BILL BROOKS

Checking out Bella, a beautiful event

It simply does not get any better than fashion supporting philanthropy. And especially when said philanthropy goes to taking care of our tiniest treasures — babies. Holt Renfrew Bella took the city by storm March 11 as hundreds of our city’s fashionably philanthropic souls gathered in the iconic store to sip, schmooze, see, be seen and view the hottest Spring 2015 fashions. That more than $500,000 was raised for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Foothills Medical Centre gives rise to a big grazie to all involved on the enormous success of the event. Take a welldeserved brava Bella chairwoman Marion Dixon and her small army of volunteer committee members comprised of: Cathy Whitehead; Kim Berjian; Ann and Jane McCaig; Tracy Logan; Deb Kerr; Cynthia Moore; Elsa Kothawala; Lindsay Hamilton; Franca DeJong; Margaret Markle; Anne Clarke; Maddy Lang; Jan Wittig; Nancy Taipale; Sue Anne Valentine; Deb Avis; Kim Brinkhaus; Lynn Grafton; Liz Henuset; Shannon Peters; and Julie Shaw.

Highlights of the evening were numerous but not surprisingly top of the list was the Spring 2015 parade of fashion featuring 68 models and 116 looks. Fabulous food prepared by Hotel Arts award-winning chef Duncan Ly, wine and spirits courtesy of Willow Park Wines & Spirits, a performance from select dancers from Alberta Ballet, Stephania Romaniuk’s brilliant performance of Habanera from Carmen, a raffle of a $5,000 personal shopping experience at Holt Renfrew, terrific auction items and of course, the after party ensured all in attendance had a wonderful evening.

Your faithful social scribe had the distinct pleasure of hosting the magenta carpet with media celebs Phoenix and Style Guys Jason Krell and Aly Velji. Who was not in attendance would make a much shorter listing as seemingly the entire city attended including: Calgary Health Trust CEO Jill Olynyk; Shaw Communications COO Jay Mehr and his wife Viviane ( you’ll want to tune into Shaw Cable 10 March 28 at 4:30 for the premiere of the one-hour Bella special); W. Brett Wilson and Shauna Sky; Linda Hohol and her daughter Tara; Joe Colangelo with his fiancee Monika Jensen and his daughter Kristin Colangelo, and others ;pictured on these pages.

Shaw’s Phoenix, one of four magenta carpet hosts this night.

BELLA Holt Renfrew Bella held March 11 in Holt Renfrew was an enormous success and raised more than $500,000 for the NICU at the Foothills Medical Centre. Such phenomenal success is thanks to the tireless efforts of the volunteer committee, above.

Bella featured 68 models showcasing 116 must-have Spring 2015 looks.

Herald social scribe Bill Brooks was one of four media personalties chosen to host the magenta carpet. Joining Brooks is Bella chair Marion Dixon who had just been presented with a Holts Loves badge signifying she was one of the best dressed this night.

PHOTOS: CHRISTINA RYAN/ CALGARY HERALD From left, Tracy Logan, Holt Renfrew manager marketing and public relations with Holt’s divisional vice-president Deb Kerr, event producer Tom Dodd, principal, Brooks and Dodd Consulting and Calgary Health Trust’s Samantha Morahan.

Looking gorgeous are Holt’s divisional vice-president Deb Kerr with Ann McCaig, board chair, Calgary Health Trust.

Terry Berg and Julie Shaw. Julie was one of the invaluable committee members that ensured Bella was an enormous success.

Cannacord Genuity’s Bruce McDonald and his wife Candace cut an elegant swath at the event.

A model showcases a must-have Spring 2015 look.