Olympic timekeeping history
The year London held its very first Olympic Games was also the year Omega Watches became the official timekeeper of the Olympics. Since 1948, they have marked the milliseconds between podium placements for 25 Olympic Games.
The brand works regularly with the governing federation of each sport to ensure the equipment used to measure the athletes performances evolves to meet their needs. In 1961, OMEGA invented the Omegascope, which allowed the time of each competitor to be displayed on a TV screen. A year later, Omega introduced its contact pads for swimming competitions. That simple new technology reacted only to the touch of the swimmers and was not affected by water splashes. Closer to home, the electronic starting gun was introduced in Vancouver to replace the familiar start pistol that had been part of timekeeping for decades. And since Omega introduced the first athletics starting block in London in 1948, its fitting that the latest generation will be introduced at the 2012 Games. Now, runners reaction times will be measured entirely by the measurement of force against the back block and not by movement.
To commemorate the brands historic partnership with the international event, Omega will be releasing 1,948 limited edition timepieces in its Olympic Collection for London 2012. The timepiece comes in steel, red-gold and yellow gold varieties, and will be available at Omegas corporate boutique in Vancouver, at the historic Fairmont Hotel. The Vancouver store was only meant to be temporary for the 2010 Olympics, but has been so successful that it remains on high-priority list for specialty orders.
And keeping with all things British, Omega is celebrating the 50th anniversary of James Bond, the iconic 007 agent. In case you didnt catch it, that is the Omega Seamaster watch Bond sports on his wrist. To commemorate the milestone, and the new James Bond movie, Skyfall, which hits theatres this fall, Omega will be releasing a limited edition, steel-on-steel, water resistant watch in their Seamaster Collection, also available in Vancouver. OmegaWatches.com
Local designers and workshops pop-up in Gastown
A new pop-up shop is coming to Gastown, courtesy of the minds behind Cargoh online marketplace. From July 27 to 29, the Gather Pop Up Shop will feature 20 local designers, eight creative workshops and the launch of the PopCycle Tour an in-motion art installation involving neon bikes and free popsicles. Look for Andrea Wongs handmade tote bags, Bamboo-Cotton designs by Little Moso, leather goods by Love Jules Leather and industrial jewelry by Henderson Dry Goods. The weekend workshop highlights include a collage course by Danielle Krysa, aka the Jealous Curator and an Instragram workshop with The Artful Desperado on July 28. The next day boasts how to build your own terrarium with Erin Sinclair and a mixology course from Boneta barman Simon Kaulback among the standouts. There will also be a community lounge with tech tea afternoons and happy hour. Workshops start at $20, except for the Instagram and social media workshops, which are free, and reservations are required GatherPopUp.com. Admission to Gather Pop-Up Shop (1 W. Cordova) is $3, and a portion of proceeds collected go to A Loving Spoonful.
Blushing Boutique raises funds for Beauty Night
Canadian designer Shelley Klassen has built her career on a passion for creating dresses for all occasions. Klassen has dressed celebrities such as Brooke Shields, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Jennifer Beals, Fiona Forbes, Nicole Oliver and Tamara Taggart and supports 15 other Canadian designers within her boutique. Klassen also supports the work of Beauty Night Society and is the main draw for a fashion night fundraiser July 27, benefitting the womens organization. Beauty Night Society builds self-esteem and changes lives for women and youth living in poverty through three streams: wellness, life skills development and makeovers. Tickets for Lady Doll are $30 advance, $40 at the door and are available at LuvNGraceAffair.com or Blushing Boutique (579 Richards). Show starts at 7pm at Strut Studios (203-910 Richards St.) and also includes designs by Hive Mind Millinery and Qispi Kay beachwear.
Lush reveals new Robson Street look
To celebrate the unveiling of their new look at 1020 Robson, Lush cosmetics (Lush.com) is giving two lucky WE readers a Ray of Sunshine vegan shower box: miniature Sugar Scrub, Each Peach Massage Bar, Olive Branch shower gel, and a wedge of Sexy Peel. The new shop includes a country kitchen table consultation area, where customers can sit and discuss their skin care needs with one of Lushs expert consultants. Lush creates bath and body products by hand, using little or no preservative or packaging and vegetarian ingredients. Enter to win on the Contests page of WEVancouver.com.
