Aiona Alive West Coast Launch

"You do all the right things; you eat right to nourish 
your body, you exercise to stay strong, so why put 
products on your skin that create the very problems
they claim to eliminate?"


Image by Zed Studio7
Aiona Alive West Coast Launch was held November 30th in Joseph MacKinnon's beautiful Waterfall Building near Granville Island. It may have been raining outside, but as soon as you entered the courtyard, you could see the warm glow of bright lights through the feature glass wall beckoning. Produced by LuvNGrace Entertainment and sponsored by Modern Working Woman, the crowded event was full of interesting displays. Special guests in attendance included most of the cast of the successful dramatic TV series Arctic Air, including series star Adam Beach.

Lisa Strong and Karen Maurage
Image by Harry Leonard Imagery
Let's start with Aiona Alive. It is a revolutionary new skincare line that restores, replenishes and balances the skin. Products are 100% natural with 2 key ingredients: live collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA). The face and body masks create a wearable, breathable moisture mask that help make-up stay on longer saving you both time and money. The line is a collaboration between 2 amazing women - talented, warm and generous spirits - who worked together to find not only the right scents, but the most beneficial oils.  They are -

Lisa Strong - The Founder of Aiona Alive and head makeup artist for Arctic Air - she has been makeup artist in the film industry for over 20 years. During that time Lisa gained considerable knowledge of the detrimental effects that chemical laden skin care products and cosmetics have on the skin. With this knowledge she was instrumental in the development of Aiona Alive, a skincare line that is completely free of synthetic chemicals and is biologically live.

Karen MauragePartner in Aiona Alive, had been working with essential oils to create her own massage oil blends and personal scents for many years when she and Lisa were introduced. They immediately recognized the potential in one another and knew that they would be working together. 

Images by Xelha Photography


This evening held a more open format. Guests mixed and mingled in the main gallery or in the side bar area, while several great exhibits were placed strategically around the circumference of the room. These included - beauty make-up demos by Sappho Cosmetics, Aiona Alive skincare demos, live painting and completed works by Yves Decary and Natalia Krioutchkova and a very cool live photo shoot by Harry Leonard Imagery. Five weeks before the event, photographer Harry Leonard took images of model Annika Ruberg after which she was placed on the Aiona Alive skin care program. Then she was re-photographed by him at the event both before and after makeup application. What a great way to show the product's benefits.

Left image by Harry Leonard Imagery - Right image by Zed Studio7
Several people kept the evening flowing -  Christopher Mark Steffler (Mercury Management) rocked the role of host, Stephanie Deering aka DJ Lizzy spun a great set of music all night and Rachel Ryall graciously poured drinks for the large crowd. A feature wall offering the art of Richard Roblin provided the perfect backdrop for the myriad of photographers in attendance to snap images of guests, celebrities, models and more. Door prizes were awarded as the evening progressed and the event had a charity focus as well with proceeds benefitting My Sister’s Closet - a social enterprise of Battered Women's Support Services (BWSS).

Left and centre image by Xelha Photography - Right image by Dan Poh
Later in the evening, fashion designer Nancy Perreault showcased a beautiful selection of gowns on models Monika Bartnik-BougheyChantal BenzLeeta Liepins and Galina Sanaeva. Hair for the models was created by Genevieve Masson of L'Atelier Salon. Then the evening ended in a very special way. Aiona Alive partner Karen Maurage was called to the stage where she received a marriage proposal from her significant other - James A. Lazaruk. Congrats. The answer was a tearful YES!

Image by Zed Studio7
Want to know more about Aiona Alive?  You can check out their website, facebook page, follow them on twitter or contact Strong or Maurage at the phone numbers below.

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