CHECKED OUT | OPUS HOTEL VANCOUVER

A collection of items that tickle our fancy and hopefully yours. OPUS HOTEL VANCOUVER | [email protected]

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The Punk Aesthetic

Whether or not you listen to The Clash, Ramones, or Bad Religion, followed Sid Vicious, and dream of long gone, hot-blooded nights at CBGB in New York, the punk scene has influenced your fashion choices.

Rows of studs, worn-out leather, haphazard safety pins, scuffed work boots, ripped t-shirts, tattered peacoats, and body piercings are all elements of the often-thought nefarious movement. And it’s almost guaranteed that your closet holds bold details from the milieu.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual extravagant celebration honoured the aesthetic this year with its PUNK: Chaos to Culture exhibit running from May 9 to August 14, 2013. It was an opulent affair for a cultural era that favoured anarchy and opposed the brazenly affluent - a dichotomy if there ever was one.

At the gala benefit, co-chaired by Rooney Mara, Lauren Santo Domingo, Riccardo Tisci, and Anna Wintour, punk-inspired designs by Givenchy, Giles Deacon, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry Prorsum, Gucci, and Marc Jacobs ascended the grand, crimson staircase.

Above: Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood Couture; Madonna in Givenchy; Sienna Miller in Burberry Prorsum; Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon.

The exhibit is an excuse to pause and appreciate one of the greatest examples of culture influencing fashion.

Rodarte, Versace, Spiked cuffs.

Kate Moss for Vivienne Westwood, Vivienne Westwood, Vogue Paris.

Balenciaga, The Clash, Balmain.

Alexander McQueen, Sex Pistols, Versace.

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What we’re listening to this May

Turn these up. Spin around your room. Close your eyes tight.

Wild Nothing – Paradise

Watch video above.

This track by Wild Nothing takes you (and Michelle Williams) above the clouds to a time when we listened to cassette tapes, read hard cover books, and when Pet Shop Boys reigned. Pay attention to the words Williams speaks from A Word Child and try to make out pictures in the clouds.

Jessie Ware – Running

Watch the video.

Can we take a moment (a rather long moment) to dream about the vivacious Jessie Ware? Her voice lingers on in our ears for hours after the music stops. The South London raised woman may give Adele a run for her money…

Fever Ray – When I Grow Up

Watch the video.

There is no telling what your body may do while listening to this soulful song from the debut solo album of Fever Ray. Recognize the sound? That’s because it’s Karin Dreijer Anderssonby of The Knife. As you listen, your spine may twist and your teeth may bite your lower lip. No promises… but maybe…

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La Pentola's Whole Roasted Branzino

Winter leaves us hollow and empty, and craving something warm and rich to fill the void. In contrast, after a hot summer's day, our bodies bursting and beaming with sunlight, all we can imagine eating is the lightest possible fare.

On such a blazing day, a month before summer’s official debut, I sat in La Pentola at OPUS Hotel waiting with mouth watering for chef and co-owner Lucais Syme to present me with a succulent Northern Italian dish, the Whole Roasted Branzino, only available at the restaurant between Wednesday and Sunday.

Swimming in a pool of herbs, tomatoes, and lemon, the presentation of the flavourful white fish will cause conversation to pause as mouths slowly drop open and taste buds secrete. The tender meat slips off bones and deliciously moistens the mouth with its juices. Intersperse heavenly mouthfuls with a refreshing sip of white wine - we suggest the Suavia Soave Classico or Vietti Roero Arneis.

Eat slowly and lingeringly to appreciate the sensations, and bustling Yaletown will quickly be replaced by the breezy Mediterranean with each bite consumed.

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Mad for PARTYSKIRTS

If there’s one thing girls like to do, something that has stayed with us throughout the decades, it’s twirling. Seriously. From lush, green meadows to clothes-strewn bedrooms to resplendent ballrooms to gritty street corners, we spin to feel the wind whoosh through our hair and fingers, to blur the world around us into a dream-like state with a smile plastered on our faces.

But twirling is not truly twirling without the appropriate miniskirt swirling out around us - capturing the breeze under the hem and thrilling wandering eyes with a glimpse of flesh.

PARTYSKIRTS by Skot Apparel, the latest fashion fever out of Vancouver, are made to be twirled. The brilliant silk skirts designed by stylish and business-minded sisters Lauren and Mariel Armstrong are the most desired party companion in the city (and soon to be many more cities). Flirtatious, eye-catching, and, most importantly, fun, the skirts meet exploring and desirous attention from men and women alike, and make every night something to celebrate.

Meet Lauren and Mariel…

What kind of woman wears a PartySkirt?

Every woman! We love to see a PARTYSKIRT on a girl with a t-shirt, jean jacket, and flats and a lady length on a girl with a fitted blazer and heels. One skirt, one million ways!

What's been the most exciting moment since starting your company?

We have two moments - hosting our own PARTYSKIRTS party at Blubird for our spring launch. AND our Teen Vogue online feature - it has been a whirlwind ever since!!!

Do you have plans to expand to retailers in the US?

Absolutely! Stay tuned to hear about our PARTYSKIRTS events we are planning in the US, hopefully for Fall 2013. Favourite PartySkirt?

Lauren: Magenta (there is something about pink that makes you feel fabulous!) Mariel: Poppy red (it is girly and stands out!)

What fashion icons inspire you?

Lauren: I love the 1960's and Hitchcock movies for fashion inspiration. Grace Kelly has always been my favourite. Mariel: I am inspired by street style. And I don't believe in fashion rules, I always make my own.

Get your own pretty PartySkirt online here and give it a spin at OPUS Bar.

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Big hearts at the CampOUT gala

Beauty is not only found in art, fashion, nature and faces, and it’s not about facades, textures, and surfaces. Beauty lives inside people, exposed by a simple action or expression of love. And nothing is more beautiful than the act of giving.

Last week, inside the airy downtown residence of John Evans, co-owner of OPUS Hotel, dozens gathered to raise funds for CampOUT, a summer program supported by UBC that encourages queer, trans and allied youth to be themselves, develop leadership skills, build self-esteem, and embrace diversity.

With the walls bulging from our expanded hearts, we listened to the sincere words of John Evans, Louise Cowan, VP Student Services UBC, Fred Lee, Reiko Mackenzie, and Kasondra Cohen-Herrendorf and John James Wilson, representing Face of Today. Everyone expressed what the charity means to them, stressing the importance of the program and touching our hearts with warmth.

While nibbling on savoury treats from C Restaurant and drinking wine provided by Sandra Oldfield of Tinhorn Wineries, the crowd showed their generosity by sponsoring multiple campers and bidding on an enticing array of silent auction items. As the moon shone and the sun set, and the sweeping view became more radiant, people exchanged stories and memories of camp and acknowledged their proud association with the cause.

When the evening ended, everyone left with the captivating look of inspiration in their eyes.

Find out more about CampOUT.

Images by Joshua McVeity

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A Lesson in Seduction

Seduction is a science. It’s a formula comprised of calculated and sometimes volatile elements. Biology, chemistry, geometry and psychology intertwine like pairs of long legs wrapped in white sheets. It’s also an art form – a colour-soaked brush caressing objects of desire and an improvised dance choreographed by lust.

Some of us have mastered these skills, fallen prey to them, or aspire to be one of the great seducers of time. Whichever category you fall into, it’s in your best interest to be familiar with the ways of enchantment so you can recognize it or play along with it.

Meet a few seducers from history… and then practice your art in OPUS Bar.

There’s no denying that the luminous Marilyn Monroe had the ability to twirl men around her fingertips with one demure look. She was unquestionably a beautiful woman, but the heart of her seduction lay in her playful attitude towards flirtation and sex. She exuded both in her calculated walk that vibrated across a room and sultry voice that could tickle ears like a feather. Her charming light and energy attracted troops of men, both single and married, and her effervescence lingers on even after death.

“Sex is a part of nature. I go along with nature.” ~ Marilyn Monroe

Cleopatra’s secret was her power to dazzle men with grand spectacles and theatrical feats. She fed Julius Caesar and Mark Antony with exotic sights, spellbinding them into enchantment. Upon her first meeting with Caesar, she transfixed him with the art of surprise – she presented herself in his chambers rolled up in an opulent carpet on the shoulders of a merchant. Once her targeted men were sufficiently mesmerized, she would feign disinterest only to make them more persistent.

The romantic allure of Casanova reverberated around Europe in the 1700s. He wooed dissatisfied women by whispering sweet words they had never heard before. The seducer snuck in windows, hid in closets, and ran from angry husbands and fathers all in the name of what his victims would call love, but what he merely called lust. He was irresistible simply because he provided a woman with something she subconsciously felt was missing in her life.

And then there’s Jack Nicholson, a man with six children from five different women. If it weren’t for his dark sunglasses, the mischievous sparkle in his eyes could impregnate women with just one glance. Even Jennifer Lawrence fell under the 71 year old’s spell backstage at this year’s Oscars (watch the video).

“I only take Viagra when I'm with more than one woman.” ~ Jack Nicholson

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Under a grand glass dome ordinarily housing a skating rink, earth-conscious style mavens converged at Robson Square in Vancouver for the sixth season of Eco Fashion Week.

The globally lauded event, founded by Myriam Laroche, teaches us that sustainable fashion isn’t merely about hippies, hemp, and earthy colours. The colourful collections presented by 25 designers and stylists boldly struck down the stigma with towering heels, salacious lace, glimmering jewels, and studded leather.

We are proud to provide our guests at OPUS Hotel with so many eco-friendly features, and it was a no-brainer that we would strongly support the event. As a sponsor of EFW, we were honoured to have our vivid OPUS throne in such a place of prominence amongst the white seats flanking the runway. From our perch, we watched model after model slink and strut in clothes by such designers as Bhana, Couture Therapy, and War Paint.

One of the most impactful segments was the Value Village Thrift Chic Challenge on Monday night. Three stylists were given $500 to spend at the thrift shop to produce 15 outfits. The sartorially enthralling results made us want to skip to the closest used-clothing store to create our own runway-worthy wardrobe for the cost of one pair of designer shoes.

Stylist Sara Gourlay presented a collection that emitted an air of the occult with a black and white palate of finds quite possibly from a 90s supermodel’s closet. She was followed by Sandy Joe Karpetz, who paid ode to chic grannies around the world with red velvet, crochet, lace, and fur. And Jasmine Zhu combined a rich array of patterns that gave us the power to feel textures with our eyes. The talented stylists resuscitated discarded clothes proving that one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.

Congratulations to all the organizers at Eco Fashion Week for another memorable season and for instilling the importance of protecting our earth.

Runway photos courtesy of Peter Jensen.

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Tattoos in the Spotlight

We all have different reasons for permanently marking our bodies. It can be for love lost, love realized, love desired. Tattoos may be a reminder to act or think a certain way – to “believe”, “live without regret” or “breathe”. Ink symbolizes an experience captured forever, or perhaps a decision made in haste or under the influence. And sometimes, the patterns and images are merely art adorning our bodies.

Whatever the reason, tattoos are an expression of you.

Here are a few celebrity tattoos that have caught our discerning eyes.

The melancholically stunning Lana del Rey chose the words “Trust no one” and “Paradise” for her manicured hands.

Angelina Jolie is decorated with several meaningful tattoos. Her shoulder states the beautiful Buddhist Pali incantation written in Khmer script, the language of Cambodia:

May your enemies run far away from you. If you acquire riches, may they remain yours always. Your beauty will be that of Apsara. Wherever you may go, many will attend, serve and protect you, surrounding you on all sides.

And her upper arm lists the geographical coordinates of her children's and husband's birthplaces.

Kate Moss’ anchor tattoo is small yet sweet. A reminder for her to stay tethered to the shore and grounded or to set sail, anchors up?

To symbolize her husband’s love, Victoria Beckham traced her spine with, I am my love’s and my love is mine, who browses among the lilies, in Hebrew.

While we’re on the subject of David Beckham… Is there any better accessory to a white t-shirt than full sleeve tattoos?

The timeline of Johnny Depp’s life is practically written on his body – the regrets and the cherished moments. Ancestral heritage, motherly affection, never forgotten friendships, past and present love, and work memorabilia are all painted upon his skin.

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Art at OPUS Hotel

Upon the vivacious walls of our OPUS rooms hang a collection of artwork that have as much personality as our lifestyle muses. They make one stop to stare, provoke an emotion, and reflect the creativity we so adamantly encourage. OPUS is proud to have these prolific Vancouver artists featured in our rooms.

Every generation has its pop icons and we all have nostalgic references that awaken memories so vivid they may still live. Michael Miller’s youth spent absorbed in video games is evident in his ‘The Nintendo Generation’ series, which depicts characters of that era in all their animated glory.

Tiko Kerr’s vibrant colours and electric, yet somewhat contorted images were created as a reaction to government cuts to the arts. The luminous cityscape paintings from his Lush Life series are a peephole into his immense imagination and creative breadth.

At first glance, one may be offended by the guns used as imagery in Mark Mizgala’s art, but if you stand still and stare a little bit longer, it’s apparent that the guns are, in fact, broken water pistols. The iconographic paintings appear ironic and childlike, yet portray another message under the surface layers of perception for each individual viewer to decipher.

With his series of urban shopping carts, Taizo Yamamoto forces us to acknowledge an often ignored object present in all cities. The images are a study in street anthropology, portraying homes and possessions packed into metal cages on wheels.

Alana Rothstein’s pulsating images of sensual colours and provocative scenes are a glimpse into another person’s life. Her art is an expression of a memorable moment in time captured in its most brilliant light. We are honoured to have her contribute to our ART + IDENTITY + TRAVEL package.

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The Intoxications of Coachella

Some may think that the quickest route to intoxication is through vodka martinis or a prohibited substance. But in actual fact, music has the greatest power to morph mental states, bend perspectives, and change moods.

Coachella, held over the past two weekends in Palm Springs, is a mecca for those daring souls who leave themselves vulnerable to music, allowing sounds to twist inside their bodies changing them forever. But it’s not just music that draws people to the desert – it’s a community of people, an eternal runway of fashion that turns on the eyes, and an uninhibited experience never to be forgotten.

Band of Horses, Blur, The XX, Violent Femmes, Hot Chip, Jessie Ware, La Roux, Metric, Moby, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stars, and even Wu-Tang Clan provided a diverse and palatable buffet for the ears.

If you didn’t get the pleasure of feeling the sun on your dance-strained muscles, grass prickling the backs of your legs, or the surprisingly comfortable sensation of thousands of strangers bumping against your bare skin, here are some highlights from the festival...

The most obscure and unexpected collaborations are the most impactful. Phoenix and R. Kelly joined forces in an unbelievable 1901 / Ignition mash up.

Watch the video.

Never believe a band when they say they’re done. Postal Service made their most wished for return with Such Great Heights. (On that note… Dear LCD Soundsystem, please come back quick)

Watch the video.

The Lumineers’ Ho Hey attaches itself to mouths, upturning corners without permission. It is absolutely impossible not to grin when this tune sings.

Watch the video.

Images from Huffington Post, Pop Sugar, Harpers Bazaar.

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Films in a Fashionable Era

Films profiling fashion houses have become as common place as music videos. While it’s unlikely that video will kill the runway star, fashion brands are adding film to their marketing repertoire to creatively define their collections and reach mass audiences.

Here are some of our favourites, both new and old, at OPUS.

Dsquared2 – Fall/Winter 2012

Video is featured above

Class is in session. If only all substitute teachers were as sassy and cheeky as the twins of Dsquared2. Today’s lecture includes catwalk theory, lessons in the bejeweled, and hedonistic studies.

Kenzo – Resort 2013

Watch the video.

A cacophony of electric neon and 3D prints, the new Kenzo film directed by Mat Maitland features a jungle that would camouflage only the most eclectic.

Maiyet – Resort 2013

Watch the video

Perhaps drawing on Out of Africa, Maiyet and director Cary Fukunaga painted an ethereal landscape of East Africa from the perspective of two lovers.

Lanvin – Autumn/Winter 2011

Watch the video

Isn’t this how everyone prepares for a night out on the town? Lanvin created a dance party of epic fashionable proportions. The message: You’re never too stylish to let loose.

McQ Alexander McQueen – Autumn/Winter 2013

Watch the video

All senses are on alert while viewing the raw, sensuality of McQ’s latest film. Directed by Roger Deckker, the video pulls viewers into a beautiful chaos.

Chanel – Remember Now – Cruise 2011

Watch the video

Let’s all jaunt away to St. Tropez. Karl Lagerfeld’s French world is one of opulence, indulgence and beauty. In this film, an older man has the charm to seduce a young woman amongst the prettiest of French men. This artistic sixteen minute video is more short film than commercial.

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Fashionable photoshoots behind hotel doors

Hotels are home to all sorts of illicit activities. Weekend trysts, business reprieves, glamorous retreats, and scandalous affairs. Most aren’t documented outside of personal video collections or brilliant red diary covers.

Our only real peek exists in photoshoots, which capture contrived scenes of fantasy and give us a look at some of the salacious scenarios that may take place.

We were inspired by our recent #OPUSRevamped photoshoot to peer inside other imaginary worlds. Behold some of our favourite fashion shoots from behind hotel room doors.

Kate Moss at the Ritz Paris for Vogue. Photographed by Tim Walker.

  Sasha Grey at the Sunset Marquis Hotel for BlackBook Magazine. Photographed by Pieter Henket.

  Pierre du Calvet Hotel featured in Dressed to Kill Magazine. Photographed by Max Abadian.

 Kristen McMenamy at the Chelsea Hotel for Vogue Italia. Photographed by Steven Meisel.

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Whether going by Prince, the Artist Formerly Known as Prince, or simply a seductively cryptic symbol, the musician’s name carries an opulent weight. The mere uttering of his title can chime off a series of arousing notes into the air. He’s an icon of several generations, his songs relevant to consecutive decades of ears. 

Prince’s music is attached such cataclysmic moments as a young Julia Roberts singing in a tub of decadent bubbles in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, while a young (yet still grey) Richard Gere looks on with amusement; 1999 when his eponymous song suddenly rose to popularity again 17 years after it was released; and that warning label every teenager tries to hide from their parents that states “Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics”, which was birthed after the words in Darling Nikki made a certain politician with children squirm.

The legendary musician just finished a Vancouver tour where he turned crowds delirious at The Vogue Theatre for a staggering four shows.

If you missed it… or just can’t get enough Prince… here are some of our favourite Prince numbers…

Purple Rain

In some (most) situations, this tune is an unspoken cue to take off your clothes.

View video here

Sexy M.F.

Not only does the video give us a satirical glimpse to 1992, but the song has the power to turn any situation into a dance floor.

View video here

American Woman

Rock and pop icons, Lenny Kravitz and Prince, merge to curl the toes of an anonymous American Woman at Rave Un2 the Year 2000.

View video here

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What we're drinking at OPUS

On a rainy Vancouver day, I found myself not puddle jumping, but instead evoking the warm Italian air at OPUS Bar.

Jay Paré, the new General Manager of La Pentola and OPUS Bar, has named April as the month of the Negroni. The classic beverage, conceived in Florence in 1919, transports sippers to the shores of the Italian coast with just one taste.

Forget April showers. Imagine lounging on the deck of a yacht, the heat of the Mediterranean sun on your back, and a paramour chilling your skin by dragging an icy glass of Negroni against your burning neck. Do you have shivers?

The bitter-sweet Campari and orange zest, stirred with barrel-aged Victoria gin and Cinzano Rosso create a rich and vivacious cocktail, very near in colour to the Hermes-orange walls of our Pierre rooms.

Ask barman, Ben, to concoct a Negroni for you and see what Italian dreams crop up.

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What we’re listening to this month

Stop everything immediately. Turn up the volume. Close your eyes. And let these musical treats for the lobes wiggle their way inside you.

The Futures League – Mojo Back: (featured above)

New to the Los Angeles music scene, this band’s sound is commanding attention across North America. Most recently, The Futures League knocked people over with their wave of music at SXSW.

Alex Hepburn – How does it feel:

Wrapped in a musical cocoon of soul, rock, and blues, London-born Alex Hepburn’s voice is a juxtaposed blend of the robustly tender.

View video here 

Scratch Massive – Paris:

Comprised of Maud Geffray and Sébastien Chenut, this French duo hypnotizes listeners with their seductive beats. Zoe Cassavetes, known for her indie love story Broken English, directed this melancholic video narrating the story of a trio of lovers.

View video here

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Behind the scenes at the OPUS Revamped photoshoot

After revamping our rooms at OPUS Hotel, it’s only natural that we show them off. Last month, we gathered a few creative minds and eyes to capture scripted acts unfold in the hotel.

Joined by Melbourne photographer Laura Manariti, we traipsed about the hotel creating scenes of mischief, amour, and amusement. We put ourselves into the lives of our diverse guests and set up scenarios that may ordinarily remain behind closed doors.

Racks of clothing containing items from Wear Else, JC Studio, Stylista Clothing Co., Scotch & Soda, Shoe Phix, Sienna Ray & Co., Boys’ Co., and Shine Jewels descended upon the second floor meeting room, filling the space with brilliant colour, opulent textures, and the odd sequin twinkling from the depths of fabrics. There were more clothes than the average man or woman has in their closets, and all were fit for one of our lifestyle muses.

With the help of stylists Crystal Carson and Gian Carlo, and makeup by Emily Cheng, our models, Sandra Laratta, Allyson Grant, Leanne Lewin, Nickeil Marcelle, Matthew Chambers, David Chin, and Josh Kalender,were magically transformed into guests.

We staged scenes of lust and desire in hallways, cheeky rendezvous in rooms, illustrious nights in the bar, and luxurious mornings welcoming the sun. We played Peeping Tom to our models, forgetting they were merely portraying characters as we felt ourselves fall into each setting.

Keep a curious eye out for images from our revealing shoot and imagine yourself in each divine scene.

A big thank you to everyone involved!

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A restyled hotel. A revamped blog.

At OPUS Hotel we hope to tease you with creativity and caress you with personality. It only seems fitting that with the redesign of our rooms, we should redesign our blog.

Welcome to the new OPUS Hotel blog – a collection of items that tickle our fancy and hopefully yours.

Curated by our OPUS Insider, Sandra O’Connell, the blog will include news from the rooms and bar of OPUS, art, music, fashion, film, and other morsels of the aesthetically and culturally arousing.

Here’s a glimpse of some of our newly redesigned rooms.