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

 
 

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.

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.

Bridal Party | Bottle Painting

This was a memorable private event where I painted on Jo Malone London candles for C&G’s guests. I did a bit of prep work deciding on the three painted designs: cherry blossom, peony and rose.

When the guests arrive, they would pick up the box with their name calligraphed on it, and choose one of the three flower types. I would paint away while the guests enjoyed cocktail hour followed by a delicious three course dinner. At the end of the night, the guests would find their personalized candles back in their boxes and ready to take home.

The guests loved seeing the candles painted and lots of happy comments of how pleased they were. This kind of personalization truly makes an intimate event memorable because they’ll always remember receiving a one of a kind item from the couple to thank them for their support.

Official photos from the event photographer will be posted when available.

Partners and Vendor Team:

Event Planning and Design: @jraeweddings

Floral Artist: @flowerartistry

Venue: @floresandpine

Photography: @corrinawalkerphotography

Décor & Rentals: @modernrentals.ca and @jraeweddings

Stationery: @paperocelot

Favour Bottle Painting: @debbiewongdesign

Chinese Calligrapher Celebrating Events For 2024 Lunar New Year In Calgary

Another year has gone by in a flash and before I knew it, February 2024 arrived to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

The past year has been an immense growth for me by progressing to a semi-cursive calligraphy style for returning and new clients who wanted a new blessing. The running style means adding a more artistic flair to the calligraphy, plus my own style is injected in it!

I returned back to Holt Renfrew again and the event was incredibly successful seeing new and familiar clients coming back. This month I also worked with Porsche for a private dinner party to calligraph blessings to their clients as well. All in all, 2024 is off to a wonderful start and I hope the Dragon Year will bring great fortune to everyone.