Maria Kritikos CEO/Founder of Ladies Who Lunch is truly an inspiration!!! I've watched her career and philanthropy blossom over the last two years and I could not be prouder to have her in my network of friends
Holt Renfrew is of course heavenly, well more like drool, drool slobber. It warms my heart to see a corporation give back. They're donation to this fundraiser was not only the venue, after hours to boot!!! we had the whole store to ourselves, also 10% of the proceeds from sales are benefiting Dress for Success Check out their website to see how you can get involved. Kudos Holt's that would amount to a nice tidy sum
I started out by visiting Darlene Karimi of Designer Doll Fashions by DK to pick up my one of a kind design and get my hair and makeup done. Thank the lord, it's not hard to tell when I style myself compared to her magic
My compadres for the evening Darlene Karimi and Jungsun
Who doesn't love a swag bag, and there was one for everyone, not just front row. Nice touch. On top of these Holt's had hidden teeny gift bags all over the store with a beautiful piece of jewelry and an umbrella. Sigh, I did not find one with my number but am determined to sport a Holt's umbrella around the streets of Vancouver in the near future
Finally caught up with Miranda from Style by Fire Check out their site for Vancouver Shopping best practices
OMG this was such fun!!!! I've never speed blogged before. Of course I had an idea what it would be like ... happy dance!!!! it exceeded all my expectations
It was held at Hootsuite HQ, call me a goofball but this was a double do for me, been wanting to get into this place for awhile (more on that later)
At various events I make my way around a crowd and approach interesting people. I enjoy meeting new people as much as I enjoy interviewing them. From time to time they're understandably busy and either meet up with me later or we never do catch up, sigh. This was beauty because it was an intimate setting and everyone was relaxed and ready to reminisce about their efforts. They were very generous with their time and I was in heaven with this captive audience
Kudos Myriam for thinking of us bloggers and arranging our interview ops, it was great to meet everyone
Thank you to Jessie Liu from Simple Pair for the design, I love this collection to bits Simple Pair Fashion Design
Was completely surprised to see Dominique Hanke as a stylist, little did I know this is yet another talent of hers. I've always known her as a Milliner
Megan Magdalena Bourne is actually a photographer that caught the eye of EFW for her stylish photos. These people are all multi talented I find time after time
This is so inspiring, Kelly King and Hanne Fellers from Passport2Freedom donate 100%, yes you heard me 100% of their profits to help abolish human trafficing and run programs in the slums of Brazil
Try to stop yourself from shopping this worthy cause here Passport2Freedom
I also met Susan Bibbings, however, somehow I successfuly deleted the audio or mistakingly never saved it. Sometimes I tire of technology, give me a good old recorder, ha ha. At any rate will make sure to visit her studio one day and redo, if she'll agree, LOL
This jewelry from Lotusland is really lovely and very creative styles are available. It's a collaborative project which creates income for Maasai tribeswomen in lieu of their previous occupations of cutting down trees to make and sell charcoal. This is an innovative platform to help stop deforestation in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro
I have to say I am so blessed when it comes to Eco Fashion Week in Vancouver CEO/Founder Myriam Laroche is a lovely, funny and beautiful lady. I'm always inspired by her style and learn a lot from her easy going spunk but get things done attitude. Not sure if i've ever mentioned this, Myriam was the first to give me full media access as a blogger. Love her for that opportunity
Can you imagine putting on such a grand scale event, pressure! You'd never know it by speaking with her. Her native tongue is French yet she eloquently gets her point across in either language. Absolutely brilliant. It now spans several locations, from the chic Fairmont Waterfront Hotel to Hootsuite HQ to the Vancouver International Film Festival. I really love the different venues approach, new surroundings almost every night keeps things fresh
See our interview here. LOL sorry for the black and white still learning that filming with a window behind us is WRONG
To see all the pics for EFW check out their FaceBook page here Eco Fashion Week
Favorite looks of the evening for preloved, this Clover Canyon Dress and this jacket ... drool
(Photo by: Peter Jensen)
Anxious to meet Sue Randhawa from the Optical Boutique for some time now, see our interview here
Stop by her Facebook page here The Optical Boutique Seriously stop by, you'll never look at glasses the same way
Spoke briefly with Darlene Karimi from Designer Doll Fashions by Darlene K
We were about to enter the venue so had to cut it short
For us both she created quite an ensemble that doesn't end here. I'm wearing a short dress with matching fabric to the jacket. There is also a matching skirt for another look for another time
A couple of years ago during his show he wheeled a sewing machine on the runway, defaced some of his designs and threw them into the anxious arms of attendees, drat I missed that night!
Speakers in suitcases, talk about recycling
The Kimono Challenge, loved it. In talks regarding what else could be done with hotel linens this idea hatched. Each Designer was given a set of linens and environmentaly friendly dyes and the creations are exraordinary
Running Time rehearsal for Fall From Grace, Designer Doll Fashions by Darlene K upcoming event
Did my yearly mow
Just love how a little yard maintenace can make me so happy. No tent this year though. Gotta get a new carport roof so need the space to store the mess that will come off it, yuck
EcoFashion Week is fast approaching
I am so very lucky, they have invited me to do media AGAIN!!!! yeah
This is the second year in a row I've had the pleasure to attend Vancouver Fashion Week
If there is one thing I've realized about this season, I'm as equally interested in the attendees as the designers. I've met some great people that are SERIOUSLY interesting. I'm a firm believer we can all learn a thing or two from someone we admire and are successful in a field that interests us. There is no such thing as competition to me, there is room for everyone. I just love it when someone is kind enough to share words of wisdom. I've decided to start to introduce you all to the hidden gems of this fair city
Last season I was blown away with Jessie Liu from Simple Pair designs. I've since had the pleasure of flying to San Francisco for a private fitting with her, which you can see here San Francisco in a Weekend Nope, 1 day and she was kind enough to dress me for my "Las Vegas in a Weekend" which you can see here Las Vegas in a Weekend
When I saw her show I kept telling my friends it was like art to my eyes. Little did I know at the time that her materials are dyed using her friends paintings as a pattern, now I get it. Jessie has become a dear friend and agreed to send me even more designs for this season of VFW. I'm wearing a beautiful top from her SS 2015 Collection. The bead work adds such a lovely sparkle. Unfortunately being this time of year in Vancouver it was quite chilly in the tents so I had to cover up with a warm sweater. The second design she sent will be worn at a later date. I was overtaken by allergies and unable to attend opening night, stay tuned, you'll love it This is my favourite side kick Darlene Karimi of Designer Doll Fashions by Darlene K. My cutie patootie bestie was a friend extraordinaire during this entire time. Not only did she do my hair and makeup every night, I also wore a design of hers on closing night and she was kind enough to cover as my camera man. Thanking you, smooch
My first interview was with Aurora Chan from Style by Fire, This is a multi talented girl. She has a blog, is a writer, model and photographer
I managed to meet Marilyn R. Wilson author of Life Outside The Box, you can follow her here Olio by Marilyn and buy her book here Influence Publishing
See our interview here
Love love love this next girl, Cynthia Pace. Since the first time I met her I've been enthralled by her style, no surprise, she's a Fashion Stylist. Apologies for the poor sound quality, with the combo of closing night excitement and her lovely soft voice you need to strain to hear. Don't worry we'll do a redo at a later date. You can reach Cynthia here for personal fashion consulting Cynthia Pace
See our interview here. Just a side note, it doesn't hurt to have friends in all places. Just as my friend Brett walked by I handed him the camera and asked him to film us only to find out he's a Vancouver Film School graduate. Is there anyone here that is not multi faceted? Ha ha, I even started the camcorder for him because I thought he didn't know how. Oh and he's a model that will be in an upcoming show I'm working on .... more on him another time, LOL
Randi Winter, what to say about her, what a great lady. I met her just under a year ago. She is very welcoming, outrageously colourful and all about happy things. She travels more than anyone I know, and what do you know, she's a travel writer. What an awesome job!!!!
See our interview here. Side note, Randi is such a great sport, I threw down my tripod and she almost tripped on it twice during our interview, OMG sorry
Follow Randi here Passionate Travel as she says "if you can dream it, we can plan it"
Symone Says, whoa, what fun. Vancouver's best Drag Queen ever! I've been to a few events where she is Emcee, very entertaining
See our interview here. You heard the lady follow Symone on Facebook here Symone Says
I can't thank Vancouver Fashion Week enough for granting me media access. I tried like the dickens to get my hands on Jamal the founder but could never quite get close enough. He was surrounded by people every time I saw him. Another time Jamal. Great event as usual, look forward to September 2015. I'd like to get a more behind the scenes look at what it takes to put such a grand scale event together
I tell ya this is quite a marathon week, I was just famished and needed a snack, Hope nobody minded, tee hee, nutella and front row baby
Oh my goodness I've been so down and out with allergies, I have not even been able to attend
I feel like it was 2 years ago all over again, I missed it then, same reason, argh
Well at the very least I've enjoyed watching for everyone else's posts and pics
My favourite girl to look out for is Aurora Chan from Style by Fire, her and her partner are EVERYWHERE. I first met Aurora at a photo shoot and thought she had the most mesmerizing look, I really couldn't take my eyes off her. You can find her here Style by Fire
To put a little smile on my face I decided to get nail ready. I believe I'll feel well enough to attend in a couple of days
This is my first time trying claire's Faux Nails. Regular price is $6.75, wow that's cheaper than Walmart's $8.88 for plain white. Get this, they were on sale for $3.00!!!! love a deal. I noticed right away they are not as thick as Broadway or Kiss. I wondered if they would feel flimsy at all and I'm happy to say, no, they feel just fine
I generally go for the plain white because they come in different lengths and I prefer short. These ones automatically came in short so just perfect! Remember though to buy a better quality glue, I find the one's included just don't cut it
Picked out the lace and black tie especially for VFW, see you there ... soon
Who wouldn't like to party with Vancouver's finest at the Xi Shi Lounge inside the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver
I have to hand it to the urban expert wrangler and founder Angela Krewenchuk, girl knows how to throw a party. The location was a stellar choice, heck the lobby alone is worth a looksy. Once inside the packed lounge it felt like the opening for Gone With The Wind with the amount of blinding photo flashes. Not to overlook the fact that on any given night you'll spot a celebrity or two ... or three
Angela is lovely, fun and SO FULL of energy. I first met her at VFW 2014 and have wanted to get to know her better ever since
Her agency is always on the hunt for urban experts in all fields, how novel that someone will do all the research for me. This online magazine is one stop shopping for essential Vancouver services. Check it out here MetroLivingZine There was swing dancing, cake, rocking music, a silent auction and great friends new and old to ring in the festivities
I arrived with my dear friend, designer Darlene Karimi from Designer Doll Fashions by Darlene K. We brought along some of the models for our upcoming production (more to come on that) and showcased designs from her last collection
For those that could not make it check out my vlog to see what you missed. Aww in my next breath, sorry you missed it
