Join us Wednesday May 18, 2011 at Stirling Room for a night of cocktails and discussion as we prepare for summer.
MEET THE PANELISTS:
Hailed as a “hero to real women everywhere” by The Boston Globe, Ben Barry is dedicated to changing the face and shape of the fashion industry. At age fourteen, Ben helped a friend who was told she was “too big” to be a model by sending her pictures to a magazine editor. The editor called him back, hired his friend, and with that one phone call, Ben launched his modelling agency. Today, Ben serves as CEO of the Ben Barry Agency, a model agency headquartered in Toronto, Canada. His company scouts and sources models of all ages, sizes, backgrounds and abilities for fashion and beauty brands.
Wesley Badanjak was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, where he completed a Bachelor of Biology at York University and an Honours Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design at Ryerson University. While studying fashion, Badanjak garnered many awards for his distinctive style, and interned for both women's wear label Peros and Holt Renfrew Design Studios. Since graduating, he has worked with the label tevrow+chase under American designer Paul Sinclaire, and with acclaimed Canadian designer David Dixon.
Jo-Ann James, Vital Steps founder, began her career in health and fitness over twenty-five years ago, committing her to a lifetime of helping others attain their health goals. Knowing that it would take a lifetime commitment to be successful. Through the years, her dedication has taken many forms, from consultant to fitness and wellness spokesperson, fitness director to wellness center owner. Jo-Ann was formerly the Director of Fitness for both of Toronto's prestigious McGill Club for Women and the Columbus Center in Toronto, Canada.
I’m Melanie Cruickshank, and since I can remember, I have been a die-hard beauty addict. My love affair with makeup began when I was four years old. I used to play with my Mother’s makeup and I realized then the power that makeup has; the ritual of opening the packages, the freedom to create any face you want, and the fun of playing with your features to bring your best face to life. I spent the rest of my life from that point learning everything I can about makeup.
After years of trying everything in the market, I noticed that although I had my weekday look down to a science, it still took up to 20 minutes to create (and there were more than a few mornings where that wasn’t an option. I needed a way to recreate the “flawless natural” look I had worked so diligently on in 5 minutes or less. Nature gave me 5 tools on each hand. I wanted to use just my fingers or sometimes a Q-tip to create my look. Not willing to believe that my trusted friend cosmetics had turned their back on me, I began to research how makeup is made. I threw myself into researching every ingredient in my favourite products. Women started asking me about the funny tubes I was always carrying with me. I expanded my test to my girlfriends and colleagues. They all noticed how universal the colours were. DaLish became a reality.
