Introducing Bellissima Balance

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F/W 2011 Campaign is here

Our first image from the Fall Campaign is here. We are super excited about the new look. 

Visit our website for more images and the new lookbook: www.bellissimafashions.com

Blogger spotlight: Black Eiffel

http://blackeiffel.blogspot.com/

I love stumbling upon new and inspiring spaces on the web. Here is a blog that I can't seem to leave.

From Black Eiffel: Black Eiffel explores creative design and lifestyle topics daily. It is written by Rachel Jones, a graphic designer who decided to catalog and share her everyday inspiration including her love of design, music, food, travel and more all in one place. She currently resides in sunny Utah and loves to hang out with her husband and two daughters. Black Eiffel has readers from across the globe, is in the Martha Stewart Circle, has been mentioned in these various publications and interviews.

This charming video made an appearance on Black Eiffel just a couple of days ago, I just have to share:

Fall tease

A quick tease of our Fall 2011 Campaign, it's finally here and we will be releasing the images as they become available. I wanted to share with you what I received today. The colours have also changed. Who's savvy with the Pantone colour scale? Can you say 302-2 & 184-1! More to come.

Models: Maggie (Imodel Management) & Ania (Sophia Models)
Photography: Jason Eng
Styling: Jennie Lyle
Creative: Shea Kerwood

The September Issue

All september covers are out. We notice there are a lot more models this year (vs. celebrities), which one is your favourite? What makes you buy magazines in the first place? Kate Moss and Lara Store will sell me any magazine. 

Pan Am takes off September 25, 2011

Premiering this fall, this ABC show looks like it has the 'Mad Men' potential. Anyone remember 'Catch me if you can'? I can't wait to see the beautiful design and characters that will develop out of this new franchise. We smell fashion inspiration! What do you think of 'Pan Am'? Will you be tuning in?

Tyler on Sarah Slean

We are going to do something new. I introduced Tyler to my own blog not too long ago. His good ear for music gives me an opportunity not only to discover amazing new artists but also share them with my readers (click here for tylers first post on aniab.net). Even though everyone music tastes are different we are going to try to keep it light and entertaining on this blog. First up is Sarah Slean...

From Tyler: Yesterday I was fortunate enough to discover something that excited me very much. Sarah Slean has a new album coming out September 27th, and for those unfamiliar with her work I implore you to stop at the next chance you get and discover all that you can of her. Over the course of a nearly 13 year career, Sarah has worked with many notable fellow-canadians, including her performance of “If You Could Read My Mind” with Blue Rodeo frontman Jim Cuddy at this year’s Juno awards. Her music is rich with soul and inspired by folk, cabaret, jazz, and everything in between. On top of that, she’s been nominated for a handful of Juno and Gemini awards. Inspiring stuff to say the least. Have a listen below and enjoy.

 

Glenbow Museum: Cut - Costume & The Cinema

The White Countess (2005)

Goya's Ghosts (2006)

august 20 - september 28th 2011

Discover the glamour, luxury and artistry of cinematic fashion. Delight in the sumptuous fabrics, the lavish lace, skilled embroidery and unparalleled craftsmanship and creativity. Bask in the ambiance of big-screen cinema and the allure of famous film stars. An experience like no other awaits visitors to CUT! Costume and the Cinema.

On view for the first time in Canada, this exhibition reveals the integral role of costume design in creating unforgettable screen characters. "When actors put on those clothes that is when the character comes alive," says Nancy Lawson exhibition co-curator. More than 30 actors are represented from some 25 films which depict five centuries of history, drama and comedy. Some of the films represented include a refreshing take on the classic Cinderella fairy tale (Angela Houston Ever After); seventeenth century Virginia (Colin Farrell, The New World); the eighteenth-century England of the aristocracy (Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess); the first voyage in the Pirates adventure trilogy (Johnny Depp, The Pirates of the Caribbean; Curse of the Black Pearl); the fantastic and opulent nineteenth-century Paris (Emmy Rossum, The Phantom of the Opera) the story of Peter Pan (Kate Winslet, Finding Neverland) and the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude LawSherlock Holmes).


Go ahead and squeal — these costumes have touched the very skin of stars such as Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman. In fact, the exhibition reads like a textile-based "who's who" of Hollywood — lanky Nicole Kidman next to tiny Renee Zellweger next to curvy Scarlett Johansson.


Cut! also allows the viewer to appreciate the fine details of costumes that often only appear fleetingly in the final film. The attention to detail in the research, design and creation of these film costumes crosses the line from craft to couture.


Fashion and film become fine art in this exciting exhibition. All 43 costumes were made by the renowned British costumer, Cosprop Ltd., and many have won major film awards for costume design, including the coveted Oscar™.

Text Source: glenbow.org

For Fall: Outfit #2

Bellissima Tank $ 129.00 

(with matching shrug)

Black Bellissima shrug $69.00

Joseph Ribkoff Coat $235.00

Bellissima Pencil Skirt $98.00

This Joseph Ribkoff jacket is the perfect combination of classic and contemporary, what the likes of Alexander Wang and Helmut Lang have been doing for some time now, it's always great to see amazing design and this is one of our must haves for this fall.

For Fall: Outfit #1

Bellissima Blazer $195.00

Merchant Sheer Top $45.00

Joseph Ribkoff Pant $135.00

It's time to start covering up. Take your summer sheers and apply layers. Add boots for a more fall time feel. Never be scared to mix black and navy, the two most chic colours on the runways.

blog of the month: dear photograph

In light of an ending summer we think this blog is perfectly sentimantal. Check out http://dearphotograph.com/ for all the amazing stories.

Anne B at Calgary's Marda Gras street festival

Vogue covers keep inspiring us. This one shot by Kai Z. Feng for the Australian edition of the magazine of the beautiful Katie Fogarty. Image via fashion gone rogue

It's all in the detail

Image Source: Jak and Jil Blog

Lately I have been in love with collecting fashion books. They are an amazing alternative (along with fragrances) to owning a pice of luxury without having to splurge, additionally they make for an amazing accent to any room. Fashion and design go hand in hand. The latest addition to my collection? The 40th anniversary Roberto Cavalli album. How do you obsess over fashion on a budget?

Interiors we love

Images courtesy of Domino Magazine, September 2008

We were just thinking an inspiration wall would be most appropriate. 

Summer TV

what are you hooked on during the summer months?

Seasonal Themes

You have seen some of these dresses before. In the BT interview and then the Bellissima Alberta Fashion Week Show in May.  I love how sporty chic they all are. Joseph Ribkoff did a really great job with the theme of the season. Very Prada. We love it!

The Anorak

The perfect jacket for spring and summer. It's super light, looks very effortless and is amazing to travel with. This Bellissima version also has a hood you can wear out or zip up in the collar pocket. One of our season's favourites.

Bellissima Fashions F/W 2011 behind the scenes

Time is flying in the world of fashion. Today we shot the new campaign for Bellissima's Fall/Winter collection. As usual I am amazed at the turn around of these things. Before we have a chance to fully start enjoying the season a close end is marked with the selection of images for the winter windows.  In Fall you can expect big changes at Bellissima, the stores are getting revamped and the logo is undergoing a transformation. Like all things, the company is growing and exploring new directions and avenues for exposure. We are very excited to announce our new addition to the Bellissima family, Maggie, from IModel Management here in Calgary, she was a pleasure to work with. As usual the rest of the magnificent team was present, Jennie Lyle did the styling, Alicja Wilkosz did maekup, Jereme Bokitch from HedKandi maned the hair. Ania B from Sophia Models International came back again as one of the models, this time. Shea Kerwood was our creative director and Jason Eng shot the vision into a cohesive image. To witness a photoshoot from the beginning stages to the final product is quite an amazing thing to watch. We hope you enjoy the sneak peek of our day with Bellissima and can't wait to show you the full campaign, as well as the lookbook, which was also shot last week. Stay Tuned!

love and other disasters

Just saw this amazing trailer for a new documentary. 'LOVE ETC. is a witty, poignant and humorous exploration about the universal stages of love, depicted through five real stories over the course of one year in New York City. Young, old, gay, straight -- everyone has experienced love -- and the joy and frustration that come with it. From teen romance to a decades-long marriage; newlyweds to a recent divorcee, and even a bachelor so frustrated in his search that he chooses to have children without a partner, LOVE ETC. documents the intimate journeys of engaging characters aged 18-89 who reflect the city's diversity, and takes an honest look at life's most challenging pursuit' (from youtube.com). visit http://loveetcthemovie.com/ for more info. what do you think?

I have to post this amazing cover of the June 2011 Vogue Italia photographed by Steven Meisel. I have been thinking about it since I saw it a month ago, so I took it for a sign. Full figured women are very well received in today's ideals of the stick thin model, especially on a renowned cover like this one. For the full editorial click here.  

Image Source: fashiongoneogue

Calgary Stampede 2011 Royal Style

Let’s throw up our white cowboy hats and say welcome to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Image Courtesy of Derek Boniecki

The Calgary Stampede takes place once a year, since 1886, over the course of ten days in July, which attracts millions of people from all over the world to participate in the festivities. This ten day event which runs July 8th through the 17th, includes rodeos, parades, live country music, good food and good company. This year Prince William and his wife, Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge will be making their first royal engagement as a married couple on a trip to Canada. 

Catherine was recently spotted leaving Lock & Co. Hatters, causing much speculation about what she will be wearing to the stampede. Lock & Co. Hatters, an institution specializing in hats, has praised the Duchess for her “impeccable taste.” Established in 1676, the store is still around on St. James Street in London, and caters to perfecting the fit of a hat for both men and women. When I was a young girl studying and working at the House of Worth, I would gaze into the windows and be transfixed by the astonishing way hats were made by hand. I was excited to hear that she was seen there and am also speculating if either of them will be wearing a hat made by Lock & Co. to the Calgary Stampede; perhaps one of their famous Stetson hats. Or a hat by Sylvia Fletcher's Couturier Millinery line, exclusive to Lock & Co. 

When the couple lands at Calgary airport on July 7th, they will be honored with a White Hat Ceremony which has become a tradition for all well-known people who visit Canada. During this tradition Prince William and his wife will be presented with white cowboy hats. And with her love of hats and fascinators, I’m anxious to see what else she has up her sleeve to wow us.

I hope that the couple has an amazing time on their tour through Canada. Maybe Kate will stop by Bellissima, which has its flagship store right in Calgary. As she loves fashion that’s affordable and on trend. She has such a perfect figure, but how can she not be tempted by the traditional pancake breakfast at the Calgary Stampede. 

Love, Carole

Starting with a white canvas...

Someone once asked me to define white. After quite some time, I decided to do some research on the subject. I found this, “The basic compound for reflection of color is white. In other terms, white strikes us as a deep and absolute silence" said by Wassily Kandinsky author of Concerning the Spiritual in Art.

You should think of a white outfit as your own personal canvas to enhance your image. Now that we’re in the first stages of summer, I would hope that you have gone through your jewelry boxes and drawers, where your summer favorites are hiding. Sort out the pieces that mean something to you and anything long place on a hook in your dressing room. Any colored bangles or cuffs, keep readily accessible. Those long earrings or clip-ons that have special meaning can now be kept near your lipstick or bronzers. Your belts hung next to your chains, and your summer hats should be steamed and stuffed with tissue to bring back the shape. Many of our purchases should be spontaneous and not necessarily just a trend of the moment. The scarf we once used to cover ourselves , can now be used as a fabulous accessory.

So I give you our white canvas and these are some of my suggestions:

Some of us prefer silver to gold and with gold popular this season, paler than seasons past, it’s great to mix long or short chains in either of the color. Wear alone for a cleaner look or with white long beads to add to make a different mood. All metal jewelry looks great depending on your preference.

Women I style, I always desire something BOLD. A great necklace or a fabulous cuff is a great investment piece especially if it has something white in it and you want a summery feel. Tribal influenced costume jewelry creates a fashionable look as wood and horn make a statement and your look becomes your own.

There is bright white and milky white and this is where I suggest nude accents. Mother of pearl is timeless, pearls any size any length. In having accessory fashion events there will always be a mannequin covered in pearls. I always smile to myself that a variety of women are attracted to this area, after all Audrey Hepburn will never go out of style. Diamonds shine even more when wearing white whilst chunky brights gives one a feeling of Latin Passion.

I would say that turquoise and coral seem to be the colors of choice that have grabbed attention for Summer 2011. Having one piece of these colors whether it’s a pair of earrings a chunky ring or a long necklace will turn your canvas into new painting and you will feel like a million dollars.

The talk of being minimal is for some that is a different conversation and certainly not for all. But MOST women who want to feel special so here you have many options to think about.

Congratulations are in order for Anne B accessories to have been chosen to have her collections in Bellissima. This will please a loyal customer who might be with a friend wanting to buy a great “make a statement” with that perfect WOW piece.

Love,
Carole

My own blog coming soon but please follow me on twitter @yellowgarb