Button Button

Written by Treasure Seeker Colleen in Vancouver

Colleen Miller's store, button button, at 318 Homer Street, Vancouver, is situated in a fabulous old building and is a treasure trove of fabulous buttons: Vintage, First Nations, Vancouver, Bugs, Cartoons, Patterns, Colours, Flowers, Military, Numbers, Letters, English and so much more. Made of glass, horn, Bakelite, metal, ceramic, wool, sandpaper, shell, mother of pearl, and a myriad of other materials, buttons are the way to add distinction to any outfit. Buttons in the store are displayed on sweaters, suits, coats and capes, accessories, socks and shoes, hats, gloves, and blankets. They are in art pieces and spell out messages. They are the flowers in a bright, yellow pot and the decorative pulls on drawers of the many vintage display cabinets.



Colleen is a button historian and in February of 2009, I first met her at Hycroft, The University Women's Club, where she was discussing and displaying buttons from her vast collection. I wrote about it then for clotheslinefinds: button, button, Who's Got The button. What I love about her collection is its history, variety of materials and sparkle, and also that she features a special button of the week right on the front counter.



Colleen has travelled and worked all over the world and when she came back to Vancouver, she saw a niche market and a unique way to impact our fashion world here. Having owned the store for 16 years, she sees a steady stream of customers. Everyone spends time enjoying the 'gallery', buying their buttons and chatting with her. She says that 20% of her buyers are men. I noticed that everyone who came into the store wore or brought something of interest with him or her. One man bought wonderful buttons for his son's sweater. A fashionista bought skull buttons. I bought glow in the dark buttons with bugs. I also bought some vintage buttons to wear as necklaces. I immediately wanted to replace all of the buttons on all of the jackets I own. Colleen says that clothing is definitely improved with quality buttons: "If the button is crummy, you notice the button. If it is good, you notice the garment. A lousy button draws attention to itself, then disappoints. Make sure the quality is there." She also has advice for those up and comers in the fashion world: "Don't neglect the details. Even in the simplicity, there is detail." Good use of detail reflects attention to and knowledge of fashion history as well as current trends. And speaking of trends, buttons are getting bigger and their application much wider. They are everywhere!

Button Button is a great place to visit. To Colleen, buttons are a happy product. People can personalize their own look. Every aspect of the business involves creativity and passion. Design is evident everywhere in this store. It is a lively, welcoming shop where you can hear and tell stories. Want to find out about the origins of a button, find a match to one you've lost, make something old new again, delight a child, create a special gift? Meet someone who can help you with all of this: Colleen Miller at Button, Button.