Christmas With the Queens

20Dec10

For many, the Christmas Season is not complete without the addition of a Christmas themed concert, pageant or performance.  For those in need of their Christmas performance fix, Christmas With the Queens may be just the event to round out the season.  The gala performance will be held on December 23 at the River Rock Show Theatre.   The Queens’ performance is in the style of a Las Vegas musical review with a Christmas theme.

Tickets to the December 23rd performance can be purchased at the River Rock Show Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone at 604-280-4444 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca

Tickets: $35 | plus service charges

SHOW STARTS at 8 pm
THURSDAY DECEMBER 23rd 2010
at the RIVER ROCK SHOW THEATRE

Christmas with the Queens Poster, Photo by Darryk Dyck

All are welcome and all proceeds go to the DMS charities such as www.outinschools.com and www.checkhimout.ca

Christmas with the Queens Stars:

Kiki Lawhore
Conni Smudge
Jaylene Tyme
Tatiana
Mandy Kamp
Iona Whipp
Robyn Graves
Raye Sunshine

I interviewed several of the  Christmas with the Queens cast members and will be posting two more articles on this event.

Link to Christmas with the Queens on Facebook


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Patricia Fieldwalker’s Holiday Sample Sale

12Dec10

Fieldwalker Sample Sale December 17th

Link to YouTube and the Radiohead’s version of “Nobody Does It Better”  -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ReIcst45o

Link to Patricia Fieldwalker’s Website – http://www.pfieldwalker.com/


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Christmas Windows on Robson Street

07Dec10

 

BCBG

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Lincoln Heller and fiveleft leather

03Dec10

Craft, the environment, art and design all come together at fiveleft bags.  What sets designer Lincoln Heller apart and distinguishes his product from a sea of leather bags is the seamless joining of craftsmanship and environmental responsibility with art.  It is Heller’s affinity to art and design that adds a dimension to his work that sets him apart.  The distinctive visual look or “style” of his bags, their proportion and unique construction appeal as much as his environmental accountability.

Lincoln Heller at his Parker Street Studio, Photo ScarletBlack

Heller’s design philosophy seems similar to the way in which a traditional Kimono is cut from fabric to fit the body with minimum amounts of waste. The size of the leather skins used affects bag design as do body dimensions and purpose.  Construction of the leather goods follows a minimalist approach.  The leather itself with its’ distinctive custom vegetable tanned finish is one of the most important elements of the finished product.  Heller’s leather “canvas” is rigid.  The thick leather is very strong and no linings or glue are necessary in construction.  The rigid qualities of the leather are highlighted and used to shape the designs.  The stiff leather is transformed into body friendly shapes and a growing series of classic designs.

fiveleft Bags in Production

fiveleft "Mini Tote"

Old World Production Techniques at fiveleft Leather

Heller has always been able to span the gap between art and craft.  He attended art school but is equally experienced with tools and a chainsaw.  Mechanically savvy, his artistic tastes lean toward abstract expressionism and experimental sound music.  This art and craft combination allows Heller to produce great designs where form, function and art combine beautifully.

The "redcoal" finish already has a rich patina that will develops further with age. Photo Tony Mah

Heller’s first leather creation was a tool pouch made from leather recycled from work boots.  The pouch is still in use to this day.  This long lasting leather tool pouch was the catalyst for the many styles of leather goods that followed.

Heller's first leather tool pouch still in use.

Heller's distinctive leather finishes. Photo Tony Mah

Leather finishes at fiveleft. Photo Tony Mah

"newgirl" style bag at fiveleft leather

Lincoln Heller’s fiveleft bags can be purchased at Circle Craft, various local boutiques, his web site and by appointment at the Parker Street studio. 

Link to fiveleft website: leather@fiveleft.ca

Link to Circle Craft: http://www.circlecraft.net/

Stores that carry fiveleft leather:

forsya boutique, 2206 main st
604.568.8667
www.forsyaboutique.com 

lloyd’s of gastown, 157 water st
604.629.0191
www.lloydsofgastown.com

the velvet room boutique, 2248 west 41st ave
604.264.8664
www.thevelvetroomboutique.com

Tony Mah is a valued contributor to this article.


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Blanche Macdonald Graduate Show 2010

03Dec10

The 2010 Blanche Macdonald Graduate Fashion Design Show was held in the classy Westin Bayshore on November 30th. The show featured the collections from 44 designers, each presenting two designs. Strong thematic unity was the order of the day and every detail seemed linked to the designers’ concept. Clean or embellished, the designers stayed true to their fashion vision.  Several trends stood out as they were interpreted by more than one designer.

  • a black and red theme
  • tailcoats
  • capelets
  • full mid-thigh length skirts
  • built-up shoulders
  • lingerie
  • historic costume influences


An elegant and dramatic black and red color theme was shown by multiple designers at the Blanche MacDonald graduate show.  Oriental and Spanish influences as well as more abstract sculptural shapes were rendered in black and red.

Tailcoats and cutaway jacket details made a strong presence at the 2010 Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design Graduate show.  Strong tailoring skills and well-designed garments were combined with imagination and historic references to produce many varieties of the tailcoat styled jacket.

Fuller skirts made a pleasant dramatic appearance at Blanche Macdonald’s 2010 Fashion Design Graduate Show.  The bell shaped skirt was one of the newest and most innovative reinventions of the fuller skirt designs.  This new bell shape skirt was showcased by designers Angela Lin and Thia Nguyen.  This skirt shape curves out in a rounded bell shape from a fitted waist.

A built-up shoulder line was seen in several powerful variations at the Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design show.

Lingerie looks were popular at the 2010 Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design Graduate show.  Emphasis is frequently placed on the thigh with thigh-high stockings, garters and thigh-wrapped styles interpreted in various ways by several designers.

Historic costume and fantasy inspired many designers to create stand-out gowns.  Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design Graduates combined strong technical sewing skills with unified design concepts and uninhibited imagination, to create a great mix of both special occasion gowns and gowns purely for fashion art purposes. These flights of fancy dresses are infused with possibility.

Black and Red Gallery:

Designer Links:


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Tailcoats at Blanche Macdonald

03Dec10

Tailcoats and cutaway jacket details made a strong showing at Blanche Macdonald fashion show.  Strong tailoring skills were combined with imagination and historic references to produce many varieties of the tailcoat styled jacket.

Tailcoat Gallery:

Designer Links:

  • Pamela Ordonez – pamelaordonez1@hotmail.com
  • Whitney Phuong – whitney.phuong@gmail.com
  • Krystal Frizzell- contact@sick-baby.com

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Capelet Trend at Blanche Macdonald

03Dec10

Capelets were shown by several designers at the Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design Graduate show.  This black and red version by Maggie Liu doubles as an overskirt.

Capelet Gallery:

Designer Links:

  • Jillian Zdunich – jill-zdunich@hotmail.com
  • Katsuki Shimizu – katsukisstyle@gmail.com
  • Maggie Liu – maggie_liu@live.ca

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Full Mid-thigh Length Skirts at Blanche Macdonald

03Dec10

Fuller skirts made a strong appearance at Blanche Macdonald.  The bell shaped skirt was one of the newest and most innovative of the fuller skirt designs.  The new bell shape skirt was  shown by designers Angela Lin and Thia Nguyen.  This skirt shape curves out in a rounded bell shape from a fitted waist.

Full  Mid-Thigh Length Skirt Gallery:

Designer Links:

  • Angela Lin – angl1121@googlemail.com
  • Hana Chiang- hanachiang@gmail.com
  • Hilary MacMillan – hilaryannemacmillan@gmail.com
  • Claudia Mijares – claudebomb@gmail.com
  • Isabel Alcuaz – isabelalcuaz@hotmail.com
  • Sharon Sung-Eun Kook – sharonkook@hotmail.com
  • Thia Nguyen – thainguyen@live.com
  • Andrea Osorio – annie.osorio@hotmail.com

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The Built-Up Shoulder at Blanche Macdonald

03Dec10

A built-up shoulder line was seen in several variations at the Blanche Macdonald fashion design show.

Built-Up Shoulder Gallery:

Designer Links:

  • Shaila Pineda Falcon – shailapineda@hotmail.com
  • Richard John Talay – richardjohntalay@gmail.com

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Lingerie Looks at Blanche Macdonald

02Dec10

Lingerie looks were popular at Blanche Macdonald.  Emphasis is frequently placed on the thigh with stockings, garters and thigh wrapped styles interpreted in various ways by several designers.

Lingerie Looks Gallery:

Designer Links:

  • Maranda Johnson – marandajohnson777@hotmail.com
  • Claudia Mijares – claudebomb@gmail.com
  • Amy Heggs – amy.heggs@gmail.com
  • Amanda Shore – ashore0202@hotmail.com
  • Laura Creagh- creagh_l@hotmail.com
  • Catherine Murray – moley.murray@gmail.com

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Flights of Fancy at Blanche Macdonald

02Dec10

Historic costume and fantasy inspired many designers to create entrance making gowns.   Designers combined strong technical sewing skills with unified design concepts and uninhibited imagination.  The results seemed part special occasion gown and part fashion art form.   These flights of fancy dresses are infused with possibility.

Flights of Fancy Gallery:

Designer Links:

  • Lorraine Cadena – cadenalorraine@gmail.com
  • Erin Johanson – lizzy_b_85@hotmail.com
  • Sabrina Tang – minicouper@hotmail.com
  • Krystal Frizzell – contact@sick-baby.com

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Krystal Frizzell Shows at Blanche Macdonald

01Dec10

Designer Krystal Frizzell displayed several costume-inspired designs at the annual Blanche Macdonald Fashion Graduate show held at the Westin Bayshore on November 30th.  Her affinity to costume and custom design was strongly evident in her portfolio as well as in the two styles presented on the runway.  Frizzell’s background playing bass for the punk rock band “~@~” and her experience creating costumes for the band, inspired her to continue exploration of Fashion Design at Blanche Macdonald.

Sample from Krystal Frizzell's graduating portfolio.

Sample page from Krystal Frizzell's graduating portfolio.

Design by Krystal Frizzell, Photo Tony Mah

Design by Krystal Frizzell, Photo Tony Mah

For more information about Krystal Frizzell’s designs visit her website at:

http://www.sick-baby.com/about.html


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Catherine Murray at the Blanche Macdonald Graduate Show

01Dec10
Catherine Murray’s portfolio on display at the Blanche Macdonald Graduate Show was a joy to view.  A deft and delicate feminine emphasis is evident in her drawings of  fashion figures as well as in her designs.

Sample Page from Catherine Murray's Graduating Portfolio.

Catherine Murray Design, Photo ScarletBlack

Catherine Murray Design, Photo Tony Mah

Catherine Murray Contact: moley.murray@gmail.com


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Frederick Fung’s MODernist Approach

20Nov10

Frederick Fung’s collection for Vancouver Fashion Week was equally split between designs for men and for women.  W omen’s wear influences included draped styles, iridescence and androgynous looks.  Fung’s clothing for men was full of unexpected garment construction details.  Unusual Buttons, non-traditional linings, asymmetry and some unconventional fabric choices set his men’s wear collection apart from the conventional crowd.

For more information on Frederick Fung and the Teacher and Student Show, visit the TASS website: http://www.tassfashion.com/

Inquiries about Fung’s Designs: frederick_fung@yahoo.ca


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Everything a Woman Needs: Jacqueline Conoir

18Nov10

RozeMerie Cuevas, designer for Jacqueline Conoir, one of Vancouver’s the most treasured and respected local designers opened for Vancouver Fashion Week with the presentation of her Spring 2011 collection.  Cuevas proved yet again that she understands what a woman needs.  She presented a fresh take on  dresses, suits, and pants.  Her signature silk evening gowns were printed with large scale feathers.

According to Rozemerie Cuevas, “women need clothing and looks that are easy to wear, simple to put together and comfortable.  We need outfits that give us a modern edge and sophistication.”  Here are some of those looks.

Dresses were offered in two silhouettes, fitted and belted or draped.

Link to the Jacqueline Conoir website: http://www.jcstudio.ca/


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Everything a Woman Needs cont.: Jacqueline Conoir at VFW

18Nov10

Suits with large collars added drama. These suits with their exaggerated collars were reminiscent of the collars seen in 1930′s movie star portraits.

Dramatic Collars at Conoir, VFW 2010, Photo© Tony Mah

Dramatic Collars at Conoir, VFW 2010, Photo© Tony Mah

Pants were narrow at the ankle and paired with a Jacqueline Conoir signature silk blouse.

Narrow Ankle Pant at Conoir, VFW 2010, Photo© Tony Mah

Narrow Ankle Pant at Conoir, VFW 2010, Photo© Tony Mah

Conoir’s delicate feather printed evening gowns floated down the runway in shades of lavender and teal.

Silk Gowns at Conoir, VFW 2010, Photo© Tony Mah

Silk Gowns at Conoir, VFW 2010, Photo© Tony Mah

Silk Gowns at Conoir, VFW 2010, Photo© Tony Mah

Link to the Jacqueline Conoir website:  http://www.jcstudio.ca/


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Japan’s Chiyuki Speaks About His Collection

18Nov10

Vancouver Fashion Week was a rush.  Even more so for Chiyuki who had to leave soon after his collection was shown.  Fortunately, I could pick up where I left off with this designer.  With the aid of a translator and Email, here is what Chiyuki Sugimoto had to say about his collection. 

“The theme of this season is a flower.” 

“I design cool fashions that can be worn every day.”

“My collection is the coexistence of delicacy, beauty and happiness.” 

“I suggest clothes for happy people.” 

“Originality Builds a Thing.”  Chiyuki

"The theme of this season is a flower." Chiyuki VFW 2010, Photo ©Tony Mah

"The theme of this season is a flower." Chiyuki VFW 2010, Photo ©Tony Mah

“I design cool fashions that can be worn every day." Chiyuki VFW 2010, Photo ©Tony Mah

“I design cool fashions that can be worn every day." Chiyuki VFW 2010, Photo ©Tony Mah

“My collection is the coexistence of delicacy, beauty and happiness.” Chiyuki VFW 2010, Photo ©Tony Mah

“My collection is the coexistence of delicacy, beauty and happiness.” Chiyuki VFW 2010, Photo ©Tony Mah

"I suggest clothes for happy people." Chiyuki VFW 2010, Photo ©Tony Mah

"Originality Builds a Thing." Chiyuki VFW 2010, Photo ©Tony Mah

"Originality Builds a Thing." Chiyuki VFW 2010, Photo ©Tony Mah

Chiyuki’s contact link (Japan): chiyuki@chiyuki.co.jp


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Play With Fala: VFW Spring 2011

14Nov10

Runway photos by Tony Mah.

Link to Fala Chien’s Website: http://www.playwithfala.com/index.html


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Nate Organics at VFW

13Nov10

Nate Organics used dance and choreography to help present their Spring collection at Vancouver Fashion Week.  Nate is an organic haberdashery line that designs everything from men’s underwear to tops and pants.  Casual separates including T-shirts, pants, sweatshirts and jackets were shown for men and women.  A line of colorful boxer-briefs for men was particularly memorable.  The boxer-brief designs were presented by models without any hint of awkward self-consciousness.  The male underwear models were all well-adjusted, confident and had a healthy sense of humor.  Watching them dance down the runway in their colorful boxers was fun.  The dance choreography at the Nate Organics show was top-notch and great way to spread the love for this organic brand.

Link to Nate Organics: http://nateorganics.com/site/?page_id=2


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Fashion is a Dance: Molto Dance at VFW

13Nov10

 Dance made a surprising appearance at Vancouver Fashion Week.  Two labels chose to present their designs by integrating choreographed dance with their runway performances.  Molto Dance and Nate Organics both used dance as creative way to present their collections. 

Molto Dance is a local company that makes custom dancewear.  Molto Dance cycled through 3 couples several times during their performance and presented variations of athletic styled dance wear.  Molto’s tight dance routines displayed a healthy sensuality that comes from the beautiful movement of strong bodies.  They set a positive mood that determined an upbeat tone for the “New Generation” designers that followed. 

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Link to Molto Dance: http://www.moltodance.com/

Molto Dance interview with designer Joanna Nicole Breaks & Molto Dance Crew: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LfYms21DGw


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