Clothes for all types of women

BASYA LAYE

Nearly a decade ago, Vancouverite Michael Freedman opened Rubenesque, a consignment store specializing in size 14 to 30 women’s clothing. Managed by his wife, Shirley Walsh, Rubenesque has been dressing its loyal clientele in well-known brands like Jones New York, Bagatelle, Manuel Mendoza, Windsmoor, Gianfranco Ferre, Eileen Fisher and Dana Buchman, among others, with shoes and accessories to match.

The thing that’s unique about the store, Walsh said, is how “well appointed” it is. Visiting the store, she said, clients can immediately tell how selective they are with consigners. Clients “never have to look through rags to get to the good stuff,” said Walsh. “Any woman can rush in, desperate for something to wear, they’ve left it until the last moment or they’ve exhausted themselves searching, [and here] they have choice.”

Counting Supreme Court judges among their clientele, Walsh admitted that they dress mostly professional women, carrying upscale casual to business and special event clothing, including evening wear, all at consignment prices.

Walsh shared a comment from a customer who remarked that shopping at Rubenesque “is like being at the mall [where] every other shop is plus size!”

Walsh and her staff can assemble wardrobes for individual clients upon request. Rubenesque, open Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday to Monday until 6 p.m., is located at 564 West Broadway, in Vancouver, and can be reached at 604-879-3906.

My Best Friend’s Closet is a newer entry to the clothing market. It opened just last October. As a first-time shopkeeper, proprietor Christine Schattenkirk has developed a close relationship with Hazel & Co.’s Susan Heyes, who successfully sued Translink and Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc. when she was forced to shutter her store in that same location with the four-year closure of Cambie Street. When Hazel & Co. moved to Main Street, My Best Friend’s Closet opened in the bright, corner Cambie storefront.

Carrying clothing and accessories except swimwear and lingerie, My Best Friend’s Closet has found success by creating a warm and inviting space, equipped with a bag of toy’s for kids and a husband’s corner, replete with magazines to keep men happy while their partners shop. The store is also dog friendly, a strategy, Schattenkirk said, that makes “everyone in the neighborhood welcome.”

A single mother for more than 20 years, Schattenkirk held a professional job during those years and was keenly aware of what it took to assemble an affordable, yet professional, wardrobe. Frequenting consignment shops for many years, Schattenkirk decided to open her own business when a career change came her way. Her store serves all types of women – be they professional, stay-at-home moms, retirees or students – with a broad range of styles, sizes and labels.

My Best Friend’s Closet, open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., is located at 3190 Cambie St., in Vancouver, and can be reached at 604-879-6232. Free parking is available at the rear of the store.

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