NICHE Fashion Magazine Vol 01 Issue 02 - Spring 2013 by NICHE magazine

FASHION & BEAUTY | HOME & DÉCOR | TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

intuitive tenacious precise Composure controlled discerning foresighted

balanced

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N I C H E editor’s message

Spring…

It’s not my favourite season – that’s for sure. My golden retriever, Bogie, is dirty and wet more than he is clean, and my favourite Calvin Klein heels always seem to be coated in mud by the end of the day. But in the wake of the rain comes the beauty of grass growing, flowers blooming, brides blushing, and of course a new cotillion of couture! Spring is an exciting season for home and personal fashion – a time when we get to put away the heavy fabrics and darker patterns in favour of lightness, airiness and colour. Or is it? It is true – we are seeing an abundance of colour in home fashion; a layered approach to traditional blue and white décor [Oh So Blue, pp. 80] and a wonderful look at how to breathe life back into your home’s interior design with pattern, palette and pluck [Playful Décor, pp. 32]. Fashion Forward [pp. 20] is a delightfully eclectic mix of bright and dark, heavy and light, busy and minimal. From the flush of Preen to the depths of Saint Laurent Paris, it seems that each couturier has their own perception of what’s great for spring 2013, and none are more opinionated this season than bridal designers.

Forward…

In the world of wedding couture, the colour black has become the new white this season. Vera Wang has done an incredible job integrating black into her ethereal wedding dresses [Fashion Legend, pp. 44], while a new line of bridal gowns, Whiskey and Ghetto by Lily Kennedy, offers an edgy approach that fuses the darkness of black and the purity of white with sublime results [Bride Reinvented, pp. 72]. Not to be missed is an unforgettable shopping excursion through the streets of Paris, France [Travel with NICHE to… pp. 62], an exclusive interview with Canada’s original supermodel Tricia Helfer [Icon, pp. 10]; and revel with us in the wonder that is uniquely Daly Chihuly [Arts & Finds, pp. 86]. As you spring forward, remember to take inspiration from the everyday things in life and from the pages of NICHE magazine. When you reach out to the world with an open mind and sense of curiosity, you will most certainly discover yours.

Tracey Drake, E d i t o r i n C h i e f publisher@NICHEmagazine.ca

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N I C H E inside

spring 2013 FEATURES 10

i c o n | Tricia Helfer Often referred to as Canada’s original supermodel, NICHE sits down for an exclusive interview with actor and benevolent celebrity, Tricia Helfer.

f a s h i o n f o r w a r d | Floral Meets Minimal Mash-up Delight in the inspirational RTW fashion that is coming off the world’s runways for Spring 2013. Get ready for bold, beautiful and minimal magnificence.

d e s i g n p e r s p ec t i v e | Playful Décor This season, learn how to choose exciting colours and whimsically mismatched fabrics to create the perfect balance in spirited home fashion.

f a s h i o n l e g e n d | Vera Wang Celebrities and socialites commission custom gowns and brides the world over dream of walking down the aisle in a Vera Wang creation.

t r av e l w i t h n i c h e t o . . . | Paris, France Who doesn’t love Paris in the springtime? Journey with NICHE to the many shopping districts in the haute couture capital of the World.

a r t s & f i n d s | Dale Chihuly A master glass sculptor whose work graces the most intriguing buildings around the world, Dale Chihuly is one of a kind, much like his bright and brilliant artwork.

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mar/apr 2013 Departments 1 8 72 96

E d i t o r ’ s m e s s a g e | Spring forward F a r & Aw ay | Shipwreck Beach Re i n v e n t e d | Bride C l o u d N i n e | Sharon Osbourne’s sublime dining room

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HOM E & D É C OR

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d e s i g n p e r s p ec t i v e | Playful décor Ge t t h e L o o k : H o m e E d i t i o n | Simple glam Dec o r at e U | Oh so blue

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E ditorial Stuart Brown, Frank Bures, Ryan Cooney, Sylvia Day, Elizabeth Dean, Tracey Drake, Chelsea Forman, Janelle Gauthier, Jill Lang, Sheila May, Sara Rose, Sharrie Williams C reative Chelsea Forman, Janelle Gauthier, Emily Gray, Lily Kennedy, Connally McDougall, Ila Meens, Sara Rose, Kellie Smith, Kendra Stoner, John Waller P hotography Lucy Baldwin, Jonathan Bell, Brod-e Bizzle, S. Bukley, Stewart Charles Cohen, Jennifer Dickinson, Jordana Dickson, Kobby Dagan, Feature Flash, Ziggy Folkmanis, Gorunway.com, Emily Harris, Vladimir Korostyshevskiy, Robin Moore, Anton Opari, Cyril Papot, Photo Agency (Helfer), Lev Radin, Oscar Schnell, Nata Sha, TopFoto, Ron Thomas, Miro Vrlik Manolo Yllera, Charles Acc o u n t E x ec u t i v e s

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N I C H E travel

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W h at ’ s i n a n a m e ? The beach was originally called Agios Georgios, meaning Saint George. When the Panagiotis wrecked in 1983 the beach was renamed Navagio (Greek: Ναυάγιο), translating to Shipwreck. Shipwreck Beach is commonly called Smugglers Cove by locals in tribute of the ship’s colourful legacy. 8

m a r ch | a p r i l 2 0 1 3

Shipwreck beach

by Elizabeth Dean | travel columnist

rom the small village of Anafonitria on the Greek island of Zakynthos is a platform that peers down upon one of Greeceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most historical treasures - Navagio Beach. This ultra-remote location is refuge to the wreckage of Panagiotis - a smuggler ship that ran aground the shallow bay after being pursued by Greek authorities on a stormy night in 1983. The ship was carrying a load of contraband cigarettes, women and alcohol. The shipwreck remains today in the destitute cove, held captive in the white Grecian sands, surrounded by limestone cliffs and water that is so brilliantly turquoise it is worth the trip in itself to see. Navagio is the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most enchanting beach, luring thousands of visitors from around the world yearly to its seductive shores. Accessible only by boat, visitors may experience the startling feeling of being stranded, until they are whisked away by boat, leaving the Panagiotis in its solidarity once more.

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Brian Bowen Smith Brian Magalones Jewellery: Mark Lash Jewelry Photography: Hair:

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ICON t r i c i a

helfer NI C H E s i t s d o w n a n d ta l k s o n e - o n - o n e w i t h C a n a d a ’ s o r i g in a l S u p e r m o de l

by Tracey Drake In the early 1990s, there were no reality TV shows in which young hopefuls – singers, fashion designers and models alike – could audition, perform for a television audience of millions and be instantly vaulted into superstardom. This was especially true if you were a farmer’s daughter, living in the small, hardworking town of Donalda with a population of about 250; a community coined the bright light of Central Alberta. And yet, in the midst of the Canadian Midwest, arguably Canada’s first top model, was born. At the age of seventeen, while standing in line at a movie theatre in Alberta, Tricia Helfer was discovered by the now infamous modelling agency scout Kelly Streit. Helfer, who stands a statuesque 5’10.5”, has striking physical features that pay homage to her German and Norwegian heritage. Modelling never occurred to Tricia. “I was off to university - probably would have gone into Psychology or Animal Psychology. I had no ideas at all about being a model.” As it turns out, her talent for modelling was natural; her rise to the top was quick.

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In 1992, just a few short years into her modelling career, Tricia Helfer won Ford Models’ Supermodel of the World contest and was signed to Elite Model Management. Over the next ten years, Tricia was a sought after model, for both photo editorial and runway work. She graced the catwalk for many of the top design houses including Christian Dior, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, John Galliano and Carolina Herrera. Helfer was the face of print campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Chanel and Georgio Armani and appeared on the covers of Flare, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and Vogue, to name just a few. It was evident to me that Tricia understood how the modelling industry allowed her to do so many things with her life - during that time and since then. “It was really not a dream of mine to be a model. It took me down a completely different path than I thought I was going to in life. I wouldn’t say I loved it. I completely appreciate it.” Over the years, Tricia Helfer has also been a favourite of Maxim magazine, having been the magazine’s calendar cover girl in 2005, and included in several of their Hot 100 Women lists. In 2007, Tricia Helfer was featured in the February issue of Playboy. In 2002, after a decade in the industry that brought her fame, Tricia Helfer retired from modelling and turned her sights to acting. The break was clean. “It [modelling] wasn’t my lifestyle. It was always a job. As a model, I could have made it to a higher level, had I played the game more.” When asked about the difficulty of her transition from runway to acting, Tricia was candid with me. “LA took me on – but they didn’t believe in me.” Although it was a difficult transition, Helfer was clearly focused on her future. She began studying at the Penny Templeton Acting Studio in New York and within one year of moving to Los Angeles, she landed her breakthrough role on Battlestar Galactica. 12

march | april 2013

“Beautifully Designed,

Ethically Sourced “

Now a well-known actress and advocate for many causes and organizations, Tricia Helfer is one of Hollywood’s rising acting talents. Best known for her portrayal of humanoid Cylon Number Six on Syfy’s critically acclaimed Battlestar Galactica, Helfer also starred in Andrew Paquin’s Open House [2010] and on NBC’s The Firm [2012]. More recently, Tricia starred as the voice of The Grid for the animated series, Tron: Uprising and has three movies in post production – Scent of the Missing, Scribble and 37. The personal side of Tricia Helfer is a lovely one. In our conversation, her true Canadian roots shone through. She was funny, gracious and refreshingly frank. She currently lives in California with attorney husband of ten years, Jonathan Marshall. Tricia has a love for motorcycles and the open road; a love stemmed from a childhood spent engaged in outdoor activities. “I was a tomboy growing up on a farm in Alberta and an avid quad rider.” Helfer made the decision to get her license (and her own bike) after a few trips on the back of her husband’s. Now, Tricia owns two bikes – a Harley Davidson and a BMW. When asked about the two bikes, Tricia laughed. “They are completely different. It is like trying to compare New York and LA. The new bike [BMW] is definitely built for speed.”

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It was really not a dream of mine to be a model. It took me down a completely different path than I thought I was going to in life. Combining her passion for motorcycles and her desire to give back, Tricia Helfer, together with good friend and fellow actor, Katee Sackhoff, founded Acting Outlaws. Their website (ActingOutlaws.org) includes the following mission statement: â&#x20AC;&#x153;On a quest to do our part to protect the earth and all its inhabitants, we sought a way to marry our love of the open road with our love of humanity.â&#x20AC;? Sackhoff and Helfer participate in a variety of charity events in an effort to raise money and awareness for causes they feel strongly about. Money is also raised through their website, where exclusive merchandise is sold and a portion of the profits are donated to charity each year. Helfer often lends her name, time and talent to worthy causes including HIV/AIDS organizations, environmental issues, and promoting the wellbeing and fair treatment of animals.

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N I C H E beauty

Face it! The hottest beauty buys of the season

by Sara Rose | beauty columnist

Pretty

backstage at the IMPROVD Collection by Valentino Vettori

Dior Cherie Bow Pa l e t t e - R o s e P o u d r e

Take a walk on the wonderful side! Adorned with a gorgeous candy cane bow, resembling the Dior Fontagnes bow, this palette of petal pink, light grey sheen and dark charcoal shadow comes accompanied by black cream liner & perfect pout pink gloss that will have you ready for day or night, ma Cherie. The Bay ($80) 16

march | april 2013

Ombre Essentielle

Chanelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest eye shadow is better than champagne and strawberries in springtime for the Versailles de Chanel collection. Feel the elegance of the name in your makeup this season. Holt Renfrew ($34)

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m a r ch | a p r i l 2 0 1 3

The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize. - O ly m p i a D u k a k i s a s C l a i r ee Be l c h e r i n S t e e l M a g n o l i a s

Jewellery [left]: 18k rose gold hoop earrings with natural pink baguette cut diamonds and natural pink round brilliant cut diamonds. Rose gold bangle bracelet channel set with 1.5ctw natural round cut diamonds. Rose gold bangle bracelet set with 1ctw natural round cut diamonds. White gold bangle bracelet channel set with 1.5ctw natural round cut diamonds. Rado watch in stainless steel and rose gold coloured. 18k white and rose gold bracelet set with natural pink and white diamonds, all available at Lugaro Jewellers (lugaro.com). Jewellery [above]: sterling silver and 18k red gold trillion shape garnet earrings, 18k white and yellow gold ring with square peridot and diamonds, available at Creole Jewellery Designs. Sterling silver serpent choker by Melissa Caron. Fashion by Lida Baday, available at Hughes. niche m a g a z i n e . c a

N I C H E fashion

FAS H I ON

march | april 2013

photo Credit: all images provided by preen

FORWARD

Pra i si n g Preen

by Janelle Gauthier | fashion columnist

s one of the most notable collections of the season, designers Thea Bregazzi and Justin Thornton impressed with their habitual de-constructed nature. Although reluctant to follow trends, their signatures fell graciously into this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sliced and fused inner-workings. Naturally, their execution applauded and ever so prominent is their philosophy that they dress a variety of women. Transparencies, layering and mixed patterns could play into an overwhelming amalgamation but the Preen duo, who are real life partners as well, own and execute in this domain to pure perfection. The most outstanding quality is that this collection appeals to an array of woman and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no easy feat. nichemagazine.ca

N I C H E fashion

The

photo Credit: phillip lim

p u h Mas Phillip Lim

rdem Moralioglu’s fascination with American sci-fi novelist Zenna Henderson fuelled the inertia that unleashed an edge to his ladylike protagonist. In return, his interest built further intrigue in those who often overlooked Erdem’s collection for it left a far too pretty aftertaste in their palette. Hues of neon sorbet contrast against mud and oil coloured snakeskin, the juxtaposition reflective of Henderson’s alien characters whose crash landing on earth forced attempts to mold to an unfamiliar society. Deceived appearances didn’t end there, Moralioglu combined skins with what appeared to be lace but in actuality the lace was embroidered PVC, and that tongue in cheek was exactly the exploration needed to amplify his following. Continuing down a path of technical advances, Proenza Schouler ignites with laser cut skins, photo prints and decorative hardware. ‘Randomness’ was a word that inspired designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough and evidence stalked their catwalk. Disassembled garments were made whole again through the help of crochet knitters in Madagascar, seen mainly on select perforated leather pieces. Digital photo prints embraced colour and euphoric spring scenes, lain atop a bed of silk satin to create luster and intensify the collection’s uplifting perspective. The addition of coloured studs and metal grommets completed the look of their ideal Proenza girl, so cool it’s fun to imagine who will take a bite.

march | april 2013

Proenza Schouler

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Proenza Schouler

N I C H E fashion

chic takes

o n s ta r k

is c i s s a l C

& tation

Alexander Wang

Experimen

t Dior, Raf Simons is the man behind one of the most anticipated shows of the season. Since the infamous departure of John Galliano in 2011 due to publicized anti-Semitic remarks, Bill Gaytten who was Head of Studio under Galliano’s rule was immediately appointed to the chair of Creative Director while the house carefully sought their next star. Simons filled those shoes with his debut Couture collection for Fall 2012, and with little to no surprise led the Dior team down a path of success. Through all the frenzy and suspense leading up to Spring 2013, he kept his cool and delivered a refined and exquisitely tailored RTW collection. Although diligent and indulgent towards Dior traditions, Simons demonstrated the potential malleability of the famous fashion house. Satin duchesse gave iridescent volumes to the printed ballroom skirts reminiscent of Dior’s iconic post war ‘New Look’. In sharp contrast to the black, white and grey suiting materials, classic garments were given hints of lightness and diversity with sheer silks contouring structured silhouettes. Bright satins appeared to have electric currents pulsating through, highly reflective of the new spark Simon’s presence has created. By strategically paying homage to prized origins, Simons engineers accordingly to spare sacrificing his personal embodiment of minimalist attire and love for the avant-garde. 24

march | april 2013

Phililp Lim

Christian Dior

Within the territory of new beginnings also lies the inevitable fate that not all good things last forever. After 15 years as Creative Director of Balenciaga, news that Nicolas Ghesquière would be leaving his post rocked the fashion world. As saddened as the news itself, onlookers hope to see Ghesquière at the helm of his own label or re-working another major fashion house as he did so diligently at Balenciaga. The dim realization of a season without his influx of creative superiority left a sour taste in the commentary of fashion’s influential critics. Named Womenswear Designer of the Year by the CFDA in 2001 and with a VHI/Vogue Fashion Award for avant-garde designer of the year under his belt, it’s no surprise Nicolas also gained the title of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2005. With an undeniable strength in creating original styles and pioneering recent textile technology, he still managed to hold a high regard for classicism so influential that his career is known and respected globally. As we bid a warm ‘adieu’ to the exemplary designer, we patiently await the day the news comes of his next endeavour. Newly appointed Alexander Wang will fill Ghesquières’ post as well as continue his own line.

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N I C H E fashion

re-defining

Minimal Jill Sander

march | april 2013

E m e r a l d g r ee n 2013 Pantone colour of the year, shows up on runways and collections this season

Theyskens Theory

JIll Sander

ith Jil Sander designing at the label named after her for the first time in 8 years, a fresh look at minimal is due. As she represents the traditional sense, Narciso Rodriguez arouses the details slightly more and a new definition has grown across catwalks you’d least expect. As a true perfectionist, from start to finish Victoria Beckham delivered her strongest collection to date. Seamlessly on trend with a white and black palette, the welcoming influx of poppy red gave the necessary hint of dimension. Beckham took deliberate steps to expand her range of garments. No longer only offering her fitted hourglass silhouettes, she has notably designed more modern, minimal and edgier pieces. The perfectly cut shirts pair effortlessly with the various skirts and pants on offer. Bold horizontal stripes and bright accents represent true Beckham style as she’s well acquainted with strong colour blocked techniques. Well-tailored vests and blazers helped complete the separates category and with their strong presence, the dress category was significantly scaled back. The few that made the cut where triumphant – accentuated with lace inserts and transparencies, enough to appease even the toughest of crowds.

N I C H E fashion

Saint Laurent Paris m a r ch | a p r i l 2 0 1 3

H edi Slim ane a s sum e s C r e at i ve D ir ec to r r o l e at S a int L a ur ent P a ri s “Repetitious” lingered on everybody’s tongue after Hedi Slimane’s first public collection for the newly named Saint Laurent Paris. The name was changed in June 2012 by dropping the ‘Yves’ and adding ‘Paris’ to the end. As described by CEO Paul Deneve, “this change celebrates our legacy and heritage, while boldly marking our ambition for the future. It will allow us to return to the fundamentals of YSL and revive the spirit and the intentions that reigned over the creation of ‘Saint Laurent Rive Gauche’ in 1966: principles of youth, freedom, and modernity.” It felt as though the repetition was Slimane’s way of paving his path, his profound acquaintance with YSL history and progressive emphasis of the new Saint Laurent woman. Accurately appointed, Slimane’s career is known for rejuvenating brands and his L.A. lifestyle is exactly that of freedom and modernity. Yves was groundbreaking in popularizing RTW and initiating Tuxedo Dressing for woman in the 60’s. Slimane responded with easy elegance - flowing silk maxi dresses with long bell sleeves, layered with capes that hung exaggerated tassels from their necklines. He re-worked the legendary ‘Le Smoking’ by cropping the length and once again adopting his signature slim fit as he so instrumentally showcased during his direction of YSL Homme and Dior Homme. That same fit carried through to his ankle trouser – fresh with a rock and roll twist, yet another respect to the house’s legendary Tuxedo Dressing. A definite mystery endured as the wide brimmed fedoras veiled the models and kept emphasis on the clothing, leaving cravings for Slimane’s further visions, ripe with his formula of French charisma and California rock.

Saint Laurent Paris

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N I C H E beauty

MAYBELLINE the birth of a beauty empire

by Sharrie Williams | celebrity columnist

nce again Mabel inspired her brother, Tom Lyle’s next step in the beauty industry, when she asked him, “why don’t you put out something to darken eyelashes and eyebrows and make them show up more?” At the time there was nothing on the market other than a crude coloured wax that was heated and stuck on the lashes in a beaded effect and was used only on the stage. “Here, let me show you the secrets of the Harem,” Mabel said, while seated at her vanity. She lit a cork with a match, and collected the falling ash in her hand. Tom Lyle watched fascinated as she blended Lash-Brow-Ine with the ash, and dabbed it on the tips of her still sparse brows and lashes until she looked more beautiful than he would ever seen her. Her final step was using an artist’s charcoal pencil to frame her eyes. “Wow, you look just like Theda Bera, the Vamp.” He said mesmerized by her dark eyebrows and eyelashes, so dramatic against her porcelain skin and long curly hair. Tom Lyle and Emery went back to Detroit and worked with a chemist to develop a product for darkening eyebrows and eyelashes. He called the new product Maybelline, after his sister Mabel. Maybelline was soon approved by the FDA. Tom Lyle designed a box with a cake of black mascara, a red brush to apply it and a mirror to see the eyes. Now all he needed was five hundred dollars to start placing an ad in glamour and beauty magazines. He asked his diligent, reliable brother Noel to lend him the money. Noel said no, as he’d finally saved enough money to marry his love Frances. The siblings went home to their parents’ farm in Kentucky for Thanksgiving. After dinner, Tom Lyle popped the question about the loan to Noel again. Noel and Frances exchanged quick glances, and both shook their heads as Noel said, “We’re ready to get married now. We don’t want to have to wait for another year.” “Besides…” Frances looked troubled, “I know someone whose husband divorced her for wearing make-up. Aren’t you encouraging women to look like music-hall performers…or…,” she lowered her voice, “…prostitutes?”

circa 1916

Lash-Brow-Ine, the world’s first commercially available mascara

“Men use Mascaro to dye their sideburns and moustaches. Why shouldn’t women enhance their appearance? Haven’t you seen how women are changing, Frances? Isn’t it exciting? And think of how much eye-makeup would mean to women like Mabel who, for whatever reason, hardly have brows and lashes. Now every woman can be a starlet. Here, you try it.” He offered her a little round tin and brush. Mabel, already wearing it, nodded encouragement. “I’ll try it!” Eva, Mable’s sister, said.

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Frances blinked. She sat still, eyes rolling toward Noel, as if about to look into his for approval. Then she stood abruptly, accepted the make-up and disappeared into the bathroom with the sisters. Tom Lyle showed Noel the sales projections. “You’ll be very likely to get your money back by the second batch, which could be very soon.” Frances, Mabel and Eva returned from the bathroom giggling and blushing. Noel smiled at Frances. She’d only brushed on a little bit of the product, so she looked very natural. Tom Lyle knew she was hooked. He turned to his brother. Noel had probably never seen Tom Lyle so certain, so focused and so determined. He and Frances agreed to invest in Tom Lyle’s cosmetic concoction. Sharrie Williams is the heir to the Maybelline legacy, Tom Lyle Williams’ great-niece and Evelyn Boecher Williams’ granddaughter. Growing up in their homes, and steward of the vast Maybelline archives, Williams tells the story of the birth of the Maybelline Empire and reveals intimate details about the fascinating family dynasty. Throughout 2013, NICHE invited Sharrie to give readers an inside look into this beauty empire – sharing excerpts from her book, The Maybelline Story, available online at Maybellinebook.com & amazon.ca

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N I C H E home

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Playful décor design p e r s p ec t i v e

B r i g h t i d e a s i n h o m e fa s h i o n

by Tracey Drake

Spring is the time when the mind wanders to vivid colours, floral patterns and cheerful interior design. Then the thought fades away and we go on living with beige walls, tone-on-tone decor and dark espresso tables. This year, turn your bright ideas into playful home décor. You change your wardrobe seasonally. Why not do the same with your home’s interior fashion? It is easy to do and believe it or not, doesn’t need much more commitment than pillows, rugs, accents, draperies and perhaps a little paint! Be o d d . Uneven groupings, especially anything in three’s works best when it comes to combining colours and fabrics. Choose three patterns you love and three colours you are attracted to, and go for it! Be conscious to mix pattern scale, from small to large, to make it work.

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N I C H E home

M a i n ta i n y o u r i n t e n s i t y . Colour intensity is an essential element to achieving harmony in your space. Do not mix pastel colours with rich jewel tones or bright primary colours. It rarely works. Mixing stripes, checks and floral patterns does work â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as long as you choose a range of hues that play nicely together.

W at c h y o u r w e i g h t . As you layout the room, pay extra special attention to where bright colours or heavy patterns are placed. It is easy to end up with a room that looks lopsided or heavy on one end â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and visually, it throws off the balance of your space. Distribute patterned fabrics throughout the room and make sure that strong colours are well balanced within the room. 34

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Patterned fabrics, funky wall treatments, and the bold use of colour have a big impact on how your room feels.

If the goal is to pull a r o o m t o g e t h e r a n d c r e at e h a r m o n y, u s e b i g g e r pat t e r n s. If you want to create a focal point in the room and draw attention to it, smaller patterns are more effective.

E ASY AS 1 - 2 - 3 1 . T h e b o l d e s t fa b r i c

statement in your space, the first fabric should feature the largest scale pattern. It will make or break your room. 2 . V i s u a l ly v e r y d i f f e r e n t

from the first fabric choice, and about half the scale. Choose a different pattern (i.e. floral vs. ikat). 3 . T h e f i n a l p at t e r n is a visual bridge between your other pattern choices, echoing the same colour palette but with a distinct personality.

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N I C H E home

Ge t m o o d y . The mood of a room is dictated by the interior design within. If you want a space that is high energy – let’s say your family room – look for busy patterns mixed with primary colours. However, if you want to create a room with a calm aura – perhaps your master retreat – choose a sedate colour palette and patterns that create a mood of quiet intrigue. Busy patterns will up the energy level in a room while simple or pale patterns will promote calm.

Go big and go home. Playful décor in your home is easy to achieve if you follow these simple interior design rules. Don’t be afraid to mix it up, bringing life and joy to your space through the use of playful fabrics and vibrant paint colours. Bring fabric swatches and paint samples home and live with them for a few days, before you commit. Many homeowners wisely choose a neutral starting point, such as a sofa, and this is often a safe bet for what is often an expensive piece of furniture. Go big and make bold pattern and colour choices. Down the road, if you find your pattern and colour changes too overwhelming, you can leave the neutral piece and change out the floral pillows, the colourful bookcase paint or the striped area rug. Don’t let the fear of mixing and matching scare you aware from creating your own version of playful décor.

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N I C H E travel

hidden

gems

manor

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If I know a song of Africa, of the giraffe and the African new moon lying on her back… does Africa know a song of me? - Me r y l S t r ee p as Karen Blixen in Out of Africa, 1985

by Chelsea Forman

airobi, Kenya - warmly nicknamed Green City in the Sun by locals – has a tremendous number of attractions that draw tourists from around the world yearly. This cosmopolitan hub offers a contemporary twist on Africa, with many of the modern comforts new age travellers are accustomed to. If you’re like me, dreams of Africa take place on rustic terrain with overgrown trees, wildlife and African culture. Set me outside the bustle of Kenyan city life and let me taste the more traditional side of Nairobi – of course, with a plush bed at the end of the day to sleep off the sore feet of adventure.

niche m a g a z i n e . c a

N I C H E travel

m a r ch | a p r i l 2 0 1 3

Yes, in Nairobi you can have traditional and luxury, all it takes is a quick 20 kilometre jaunt out of the city, where, nestled in the more authentic African countryside, is a wondrous vacation destination called Giraffe Manor. Set on a pristine 12 acres of land, which is tucked away in a much larger 140 acres of giraffe sanctuary, is the manor, which was built in 1932 and has been declared one of Nairobi’s most historical buildings. While Giraffe Manor has been updated with the finest amenities you could expect from any five star accommodation, the decor remains very reminiscent of the Europeans in East Africa during the 1930’s. It has a lovely air of hominess, and the impeccably trained and dedicated staff will make your stay a truly unique African indulgence. In 1974 the manor became home to Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville [shown in top image], whose adoration and passion for protecting the Rothschild giraffe, inspired them to turn their property into a sanctuary for a heard of the magnificent creatures. Their work preserving this threatened species has been acknowledged worldwide, and their legacy has been appropriately named, Giraffe Manor. While Jock and Betty are no longer at the manor, it remains home to a heard of 8 Rothschild giraffes. They are first to arrive for breakfast and dinner time – and there is no denying these beautiful animals a bite of your scrumptious meals, they’ll poke their heads right in the windows and eat out of your hand. The manor boasts 10 luxury suites, and the property has a maximum accommodation of 25 guests, creating a truly intimate and memorable experience. W h at t o d o : 1. Interact with one of the resident giraffes. 2. Spend an afternoon learning about the endangered Rothschild giraffe at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) Giraffe Centre. The AFEW (set up by the Leslie-Melvilles) continues to protect and nurture the Rothschild giraffe. 3. Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and adopt a baby elephant. 4. Visit the Karen Blixen museum, author of her own autobiographical book Out of Africa, now a famed film starring Meryl Streep as Blixen. 5. Enjoy a lavish spa experience at Giraffe Manor followed by afternoon tea on the terrace. Unwind over sprawling views of the Ngong Hills. 6. Take a day trip into the city of Nairobi for shopping. 7. Have dinner in the divine restaurant. It has been described as one of Nairobi’s finest eateries. nichemagazine.ca

N I C H E beauty

b ea u t y [ re] mar ks

Lashing Out by Sara Rose | beauty columnist Our eyes are often our greatest descriptors, the cover to our life stories, revealing some of our deepest secrets and most fabulous tales. Personally, I think every great book should have a spectacular cover - so it’s time to perfect yours. From fabulously false to clean cut girl next door, your eyelashes can create it, take your pick and WORK it! Never forgetting our number one rule of thumb - let’s start with our fresh, clean canvas, and approach the lashes from there.

Think: Daytime. Casual. Spiders. Today is the day for a clean, lengthened & separated lash. Depending on how you’re feeling you can bring out your softer self or recreate the high fashion, spider-lash look of legendary lash girl Twiggy. Begin with giving your product-free lashes a curl. Curling will aid in creating a fuller and longer lasting effect. As with all mascara applications begin from the root of your curled beauties and WIGGLE that wand, pulling the brush along the length. Follow through with three to five applications, coating all of your upper lashes, on the front and back sides. Keep that vision of Twiggy in mind, and continue on with the application even if it feels a little foreign. Try saying the spider-lash is IMPOSSIBLE, I dare you!

#MascaraMisconduct 1. Clumping. Use a metal eyelash comb to separate in the trouble areas. 2. Mascara on your lids. Cover your lids prior to application with a translucent or skin-toned powder. Let’s finish by bringing the mascara to the bottom lashes, it can add a little something, something to daytime casual. Brown mascara can be a great option for this look to further soften your eyes. So much to think about, I know. It will be second nature by the time you’re done reading this column. I promise! 42

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Twiggy circa 1967

Daytime C l a s s y t o E v enin g Sassy. Let’s bring a little Betty Boop oop a doop to our lives and get some volume pumping from our mascara tubes! On that note let’s make this clear from now! (RULE) do NOT pump your mascara. If you are trying to coat your wand with product take it easy and simply turn the brush around in the tube. Pumping your mascara in and out of the tube for product pushes air in quickly, drying up mascara. For daytime classy let’s bring out the fuller, feminine, fluttering lashes. Once the chosen product is in hand, follow the same steps as taken for your divine ‘daytime casual’ look, but don’t stop at three or five applications, carry on until you feel you can bat your boops just like Betty does. I tend to add more mascara to the end lashes to lengthen my eyes and create that daytime sassy siren. If you’re planning to partake in any potentially lash destructive activities during the day, do remember to use waterproof mascara, top and bottom - it helps the longevity of the look.

Sassy can be achieved through many mascara/lash application techniques. A version that may not be known or considered is the use of coloured mascara. I tend to keep it in the blue or purple hues; this will make your eyes pop and bring a subtle uniqueness to your frames. For those days when you’re feeling extra fluttery, try some artificial lashes on for size. Once you have chosen the perfect set of false lashes, line the spine of the lash with your lash glue. Let it dry briefly to add tackiness to the product, this will help to stop you from getting glue all over your lid (I know it’s happened to you). Apply your false lash (with that ever so beautiful one-eye-closed, tongue out effect we all get) and let dry, follow through with curling your natural and artificial lash together, it brings a true united harmony to the effect. Apply mascara on this look as needed and voila, who knew we could get so GLAM! Sassy-classy-casual-spider lashes is a whole other story and I will let you figure out the road to that yourself. Have fun with your mascara application. Use your lashes to their advantage because, you know what they say: if you got ‘em flaunt ‘em. Show the world the beautiful cover to the story that is your fabulous self.

before lash extensions

after lash extensions

N I C H E fashion

FA S H I ON

ve ra

wa ng by Shelia May | fashion columnist In 1990 Vera Wang opened her first design house in the chic Carlyle Hotel on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. It was a rapid climb to couture bridal wear stardom for Wang and she is arguably the only wedding dress designer whose work garners seasonal attention on the runways and in the fashion industry. Quite simply, Vera Wang is synonymous with the lavish world of divine weddings, her name a true representation of fairy-tale wedding bliss. While her success in the bridal world is remarkable and her gowns a worldwide united dream of brides-to-be, there is much more to Vera Wang than weddings, in fact an entire empire.

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I am not the sort of woman who would wear high heels with a bathing suit. Let's get that straight right now. - v e r a wa n g

niche m a g a z i n e . c a

N I C H E fashion

“I wanted to escape from the ‘tiger mother’ syndrome. I had a bit of a breakdown and lots of self-doubt. I went to Paris, and found myself. I was looking for something else, something that was artistic and that I could use to express myself. I was immediately drawn to fashion.”

orn in 1949 in New York City Wang was raised in an upper class household by her Chinese parents. At age six she began figure skating. She successfully competed in the 1968 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and was featured in Sports Illustrated in January, 1968. Upon failing to make the United States Olympic Team Wang decided to take a break from skating and went to Paris. Wang returned to the United States for school and graduated with a degree in Art History, but her sights remained set on fashion. American Vogue’s fashion director, Frances Stein, came into the Yves St. Laurent boutique in New York one afternoon, where Wang was working for the summer. Stein quickly saw the promise in Wang and told her to call Vogue for a job after graduation. Wang leapt into a fifteen year stint at Vogue, including time as the Fashion Editor at age twenty three, making her one of the youngest Vogue editors in history. She described her time at Vogue as “The Harvard Business School of Fashion.” The intensity of her career at Vogue became overwhelming and her desire to design and create made her yearn for a major life change. Wang took a two year leave of absence from Vogue and decided not to return. She instead took a position as Design Director for friend and mentor Ralph Lauren. Life slowed down and Vera had time for herself. She met her future husband and after an on-and-off relationship the pair got engaged in the late 1980’s. Vera’s search for the perfect bridal gown lasted three months, she gave up and recruited a dressmaker to make her own dreamy design. Wang’s impending path was set. After a number of unsuccessful fertility treatments Wang quit her job at Ralph Lauren and her father decided it was time for her to start her own business and provided the four million dollars to finance her first boutique. A year later Wang and her husband adopted their first daughter, Cecilia and not long after a second daughter, Josephine.

march | april 2013

With the massive success that followed Wang’s first boutique came her desire for a much larger brand. She now has boutiques in several major cities including London, Tokyo and Sydney. The Vera Wang collection has evolved as much as her gowns have changed the wedding industry. Beginning with writing a book, Vera Wang on Weddings, Wang went on to create a massively successful RTW line, a fragrance line, jewellery, handbags and luggage, eyewear, shoes and a menswear line. Wang’s frustration at how few woman could actually afford to wear one of her dresses inspired her creation of the bridal line White by Vera, which is sold exclusively at David’s Bridal. Prices of the gowns range from $600–$1,400 providing a more affordable way to wear Vera’s designs. Her reach into the home includes an immaculate collection of divine tabletop items, stationary, mattresses, linens and a partnership with FTD who carry a line of Vera Wang flowers. Future sights are set on a sports line in tribute to her time as an athlete. Wang has dressed the crème de la crème of celebrities, political persons, Olympic skaters and the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleading squad currently wear Vera Wang. Vera may be considered the go-to haute couture wedding dress designer of our time, but she is also one of the most brilliant business woman of the twenty first century. She solely owns one hundred percent of her empire. Vera Wang isn’t just for the bride-to-be, it’s for the dreamer, the fashionista, the chic business owner, the savvy homeowner. Wang’s collections are about a truly fabulous, complete and elite lifestyle.

it was off-kilter considering my background.

I don’t in any way mean to belittle bridal, but I remember Calvin klein saying to me, ‘Call me when you are done with that’ - v e r a wa n g

Mercedes-Benz Style: Make your own statement. Mercedes-Benz has been a long standing supporter of the Fashion industry around the world for numerous years. Making a decision to buy a particular vehicle, similar to the process of buying a specific outfit helps define the way in which we present ourselves. A trend-setting design therefore becomes just as important from what you wear as it is to what vehicle you step out of. So this season, make your own statement with any one of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz line-up.

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N I C H E fashion

Time Line 1990 | Opens flagship bridal design boutique at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City and debuts first ever bridal collection 1992 | Designs Nancy Kerrigan’s Winter Olympics costume 1997 | The first Vera Wang™ Bride: Barbie® Doll debuts 2001 | Vera Wang on Weddings is published 2002 | Launches RTW Collection

2002 | Launches first fragrance Vera Wang and wins FiFi 2005 | Wins CFDA Award, Women’s Wear Designer of the Year 2007 | Launches Vera Wang Flowers with FTD

2009 | Wang is inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, honoured for her contribution to the sport as a costume designer 2010 | Wang was awarded the Leadership in the Arts Award by the Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Association 2011 | Introduces Vera Wang Love, a collection of engagement rings and wedding bands

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LAST WORD:

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…on the topic of

women

“In the dream world of Matisse and the gritty reality of the American frontier, the diversity of women in our society offers the chance for greater exploration and even greater inspiration. I adore the challenge of creating truly modern clothes, where a woman’s personality and sense of self are revealed. I want people to see the dress, but focus on the woman. A woman is never sexier than when she is comfortable in her clothes.”

niche m a g a z i n e . c a

N I C H E fashion

Hell

Heels

Nich o l as Kir k wo o d S p ri n g / S u m m er 2 0 1 3

Nicholas Kirkwood has brought a holy hush to the shoe addict industry with his Spring/Summer 2013 collection. The designer created 101 exceptional pieces. His delicious new sky high concoctions display a bold blend of black and white designs and a whimsy range of heel types. Nothing can stop the raw couture flame of fixation you will feel sliding into this collection. Initiation to the cultish world of true shoe aficionada is complete when you set your local streets ablaze with the heat of Kirkwood. 50

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from left to right:

Bootie Platform Sandal, Cone Heel Slingback Sandal, Ruffle Platform Pump

from left to right:

Suede Swirl Pump, Crystal Ball Platform Sandal, Scalloped Sculpted Heel Sandal nichemagazine.ca

N I C H E travel

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t r av e l b i t e s

f o o d L E S S T RAVE L L ED STR E E T FOOD E NJOY E D AROUND TH E WORLD by Frank Bures | travel columnist The best meal I ever ate was at a roadside restaurant in the middle of Nigeria. I was in a microbus heading north through an otherworldly landscape strewn with giant boulders. It was mid-morning when we pulled over at an open-air restaurant. The counter where people were ordering was jammed. An old man, seeing my confusion, explained the menu and ordered for me. We sat down, and the waiter brought our food: a ball of pounded yam and a bowl of egusi soup, made with crushed melon seeds and containing a hunk of beef. The waiter asked if I wanted utensils. I looked around. No one else had them. The old man leaned over. “You know,” he remarked, “they say your food tastes better when you eat it with your hands.” So I waved the waiter off, broke off a piece of yam, dipped it in the soup, and scooped up a piece of the meat. It all melted together in my mouth, sweet, savory and delicious. The meat was tender and rich from stewing in a sauce. Sometimes I still wonder why that meal was so transcendent. I was very hungry, but that can’t have been the whole reason. It must have had something to do with the experience with the people, the place, the journey itself. Of the 5,000 or so meals I’ve eaten in my life so far, only a few stand out in my mind. Most of those I’ve eaten while travelling. I remember, for example, sitting with my wife in a field next to the Cloudy Bay Vineyards in Marlborough, New Zealand, with some cheese and bread. In the tasting room, we’d emptied our pockets and pushed a pile of change across the counter for the cheapest bottle of sauvignon blanc they had. We lay in the grass, gazing at the mountains in the distance, sipping one of the best wines in the world. I can still taste its fruity crispness. I felt the same sense of perfection at a pizzeria in Italy and at a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Thailand. Some meals, of course, are memorable for less idyllic reasons. In Tanzania, where I was teaching school, we were once served rice with a kind of cow stew poured over it. Dora, the other American teacher, leaned over to me. “Do you want these?” she asked, pointing to some large meaty tubes and a bit of stomach lining. “Sure,” I said. When no one was looking, she forked them onto my plate. I ate them happily.

STRANGE FOOD CAN BE ONE OF THE GREAT JOYS OF TRAVEL, BUT THERE’S AN ART TO EATING IT. IT HAS TO DO WITH LETTING GO OF WHAT YOU THINK FOOD SHOULD BE, AND BEING OPEN TO WHAT IT IS. IF YOU CAN DO THIS, YOU WILL BE REWARDED WITH AN EXPANDED SENSE

OF WHAT YOU CAN LOVE. YOU WILL ALSO, WITH ANY LUCK, DEVELOP A STRONG STOMACH. nichemagazine.ca

N I C H E travel

TRAVEL IS WRITTE N IN THE FOOD IN FRONT OF YOU . If you go to Bologna, Italy, you might order lasagna in hopes of eating an authentic Italian meal. And it is one, except that two of the main ingredients are not native to Italy. Pasta arrived from North Africa in the early Middle Ages, and the tomato which came from the Americas along with potatoes, corn, peppers, avocados and squash didn’t appear in Italian recipes until the 1700s, and was originally called pomo di moro, or ‘apple of the Moors.’ Everywhere people have travelled, conquered, or proselytized, they have left culinary tracks. The baguette is sold all across French speaking West Africa, where it’s sliced open and slathered with meats and sauces. In former French colonies like Vietnam and Cambodia, you will find those same baguettes filled with cilantro, marinated meat and vegetables. Across East Africa, corn is a staple of local diets, often ground and made into a kind of porridge. In Somalia, the Italian and Indian influences have led to dishes such as pasta with goat meat and mild curries. As I walk around my hometown, I can inhale the smells of kitchens from around the world. I stroll through Asian grocery stores and wonder at the fishballs and giant waterbugs. At a little Vietnamese restaurant, where no English is spoken, I stop in regularly for the banh mi sandwich. At an East African restaurant not far from my house, the ugali (stiff maize porridge) and nyama choma (roasted meat) bring me closer to Tanzania than I’ve been in many years. And that is what I love most about food when opening my mouth means opening my mind, and I’m transported into another world.

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RULES TO ea t BY: You’ll find some of the best (and cheapest) food in the world at street stalls. Many travellers fear what their local health department might say, but the food is often at least as safe as your hotel buffet.

HE RE ARE A FEW TIPS : G E T I T HOT . Fresh off the fire is best, so look

for food that’s prepared while you wait.

FOLLO W T HE CRO W D. Local people know which food is the best, and the safest. HOL D T HE M A YO . A condiment such as

mayonnaise must be refrigerated. If a sandwich looks like it’s been sitting out for a while, steer clear.

I C E: N OT SO N ICE . Order drinks without ice,

because you don’t know if treated water was used to make the cubes. L I V E A L I T T L E. If you do get a stomach bug,

it’s usually not a big deal and will pass in a day or so. If you’re worried about it, bring along some Pepto-Bismol or Imodium.

nichemagazine.ca

N I C H E inside

N I C HE

magazine

red carpet launch gala

n Friday January 25, 2013, NICHE magazine was honoured to welcome 350 guests to Belmiro`s, who joined us in celebrating the official launch of NICHE magazine. The theme of the event was old world Hollywood glamour, and as expected, Victoria did not disappoint. Women and men walked the red carpet in designer, demi-couture, custom and vintage high fashion. The evening was filled with music, conversation, wine, hors d'oeuvres, and grand swag bags for our guests to take home. It was delightful to meet so many NICHE readers, clients, fashion designers, social media fans, contest winners and business owners from Victoria, Vancouver and beyond. Our sincere gratitude goes out to the companies and partners that made this night an unforgettable success: Belmiro`s Restaurant and Lounge, SmartScreens, Bon Macaron, Oh Sugar, designHouse Salon, Vancouver Urban Winery, Lugaro Jewellers, Deux Luxe Events, Les Fleurs, Jordana Dickson Photography, Brod-e Bizzle Photography, Shanna Dance, and event planner extraordinaire Marissa Lambert-Power.

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sinfully good chocolates and sweets from around the world

561 Johnson Street.

march | april 2013

www.ohsugar.ca

This is just a small sampling of the hundreds of photographs taken on the NICHE red carpet. Looking for your cover shot? Check out the Launch Gala photo album on our Facebook page at facebook.com/NICHEonline

The best is yet to be. - robert browning

N I C H E lifestyle

When out of balance, the Tridosha contribute to deterioration and disease of the body. Good exercise, eating and sleeping habits keep the Tridosha in balance.

w e l l no w

ex er c isin g yo ur o p t ion s hea lth y b ala nce of mi nd and bo dy by Jill Lang | wellness columnist 58

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t’s been over two months since the ‘end of the world’ and I’m optimistic that the time and space it takes to adjust to the ‘after life’ will open up more time and space for exercise. Even if it’s a jaunt through the mall in chic heels, start somewhere. Feeling good, after all, is exercise for the soul. We’re spoiled with options for activity on the West Coast, so there’s really no excuse to like nothing. Even the most sedentary person feels better from a little heart steam. If boot camp at 6 a.m. every weekday fills your soul, then by all means, fill your boots. Gym junkies seem to enjoy Zumba, spinning and kettle bells, so try one of those. If you’re not sure what you’d like to do, the sciences of yoga (ayurveda and astrology) can help anyone understand what the body truly wants and needs—outdoor adventure enthusiasts and competitive athletes accounted for. Like Rumi said, “whatever purifies you is the right path.” Whatever you do, find an activity you like and stick to it. In ayurvedic medicine, three constitutions or doshas make up the human body: vata, pitta and kapha. One is typically predominant throughout your life, but we’re generally a combination of all three. Each dosha rules a season, and you may notice that your urges and natural tendencies shift throughout the year. As a pitta-kapha-vata, I can eat hearty in the summer and winter months, yet I have to be mindful of what I eat in the spring and fall. Astrology encourages me to avoid alcohol, sugar and competitive activity (all resonant advice) and instead maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Meditation and mind-body exercises like yoga and tai chi help with balance and harmony. Incidentally I find yoga so effective that I teach it.

Vata, the principle of movement, can be translated as bodily air and governs catabolism. Vata people tend to be “skinny” P i t ta , the principle of heat-energy, can be translated as bodily fire and governs metabolism. Pitta people are slender, delicate and gingery K a p ha , the principle of resistance, can

be translated as bodily water and governs anabolism. Kapha people have well-developed bodies and tend towards carrying excess weight

I genuinely believe yoga will change the world for the better, but walking counts and is in fact a form of moving meditation. Do you have a pooch? Walk it, or start up a side business and walk a bunch of them. Meditation helps tremendously with weight loss if you can wrap your restless mind around it, and walking helps with restlessness. Buddah says, “To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” When the mind is strong and clear, we get what we want. With exercise, we ground ourselves and burn away excess energy to open up space for harmony and happiness. The colour red helps with grounding, so why not throw on a pair of sparkling ruby red Louboutin’s and exercise your sexy in the streets. That way you can get your meditation in, and maybe your shopping, too.

N I C H E home

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march | april 2013

N I C H E travel

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t r av e l w i t h

n I C H E to... Fr a n ce by Chelsea Forman

Paris is a city of layers - much like the dazzling madams who tromp her Avenues in layers of haute couture.

niche m a g a z i n e . c a

N I C H E travel

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s with any proper lady you must start at the beginning and unravel the layers, one by one, with time and care until you know her. But it’s worth the effort Paris is the pinnacle of fashion holiness, built in its entirety with the care of a haute couture Christian Dior gown. To know her intimately and submerge in the magic, wonder and history of this city will likely be one of your most spectacular romances. It would take a lifetime to uncover all of Paris’s secrets - so for now we’ll take a tour through her veins directly to her heart, the part that mothered Chanel, Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, and countless more, the chic world of Parisian fashion. There are twenty neighbourhoods in Paris called arrondissements, each of which is made up of four more intimate neighbourhoods called quartiers. Every quartier is a slice of Paris, a little taste, holding one of the city’s great treasures and drawing countless visitors. While all quartiers offer boutiques for purchasing a number of necessities or lustful must-have-now’s, the major shopping districts are just that: major.

They will overwhelm and astound every first-time Paris shopper - even the most professional, Hermès carrying, Tiffany sparkling, red soled one.

Begin slowly. Sit down over a cup of hot chocolate and get acquainted with the city. How she moves, smells, intoxicates. Your cup of hot chocolate is your initiation into the fashion world of Paris.

I know – it sounds strange, humour me. In the 1st arrondissement is a divine little tea salon called Angelina’s. From the time it opened in 1903 Angelina’s has served the most famous and delicious hot chocolate in the city – Chocolat l’African. Coco Chanel used to meander from her atelier to Angelina’s where she would sip hot chocolate. She created some of her most exquisite pieces over the delectable indulgence. Audrey Hepburn also insisted on visiting the little tea house for hot chocolate every time she was in the city. Once you’ve finished your cup I recommend paying further homage to mademoiselle Chanel. An easy walk from Angelina’s is Place Vendôme, the landmark that inspired Chanel’s design of the falcon for her first fragrance, Chanel No 5. Immediately after this, and with Coco in your blood, it’s time to hit Chanel’s famed black and white flagship store on the Rue Cambon. This is a true fashionista’s wonderland. The stunning staircase that leads to the second story of the couture house is where Chanel used to sit and supervise her shows from. In front of the house is the fancy Ritz where Chanel lived for a period. With Chanel surrounding you in spirit and couture form, shopping may commence!

The 2nd and 9th arrondissements are the up and coming areas of Paris. Home to the Paris Stock Exchange, and the Printemps and Galeries Lafayette shopping centres. Regardless of the fabulous malls, the location didn’t gain trending momentum until hoteliers began to develop on some of the untouched space. In addition to the superb malls the area south of Pigalle now boasts a number of delicious little boutiques, among which are plenty of vintage shops, drapery stores, fine home décor stores and Repetto’s (THE place to buy ballet flats in Paris). While in the neighbourhood I recommend checking out the 19th century arcades, which are covered passages for shopping. They were originally designed to keep the mud streets dry for shoppers and were in actuality the very first forms of shopping malls. There were a total of 24 in the eighteen hundreds but only a handful remain. Galerie Vivienne is a particularly fab arcade located on the Rue Vivienne. The mosaic floor is absolutely outstanding and the shops are all very trendy. Jean Paul Gaultier was so smitten with this arcade he opened a boutique in it. nichemagazine.ca

N I C H E travel

Paris is always a good idea.

- Audrey hepburn

The Knights Templar was the first to set up house in what is now the 3rd arrondissements of Paris, also called the Upper Marias. The Knights drained the Marias swampland and built a quaint, walled village. The Upper Marias is now the fun, more colourful part of the city. The streets are of the last in Paris preserved from their original slim, winding, intriguing form – keeping traffic down and creating the perfect back drop for fantastic boutiques, cafes and hotels. One of the Royals of Parisian fashion, Christain Lacroix, made his architectural debut in the 3rd with his HÔtel du Petit Moulin. He restructured the inside of an ancient bakery and created one of the most elite, posh, desirable hotels in the city. The façade of a bakery (sign and all) is sublime – and the interior is a flawless reflection of Lacroix’s defined, grandeur style on the runway. HÔtel du Petit Moulin is, naturally, booked solid most of the year. It is simply impossible not to fall head over Jimmy Choo stilettos for the 6th arrondissement. This part of Paris has been the famed stage for a number of books including pieces by the genius Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. A variety of photo shoots and movies have also been shot in this lovely neighbourhood. It has always been home to Paris’s literary side with a number of publishing houses, book shops and cafes to sit and scribble ideas. The 6th has been the inspiration for several famed authors, and new writers flock to its streets every year in search of the same creative stimulation. The areas perfect combination of shops, streets and gardens and the chic architecture of the buildings make it feel like you have walked into the pages of some glorious French romance novel. The overall charm lured some of the fashion greats, including Louis Vuitton, into the neighbourhood – but they haven’t taken away the 6th arrondissement’ title as Paris’s literary capital. A number of bookstores still line the roads, one of which is the must-not-miss 7L (said C’est Elle). Located below his studio in Saint Germain’s, is Karl Lagerfeld’s bookstore. Yes, that’s right, just when you couldn’t adore the 6th anymore. 7L is Lagerfeld’s mark on the literary world! The 6th has become a casual fashion hotspot, casual meaning you won’t ever have the feeling you’re not dressed right – making it the perfect place for browsing, and people watching, before glamming up and hitting our final arrondissement. The 8th. What dreams of shopping in Paris are made of - the haute couture runway that is Avenue Montaigne. This is where the stunning Parisian women strut in and out of the most luxurious boutiques in a hot, delish mix of the dreamiest of dreamy designer items. It’s like a designer collaborative, jacked-up, runway show. See if you can pick out a single one of these glamazon madams not wearing a Hermès scarf wrapped in some utterly complex way around her neck – bet you can’t! Every elite design house is at your fingertips on the Avenue Montaigne, if you don’t have time to see them all, make Christian Dior’s house at 30 Avenue Montaigne your first stop. It was his first house opening in 1946 and is a holy fashion landmark. 66

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N I C H E travel

The Avenue is a couture delight in itself. The beauty and sheer elegance of this tree-lined heaven radiates is overwhelming. It will even leave your bag carrier (spouse) in complete awe, you can leave them on the street while you max out your credit card at Jil Sander, and they’ll still be standing there - dazzled - when you come out an hour later. The fashionistas second go-to hotel is at 25 Avenue Montaigne, the Hôtel Plaza Athénéé. This is where celebrities, Royals, billionaires and heads of state, stay when visiting Paris. It was also where Carrie Bradshaw and Big stayed and (finally) reunited in the series finale of Sex and the City. The hotel even offers a special Sex and the City package! Cosmopolitans in Paris? Yes please! Your time shopping in the holy fashion mecca of Paris will set an unprecedented standard for the haute couture purchasing experience (and one that will be hard to let go when you return home). Paris infuses items with an air of exclusiveness; even buying a plain white tee becomes a glorious endeavour. 68

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We started our journey introducing ourselves to Paris over a cup of hot chocolate. We will end it a shopping-extraordinaire, intimately acquainted with the city â&#x20AC;&#x201C; our mugs of cocoa replaced with the drink of the Parisian shopping goddess Champagne of course.

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a taste of

champagne by Stuart Brown | wine columnist Found just 120 kilometres outside of Paris – the infamous City of Lights - lays one of the great wonders of the wine world. Many prominent wine regions around the world are compared to other great regions, but one always stands alone: Champagne. Champagne first gained its reputation because of its association with the French Royalty. Monarchs throughout Europe spread the message of the beverage and its tie to exclusivity and power in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The best Champagne houses sought to associate the luxurious drink with festivities, lavish lifestyles and rites of passage. Their efforts accompanied the emergence of a developing middle class that was looking for ways to spend its money on symbols of upward mobility moving towards high society. Especially today, Champagne is the haute couture of fine wines. Unfortunately, many believe that all sparkling wines are Champagne. That is just like saying all cars are Lamborghinis. To be considered Champagne, the wine must be made within the Champagne region and follow all the rules and regulations stated within the Appellation laws.

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right” - Mark Twain

Stuart Brown is a sought after certified Sommelier who also serves as Vice Council Gastronomique for the Victoria Bailliage of La Chaine de Rotisseurs. Formerly the Sommelier at Bear Mountain Resort, Stuart now represents the wines of People, Place & Time with The Trialto Wine Group, and is an instructor for the International Sommelier Guild on Vancouver Island.

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According to The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, the Champagne region covers approximately 25,000 square kilometres, has approximately 19,000 growers and produces more than 300 million bottles annually. But the real magic comes from the lime-rich chalk soils abundant in the region. This ancient sea bed of chalk contributes to the unique flavours of Champagne that can be achieved nowhere else in the world.

“There comes a time in every woman’s life when the only thing that helps is a glass of Champagne” - Bette Davis Champagne can only be made with three grapes: Pinot Noir (red), Chardonnay (white), and Pinot Meunier (red). If it is only made with Chardonnay, it is referred to as Blanc de Blancs. Made with the other two Pinot grapes, it gains the reference Blanc de Noirs. And due to red grapes being included in the equation, some Champagnes can be Rosé. As to what the original blend, or cuvée, consists of, is completely up to the individual producer. To complete the Champagne production, the Traditional Method, or Méthode Champenoise must be adhered to. The second fermentation, where the bubbles are created and captured, must be done within the bottle. The wine must also be aged on the lees (or dead yeast cells) for several years. This is what gives the wine its fine bubbles and complexity of flavour.

B u t w h e r e i s t h e pa r t y ? Most only think of popping open a bottle of Champagne during times of celebration. Although Champagne truly is wonderful on its own, it has many diverse food pairing attributes. There are so many unique types and styles of Champagne (from Non-Vintage Brut to Vintage Cuvee Prestige) that you could pair a different Champagne with each food course on most menus. Some Champagnes showing clean, crisp, citrus and minerality character are well accompanied with oysters. While others that are full flavoured and have developed nutty and creamy characteristics may pair well with richer dishes and flavourful sauces.

“Why do I drink Champagne for breakfast? Doesn’t everyone?” - NOEL COWARD The time has come for us to move forward with Champagne and open ourselves up to serving these delicious wines with foods that help to explore their riches and delights which are unique to each bottle. The fun can begin with comparing several Champagnes to each other and with different foodpairing combinations. Let the popping begin!

N I C H E exclusive

reinvented

the gown 100% silk charmeuse and lace bodice with sweetheart neckline, dupioni skirt with silk tulle overlay. Brooch with handmade organza flowers, freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystal centres.

shot on location at the iconic fairmont empress hotel

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the finish Short brass breastplate necklace by Wolf Circus, Suasion

Jonathan Bell Whiskey and Ghetto by Lily Kennedy models: Kendra Stoner Photography: gowns:

[Coultish Management]

& Kellie Smith [Independent] Hair: Ila Meens for Hive Hair makeup: Sara Rose styling: Emily Gray niche m a g a z i n e . c a

N I C H E exclusive

I’ve been designing clothing since my fourth birthday. With grandparents who owned and operated a thriving handbag business in the 1960s, and extremely artistic parents, the creative talent for fashion and design is in my blood. - l i ly k e n n e d y

Une x p ec t ed , m o de r n , b o l d . W h y b e e x p ec t e d w h e n y o u c a n b e d i s t i n c t i v e ? Why choose white when you can colour your modern wedding with the chicness of black? T o d ay ’ s b r i d e l o v e s t o e x p r e s s p e r s o n a l i t y, ta k e c h a n ce s a n d c o l o u r o u t s i d e t h e l i n e s . F o r t h e g i r l t h at i s e d g y, s t r o n g a n d t r u e to herself – there is Whiskey and Ghetto, an i m a g i n at i v e c o l l ec t i o n o f c o u t u r e b r i d a l g o w n s b y V i c t o r i a d e s i g n e r , L i ly Ke n n e d y .

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the gown 100% silk torn organza and chiffon over lace with raw silk dupioni pleated skirt and silk satin corset back. the finish Black beaded necklace, Nicholas Randall. Spiked necklace & bracelets by Nikita Sing, MYSI. Silver spike bracelet, Suasion Boutique. Fishtail bracelet & ring by Wolf Circus, Suasion Boutique.

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N I C H E exclusive

march | april 2013

the gown 100% silk backless gown with plunging neckline and hand sewn black lace trim. the finish Bracelets by Glee Accessories, & shell rings by MiMi & Marge, Nicholas Randall. Other rings, Suasion Boutique. Headpiece by Nikita Sing, MYSI

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N I C H E fashion

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Oh So Blue. A l ay e r e d t w i s t o n a p e r e n n i a l b l u e a n d w h i t e f av o u r i t e

by Sylvia Day | design columnist

his season, blue and white dĂŠcor is as popular as ever. Although it would be fine to tell NICHE readers how to get this look at home, I thought it might be more fun to show you how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done right. I reached out to an award winning interior designer whose work has been featured on HGTV, and in multiple high-end publications including New York Living and The Robb Report. Catherine Cleare, also an allied member of ASID, was happy to share a master bedroom project that is an exceptional example of layering colour and patterns.

march | april 2013

Cleare says the concept always starts with a pencil and paper. “It starts with sketches because you need a vision. That’s because what you first see when you enter a room begins with white walls an interior designer’s blank canvas.”

You would never guess from the feel of the room, but this was a small space. Fortunately, with a great wall plan and lots of natural light, adding impact through statement pieces, colour, pattern and texture was an option that worked perfectly. The indigo blue walls are skillfully hand painted using an Ikat pattern and create the ideal backdrop for the white furniture, patterned formal drapes and multiple other fabrics choices. The trellis blue and white carpet acts as the perfect foundation for the custom made bed, nightstand and desk, sitting proudly against the darker wooden floors beneath. Cleare used a lot of restraint in staying true to her blue and white vision, and the designer details of this room are what make it exceptional. The crystal ball lamps, the Lucite desk chair and bench never compete with the custom fabrics, but don’t get lost in the space either. The Schumacher metal framed chairs below the window are at once commanding and elegant. The J.Pocker fish prints seem to tie it all together in a neat little blue and white package.

Blue is the only colour which maintains its own character in all its tones... it will always stay blue. - F r e n c h Fa u v i s t pa i n t e r R a o u l D u f y

N I C H E lifestyle

:contrast: trastnoc H a p p i ly e v e r a f t e r

by Tracey Drake A funny thing happened on the night of the NICHE gala. As I was making my way around the room, I stopped to talk to a young couple I knew. Let’s call them Dick and Jane. Newlyweds for just a few months, I asked pleasantly, “So, how’s married life?” Dick smiled dreamily and said nothing. Jane’s answer shocked me in the most perplexing way and left me pondering… happily ever after WHAT? In an animated swish of hand gestures and body jerks, Jane told me that she hated being engaged; it was the worst time of her life! The stress of getting married turned her into an impatient, intolerant and irritable woman (although she used different wording that I cannot repeat here!). By the time their wedding day arrived, Dick and Jane were fighting all the time; there was constant stress over wedding plans, family strife, money strain, and all the while they both had to maintain their jobs and everyday lives. You know – the normal stuff that every engaged couple go through on their way to the alter, but cannot comprehend until they live through it. Dick was still smiling and still said nothing. I wasn’t sure how to respond and luckily Jane continued to talk, sparing me the discomfort of saying the wrong thing or offering commiserations that were unnecessary. She went on to tell me how much she loves being married. With the weight of the engagement and the wedding off their shoulders, they were infinitely happy. They loved being together every day, and each date felt like their first. I instantly felt my heart warm and knew exactly what she meant. For this couple, married life was all they had dreamt it would be, and more. Cue Dick’s dreamy smile. Do you think that the person who coined the phrase “Happily Ever After” actually had an inside edge? Perhaps the ‘after’ is a double entendre – meaning not just marital bliss from this day forward but more accurately relief that once the engagement period and wedding day pass, the bride returns to a normal life of being sane, calm and in love. 82

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N I C H E culture

If it starts to feel like work, then Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stop - d a Le c h i h u ly

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Arts & Finds The World’s got a fever, and he’s the only p r e s c r i p t i o n

by Jill Lang | arts columnist

ale Chihuly is to blown glass what Art Spiegelman is to comics. The medium of glassblowing wouldn’t exist the way it does today without Chihuly, the pivotal figure and go-to historian in the field. Some people ski for fun, but the man who never tires of the possibilities of the blow pipe blows glass. Glasswork is play, and Chihuly is the universe’s play thing.

The world was introduced to Chihuly in 1941, and Chihuly was introduced to glass while studying interior design at the University of Washington in 1964. He became mesmerized with glass during a weaving class after weaving glass into a tapestry, and a year later he accidentally blew his first glass bauble in a basement with a blow pipe and melted glass. Chihuly says this must have been an act of fate because glass isn’t that easy to blow your first time. I swear I just heard Christopher Walken demand over a loudspeaker, “More Dale Chihuly, please.” Chihuly liked blowing glass so much that he enrolled in the Harvey Littleton program at the University of Wisconsin. His studies continued at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he went on to establish its glass program and taught for over a decade. In 1968, Chihuly spent nine months working at the Venini glass factory on the island of Murano in Venice, where he quickly adopted a team approach to blowing glass that remains integral to how he works today. Teams range from six people up to eighteen, and Chihuly prides himself in having more than a hundred of America’s top talent at his disposal.

In 1971, Chihuly founded the Pilchuck School of Glass on a tree farm in Washington State and has led the revolution in the fine art of blown glass since. A car accident in London in 1976 left Chihuly unable to blow glass for six months, but it turned out that Chihuly enjoyed delegation and overseeing as much or more than working at the centre of the action. Because the ideas are Chihuly’s in any given Chihuly project, he began to produce sketches to convey ideas to his team. His sketches are an art unto their own and accurately portray his visions, while the finished product is a reflection of Team Chihuly’s talents and skills. Glass can be free blown or mold blown, but Chihuly says glassblowing is a spontaneous medium if you let it be. Chihuly’s curled glass tentacles grow as spontaneously out of fire and sand as the curly hairs grow out of his head. Chihuly’s work is undeniably Chihuly, like a stamp in the earth wherever he travels. Working primarily with glass, plastic, water and ice on any scale, Chihuly says it is light that makes these materials spring to life. One time a Chihuly water installation of glass spheres dried up with the pond they were decorating. For a moment I thought the spheres sprung to death until it occurred to me that the glass was gone because people took it. Imagine how much those pieces are worth, and how much those people treasure their free Chihuly art. nichemagazine.ca

N I C H E culture

First and foremost a colourist, Chihuly explores concepts and colour palettes fully. After his mother’s death, he blew through The Black Series, which came to him like any other series, through visions and memories. Like any other concept, he explored it fully. This work is quite possibly an expression of how Chihuly viewed his mother through his art, the black a reflection of his mourning and the emptiness he felt as a result of her passing. Often inspired by his own art collections, Chihuly has created more than a dozen well-known series of works, starting with the trade blanket Cylinders and the Navajo Baskets in the 1970s. The Baskets evolved into the Seaforms, and the Seaforms evolved into the Persians. The Venetians are totally different, though, and the Chandeliers evolved out of the hair on his head. Other wellknown series include Macchia, Niijima Floats and Fiori. Chihuly is also celebrated for magnificent architectural installations, like the Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem exhibit at the Tower of David, which attracted more than one million visitors. Twelve to fourteen hundred pieces of glass compose many of Chihuly’s sculptural wonders, and installations often take several days to assemble. One can only marvel in the magnitude of works like the Crystal Mountain and Blue Tower in Jerusalem, the Sea of Glass at the Bellagio or Chihuly over Venice. In 1995, Team Chihuly began to create sculptures at glass factories in Finland, Ireland and Mexico, which were then installed over the canals and piazzas of Venice. If this were my story, I’d call it Installing My Art in Venice: How Cool is that? Many awards and honours have been bestowed upon Chihuly, including eleven doctorate degrees and a prestigious, solo exhibition at Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Palaise due Louvre in Paris. Chihuly glass has been exhibited in hundreds of museums, galleries and hotels worldwide, and homes are certainly not exempt from gleaning more Dale Chihuly. There’s something so natural and delicate about Chihuly’s work; sometimes it breathes and sometimes it exists in a world of its own. Whatever it is, it makes us happy. Contemplative, yes, but we must be happy in contemplation to attract anything good into life. Perhaps Chihuly’s art is the secret to The Secret… The world doesn’t need more cow bell, no; the world needs more Dale Chihuly! Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle, WA

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Lobby of the Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV.

Glassblowing goes back a couple thousands years, but Chihuly likes to think it developed and flourished on the island of Murano in Italy where he discovered the brilliance of teamwork

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local

spring

l o a ded

pen the windows, beat the rug, and set the table. Spring is here and guests are coming for dinner. Nervous? That’s to be expected. Cooking at home is usually a private affair, just like singing in the shower; you can make mistakes, start over if you mess up, and no matter how terrible you sound, you are only playing for an audience of one.

gourmet

A dinner party is a different matter. It is a performing art, one that puts your palate, technique, and creativity under the spotlight. When the house lights go down, and the music starts to play, you had better know the lyrics - or better yet, have a recipe. Light and tangy lemon whipped goat’s cheese, bitter endive, peppery watercress and whimsical candy cane beet, make for a spring inspired salad that is all about crisp texture and bright flavour. A successful entrée course is all about keeping it simple when cooking for a party. Albacore tuna resting atop a bounty of roasted primavera vegetables, finished with glistening black Kalamata and spring onion relish is a sure crowd pleasure.

E nc o r e ? A lway s s av e t h e b e s t f o r l a s t. Blood orange and bourbon jelly steeped with a hint of earl grey and mint. This playful desert is all about making sure your audience applauds with a smile on their face. Everyone knows that bourbon goes best with more bourbon and every great performance has an even better after party.

writer Ryan Cooney chef John Waller

N 90

Ready to get started? Ryan’s complete article and Chef Waller’s recipes for Pickled Beets, Pickled Beet Salad with Whipped Lemon Goat Cheese, Simple Vinaigrette, Black Olive and Spring Onion Relish, Seared Albacore Tuna with Roasted Primavera Veggies, and Blood Orange Jelly online at NICHEmagazine.ca

march | april 2013

Help us Grant the Magic of a Wish this March March is Children’s Wish Month 31 Days of Celebrating the Magic of a Wish

This March, help us make a difference in the lives of local children with life-threatening illnesses by supporting Children’s Wish Month. Host an Event Become A Sponsor Support an Event Spread the Word Donate

It is through the dedication and hard work of volunteers, Donors, partners and supporters of all kinds, that The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada can continue its tradition of never Denying an eligible child a wish.

Find out what Events are taking place and how you can help by visiting

wishmonth.ca

Help us to provide children living with high-risk, life threatening illnesses the opportunity to realize their most heartfelt wish.

Donate Today at: www.wishmonth.ca

Presented By:

/ChildrensWishBC @cwfbc The BC and Yukon Chapter

119-4240 Manor Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 1B2 1-800-267-9474

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march | april 2013

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pa m p e r y o u r b r i d a l pa r t y Classic and exceptional spa treatments at Mille Fiori Spa are the perfect way to thank your bridal party. We specialize in perfect Manicures & Pedicures for bridal parties. Brazilian “Lily Bikini” waxes for the honeymoon. Skin Brightening Facials for the big day. Experience the exceptional at Mille Fiori Spa.

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S u c h S w ee t m e m o r i e s ! ohsugar.ca

Oh Sugar carries Victoria’s largest selection of nostalgic candies from over 40 countries. Not without a sense of humour, the store has many zany items too including Stay Puft marshmallows, made famous by the Ghostbusters movie, and Soylent Green (people food) from the 1973 science fiction movie starring Charlton Heston. No matter where you grew up, a visit to Oh Sugar located in the heart of downtown on Johnson Street - will take you back to your childhood. 80 different types of licorice from six countries, popular Haribo treats and Milka chocolate from Germany, British bonbons, old fashioned sodas, and a well-stocked sweets store that is certain to carry your favourite! a l l - TIM E FAVOURIT E S

sinfully good chocolates and sweets from around the world

561 Johnson Street.

Astro Pops Humbugs PixyStix

Abba Zabba Jelly Tots Pink Popcorn

MoJo’s Pop Rocks Pocky Sticks

www.ohsugar.ca

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F a ce I t P a g e 1 6 Cherie Bow Palette - Rose Poudre by Dior, The Bay, $80. Ombre Essentielle by Chanel, Holt Renfrew, $34. P a g e 1 7 Mouche De Beaute by Chanel, The Bay, $65. Joues Contraste by Chanel, The Bay, $43. Meteorites Perles Du Paradis by Guerlain, Shoppers Drug Mart, $67. Hydrangea Pink No. 10 by Burberry, Holt Renfrew, $54. Le s s i s M o r e P a g e 1 8 18k rose gold hoop earrings, Lugaro Jewellers, $8500. Rose gold bangle bracelet channel set with 1.5ctw natural round cut diamonds, Lugaro Jewellers, $1495. Rose gold bangle bracelet set with 1ctw natural round cut diamonds, Lugaro Jewellers, $995. White gold bangle bracelet channel set with 1.5ctw natural round cut diamonds, Lugaro Jewellers, $1495. Rado watch in stainless steel and rose gold coloured, Lugaro Jewellers. 18k white and rose gold bracelet set with natural pink and white diamonds, Lugaro Jewellers, $18500. P a g e 1 9 Sterling silver and red gold earrings, Creole Jewellery Design. Ring with square paridot and diamonds, Creole Jewellery Design. Sterling silver serpent choker by Melissa Caron, melissacaron.com. Shirt by Lida Biday, available at Hughes. F a s hi o n F o r w a r d P a g e 2 0 / 2 1 SS 2013 RTW by Preen, net-a-porter.com. P a g e 2 2 SS 2013 RTW by Philip Lim, net-a-porter.com. SS 2013 RTW by Proenza Schouler, proenzaschouler. com. P a g e 2 4 SS 2013 RTW by Alexander Wang, available at net-a-porter. com. SS 2013 RTW by Christian Dior, dior.com. Shoe by Philip Lim, net-aporter.com. P a g e 2 5 SS 2013 RTW by Michael Kors, michaelkors.com. SS 2013 RTW by Rachel Zoe, nordstrom.com. SS 2013 RTW by Calvin Klein, calvinklein.com. P a g e 2 6 SS 2013 RTW by Jil Sander, net-a-porter.com. P a g e 2 7 Trapeze bag in emerald green leather by Jil Sander, $1760, neta-porter.com. SS 2013 RTW by Theyskens Theory, net-a-porter.com. P a g e 2 8 / 2 9 SS 2013 RTW by Saint Laurent Paris, net-a-porter.com. Signature cuff bracelet by Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), net-a-porter.com. H e l l o n H ee l s P a g e 5 0 Scalloped sculpted heel sandal by Nicholas Kirkwood, $1100. Cone heel sling back sandal by Nicholas Kirkwood, $1395. Bootie platform sandal exclusively for Prabal Gurung by Nicholas Kirkwood, $998. P a g e 5 1 Ruffle platform pump by Nicholas Kirkwood, $950. Crystal ball platform sandal by Nicholas Kirkwood, $1495. Suede swirl pump by Nicholas Kirkwood, $895. Ge t t he L o o k : H o me P a g e 6 0 Firenze Center Table by Décor-Rest, Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress, $798. Mongolian square toss cushion, Urban Barn, $79. Aurora transparent chair, Urban Barn, $149. Decorative boxes, Homesense, $15-$30. B r ide Rein v en t ed P a g e 7 2 Whiskey and Ghetto gown by Lily Kennedy, $1789,lilycustombridal.com. Short brass breastplate necklace by Wolf Circus, Suasion Boutique. P a g e 7 3 Whiskey and Ghetto gown by Lily Kennedy, $1696, lilycustombridal. com. Coral daggers necklace and bracelet by Nikita Sing, MYSI. Spike gold bracelets, Suasion Boutique. Waxing Poetic brass bracelet, Nicholas Randall. Shoes by Steve Madden, Town Shoes. P a g e 7 4 / 7 5 Whiskey and Ghetto gown by Lily Kennedy, $1789, lilycustombridal.com. Black beaded necklace by In Accessories, Nicholas Randall. Spiked necklace by Nikita Sing, MYSI. Bracelets by Nikita Sing, MYSI. Silver spike bracelet, Suasion Boutique. Fishtail bracelet by Wolf Circus, Suasion Boutique. Ring by Wolf Circus, Suasion Boutique. Shoes by Badgley Mishka, SheShe Shoes. P a g e 7 6 / 7 7 Whiskey and Ghetto gown by Lily Kennedy, $1296, lilycustombridal.com. Necklace by Wolf Circus, Suasion Boutique. Bracelets by Glee Accessories, Nicolas Randall. Rings by MiMi & Marge, Nicolas Randall. Headpiece by Nikita Sing, MYSI. P a g e 7 8 Shoes by Steve Madden, Town Shoes. Ge t t he L o o k : F a s hi o n P a g e . 8 4 Marine peplum top and skirt by Lida Baday, Hughes Clothing, $1065. Crystal & leather bangle by House of Harlow, Reunion, $150. Gold spike stack bangle set by House of Harlow, Reunion, $170. Silver spike stack bangle set by House of Harlow, Reunion, $170. Peacock Pyrite ring by Adina Mills, Paradise Boutique, $104. Galaxy Heel by OlsenHaus, Vshoen, $115.

march | april 2013

Join the NICHE Retail Therapy Network NICHE magazine wants to bring new customers into your boutique, showroom or retail shop, and provide you with a value-added giveaway for loyal clients. Six times a year, the NICHE distribution team will hand deliver magazines to your business location. Give them away to your customers, free of charge! Not only do we include your business name, address and specialty to our online Distribution List (when a shopper is looking for a magazine location), but we also add your business information to our online Retail Therapy Directory – providing added exposure to your business free of charge and driving more customers to your business. To join NICHE magazine’s Retail Therapy Network, enrol online at NICHEmagazine.ca/rt. Offered as a free service, for a limited time only!

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With the demise of the formal dining room came t h e e x t i n c t i o n o f fa n c y d i n n e r pa r t i e s a n d c i v i l i z e d afternoon tea. Not so i n t h e e n c h a n t i n g ly c h i c h o m e o f Sh a r o n O s b o u r ne .

NIN E Famed interior designer to the stars, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard brought his signature elegance and attention to detail to the 2011 redesign of the Los Angeles home of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. The backdrop for the room is exquisite deGournay wallpaper, flowing draperies and French doors. While the large French chandelier is a 19th century antique, the custom table and upholstered chairs are Martyn LawrenceBullard Design. Other clients of Martyn Lawrence-Bullard include Sir Elton John, Aaron Sorkin, Edward Norton, Patti La Belle, Cheryl Tiegs, Christina Aguilera, Vidal Sassoon, Felicity Huffman, William H Macy, Jimmy Choo, Warner Brothers, and Paramount Studios. 96

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lab salon Voted best of the city since 2010