21 Feb 2012 No Comments

A Jewelled Affair: The Styles we Love

From top left: Chan Luu Abalone Statement Necklace, 3 River Stone Front Toggle Necklace, Iosselliani Set of Rhinestone Rings, Stella & Dot Stackable Gem Rings, Chan Luu Grey Pearl Graduated Wrap Bracelet, One Garnet Girl Three Amethyst Stacking Ring Set, Michael Michaud Silver Dollar Chandelier Earrings, Low Luv x Erin Wasson Triple Crystal Ring, Michael Michaud Silver Birch Bark Cuff, Nervous System Silver Cellular Pendant, Chan Luu Onyx Cuff Bracelet, Chan Luu Onyx Necklace on Black Leather

We love to accessorize our Diane Kennedy outfits, as their simple elegance is the perfect canvas for stunning, statement jewellery. Staying true to the Diane Kennedy philosophy, we are particularly fond of raw, natural gemstones like quartz, amethyst, and pearl—we love their pure, unrefined look that adds texture and visual interest to any ensemble. With our soft, luxurious fabrics, chunky silver cuffs and feminine coin pearl earrings are the perfect accents to our nature-inspired designs. The understated luster of these semi-precious stones and the intricate details of our favorite metallics ensure a flawless yet personalized look for any affair…

How do you accessorize?

by Diane Kennedy in Beauty, Fashion, Inspiration Tags: accessorize, Chan Luu, Chan Luu Abalone Statement Necklace, diane kennedy clothing, Ioselliani, Michael Michaud, Nervous System jewellery, semi-precious stones, silver jewellery, silver jewelry, Stella & Dot stack rings, stone jewelry

13 Feb 2012 No Comments

All You Need is Love

Wishing everyone a happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow! Whether you’re a fan of the holiday or not, these quotes remind us that love is important, and at the end of the day it’s the ones you love that make life special.

Why not take a moment to acknowledge those around you who you wouldn’t want to be without…

With love,

by Diane Kennedy in Inspiration Tags: all you need is love, celebrate love, love quote, love quotes, valentine message, valentine's cards, valentine's day, valentine's quotes

10 Feb 2012 No Comments

Behind the scenes…Fall 2012

We were blessed with plenty of notice for perfect weather that was expected to last for days. So we planned our Fall 2012 photo shoot for Monday, enjoyed a gorgeous weekend here in Vancouver and as promised woke up to a lovely, crisp and sunny day. The winter sun ensured we would have perfect lighting for the duration of the shoot.

Preparations took almost as long as the actual shoot! The room was filled with the smell of hairspray, hot rollers and curling irons. False eyelashes were applied with a skillful hand. Prettiest plum nail polish was chosen, pinky-mauve lips, neutral eyeshadow and plenty of black eyeliner.

I’m sure one could spend days driving around looking for the ultimate location, but our neighbourhood full of heritage buildings, fresh paint, modern gates and walls provided the perfect backdrop of things old and new. Juxtaposing textures with the balance of hard and soft lighting and backgrounds made for a unique canvas to display our collection.

The contrast between the surrounding urban decay and the new Fall 2012 designs was a sight that certainly had to be captured. The softness of charcoal shadows paired with sparkling sunspots illuminated our lovely model’s natural beauty.

The softness of the sunlight gave the photos a dreamy weightless feel which echoes our smooth luxurious fabrics. Gently gliding over the body, our bamboo pieces are so soft and comfortable they almost feel like pajamas.

We were so lucky that the weather cooperated with us! Vancouver weather during the winter months can be a little unpredictable at times. The soft ethereal lighting was ideal for showcasing our new designs inspired by the changeable quality of light. Styles such as the Shadow dress, Illuminate mock neck top, and the Spotlight tunic, will be a “green light” for any woman’s wardrobe in Fall 2012!

by Diane Kennedy in Fashion

11 Nov 2011 No Comments

The Memorial Chamber…..

The Parliament buildings are such a familiar site to all Canadians but it’s just not the same as actually standing in front of these amazing Gothic stuctures. We found ourselves feeling very patriotic on our visit to our nation’s capitol….

: The Peace Tower, Canada’s Parliament buildings in Ottawa

Confederation Hall

The PeaceTower was constructed by a nation grateful for peace and commemorates Canada’s contributions to World War I. An enclosed observation deck below the clock offers a view in all directions of the National Capital Region.

The Library of Parliament on the left and the view across the river of Quebec

Within the Tower, is a quiet and sacred space, lesser known since it is experienced from within rather than seen from a far. The Memorial Chamber is dedicated to the memory of Canadians who have died in military service and testifies that the struggle for peace comes at the cost of human life.

The Memorial Chamber was designed out of a response to the profound devastation wrought by the First World War. This monumental event created the need for a national memorial – a place of reflection and solace to remember the sacrifice of the many Canadians that fell in Europe between 1914 and 1918. Since, this memorial has grown to include the names of all Canadians who have died in military service in past and present conflicts. Each Canadian soldier that has lost their lives in military service to their country is commemorated in one of the seven books housed in the Memorial Chamber.

The Altar of Remembrance

Light filters through stained-glass depictions of men and women rallying to the call to arms. In the most prominent window, the Assembly of Remembrance, the figures of saints and warriors stand guard over the names of those commemorated in the Chamber.

It was a very touching experience to visit this beautiful and peaceful place and to think of all those Canadian soldiers that lost their life for our freedom and quality of life that we are privilaged to enjoy in Canada every day…..

Lest We Forget…..

by Diane Kennedy in Travel

10 Nov 2011 No Comments

The Grass really is Greener at Green Tree Eco Fashion

On our sales trip to Ontario, we were finally able to visit one of our bigger Diane Kennedy retailers, Green Tree Eco Fashion. This beautiful store provides a unique shopping experience in Ottawa, and owner Sarah Barr’s approach to fashion and beauty is like a breath of fresh air. The atmosphere of the store is inclusive; your size is not important, in fact at Green Tree they don’t believe in sizes! Customers, who happen to range in age from 18 – 75, are encouraged to dress for their bodies, and do away with the restrictive thinking surrounding sizes. We saw Sarah in action the day we stopped by, and were blown away by her outstanding customer service—what an amazing experience!

Inside Green Tree we felt cozy and at home with Sarah and her lovely assistant Sloan. The mandate of this store may be all natural fibres, earth friendly and/or sustainable but the first thing you notice is the amazing innovative style and fashion that fills each rack. It was nice to have a chance to witness the impeccable customer service that Green Tree is known for. We watched Sarah and Sloan work with a customer to find the most amazing, head turning outfit befitting any art gallery opening or chic soiree. In English and French!

What else makes Green Tree unique? As the only exclusively eco-friendly store in Ottawa, it is a haven for environmentally and socially conscious fashionistas of all ages. (And their men, too!) This isn’t just a “let’s-jump-on-the-eco-bandwagon” situation. Sarah’s support of eco apparel, accessory, and beauty lines extends across North America and beyond, and is evidence of her passion for a ‘green’ lifestyle.