This past thursday night the team here at Mine and Yours attended John Casablancas Institute Annual Fashion Show Gala! 

Vancouver welcomed luxury retail newcomer CICINO with glamourous fanfare and some serious swank last week with a Pascal Millet fashion show and a serious soireé.

From store front to Canada Place. Check out our photo journey to Diner En Blanc Vancouver 2015.

With Dîner En Blanc is just a few sleeps away, we thought we would give you some tips and outfit inspo and tips to get you in the spirit for the big night. The event which is held at a secret location every year boasts beautiful decorations and an undeniably glamorous vibe with everyone decked out in their finest en blanc attire. 

With that being said,  here's some inspiration and suggestions to help you join the party!

Last Saturday, Courtney and I got to enjoy the LUXE2015 Charity Fashion Show hosted by CVC (Chinese Varsity Club)- a UBC Social Club. They brought many unique elements that you don't see at a conventional show.

Sustainable Fashion 

Increasing numbers of businesses are adapting a sense of responsibility for future generations. That means creating business models  that  are as sustainable and environmentally responsible as they are lucrative. It is especially imperative that leaders in fashion - the third most environmentally damaging industry - promote the industry in a way that harmonizes respect for nature and business. Vancouver ECO Fashion Week is just here to do that.

ZOMG you guys, we can't believe our 2 months on Robson Street is almost up! 

Vancouver's Luxury and Designer Consignment and Resale Boutique, Re-invented

Following a wildly successful first year in business, we decided to move next door to 1062 Hornby and unveil a bigger location to accommodate our overwhelming supply of the best luxury and designer resale clothing in the city!

Mine & Yours boutique, designed by Interior Designer Jessica Elliot. Photos by Thomas Bullock. 

Our new space is brighter, more organized, and includes and upstairs Shoe Lounge and Buying area, where we can better sort through your luxury and designer consignment and resale items. 

We of course celebrated the way we always do.....WITH A PARTY! We invited local media, bloggers and all our valued friends and customers to come share in the celebration, and partake in our Photo Booth to commemorate the fun.

Zajac Nights Producer Sophie Perodeau, Mine & Yours Partner Courtney Watkins, and Fashion Designer Jaida Hay

Mine & Yours Founder Jigme Love and Founder of Eco Fashion Week Myriam Laroche

Fashion Blogger Justine Barnes

FMA Entertainment Founder Andy Chu

Mine & Yours with Style By Fire Founders Aurora and Miranda. 

Bloggers Suzanne Serwatuk and Jessica Luxe 

Style Nine to Five Founder Christie Lohr

The Commodity Juicery Team: Carissa Campeotto, Michael Rothwell, Sara Nowak 

Global Glitterati Founder Crystal Carson and Actor Chris Violette.

Charity Meister and LotusActiva CEO Lisa Palleson-Stallan

Stylist Bobbie Long, Jigme Love, and Owner of Coco Weddings and Events Lara Holte-Taylor

Recording Artist Ali Milner

At the party, guests enjoyed cold pressed juices from Commodity Juicery, Wines from Mission Hill, and delicious nibbles by the Bearded Chefs.

House of Harlow in Vancouver! 

We also unveiled our collection of NEW House of Harlow Jewelry. Mine & Yours is one of the very few stores in Vancouver that sells House of Harlow - both in-store and online. 

Photo of model Ekaterina admiring House of Harlow jewelry by SidewalkRunway.com

A sincere thank you to everyone who came to our party! We look forward to growing with you and celebrating with you for many, many years to come! 

Mine & Yours E-Commerce Associate Bitty Berlinghoff and Mine & Yours Buyer Joanna Chaffin 

Mine & Yours Partners Courtney Watkins and Jigme Love 

Photo Credit: Silvester Law 

As a newbie model who had never walked 15 shows in a week or done back-to-back shows before, I arrived at the SS15 Vancouver Fashion Week location last Monday afternoon having no idea what the rest of my week was going to look like. It is astonishing now to reflect upon all the backstage chaos, the all-day fittings, the amazing designs, and even the fact that I had squeezed my 7.5 feet into 6.5 six-inch heels…so much was condensed into one short week. By now you have probably read all about the scene outside, from the show to the “Frows” and to the after-parties, but here is my backstage and modelling for my first season at VFW. 

Above: Shriley Lei walking for Dawson & Deveraux, Akira Kuwabara, Green Embassy, Oscar Mendoza.

Photo Credits: Ed Ng, Wilson Rausan, Dominic Manea.

Tuesday was officially the first day of Vancouver Fashion Week, after the Opening Gala on Monday that kicked-off the season. Along with other models in my group, I arrived at the tent for fittings at 10 am. After being fitted for the four shows for the night, we immediately started hair and makeup. Before we knew it, we are lined up for our first show, Priscille Canivet. Based on golds and whites, this season’s collection gave off an elegant and exquisite Greek-goddess feel. 

Photo Credit: Andrew Campbell 

Between shows is when the real “chaos” happens. Right after the finale walk for one show, we sprint backstage to kick off our heels, gently remove the designer’s adored pieces, frantically throw on our “uniform” (black cami and leggings, all day err’ day), while we rush to makeup and hair in preparation for the next one. I don’t know how the makeup artists and hair stylists do it, especially when they need to strip black smokey-eyes and paint on ethereal-looking gold shimmer lids, or calm fully teased hair into a straight and sleek ponytail in a few minutes - but they always succeed! Meanwhile, volunteers rush all over the place finding shoe sizes and helping multiple models dress at once; the backstage manager, Lori, cheers up models and guides them right before they walk on, and the photographers capture these precious moments.

Photo Credit: Silvester Law

It was amazing to personally meet the designers and witness their passion for their lines, and their excitement to be showing at Vancouver Fashion Week - one of my favourite designers was Akira Kuwabara, who came all the way from Japan. Akira had a gentle and endearing personality; his collection featured a set of intricately-buttoned trench coats and a set of rocker dresses that wowed the crowd with its attitude.

Photo Credits: Aziz Dhamani (left), Andrew Campbell (right)

A few models and I were joking about how we would totally be guys for the week just to walk in the mens’ shows! From Clara Martin’s fur-like pants and bold and colourful ensembles to Shinya Yamaguchi’s cool and sleek silhouettes, this season’s menswear is definitely a collection to be excited about. 

Photo Credits: Aziz Dhamani (top), Dominic Manea (bottom) 

It was also a complete joy to walk for Karen Yang! Karen Yang derives inspiration from “the colour, vibrancy and diversity of culture”, which was definitely reflected in the various mixed prints in her unique and lively collection. Strutting in her playful pink-printed jacket and romper ensemble and bold blue lips to Purity Ring’s “Fineshrine”, I felt perfectly bubbly in this show. 

Photo Credit: Dominic Manea 

Overall it was truly an amazing experience - big shout out to Vancouver Fashion Week for establishing this platform for the Vancouver fashion scene to gather and develop! I am very grateful for all the amazing individuals I met and those who I had a chance to reconnect with during the week. Until next season!