Soirée Snapshots: The Parker Project

An unassuming building sits on a quiet East Van street. Unbeknownst to the surrounding houses, this building is filled with brands such as Designers Remix, United Nude, Soia & Kyo, Mackage, Matt & Nat, Vince Camuto, Luxury Rebel, Left on Houston, Gentle Fawn, and many more. A DJ spins tunes inside, while outside the Tacofino food truck serves up freshly made fish tacos.

This was the scene at the Parker building a few weeks ago when its tenant showrooms (including the likes of Skout Agency, Brunette Showroom, and Dakota Group) hosted a collaborative open house. Media, bloggers, and fashion industry insiders were invited to take a look inside the Parker building's corrugated gray walls and preview a mix of clothes and accessories from this season and next. Here's a small peek at what caught my eye.

This Vince Camuto sandal is the ideal heel for summer: not too high, with an appealing mix of cognac and snake-embossed leathers and a touch of gold.

I've always preferred a chic flat sandal to a flip-flop. Luxury Rebel puts a colour-blocked twist on theirs.

I was tweeting photos furiously that evening as item after item caught my eye. Standouts from left to right: a burgundy Designers Remix cocoon coat with exposed zippers, a long and cozy Left on Houston Aztec-print cardigan, and a cobalt-and-black colour-blocked Soia & Kyo trench.