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VANCOUVER FASHION eZINE online fashion magazine dedicated to Vancouver fashion community |
Volume 14 Vancouver, November 2008 |
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Variety is the Spice of Life Variety was the rule in October. The month included a grad fashion show, a grand opening, two fundraisers, a product launch and a birthday party. How can the serious fashionista be bored with so much variety on hand. Read on to experience some of the highlights. La Musique by Melody Ma White face, red lips - the face of a western geisha stared at the audience through the screen. Her face, her seriousness, reflected the expressions of the models on the runway. This was the graduate fashion show of the Art Institute of Vancouver where thirty-nine emerging designers featured four pieces from their graduation collections. Some collections were "high-end", while others added punch to the show with cupcake dresses, neon green leotards, gothic studded leather vests, and even lobster claw baking mitts! Tina Tam, winner of the most outstanding collection, featured sexy black leather suits with nude elements and laced backs for gothic vixens while Danielle Agnusson had antler-clad models charging down the runway in her country hunting style pieces.
Couture was not absent from the runway. Amy Lu reinvented the traditional Hanbock dress of Korea while Missy Sall infused the future with 18th century inspired dance costumes. The winner of the best executed collection, Laura DeSipio, creatively tailored the same simple red dress to four completely different designs which truly demonstrated her versatility as a designer. In contrast, Nancy Luong added a bit of childhood fun to couture by creating evening gowns with elaborate and overwhelming ruffles using tie-dyed fabrics! Kids also had a share of the spotlight where they were met with "Ooo's" and "Aww's". Amy Liu designed a set for the girls while Mike Chen dressed up the boys. While both designers used pastels, Liu's dresses were embellished with charming classic prints whereas Chen's shirts and pants were designed for the sons of West Coast yogis. La Musique was a wonderful show produced by Vladimir Markovich which integrated music and fashion showcasing budding talent that we should look out for in the coming years. Bravo. Prêt A Pour Tea by Marilyn Wilson The sun was shining, the weather was warm and the setting - Season's in the Park - could not have been more decadent. This was the 3rd annual Prêt A Pour Tea, a fundraiser for the BC/Yukon region of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The event was sold out weeks ahead of time and for the first time they had to create a waiting list. Tamara Taggart - CTV Weather and Tara McGuire QM/FM, Morning Show Host shared hosting duties and a welcome address by Lenora Gates, CBCF Board Member, gave a personal touch and reminded us why we were all there. The 205 guests and media sipped on pink champagne, enjoyed a High Tea created by celebrated chef Buddy Wolf and sampled aromatic tea provided and served by The Urban Tea Merchant (my personal favourite). During the event fashions from Jacqueline Conoir, Wear Else and Chloe Angus were showcased by models who glided between the tables. An extensive array of silent auction items (including some of the fashions we viewed) had guests busy checking to keep their name on top of favorite selections. New this year was Roa's Boas where the purchase of a pink boa entered you in an incredible draw. Grand Prize Winner Shelly Naresh won Two unforgettable nights in a Deluxe King Room at Opus Montreal, including 2 continental breakfasts, Dinner for 2 in Koko Restaurant & Bar and a $500 Airfare Voucher with a Flight Centre blanket and Flight Bag (total package worth $1500). Prêt A Pour Tea is the brainchild of Tammy Preast and Sharon Chan-Knight of Ask A Woman Enterprises and they couldn't be more delighted with this year's event. "We were ecstatic to reach our goal and looking forward to contributing $20,000 to the CBCF! Double our donation from last year!" If you would like to attend next year, be sure to buy tickets early as it's sure to be another sell-out. Tickled Pink by Alicia-Rae Light Five birthday cakes were lit up and the crowd chanted happy birthday throughout the room on Oct. 4, as one of Vancouver's hippest Main Street boutiques, Twigg and Hottie, celebrated their five-year anniversary party at the Cambrian Hall.The boutique's mandate to sell clothing made with sustainable fabrics and to feature local designers has brought them to where they are today in the Vancouver fashion scene. With a crowd decked out in all shades of pink, the night kicked off with store founders Glencora Twigg and Christine Hotton, as well as co-owner Jessica Vaira rafflilng off clothing, earrings and hats designed by some of their featured brands. The show had a relaxed and retro-style vibe to it. Playful models daringly undressing, primped and posed on the stage's mini-bar alongside a bottle of scotch followed by a puff on a cigarette before strutting their stuff across stage, then down the hardwood floors of the hall. Featured in the show were unique sustainable designs by Egg clothing, Nicole Bridger, We3 Designs, Elroy Apparel and Lara Presberg. The feel was laid-back and fun as the models demonstrated the wearability of each garment, specifically featuring an eight-way dress and layerable jersey tops. A unique detached hood was also displayed, which came in a variety of colours - fitting for Vancouver as we enter into our rainy season. All shoes were by El Naturaliza and handbags by Randi Obenauer for Ora. With a talent for tune, Vaira enchanted the crowd with her band after the show, then left it to DJ Mack Hardy to keep them dancing until the wee hours. Check them out at 3671 Main Street. Diamonds are forever by Alicia-Rae Light Fragrance is an essential part of an outfit all too often overlooked. The evening of Oct. 19 celebrated the launch of Emporio Armani's newest scent, Diamonds for men, proving scent to be of utmost importance - with of course, celebration included. The party was held at Crush Champagne Lounge complete with a black and white Miami style decor, VIP area, gorgeous set-up and a fantastic turnout. Vancouver's most fashion-forward attendees dressed to impress. Stunning female models bustled about the venue, wearing brightly colored silk dressed from Jacqueline Conoir's fall 08' evening wear collection. Meanwhile, MUUM production's models were placed throughout the venue sampling the enticing cologne during the evening with Armani logos airbrushed onto their chiseled bodies. The male models then proceeded to hit the runways with Christopher Bates' ULTRA fall/winter 2008 line for an anxiously awaiting crowd. Bates' collection included a wide variety of sexy men's fall fashions including tank tops with intricate graphic prints and beater style tops with the ULTRA logo lining the sides. A gorgeous turquoise leather coat, and a black leather coat with diagonally placed buttons were the highlights of the show. Also, a unique deep-v, single buttoned blazer turned heads as the model walked it down the black carpet runway with attitude. Cocktails mixed with Grey Goose vodka clinked throughout the lounge in admiration of the efforts put into preparing such a fabulous evening and diva's and gentlemen alike danced the rest of the night away as DJ Puff spun everything from classics to dirty house beats. Kudos to everyone's hard work in putting together the most fabulous events of this month's fashion calendar. Ishara Grand Opening by Alicia-Rae Light Oakridge Centre's newest and trendiest boutique, dedicated to divulging the best fashions and styles of each season, celebrated it's grand opening on Sept. 30 as store owner Amrit Baidwan produced a night full of flavour, fashion and fun. Models strutted their stuff wearing trendsetting fashions, while beverages were served alongside a decadent candy bar and hor d'oeuvres. The evenings attendee's enjoyed a VIP 15 per cent discount on in store and hard to find labels, which included this season's must haves. The evening also included raffle ticket prizes in support of Canuck Place Children's Hospice. The store showcased denim labels including Rich & Skinny, James Jeans, and J Brand and fashion brands including Rory Beca Charlotte Ronson, and Graham & Spencer. New York Jeweller, Wendy Nichol's line was a highlight of the evening, and Ishara is the only place that carries it in Vancouver. Although located inside of a mall, it's not intended for your usual mallrats. Providing a downtown style boutique in an indoor setting, just in time for our rainy season, Ishara has taken its place, fitting right into any fashionista's list of top fashion finds. The store's intent is to focus on well-designed pieces in luxurious fabrics, ensuring their client's that they can be unique and not find what they're wearing on everyone else. Add it to your list and check them out at http://www.shopishara.com Lonely Hearts Children International Fashion Show by Mishel Savinkoff The average rainy Friday night in Tinseltown is filled with aromas of popcorn and the chatter of moviegoers. Friday, October 17th however, was an exception. Instead, the sounds of Latin music could be heard and great fall fashions by Bebe could be seen, all for the sake of charity. The Lonely Hearts Children Int. hosted their red carpet fashion show and auction fundraiser at Zen, the Kentizen Japanese and Chinese Cuisine Restaurant. The event was the first for the organization, founded earlier this year by Rosalba Vagge and partners Sara Guevera and Renata Kobek. Vaggae started the Lonely Hearts as a way to give back to orphaned children, and children less fortunate, in third world countries. Bebe showcased a portion of their fall collection, which highlighted one of the season's popular spotlights - the waist. Natural feminine curves and silhouettes were apparent with slim fits and structured pieces, bringing the forties back at full force. Strapless dresses, single breasted vests, and high waisted skirts were all in tweed and trimmed with "croco" leather. Details were key, especially on tops and dresses, with pleats, ruffles, lace, netting, and embroidery. On a softer note, silk came into play with halter tops, dresses, tiered mini skirts, and "Parisian paisley" chiffon tunics and maxi dresses. Local jewelry designer Jolie Mack's casual glam creations sparkled on the runway. Her standout pieces ranged from tear drop crystal earrings in jewel tones to large, dangling chandeliers and hand detailed, Japanese Tensha bead earrings with Mother of Pearl. The silent auction featured a gift basket from Save On Foods, clothing from Bebe and the Gap, and a pair of women's and men's boots, both from Aldo. A beautiful hand embroidered, traditional dress from Oaxaca and Lenka hand made clay jewelry were also donated, as well as art from local artist Ron Sombilon, and trips to New York, Disneyland, and Chicago, all from Winspire. The evening concluded on a high note, fashion in the name of charity, what could be better? Being the organization's first event, stay tuned for more from the Lonely Hearts Children Int., and look good while doing it. |
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