Carlie Wong, forefront; pictured backstage at OPUS
Carlie Wong, of Project Runway Canada fame, recently presented her Spring/Summer 2010 collection as part of the OPUS Hotel’s Designer Spotlight, and while I unfortunately couldn’t attend personally I’ve seen photos of the presentation and her new designs and she’s killed it this season.
Favourite design elements include the shoulder accents in fitted lacy dresses, exposed zippers, and embellished epaulettes topping off simple but elegant mini’s.
I’d categorize Wong’s work as midnight couture (read: spry / glamour / nightlife), and she’s rightly earned ranks with the likes of Jason Matlo, another Vancouver designer who’s commanded an international following.
Check out Carlie’s entire Spring/Summer 2010 Collection here.
Yaletown is quickly becoming the destination for single-service beauty boutiques – Blo gets your hair styled with a quick blow-dry, Noir Lash Lounge will fix you up with semi-permanent lash extensions, and now Bombay Brow Bar has joined the lot with Indian eyebrow threading.
I visited the small but plush brow bar on their opening day and the place was bustling, ambushed with the overgrown brows of walk-ins. Four armchairs inhabit the room – which keeps a steady flow of Bollywood videos playing, Indian Vogue on hand for reading, and delicious chai tea for sipping.
The master threaders are also schooled in waxing and tweezing, so although their specialty is threading you can opt for any removal process you like. I was in and out in 30 minutes, and what a difference a manicured brow makes.
Bombay Brow Bar does brows for boys as well, as well as eyebrow tinting.
1056 Mainland
Kris Krug, Shallom Johnson and I will be doing a slideshow presentation of our trip to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York this Wednesday evening at RAW Canvas. We were invited to present photos and some of our favourite moments by the wildly successful Vancouver Fashion Industry meetup group, and jumped at the opportunity to share our experience with other Vancouverites.
Doors are at 7pm, and the slideshow will begin at 7:30. We’ll have a selection of photos of the fashion shows, ‘what we’re wearing’ shots featuring pieces by local designers who sponsored us by providing amazing clothes and accessories for the trip, and various other cherished images. Shallom and I will be touching on some of the overall trends, and we’ll all be sharing some of our most interesting adventures and stories from inside the tents.
I’ll take this opportunity to thank those designers who generously allowed us to represent Vancouver’s amazing talent while in New York: Adhesif, dace, deadboys clubhouse by Raif Adelberg, kdon by Kim Cathers, Dominic Designs, Elika Designs, Erin Templeton, Fiveleft Leather, Obakki, Pacificthorn, and PARTS by heather.
Looking forward to seeing those of you in Vancouver at RAW Canvas on March 4 – 1046 Hamilton St., 7pm. There will be wine, music and networking in addition to the slideshow presentation – fun times!
Please RSVP for the event if you are able to so we can best accommodate everyone.
Finnish textile, clothing and design company Marimekko recently opened their first Canadian concept store in Yaletown to welcoming acclaim. Since 1951 Marimekko has been producing bold and colourful textiles in both Finland and abroad, offering goods ranging from raw bolts of fabric to finished household linens and accessories. The clothing lines for men, women and children are also impressive, incorporating many unique elements such as geometric patterns in intensely saturated hues. The classic tote bag collection is not to be missed either; these sturdy canvas models are marked by sound design and functionality.
Continue reading ‘Marimekko in Yaletown’
No, it’s not the newest back waxing mecca…Back Bar is an innovative new space in Yaletown that gives you an all-access pass to…well, basically anything you can dream up.
Here’s a little excerpt from one of my own wildest dreams: I enjoy a private lounge space with modern but comfortable furniture, with only the friends and music I want, where I drink wine to my heart’s content. And yet the drunker I get, the more beautiful I become…thanks to the mani, pedi, facial, blow out and eyebrow waxing services that are at my beck and call. Hovering within earshot is my own personal concierge to answer important queries like, “Does this dress make me look frumpy?”, “Where’s the closest shoe store?” and “Can you fetch me another bottle of wine?” And when said concierge tells me that it’s 10pm and all the shoe stores are closed for the night and I should have thought about that earlier, a nice massage will melt away the stress. Ahh, utopia…
Continue reading ‘Back Bar Beauty Lounge’
