Vancouver’s gala season leaves little room for a newcomer to stand out, yet in only its second year, Vancouver Entertains has done exactly that, its red ribbon already speaking volumes about the mark it is leaving on HIV awareness in this city.
Each guest arrived at an assigned address, one of eight simultaneous dinners hosted across the city for the evening, presented by RBC Foundation. At Holt Renfrew, racks gave way to candlelit tables. At Harry Rosen, tailored suits shared the room with fine china. At RIMOWA, Max Mara, ZEGNA and YSL, the retail floor disappeared beneath florals, place settings and the low hum of conversation among engaged philanthropists, executives, creatives and fashionistas. TELUS Garden anchored the evening as Founding Partner. Over at Rolls-Royce, a dinner paired with Entertainment Sponsor National Bank unfolded beneath the glow of the marque’s signature coachwork.
Every dinner carried its own atmosphere, but all shared one purpose, raising vital funds for community-led HIV programs across British Columbia, with every dollar staying in the province to support local partners.
Candice Sinclair, Jay McCauley, Kevin Mazzone, Christie Garofalo, Aleem Kassam | George Pimentel Photography
The People Behind the Evening
None of it happens without the three people who built it. Christie Garofalo, a UBC alumna and veteran of Vancouver’s charitable sector with more than thirty years of volunteer leadership behind her, co-chaired alongside Candice Sinclair, a CANFAR Board Director whose fundraising work spans mental health and youth causes, and Jay McCauley, a strategic communications leader and the youngest board member in Canadian nonprofit history, who has helped raise nearly twenty million dollars over his career. Their vision, together with an Event Committee working quietly behind the scenes, shaped a night that felt effortless by design.
Justin Wu, Joe Zee | George Pimentel Photography
Spotted Over the Course of the Evening
Joe Zee, fashion stylist, journalist, TV producer and media executive, and Justin Wu, an award-winning photographer and film director, were among the guests at Telus Gardens, with Zee fresh from hosting the Oakridge Park Front Row launch. Leeland Mitchell, 2026 Project Runway Canada winner, was on hand as garments from the HIV Unwrapped fashion installation went on display, featuring work from fellow 2026 PRC runners-up Charles Lu and Curtis Matysek.
Evan Clayton, Leeland Mitchell & Very Special Guest | George Pimental Photography
The After Party
Once dinners concluded, every guest converged on the fifth floor of TELUS Gardens for the evening’s second act. Hazel and DESTINEAK brought the energy, and the dance floor filled quickly with black-tie lapels, sequined gowns and an array of on-trend and avant-garde looks.
Oakridge Park’s portrait studio became the night’s unofficial gathering point, camera shutters clicking steadily as guests slipped away between songs to capture the moment. Christie and David Garofalo, longtime Event Sponsors, were among those fielding the lens.
Click here for more After Party photos!
A Night That Delivered
By the time the guest performers and the last song played, Vancouver Entertains had raised more than three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, a number that will directly support Dr. Peter Centre, the Community-Based Research Centre, Ribbon Community, Health Initiative for Men, Qmunity and Kílala Lelum. In only its second year, the evening has already proven what its red ribbon represents, that Vancouver’s luxury community shows up, not only to be seen, but to give.
All photography collages created with images by George Pimentel & Georgia Esporlas.
Telus Gardens
Rolls-Royce & YSL (Bottom Left)
Holt Renfrew – CF Pacific Centre Mall
Harry Rosen – CF Pacific Centre Mall
Zenga – CF Pacific Centre Mall
Max Mara & Rimowa (Lower Row)
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury and luxury lifestyle niches. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read business magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and is an EIC for Hire. Connect with her here: [email protected].
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