#VIFFbeauty: Celebrating Canadian Beauty & Talent

Two weeks ago, I was getting red carpet ready with Vancouver's most prominent beauty bloggers, YouTubers, and media publications during #VIFFbeauty! The glamorous event hosted on the Shangri-La's private terrace was meant to give media a taste of what we can expect at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) this year: glitz, glam and of course, a red carpet complete with paparazzi! 

NeoStrata, who is sponsoring the Style in Film Series at VIFF 2015 for the first time, will be joined by retail partner London Drugs. The Canadian brands are teaming up to celebrate Canadian beauty and talent! As Beauty Editor for London Drugs, I spoke to the group of content creators about London Drugs Cosmetics' involvement in the VIFF partnership, and about how exiting it is for a BC-based company to be celebrating Canadian content creators right here in Vancouver! That was followed by a presentation from VIFF's Director of Development Shelley Sainsbury about the Style in Film Series, and a run-down of NeoStrata's cosmeceutical roots & must-try products from the National Education & Training Manager for NeoStrata, Patricia Clare.

There's lots more excitement to come from NeoStrata and London Drugs in September when VIFF takes place, and I don't want to you to miss out on this glamorous journey to VIFF 2015, so make sure you follow along on social with the hashtag #VIFFbeauty, and you can even enter to win a VIP VIFF Experience! Check out the contest details here (contest runs August 1st-Sept 13th).

See you on the red carpet!

Patricia Clare (right) and I (left) talking about the glamorous journey to VIFF 2015!

With Leeanne of Legallee Blonde and Samantha of OTISamantha

Glad I finally got to meet Victoria of Living Disrobed!

With these glamorous gals (left to right): Samantha of OTISamantha, Aurora & Miranda of Style by Fire, Victoria of Living Disrobed

NeoStrata's SecureWhite is unreal! I've been using it for 2 weeks and had amazing results- totally worthy trying.

Amazing Vancouver YouTubers Mikayla of MissMikaylaG and Stephanie SLMissGlam on the red carpet!

Novus TV & BC Living's Natalie Langston chatting about NeoStrata's must-try's

The White Rabbit Communications team! Me with WR's Managing Director, Angela Joyce

Samantha from Hartley PR, Angela from White Rabbit Communications, and Kimiko with London Drugs!

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

A Night of Iris Apfel: VIFF Screening of "Iris"

Iris has to be one  of the best movies I've seen this year! This is probably also my first time watching a fashion film (I still really need to see Dior And I), and I'm so glad VIFF invited me along for their "Night of Iris"- to shop thrifted style gems from My Sister's Closet, and catch a first peek at the documentary of Iris Apfel's flamboyant and ever-so-stylish life, directed by Albert Maysles.

It was great to see many of the ladies in attendance dressed in what were clearly Iris-inspired outfits, decked from head to toe in statement jewellery and bold prints, and I even spotted a few in Iris-esque giant round eye glasses.

Before settling into the Vancity Theatre's cozy screening room, I bumped into eco luxury thrift extraordinaire Helen Siwak of THECloset YVR (formerly known as Kitsilano Kitty's Closet), who shopped the rows of My Sister's Closet with me. The local fashion reseller had curated a beautiful (and very reasonably priced!) pop-up shop of vintage and thrifted clothes, and had even styled a few mannequins with Iris-inspired outfits. My Sister's Closet is run by the Battered Women 's Support Services (BWSS), and you can support their wonderful cause by shopping the boutique at 1092 Seymour St. downtown Vancouver!

As for the film itself? I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Iris! I wasn't really sure what to expect, as I've only seen photos of Iris before, and hadn't seen a teaser trailer, but the documentary proved to be beyond entertaining, and an eye-opening peek into the life of a true fashion icon. I definitely did not expect how unbelievably funny Iris Apfel is...and her and her husband? Utterly adorable. As in, I sincerely hope that we can be just like her and her hubby one day.

For anyone looking for inspiration to tackle their fashion dreams, or who feels like they never have the energy to do everything they want to do, this film is a must-see! The spunky 93-year old can make it through photo shoots, interviews, stylings and press interviews without breaking a sweat, and still takes the time to have a shopping date with her 101-year old sweetheart. Amazing.

Stay tuned for more Style Series films, coming to you from VIFF this year!

With Helen Siwak of THECloset YVR

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta