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Fred UnLEEshed: Sept. 27, 2016

BRILLIANT NIGHT: After three years at the Commodore Ballroom, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation severed ties with the venue and creator of the event for mental health, moving the party to the Rocky Mountaineer.

BRILLIANT NIGHT: After three years at the Commodore Ballroom, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation severed ties with the venue and creator of the event for mental health, moving the party to the Rocky Mountaineer. Creative differences aside, the Brilliant Show of Love for Mental Health drew another sold out crowd of fashionistas and philanthropists. Guests enjoyed a fashion show featuring the talents of local designers, dancers, models and performers. Led by the show’s new creative director Vladimir Markovich and Dick Vollet, president and CEO of St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, and chaired by Bill and Jana Maclagan, the event saw $1.5 million raised for mental health programs and services at St Paul’s Hospital. One in five Canadians will experience mental illness at some point in their lives.
 
READY TO MAKE A SPLASH: Now in its 34th year, Splash is one of the city’s preeminent galas raising funds to allow young kids access to the arts. Taking place Oct. 15 at Performance Works, Splash will once again feature a fine art auction of exceptional curated work from 100 of B.C.’s most celebrated artists. Yours truly, along with CEO Paul Larocque and board chair Michael Lee, kicked off the campaign and art preview at the Pendulum Gallery. Hoping to make a splash of his own, Lee  — a respected lawyer, community leader and membership chair of the B.C. Liberal Party — announced his intentions to run for the party nomination of Vancouver-Langara to be vacated by former cabinet minister Moira Stilwell.
A longer version appears at vancourier.com.

RENDEZ-VOUS AVEC HERMES: Created in 2011, Hermès at Work is a free, pop-up exhibition to promote the luxury brand’s craftsmanship. Vancouver was the travelling show’s 35th stop. Staged at Jack Poole Plaza, a 5,000-square-foot gallery space was built to accommodate nine workstations for visitors to engage with artisans and examine how the Paris-based retailer produces its fine luxury goods — from jewelry, saddles and watches to its iconic scarves and handbags. Hermès Canada CEO Jennifer Carter and Guillaume de Seynes, executive vice-president of Hermès International, were on hand to welcome guests at the show opener. If you missed the five-day pop-up, Hermès Vancouver is presenting special storefront windows designed by Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave depicting daily scenes in the Hermès saddlery, leather and silk ateliers in France.

PULLING TOGETHER: On a wet Saturday, 27 teams of 15 people came together for the annual United Way of the Lower Mainland Plane Pull hosted by UPS. Each team fundraised for the opportunity to pull a 757 jet weighing nearly 128,000 pounds down the runway in timed trials. The event, which raised a reported $45,000, kicked off the United Way’s annual fundraising campaign to help support individuals and families in need and stay connected to their communities. Last year, $32.4 million was generated and invested in programs and services that benefitted 140,000 kids and 60,000 seniors.