Posted by: Randy Chan - Associate Marketing Director, Random House of Canada Ltd

Runway models, a world-famous fashion journalist, oysters, and a custom cocktail called the Jeannetini—these are not elements you’d find at just any book launch. But to celebrate Jeanne Beker’s new book for young adults, Passion For Fashion: Careers in Style, the glamour dial was turned up several notches. The launch coincided with L’Oreal Fashion Week where Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square—normally a bastion of double-breasted suits and pleated trousers—was transformed into a tent-covered fashion runway over-spilling with fashionistas. My Tundra Books colleagues and I enjoyed the Diesel Kids fashion show where adorable children and tweens strutted their stuff (it was rumoured that Canadian model Stacey McKenzie’s niece was among them). Jeanne Beker then came blazing onto the runway, dressed in black mini-skirt and jacket (looking identical to the new Bratz Fashion Reporter doll made in her likeness). You know her moment has come when, after more than twenty years as the face of Fashion Television, she is immortalized as a Bratz doll!

After a few gracious words (where she gave a nod to Tundra publisher Kathy Lowinger), Jeanne was whisked away to interviews with international media and I was left admiring the fashion do’s and don’ts (trust me, a beaver fur hat should never be paired with shorts). My colleagues and I then feasted on oysters at Rodney’s Oyster Bar before proceeding to the after-party. Jeanne brought her closest friends and family together (including her adorable and elegant mother, and her two daughters) at swanky Atelier on King Street West where we sipped on Jeannetinis (vodka, Cointreau, lemon and orange juice—delicious) and watched performances by young dancers and singers. But by 10:30pm, this decidedly unglamorous publishing type had had his share of hobnobbing and so I jumped into a taxi for bedtime. Three lasting impressions from my wonderful evening: 1) my wardrobe needs a re-vamp; 2) book launches are so much better when they feature swag bags and satay beef skewers; and 3) Jeanne Beker is truly an inspiration. Passion for fashion indeed!