.Vegan right down to her footwear

February 17, 2007

Where would you shop if you were a vegan and couldn’t afford Stella McCartney’s PVC at genuine crocodile prices? Teresa Pavlinek, co-creator, executive producer and star of the comedy series Jane, has been known to shop for food and skin care products and/or cosmetics at the Big Carrot Natural Food Market at Carrot Common, where we meet for tea and shop talk. She has been a total vegan for a year after being vegetarian for 15 years. It’s a health thing, she says without elaborating and we’re too squeamish to pry. “Darren Boyd, who plays Walter (on the show) is a vegan and he ate better stuff in catering. Patricia Zentilli (who plays Jane’s pal Susan) is also vegan. It’s a cult,” she laughs. “I’ve turned into Paul McCartney — no meat on tours. There is always pasta or stir fry on set — and I bring stuff just in case.” Pavlinek eats a lot of grains and rice and craves veggie burgers. “My mother is shocked how much money I spend on food,” she laughs. “I spend a ridiculous amount of money on bread.” While she confesses that Whole Foods is “a bit of an addiction,” she generally shops at health food stores in her `hood in Parkdale, like Qi Natural Health Food Store on Roncesvalles Ave., and in Kensington. Alas, Roncesvalles is the home of the perogy. “No cheese (in a vegan diet),” she complains. “It’s pointless without cheese.” As difficult as it is to eat vegan, buying vegan shoes is mind-boggling. “Shoes and boots are the hardest — you can go into Holt’s and say, `Screw it’ but it’s PVC for me,” she stresses. “In Toronto, it’s hard but in New York I make a trek to Moo Shoes. I order all the shoes from Moo Shoes for The Jane Show — no leather allowed. You can get them online at Moo. Matt & Nat (based

in Montreal) do vegan shoes; so does Stella McCartney.” She has her eye on a pair of moon boots at Capezio. “And a non-leather Franco Sarto brown riding boot,” she adds. “Joaquin Phoenix wears a special non-leather cowboy boot and Matt & Nat have a Charlize Theron bag. I’d feel hypocritical but I have vegan friends who wear leather.” Vegan clothes are a no-brainer. Pavlinek shops Frock on Roncesvalles, “a cool boutique that has tons of Matt & Nat and interesting pieces. It’s eclectic with great jewellery. And I like Stella Luna at Queen and Roncesvalles. “I’m a big Queen West fan: Fashion Crimes; Get Outside shoe store; Cabaret on Queen West; Girl Friday. I bought a bridesmaid’s dress at Brava — not one of the pouffy ones. The bride said the bridesmaid could wear black. It fit perfectly.” Pavlinek also frequents Courage My Love in Kensington. “I think I definitely have a vintage side,” she

admits. “I like classic pieces and I love the vintage look of a men’s suit jacket and vest.” She can carry off menswear. “I am 5-feet-11.5 inches — I won’t say 6 feet. I hated my height until Grade 10 and then maybe it was okay. They thought I’d play basketball and be really good at sports but I sucked at sports. I auditioned for a school play and there was where I should be.” Value Village at Queen St. E. and Logan Ave. is another vintage destination. “ I feel so proud (of her cheap chic scores),” she exclaims. “I have to tell people how cheap it is. Such a deal. My friends say, `Just shut up’.” That doesn’t mean she’ll buy anything if it’s a bargain. “I draw the line at stirrup pants,” she insists. “You go to small towns and people are still wearing them. They haven’t bought new pants since 1985. That’s what I love about Queen West: the hipsters meet the mental health clinic guys and they are not

sure who the hipster is and who has serious mental health issues. I love that about the area. Are old men in vests and shabby jackets bumming cigarettes because they are homeless or are they really hipsters?” What wouldn’t she be caught dead in? “A fur coat,” she responds. “And patterns are bad on me; Pucci is tough on me. The `80s made me crazy. Pouffy is not good — though I might go back to legwarmers. I can’t do culottes or gauchos; the cropped pant is a no-no. Tube tops are a no-no for the boobs-challenged like myself. I so wanted to be Kate Hudson in Almost Famous but unless you live in a commune, it doesn’t fly so much.” On Pavlinek’s show, Jane is a single, 30something office drone who fanticizes about being a famous novelist. “Jane doesn’t wear what Teresa wears,” Pavlinek qualifies. “In Jane’s personal life, the clothes are closer to me. In the office — I don’t do office — we try to keep it funky because she wants to

be a writer. She tries to keep an eye out for vintage; I want her to have that flair. Her character is intact, not beaten down yet. In season five, she’ll be in power suits. Think Gordon Gekko in Wall Street.” They finished shooting 13 episodes of Jane and are waiting for pick-up. Meanwhile, Pavlinek still performs with the comedy troupe Women Fully Clothed. “Canadians are watching Canadian TV — you just have to tell them about it. Would I work in the U. S.? Sure, I’d do 24.” But she wouldn’t give up the creating, producing and writing part of things. “It’s hard to go back to actor for hire because you lose a large amount of control,” she explains. “If and when I go south, I’d love to pitch a show. I don’t want to be the wacky neighbour. I say that now, cut to me playing the wacky neighbour.“Where are all the women? Grey’s Anatomy has a female perspective and it doesn’t mean `chick.’

Ugly Betty has a point of view that’s not just girlie — it’s not about clothes and dating and you don’t have to be skinny. I’m not Teri Hatcher. I never had a weight issues. It’s important that Jane is a real person, the best version of me. “Hot chicks aren’t funny. You don’t want to share secrets with (women who look like) that.” Jane airs on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Global. Peter H

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