Event | 紀實, Fashion | 時尚
SHINE! 2016 | The Essential Designer List
On September 10th, 2016 An all-star cast of 200+ volunteer models, dancers, actors and musicians — sponsored by volunteer local fashion designers, top hair stylists and make-up artists — created an avant garde themed extravaganza on the runway, all in support of mental illness & those living with addictions. Over 900 guests came out to support and enjoy an unforgettable evening of fashion, fun and entertainment for the inaugural year of SHINE!p>SHINE! 2016 was a huge success!! I was so proud and honored to be on the team this year as the Official Fashion & Lifestyle Correspondent. I had so much fun conducting interviews leading up to the event, and building the social media buzz! Thank you so much to Dean Thullner for creating such an imaginative event which was a fabulous way to give back, with communities helping communities. I also want to tip my hat off to the whole team & participants for their hard work and organization! I sat down post-SHINE with the Lead Stylist, the incomparable Miss Dani Barnes | House Of Barnes, who gave me a few of her Lead Stylist notes on each of the 14 Fashion Designers who showcased their talents at SHINE! 2016. I can’t wait until next year, and I am still feeling the afterglow!
Still gagging over the eleganza that was SHINE! 2016? Want to look up some of the amazing designers? Here’s our Essential List! – Justin Voitic
Take it away Dani ‘House of Barnes’!
Tracy Cole // Volume Studio
It was an honour to see Tracy’s extreme imagination come forth in this collection. I love when designers produce lines that have a little bit of everything in them. From a full length tassel onesie to suiting for dapper ladies. My eye is on that black vest with the glitter smiley face…Loved it!!
Doris Granados // Salon Origins
A Blanche Macdonald grad with some seriously unique style! Who knew quilted pants were a thing…now we know. Doris is a genius, starting with a colour pallet that strikes me as unusual (red and lime green) then somehow pulling the whole concept together like it was a classic pan-tone set. Delicious.
House Gallery Boutique // Brush
The black and white striped lady boss jacket saves my life just by existing. April Peters is a woman who has inspired me for years! Her designs are otherworldly, absolute top quality and wearing anything of hers makes one not only feel like but become royalty.
Carolyn Bruce Designs – Steampunk Jewelry // Stratosphere
Layer upon layer upon layer of goth godliness and glamour. I LOVE wearing anything by Carolyn. She has an eye for ‘more is more’ that only a decadent exhibitionist can truly appreciate. A vial of blood here, a giant bat face on a 12-foot cape there, a casual light-up 8-piece elephant jewellery set over there….Yes. Please.
“Just make sure not to touch the razor mask. It is truly beautiful but they are real razors and you will totally cut yourself” says one of the models at rehearsal about one of Shay’s masks. I think this nicely sums up the collection- beauty with a bite that you’ll have to touch to verify you’re not dreaming!
Charlene has more talent than we know what to do with! I’m OBSESSED with the cream brocade coat with 3-foot long tail trains. I’ve never seen anything like it?! It’s a royal wedding for Tim Burton friends and I can’t decide whether I would want to be the bride or the groom. Keep your eyes on this one!
Lindsey Kapitzke // Sugar Skull
The rainbow sequin, red silk lined jacket was one of the first pieces I saw after being brought onto team Shine in May. She’s a Calgary designer and I knew we had to get those garments shipped in!! Well yes, it was even more exquisite in person- our second Blanche Graduate designer who is going to make a big name for herself in this industry!
Beauty By Impairment // Queens
Karin is an absolute DOLL with devotion to glitter and opulent fabrics. Are fashions fit for a queen? Had to say it. :p But really, stunning custom creations that make you want to dance and strut and show off and celebrate….how much better does it get? I need one of the tie waists, could be turned into a cape in a minute, skirts right now.
Head to toe couture. I was living my Indian princess fairy tale dream in their showroom but seeing the gowns live on their gorgeous models was the real spectacle. Some of their capes had to be lifted with both hands thanks to the meticulously hand-beaded fabrics. How do you pick a favourite colour from a glitter-covered rainbow?
DISCO MERMAID, FACE MIRROR CLAW, FLORAL MESH BUTTERFLY SHOULDER, LIGHT UP ROSE BUM. A runway collection does not get more elaborate than this. I knew I could count on Shiverz to serve us ‘never been seen before’ realness and inspire me to get farther outside the box with my own designs.
Nikki Rose // Craft
I want to ask Nikki Rose for an estimate of how many jewels she used to cover her entire collection and if she would turn me into the glittery ecstasy animal of my dreams for a show sometime. This one has a fiery passion for her creations, explosive perfection and haute couture combined to produce a line that continues to top itself!
A guru in her industry and a world-famous collector- Melanie’s creations for Lace Embrace make people’s dreams come true on a daily. It is fascinating to watch someone turn a classic corset into thousands of different designs, always something new, making sure you think ‘what is she going to do next?’ Movie star goddess magic was delivered this time!
Boo La La continues to command FUN everywhere they show up. It was a pleasure to style 10 gorgeous men from sexy to outrageous to technically perfect ballet dancers. Mantra at the Boo is ‘Life’s More Fun In Costume’ and I think each model embodied this perfectly on the Shine runway!
Jennifer is a perfectionist and you can see the culmination of her efforts in gowns worthy of Marie Antoinette and her companions. How did we manage with an 8-foot cage skirt backstage you will never know, but it’s seriously a blessing to watch someone with that level of dedication bringing forth a pastel rainbow of her soul in fabric form. And you gotta love a quick change! Off with the skirts, on with the shorty shorts, what a perfect grand finale to the SHINE fashion show.
Lead Stylist Notes / Commentary by Dani ‘House of Barnes’
Intro by Justin Voitic
Photography by Kuna Lu | Kuna Photography Group
Source from HUSH Magazine