Summer Dresses

Tadashi Shoji dresses are a hit among celebrities and are often seen worn on the red carpet. Good news for our shoppers - Bellissima carries the Tadashi Shoji line! These beautiful dresses are perfect for summer weddings, date nights, or a girls night out. Stop into your nearest Bellissima store to find your perfect summer dress. 

photos via InStyle | 1. Jayma Mays, 2. Kate Beckinsale, 3. Octavia Spencer, 4. Nina Dobrev

Orange & Coral

This spring and summer boost your wardrobe by adding hues of Orange and Coral, two of the hottest colours this season! Check out your local Bellissima store to find this fun spring/summer trend! Below are some photos for some orange/coral colour inspiration. 

All photos via Pinterest 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

The Ikat Print

A fresh spring trend, the IKAT print brings ethnic inspired wear to the forefront with femininity. It makes us think of far off locales and wanderlust adventures. Globally influenced and right here at BELLISSIMA.

Dress style - 550N11116  price $148.00

Bolero Style - 124N8317  price $85.00

Colour Blocking Challenge

Earlier this month Kelowna and Edmonton Bellissma stores participated in a Colour Blocking window display challenge. Everyone had a blast putting together colourful combinations, and the bright window displays got staff and customers alike looking forward to spring weather. Congratulations to the winning window display, Edmonton Southgate!

Have you tried the colour blocking trend yet? 

Facebook Deals, Discounts, and Contests!

Have you liked us on Facebook yet?
By liking Bellissima on Facebook you can be eligible for exclusive promotions, discounts, giveaways, and contests! We are happy to announce, by random selection, Michele Wiltshire as the winner of a $200 shopping spree at Bellissima, just by liking our Facebook page!

Keep updated on the latest Bellissima news and become part of a great Facebook community.

Vivian Wong Spring

Our spring collection from in-house designer Vivian Wong presents so many options for the season! From  spring colour trends and fun prints to classic black and white, there is something for everyone. 

Check out some of our past posts showcasing pieces from the Vivian Wong spring collection here and here

Blue and Green

Spring is here and that means so is colour! Spring means the arrival of green grass, blooming flowers in all colours, and longer day in the sun. Injecting a little colour into your wardrobe is a great way to get into the mood of spring. This dress by Vivian Wong mixes two popular colours this season along with a floral pattern, which is also a spring time favourite. 

Vivian Wong dress worn by Ashley of lionslacelattes.blogspot.ca

Street Chic Denim

Who says looking cool is just for the young. What about the young at heart?

We have paired these jeans with an urban graphic patterned tunic and cropped crinkle bolero. This black stretch denim jean is the ultimate in comfort. Pulling together that STREET CHIC LOOK....for the cool women on the go!!!

 

Outfit Details

Crinkle Bolero -521D8327  $119.00

Denim pant-U602051  $85.00

Tunic- 483N6424  $95.00

Trend Spotting: Lace

One of our favourite trends for spring is lace. Lace is popping up everywhere from dresses and skirts, too lace details on tops and shoes. Here are a couple beautiful lace pieces that caught our eye on the runway from Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana. 

Louis Vuitton | Dolce & Gabbana | Louis Vuitton

Photos via Vogue.com

Here are some ideas for wearing this spring trend with some of our lace pieces in Bellissima stores now. Dress down the little black lace dress for spring by adding a jean jacket and wedges or try pairing the white lace blazer with coloured denim and pumps.

Bellissima and Bloggers

Ashley of Lions Lace Lattes is wearing a lace blazer from Bellissima over on her blog today! You can check out the rest of her post here.

Bellissima Lace Blazer

We also spotted our February Blogger of the month Cee of Coco And Vera wearing Bellissima on more than one occasion over on her blog. Check out Cee's posts here and here. 

Joseph Ribkoff dress via Bellissima

dress via Bellissima

Bellissima Spotlight: Casar

Casar Jacobson is the new face behind the Bellissima Spring/Summer campaign. She is passionate about community and philanthropy, and currently holds the title for Miss Calgary. Check out our interview with Casar below to find out more about her modelling career, the charities she supports, and her favourite items from Bellissima! 

How long have you been modeling?

I first got into modeling approximately 3.5 years ago. My desire to model started with my involvement in pageantry - I have my friend Lisa to thank for the first opportunity. Furthermore, Patti Falconer, and many friends along the way have opened doors enabling me to pursue a modelling career

What is your favourite part about modeling?

 I enjoy many aspects of modeling; however, my favorite parts are the opportunity to be involved in philanthropic endeavors, and the excitement of the entertainment industry.

Besides modeling, what types of activities do you enjoy? What are your interests/hobbies outside of modelling?

My friends recently introduced me to kite boarding, which I can foresee being an all-time favorite.  I enjoy cliff jumping – new experiences that challenge my comfort zone - dancing, singing, pageantry, travelling, and most of all philanthropy

You do a lot of charity work in your community. Tell us a little about that. What charities do you support?

KIA, Epilepsy, Charity, Tourism Calgary, Brenda Stratford Association, Mustard Seed, Brown Bagging for Children, Run for a Cure, Law Enforcement Run, Special Olympics, SOS Children's Villages, United Way, Mustard Seed Society, WSPCA Animal Rescue, Vancouver Performing Arts, EPCOR Centre for Performing Arts, UNICEF, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Habitat for Humanity Canada, Save the Children Canada, Science Alberta Foundation, West Coast Legal Education & Action Fund.

Each event has helped me understand other cultures, lifestyles, and has made a major impact on my life in regards to how I treat others and wish to be treated.

I’ve likely missed a few, but my involvement with these great organizations is thanks too many individuals that have helped introduce me along the way.  

This month (March) I’ll be going to Nicaragua to lend a helping hand – not many people know that 1 in 2 Nicaraguans live in Poverty.  It’s tough so see children, especially, in dire need of the basic essentials. I’ll be writing a journal on my endeavor…soon to come

You are Miss Calgary, what types of responsibilities come with that title?

You're to be an ambassador for the city. This means a high level of professionalism, encouragement to others, and committing yourself to philanthropic endeavours.

 How would you describe your own personal style?

My style varies drastically depending on the function or event. I love to wear formal cocktail dresses and evening gowns accented by jewelry. If I’m just hanging out I would like to say cool casual, lighter materials – it’s easy to enjoy leisure time and still be fashionable.

Do you have a favorite Bellissima item

The thing about Bellissima is it's not just one particular style. It is suitable for many age groups and genres. I've dressed funky, classy and business all from the same store, so it's difficult to pick just one. I always add flare to the outfit with their complimentary jewelry collection.

What one item do you think everyone should have in their closet
Little black dress

Blundell Centre Grand Opening

We welcome our newest Bellissima store in B.C., now open at Blundell Centre in Richmond, at the corner of No. 2 Rd and Blundell. It's been awhile since we have had a store in this area and it is good to be back!! We have already experienced a warm and enthusiastic welcome from clients.

Be sure to head down to our new Richmond location, meet our fantastic staff and tempt yourself with exciting spring fashions!

**Mention this blog and receive a GIFT WITH PURCHASE (Richmond location only) until the end of March 2012**

Bellissima Designer: Vivian Wong

Our Love affair with black and white continues with fashions from our in house designer....Vivian Wong

Vivian attended the prestigious design school Esmod in Paris, France. Upon graduating from Esmod, she went on to do design work for a small fashion house in Paris.

At one point in her career Vivian worked in Hong Kong where she led a design team that produced garments for a German department store.

You can see the European influence in these black and white designs. Always timeless, Always Chic, Always BELLISSIMA

Outfit Details

1. Jacket and Black Skirt

jacket style #502D8324 | $145

top style #502D6382 | $75

skirt style #124N3185 | $118

2. Tunic

style #475D6369 | $105

3. Jacket and Top

jacket style #476D8325 | $135

top style #476D6406 | $75

4. Polka Dot Dress

style #469N11138 | $158

Trend Spotting: Pleats

Spring is just around the corner and I'm already starting to covet some new spring items for my closet! One trend that has been cropping up in stores for this spring and summer is pleats. Mini pleats, pleated skirts, pleated shorts, dresses and blouses. 

S/S runway photos of Prada, Celine, Burberry Prorsum, and Erdem via Style.com

Find this spring trend in Bellissima stores now. Here are just a couple examples of pleated items you can find at Bellissima; these versatile pleated black pants as well as this colourful pleated tunic. 

Guest Post, Coco & Vera: Ruby Red Trench

 

Hi! I'm Cee from Coco and Vera. I'm a Vancouver-based style blogger with a passion for all things Parisian. I'm so excited to be guest blogging for Bellissima this month. I paid a visit to their South Granville boutique in Vancouver to see their spring collections and the first thing that caught my eye was a ruby red trench coat from Solo Moda.

Time for a confession: When I was little, I watched Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? every day after school. Carmen Sandiego was a glamourous, enigmatic heroine, so elusive that she was almost never seen except from behind, as she was escaping capture. She inspired my fascination with travel, and she inspired my style; I've had a fondness for red trench coats and fedoras ever since. I think I could almost convincingly pull off a career as an international criminal mastermind in this coat. Not that I would want to - at least, not forever :)

In all seriousness, when it comes to glamour, you can't top this trench.

Coat - Solo Moda via Bellissima

Blouse - Joseph Ribkoff via Bellissima

Skirt - Bellissima via Bellissima

Boots - Aldo

Earrings - Vintage (from mom's collection!)

Introducing Narges Nirumvala!

Bellissima is proud to be sponsoring Narges Nirumvala!

"“Bellissima is very proud to be sponsoring Narges Nirumvala.  Narges has a vivacious personality and projects the kind of ideals and professionalism that we look for in a partner.”  

- John Kwei, President of Serena Fashions Ltd.

Narges Nirumvala is a highly sought after executive speech coach, corporate trainer and an accomplished business writer. She is also an expert public speaker, with a talent for developing and conducting persuasive presentations. Narges values community involvement, is passionate about being an agent for change, and volunteers her time extensively, serving on numerous not-for-profit boards. To find out more about Narges, be sure to stop by her website, www.executivespeak.com

You can also check out Narges wonderful blog post on working with Bellissima HERE

Narges Wearing a Bellissima tunic and leggings in the Okanagan Valley

Wearing a Bellissima jacket before a keynote at the Renaissance Hotel, Vancouver

Photos courtesy of Narges

Behind the Scenes: S/S campaign

Behind the scenes photos by Ashley of Lions Lace Lattes

Blogger of the Month: Coco & Vera

Introducing our February blogger of the Month, Cee of Coco and Vera! Cee's blog is both beautiful and inspiring. Her style is classic, feminine, romantic, and elegant. Watch out for a guest post and giveaway from Cee coming up later this month! If you'd like to find out more about Cee, click HERE. 

A Jacket for Every Body

It's always amazing when you come across something that seems to fit all shapes and sizes.

We recently had all 56 members of a well known choir purchase this easy to wear piece...which now will create a cohesive look for them.

These made in Canada jersey jacket's have clean basic lines and come in Black and Royal Blue.

With simply adding the right accessories you can take it from a timeless classic to being fun and contemporary.

For those of you that travel you will find this a perfect addition to your wardrobe due to it's wash ability and wrinkle resiliency....not to mention the great value at $79.00.

Della Docking

Supervisor

Vancouver