This little shoppe makes me happy, because every time I wear my little dress, I get compliments. And when I'm cold I bundle up in my shawl. Compliments galore. What can I say, I like being stylish :) and supporting local artists. Adhesif has a very distinctive style that I appreciate both on an aesthetic and on a good-for-the-environment level, as all of the pieces are made out of other items of clothing. You might also find some cute buttons/broaches and hair pieces here. The prices are for handmade, so they may be higher than you're going to find elsewhere, but you can also wait for "Nifty for Fifty" which is a sale that the owner hosts every spring. It features lots of independent designers, including Adhesif, and everything is under $50. The only downside to this store is that it's very specific. Luckily, Forysa is next door so you can get in more shopping and browsing than if you were to make a trip specifically for Adhesif. read more

** I had been 'stuck in black' for many years because it was 'safe' and I feared going out in colour because I just didn't know how to put colours together well. Then I found Adhesif Clothing and Melissa and my wardrobe and views of fashion and fear of colour have completely changed - and only for the best. Melissa - the owner - has an amazing eye for style and brings unique and colourful pieces of fabrics together - mostly from salvaged, vintage clothing that she has creatively reworked into awesome, colourful and one of a kind pieces. Her enthusiasm and willingness to share her knowledge of fashion and style and her brilliant pieces have transformed my once boring wardrobe into one that is exciting and vibrant. Even my husband comments on my new-found style and each morning my mother must see what 'Adhesif' piece I may be wearing. She says I have such beautiful clothes and I agree. I am thrilled with every 'Adhesif' piece I own! I find that I rarely leave the house without at least one 'Adhesif' item. Each of the pieces I have collected builds on the other and the colour palette and style allows me to mix and match items to help create a selection for all occasions. See, I've learned so much. I'm just an ordinary person who has extraordinary taste thanks to Melissa. Except for the basics - it's a one-stop-shop for me. I am constantly getting stopped and complimented on my outfits - thriii-llinggg. :) Melissa, thanks for the education and my amazing wardrobe. read more

I'm surprised there aren't more reviews for Adhesif. It is easily one of the coolest shops in the city. I love reworked vintage and while most of the selection didn't exactly fit my personal style (or is it my current financial situation?), I found it all to be beautiful and well crafted, nevertheless. The uber friendly chick who very much could have been the owner was also very helpful. I spent a good 15 minutes just jibing w/her. I made out w/a fabulous dress made from salvaged silk scarves and included the sweetest button detailing and pintucking. And, a little black vintage belt w/abalone shell inlay to tie it all together. Support local designers! read more

I've shamefully walked by this many times on the way back from the record store to the train station. For some reason I noticed it for the first time while bending over to tie my shoe...literally. It was neat that they were open at 6:30 pm on a Thursday when most shops on the Main Street drive, that isn't retail, already close by 6 pm. The shop consists of locally made clothes, deconstructed vintage clothes and necklaces that are classy and have my type of style (think classy punk that you could wear for high tea). I fell in love with a skirt, however, out of respect for the store and the clothing item, was unable to try it on since I just came back from a sweaty work out at the gym. I did talk to the lady at the til whom I assumed was the owner. She was helpful and answered all my questions which is appreciated. See mentioned that if nothing fits that she can do some alterations which is awesome. Thanks to my mom and her big hips, I have to get every local designer to tailor make my clothes. It's in the genes to get a pair that fit me. Prices are a bit steep for my economical situation, however, in comparison to other market value shops, it is at par with them. My advice (which I will follow of my own), save up for a unique piece. After all, you're paying for the space, artist's time and labour into the project. I am coming back on my pay day (made sure of it) to get this really cute rabbit necklace. read more

This store, and the owner/designer Melissa are simply awesome! Melissa has such great personal style and a fantastic eye - every time I go in there (full disclosure - I sell my jewelry there) I end up trying something cute on. Do yourself a favour and let her help you try different things on that you may not normally. You might be surprised - she has GREAT taste! I disagree with the reviews below that her line is expensive, I scooped up a great little top there recently for $26.00 (on sale)! So there is a wide price range. Yes, some of her more intricate pieces could be considered "expensive", but you get what you pay for. Handmade, reconstructed vintage one of a kind? Her prices are a bargain when you consider the work that goes into each piece. Fun fact: I found out her MOM actually sews a lot of the pieces - how cute is THAT!? Plus she's open till 7pm weekdays, which is great when other retail stores have closed. read more

I love this store. I always leave super pleased with my new duds. Melissa is incredibly helpful. Her selection is exciting, colourful contemporary and vintage. The local designers and reclaimed fabrics make me feel really good about the purchases I make. Plus I look great. Its the only place I shop. Seriously. Who needs more? read more

I came across this cute little store by chance. Walked in and greeted by Sam. She was so sweet and chatted with me while I was looking around. I didn't purchase any clothing (yet) but the concept behind the fashion is cool. Clothing is made of vintage fabrics and one-of-a-kind. I ended up purchasing a cool antler shed cooper tip necklace from Sweet Harriet. Did I mention that the store sells unique, local artist jewelry? They do and I encourage you to stop by this great little gem of a store! read more

Amazing owner, amazing store. Full of great energy. First class all the way.

This Local designer (Melissa) is so great, so nice and her clothing very inventive, i love them..worth going by for sure and shop!!

LOVE!!! Even when I think I am just "window" shopping I find something perfect and unique. Melissa has created a store where she can share her passion and depth of knowledge for clothes. Vancouver is a luck city to be the home of Adhesif. read more

this store rocks! The owner, Melissa, is super helpful and attentive and cares about what you want and what works for you, and I love the clothes! Highly recommend! read more

Well, well well. What can I say about Melissa and her brainchild Adhesif? It's BEYOND Brilliant. From the way you are greeted upon arrival, to being invited into her creative and awesome world, Melissa makes sure you not only walk away with one-of-a-kind products, you walk away feeling you ARE one-of-a-kind (which you are!!). I have some exquisite items Melissa helped me choose for a number of events I was either hosting on air (TV show) or live (events with a crowd in the thousands range) and boy, do I have to tell you-- I felt confident and empowered being seen by so many folks because, well, I looked FAAAAAB in her clothes. So if you haven't checked out her schtuff, you just got to! Who knows? She may just share some of her birthday cake (if you happen to stop by on her birthday. Hahaha! Btw, she carries an assortment of other fiiiiine designers, both local and national. She loves to promote creativity and great design. Who wouldn't? The world NEEDS beauty and expression! And Melissa knows just how to curate the very best. So go get yourself into a great vibe and pop on by Adhesif. If, at the very least, you WILL leave the store with a smile plastered on your face. Guaranteed. :) read more

I am SO disappointed in this store, which I have patronized for a few years, and have spent about $2000-$3000 on this brand in that time. My boyfriend bought me a necklace there, and after thinking about it for a couple of months, I brought it back for an exchange. No receipt, of course, it was a gift. Well, I was treated to repeated explanations by the owner (I got it the first time) of how it would mess up her accounting procedures because the store's jewelry is on consignment and the designer had already been paid. And how I should have known that from the receipt! (Remember, it was a gift.) Nowhere is it evident that their jewelry is on consignment, either. So instead of trying to accommodate a once loyal customer (whose name she even remembered), I was made to feel badly about my request, and told I could contact the necklace designer myself to see if she would make an exchange (as if...if I liked her work in the first place I wouldn't be trying to exchange it!). Upshot...no help, just a lecture on small business accounting. Lousy customer service, IMHO. More about her store than about the person who spends money there. I will NOT be buying from Adhesif again, either in the store or at the higher end craft fairs where it is shown. And while I normally shop on Main Street, I went to Fine Finds in Yaletown, found a much better selection of jewelry, and spent $300 there on cool stuff. And I've had good luck at Smoking Lily on Main, too, where the customer service is awesome. read more