A Real Good Party: Shine Fashion Tea 2020!

Usually, the first Sunday in February is known for wings, beer, and endless football; however, here in Victoria, Super Bowl Sunday has taken on a whole new level of importance! The Shine Fashion Tea for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation is held on the first Sunday of February and attracts the city’s loveliest ladies (and a few gentleman) who want to enjoy an afternoon of high tea and high fashion.

The Shine Fashion Tea is a bespoke, luxe afternoon affair complete with a VIP bubbly reception, spring runway fashion show, the Fairmont Empress’ iconic afternoon tea, a high style silent auction, and is hosted by celebrity guests, Todd and Rebecca Talbot! This year was the 3rd annual event and you’ll find all the pretty details, captured by Tegan McMartin below.

The Good Party first came on board with the Shine Fashion Tea last year when the organizing committee was just around the corner from their 2nd Annual Event. The first year of the event had been very well received and tickets were almost sold out for the 2019 edition. Our team was approached to come on board as a decor sponsor and we worked with an incredible team of local vendors, including Tan from Mesa Event Rentals, to create a beautiful design that complimented the Empress’ gorgeous vintage style. 2019 was all about vintage plates, delicate teacups, soft florals, and feminine touches throughout!

After the 2019 show, the organizing committee approached our team about being more involved in the planning process and our lead planner, Dakota Bateman, stepped up to the plate and joined their group, made up of an incredible team of women, lead by Dorothy Hawes.

When it came time to start brainstorming the design for the 2020 event, we knew we wanted to do something totally different from the year before. This year’s design concept focused more towards high fashion with a black, white, and gold colour palette. The feel of the entire afternoon was elegant, classic, and glamorous right from the moment our guests entered Palm Court.

Here are a couple of shots of our initial design/inspiration board we pitched to the committee for this year’s event!

Guests were welcomed with French 75s, made with Empress Gin, to give them that touch of purple as they walked into Palm Court. The cocktails were beautifully displayed on a champagne wall – which left every guest (including us!) wanting one of these walls for their home!

French 75s in hand, guests mingled in Palm Court, enjoying the silent auction and photo booths, before making their way through our black and gold grand entry in the Crystal Ballroom.

In the ballroom, Tabletop Curated Rentals provided gorgeous marble plates from their rental collection in both black and white designs. The marble plates were paired with either a gold candelabra floral piece from Browns the Florist or a large helium balloon with ivy crawling up the ribbon. The black bentwood chairs from Trend Decor and the acrylic ghost chairs from Black & White Party Rentals completed the space. The whole room looked very Vogue!

Guests were encouraged to embrace the traditional high tea attire and wear their favourite hats and fabulous fascinators! Everyone looked amazing and the varying outfits set the tone for the day.

Even the Library Room was dressed up for the day as it played host to a pre-event champagne reception!

We love these shots, captured by the tea’s event photographer, Tim West, of some of our gorgeous VIPs guests all dressed up for the Bubbly Reception in the Library Room with Todd and Rebecca Talbot.

Todd and Rebecca Talbot, did a wonderful job hosting! One of the best parts of the day was when their daughter hit the runway and absolutely crushed it in a Breakfast at Tiffany’s inspired outfit. Cutest Audrey Hepburn ever!

(Photos courtesy of Tim West Photography)

Shannon Rae Trio filled the room with beautiful music as the models walked down the runway. The piano and jazzy tunes complemented the atmosphere of the room perfectly and everyone was able to sway along to the music as they sipped their teas.

(Photos courtesy of Tim West Photography)

For the main event the Empress team did what they do best and created a beautiful high tea. Scones, mini sandwiches, and the cutest desserts! Guests enjoyed their choice of gourmet Empress tea blends – seriously delicious!

One of our favourite touches from this year’s event was the incredible fashion that was featured. The pieces from Vancouver based designer, Catherine Regehr, were a show stopper.

(Photos courtesy of Tim West Photography)

Four Frames was also there with not one, but two photo booths for double the fun! The Boomerang station, as well as their new Black & White portrait station, were full of guests taking a snap to commemorate the day (Dakota, Casey, and myself included)!