FASHION

Holt Renfrew show
celebrates Yumi Eto

Layne Christensen

Fashion Editor
lchristensen@nsnews.com
VANCOUVER’S fashion com-
munity feted the talents
Thursday of the designer touted
as a Canadian visionary and

We have relocafed
twe stores down from
the Bay fe continue
our...

RETIREMENT

Vancouver success story.

That success has been hard won for
Yumi Eto (pronounced ch-toe}, a former
wig stylist with Suki’s, costume restorer
and Helen Leteaux graduate who, 10
years after debuting her first collection,
has finally hit her stride.

In 1993, Holt Renfrew hosted a
trunk show for the young designer. Seven
years later, it was Eto’s designs which
closed the upscale retailer's fashion gala.
the 10th annual.

The Vancouver store is the only
Canadian account for the designer,
whose impeccably constructed creations
sell for benveen $500 and $6,000 US.
and whose collections are now sold in
Barney’s in New York and Beverly Hills,

Neiman Marcus in San Francisco and Brown’s in *

London. Celebrity fans include Susan Sarandon,
Anne Heche and Calista Flockhart.

Moda Diva at Hotel Vancouver, Holt
Renfrew’s gala fundraiser Thursday fox. Arts
‘- Umbrella and Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, was
indeed a tribute to the designer. Paper mobiles of
white doves (a design motif of Eto’s) fluttered
from the ballroom ceiling. Many of the evening’s
guests proudly wore their Yumis, including
Carolyn Hay, Holt Renfrew’s outgoing general
manager, who was replaced this week by Gary
Balaski, a 20-year veteran of the Hudson’s Bay
Company who comes to his new post from the
Victoria Eaton’s store.

The evening’s co-chair, Indira Nyberg, spoke
of the designer’s gift for creating couture-quality

ss! hoe
NEWS photo Layne Christensen

YUMI Eto devotees Nancy Pullen (left) and
indira Nyberg ordered custom designs for
Thursday’s gala.

garments with dmeless appeal. “I have two
daughters who would love to have this one day,”
said Nyberg of her pewter silk organza pintucked
dress and wrap, before sitting down for the run-
way presentation.

“The evening also showcased the collections of
Jil Sander, Giorgio Armani, Celine, Gucci,
Donna Karan and other designer labels.

Fashion fans who missed the show can see
what’s in store for spring and summer at Holt
Renfrew May 31, when the retailer presents a
walk-through show, 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the
Garden Terrace at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Tickets for the show are $25, which includes
appetizers and a special draw for prizes. Advance
reservations are required. To reserve a table, call
the Garden Terrace at 844-6716.

CLOSE OUT j

_ EVERYTHING

"Merchandise oe daily ~

Shad oar ea ee

‘Cashin on EKCEPTIONI
PRE-SUMMER SAVINGS

during WEEK ONE Df Fanny
GIGANTI MAY FLYER EVENT... P
; ‘CURRENTS’
COTTONS

REG.$9.99m.

All solids, prints,
- & stripes,
REG.$8.99m.

WWE” w Vix
COTTONS |

S | | REG.$12.9
SEWING DESIGNER SUNDAY ——

“Test drive the world's most advanced sewing
machine in this exciting "hands-on" workshop! a a
Scissors.
+ 8.5” bent trimmer,
REG.$12.99ea.
> 5.5" craft 2sewing,
REG.$6.99ea. :

You will create this beautiful table runner
“featuring cutwork, cross stitch, and wing needle
hemstitch ~ all in fraction of the time you
thought possible!

REG.$10.99m. -§17.99m.
WA Bay Calgary or Bay Winnipeg

Register now for a full, fun day of creativity and
learning with Husqvarna education director
Daltyn Evans and the Albee's staff!

- 100m spools, 100% Polyester, B
f REG. $1 -68ea. Be

*N NORTH VANCOUVER, 730 West 14th.St.,980-0551

+ Downtown Vancouver, Sth. Floor, the Bay, 689-2115
- Maple Ridge, 22188 Lougheed Hwy. 463-0067 vA
+ Surrey, 8065-120th. Street, 5$0- 9226
+ Langley, 19950 Willowbrook Dr., 533-4805 © -
..7¢ Abbotsford , 32838 Ventura Ave., 853-3396 |