rom an Angel a Peacock was born, and with it an entirely new plume of fashionable colors and fabrics spanning the first 60 years of the twentieth century. I’m referring to the new East 16th Avenue retail location called Pesky Peacocks, an 1,100 square foot space that pays homage to retro fashion, Asian inspiration, luxurious vintage clothing and jewellery.

The eccentric artiste Burcu Ozdemir also owns the Main Street staple Burcu’s Angels (2535 Main St.), a busy, eclectic neighbourhood fashion anchor that has poured immeasurable amounts of polyester into Vancouver from its location at Broadway for the past twelve years. The two week old Pesky Peacocks is the more sophisticated lovechild of this Turkish fashion maven. And there is hardly any polyester in sight. “At Burcu’s Angels I wanted people to experiment with new textures. At Peacocks it’s about knowing what you want,” she said. “I still can’t get it out of my character to get people to do something they don’t normally do, but I’m not going to work so hard at that anymore.”

Burcu’s warm accent and wild arm gestures are only a part of the dramatic initiation new customers will receive at Peacocks, which, with extra space, fewer clothes, and a more selective approach to product, is sure to draw the most picky of the avant-garde vintage shopper. “Burcu’s Angels is about colour, texture, fun, magic, and I’ve had enough fun,” she said. “So Pesky Peacocks is about colour, texture, decadence, magic. It’s only one word that’s different but it’s going to create a new market.”

From fun to decadence is a shift that will undoubtedly cater to the creative clientele that looks to Burcu for all their costuming needs. And she does indeed have a strong clientele of performers. Fashionable party-goers can be seen every Friday afternoon picking out some extravagant one-of-a-kind item for their evening soiree. This is the kind of thing that turns Bercu on as she is a performer herself. In fact, her decision to open the second store was rooted in her desire to continue touring with her Turkish rock band, Something About Reptiles – a side gig that doesn’t pay for itself, yet.

The clothes in Pesky Peacocks are straight out of Bercu’s personal collection that she has spent years of traveling to acquire. Her personal taste is based on fabric. No matter the garment, if the fabric is divine it’s a winner. All kinds of silk, crepe, wool and cotton fabrics can be found throughout the shop, but scant polyester. The focus is on luxury.

Those in need of a complete ensemble can count on the numerous accessories available at Peacocks to finesse the finished product, or if it’s only the final touch you’re looking for, bring or wear your outfit in, and let Burcu do what she does best. “I have styled people since I was a child, it’s just what I do. I love to dress people up. In fact it’s what I’m doing right now as I speak to you. I’m putting a tux with tails on this young man and…” she holds the phone away to exalt in her newest creation, “Oh fuck that’s good, it’s a little to small but it’s OK, anything else darling?” to a suit-clad client.

Peacocks covers the bases for both sexes, and as Burcu is something of a beacon for the gay community, she has crafted a fine reputation for being the go-to-gal for anyone looking to come out of the closet in fine fashion form. “Being queer myself, it’s not something I have to work hard at. It’s simple to me that queer folks are just folks. I think it’s funny that some people try to attract the queer community. It’s not a new market,” she said. “Most of them, especially the cross dressers, have always loved my store.” And so do we. - S.H.


Pesky Peacocks
221 E 16th Avenue
Vencouver, BC

Hours: Tues – Saturday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday and Monday from 12 – 6 p.m.

604-874-1030