Book Review: Betty Halbreich - A life in Style, with a Twist!

When Treasure Seeker Colleen and I visited New York last October, we watched the documentary "Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's", about the wonderful New York department store Bergdorf Goodman. Personal style consultant Betty Halbreich was interviewed in the movie and we thoroughly enjoyed her humor and story. We decided to visit Bergdorfs together and Treasure Seeker Colleen was fortunate enough to meet the fabulous Betty on duty at Bergdorf Goodman's Solutions. It was the highlight of our New York adventure. Betty greeted Colleen with warmth and kindly signed our copy of her latest book "I'll drink to that". Colleen read it first and I have just finished it and would highly recommend it!

About Betty
Betty created the high end personal shopping experience at Bergdorf's over 30 years ago and continues to style and work at Solutions today. She has worked with high profile clients including Joan Rivers and Candice Bergen while she was working on the set of Sex and the City. (Image left via Vanity Fair)

Fashion Learnings
I thoroughly enjoyed Betty's descriptions of clothing in this book from the clothes she wore growing up in Chicago to her searches for outfits for her clients in Berdorf's in New York. It was also interesting reading about how designers and clothes have changed over the years. Sometimes I think I am imagining that clothes don't fit the same way they used to. In the past, high end fashion designers created garments with hems and side seams that could be let out and adjusted. One of the most common things Betty sees today is the sleeves of dresses are inadequately cut for those with fuller arms. For those reading, when clothes don't fit, it's not you. It's the designer! Clothes are getting smaller and stores continue to carry a smaller array of sizes.

Betty's Honesty with her Clients: An excerpt
In my little corner of the store, I'm direct and truthful- two words not normally associated with the world of retail. I don't flatter or make nice-nice. There are many ways of selling, one being to repeat incessantly, like a trained parrot, "You look beautiful," even if it isn't true. I would rather have scrubbed the store's floors.

I became known for not having pulled up a zipper or buttoned a shirt before uttering, "Take it off. It's dreadful." My old friend Charlotte had only one arm in a dress when I ordered her to remove it at once.

"But, Betty, I haven't even put it on."

"It's terrible. I can tell in a heartbeat."

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Betty's story. I hope you read it too! 

A toast to you,  Betty Halbreich!

Image via the New Yorker

Betty's signing

Blim Fashion Show - Always Fabulous!

At Granville and Helmcken, July 19th, BLIM, a family run local market and studio, in Chinatown (115 E. Pender) sent out some of its unique collection of "wearable basics".  I saw them all as statement pieces and especially loved the beaded pendants by Hotham aka Lori Clark and tie dyed tanks by Kaytee Kilgour.  However, those t-shirts, tights and bathing suits were also must haves.  BLIM will also be at Creekside Food Cart Fest, August 16th and you should visit BLIM just to see the variety and uniqueness of their clothing, accessories and much more.  Blim.ca

Once again, models were by Keiko Boxall, who also teaches modelling and walking classes at www.studiokeiko.ca

Hair was done up by Esprit Salon, 1344 Hornby St. Vancouver
The up and atcha photos are by Dianna Drahanchuk!

Taste Makers by Trish P. Fashion For THE BEE WORLD PROJECT

It was a blur of velvet blacks and brilliant yellows as Trish P of TASTE MAKERS, entranced us with her bee themed collection to bring awareness about the destruction of bees, worldwide, and to support  a project that teaches bee keeping and honey production, thus providing bee population preservation as well as employment.

This collection is a limited one, until July 30th, for Kickstarters, and ten percent of the funds raised will go directly to this worthwhile project. Not only is the cause extremely important, but all of the fabrics are "cruelty free", meaning that they are natural and recycled and 'leather's are vegan. Even the inks are 100% biodegradable.

Behived hair by Esprit Salon, 1344 Hornby, and models, by Keiko Boxall  (www.studiokeiko.ca) brought so much buzz to the streets of Granville and Helmcken. Bees on scarves, dresses, skirts, vests, light coats and purses and bags of all kinds.  Bees, hives, honey combs, all in the most intricate and unique patterns and placements!  I want them all!

More at: www.kickstartercom/projects/tastemakers/taste-makers-bytrish-p

Fabulous photos by Dianna Drahanchuk

Pop Up - SOS - Shop Open Season - Summer Launch Party

This gorgeous pop up, at 434 Columbia, was a quick pop of summer delight. Tammy Joe, founder, features designers from all over the world and collects unique, one of a kind fashions and accessories that were flying off the shelves. You can find out more at SOS www.shopopenseason.com and know  you will find these designers and more: Woodlot, See, Athena Atelier, Academie, Park Apparel, Young Oak and many others.

Tammy Joe, ready to launch!

SOS Shop Open Season goes from Pop Up To Online

Gastown locale for Pop Up only, shows what SOS 

looks like in your place and on you!

Another little gown for dressing up or going casual, look at that fit.

The line and the color - dreamy

My favourite - refashioned kimonos!  All mine, please!

Unique jewellery

 Myriam Laroche (Eco Fashion Week) model ready in soft grey!

I bought 3 beaded change purses labelled Vancouver, for my out of town guests.  I have never seen anything like them. PS Guests are delighted! SOS and Vancouver memories!

Little Black Dress Gala Vancouver

This was the first Little Black Dress Gala, a fundraiser for At Risk Youth. Held on the main floor of the Vancouver Art Gallery, it featured a fashion show, live music, refreshments, a video and guest speakers.  I enjoyed the opportunity to find my own little black dress and accessories, all from My Sister's Closet, and the chance to meet other like minds, who found lots of creative ways to make their own signature looks and accessories.  The most important thing though was raising funds to support those who are homeless, just out of foster care, single parents, and the many who need support and direction in their young lives.Co-founders of Help Change My City Alliance, Alpha B. Kirabira and Christine Michelle, spoke eloquently about the work they are doing.

There were a lot of firsts at this event!  This was the first intricate design I saw, styled from curtains, it is a jacket by Sal-vij by Gisele Forget.

Marina Marchesi (mdesignsbc.com is a handbag designer who 

accessorized many of the fashion show looks).

Stunning cape makes an entrance

Summer white - just what we need

Orange reveal

Two piece and envelope handbag

Classic black and white, tailored to fit menswear

Bridal Beauty

Designers: Sofia Fiorentino Jules Francisco,Capri Philip, Amir Shah, Julie Blaney, Joanne Ricci, Suman Faulkner, Negin Izad, Konstantil Leontiev, Denis Korotky,J. Eiammananassakl, Vina Guingcan.gco, and Mariana Marchesi

Tetyana Golota of Around My House Consignment, smiles as she holds 

one of Marina Marchesi's handbags.

Music by Hot Rhythm!!!

Refreshments by Urban Fare (yum) and BAREFOOT Wines.

This stylish and very worthwhile event will be organized again for November 2015

Lots more at helpchangemycityalliance.com

You can join the page: facebook.com/thelittleblackdressgala, too.

Extreme McQueen: How to Wear Accessories a seminar offered by the V&A Museum in London England

Written by guest writer Dianna Drahanchuk while in London

The title alone was enough to entice me to pay the $40 fee. (I was there for the Alexander McQueen exhibit anyway.)  I expected to be impressed, but I was astounded! The student work exuded imagination, thoughtfulness and provocativeness.

For 12 years Swarovski and University of the Arts London Central Saint Martins (Alexander McQueen’s alma mater) have collaborated to shortlist 10 final year BA Jewellery Design students to create a spectacular piece of jewellery. This year’s project, "entitled Savage Beauty and using themes in McQueen’s work, the project was to design an ambitious piece that also celebrated Swarovski crystal or gemstones.”

Xinyu Wang’s headpiece becomes a "focal point…to create the experience of looking through a camera viewfinder."

Kota Okuda’s design is a “representation of the cultural transference that marks both historical and contemporary issues of identity."

Charlotte Asherson’s piece “explores the dawn of the industrial age and 

how human beings have impacted upon the environment.”

Dennis Song’s creation "illustrates the concept that human desires ‘eat’ human souls."

Fiona Kakei Chong for her creation used her seashell collection as adornment and as “a celebration of collecting and decorating."

Birgit Toke Tauka Frietman (not shown) model displaying her piece 

“marrying of the delicate and the forceful. This piece both shields and exposes"

Akiko Shinzato with model and piece "representing make-up as a form of jewellery."

Juliette van de Kerchove models her work that “aims to express 

how a changing physical environment might provoke adaptations of the body."

Jessica Pass designed a "strong angular structure…juxtaposed with the delicate fragility of pheasant feathers.”(Right photo by Anton Belmonte photographed from handout)

Proud Course Leader Caroline Broadhead kindly gave me permission to use the 

above quotes and photo culled from the handout at the seminar. 

All other photos by Dianna Drahanchuk.

Carolyn Bruce Steampunk Jewellery Designer - Opening Night at Port Moody Arts Centre

Four of us took a road trip to see A Space In Time, a current exhibit featuring four artists from VCON 39 Art Show, a Vancouver science-faction, fantasy and gaming convention here, since the 70's.  While we were intrigued by Jeff Burnette's blown glass ray guns, fantasy illustrations by Melissa Mary Duncan and gorgeous paintings by Hing Kei, we focused on Steam Punk Jewellery Designer and Artist, Carolyn Bruce, as we had seen her work at VALT (Vancouver Alternative Fashion Week) ECO Fashion Week and recently at showing of the movie IRIS, in which we fundraised and dressed up. Note Carolyn and Victoria are wearing standout necklaces as are several other attendees.

We are jewellery enthusiasts so really loved the creative displays: on the walls, on heads, in cases, out in the open, everywhere, adding texture, color, eyes, clocks, chains, metals and so much more to the space.  We want to throw out our watches and keep time in new ways.  We want to feel that there is forest in the city and art in the technology.  There is a fantastic visual complexity about Carolyn Bruce's designs that as Diana Vreeland said, makes the eye travel and it certainly does every time her work is being displayed and being worn.  (Always with strength and attitude)  So here are some photos; go see the real gems for yourself.

Victoria Clements wearing that one of a kind jewellery, 

welcoming us, working her camera and doing sound bytes. 

 (None of us were speechless, of course)

Left to right - Siggy, Colleen, Connie, Lynn, looking to add to their collections
Photo by Victoria Clements

On Time

Putting on the top hat, getting ready to dazzle

Winding it up

Earrings and Owls - From the forest into the city

This one definitely is not just another brick in the wall!

Spiders and webs - time to create

Carolyn Bruce, we are awe struck!
Victoria Clements, thank you for showing us the way.