk Laundry, ruffles and lace by Zimmerman, lacy pieces by Self-Portrait, and feminine florals and silks by Reformation. There’s also a small selection of accessories as well, such as jewellery and bags, and products by Booby Tape (for those backless numbers). Buzz 111. oncetwicehire.com

7th Floor, Le Cellier

Just like the wares at Le Cellier, this boutique is new to us, but has a history. Owner Elise Valfrey began selling luxury bags and accessories in France, and lucky for Vancouverites, she decided to continue her venture after relocating to the Lower Mainland. As expected, she adores luxury bags herself, so she made it her mission to uncover the true gems of the arm-candy world. She hopes to find pieces that are unique, rare, and in surprisingly good condition. Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Gucci and Loewe were all in attendance, last we checked. Buzz 683. lecellier.co

6th Floor: The Find

Even if you’re not in the market for a vintage Chanel bag or a Tiffany & Co. tennis bracelet, a few minutes in this boutique may change your mind. The shop is outfitted in whites and neutrals, but is studded with jewel-box tones: a blue-leather Marni bag here, a hot-pink Bottega Veneta purse there. And a dash of glitter—from sparkly Golden Goose sneakers to Hermès stud earrings. Investment pieces in more muted palettes, like black quilted bags by Chanel and brown monogrammed Louis Vuitton carry-alls, round out the offerings. Buzz 136. thefindluxury.com

Vintique

This is where preloved luxury items—like bags, watches and shoes—go to find their (new) forever home. The whole gang’s here: Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Hermès, Fendi, Dior. Rows of vintage watches are in attendance too, like a pearl-studded Gruen number or a black-and-gold leather Gucci timepiece. And the shoes: slingback Chanel pumps set the tone, but don’t be surprised if you spot a Givenchy sneaker. There’s also jewellery—like crystal earrings by Dior—and a teeny-but-trendy selection of clothing. Clear your schedule: new items arrive Mondays. Buzz 803. vintiqueconsignment.com

Big Al’s Quality Vintage and Preloved Goodies

A smaller, less chaotic version of the quintessential vintage store, but the racks are still lined with all the sequins, ruffles, tulle, and leopard-print that only true-blue vintage (an item between 20 and 99 years old) can deliver. Big Al herself, otherwise known as Alora Horn, personally curates the collection of clothing, bags, jewellery and footwear. She opened the store because her love of vintage—she calls it a “sift gift”—was getting out of hand. In an Instagram reel, she explains how she came to the conclusion to sell what she collected, “because a lot of this isn’t even in my size.” That led to markets, and eventually her own shop. Buzz 483. bigalsvintage.ca

4th floor: Muzi

This airy shop is a destination for ‘90s and 2000s–era fashion. The shop’s aesthetic leans towards the classic, minimalist looks of the time, and away from the velour tracksuits and rhinestones… of the time. The Instagram feed is populated with inspo pics of Kate Moss, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Gillian Anderson; while the IRL racks are home to Jean Paul Gaultier, Prada, Donna Karen and Jones New York. Charlie Plante, the shop’s owner, handpicks all the pieces with a focus on materials—cotton, silk and wool—and stocks a few harder-to-find brands from Europe, like Cop Copine and Morgan de Toi. Buzz 19. shopmuzi.com