The Velvet Room Boutique (2248 West 41st Avenue) “Design A Dress” contest is open to aspiring designers who have less than two years trade or professional experience and are 18 years or older.

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Choose one of the below events and submit a design for a dress that fits the criteria described. Participants may include sketches, pictures, flats and fabric selections in their submissions. Participants may submit designs for one or more of the categories for a maximum of three submitted designs.

• Gala: Design a floor length dress for a black tie gala or awards night (size six)
• Wedding: Design a dress that can be worn to a daytime wedding and evening reception (size eight)
• Birthday: Design an age appropriate dress that the Birthday Gal can wear to her 40th or 50th Birthday Bash. (Curvy size eight)

Initial submissions are due at 6pm on Friday March 26, 2010. For more information, click here.

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Looking to turn up the heat this winter? World renowned singer, Beyoncé, has just launched her first fragrance, Heat, which has arrived exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart locations all across Canada. Inspired by the diva’s life as a performer, the fragrance is housed in a beautiful antique detailed glass bottle that resembles embers of a fire rising from fierce red to hints of soft orange at the top. The first notes of Heat are dazzling red vanilla-orchid, magnolia, neroli and peach. Moving into the heart of the fragrance, senses will experience honeysuckle, almond and musky cream. Finally, notes of sequoia wood, Tonka and amber complete this luscious fragrance. Beyoncé Heat retails for $59 for a 50mL and $79 for a 100mL bottle and is now available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada.

In the fashion industry, trendsetting can be compared to a pyramid. High fashion and couture, starting at the top, and their runway looks for the upcoming season are way beyond the budgets of the average shopper (and MMV reader). But as time passes, these trends trickle down the pyramid as assessable ready-to-wear fashion available at our favourite clothing chains.

Described somewhat as a “fashion visionary”, being a fashion globe-trotter is part of Barb Atkin’s job description as the Vice President of Fashion Direction for Holt Renfrew (737 Dunsmuir Street). At Holt Renfrew’s Spring 2010 Media Preview, Barb gave a presentation about forecasted fashion trends for Spring/Summer 2010 and brought back to local media, her insights and observations about upcoming trends, neatly packaged into 4 easily-understandable “looks”

The Paralympics are coming to Vancouver and it’s not too late to get stylish Olympic gear at a discounted price. Aritzia, a 2010 Olympics clothing sponsor, is having a fabulous sale (20% to 50% off) on most of their Park Life clothing.
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Billabong is having a one day sample sale on Thursday March 4, 2010 from noon to 6pm. Sale includes clothing and accessories for mens, womens and little girls and will take place at #226 – 1868 Glen Drive (across from Home Depot).
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With names like Bo Peep (baby pink), and Nice Melons (a “papaya pearl”), these soft pastel shades remind me of Easter eggs and baby bunnies – a sign that spring is truly just around the corner.

It’s Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Opening ceremonies! After the Parade of Nations, Bryan Adams and Nelly Furtado performed “Bang the Drum”, a song written as a tribute to the Vancouver Olympic athletes. Check out Nelly Furtado’s outfit – an electric blue shot silk cocktail dress with an a-symmetrical neckline, designed by Canadian designers DSquared! The distinctive design of Nelly’s draped shoulder was mirrored by the dramatic height of her 16 cm studded heel. DSquared also dressed Bryan Adams with a slim classic black tailored three-button stretch cady suit over a white poplin shirt with PVC covered collar and cuff and a skinny 60’s black tie, and balck vernice pointed shoes. Go Canada Go!

Wear this as an oversized cocktail ring, or keep it in your purse in the cute violet pouch….this product is for a woman on the go!

…candy coloured heart shape stones introduce a new generation of Sweetie, updated with a logo barrel, these designs capture the delightful essence at the heart of the collection.

Want a long wearing blush? Look no further than Smashbox’s Blush Rush which will last you an entire day at the office or for a night out in town.