About Babs - Plus Size Vancouver - Babs Studio Boutique
About Babs
The Elevator Bio
Babs was born and raised in Saskatchewan, and left home at 18 years old to travel the world. She has climbed Mount Everest base camp, studied photography in Australia, met the Dalai Lama, worked in Cambodia for 8 years, performed Burlesque in front of thousands, threw Vancouver's hottest parties for 4 years, has 3 businesses under her belt, has the coolest dog ever, drives a Vespa with a side-car, currently owns a shop on South Granville St., and has been making her own clothes since she was 5 years old. She is Mother taught when is comes to design, which she believes, is the best schooling of all.
What's the latest news?
It has been 5 fantastic and learned years since opening up the flagship boutique on South Granville that is gaining huge momentum in the fashion industry both locally and nationally. My collection is ever expanding, and as we prepare for the year to come, one can expect greater and greater designs, fabrics, and ideas. With fashion shows on the horizon, customer appreciation parties, and celebrities such as Jill Scott of the Janet jackson force wearing our label, well, we are in very good spirits.
Tell me more!
She left Canada in 1992 in search of adventure, which turned into a 15 year traveling expedition where she eventually settled in Australia, to study photography. The photography led her to the Dalai Lama, whom inspired her travels to Tibet. In 2000, Babs found herself in the heart of the Himalayas, where she worked as an independent photographer with National Geographic on the Marco Polo Silk Road. This journey reignited her passion for silk and inspired her to use them in her line today. The collection is currently branded as Mod-Asian, since her fabrics are primarily silk and bamboo.
Before her fascination with silk, Babs worked in partnership with Cara Long to create Sweet Soul Designs. Together in 2001, they gave birth to Babalong studios, a paradise of costumes, collectibles, and gathering the "coolest cats" in town. They undoubtedly threw the best parties Vancouver has ever seen. Burlesque was a frequent art form performed at Babalong, and Babs was a fundamental leader in the revitalization of the once underground Burlesque scene.
But Babs eventually felt she needed deeper challenges and inspirations, and in 2004 began to fully focus on her line and the people that help to make it all happen. Babs is now supporting, encouraging, and employing Cambodian, Vietnamese and Laotian men and women weavers, recovering from war and political oppression. Spending 2 months of the year in these countries allows Babs to connected with the people, design the silk, and help build a long term and socially beneficial work ethic with weavers of fair trade organizations. The fabrics woven by these weaver's, are the very foundation for her Mod-Asian line.
Weaving the warp of her past with the weft of her future, Babs has found her home in Vancouver making a name for herself as a "body positive" clothing designer, boutique owner, cultural activist, and philanthropist.
And finally, after 35 years, Babs has met the love of her life. His name is Jean- Claude Ancelin of France. They met in Cambodia, and now meeting each other all over the world. Perhaps a new Babs boutique in France is in the cards...hmmmm
"Ultimately, my inspiration comes from a deep appreciation for Asian and First Nations cultures, exquisite textiles, and nature of course. I use my creativity to pay homage to the beautiful cultures I've seen around the world, design beautiful clothes, and express my vision of social equality."
