The new and highly applauded high-end boutique Invito Couture, held their very first boutique fashion show last Thursday evening in the fabulous Emmanuel St Juste's gallery located in the Tinseltown mall in Vancouver BC! I was lucky enough to be invited to join the team as a writer and got to experience both the bright lights and glamour of the runway (front row yes!) and the back stage pre-show madness.
I have had the opportunity in the past to work as a model and a stylist so I have come to appreciate all the hard work and preparation that is involved in putting together a show like the one Liz and her husband/co-owner put on last Thursday. Hairspray, powder and perfume filled the air as I walked in the room and I had to breath deeply, indulging in a smell that so reminds me of glamour. The make-up artists Christine Rose, Christa Plomp and Melissa did a wonderful job and it was all I could do but not play with the pretty colors and fab eyelashes they had in their magic kits.
The team of hairstylists from Richard Jeha Hair Company were marvelous. Styles were all very high fashion. A lot of up-do's with back combing and twists. Crimping, curls, BIG BIG BIG was the focus. I saw a lot of low pretty buns, save that for quick glamour tricks when you are going out!
The event started with some delicious appies and white wine below the gallery in the store itself! What a great way to shop, glass of white in one hand and spinach rolls in the other. I have to apologize now for over eating, but all the food was home cooked and I had to indulge, I haven't had home-cooked food since I moved out of my moms house and it is SO wonderful!
On to the show!! My wonderful friends saved me a seat in the front row and I felt very fashionista. My hand writing looks like a 5 year old's doodle book after a 5 hour road trip so I took photos as notes instead. Things that really stood out to me about Invito's collection were backs, detailing, sparkles, and unique cuts. These are not your average evening gowns people, every piece had something about it that really made you look twice. Lots of sparkle, rouching, layered cuts and dipping neck-lines. The colors were bright and bold, very attention seeking and rich. The show started off with three similarly printed dresses resembling animal prints. Now usually I find animal print a bit boring as you see it used a lot but the fabrics and the long flowing styles of these dresses, re-created the use of prints and I fell in love! Since the long style gowns are back in action the show was full of floor sweeping pieces that moved beautifully as if they were alive! There were fits that would flatter every body type and every dress would make the woman wearing it feel like she were walking the red carpet! My very favorite dress of their collection was a creme colored strapless gown with gold detailing and embellishments. It caught my eye the first time I was in the store and I am just waiting for someone to invite me to a ball so I can wear it!
The models were Tia Guzzo, Brenda Bones, Nicole Watson, Alicia Crudo, Bryanna Johnson, Charlene Sierakowsi, Sara Stojcevic and Felicia Manson Wise-Denholm. They were requited from agencies and friends of the company. They all look ravishing in the gowns and I am sure many of them chose to purchase the dresses they modeled!
After the show everyone enjoyed the rest of the appies and wine and star-studded networking festivities!
All of the dresses you see in my photos are currently in the store and they are located on the main floor in the tinseltown mall! I am looking foreword to Invito's next show. They are going to be getting their spring collection in very soon and I recommend going to the boutique to view it!
As for me, my birthday is coming up very soon and I may just have to throw a crystal ball....I will find a way to need that dress!
View their collection and location Info here!!!
>>>>>> http://www.invitocouture.com/ <<<<<<<
