Calgary is not exactly the fashion capital of the world, nor of Canada for that matter. When one sees business women in dress suits with cowboy boots in October, it doesn't exactly scream couture. There is at least a season's worth of "What Not to Wear" material in one hour of watching people in downtown Calgary. In other words, pretty grim.
Well, being the eternal optimist that I am, I figured that there has to be fashion SOMEWHERE in this town.
I went to a fashion mixer here in Calgary because I need to see what is out there in this town. I left here at a very young age and never was part of Calgary's fashion scene. This was my first foray into the fashion party scene in Calgary in over 25 years. It was interesting....
There is talent here in Calgary, and I am going to make it my manifest destiny to go to all of the cool little boutiques and vintage shops and meet the designers.
There is a very talented designer here in Calgary by the name of Paul Hardy. I met him at Brett Wilson's Garden Party a few years back and he is a sweet, quiet genius. His creations have been worn by the likes of Sara McLachlan, Kate Hudson and Alannis Morrissette.
He will be having a huge 10th anniversary bash at his new atelier on Alyth Road (the new warehouse district in Calgary) on October 20 unveiling his Spring Summer 2013 line. It is being hailed as the 'fashion party of the year' and 'an event never seen in Calgary before'. Apparently Jeanne Beker and Spiro Mandylor will be flying in from Toronto for this big event. Will I be there?
No.
My flight is booked and I am off to Europe next week. I have meetings with agents for my scouting prospects. I woud have really liked to be here for the Paul Hardy show, but that is how the cookie crumbles.
Showing posts with label Brett Wilson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brett Wilson. Show all posts
Saturday, October 6
Saturday, November 21
Dragons Den...Update
In a post I wrote about a year ago, I talked about the Dragons Den on CBC. I did a rundown on each one of the Dragons, based solely on the persona they portray on the Den. I am proud to say that I think I got them all right.
My two favorite Dragons are Arlene Dickinson and Brett Wilson. Since my first post about the Den, I had the pleasure of meeting Brett Wilson, and he really is the same guy on television as he is in real life. He invests in people, not just products and ideas. If he doesnt do a deal, and says he is out, at least he has good reasons for his decisions and he doesnt belittle the contestants or humiliate them like Kevin OLeary does. Brett is tough ,yet fair.
Arlene is also tough yet fair and I like that she does give constructive criticism to the contestants. She sees the pitches with aa marketing eye, and I think she really knows her stuff.She also sticks up for single moms!!! I have had alot of people asking me about her white streak of hair. I wish I knew what to tell them, but it is either a natural streak or she paints it...only her hairdresser knows.
My two favorite Dragons are Arlene Dickinson and Brett Wilson. Since my first post about the Den, I had the pleasure of meeting Brett Wilson, and he really is the same guy on television as he is in real life. He invests in people, not just products and ideas. If he doesnt do a deal, and says he is out, at least he has good reasons for his decisions and he doesnt belittle the contestants or humiliate them like Kevin OLeary does. Brett is tough ,yet fair.
Arlene is also tough yet fair and I like that she does give constructive criticism to the contestants. She sees the pitches with aa marketing eye, and I think she really knows her stuff.She also sticks up for single moms!!! I have had alot of people asking me about her white streak of hair. I wish I knew what to tell them, but it is either a natural streak or she paints it...only her hairdresser knows.
Friday, June 26
One More Race...
On Wednesday night, I went to the annual Garden Party thrown by Brett Wilson here in Calgary. It was a wonderful warm Alberta summer evening and the philanthropic crowd of Calgary was out in full force. This years charity was my friend Norma's 777 Run for Sight. As I have mentioned in earlier posts, Norma is running 7 ultra marathons in 7 months on 7 continents to raise awareness and funds for people with visual disabilities. She has completed 6 of them and has one more to go in Switzerland.
I am not sure, but I believe that the Garden Party raised over 100k in donations for the charity. In this recession, its good to see that the pockets of the philanthropists in Calgary still runs deep.
One more race Norma, you are almost there!!!!!
I am not sure, but I believe that the Garden Party raised over 100k in donations for the charity. In this recession, its good to see that the pockets of the philanthropists in Calgary still runs deep.
One more race Norma, you are almost there!!!!!
Thursday, October 16
Dragon's Den Canada
I just watched the show the Dragon's Den. Needless to say, I am totally impressed. To heck with Canadian Idol, Dancing with the Stars and the rest of the reality show fodder. This show is AWESOME.
For those who have been hiding under a rock, this show is basically Extreme Junior Acheivement. Would be entrepreneurs and inventors present their wares to a panel of 5'Dragon's'. Each Dragon is a successful business person in their own right, and they decide if they will invest in these new ideas that are presented. The reactions from the Dragons are amazing and make great television. My breakdown of each Dragon is as follows:
1. Arlene Dickinson. The only female panelist.A marketing executive in Calgary with a very successful client portfolio. She has her trademark streak of white hair amongst her auburn mane. She reminds me of a hip English teacher from high school. She lets the boys have their testoterone ego moments and then comes in for the kill. I loved how she teases Kevin O'Leary and how she doesn't let any of them bully her around. She listens intently to the proposals and will be in or out.She is one classy lady.Wonder if she is looking for writers and/or creative people for her company?(Hint...me.)
2. Brett Wilson. New to the Den.He is a philanthropist and an investment banker here in Calgary He sits back and watches the others battle it out and actually suprised me by investing in an acrobatic troupe that I didn't think had a shot.He looks like a guy that I could hangout and go mountain biking or skiing with. He comes across as the nicest one of the bunch, but remember, we are only on the third episode...Should be interesting to watch.
3.Robert Herjvec. He comes across as being too nouveau riche for my taste. A bit pompous,but obviously a good business person, with a good eye for opportunity when he sees it.
4.Jim Treliving. Ex RCMP,now owner of Boston Pizza(the pizza can't be beat-sa...remember that jingle?)Big into sports, especially minor hockey. I loved how he told the skating harness contestant that she had it all wrong. He was firm and relentless in his observation, with good reason. He knows hockey!!! His police background helps him sniff out the fakes( in my opinion)
5.Kevin O'Leary. This guy reminds me of an obnoxious New Yorker.He tells it like it is, yet he lacks a bit of tact. He can be a bit beligerent and he comes across as arrogant. It makes good TV, but he doesnt win any brownie points in my books. Lets just say I would never have him as a rock climbing partner. He would probably let me fall first and then if he was hurt, he would probably sue me. He just semms to be that type.
The show airs Monday nights at 8 PM on CBC here in Canada
For those who have been hiding under a rock, this show is basically Extreme Junior Acheivement. Would be entrepreneurs and inventors present their wares to a panel of 5'Dragon's'. Each Dragon is a successful business person in their own right, and they decide if they will invest in these new ideas that are presented. The reactions from the Dragons are amazing and make great television. My breakdown of each Dragon is as follows:
1. Arlene Dickinson. The only female panelist.A marketing executive in Calgary with a very successful client portfolio. She has her trademark streak of white hair amongst her auburn mane. She reminds me of a hip English teacher from high school. She lets the boys have their testoterone ego moments and then comes in for the kill. I loved how she teases Kevin O'Leary and how she doesn't let any of them bully her around. She listens intently to the proposals and will be in or out.She is one classy lady.Wonder if she is looking for writers and/or creative people for her company?(Hint...me.)
2. Brett Wilson. New to the Den.He is a philanthropist and an investment banker here in Calgary He sits back and watches the others battle it out and actually suprised me by investing in an acrobatic troupe that I didn't think had a shot.He looks like a guy that I could hangout and go mountain biking or skiing with. He comes across as the nicest one of the bunch, but remember, we are only on the third episode...Should be interesting to watch.
3.Robert Herjvec. He comes across as being too nouveau riche for my taste. A bit pompous,but obviously a good business person, with a good eye for opportunity when he sees it.
4.Jim Treliving. Ex RCMP,now owner of Boston Pizza(the pizza can't be beat-sa...remember that jingle?)Big into sports, especially minor hockey. I loved how he told the skating harness contestant that she had it all wrong. He was firm and relentless in his observation, with good reason. He knows hockey!!! His police background helps him sniff out the fakes( in my opinion)
5.Kevin O'Leary. This guy reminds me of an obnoxious New Yorker.He tells it like it is, yet he lacks a bit of tact. He can be a bit beligerent and he comes across as arrogant. It makes good TV, but he doesnt win any brownie points in my books. Lets just say I would never have him as a rock climbing partner. He would probably let me fall first and then if he was hurt, he would probably sue me. He just semms to be that type.
The show airs Monday nights at 8 PM on CBC here in Canada
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