Stores

Simons Calls on Local Artists for New Store in Vancouver

The Quebec fashion-and-home-decor retailer set to open up its first BC location this October.

By Stacey McLachlan /

The Quebec fashion-and-home-decor retailer set to open up its first BC location this October.

Like H&M and Sephora before it, Simons chose the West Edmonton Mall for its first location in Western Canada—and thankfully, unlike some other department store expansions (cough, Target, cough), it went well enough for the Quebec-based retailer to continue its march westward. This coming October, the 175-year-old company sets up in West Vancouver’s Park Royal, but don’t expect an import of an eastern aesthetic—the company has set its designs on a very west coast space.

Architecture and Art That Embrace a Sense of PlaceThe design of the Park Royal shop is inspired by Salish weaving (concrete panels, etched with a traditional chevron pattern, are stacked like blankets to create a striking facade) but the architecture isn’t the only locally focused element here. Simons has commissioned local artists to create original pieces for permanent installation: outside, a sandblasted Coast Salish art piece by Jody Broomfield welcomes shoppers, while inside, Bobbie Burgers‘ wall sculpture, Innocence Disobedience, features 50 hand-sculpted ceramic flowers anchors the women’s fashion department, and a pair of colourful floating cones (a piece entitled Bow Tie) by Douglas Coupland fills a two-storey atrium.

A Few of Our Home Collection Faves

Though the private-label fashion collections are Simons’ bread and butter, we’re keen on getting our hands on the simple, sophisticated Simon Home pieces—think chunky, colourful wool throws, pretty printed duvets, and graphic shower curtains.October can’t come soon enough.

Aura Neon Stripe cushion, $60

3D Wave throw, $30

Danica Storage jar, $15

Chunky Cable basket, $18

simons park royal  

Stacey McLachlan

Stacey McLachlan

Stacey is a senior editor at Western Living magazine, as well as editor-in-chief of sister publication Vancouver magazine. She loves window shopping on the job: send your home accessories and furniture recommendations over to [email protected]