Valentino: The Last Emperor has been premiering at film festivals and special events around the world since last summer. Last night, I had the opportunity to go to the FASHION Magazine Vancouver pre-screening of Valentino: The Last Emperor, an insightful “behind-the-scenes” documentary filmed by Vanity Fair corresopndent, Matt Rymauer.

Despite capturing the creation of handsewn full length gowns, paraded by elegant models on the runway, and seeing intricate show sets designed and brough to life, the documentary, surprisingly, focuses more on the relationship between Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino’s lover and business partner. A portrait of a business partnership and a romance. Despite being in the shadows of another man’s success, Giancarlo Giammetti describes his supporting role of Valentino as “happiness”.

For the past two years, the topic of “eyelash extensions” came up every once in a while in conversation. But none of us had actually gotten them done … until now. Like every upcoming trend, eyelash extentions have becomemore acceptable, more accessible and slightly more affordable, . Although this was not my first time visiting Wink!, it wa the first time I tried their salon services. Vivian Ko of Wink! Beauty Lounge (67 East Cordova Street) offered me her services of a “natural eyelash set” (up to 30 lashes per eye for $80) last week and I LOVED IT.

To begin with, Wink! Beauty Lounge is a lovely little boutique in Gastown, with beauty products sold in the front, and salon services in the back. With brands like Pupa, Geisha Ink, OPI, Kiss Me Mascara, Smith’s Rosebud Salve, Essie and Miso Pretty, their stock is comparable to that of Beauty Mark in Yaletown – but slightly more affordable with constant sales and special offers.

It was a highly educational evening as we learned that Bombay Sapphire is no ordinary gin. Instead, it is a premium gin like no other and highly unique. 10 perfectly balanced botanicals obtained from various regions of the world are infused and released upon drinking it. These botanicals include almonds and lemon peel from Spain, grains of paradise from West Africa, liquorice from China, and orris root from Italy to name a few. Each ingredient complements another and are carefully added such that no single botanical overpowers another. The natural flavours are infused to create a subtle yet highly aromatic taste and thus, appeals to both gin and non-gin drinkers.

From updos, to long tousled hair, to sleek bob cuts, the stylists at Suki’s can do them all. Most notably was the use of hair pieces and extensions to enhance the models, transforming their look into an almost space-like creation. Pre-made accessories were inserted into the hair, creating thicker texture, higher volume and more intricate hair styles. The audience came for a show, and a performance was what they got. Burlesque dancers came on stage with extravagant headpieces. Shortly after, models dressed in fashion outfits made completely out of paper walked across the stage, one with fiery red hair which contrasted the whiteness of her paper outfit.

Keep on reading for photos and video footage from the event!

Modern Mix Vancouver hit Bike The Blossoms 2009, as the preferred way to spend a sunny Saturday after a morning of exams. This event, organized by the 2009 Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival and Slow Food Vancouver, offered bikers of all kinds a flower-laden bike route through the city, and many interesting stops along the way. Some of the unique events included an invitation to sample cherry blossom tea at Steep’s Tea, an out of the ordinary cow-milking presentation at Kits Community Centre, and tours through the inspiring urban farming demonstration at City Farmer Urban Agricultural Centre.

Keep reading for MMV’s “Top 6″ for the day!

Modern Mix Vancouver was invited to Yaletown’s r.tl (1130 Mainland Street) last week for a sampling of its new regional features. In case you missed the first article, r.tl’s menu is split into three sections, with each section featuring five to six small plates inspired from a distinct region of the world. The featured regions rotate on a three month basis, with the exception of BC, which is a constant on the menu.

A quick peek at the menu reveals that executive chef Erik Smith has chosen Portugal and France to join BC as its regional features for the next three months. The 50-seat establishment is chic and trendy, with dark wood furniture contrasted by contemporary white chairs.

It’s that time of the year again. And with a website name like “Modern Mix Vancouver”, it’s only appropriate that we cover the 9th annual Vancouver Fashion Week, which takes place at Storyeum. The opening gala last night at Leone (757 West Hastings Street) featured a melange of fashionable designers, models, media and photographers.

A widespread range of chocolates by Daniel was available for sampling, wine was served in the back corner of the spacious venue, and jewelry and accessories were displayed on glass counter tops as members of the fashion industry mingled and networked throughout the evening. Keep on reading for show schedules, designer highlights, a photography gallery as well as a discount coupon for VFW.

Despite the crazy Vancouver weather, spring is almost upon us and that means getting rid of the heavy winter parkas and exchanging them for a lighter option. Ironically, this new piece in my wardrobe came from raiding my mom’s closet before she left on vacation. A black, three-button tailored, “longer-than-average” BCBG blazer which can only now be labeled as a “boyfriend blazer”.

Occasionally described as retro or vintage, my personal description of The Boyfriend Blazer is more “stylish corporate”. This fairly new label in the fashion world allows a casual outfit to be dressed up with added style, without feeling out of place. Continue reading for five ways to wear The Boyfriend Blazer.

Qoola Frozen Yogurt + Fruit offers the great taste and atmosphere of a regular dessert destination, with the added bonus of being excellent for your health. The store offers Vancouver’s only fresh frozen yogurt, as well as organic whole grain waffles with free-range eggs, fresh crepes, daily-prepared fruit, smoothies, and popular acai berry bowls.

Qoola tops traditional ice cream and dessert outlets, not only because of its deliciousness, but also due to its 135-calorie serving size of their small Qoolala (6 oz), loaded with active bacterial cultures which aid in reducing the effects of lactose intolerance, boosts the immune system, and increases brain stimulation.

If you’ve been eagerly anticipating the launch of the MAC Cosmetics Hello Kitty collection, the wait is over. Rumors have been popping up since late 2008 about the arrival of this kitty cat’s debut in the MAC Cosmetics line up and finally arrived in Canadian stores on February 10, 2009.

The collection is standard – with the usual lipsticks, lipglass, nail polish, eyeshadow pallets and blush. Although you would expect the colors to be the ultimate mecca of pink girliness with lipstick ($16.50) colors like “big bow” and “cute-ster” and glitter eyeliner ($20) in “girl groove” and “glitterpuss” there are some surprising shades of dark purples and a burnt orange color in the limited edition “Lucky Tom” eyeshadow quadrant. In my opinion, the most cat-like product in the collection is the “Hello Kitty Lash” ($14) which are false eyelashes in a criss-cross pattern with an overlapping effect on the outer corner, providing you with “big, wide, kitten-eyes”.