Under the nightlife influence
Noties, spring has sprung and the social season is officially underway. Equally fab? Today’s stylish soirées. Enjoy.
Talking the Talk/Walking the (Cat)walk: First up is an inaugural event produced by the visionary duo behind LORI.biz, founder/ president Arielle Beaudin and co-founder/vice-president communications and marketing Stéphane Atanga. Inspired by the notion of creating an empowering platform for female entrepreneurs, the two established LORI (Ladies Of Real Influence) with a view to promoting and celebrating talented female entrepreneurs and equipping them with invaluable resources and networking opportunities. Exhibit A: Their very first Networking Fashion Show, which recently took the city by stylish storm at the W Hotel. Patronized by over 200 business and fashion enthusiasts, festivities kicked off with a cocktail dinatoire in the ever-trending hotel’s Plateau Lounge where impressive drinks and apps — think sweet LORI. biz lychee cocktails and Otto’s mouth-watering best — were rivalled only by the solid networking (and fine tunes offered up by DJ Seychelle, renowned for her distinctive breed of bold house and lush techno).
Post apps, schmooze and tunes, guests including the moving and shaking likes of ex minister of immigration Diane De Courcy, borough mayor Benoit Dorais and wife Jocelyne Cyr, Youth Fusion president Gabriel Bran Lopez, M Salon owner Arie Benchetrit, and Desjardins vice president commercial banking Pascal Proulx, went on to enjoy an enlightening panel presided over by Camille Dg, savvy founder/president of The Booklet, who interviewed established designer Isabelle Élie, founder of atelier boutique Isabelle Élie. Therein, Élie addressed many of the queries and concerns harboured by the emerging young fashion designers whose designs were showcased in the upcoming show.
Speaking of which — the muchanticipated show — it was next on the action-packed agenda and, rather ingeniously, featured several hand-picked Montreal businesswomen of influence who proudly wore 32 designs by the emerging young designers: Jennifer Masabni (of Masabni), Rim and Rita Elias (of Eläma Fur), Myriam Élie (of MYEL), Elisa C-Rossow and Marilyne Baril.
As for the accomplished businesswomen-turned-runway stars (who showed off the diverse and inspired looks to perfection while Dg, serving as emcee, elaborated upon each design), they were none other than: candidate for appointment to the Liberal Party of Canada Mélanie Joly; Royal LePage real estate broker Amy Assaad; Cira Medical Services eastern region senior vice-president/GM Caroline Codsi; Portus Calle and Helena chef/owner Helena Loureiro; host/producer/designer Manon LeBlanc; Board of Trade of Montreal vice-president strategy and public affairs Sévrine Labelle; and Bang Marketing president Stéphanie Kennan.
After the show (and thunderous applause for a job well done by both designers and “models”), Beaudin made a brief address, thanking one and all for contributing to the glittering success of the networking fashion night, before ushering them into the lounge for still more après-show drinks and nibblies. Talk about walking the (cat) walk for sister entrepreneurs! The Dinner Before the Boudoir Affair: Now if that lead didn’t get your attention, I surrender! Seriously though, the title refers to the recent VIP soirée held in anticipation of the 2015 Bridal Boudoir Affair (BBA) March 29th at the Hyatt Regency. Hosted by yet another powerhouse female entrepreneur Maddy K, of Maddy K Events + Weddings Atelier (the titanic force behind the BBA), glam guests — à la BBA official host Natasha Gargiulo of Virgin Radio and Holt Renfrew Quebec divisional vice president Normand Ciarlo — were bowled over by the dazzle of it all, namely gorgeous Miss Pret à Manger appetizers in one of the stunning just-launched penthouse RitzCarlton Montréal Residences followed by a limo ride to 40 Westt where a multi-course feast awaited featuring an array of signature Maddy K surprises including an entrancing presentation by Christofle national brand ambassador/etiquette master Justin Trabert.