www.vancouver21.com

On March 19, 2013, the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Earth Hour City Challenge awarded the City of Vancouver as the Global Champion and the recipient of the People’s Choice Award. Five other cities in India, Italy, the U.S., Sweden, and Norway chosen from 66 city entrants were in competition with Vancouver as the most innovative city taking action on climate change. In the end Vancouver prevailed as the winner.

The people of Vancouver joined millions others in Canada and many more around the world in participation of the global Earth Hour on Mar 23, 2013 by turning off building lights resulting in an impressive 22% reduction in energy consumption at City Hall as measured by Pulse Energy.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a statement, “Being named the WWF’s Global Earth Hour Capital is an exceptional honor for Vancouver and more international validation of our comprehensive efforts to be the world’s greenest city.”

The mayor spearheaded an effort to drive the city of Vancouver to become the World’s Greenest City by 2020 by implementing many sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives such as the 2040 Transportation strategy to “dramatically reduce vehicle travel in Vancouver” said Mr. Robertson.

Video was shot during Hour Earth 2011 at the lighted fountain of the Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver. The Bloedel Conservatory lights inside the dome where tropical plants resided in a greenhouse were turned off as scheduled but the outdoor fountain lights and jet-streams remained on. [A video by Ray Van Eng | www.vancouver21.com ]

Ray Van Eng is an award-winning Photographer/Videographer, Screenwriter and Movie & TV Producer. One of his videos is currently on view at the Hava Nagila Exhibit, Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in Manhattan, New York, NY. from Sep 2012 to May 2013.

Bloedel Conservatory, 4600 Cambie St. Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

January 03, 2013

Dear Mayor Robertson,

Re: NYE Bash for Vancouver for 2014

Vancouver needs a public, outdoor, open-to-all New Year’s Eve (NYE) Party. Not only for all citizens to celebrate the new year but also a perfect opportunity to remind the world of our unique heritage and formidable capabilities in hosting global events like the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Expo 86 and so on.

New Year’s Eve is the single most recognized event in the world among all cultures. That is why all major cities around the globe put on an elaborate show and are competing for attention. Not only should Vancouver be among them, we should shine in our own special way to claim our position as the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest. Please do not hand Seattle that honor. To not participate in the NYE party tradition and be in tune with the rest of the world is to miss out on one of the best times of the year to promote our city.

Yes, there is a mini-NYE celebration at Robson Square for 2013, but the skating ring area is simply too small to host such a premiere event. Jack Poole Plaza is the right place to do it. We have the Christmas tree there with the Vancouver Convention Center and Canada Place nearby, two buildings that have connections to the city’s glorious past as host to a winter Olympic and world exposition as we look forward to build even better future.

We could further reinforce our international image as a city that is committed to sustainability principles and reducing carbon footprint by only re-lighting the Olympic Cauldron at the moment of count-down. This would be even better than a simple ball-drop to serve notice to the world of our serious intention to become the Greenest City in the World by 2020, a vision of yours, Mr. Mayor, that many of us wholeheartedly support and feel have a role to play in the implementation of the Greenest City 2020 plan.

Vancouver is not only a world-class city but one that many others look upon with admiration and even envy. To be without a NYE bash for a city like ours is like running a global business without an impressionable web site these days. It is not even an option. People won’t take you seriously.

Please Mr. Mayor, allow me to urge City Hall and Council to take action to start the new year right for 2014 and plan a NYE bash for those of us who live here and use that opportunity to tell the world of our many attractive attributes as a global destination for tourists, innovative hub for leading businesses and great place to live.

Thank you very much. My very best wishes to you and your council and have a wonderful 2013!

Sincerely,

Ray Van Eng
Media Professional

__________________________________________________________

To the readers of this blog –

If you believe in having a public outdoor NYE Bash in Vancouver that all can enjoy, please join me in sending a request to Mayor Gregor Robertson at this City of Vancouver Facebook address – https://www.facebook.com/CityofVancouver?fref=ts

Vancouver 2012 Christmas Tree with 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Cauldron [Photo by Ray Van Eng]

Ray Van Eng is a long-time Vancouver media professional, screenwriter and movie & TV producer. One of his videos is currently on view at the Hava Nagila Exhibit, Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York City. from Sep 2012 to May 2013.

Vancouver Convention Center & Jack Poole Plaza

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

As one of the featured designers of the Vancouver ECO Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 (SS2013) or Season 5 (EFW05), Kim Cathers’s 68 Pound Challenge is certainly unique. The collection is so named because the garments were made entirely from 68 pounds of recycled, thrift clothing and fabric.

After completing a fashion design program at the Blanche Macdonald Centre, Kim choose to work mostly with recycled or natural material for her sustainable women’s wear and accessories which she called her kdon clothing line. She also made leather goods and restyling vintage clothes and enjoyed traveling to music festivals and farmers markets to sell her ware as well.

The soundtrack used for her catwalk runway show at the ECO Fashion Week SS2013 was overwhelmingly country music e.g. Jolene by Dolly Parton, Circle Be Unbroken by John & June Carter Cash, On The Road Again by Willie Nelson, Tennessee Flat-top Box by Roseanne cash among others.

Her fashion designs had drawn praise from around the country and were featured in Project Runway Canada season 2.

[A Video by Ray Van Eng | www.vancouver21.com ]

Robson Square – 800 Robson Street, Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

ECO Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 (Oct 16-19, 2012) – ADHESIF by Melissa Ferreira featuring green sustainable clothing design at Robson Square in Vancouver Canada

Vancouver-based green eco-conscious fashion designer Melissa Ferreira’s Adhesif Clothing Company uses new and recycled fabrics to create noticeable and original one-of-a-kind garments. Every garment retains its very own personality. ECO Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 (SS2013) Sustainable and environmentally-friendly clothing design catwalk runway show at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver on Oct 18, 2012. (Music by Alex Beroza, Emerge in Love)

[A Video by Ray Van Eng | www.vancouver21.com ]

Robson Square – 800 Robson Street, Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

ECO Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 Sustainable Green Clothing Design show in Vancouver @ Robson Square (Oct 16-19, 2012) adheres to a Environmentally-Friendly and Totally No-Waste Principle

The ECO Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 (SS2013) line-up of sustainable, earth-loving and environmentally-friendly fashion designers includes Nicole Bridger, Standing Arm, Rise, Mala Imports, Voyou, Ressac, Respecterre, C5H8 and others. Value Village continues to support the event featuring designs by Nicolette Lang-Andersen, Mimi Lauzon and Tony Vu. Kim Cathers offers her unique brand of 68 Pound Challenge with Adhesif Clothing b y Melissa Ferreira closes the runway show on Thursday.

On Friday (Oct 19), the last day of the ECO Fashion Week SS2013 is a series of seminars covering a range of industry subjects such as labor, manufacturing, trends, upcycling, consumer awareness etc. with ECO Fashion Week CEO & Founder Myriam Laroche and other industry experts like Martin Hojsik (Greenpeace), Tara Sawatsky (Canopy) and others.

Eco fashion designers mostly use recycled, reclaimed and vintage fabrics for their clothing creation. As a result, a lot of the clothing designs are one-of-a-kind, or as designer Myco Anna describes hers, ‘every piece is unique in the way it combines new and recycled fabrics and fibers like a kaleidoscope.’ Some designers also give away scrap or surplus fabrics to other textile artists to utilize and work with, adhering to a totally no-waste and everything-recycled principle.

[Photos by Ray Van Eng | www.vancouver21.com ]

































Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

Internationally-known fashion designer Eva Chen has established herself as one of the premier Vancouver designers for one-of-a-kind haute couture. Every time Eva announces a new collection, many fashion-watchers eagerly await. Her latest Liberté (French: Liberty) Leather Collection offers a unique cutting and style that once again reflected a distinctiveness which Eva Chen Couture is famous for – edgy, fashionable and yet very comfortable to be in it. Just like many of the same qualities that a high-end auto often strives for. It is no surprise that Eva Chen Couture is presented by Brian Jessel Autohaus.

Liberté! Set yourself free in Eva Chen’s newest collection of exquisitely tailored leatherwear that combines the best craftsmanship of Europe, Asia and North America.

VIDEO – Eva Chen LIBERTÉ! LEATHER Collection @ VFW FW 2011

Empire Landmark Hotel, 1400 Robson Street, Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

Vancouver Fashion Week VFW Fall/Winter 2011 (FW 2011) collection opened with some very impressive display of local clothing-design talents. One of the highlights of the evening featured on opening day (April 13, 2011) catwalk runway was Lace Embrace Atelier. Canadian designer Melanie Talkington started the company after graduating from Kwantlen Polytechnics University in 1997 and later worked in Los Angels, California to craft wardrobe and corsets for pin up and burlesque models Dita Von Tesse, Cathie Jung etc. and in the Warner Bros Hollywood movie production of Sucker Punch. Lace Embrace Atelier is still based in Vancouver Canada. The other designers at VFW FW 2011 first night runway included the exquisite work of Vancouver designers Patricia Fieldwalker and Valerio Moda and from Spain, Rosalita McGee.

VIDEO – Lace Embrace Atelier Corsets @ VFW FW 2011 Opening

Empire Landmark Hotel, 1400 Robson Street, Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) Fall/Winter FW 2011 Opening Gala took place on Apr. 12 at 7PM and being launched at the Sutton Place Hotel in downtown Vancouver. VFW billed itself as Canada’s ‘West Coast’s most prestigious industry event’, creating an avenue ‘where designers, buyers, and media from East to West may connect and propose business.’

Many talented local designers such as Queenie Luo, Sarah Runnalls, Hawks Ave (Eco), Papillon Eastern, Eva Chen, The Trues, Valerio Moda and Drew William will display their latest creations. Patricia FIeldwalker not only retunred this year, the designer also took the initiative to host a charity drive to benefit victims of the Japan earthquake disaster and nuclear crisis. Hats designers such as Sova Hats and others also complimented some designers’ dresses. International designers from both Europe and Asia will also be present. The main catwalk and runway show is being staged at the Empire Landmark Hotel.

This season in particular will see an unprecedented number of high profile Chinese designers from Shanghai. Names such as Helen Lee, Jenny Ji, Xu Yan Hui etc. are familiar to fashion-watchers knowledgeable in the Asian fashion scene. Really, who can ignore China, the largest consumer market in the world and one that is rapidly growing as well? The Shanghai designers will dominate much of the Sunday evening. From Korea, Ha Sang Beg is returning again and Pauline Van Dongen from the Netherlands will also debut a collection. Check Vancouver Fashion Week for full details.

Photos by Ray Van Eng / Vancouver21.com. For more images go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/rayvaneng/sets/72157626363961291/
































































































Sutton Place Hotel, 845 Burrad Street, Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011 Gala Opening is tonight (April 12) 7PM at Sutton Place Hotel on Burrard and Smithe in downtown Vancouver. VFW FW2011 will take place from April 12-17, 2011.

At Vancouver21.com, we’ll be hard at work the whole week to bring you the latest photos, videos, blogs and more!

Designer Sermin Sesoren and model, Vancouver Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 Opening Gala on Nov. 02, 2010. [Photo by Ray Van Eng / Getty Images]

Sutton Place Hotel 845 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery

Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) Fall/Winter 2011 is almost here. The Opening Gala is tomorrow (Apr. 12) night 7PM at the Sutton Place Hotel in downtown Vancouver. VFW billed itself as the Canadian ‘West Coast’s most prestigious industry event’, creating an avenue ‘where designers, buyers, and media from East to West may connect and propose business.’

A number of local talented designers such as Queenie Luo, Sarah Runnalls, Hawks Ave (Eco), Papillon Eastern, Eva Chen, The Trues, Drew William will display their latest creations. International designers from both Europe and Asia will also be present. The main catwalk and runway show will be presented at the Empire Landmark Hotel.

This season in particular, we shall see an unprecedented number of high profile Chinese designers from Shanghai. Names such as Helen Lee, Jenny Ji, Xu Yan Hui etc. are familiar to fashion-watchers knowledgeable in the Asian fashion scene. Really, who can ignore China, the largest consumer market in the world and one that is rapidly growing as well? The Shanghai designers will dominate much of the entire Saturday evening. From Korea, Ha Sang Beg is returning again and Pauline Van Dongen from the Netherlands will aso debut a collection. Check Vancouver Fashion Week for full details.

As promised, we are now unveiling the #1 MOST POPULAR Vancouver Fashion Week online video EVER. And now, ladies and gentleman….we at Vancouver21.com are proud to present this top VFW video that is shot and edited by Ray Van Eng, our in-house video producer and marketing consultant.

VIDEO – #1 MOST POPULAR VFW Online Video EVER! [Views: 9,500 and counting]

Empire Landmark Hotel, 1400 Robson Street, Vancouver BC

View Larger Map

• Photostream

Next Page ›

‹ Previous Page

Powered by Flickr Gallery