Designfile: Chulo Pony

Chulo Pony, the fashion line brainchild of Nettwerk Records, has quickly become one of Vancouver's hottest clothing labels. Their quirky dresses, tops, bottoms, and coats are all must-have staples in many locals' wardrobes. They've also got a growing celebrity following, including Canadian supermodel Noot Seear, Chloe Sevigny, Anne Heche, Sarah McLaughlin and comedienne Sarah Silverman. I have yet to purchase my first Chulo Pony piece, but their f/w 07 offering may change that!

Each season the team at Chulo Pony - Nettwerk's Creative Director John Rummen, Art Director Crystal Heald and Creative Director Chris Kopeck - work with a writer to create an intricate tale that serves as a thematic muse for the entire collection.

This fall, the collection is centred around a young 16th century piratess named Grace O'Malley. Grace was a "spirited young lass" who married twice by the time she was twenty years old - only until she gained title to her new husbands' castle - and gave 'em the old heave ho. Not one to heed her father (he said she could never go to sea because her long hair would get in the way) she chopped off her locks and went off to become a pirate.

Chulo Pony's take on the legend of Grace O'Malley is a young "Pyrate Queen" by the name of Claire O'Grady. She plunders ships for clothes, not gold - and whenever she gets into trouble, she can't stop cutting her hair. Read on for more details and pictures!

This inspiration is translated into looks they describe as a combination of "old-fashioned elegance with tough girl chic". The collection includes menswear-inspired garments - boiled wool coats, sailor pants and crew neck sweaters, as well as more girly pieces, like elegant blouses made of lace and silk, cotton-sateen empire waist dresses and ruffle-neck tunics. This season, it's all about the details - from naval epaulettes to etched graphics of sinking ships and quirky mottoes like "we are all in this together". The color palette is subdued, with shades like carob, spiced rum, black jack and ink, contrasted with an intense vermilion and a colorful parrot stripe.

This boucle jacket (pictured above, at right) is on my need to buy list for fall. The oversized collar is so unbelievably cool - I can't wait to try this one on in person. I can't decide whether I love or hate these striped and buttoned leggings. I think they would look great on someone tall and straight and thin, like the model - but not so flattering for my curvy body.

Last winter the Chulo Pony one-button ombre coat was seen on many, many Vancouverites - so much so that I kinda got sick of it. I really wanted one at the beginning of the season, but by the end of fall, everyone had one - and while I still liked the design, it just felt overplayed. This red coat has the potential to do the same thing, especially if it comes in black or grey (Vancouver's favorite colors). It's a great cut in a material that is very popular already, and also very practical for Vancouver's cold and rainy winters. I love it - but between this and the boucle jacket, I'd either buy this one in red, or go for the latter - mostly because I think it'll be more unique.

Look for all of these pieces and more to be arriving at retail locations near you! Chulo Pony is carried in many Vancouver stores, and can also be purchased on their website (where you can also see a full list of retail locations). You can find them at Miss Coquette, Life of Riley, Pleasant Girl and Spank, and in Victoria at Suasion.

All photos by Zoe Bridgman.