Dan's Legacy Third Annual Chef's Dinner at The Vancouver Club, Oct. 27, 2016

On a rainy, chilly Thursday evening, we were warmly welcomed into The Vancouver Club for a fabulous fundraising event in support of Dan's Legacy, a foundation established by the Snook family, in memory of their son, Dan. This foundation's purpose is to provide therapeutic counselling for youth at risk, life-skills, recovery and self sufficiency, new hope and new directions and much more. Future plans include a rural recovery centre, close to the city, but a quieter, new start. We learned so much from the Message from the Chairman, dad, Kevin J. Snook, A Promising Future, by Barb Coates, Executive Director, Our Achievements and Changing the Landscape by Tom Littlewood, Program Director. Awareness of the lack of resources and gaps in services for young people and exactly how we can make a difference, were key points. We were impressed by how everyone was acknowledged, it does take a village, and how everyone was thanked. Gordon and Jamie, two, who received counselling support, gave heartfelt presentations about how having access at the right time and the right place, were crucial to their survival, well being and success. Two confident, young people, with hope and dreams and the skills to achieve, isn't this what we want for all kids?

Everything was so well organized, so thoughtful, inclusive (so many first time attendees) and dynamic. Thanks to Rebecca Bollwitt Miss604, our names were on the guest list and at our table and, we knew we were in the right place along with an enthusiastic crowd, there for a much needed cause. We were celebrating accomplishment and bright futures. Lots of candles and lights, a detailed brochure and menu, a champagne and canapé welcome, time to mix and mingle, and Fred Lee's energetic MC leadership kept us knowledgeable about the food and the chefs as well as about the fabulous raffle, special and silent auction trips and treasures and always, at the forefront, Dan's Legacy.

The food, presentation, and auction process and items need further mention because they are the result of much care and hard work on the part of the foundation's board, partners, sponsors, the Vancouver Club, Chefs, Servers, Volunteers, - the whole village.

First, the food:
Chef Sean Cousins -The Vancouver Club - Hubbard Squash Veloute - soup, beautiful soup!
Chef/Owner Lee Cooper: L'Abbatoir -Raw Pacific Scallops
Chef David Gunawan - The Farmer's Apprentice - Mussels and Cabbage - pickled green strawberries and fermented gooseberry sauce, made this a cool, vibrant green dish - so refreshing!
Chef Stefan Hartmann - Bauhaus - Grilled Veal Tenderloin, mushrooms, leeks, veal tortellini
Jr.Sous Chef/Pastry Jessica Caparas The Vancouver Club - sweet treat of Mocha Hazelnut Mille Feuille, chocolate puff pastry, hazelnut mousse with raspberry gel
The white gloved, dramatic, in sync service said: This is food, expertly and lovingly prepared for you, our honored guests!

The Raffle was for two prizes, we wanted most, but so did everyone else: A Fishing Trip and stay at Moutcha Bay Resort, Campbell River and a stunning Haida Raven Mask by Emil Thibert.
The tree of hope was hung with money envelopes of $20, $50 and $100. For filling the envelope, thoughtful gifts awaited. We got a lovely journal and a pine scented candle from Thymes, a buy one, plant one company. So once again, thoughtful choices for reflection, relaxation and rejuvenation.
Special Auction Items included a gorgeous Palm Tree painting, one of a series by Andrew Hewken, and donated by him. A Whistler Village Condo experience, donated by Kevin and Elliot Snook, A Pangkor Laut Resort Stay in Malaysia, donated by YTL Hotels and Properties, and a SeaStar Mustique Island holiday for a week, donated by Joan Carlisle-Irving.

Silent Auction items were 12 treasures, that everyone signed up for, all for Dan's Legacy.
Thanks to all for a memorable evening. The 4th Annual Chef's Dinner will be at The Vancouver Club, Thursday November 16th, 2017.

Source: Vancouver Club

The Best Reds Ever! Christian Louboutin Visits Nordstrom, Pacific Centre

Everyone is familiar with those iconic red soles and gorgeous accessories. A lot of people shop at Nordstrom's beautiful store, and enjoy wonderful events, there, too.

People dressed up, wore their Louboutins and bought new ones to be signed by the designer, himself. For the staff, it was a day long event and likely much more time was devoted to making this one, very special. The Louboutin boutique, within the store, shone. A fancy table with just enough space for three, made it possible for a glamorous setting in which to share the excitement of finding exactly that wearable art shoe or bag and having it signed as a permanent memory of Wednesday, Oct. 19th, 2016. What did you do, last Wednesday? Well, I went to Norstrom, Pacific Centre, was shown a fabulous range in my size, had the best service, took my photo (by the ladies washroom is a photo booth) lined up to get those reds, signed by Louboutin, himself, had a glass of champagne and one strawberry macaroon and then, as I neared the front of the line, Hawksworth caterers brought more treats and I couldn't resist, just one more chocolate delight. What more could one ask? Louboutins and the designer, that signature flourish, in ink, forever mine, refreshments, photos, an ongoing fashion parade of customers, and amidst the camera flashes, selfies, phones, and crowds, a sense of calm, organization and everyone really enjoying this experience. We'll be back!

Here's a great interview with the man behind those iconic red soled shoes.

Review: Fashion that Changed the World by Jennifer Croll

I chose this book because it is a thoroughly researched look at how fashion has influenced the world in so many ways: culturally, politically, socially, economically, artistically and more. Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast at Tiffany's) graces the front cover and never fails to invite me in to read further. I know Jennifer, the author, and knew this would be well written, beautifully presented and that it would raise new questions and help me answer them, well at least some. Fashion that Changed the World, does all of these things in twenty chapters, including gorgeous, sourced photos. Love that it is indexed and has a bibliography that will encourage more exploration. I liked this one for history: Radu Stern: Against Fashion: Clothing as Art, 1850-1930. And how about Caroline Weber: Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution, or Cally Blackman: 100 Years of Fashion. There are titles for Eco Fashion, Models, Photographers, and people of all ages and interests. So when the story is over, read on Macduff.

Published in 2014, there are 192 pages of analysis of why we wear what we wear. Some of the questions I had, before I read this, were: How did Royal and Couture Fashion get to the commoners and the every day working person? How long did it take for women to become famous designers? How did modelling become such a lucrative profession? How did photography advance careers and magazines? How has fashion become global and how is this reflected in fashion weeks and the models who take fashion to so many places? What about the rise of Youth Culture? How has and how will history/economics/world events influence fashion?

And how does Fashion that Changed the World affect my fashion choices? It makes me revisit my fashion icons/idols and remember why I like them. I have to observe more street fashion and think about where it has come from and why. When I take a photo, I have to look for action and movement rather than a static, against the wall, look. Fashion is evolving, moving and worn by everyone, so it is a record of the way we are.

No fashion advice here, other than it is very exciting and worth knowing more about!

Thanks for a great read by Jennifer Croll, a local and Canadian writer! Go!

Read our review of Jen's other book Bad Girls of Fashion here!

Source: Jennifer Croll

Source: The Georgia Straight

GUYS' NIGHT OUT at Hudson's Bay, Downtown Vancouver

Do my best to attend events at Hudson's Bay, downtown, because they are always beautifully done! Surprises abound; you never know who will be hosting, whether they be local or international creatives. This is a huge, iconic store, one that could easily host Galas, Fashion Weeks, Art Events and more, as well as just being a cool, exciting visual space with friendly, knowledgeable staff and the latest trends.

GUYS' NIGHT OUT took up the whole sixth floor! Every department, here was highly styled and staff dressed to the nines! Music, lights, action! There was a barber shop, hot shave, and glam grooming products galore. Catered by Culinary Capers, in classic black, bringing out tray after tray of delectables, each one described in detail so you might try them out at home or just hire Culinary Capers to make the magic. There were smores - all different flavors, prepared on the spot and gone in an instant. Drinks of every kind, including Scotch and Saki. Professional fashion illustration of you in your blue suede shoes or rock t-shirt. (Yes, I did see The Stones one) A Ping Pong table was a popular place as was the photo wall with three photos of you, by #HBMEN #GNO - base London. So many dressed up! I loved the Tokyo Jacket, available at TopMan, and so many bow ties and trench coats.Sales were on, points to the max, expert personal styling, entertainment and all in this dynamic, celebratory event. Hudson's Bay - you're the tops!

Looks From Vancouver Fashion Week, Day 2, 2016

Only able to get to a tiny bit of Vancouver Fashion Week, this season, so I was pleased to see Blanche Macdonald, another of our fabulous Design Schools, as the opener. As Bill Cunningham, NYC Street Photographer, always said, "You have to see the kids - marvelous!" And they were everywhere - look at them saying "Come on in and see what we have for you!"

See the complete line up at Vancouver Fashion Week Day 2.  Congratulations Designers!

Here are a few of our other Blanche posts! Blanche and Blanche Windows!

Thanks VFW for another great memory!

The Blanche line up included previous VFW runway designers: Evan Clayton, Sara Armstrong, Alex S. Yiu, setting the pace for newcomers: Chloe Prusa, Dasha Volokhova, Garret A.exander Elphee, Kari Appelquist, Maryam Asgari, Li Liu and Maryam Niyazi1. Blanche students keep the corner of Robson, across from the library, a vibrant resource for fashionable comings and goings, hair and beauty ops, window dressing and much more. As in their runway shows, always playing it forward, setting a strong, confident line up and providing hope for fabulous designs for all of us.

Jamal Abdourahman, Founder and Producer of VFW, in its 28th season now, 

supervises every detail and makes sure that the show goes on, without 

a hitch. People get seated on time, registration is efficient and welcoming 

and the array of local and international talent is well represented.

Edzerza Gallery by Alano, a Tahitian designer, locally based, creates 
First Nations clothing that makes the eye travel. He designed outerwear 
for the Dutch Olympic Team for the Winter Olympics, 2010. He works 
with FN youth in Vancouver to develop and share their skills, as well. 

TKC Design Incorporated

Wow!

Young Blanche Macdonald Designer in training, excited to present next year!

Three creative minds: Samantha Stringer, Designer/Photographer, Randi Winter, 
in Carolyn Bruce Jewels and Marilyn R. Wilson, Author, wearing a cape by 
Chloe Angus. These are part of the big, long time fashion passionistas.

Randi Winter and me pointing at our necklaces by Carolyn Bruce, who must 

have been in New Zealand or she would have been in the photo, too.

VCC, ATIRA and Favs from Vancouver Fashion Week

Was very fortunate to meet VCC Grads and see a preview of their runway collection here. But the runway and red carpet really showcase the fabulous year round work of designers. VCC set the stage for the evening; they absolutely owned the whole space. Loved the background and music and very professional, well paced presentation. You can see more here.

There are so many professional videos and photographs of VFW, most of them up right away! Kudos to all of those in the pit, who have the eye, the love of fashion/art and the skills to edit immediately. I bow, but also like to live in the memory, watch for those fashions on the street and then do a couple of reminders that so much fantastic design and hours of prep to wow us on the runway, is not only unforgettable but also to be repeated in the Spring. So thanks, VFW! Thanks for bringing in the up and comers, the schools, local designers and designers from all over the world. The volunteers are truly special too and make us all feel welcome to a fashion space that is accessible.

So a few of my picks from the VCC runway show...well, truthfully I want them all...
Two colorful landscape graffiti jackets from Polina, the white dress with red yarn, the textured, layered dress (Kayla) and the embellished cape by Ekta. To me, these looks are fresh, new and fun, and, of course, Ekta does couture but in an entirely unique and extraordinary way. These looks make me want to travel and to see fashion in new locals.

VCC set the stage for the whole evening, with their energy, music, artistry and vision for clothing as adventure, empowerment and message. Atira, an organization which provides an umbrella of services to combat and end violence against women, has participated many times in major fashion events around the city, and created a joyful, strong, colorful and beautiful show, following VCC and continuing that proud message. This year's designers included Ivani Adamastor (Brazil) crochet hats, scarves, Khongorol Navanvochong (Mongolia) jewellery, Vivian Bomberry, a FN designer: hats, fascinators and jewellery. There were many more involved in this show, and I loved how they were included and held hands for the final bow.

VFW, in your 28th year, you're the tops!

What I wore, because we all dress for VFW, was my Hermes scarf, 

a thrift gift from Japan, another thrift find, a silver and gold metallic 

dress and cotton/linen jacket, and, from my favorite little gem, 

My Sister's Closet, came the sunnies and the bejewelled pumps. 

When I go to VFW, I see wonderful styles that I can wear, 

and isn't that the way it should be? I say to new designers, 

"Please don't limit the age or size group for your work - 

we all want to wear it, buy it, and treasure it."