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The evening at the sold-out Memory Ball on Saturday, March 23, 2013 started off with a wine reception and Feature Foods’ herring and vodka pairing with ambience created by the Toronto Clarinet Choir. There was a great selection of silent auction items to peruse as lots of delicious and hot hors d’oeurves were provided by Toben Foods by Design. The evening continued with hand massages by Aveda spa, colorful cupcakes, a photobooth by Infinity Photobooth and full open bar. Local Toronto DJ’s Marly Marl of Enforcas and DJ Pat Trivedi who was sponsored by Memory Mats.

Memory Ball was a great charity gala with a fun-focused vibe filled with over 430 party-going philanthropists and Andrew Richard Designs is a dynamic open-concept loft-style venue to host any upscale event. In only their 2nd annual Memory Ball, Friends for a Benefit (FFAB), was started by a group of young friends who were united for a cause after 2 of their mothers were diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, currently under the care of their daughters. It was shocking to learn that early-onset Alzheimer’s disease can be diagnosed in individuals as early as 19 years old. FFAB hopes that through it’s year-long activities and communication pieces it is able to improve the understanding of the disease, especially in it’s early-onset form. Scroll down below for their video included below “Every 4 Seconds”.

Great to hear that plans are already underway for Memory Ball 2014!

UPDATE: Memory Ball raised $35,000 this year for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto! To date, Friends for a Benefit and Memory Ball have raised over $55,000 in just two years!. Congratulations!

Guests bidding on the silent auction

Guests bidding on the silent auction

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Justine, Alex Liang (Kenton Magazine), Megan

Justine, Alex Liang (Kenton Magazine), Megan

right: Gracie Carroll

right: Gracie Carroll

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Every 4 seconds someone around the globe is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As it stands today, more than 500,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia and approximately 71,000 of them are under the age of 65. (50,000 are under the age of 50). Video by Memory Ball.

About Friends for a Benefit and Memory Ball
In 2011, Friends for a Benefit (FFAB) was established to raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s disease among a young demographic. Each member of FFAB has been personally touched by Alzheimer’s disease. The group is passionate about increasing awareness for Alzheimer’s disease as both Ms. Poirier’s and Ms. Fudurich’s mothers were diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. In its inaugural year, Memory Ball hosted 350 guests and raised $21,203 for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto and aims to exceed that amount in 2013. To learn more about the organization and sponsorship opportunities, please visit memoryball.org.

About the Alzheimer Society of Toronto
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto is the leading health organization working nationwide to improve the quality of life for Canadians affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The Society offers support, information and education to people with dementia, their families and their caregivers, while increasing public awareness of dementia related illness. The Alzheimer Society of Toronto promotes research and advocates for services that respect the dignity of the individual. For more information, please visit alzheimertoronto.org.

Check out our photos below. To see them on Facebook, click here.

NUGS. Just as whimsical as their creator, NUGS are cute, colorful and charismatic creatures sure to charm any child or adult who's a kid at heart!

NUGS. Just as whimsical as their creator, NUGS are cute, colorful and charismatic creatures sure to charm any child or adult who’s a kid at heart!

The ‘One Of A Kind Spring Show’ is in town right now from March 27-31 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place. At the centre of the massive exhibit hall is a feature display boasting fresh, bold designs using products that are all made in Canada. This year’s special feature includes the “One of a Kind Bunny Rabbit Competition”, where exhibitors create a piece along this theme using their own medium. Best of all, guests can vote for their favourite bunny at the People’s Choice Award!

Now everyone LOVES Etsy (ca.etsy.com) where you can buy and sell all things handmade or vintage online – and this year’s show featured an entire section dedicated to talented Etsy sellers including CandiWare, Love at First Blush, Organic Quilt Company, Sugar Soul Studio and many, many more artisans.

To read more about the One of a Kind Show, click here www.oneofakindshow.com

2013 ONE OF A KIND SPRING SHOW AND SALE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 TO SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 2013

Weekdays & Saturday 10am–9pm
Open Good Friday 10am–9pm
Open Easter Sunday 10am–6pm

Check out some of the finds in the gallery below:

Erin Karpluk (CBC's Being Erica), Natalie Brown (Being Human / Cracked)

I was lucky to be invited along with celebrities, fashion industry insiders, media and fashion bloggers to attend the private unveiling of the Baileys glass dress and the high-end couture Lucian Matis fashion show. While some shows were happening on the last day of fashion week at David Pecaut Square, it was a special treat to be part of an alternative closing to Toronto’s fashion week. The evening at One King West started with a reception featuring 3 types of unique Bailey’s cocktails and rich desserts passed around. It was a nice touch to be greeted with Lucian Matis-branded swag bags on each seat.

So the reception ended and show started with the one-of-a-kind dress as the first onto the runway with no introduction needed. It was just there and the glass was shimmering beautifully. It is composed primarily of pieces of glass from the new Bailey’s Irish Cream bottles as well as other flat glass and multi-faceted beads. Since the shards of glass are flat, we were assured that no models were injured by the dress (thanks, Chris!). It took over 125 hours and a team of three skilled workers to create. The work-of-art takes inspiration from the new silhouette of the Bailey’s Irish Cream bottle and the iconic ‘Double B’ logo was prevalent for the top half of the dress.

Similarly, the redesigned Bailey’s bottle is taller with lifted shoulders and gives the logo greater prominence.

Lucian Matis' Bailey's glass dress Photo: JJ Thompson

Lucian Matis’ Bailey’s glass dress Photo: JJ Thompson

This season I wanted to focus on the simplicity of the silhouette rather than the details,” explains Matis. “Working with a monochromatic theme, I could emphasis the shape of the garments from an architectural methodology with boxy geometric shapes.”

Those in attendance included David Sutcliffe from CBC’s Gilmore Girls, Erin Karpluk from CBC’s Being Erica, Gabrielle Miller, Natalie Brown (Being Human / Cracked) and Rosey Edeh (Global News).

Erin Karpluk (CBC's Being Erica), Natalie Brown (Being Human / Cracked)

Erin Karpluk (CBC’s Being Erica), Natalie Brown (Being Human / Cracked)

Here are our own photos from the reception:

Check out photos from the fashion show entitled a “Monochromatic Fantasy” consisting of black, white and ivory using fur, felts, wool and silk.

Also check out our photos from the MATIS by Lucian Matis collection for Fall / Winter 2013 earlier during fashion week.

A shuttle was provided for those who wanted to return to David Pecaut Square to get back in time for the next fashion shows there.

Watch the behind the scenes video on the making of the glass dress.

Here is some video footage from the exclusive fashion show

Baileys® Canada Fashion Week | Lucian Matis from Baileys Canada on Vimeo.

Baileys® Canada: Lucian Matis | Behind the Scenes from Baileys Canada on Vimeo.

ABOUT LUCIAN MATIS
Romanian-born, Toronto-based fashion designer Lucian Matis began designing at a very early age. Prior to moving to Canada in 1999, Matis studied art at the Sibiu Art Institute in Transylvania. Matis graduated in 2003 from Ryerson University’s esteemed Fashion Design Program where he received multiple awards. His first professional collection was presented at L’Oreal Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2007.

Matis gained national attention and a vast fan base through his participation on the first season of Slice Network’s Project Runway Canada. He has since been featured in several in-depth profiles on Fashion Television, eTalk, ET Canada, Breakfast Television, CityLine, Marilyn Dennis, Global News, CBC, and more. His work has graced the pages and covers of numerous national and international publications, including FASHION, FLARE, ELLE Canada, Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, and Women’s Wear Daily.

His designs have been worn by numerous internationally renowned celebrities, including Nelly Furtado, Sarah Gadon, Andrea Martin, Mia Martina, Coco Rocha, Petra Nemkova, just to name a few. Lucian Matis is available through custom orders through www.lucianmatis.com.

About BAILEYS® Irish Cream
BAILEYS Irish Cream launched in Ireland in 1974. It is now available in 180 markets worldwide and is the number one selling liqueur in the world.  BAILEYS Irish Cream is currently ranked 7th among all distilled spirits sold worldwide and enjoys 70 percent share of the total Irish Cream Liqueur Market around the world.  Owned by Diageo plc, BAILEYS Irish Cream contents are a blend of Irish whiskey, fresh double cream and other fine ingredients. For more information on BAILEYS Irish Cream, please visit us at www.BAILEYS.com.

Bailey's Irish Cream cocktails

Bailey’s Irish Cream cocktails

CSE Expo attendees, show sponsors and other event professionals attended the annual Canadian Special Events Expo’s sold-out opening night party. Doing what event professionals do best, the all-out party was held at both floors of the large UpCountry store on King East. The party was organized by Deb Lewis and her CityEvents team.

Guests could download the App Labb made for the night for a chance to win various prizes through their social media contests.

There were many booths to enjoy including the following:

  • Presidential Gourmet
  • Bucket & Whisk
  • Neptuno Oysters
  • Parts & Labour Catering
  • Photostar
  • The Griffin Gastropub
  • Rome n’ Chariot
  • Cheesewerks
  • Pop-up Coffee Shop

It was all about the Neptuno Oysters team for their incredible selection of seafood delights including oysters and unique toppings. Parts and Labour had impressive selection of cold cuts and fine cheeses among other goodies. Of course the libations provided by The Griffin Gastropub kept the party going all night. It was interesting having the Rome n’ Chariot truck parked outside with food truck Italian delights being brought in by a waiter.

Entertainment included Sarah Violin, Becky Hoops, and Jordan Clark from So You Think You Can Dance, Canada. What an incredible night! No one throws better events than event professionals!

Delicious oysters and toppings provided by Neptuno Oysters

Delicious oysters and toppings provided by Neptuno Oysters

Becky Hoops

Becky Hoops

Jordan Clark

Jordan Clark

Parts & Labour

Parts & Labour

Nasco Staffing

Nasco Staffing

Some notable tweets from the evening:

ABOUT CANADIANSPECIALEVENTS.COM
canadianspecialevents.com is Canada’s # 1 resource for planners and suppliers of special events and meetings. We keep Canada’s event and meeting industry connected through online, in print and face to face marketing and networking.

canadianspecialevents.com reports from around the world on event industry news, current trends, the people and of course the events in this dynamic industry and covers what Canadian event professionals want to know now; from award winning events to venue reviews, entertainment updates, supplier features, product reviews and more, you’ll find it all on canadianspecialevents.com.

For more information visit canadianspecialevents.com

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