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THE INSEAM VOLUME EIGHT: ROSE RAFLORES

Photo: Courtesy Rose Raflores Big earrings and gold chains, serious ink and killer heels. Her bold talons will make you dread the day you dare pick a fight with the toughest girl on the block.

Photo: Courtesy Rose Raflores

Big earrings and gold chains, serious ink and killer heels. Her bold talons will make you dread the day you dare pick a fight with the toughest girl on the block. Rose Raflores is one sassy girl and the founder and owner of Gastown’s recently christened Crown the Queens.

Queens is Vancouver’s first female-based urban lifestyle boutique. It also houses its own private label of one-of-a-kind tees, unique accessories and nail art. According to Rose, the idea for Queens arose out of a variety of influences. She cites music, friends and New York as her key inspirations behind the brand. She says, “My dream is to be in fashion and live in New York - to live that whole lifestyle. I’m just really in love with the city. I feel like the idea for the store came from my love of fashion and the environment. I thought, ‘Why can’t I have the things that I love altogether, and just put it in a store?’”

“The whole store is based on things that I like. Basically, I am sharing with Vancouver and the world what is me: my influences, things that I like, my style. I know that it’s not for everybody, but I am sure that there are things in [the store] that I am sure people will like,” says Rose.

Fortunately, the buzz that Queens has garnered can serve as a testament to the store’s success. We discuss how urban culture in Vancouver is evolving. After working at Alife, Rose recognized the growing demand for women’s street wear. “I’ve noticed a lot of girls coming in who were just looking for women’s [street wear] clothes, saying that there is nothing here in Vancouver. Many have to buy online or go to the states and whatnot. So why not create something like that here?”

Queens is a project that has been a long time coming. Rose always knew that she wanted to open up her own space, however, it took a few years of working at several retail environments before setting out on her own. Her past experiences and living in Vancouver have been crucial to her creative process. She pays homage to her city by collaborating with local artists and labels, like Welcome to Eastvan. Rose states, “Everything that’s around me, I put together in this clothing brand…. Queens is a lifestyle.”

When I speak to Rose, I can sense her intensity and passion. It comes out in her sharp movements and her intent stares, as if thoughtfully processing ideas in her head. I ask her if she can share words of wisdom for people looking to start their own business. “I’m the type of person who follows their heart. If it’s something that I feel really strongly about, I would just go out and do it because it’s something that I love. If you want to start your own line or business, it has to be something that you really love because there are a lot of risks involved. You know, some days I’ll be super excited and some days I’ll be like oh shit - what did I do? Because I am scared of failing. But it should be something that you love to do because if you fail at it, you would want to feel like you tried and it doesn’t matter if you fail or not.”

So what makes a queen? According to the Rose, “A queen is confident, she’s classy and independent. She’s a woman who wants to be successful and wants to do something within her community. She’s strong, powerful and respected. At the same time, she looks good doing it. She cares about herself.” Much like Queen Rose herself.