This April, Prepare for a Trip Down the Rabbit Hole

Images by Ali Matthews.

Last week, a select group of Ottawa’s most fashionable was invited to take a tumble down the rabbit hole and participate in an evening of fashion and beauty at the Loft Gala Prelude.

The night was organized to celebrate the return of the 2017 Loft Gala to the Hilton Lac Leamy on April 1^st, 2017. It is at this time that the evening’s committee unveils the theme and introduces the 2017 Loft Gala Featured Designer.

The theme was clear as soon as you entered the room. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by the Queen of Hearts and Mad Hatter and suddenly, the whimsical, jewel-toned invitation began to make sense. Between the colourful fauna, oversized flowers and checkerboard floors, it was clear that we should be anticipating some unexpected, over-the-top, Alice in Wonderland fun come April.

Then came the models. Styled by a team from The Loft, led by co-owner of the Loft Toronto and Master Stylist, Sylvie Prud’Homme, the adorned women looked positively ethereal and served as a living, breathing reminder of the creativity and beauty that the Loft Gala is known for.

Throughout the evening, Sarah Freemark from CTV Morning Live served as the guide through Wonderland. Dressed in a gorgeous floor-length, red gown from Cantas Boutique, Freemark introduced us to Loft Gala Founder Bruno Racine, Presenting Sponsor L’Oreal Professional, and the charity that the evening is dedicated to support, the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.

According to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, someone in our community is diagnosed with cancer every two hours – a shocking statistic that Racine shared when he took the podium. For Racine, cancer has hit too close to home too many times and he created the Loft Gala to bring the community together and raise funds for this worthy charity that helps so many in Ottawa.

The final business of the night was to reveal the 2017 Loft Gala Featured Designer, Mikael Derderian presented by L’Oréal Professionnel. Derderian joined the party via Skype and despite a time difference that had him up at 4am, the crowd could feel his excitement and appreciation. Born in Beirut, Derderian started his life in fashion in Montreal where he attended the prestigious Lasalle College. His work can now be seen on red carpets around the world and loved by celebrities from Britney Spears to Céline Dion and of course, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.

Derderian’s designs are now sold al worldwide, but in Canada you can snap them up at Holt Renfrew and Saks Fifth Avenue.

All that said, do yourself a favour and book your tickets today. Not only will you be supporting a deserving cause and be in the company of 700 like-minded fashionphiles, but it also gives you plenty of time to focus on planning your hair and outfit now.