PEGG Fashion Show

On October 24 Bellissima had the pleasure of working with the PEGG Womens Club. It was  a day of fun, fashion and food.

Bellissima coordinated with the Women of PEGG to present a Fashion show at the Pine Brook Golf and Country Club. We even set up a private store in the lobby for everyone to shop the latest in jewelry, accessories and designer fashions.  All of the "PEGG" ladies enjoyed a lovely 3 course sit-down lunch which comingled with a private fashion show.

7 of the PEGG members even graced the runway as Bellissima's models.  A special thank you to Sarah, Mary, Audrey, Ollie, Valerie, Ray and Pat. 

The presentation consisted of a showcase of designers like Joseph Ribkoff, Frank Lyman and even Bellissima's private label designer Vivian Wong.  The ladies enjoyed looks ranging from casual all the way to formal evening attire.

Thank you to all the wonderful ladies involved with the event and to the Pine Brook Golf & Country Club for such a beautiful location.

 

 

Beautiful Fall Outerwear

 

 

I’m going to share the best piece of fashion advice I’ve ever received: a jacket is the most important item in a Canadian woman’s wardrobe. It’s the only item you’ll need to wear every day when toughing the cold climate – and if you want any hope of looking fashionable on those bone-chilling days, a great coat is a must.

There is a ton of different styles to chose from, but one of my absolute favorites is the tie-waist.  Not only is it a chic style but is flattering to every body type.  Here a few of my favorites;

 

This tie-waist, hooded jacket is a fabulous cashmere blend.  Not only gorgeous but warm! 

 

Aside from the fabulous color palette this boiled wool jacket is stylish and tough.  I find boiled wool vastly underestimated, during the felting process tiny air pockets are created in between the fibers making it a fantastic insulator but incredibly light weight.  Boiled wool will also hold its shape better than most other fabrics and also gets softer with wear.

 

The unique silhouette of this Samuel Dong jacket is really what makes it so special.  The pleating and bubble hem really emphasize the natural waist.

Visit your local Bellissima store for all the hottest coats that are stylish, cozy, versatile―and reasonably priced.

EXCITING NEWS - MISS AMERICA 2014 IS IN TOWN!

 

Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri, will be visiting Calgary on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 as part of a country wide media tour.  Nina isn't your average girl

5 Things You Don't Know About Nina Davuluri ... but Need Too

1.           She is the 2nd Miss New York to be crowned Miss America.  Last year Mallory Hagan of New York won the crown.

2.           Despite the ongoing issues surrounding the deal to end the US government shut down, President Barack Obama hosted the scholarship winner in the Oval Office at the White House. 

3.           Nina was the first person in Miss America to perform a Classical Bollywood Fusion dance routine for the "Talent" portion of the competition.

4.           She is not just another pretty face.  As a student at the University of Michigan, Nina is on the Dean's List, a member of the National Honor Society, and a Merit Award winner. The end goal? To become a  doctor after attending  to medical school.

5.           She is sponsored by Canada's own Joseph Ribkoff! 

For all the up to the minute details of Nina's visit check out the Joseph Ribkoff facebook page!

 

 

 

Sweater Weather

It's hard to admit but summer has officially come to an end and fall is in full swing.  Sweater weather is here. Now wait, there is a silver lining:  Now you have an excuse to buy  super soft and cozy sweaters!  A time of year revered by many, let Bellissima is make the decision easier this year with a vast selection of cozy and elegant fall sweaters.

This season is all about details, those small touches that will take a piece from "cute" to "WOW".  Consider   metallic thread detailing or perhaps stepping out of your comfort zone with one of the seasons hot patterns such as hounds tooth or check.  The possibilities are endless.  Here's some of my favorite styles. 

 

Pair a shimmering tunic length turtleneck with a neutral check wrap to enjoy a cozy evening amongst friends.

Or perhaps this classic loose turtleneck underneath a crochet vest trimmed with fur for clean and trendy outfit.

 

Whether you are looking for a little glitz, something classic or just something to wrap up in with a cup of cocoa, I guarantee that you'll need to look no further then your local Bellissima store.

Exclusive Joseph Ribkoff Trunk Show

It's that time of year again!  The season of the pumpkin spice latte at starbucks, luxurious leather boots and the most exciting fashions of the year.  It's Fall.  Now while I can appreciate the sadness in watching the warm summer weather leave us, it's with dreams of snuggly sweaters and chic tailored coats. 

With fashion week just around the corner, Vancouver fashion week runs September 16 - 21, 2013 (http://vanfashionweek.com) and Calgary fashion week September 25 - 27, 2013 (http://yycfashionweek.com)

Bellissima is hosting a series of Joseph Ribkoff Trunk shows.  Find exclusive never-seen before pieces and be the first to get your hands on them.  I've detailed the shows below, make sure you contact your local store to be added onto the VIP guest list!  

 

 

September 10, 2013

Bellissima Orchard Park Shopping Centre

948, 2271 Harvey Street

Kelowna, BC  V1Y 6H2

250.717.8876

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Bellissima Market Mall

3625 Shaganappi Trail N.W.

Calgary, AB  T3A 0E2

403.247.0062

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Bellissima South Centre Mall

100 Anderson Road S.E.

Calgary, AB  T2J 3V1

403.271.0522

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Bellissima Scotia Centre

220, 700 - 2nd Street S.W.

Calgary, AB   T2P 2W2

403.263.5978

Hope to see you there!

Come Hell Or High Water, the Stampede Will Go On

Calgary Stampede officials plan to hold the City's annual event, despite devastating floods that washed out the grounds in Calgary, Alberta.  President Bob Thompson announced Monday the Stampede will run as scheduled from July 5-14.  "We have pumped millions of gallons of water from our facilities, scraped the mud from our tarmac, commenced the clean-up of our park, all to welcome guests from around the world, we are greatest together and we will be hosting the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth come hell or high water" he said.

Bellissima is proud to take part and celebrate the 101st Calgary Stampede.  They have designed a fabulous and classic cut,  3-piece denim suit that makes the perfect summer festival uniform.  Easily paired with bright colors, chiffon fabrics or a casual sundress, this denim makes the perfect outfit. 

 

 

 

Don't forget the accessories!  Bellissima is one of the exclusive boutiques that sell the Wallaroo Hat! A unique, stylish and UV protected hat!  Perfect for days on the midway.  The Wallaroo Hat Company was founded in Boulder, Colorado by Stephanie Carter and Lenya Shore in April 1999.  The team discovered that nothing was available in North America that compared to these UPF-rated fashion "finds" from Australia.  The Wallaroo Hat Collection is washable, crushable and versatile for everyday work or play. Each Wallaroo hat has been designed with an internal or external drawstring to make it one-size fits most.   These fabrics are also tested by the Australian Radiation Protection Agency and block 97.5% of the sun's ultraviolet rays!

 

 

Happy Summer!

Cool Cotton Dresses

Enjoy the beauty and comfort a light cotton summer dress. When hot weather rolls around, a light dress and a pair of sandals can become the perfect outfit. Effortless and comfortable, a dress also helps beat the heat while looking lovely.  The summer dress is a well-loved and classic hot weather look, often featuring full, ruffled skirts with chic, feminine necklines.  Cute touches like bows and ruffles are often found and are available in wonderful bright colors and stylish patterns.

Cotton summer dresses with A-line skirts look great on all ages and body types.  Slip into a pair of strappy wedges for even leaner, longer-looking legs.   Can't decide which color to wear? Try a floral or patterned dress  to create a unique color-coordinated look.

 

An empire waist cut features a high waistline that falls just beneath the bust and is a nice option for women who prefer longer skirts. The empire waist look is a great way to draw attention to sculpted shoulders or a long neck and helps to camouflage any problem areas below.

 

 

Crochet is a hot trend right off the runway.  This unique style features a full A-line skirt with a beautiful crochet bodice and scalloped neckline. Enjoy the feeling of never having to sacrifice style and trend for comfort!

 

 

Browse beautiful cotton summer dresses today at Bellissima.

Miss Universe Canada

All of us at Bellissima want to take a moment to send a very warm Congratulations to Riza Santos.

On May 25, 2013, together with several other ladies from across Canada, Riza participated in the Miss Universe Canada pageant...and won!!  This December she will go on to compete as the Canadian representative in the Miss Universe pageant.

Riza is also a model with Sophia Models and has modeled for Bellissima in the Spring 2013 ad campaign.  Also, check out my blogpost from May 19, 2013 for more details about Riza.

You truly deserve the success, and with your efforts, you are sure to make it far.

Congratulations!

The Great Gatsby

With the release of Baz Luhrman's "The Great Gatsby" has come a title wave of "Gatsby Fever".  The joie de vivre of the roaring twenties can be felt around the globe.  And the fashion? No further away then the pages of Vogue or your local Bellissima store.  Yours truly couldn't help jumping on the bandwagon and having a little photo shoot fun of her own.   You can't go wrong with one of the most iconic of all 1920′s jewelry pieces: the long multi strand of glass beads.  Have a look at the beautiful Gatsby inspired styles below and let your inner flapper out to play this spring. 

 

 

Riza Santos

I have been lucky to work with and spend some time getting to know Riza Santos, the 2013 Miss Universe Canada Contestant, and one of the faces of Bellissima Fashion. Not only is she a rare beauty but she is also incredibly intelligent and opened my eyes to what really goes on behind the scenes in terms of pageant life.

Riza is a unique combination of talents and attributes. To name a few, she spent two years enrolled in the Canadian Forces Army Reserve with 15 Field Ambulance and completed her Basic Military and Soldier Qualification; she studied Mechanical Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering where she received numerous scholarships and while residing in the Philippines, Riza became a popular TV actress which led to a film career. Her leading lady role in the movie “Dobol Trobol” earned her a best actress award nomination from the Philippines Film Academy.

 

She has succeeded in ways far beyond those of the average mid-20's city girl. Having already accomplished so much, she made it clear to me that her family and friends are still a strong priority in her life as is her volunteer work. While living in the Philippines Riza was introduced the charity Bantay Bata 163 which focuses on the welfare and protection of children, specifically those victims of child abuse, offering extensive medical assistance to sick and indigent children throughout the Philippines region. While competing on the television show Big Brother Pinoy Celeb Edition 2 she won runner up where she was awarded one million pesos for Bantay Bata 163.

 

Riza has competed in several beauty pageants since her first at age 14. She proudly holds the titles Miss Earth, Miss World Canada and coming May 25th, fingers crossed, Miss Universe Canada. Bellissima Fashions is proud to sponsor Riza with a beautiful gown for the upcoming Miss Universe Canada Pageant. We wish her every success and luck. Sadly the pageant is not televised however you can keep up with all the details at www.beautiesofcanada.com.

 

 

 

While we were wrapping things up and starting to goof off, I got the nerve to ask her if the final question at a beauty pageant really is the stereotypical "How will you solve world peace?" Being good natured Riza laughed. “Not at all” she says. After a few pensive moments she looks up and says "How would you describe the world to a blind person?" I'm still mulling that one over.

 

 

Periphery

Periphery is a private fashion label designed and fabricated in Canada.  Established in 2000, the line consists of dresses, blouses, and coordinates in elegant fabrics with a heavy focus on meticulous construction and quality.

Principle designer and developer, Samuel Bardon, is the son of the design team behind Suttles & Seawinds retail chain.  He says he "grew up in the business" and "sort of picked it up".  However, he's no fan of formal education, he dropped out of design school after 1 week.  "You could say that I attended the fashion school of hard knocks."

The focus of Periphery is to create garments that are "straightforward and uncluttered, clothing that is quietly fashionable.  Clothing that talks without talking and speaks chic without the force of full blast fashion."

Periphery is now available at your local Bellissima store.  Here are a few of my new favorites for spring.