December | 2014 | Patron Of Dreams

T’is the festive season of giving, magical moments and glitzy parties! If you are lucky and you live in a city filled with fabulous people (as I do), you’ll get to have all three of those things beautifully gift-wrapped into a fantastic event! I count myself among the lucky people who got to attend Winnipeg’s annual Black Tie Snow Ball hosted by the extremely generous and most talented Amber van den Broek, who I am honoured to call my friend!

The Snow Ball always brings out Winnipeg’s most talented and artistic people into a hot-bed of creative energy where good times are had, new connections are made and creative projects are conceived. Besides the magical atmosphere, good music, beautiful people, awe-worthy performances and an epic art battle, this year the Snow Ball raised nearly $10K for Villa Rosa Inc. and Bravestone Centre, plus bags and bags of baby clothes and toys for those in need! It is events like these and the people that attend them that make me proud to be a Winnipegger!

Photo by Michael Sanders

This year’s Snow Ball blew away the audience with performances by some of Winnipeg’s most incredible talents, some of whom I am extremely proud to call my friends. The Ball featured: Contortionist Samantha Halas, Hula Hoopers (Cate Laing and Brittany Dona-lyn Roginson), Tribal Fusion Bellydancers (Accalia, Tamara and Mandy), Electronic Opera Singer Erinne Bartel Roth, The Dirty Catfish Brass Band and a 20 minute live-art battle featuring artists (Gmb Chomichuk, Lori Fast, David Oro, Nereo II, Vincent Champagne, Jay Cabredo, Paulo Guiseppe Michele Gasdia, Tesia, Cash Akoza, and Rhian Brynjolson).

Photo By Michael Sanders

Now let’s talk outfit! When choosing what to wear to an event that you know will be overflowing with creative people, any old party frock off-the-rack just won’t cut it! This calls for some serious artistry and out of the box thinking. Luckily, 10 years of experience in the performance arts and the costume design that goes along with the territory comes in handy when you want to DO IT YOURSELF and create something original! First and foremost, this was a formal Ball, so a ball gown would be grand, but it was also a holiday party, so festive, wintery and sparkly were also a consideration. Lastly, this was an event steeped in artistry and street style, and so, I had my A-HA moment. I bought a vintage wedding dress crinoline that would give me my ball-gown base and in a creative frenzy I hand painted it with icy blue tones and silvery sparkles.

Photo by Tara

I absolutely love the contrast of warm red/orange tones with cool blue ones, and given the season, a gorgeous thrifted red scarf created the perfect glamourous gift-wrapped top I needed to contrast the skirt with some simple twists, folds and ties. A vintage silver belt, sparkly rhinestone jewellery and red Steve Madden heels and I was the Belle of the Snow Ball!