Lululemon Launch Party on Robson & Burrard

Aug, 19th, 2014

I’m a fashionista at heart.   I prefer clean lines, fitted pieces and sophisticated simplicity. To be totally honest, casual wear is not on my radar. So I was a bit worried how I would cover the launch of Lululemon’s flagship store.
 
I arrived early and the vibe felt good. A DJ was playing soulful house music and several classy dressed waitresses stood ready with drinks. Moments later I bumped into Jordan Kallman who shared, “We wanted to bring the outside inside.”   Meaning the flat rocks at the door’s entrance simulated a forest trail and grassy platforms were used for employees to model Lululemon outfits. Incidentally Jordan and his Social Concierge team host the Deighton Cup and Diner en Blanc.
 
I was pleasantly surprised as guests began to arrive. This was not a Birkenstock and sweat pants event.   There was a mix of casual and nicely dressed guests. Generally speaking, the professional athletes dressed casual. Their wives and local media personalities tended to dress nice. I liked the black dresses worn by Fiona Forbes   (The Rush TV Host) and Christina (Lululemon Executive Assistant to the CEO). Katelynne (Robson & Burrard Store Manager) wore a cute grey romper.
 
In speaking with Linda (shown below) I learned Lululemon is connected to the community several different ways. The Robson & Burrard store hosts a #RunRobson Run Club each Wednesday evening. The club is free, membership is not required and runners of all skill levels are welcome. As one of several Run Club Ambassadors Linda helps organize the weekly event.
 
After guests had a chance to eat, drink and socialize, CEO Laurent Potdevin gave a short speech. He simply thanked his staff for their long hours needed to open the new flagship store.
 
The event was fun, creative and left me with a good impression. The tan and burgundy sweaters (shown below) were amazingly soft. Lululemon will offer a line men’s line of custom made shorts called The Joinery. While I’m still a fashionista at heart, I exercise frequently. I won’t wear my future pair of Lululemon’s on the “Sidewalk” but they will be perfect for my gym workouts.
 

The 1148 Robson St store has closed and moved to 970 Robson St (the SE corner of Burrard & Robson)
Red, White and Beer awaited media and guests as they arrived.
Linda, posing in front of her portrait
Linda is a Lululemon Run Club Ambassador
 
A very soft blend of: rayon, bambooo tencel & cashmere
Modeling Lululemon on platform #1
Modeling Lululemon on platform #3
Standing room only!
Christina, Laurent’s Executive Assistant
Laurent Potdevin, Lululemon CEO
Katelynne, Robson & Burrard Store Manager
DJ Christian Alverez played Soulful House tunes
Aerialist Meregon
Aerialist Joy
Laurent and Fiona Forbes the Rush TV Host
Former Whitecaps Captain Jay DeMerit
Katelynne
Christie Lohr ‘Style 9 to 5’ Founder modeling her Swag bag
Design & Creation SVP Deanne Schweitzer (left)
Guests doing a Selfie check
Lululemon Chief Product Officer Tara Poseley
Norma Reid CTV News Anchor & Laurent
A guest
Heidi
Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom
Fred Lee CBC Radio Early Edition Columnist
The Lululemon staff that made the opening possible

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Several of these images were featured in the Community section of the Asian Pacific Post newspaper.
 
 
 
 
The Changing Face of Vancouver

In my humble opinion, the heart of downtown Vancouver is the intersection of Burrard and Robson. Before and eventually after I moved to Vancouver I spent a great deal of time in Virgin Records and then HMV Music. Both stores occupied the NE corner. Eventually Lindsay Ellingson opened Victoria’s Secret on August 29, 2013.
 
I also frequented the 24-hour Blenz coffee shop on the SE corner. It was an easy to find landmark and once I started my blog it was the perfect location to people watch. The patio was filled night and day. Students studied, tourists reviewed maps, shoppers rested between retail conquests and friends congregated before heading to dinner. Then without warning, Blenz closed. The rumor was the building owner grew tired of multiple tenants. Miss Sixty closed then became a small HMV store. New Balance closed and became a fashion pop-up store. After several months of renovations three stores were combined into one. Lululemon now occupies the entire SE corner. Their doors opened to the public on August 20, 2014.
 

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