Style news: U.K. transplant James Faulkner reimagines the vintage shop experience in Vancouver

Faulkner has a clean, minimalist style, modern fixtures and slick concrete flooring, an aesthetic that marks a visual departure from the typical vintage shop.Handout

With interest in vintage, thrifted and upcycled clothing at an all-time high, Vancouver store Faulkner takes its own approach to feeding the fashion frenzy. Founded in 2017 by owner James Faulkner, who hails from Britain, the shop specializes in Japanese and European archive and vintage clothing, featuring a list of designers that ranges from Issey Miyake, Visvim and Comme des Garçons to Dries Van Noten. “The best brands are always the ones who don’t follow and just try and do what they think is the right thing to do,” Faulkner says.

Sitting at about 250 square feet in a second level space on the Downtown Eastside, the store has a clean, minimalist style, modern fixtures and slick concrete flooring, an aesthetic that marks a visual departure from the typical vintage shop. “I tried to start a store that was different,” Faulkner says. It’s a perspective that has developed an organic following and community. Over the years, Faulkner has collaborated with local artists such as Chrome Destroyer and Mescondi on photography and video projects.

In October, Faulkner reopened its doors after a six-month closure and shortly after debuting its first in-house brand. Arte et labore takes its inspiration from 1950s Americana and modern Japanese fashion and reworks vintage pieces – a Lacoste cardigan, Levi’s denim shirts – into contemporary creations. Created by Faulkner and tailor Rob Gunn, it’s a creative project Faulkner plans on expanding. “Neither of us are designers. We’re just doing what we enjoy and putting it together.”

Faulkner, 136 East Hastings, Vancouver, 778-866-7014, shopfaulkner.ca.

Art et labore re-worked ’70s Pendleton shirt, $180.

Visvim limited-edition jacket, $1,200.

Y/Project denim jacket, $600.

Style news

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