At 33, the Madrid native has brought 23 of her own original collections to life, including spring, summer and fall wear, bridal wear and even couture handbags. In 2001, Aguilar became the youngest designer to participate in Madrid’s Fashion Week and has since had her collections showcased in other Fashion Weeks held in Barcelona, Russia, New York and Paris.

Her designs have been worn by actress Salma Hayek and displayed in the Dress Museum in Madrid, the Reina Sofia Art Museum in Madrid, the Ethnological Artistic Heritage’s national collection in Madrid and the Trump Soho Hotel Condominium in New York.

As the youngest of the 30 members of the Association of Spanish Fashion Designers (ACME), which honours esteemed and influential designers such as Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta and the Balenciaga Foundation, Aguilar remains a noticeably inventive and prominent contemporary Spanish designer.

Aguilar says fashion is an integral part of her life, especially because of the time she dedicates to it. “I consider my life lucky because my work is my true passion. It is a way for me to channel my feelings and it is a path that once started, cannot be finished,” she says.

Having grown up with a father who was a jazz musician, a mother who was a painter and poet and a grandmother who was a dressmaker, Aguilar’s upbringing was very rich in the arts. She continues to give art, design and fashion a special spot in her life. “In my opinion, dolce vita is the ability to enjoy free time with family and friends and if I can combine this with something that I enjoy, such as being by seaside, even better,” says Aguilar.

“I gave it all up to start my first collection -– either way it turned out, I believed that the experience was worth it.” — Alma Aguilar

She studied design, illustration and pattern designing at the Industrial Design College in Madrid and worked as a freelance illustration and pattern designer for two years. Then, in 1998, the 23-year-old Aguilar launched her own eponymous company and her first ready-to-wear spring collection. She has since experienced nothing but success and growth in her career. “I knew that I had to work for some time in another designer’s studio, but from the beginning I wanted to start my own company. Just when I started to feel comfortable at the design company I was working for, I thought, either I leave now while I have nothing to lose, or I will never do so,” says Aguilar. “I gave it all up to start my first collection -– either way it turned out, I believed that the experience was worth it.”

Aguilar’s work has evolved and attracted a lot of buzz over her 10 years as a designer. Having been chosen as one of the 50 best international designers for the Harper Collins Book, Young Fashion Designers, in 2007, it is clear that Aguilar’s pieces aren’t waiting to be pulled off the racks just by women in Spain.

With her new Spring Summer 2010 collection, Aguilar will have women strutting around in dazzling colours, patterns and fashionable folds as the seasons roll around. She says the inspiration for the collection came to her after a trip to India that she said impacted her more than she initially thought it would. “The people, the aromas, the colours and sounds – aside from that, it is a natural evolution of my previous works,” says Aguilar.

The collection features cantaloupe orange and popping pink ensembles as well as pieces in intense sea greens, bold blues and sparkling whites that give off a very feminine, fresh summer’s day look. A few long, flowing floral dresses provide an elegant version of the classic wardrobe staple that every woman takes off the hanger and puts on in spring and summer. A reappearing trend in the line seems to be a new twist on the use of pleats. They are no longer just formally placed straight along skirts. Pleats appear cascading from shoulder to shoulder, in stacked layers, lining collars and molded into flower embellishments on dresses. Aguilar also eliminates the use of the standard buckled belt and introduces a new type of waist encircling accessory – rope with tassels hanging at the ends – which are tied around the waists of pants and dresses in the collection.

The company, Alma Aguilar, is now located in a new 350 square metre space in which Alma presents her bridal collections, haute couture, Alma Aguilar and Allegra by Alma Aguilar. The latter was named after her daughter, who was also Aguilar’s inspiration for a future low-cost children’s clothing line called Mini Alma Aguilar. The entire 2010 spring summer collection can only be found in Madrid in Aguilar’s store. Some items can be found in the rest of Spain, the UK, Japan, Russia and the U.S. Aguilar says she hopes her pieces will shortly become available in more locations, including Canada.

To get a sneak peak at Aguilar’s spring summer 2010 collection as well as other collections, visit www.almaaguilar.com

Celebrities, media and vodka connoisseurs spent the night clinking glasses, sampling hors d’oeuvres and jiving to jazz as Tariko, the brand’s renowned founder, spoke optimistically about his high expectations for Russian Standard Vodka in its new market. Based on its reputation as a world leader in authentic Russian premium vodka, the luxury label is looking forward to a successful future in the North.
www.russianstandardvodka.com, www.citylifetv.ca

TOP LEFT Russian Standard Vodka founder Roustam Tariko, left, raises his glass in the company of prominent guests. TOP RIGHT Miss Universe Canada Director Denis Davila with Miss Universe Canada, Mariana Valente. ABOVE LEFT Roustam Tariko with supervising producer of ET Canada Leslie Wasserman and Brett Wilson of CBC’s Dragon’s Den. ABOVE RIGHT Russian Standard Vodka goes all out with a high-flying ice bar.

An astonishing $3.2 million was raised in support of this year’s beneficiary, Toronto East General Hospital Foundation. To date, the carnival has amassed over $55 million for different objectives. www.brazilianball.com, www.citylifetv.ca

TOP LEFT Rochelle De Goias with Event Co-Chair Duncan Jackman. TOP MID Elaborate Brazilian costumes adorn entertaining dancers. TOP RIGHT Event Vice Chair Michael Burns, Benefactor Dinner Chair Helen Stevenson, and Event President and CEO Ivan de Souza. MID LEFT Ambassador of Brazil to Canada Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto and wife, Vera Pinto. MID RIGHT Ken Shaw, Joyce Faust and Julian Fantino ABOVE LEFT Event chairs Michael Cooper, Duncan Jackman, and Blake Hutcheson ABOVE CENTRE Consul General of Brazil in Toronto Américo Dyott Fontenelle and wife, Tereza Fontenelle. ABOVE RIGHT Steve and Tanya Anthony.

TOP LEFT, FROM LEFT Anna Marie Bryant (Michael Clemons’ mother), Diane Lee-Clemons, Rachel, Rylie, Raven and Michael “Pinball” Clemons. TOP RIGHT Jose Calderon (Toronto Raptors), Reggie Evans (Toronto Raptors), Natasha Borota, co-founder of The Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation, Antoine Wright (Toronto Raptors). MID LEFT Ferris Rafauli, president and founder of Grandeur Custom Homes Inc., Michael “Pinball” Clemons, Jim Williams, president and CEO of Williams Telecommunications Corp. MID CENTRE Rod Black, CTV and TSN sportscaster and emcee of the gala with wife, Nancy. MID RIGHT, FROM LEFT Guest Catherine Johnston and Cynthia Mulligan, reporter, CityTV. ABOVE LEFT Aaron Douglas, star of The Bridge. ABOVE MID Hedo Turklogu (Toronto Raptors) and Terry Power, country manager, Randstad Canada. ABOVE RIGHT Performers entertain guests.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP ROW: Presenting Sponsor Senator Homes’ VP Paul Breda and Susan Sellan. TOP MID: Architect Dermot Sweeny and Paul Dalla Lana. TOP RIGHT: Renee Paquette (TV Host The Score). ABOVE LEFT: Linda Goldsack and Dr. Tirone David ABOVE MID: Mayor Robert Grossi and his brother Paul Grossi ABOVE RIGHT: Lou Rocca and Sean Frankfort. Photos by Sandler/ Michelle Levy Productions.

TOP, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Sarah Palin and Michelle Levy; Peter Mercanti, Sam Mercanti (Chairman, Charity Of Hope); Lisa Mercanti-Ladd MID, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Dennis Concordia; Mike Harris, Joey Mercanti ABOVE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: PJ Mercanti, Gabriella Mercanti, Ron Joyce, Daniella Mercanti-Mulas and Diana Morosin; Hon. Lincoln Alexander; Sasha and Thomas Weisz (President and CEO Effort Trust). Photos by Joe Bucci , Brent Perniac / Michelle Levy Productions.

ABOVE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Kevin Barnes (President, GMP Investment Management) and his wife, Julie; Lead sponsor Mark Christensen (Director, Institutional Equity Sales GMP Securities) and Carolyn Lawrence (President,Women of Influence ); Co-Chair Gillian Hewitt Smith ( Senior Advisor,Corporate Affairs RBC ) with husband, Paul Smith (CEO Grey Horse Corp.); Co-Chair Dan McClure with his wife, Susan Witteveen (Executive Managing Director BMO Financial). Photos by Aline Sandler/ Michelle Levy Productions.

TOP, LEFT: Founder Brendan Wood (Chairman, Brendan Wood International TOP RIGHT, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Kara Wood, Stewart Borden (Partner BWI) Patrick Wood (VP CIBC Wood Gundy) ABOVE, LEFT: Ricardo Pascoe (Co-President and Co-CEO National Bank Financial) and his wife, Karen ABOVE, RIGHT: Henry Brenzel (Managing Director BWI), Kim Parlee ( Co-Anchor, Business News Network), Andrew Bell (Co-Anchor, Business News Network). Photos by Sandler/ Michelle Levy Productions.

Horses galloped, glasses chimed and guests commingled as some of the top international polo players contended for Cartier’s coveted Maillet d’Or trophy – eventually awarded to event home team Desert Palm. Cartier pleasantly interrupted the swing of things to sign over a cheque with a significant sum to UNICEF.

Despite the unrivalled exquisiteness of a Cartier watch, no one appeared to have an eye on the time. www.cartier.com

TOP LEFT Polo elite strive to win Cartier’s Maillet d’Or trophy. TOP MID Nicolas Roux and Louis Feria. TOP RIGHT Polo enthusiasts are entertained by a close competition. ABOVE LEFT Louis Feria, managing director of Cartier Middle East and India, poses with Cartier’s polo team. ABOVE RIGHT Cartier insignia at the Desert Palm Resort and Polo Club.

Though their differences are discerning, the striking similarities between Infiniti Canada and Cirque du Soleil are undeniable. The two famed brands solidified their similarities by once again banding together to celebrate and implement the concept of inspired performance.

“This partnership personifies the brands’ mutual desire to invoke the graceful strengths, vibrancy and exhilaration of craftsmanship,” says Wendy Durward, director, Infiniti Dealer Operations, Canada. “We look to move people emotionally, not just physically.”

As the exclusive automotive sponsor of Cirque du Soleil for a third year, Infiniti has organized and supported many of Cirque du Soleil’s initiatives, including its attempt at winning a new Guinness World Record for the highest circus act performance at the CN Tower. In 2009, the world-renowned troupe secured a record for the most people walking on stilts in multiple venues.

Just as Cirque du Soleil’s shows present remarkably riveting routines, Infiniti Canada’s luxury cars have been designed to provide exceptionally dramatic experiences.

As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, the company unveiled its inspiring revolutionary concept car, Essence. Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté posed in front the Essence model during a recent photo shoot, which visually displayed two inspired performance representations to the world.

Through the sleek, futuristic design of the Essence concept car, Infiniti forecasts its outstanding capabilities of continuing to produce vehicles that give drivers and passengers an unforgettable travelling experience. The Essence concept model – a gas-electric hybrid coupe – explores new and beneficial highlights and has become an icon for the brand. It offers drivers 592 horsepower and features advanced technology, including systems that detect, warn and help prevent collisions – systems that are also now available on current Infiniti models. The new 2011 Infiniti M was inspired by the Essence concept.

While Infiniti continues to produce vehicles that transport its seaters into an ambiance of stimulation, as well as to their desired destination, it’s no surprise that March 2010 was the strongest March ever in Canada, with 888 units sold – up 53 per cent from the same month in 2009.

Whether taking courageous strides across a sky-high tightrope or embarking on a ride down a thrilling stretch of road that overflows with twists and turns, both Infiniti and Cirque du Soleil captivate and compel their audiences and customers with an experience they won’t forget.

“We’re not just interested in moving people from point A to B, but also in making sure our clients have a unique encounter while driving the vehicle, using the technology within the vehicle and the esthetics of the vehicle.” www.infiniti.ca, www.cirquedusoleil.com