Calgary Cowboy Hat Engraving Calligraphy For SHEIN Media Night

What happens when a famous brand lands in Canada for a pop-up only for a limited time?

With the arrival of SHEIN in Calgary for Stampede, we just had to use this opportunity to pump out creative and fun activations to create high anticipation and hype.

During media night, I was there to support the team with personalizing cowboy hats. Invited guests could receive a SHEIN cowboy hat in their choice colour and patterns.

Now here's the fun part, every hat was engraved with their initials on the spot right before their eyes.

You bet that created a photo op. Many guests immediately started taking photos/ videos while I was engraving the hats, and tagged SHEIN of this new experience.

They were so excited and couldn't wait to sport their new hats! As word started to spread, more and more guests were drawn into the uniqueness of the gifts and a long line started to form.

So why exactly was this form of personalization such a hit?

Not only is hand engraving fluid and precise, it also allows CHOICE which people LOVE. Guests can pick between calligraphy script or block lettering when done by hand. Something that’s not easily done with pre-made branding irons because they’re generally block letters. And it's safe to say that the calligraphy trend isn't going anywhere because of the human touch and artistry. People feel a connection when their name is on gifts because it can’t be bought anywhere else and is one of a kind.

Even though Stampede is over, it’s never too early to start planning for next year.

Email me at hello@debbiewongdesign.com and let’s create something fun and special for your guests at your next event.

Engraving cowboy hats by Debbie Wong Design for Calgary SHEIN

Calgary Guest Watercolor Portrait Illustrations Bow & Bend's Grand Opening

It was a fantastic grand opening for the Bow & Bend Rooftop patio & restaurant at the new Element by Westin Calgary Downtown. To celebrate the event, I was there to sketch the guests’ portraits in watercolor. There was no shortage of guests wanting a portrait with a line up. It was a new and memorable experience for the guests, and they were touched to see themselves illustrated in their outfits of the day.

With live event illustration we were able to achieve 5 key things for the client.

1. Personalization
In an era of digital age and instant gratification, guests understand this is a personal and memorable experience when an artist captures their outfit, hair style etc in that moment of time. That feeling can’t be replicated digitally.

2. Unique
It’s a unique piece of art and won’t be replicated for someone else. The art is tailored to that guest at that particular event.

3. Entertainment
While guests are waiting, they are entertained watching the artist work from a blank sheet of paper to the final sketch. They’re curious how the art is created from scratch.

4. Engaging
Guests get to interact with the artist and it creates a connection with the event. We got guests saying things like:
“It’s amazing watching this happen. This is so cool!”
“I’m so glad I lined up right away to get mine done!”
“I’ve never seen this before, you’re so talented.”
“I’m going to get this framed and put this on my desk.”

5. Keepsake Memento
After the event is over, the guest has a keepsake memento to take home. The sketch can be framed and put on a wall or desk where they can easily see it and remember the event and experience.

Thank you Worthington PR & Story for making this activation happen!

Will you consider live event illustration at your next event? Connect with me on my website here or email hello@debbiewongdesign.com and let’s make it happen.

Calgary illustration | Live illustrator | Calgary event artist

Calgary Fashion Illustration Wedding Guests At Azuridge Estate Hotel

With the 2025 wedding season ramping up, I’ve been getting more inquiries about fashion illustrations for weddings. It’s a fun and unique guest experience because it’s all done live!

Working with Kira and Joey last summer with CNC Event Design, it was a pretty large wedding with about 125 guests. Kira and Joey understood that I couldn’t sketch all the guests in the 5 hours, and were open to let me do the rest in-studio after the wedding for any guests that wanted a sketch. They would send the sketches with their thank you cards, and guests can re-live the moment of being all dressed up when they open up the envelope.

The guests were incredibly enthusiastic and out of the 125 or so guests attending, between on-site work (36 sketches in 5 hours) + 82 in-studio, almost 95% of the guests wanted a fashion sketch! Many guests were from out of town, and I had a list of in-studio homework sketches to do. You knew they really love my work when they kept asking if Kira and Joey will mail it to them later. :)

My assistant took some snaps of the on-site work, and I completed the rest in-studio and took about 2 weeks. I always do the keepsake illustration of the wedding couple in advance. That’s where I can ask the couple in more details of the outfits, photos, jewellery, bouquet etc.

Kira & Joey’s Keepsake Illustration

On-Site Illustrations

In-Studio Illustrations

Painted Dom Bottle For Corporate Gifting To Toronto Wedding

This is definitely one of the most complicated painting things to date involving two architectural venues for a Toronto wedding. A repeat corporate client asked what I could do to paint on a bottle of Dom. The wedding would take place at two different venues on the wedding weekend, Casa Loma and Aga Khan museum. I suggested I could paint Casa Loma on the front because it’s such a majestic castle in the heart of Toronto. On the back would be the other venue, Aga Khan museum with it’s expansive park grounds. Both venues are so different to give a contrast of Old World to modern age.

End result, the client loved it and was soon on it’s way to Toronto.

Diptyque Engraving Event Calgary Holt Renfrew

It was a very successful event engraving at the Diptyque boutique with so many pre-orders waiting for me. A total of 70 items were engraved in that event! A client wanted to gift their recipients perfumes and candles in different scents. Custom engravings allow for personal messages, making items sentimental and meaningful because each piece was purposely selected by the gifter. I personally love engraving on the colored porcelain jars because it showed the engraving very well.

Fashion Illustration Event of Guests At Calgary Fairmont Palliser Wedding

Anuja and Matt’s guests were treated to something different they’ve never experienced before, fashion illustration of themselves in their finest outfits! The bookings quickly filled up fast and the time flew by so fast.

Prior to the wedding, Anuja and Matt also commissioned in-studio illustrations with their family members. With in-studio requests, photos are a must and I also asked what each person planned to wear, hairstyle, height relative to the bride and groom etc. All of these questions are key to capture how these illustrations will turn out. After the wedding party finished getting ready with hair and makeup, the sketches were brought out as thank you gifts for all their help with the wedding.

Engraving With Bottle Painting Event For Calgary Chinook MAC Cosmetics

With the start of a new school year, lots of people start looking at new clothing and cosmetics to try different looks in a new season. This time I was able to offer both engraving and bottle painting to clients on cosmetic beauty items. A lot of the purchased items were for gifts, so I kept to floral motifs since florals are always classic and timeless.

Pet Illustration With Watercolor At Calgary Beltline District

This was an event close to my heart because it involved dogs. It was Sleep Rover’s fundraising luau event to help High River’s rescue animals, and the event was held in the heart of the Beltline District.

The VID (Very Important Dogs) packages were offered in advance, and was sold out closer to the event date. Each dog had a schedule time where I could grab a quick snap of them, sketch and they would come back to pick it up. They also got a personalized engraved woodblock stand with the pup’s name to display the sketch! The woodblock was done in advance before the event so I could solely focus on sketching the VIDs. It was a busy event, and I got to meet so many wonderful pups. The best part is always when the owner picks up their illustrations and is over the moon with it.

Customizing ALO Shoes With Hand Painting At Calgary Chinook

Looking to add a unique touch to your footwear collection? Monogram painting on shoes might just be the trend you've been waiting for! Whether you're a sneaker enthusiast or a lover of classic loafers, this personalized art form is sure to turn heads and make a statement.

This is what ALO wanted to achieve. Giving clients the experience of creating their own statement shoes. It's more than just decoration—it's a reflection of your personality and style. Monogram painting allows you to transform ordinary shoes into wearable and distinctive art pieces.

One of the best things about monogram painting on shoes is its versatility. From sleek leather boots to canvas sneakers, almost any type of shoe can be customized with a monogram. You can choose bold, contrasting colors for a striking effect or opt for subtle shades that complement your everyday wardrobe.

It's a small detail that can make a big impact, turning ordinary footwear into something special and customized.

Personalizing Luggage Tags For Corporate Vendor Event in Calgary

What a fun event where all the attendees could get a personalized luggage tag from the corporate company hosting the event. Over 120 luggage tags were personalized with either their name or initials, and people got quite creative! Majority of the attendees were out of town, so these personalized tags were right up their alley to use immediately when they return home.

Why choose personalization? Here's why it's a must-have:

1. Luxurious Appeal: The shimmering effect of hot foil stamping instantly adds a touch of luxury to your luggage. It's like giving your bags a VIP upgrade!

2. Personalization: Customize your tags with your name, initials, or even a meaningful symbol. It's a subtle yet powerful way to make your luggage uniquely yours.

3. Practicality: Easily identify your bags in a sea of look-alikes while in the airport’s waiting area.

4. Gift-Worthy: Looking for the perfect gift for a travel enthusiast? Hot foiled luggage tags are a thoughtful and practical choice that's sure to impress.

Check out the short video below of the foiling reveal.