The Little Black Dress Gala, A Night to Remember, October 20, 2017

The evening begins with easy and friendly registration and a walk up the grand staircase of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Once at the top of the stairs, guests meet up with friends, many of whom have supported Little Black Dress since its inception in 2015 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Here is the very beginning. Now, there is a Youth Engagement Gala, a Women's Lunch and the grand finale: the evening Gala with this agenda.

Pacific Ballroom: Rugcutter Jazz Band, refreshments, meet and greet and photo ops

Then the doors to the BC Ballroom open and the red carpet and brightly lit stage are the focus for:

Young People's Opera Society of B.C.

Karen Kobel, Solo Dancer, Kahlena Movement Studio

Dance CO. by Marlowe Winsor - From the stage, right down the runway

Divinity DJS

And the Fashion Show! Featuring 19 local designers, this is an opportunity for emerging designers, especially, to showcase their fashions at no cost. For well established designers, this is another example of how they share their expertise and support of emerging talent.

The creative minds behind those dynamic runway looks are: Bikini Empire, Ghren, Couture Therapy, Connally McDougall Designs, Kslam Clothing, Giovanna Ricci Designs, Pillar Heights, Kim Legler, Julie Blaney, Miechie, Garth Asham Designs, Yiling, Shyan Couture, AK Home And Kalau Interiors Fabric Partnership, House of Bahareh, Carolyn Bruce Designs, Susan Harley, Chalett, Dasha Volokhova.

A small sample of photos gives just a glimpse of the scope of the many collections. Color, informal and formal styles, pattern, texture, layers, street to ball gown, from work wear to steampunk, you must come for the next one, this Spring, to see a runway that is never empty. Loved how each designer and a model came out to meet the audience and to take bows!

Alpha and Christine, your team has expanded and continues to inspire others to join in the movement to  "Help Change My City". At Risk Youth and Single Moms greatly benefit from your work. So inspiring to see how many  young people are taking on leadership in all of the Little Black Dress events for this special day, as well as in their schools and communities. There is invitation and opportunity for all, here. All dressed up, achieving and celebrating!

Little Black Dress Gala - Women's Lunch October 20, 2017

Another initiative of the Help Change My City Alliance (HCMC) is to invite women, especially single moms, who need a beautiful, safe place to be celebrated, to meet new friends and people who appreciate and celebrate their strength and resilience. The gorgeous rooftop restaurant of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver was the setting and we were treated to a delicious salad, chicken dinner and fabulous dessert. Linen table cloths, sparkling cutlery, pristine white with elegant centerpieces and wonderful company, made this truly a celebration. Alpha, Christine, Marketa, Sarah and others reinforced such a heartfelt welcome. Thoughtful, attentive staff. Our compliments to the Chef, too.

Some of the women said they felt intimidated at first, but most of us had not been there before and what's more, even though we all wore black, (easy and looks great) not everything was high cost. Some of my look was courtesy of BWSS My Sister's Closet, a jewel of a thrift boutique at Seymour and Helmcken.

Naomi, age 17 from Sullivan Heights Secondary, Surrey, where she is in her final year, sang and entertained us. She recently went on the walk for reconciliation and is organizing her club at her school to learn more about First Nations communities. She wants to bring in First Nations Designers and Artists to Sullivan Heights. Amazing talent and such a positive role model for her fellow students.

One of the women at my table, Dayo, came to this luncheon because "someone remembered her", invited her and was there to welcome her. She says for her, as a newcomer, it is so important to be acknowledged, invited, welcomed and for people to say, hello. It was lovely to have her company at  the evening Gala.

The attendees were thanked for taking care of their homes and families and for believing that there is something better to come. They were thanked for teaching their children powerful things. They were invited to bring others for the next event, this Spring.

Everyone had the opportunity to have professional photos and to choose a huge variety of free make up and perfume samples.

We toasted each other and the next chance to make this event even bigger!

Youth Engagement Gala - Little Black Dress, October 20, 2017

Writing and photos by Colleen Tsoukalas

I want to begin the description of the Youth Engagement Gala, with photos of the kids because this is truly for them and about them. I met students from Templeton, Kitsilano and Magee, although there were many other schools, elementary and secondary, in Metro Vancouver, represented. Four Magee student photographers helped capture the runway looks and much more, throughout the morning. When Alpha asked for volunteers to share their public speaking skills, they did, coming up with on the spot jokes suitable for all ages. A 17 year old, Sahara, emceed the event, with Alpha and Christine. Sahara spoke about going from the protected world of home schooling to a big high school for grade 8. She felt so alone but getting involved at school, helped her to find her community. A talented vocalist and song writer, Naomi, performed at the Youth Gala as well as at the Women's Lunch. Three students, Nadia, from Burnaby Mountain Secondary, and Cindy and Mateya from Templeton Secondary, Vancouver, were awarded scholarships of $500 each to further their studies and spoke eloquently about their goals. The band, Her Brothers, are a dynamic young band of men who think a lot about their sister and send the heartfelt message that  all women should be treated with just that kind of love and respect. Karen Kobel, from Kahlena Movement Sutdio, danced a powerful solo. The Marlowe Winsor Dance Company danced on stage and down the runway. How often does a dancer look down and smile at the audience? In this case, often. The fashion show (co that followed, was a great display of where interest and training in design, performance and music might take you. This is a platform for emerging designers and established designers to show their work, free of charge. Imagine! The Designers are: Bikini Empire, Ghren, Couture Therapy, Connally McDougall, Kslam Clothing, Giovanna Ricci, Pillar Heights, Kim Legler, Julie Blaney, Miechie, Garth Asham, Yiling, Shyan Couture, AK Home and Kalau Interiors Fabric Partnership, House of Bahareh, Carolyn Bruce, Susan Harley, Chalett,  and Dasha Volokhova.

Alpha B. Kirabira, Founder/CEO/Producer of Help Change My City Alliance, and Christine Michelle, Assistant Producer/President spend a great deal of their time meeting with youth in lower mainland schools, and many other places, as they say, "wherever they are in the community". They provide mentorship and support to help young people to realize their value as positive contributors to and shapers of a flourishing, vibrant world. How this event and its impact have grown since it began in 2015 here.

The Gala events now take an entire day and evening. In the morning, is the Youth Engagement Gala, at noon, The Women's Luncheon and at night, The Little Black Dress Gala, unfolds with A VIP Dinner, Silent Auction, Photo Ops, and finally the music and dance performances and the fashion show. And, the fashion show happens, a magnificent display of creativity and craftsmanship, at all three events.

The Hotel Fairmont Vancouver was all ready for so many Little Black Dress volunteers, students, parents, teachers, photographers, performers, and all of the equipment and questions that accompanied them. Such enthusiastic greetings and helpful directions! So early in the morning, there was Marketa Newbery, Marketing and Sales, Little Black Dress Gala, already in her pearls, dressed up and setting the stage for a grand celebration of youth, so deserving of all the support we can give.

We want them to share Christine's journey: "You grown into places, you never thought you'd be." We want them to know that they also have a very important place to be, next Spring! We look forward to seeing them shine and being part of the next Little Black Dress Gala. We know that they will be part of the movement Help Change My City.

Greek Costumes From the Collection of Dimitris Kontogianni, October 15, 2017

The Hellenic Community of Vancouver hosted a wonderful display of Greek Costumes/Clothing from the beautiful collection of Dimitris Kontogianni. The clothing and accessories, for women and men, are mainly hand made originals, handed down through the generations, with some very accurate, again, hand made, replicas. Dimitris learned to crochet old patterns by watching and rewatching old videos. What made this event even more special was that we were welcomed with a beautiful song, and treated to a grand finale with the dance, the dance of history, culture and a celebration of Greek wearable Art.

We were reminded that fabric was spun, woven, embroidered, embellished, by hand. The themes of nature, travel, religion, family, economic and social status, all were represented elaborately and colorfully. Carefully and lovingly preserved, some of the dresses were worn by their current owners. Walking sticks, hand carved, had also been made by grandfathers and passed down, family heirlooms. Costumes are from every region in Greece and even further. They were made to last, to be worn for formal occasions, festivals and celebrations. Black and white photos and even segments from old videos, accompanied each outfit. History in the making.

Another famous Clothing Collector, Ivan Sayers, SMOC, sat behind us and having brought a couple of hand embroidered blouses and dresses, talked animatedly with members of the Greek Community, who were able to source the likely location of the work.

Thank you to Dimitris Kontogianni and Palma Bjarnason for a terrific event. More, please!

Guys Night Out At The Bay, October 12, 2017

Guys Night Out at The Bay is always a well planned, festive event, a celebration of great styles and wonderful sales. A range of designers and brands, artfully displayed, friendly, knowledgeable staff and lots of stock, make this, a very pleasant way to shop. Everyone dresses up because it is an event that features runway looks, photos. (thanks to Markus at the YSL station) live music, this time with vocals by Emily Chambers, candy and party decorations station by Frankie and Co., introduction to and sampling of ViktorandRolf perfumes, hosted by Karen Tucker, Fragrances Counter Manager, Hot Shaves by J.D.'s Barbershop, and excellent, excellent catering by Culinary Capers.

Thanks all (and it was a huge group effort) for another fabulous Guys Night Out at The Bay, Downtown. Here's my post from my visit last time!

Dianna Drahanchuk

Me

Nahla

All the staff looked fabulous! 

An Interview with Ane Crabtree, Costume Designer for Margaret Atwood's: The Handmaid's Tale

Writing by Colleen Tsoukalas

Photos by Dianna Drahanchuk

Helen du Toit, Breaking Barriers Film Fund, CBC interviewed Ane at VIFF Oct. 4th, and the conversation was truly an example of strong, creative women, listeners and story tellers, bringing a whole audience around the stage and to watch the process of illustration to costume.

Ane talked about the influences on her life, her family background, American father, Japanese (Okinawa) mother and brother, whose clothes she wore as handmedowns. That her mother could sew exactly what Ane wanted, quickly and economically, gave her a foundation, enhanced by her Education in Art/Art History. She did attend the Fashion Institute of Technology but it was actually working at her craft that made her the go to for getting the drawings/patterns/flats into production.

Painting was a way to explore and express her love of color and music videos were a natural way for her to move from fashion to stage and movies. New York, Quentin Tarantino films, and Bill Cunningham are of major importance to her. Daniel Wilson, who directed the original film first, 1990 and Margaret Atwood, are "young and free" to her and are significant influences on her decision to dress the real women, she sees, meets and is inspired by in the world, far beyond the world of fashion.

Her love of color is in the robes and cloaks of the Handmaids, the red of blood, but a textured, layered, rich, deep shade, the color of maple leaves, too. Close to nature, terrible to be denied, imprisoned, controlled. The brown tones of their boots, all metal hidden, laces nonexistent, no comfort or pleasure in dressing up, choosing what to wear. Although she looks at other work, for style and time period contexts, she wants her work to be totally unique, to contain secrets, and to draw the spectator's eye further into the character and the story. She used men's fabrics to make Virginia Johnson's (Masters of Sex) suits, but added a gold hem on the jacket, and other features to highlight her femininity but also her individuality and voice. First fittings may take up to two and a half hours, as she must get it right.

She wore the perfect black dress, the black reflecting light and enfolding her. Great shoes, too, for moving through and with a reverent crowd. And, yes, we were invited to join her on the photo wall. I loved that she introduced Haida elder Sphenia Jones, Artist and Actor. Creatives, all.

The fabric remnants from The Handmaid's Tale, will go to people in need: children who need toys, street people who need quilts and, course, other projects. Ane hopes to make a documentary about this. We, volunteers My Sister's Closet, hope to learn more about this kind of recycling, upcycling, repurposing, sharing it and wearing. it.

So much more about Ane Crabtree, here: ---- Bravo Ane, Helen and VIFF!

Thanks to Dianna Drahanchuk for the photos!