Blanche Macdonald Centre Blog

Vogue Nippon. Hedi Slimane. Anja Rubik.

natasha — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:21:34 +0000

Check out Hedi Slimane’s uber graphic fashion story for Vogue Nippon shot on Anja Rubik. Now that the subversive super star Slimane has replaced Yves Saint Laurent’s Stefano Pilati as creative director, who will be taking beautiful photos like these?

James Vincent x Kevyn Aucoin x BMC

natasha — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 02:06:40 +0000

“How do you define your style to market yourself? What is your brand? Mine is uptown glamour with a downtown edge.” James Vincent

Just wrapped up an awesome presentation by Makeup Artist rockstar James Vincent on one of his favourite Makeup lines, Kevyn Aucoin. Here are a few pics for now. Much more about him, the presentation and all the tips and tricks he had up his tatted sleeve to follow. In the meantime, check out our live tweets @BlancheWorld!

James with our beautiful Makeup Program Director Karen Esprez!

And hey, it’s James’ birthday tomorrow. Give him some love and follow him at @JVincentMakeup on Twitter!

Face Chart Transformations

natasha — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:54:56 +0000

We’re loving this series of gorgeous face charts designed by recent Blanche Macdonald makeup grad Marian Mina. Watch them come to life!

Marian translates her designs onto herself. Stunning!

Fierce!

Knockout Nail Art

natasha — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:48:56 +0000

We’ve always been in awe of our Pro Nail students and grads who create little Louvre-worthy masterpieces on such tiny digits… (with perfectly groomed cuticles, too). Pro Nail grad Steph Berry has been killing it in the Nail Art world with her extreme knockout nails and distinct style. Weapons on the trigger finger, chain-wrapped red talons and fierce studs on the ring. Anyone looking to get an original, cool-looking mani now knows who to turn to.

Nails by Haus of Lacquer

Check this out… MTV Style and Sweetlife have just fallen in love with Steph’s mega talent and skill & even Jermaine Dupri gave her a shout out on her rad creation. One look at her blog, Haus of Lacquer, and you’ll see why some of the top industry pros want to collaborate.

And because we think it’s stunning, here’s a creative she recently did nails for!Photographer: Jackson Zhao, Hair: Chris of Key Hair Studio, Makeup: Blanche Macdonald grad/instructor Andrea Tiller, Model: Britt S

In just a little while, Steph will be part of the superstar talent at CurliQue! Keep your eyes peeled on the CurliQue Facebook and Twitter page to be the first to know…

Style Star Bridget Bogdanoff

natasha — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:06:23 +0000

Here’s our Fashion Merchandising student Bridget Bogdanoff during a class visit to the Blanche Macdonald flagship Atelier Campus and CurliQue Beauty Boutique! Our heads turned when we spotted her in true Betsey Johnson style rocking the designer’s crinoline skirt, fluffy faux fur scarf and bubble trench coat. And paired with the Baby the Stars Shine Bright Heart Bag and Doc Martens combo… Bridget, we love your style!

A ‘Very Classy’ Champagne Toast to Derek Blasberg

natasha — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:56:09 +0000

When he’s not being the Editor at Large for Harper’s Bazaar, globe trotting, lunching with the likes of model Anja Rubik and attending soirees and shows thrown by some of the biggest names in Fashion, New York based Fashion writer Derek Blasberg has found the time to go on a world-wide book tour… and a very classy one at that!

The Bay hosted this swanky little event in their sleek, high-end designer section, The Room, to toast the launch of Derek’s latest book – a cheekily-written New York Times bestseller titled Very Classy: Even More Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady. Having had contributed to Vogue, Style.com, W, and Elle and with years of experience partying uptown and downtown, mingling with the fashion and social elite from near and far, Derek is an expert on perfect social behaviour in every social situation. That’s why his etiquette tip-filled book, Very Classy, is one to be excited about.

Gathered amongst all the Erdem, Proenza Schouler and Mugler were Vancouver’s fiercest Fashion stars, including Blanche Macdonald Fashion staffers and grads and, notably, the guest of honour’s stunning DJ/Model friend Leigh Lezark. Everyone left the party with books signed by Derek (who, btw, seems to also have a special talent in remembering everyone’s names), while Team Blanche (our Fashion students) worked the room and male Liz Bell models served up a choice of oversized classy/trashy pins and champagne and wine for everyone.

That’s pure class in our books!

Thanks to Fashion instructor/grad Lyndi Barrett of Lj PR & our very own Shaina Azad for the party pics!

Follow him and his life on Twitter @DerekBlasberg. He’s hilarious. You won’t regret it.

Marc Jacobs A/W 11 Campaign

natasha — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:28:49 +0000

Helena Bonham Carter. Yeah she’s fun, fearless and quirky and that’s why we like her. When she becomes the face of a Marc Jacobs campaign, we turn our heads to check it out.

And the Makeup Artist chosen to complement Helena’s wacky style? None other than the incredibly talented Blanche Macdonald Makeup graduate Janeen Witherspoon!! With a Vogue cover, an exclusive for AnOther Mag (love AnOther!), a huge celebrity and elite model clientele and London, Paris and Milan Fashion Week shows every season, we can’t be more proud of our international High Fashion Makeup Artist rockstar!

Marc Jacobs AW 2011 Campaign
Photographer: Juergen Teller
Stylist: Katie Grand
Makeup: Blanche Macdonald Makeup graduate Janeen Witherspoon with Julian Watson Agency

Top Canadian Stylist Amy Lu

natasha — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 23:24:53 +0000

Award-winning Top Fashion Stylist Amy Lu dove into the Fashion world even before graduating from our Fashion Merchandising program in 2001 and quickly rose to the forefront of the Fashion industry. You may recognize this knock-out talent from appearances on Much Music, Inside Entertainment and Canada’s Next Top Model or from her weekly fashion column “Kool Thing” in the Georgia Straight. Her work has also been published in magazines including Vanity Fair, Z!nk, People and FASHION Mag as well as national advertising campaigns for Nike, Coca Cola, McDonald’s and Air Canada. Not only does she have an eye for styling others, she’s also been voted one of Canada’s “best dressed”! Now, with a successful 10+ years in the industry, and having had worked with world-renowned photographers, top models and celebrities, she hosts a Fashion Styling Boot Camp and continues wow us with her incredible work in print and on TV!

Here are a couple of her recent Fashion editorials for Fiasco Digital Mag’s big September Issue and A Dress To Kill Mag’s Fall Issue!

FIASCO Digital Magazine – Sensual Issue Sept 2011
“Must Be the Feeling”
Photography: Greg Swales
Styling: Blanche Macdonald Fashion Merchandising graduate Amy Lu
Hair/Makeup: Sheri Stroh
Model: Tara Gill of Elmer Olsen Models

Dress To Kill Magazine Fall Issue
Photography: Greg Swales
Styling: Blanche Macdonald Fashion Merchandising graduate Amy Lu
Hair/Makeup: Sheri Stroh
Prop Styling: Kelly Arsenault
Models: Leanne P & Ryan Taylor of Elmer Olsen Models

Mercedes-Benz StartUp Semi-Finals

natasha — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 03:29:38 +0000

Photos by: Mercedes-Benz Canada, FASHION magazine

Well, the Twittersphere was buzzing with enthusiasm Tuesday night. When Mercedes-Benz teams up with IMG – an international mega PR company to host a competition and mentorship program to nurture emerging Canadian Fashion Designers, it’s an opportunity not to be missed. Along with major exposure, contestants of the Mercedes-Benz StartUp Competition are given a chance to access help from incredibly experienced Fashion insiders and are given an amazing opportunity to debut their collection at LG Fashion Week in Toronto!

The criteria for entry for Canadian designers is having less than five years of experience and having produced at least one commercial collection.

“The heart of the program is about connecting a select group of designers with an experienced panel of industry insiders to help them navigate real world challenges both on and off the runway while building a sustainable business beyond the initial launch of their collection,” says Jarrad Clark, Global Production Director at IMG. (VanSun)

One of the top twenty designers selected from the hundreds that entered is Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design program graduate, Shelley Ediger. Shelley soon earned her coveted spot in the top ten (five in Montreal and five in Vancouver) following a one-on-one interview in front of a panel of judges (all key influencers in Canada’s Fashion Industry), giving them a closeup on her swim collection and convincing them she has what it takes to succeed.

Next thing she knew, she was selecting eight ensembles from her label, Shelley Ediger Swim, to showcase on the catwalk for the Western semi-finals!

Photos by Blanche Macdonald, FASHION magazine, Mercedes-Benz Canada, ad–idem@live.ca & Shelley Ediger.

Sponsored by FASHION Mag, Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC), Mercedes-Benz Canada and IMG, we arrived with high expectations: all of which were met as we were greeted by valet parking, signature Lemon Drop Martinis and wine, endless hors d’oeuvres, and a well-heeled crowd (and, of course, plenty of beautiful vehicles), all within the airy and well-lit showroom of Mercedes-Benz North Vancouver.

Amongst the crowd was the judging panel consisting of industry insiders Yumi Eto (Aritzia’s Design director, journalist and designer whose designs are sold in many high end department stores and boutiques worldwide), Joy Pecknold (Western Editor of FASHION Mag), Catherine Dunwoody (A-list Stylist, Fashion Editor), Michael Minielly (Supervisor, PR, Mercedes-Benz Canada) and Amy Wasserman (IMG, Vice Prez of The Fashion Event Corporation).

Backstage, handfuls of Blanche Macdonald Makeup and Pro Hair students worked hard to get the models runway-ready. The show was fantastic – an outstanding way to showcase the next generation of designers of Canada!

So proud of your accomplishments, Shelley!! Here’s to Canadian fashion design talent and amping up Canada’s fashion position on the global scale!

Cosmetic Kitchen: Homemade Face Masks

natasha — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 01:14:48 +0000

Some great music, sliced cucumbers and a couple of ingredients from your kitchen and you’re set for a great spa night with your friends. Here are three of our favourite masks to make from our Cosmetic Kitchen. Something for everyone!

Excellent for dry or combination skin.

½ avocado, mashed
½ ripe banana, mashed
1 tsp olive oil

step one: mix together till smooth and creamy
step two: slather onto a freshly cleansed face
step three: leave on for 15 minutes
step four: rinse with warm water

Perfect for oily skin. And, because it’s rich in beta-carotenes and pro-vitamin A, it’s also a great anti-aging mask!

¼ cup grated carrot
1 ½ teaspoons mayonnaise

step one: mix together well
step two: apply to a freshly cleansed face
step three: leave on for 15 minutes
step four: rinse with warm water

For all skin types – especially oily, acne-prone skin. It tightens, brightens and shrinks your pores, too!

1 egg white
2 tbsp oatmeal
1 tbsp lemon juice

step one: whisk egg white till frothy
step two: add oatmeal and lemon juice and mix well
step three: apply to a freshly cleansed face
step four: leave on for 15 minutes
step five: rinse well

*Follow all masks with moisturizer

More from our Cosmetic Kitchen…

Pineapple Toner
Milk Cleansers
Oatmeal Masks

Have a lovely weekend!! xoxo