For those who’ve never visited Ottawa, Canada’s Capital, in the fall, you’re in for a treat!
With warm sunshine and a light fall breeze comes a panoply of beautiful fall colors. Fall is the perfect time to get outside and explore and September continues with fun activities across the capital!
If you only have one or two days in Ottawa, there is still plenty for you to see and do as Canada’s Capital is home to some of the country’s most beautiful museums, boasts a bustling shopping district and presents gorgeous nature all year round.
This week, Gen’s Delights presents a couple must see attractions as well as introduce Wiwa Blue, a Montreal based fashion designer who will present her elegant women’s collection in the Capital city tonight as part of a spectacular charity fashion show RUNWAY for HOPE for CHEO !
Rideau Canal:
If you’re coming to Ottawa, a visit or drive along the historic Rideau Canal is a must! Snaking its way gracefully through Ottawa’s charming downtown core, “the canal” as it’s fondly called by locals, represents the heart of the city and is Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site!
For those who enjoy water sports, head down to Dows Lake where canoes, paddleboats and kayaks can be rented to enjoy the Rideau Canal and surrounding area.
Nature lovers will enjoy a walk in the adjacent Arboretum of the Central Experimental Farm, which features several unique tree specimens!
For more information on rentals that are available between May and September please visit : HERE
Life jackets are included in rental price .
The Canadian Museum of History
Located on the banks of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, the Canadian Museum of History (formerly Civilization museum ) offers tourists a stunning panorama view of Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, and downtown Ottawa.
The museum’s outside structure is itself a marvel to behold: designed by famous Aboriginal architect Douglas Cardinal , it’s facade is made to reflect features of the Canadian landscape.
Canada’s most visited museum has hosted several world -renowned exhibitions, boasts the largest Canadian collection of indoor totem poles, offers CINÉ+ films, has a unique, interactive Children’s Museum and provides detailed insight into 15,000 years of human history in its recently opened Canadian History Hall, (opened July 1, 2017) , the largest and most comprehensive exhibition about Canadian history ever created.
For Fans of Hockey the museum currently is running a temporary exhibit on the beloved winter sport from March 10th to October 9th 2017.
For more information on the Canadian museum of History please visit: HERE
RUNWAY for HOPE
For fashion lovers, tonight, Sunday September 10th, will be the 8th edition of RUNWAY FOR HOPE Ottawa, a stunning vendor fair and charity fashion show in support of CHEO ( Children’s Hospital Of Eastern Ontario) .
Presented by local Fashion Designers from the Richard Robinson Academy, Runway for Hope Ottawa is an annual event that promotes fashion designers while also supporting local charities. The event also promotes local, budding talents including models, makeup artists, hairstylists and fashion designers.
Their goal is to enhance Ottawa as a fashionable capital, and their event is tailored made for this purpose with a vendor fair and runway show.
Proceeds from this charity event will go towards CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) to support Cancer Research and also towards the purchase of new hospital equipment.
SCHEDULE :
Sunday September 10 , 2017
EY CENTRE | Hall 1
4899 Uplands Dr.
Doors Open : 4:00 PM – EY CENTRE
Vendors Fair & Reception : 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM – EY CENTRE
Runway Show : 6:15 PM – 10:00 PM – EY CENTRE
For more info and to purchase tickets please visit their website at : www.runwayforhope.ca
Interview with Fashion Designer Wiwa Blue
Wiwa Blue is a Canadian fashion designer whose elegant, feminine couture line is supported by immense creativity and passion. Her 2017 collection will be presented tonight in the nation’s Capital at Runway for Hope 2017.
GR: Hello Wiwa, thanks for taking the time to answer some of my questions. Can you please tell us a little about your background in fashion?
WB: Thanks Genevieve, I actually hold a bachelor’s degree in education, however fashion has been my passion since I was little. I remember coming home from primary school and sitting at the kitchen table designing women’s gowns. It really was later in my life when I met a friend who sold clothes and who had several mannequins in her home that I had a sudden vision about how my creations could come to life and thus awakened a passion and wish for creating and realizing my dream. I enrolled at Lasalle College that year to pursue this dream.
GR: It appears that some of your beautiful, elaborate gowns take months to complete. This is not exactly following today’s fast-paced fashion world. I also see that your use only high quality materials, and your designs are inspired by the feminine mystique, can you please tell us a little more about your style?
WB: My style is a modern alliance between Western and Eastern cultures. I was always amazed by architecture and design. For my dresses I always choose noble materials imported from France and Italy such as organdy, satin, taffeta and “la tulle” (hand embroidered or beaded with semi-precious beads or sequins).
The design of my dresses is unique in that it allows a woman to feel beautiful. Her inner and outer beauty is revealed in layers by the magic she releases by wearing my garments. In a few words, she will be radiant and ever elegant.
GR: Are there causes that you believe the fashion world should support ? What are your long-term goals and projects?
WB: We often see the fashion world supporting foundations such as the Breast Cancer association and other women centered organizations … I also support these causes, but I often find them over mediatized and they already receive a lot of funding from various other events . I do offer my support to associations affiliated with children in difficulties such as organizations that help those suffering from Autism, renal insufficiencies and even war amputees. CHEO is an amazing organization that helps raise much needed funds for Children’s cancer research.
For my brand, I wish to start getting a foot hold on the international scene and do partnerships with other designers. I have several projects in mind and I hope to continue working with other charitable organizations.
GR: Thanks for your time Wiwa.
WB: Thanks Genevieve.
