WORDS + PHOTOGRAPHY Lia Crowe
Hair by Ashley Hood at Suki’s Downtown Salon
With over 10 years experience working in local media, producing and hosting the LEO Award-nominated real estate series Dream Homes and creating a new home and design show called Luxury Hunters, Bianca runs a boutique video marketing agency that creates and captures content for local businesses and corporations.
“I love the creativity of video — the music, location, style and script — and I get tremendous satisfaction working with business owners who start out as ‘camera shy’ and end up confidently starring in their own content.”
Asked what innate qualities have aided her most in becoming successful, she says, “Stickability, tenacity and attention to detail. I have wonderful mentors who have helped me, but at the end of the day it’s really about the work. I do whatever it takes to make sure the end product is something I’m proud of. I have learned that in business you must keep going; I might adjust but I never stop.”
When it comes to style, Bianca says her personal style is a kind of “Kate Middleton meets Jennifer Aniston” and it’s all about structure, colour and having a couple of key pieces that you love and feel good in.
“I learned a lot from my stylish mother, who used to change to go to the grocery store! She taught me the value of having key pieces that last for years, and showing respect for an event or person by dressing for the occasion.”
STYLE INSPIRATIONS & LIFE
Favourite fashion designer or brand: Canadian company Judith and Charles. Their clothes are a combination of softness and strength. Eighty per cent of their collections are designed and manufactured in Canada.
Favourite musician: My dad is a musician so he’s my favourite. He introduced me to CCR and the Rolling Stones, and I never get tired of listening to their music!
Era of time that inspires your style: I love the structure of the 1950s and the colour and feminity of the 1980s!
Film or TV show that inspires your style or that you just love the style of: I’m not the first person to say this, but every single outfit Cameron Diaz wears in The Holiday is always welcome in my closet. Even though the movie is 14 years old, the clothes are classics.
Favourite local restaurant: La Quercia is my absolute favourite. The dishes are carefully created and full of flavour. I love the eggplant lasagna and recommend asking the staff for wine recommendations.
Favourite wine: The Prisoner from Napa Valley. It also makes a great gift because the art on the bottle is beautiful!
Favourite city to visit: Edinburgh. I visited in my 20s and 30s and both times it was equally charming, inviting and vibrant. I recommend climbing Arthur’s Seat for the panoramic views.
Favourite hotel: Sun Valley Lodge in Idaho. It’s over 80 years old with an outdoor skating rink, sleigh rides and most importantly a friendly, relaxed ski-cabin atmosphere.
Favourite app: FiLMic Pro. It allows you to use your iPhone camera to create cinematic video!
Favourite place in the whole world: Heidelberg, Germany. I studied there for a year in university and it has the most beautiful “Altstadt” or old town and castle. The university was founded in 1386!
Reading Material
What you read online for style: I have to admit, I cruise Instagram for style inspiration! I’ll see something I love and track it down. I’m old school and need to try things on so I go to the store to buy it.
Fave print magazine: Vanity Fair.
Coffee table book/photography book: The Earth from the Air by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The cover is beautiful, the Heart of Voh in New Caledonia.
Book currently reading: Educated by Tara Westover. I can’t put it down!
Favourite book of all time: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I’ve read it numerous times.
Fashion & Beauty
Uniform: A pea coat, black boots, a cosy sweater, jeans and always a scarf to tie it all together!
Currently coveting: The B3 leather jacket by German designer Stefan Eckert.
Favourite day-bag: The Everywhere Bag by Away. It fits my laptop, a hard drive, makeup, snacks and a water bottle, so it’s perfect for a day on set.
Favourite jewellery piece or designer: Greta Constantine. The dresses have structure and colour and they feel good on. The best place to find them is Wardrobe Apparel in Vancouver — ask for Alexandra!
Fashion obsession: Jackets. From a Patagonia puffer to a Soia and Kyo pea coat, I have a small coat collection. Every Christmas my two good friends do a coat drive so I’m always happy to donate!
Necessary indulgence for either fashion or beauty: My indulgence is eyelash extensions! It means I never wear eye makeup unless it’s a smoky eye kind of night! I’ve been seeing Polina at Beauty Corner for years; we talk about life and running our businesses, so it’s a quick 45 minutes in the chair.
Moisturizer: Neostrata Overnight Anti Pollution Treatment: it’s like getting a facial while you sleep.
Must-have hair product: Kerastase Blond Absolu shampoo. This is a must for colour junkies!
Beauty secret: I wear no makeup as much as possible so my skin gets a break. When I’m going out or I have a shoot, that’s when I go for it! I love the new Eye Colour Magic palette from Charlotte Tilbury. The colours are bright and sparkly, which, coincidentally, is how I want my eyes to look!
Life in Colour