It’s amazing what a scarf can do for an outfit.  Just a little touch of color and class goes a long way, especially in winter when we are all bundled up.  I love how this yellow scarf complements the flare of this woman’s skirt.

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This bright red coat and big black fur hat drew me in from almost a block away – I couldn’t resist.  Two colours I adore (I know, I know, black isn’t a colour!).  Can you believe this woman is 89?  She radiates youthfulness!

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Equally as compelling as their fashion, the subjects that we photograph for GranPaparazzi have amazing stories!  Meet Gary Poirier, one of 5 survivors who lived through the collapse of Vancouver’s Second Narrows Bridge in 1958.  The accident is one of the worst industrial accidents in Canada’s history.  Gary was just 18 years old and an apprentice iron worker when the bridge collapsed while he was on the job.  In 1994 the bridge was renamed the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing.  It was great talking with Gary, and by the way, I think he looks superb! I especially love the suspenders.

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I met Marjorie while waiting at the bus stop.  Her blues and browns caught my eye.  She explained that in addition to being fashionable, her leather gloves were a practical barrier from bus germs and they give good grip on railings.  I love outfits that are stylish and practical.

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A retired PR agent, this woman knows the impact of a sharp outfit.  The hard soled shoes, blue paisley scarf, cropped bob and leopard print cap are totally in style.  Brown cords and black leather gloves give her a bit of an edge.  And just look at the way she’s standing — she’s got confidence in spades!  None of this clothing looks new but it comes together beautifully.  She’s simply amazing and, long story short, I’d like to emulate her style one day.

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Though still very dapper in his pin striped suit, there is also a distinctly playful element to this man’s wardrobe.  And you know what, I like it.  Leather gloves poking out of his pocket,  patterned tie, bright colored vest, a paperboy cap and a maple leaf pin sure works for me.

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After taking this dapper gentleman’s photo, I gave him my card and suggested he visit granpaparazzi.com if he wants to see his photo. He told me that wouldn’t do him much good because he’s blind. And I had to wonder, how does someone dress so well when they can’t see? How would I dress if I lost my sight? I suppose I would wear what I’ve got in my closet already, which I suspect is the case with this gentleman. But would I stay stuck in time?  Or maybe I would only wear one color as to not clash, but would I then be drab? With all these questions buzzing around my head, I turned to the Internet and discovered that there are options for the fashionable blind and visually impaired. I found  a  blog in progress (blogress) for blind fashionistas called whitecanelabel.com that claims to be developing interactive software where visitors can hear the blog posts as well as read them. If you are visually impaired or simply have a hard time spotting coveted looks on the runway, there is a technology being developed by the University of Derby in the UK where models wear a bar code on their wrists which is swiped across a sensor, prompting an audio recording describing what the model is wearing.  The options appear few, but the possibilities are many.

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Love these colors together!  Like many fashionable seniors out there, this man was surprised when I asked to take his photo.  His reply was, “I never spend a lot of money on clothes.”  Well who says you need to spend a lot of money to look great?

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The woman in yellow is in her nineties. She comes here daily with her caretaker to look at English Bay.

Both women are styled from head to toe. Like a chapeau on a gentleman, a silk scarf on a woman always warrants a second glance. The navy color around the older woman’s neck picks up on her light blue skirt and the leather gloves on the bench match her shoes.

The caretaker’s plaid wool skirt is a rainy day classic.

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