After months of anticipation, renovations, and media events, the doors to Nordstrom Ottawa were unofficially opened on Wednesday night for Nordstrom Rideau Centre Opening Gala. Over 1,800 peope — including frenzied shoppers, local philanthropists, fourth-generation Nordstrom family members, and new hires — filled the massive high end department store for an evening of drinks, bites, dancing, and shopping.
The event raised over $180,000 for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation and United Way Ottawa. Click through the gallery to see glimpses from the bash>>
They’re alive! MIM models tricked a few party goers with their stealth mannequin poses. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Makeup artist Ashley Dawn Szabadi, Christopher Massardo of PRESS Magazine, Bayshore’s April Atherton, and Alyssa Beltempo, fashion stylist. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Gary Zed with Vicki Heyman and Bruce Heyman, US ambassador to Canada. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Mac cosmetics girls Annalisa Burman and Elissa Molino. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Kira Mandryk and Lauren Orser looking stylish among the designer goods at Nordstrom Ottawa. Photo by Rémi Thériault
CTV Ottawa’s Lois Lee with Chris Phillips of the Ottawa Senators. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Allan Cooper, Vance Smith, Ted Bourgon looking sharp at the Nordstrom opening gala. Photo by Rémi Thériault
DJs set the scene on the second floor. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Adolfo Alvarenga and Jen Alvarenga, who work in the local real estate industry, are joined by food truck owner Leonardo Alvarenga. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Barry Burke, Rosemary Kemp, and Ruth Kemp take the opportunity to get some shopping done at the new Nordstrom department store. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Elus owner Melissa Viinalass and hair stylist Kenneth Malone. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Ahmed Hassan works at Bazille, Nordstrom’s full service restaurant and bar. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Stephanie Alberga, Livio Folini, and John Fiore of Steve Madden Canada. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Mark Skinner of Mediaplus advertising with Stacey Van Buskirk. Photo by Rémi Thériault
It was a paparazzi-like moment as Nordstrom representatives joined members of United Way Ottawa and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation to celebrate the opening of Nordstrom Ottawa. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Julia Wallace, Dianne Wing, and Dayanti Karunaratne of Ottawa Magazine. Photo by Rémi Thériault
President and CEO of United Way Canada Dr. Jacline A Nyman, Michael Allen, president and CEO of United Way Ottawa, and Sara Cooper, senior director, planning and projects, United Way Ottawa. Photo by Rémi Thériault
United Way’s Barbara Crook with Leah Harper, Nordstrom department manager. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Nordstrom’s John Bailey with Dayanti Karunaratne of Ottawa Magazine. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Adrian Larocque with Samantha McIntyre, a stylist with Nordstrom. Photo by Rémi Thériault
MIM models show off spring looks. Photo by Rémi Thériault
Polo Ralph Lauren’s Nick Hillier with Charbel Choueire, a government worker. Photo by Rémi Thériault
AJ Kassem and Brittany Kassem. Photo by Rémi Thériault
