Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine | Vancouver Retail

Walking into Tenth & Proper on a blustery fall day, I am struck by the calm, warm atmosphere of the Point Grey boutique. I flip through the racks quickly before sitting down with owner Marion Fudge for an interview and cannot help but notice that every single piece is lust-worthy. It's clear that thought and care were put into every choice. If this chic shop were personified, it would be that cool girl who everyone knows - the one who is calm, beautiful and charismatic. She carries herself with elegance and is always impeccably turned out - even in a t-shirt and jeans - but her perfection is never off-putting. You admire her all the more for the tiny nuances and quirks that she shows from time to time. Tenth & Proper is that woman. In fact, that woman probably shops there.

Owner Marion Fudge has obviously shaped her surroundings with her personality, as she is as warm and approachable as her shop. Formerly the manager, she bought Tenth & Proper in early 2009 and has been putting her own unique stamp on the popular store since then. Most days she herself works on the sales floor outfitting customers in pieces from diverse lines, many of which are local or Canadian. Her shop is the only one in Vancouver carrying Toronto designer Joeffer Caoc's gorgeously flattering asymmetrical designs and the racks read like a who's who of up-and-coming local fashion with pieces from Allison Wonderland, Lav & Kush, Christopher Kon and more.

Fudge handpicked each piece in the store for fall, focusing on having a wide size range in cuts that would suit many different body types and ages. "I want there to be something here for a daughter, a mother, and a grandmother," she says. "Ideally, the pieces should be ageless so that a twenty-something UBC student and someone's grandma could buy the same dress - that's the sign of great design." Her other mission was to create a space where everyone would feel comfortable to shop. "I wanted to create a relaxed, easy place to hang out. I want people to come in and not worry about anything and never feel judged."

As for exciting things to come in Tenth & Proper's future, Marion and her manager Christine worked together in buying all the pieces for spring 2010 and are already eagerly awaiting their arrival. For all those Tenth & Proper fans who can't wait until spring, there are also some exciting jewelry collaborations that will be available in-store for the holiday season. Marion is working directly with a few designers to create capsule collections that will be exclusive to Tenth & Proper. The care that is put into this shop shines through and is echoed in Marion's sentiments: "There is nothing in this store that I don't believe in wholeheartedly."

For more information check out their website at www.tenthandproper.com.