Meet My Muse by Emily

I caught up with Lexie Stewart, a personal fashion muse and aspiring designer, actress, and all-around artiste to ask her opinion on clothes, trends, and the most fashionable cities.

Q. What stared your interest in fashion?

A. It must be my mothers fault. Growing up she always bought me those toy plastic heels from Toys’R’Us, and dressed me up in frilly dresses with crinolines underneath. She’s a sewer, so we could always make whatever clothes I wanted. By the time I was in grade 6, I was wearing lime green leggings and unheard-of Uggs. Around that time Lizzy Maguire intrigued me because no other girl dressed like her, so I was very daring with clothes. Then I started paying attention to designers and their runways.

Q. Who have become your favorite designers?

A. Chloe. Definitely. Chloe has always been the top for me. I love the oversized, male (but feminine) clothes. Ellie Saab has the most incredible dresses. Chanel accessories, shoes, and dresses are always beautiful and classic. I love Balenciaga purses and Christian Louboutin shoes are to die for. He is without a doubt the god of shoe making.

Q. Any pieces by your favorite designers you’d like to get your hands on?

A. Christian Louboutin shoes. For sure. I’d die to have a pair. I’ve been looking at a lot of sale sites that you can buy them from for around $150.00, but I’m not fully sure if they’re all legit! If I had the figure, a Herve Leger dress would be awesome. Once you look good in one of those dresses, you know you’ve made it in the fitness department. Also, a padded, chain strapped Chanel purse. So classy.

Q. And if you can’t have designer pieces, where do you shop in Calgary?

A.Zara, Zara, Zara. H&M, Joe Fresh, Gap, Aldo.

Q. You and your mom sew a lot of your clothes – how’d you get started?

A. My mom always made her own clothes growing up. She got me started. Being able to sew has come in handy. I found a dress by Chanel that I adored, so I recreated it for my grad! And I did the same thing for my friend with an Oscar De La Renta dress recently. I’ve grown up around sewing so I was sort of just born into it, lucky for me!

Q. What are the best and worst trends, in your opinion?

A. Hmm worst fashion trend. SO many people say Uggs on this question. I don’t give a crap. They’re so comfortable and handy, it doesn’t even matter, you don’t have to look perfect ALL the time. I love mine. So worst fashion trend? I can’t think of one specific item, but for me, it’s 80’s clothing. I’d have to say the 80’s were the worst for fashion and I really hope it doesn’t continue to come back full throttle. There are certain pieces that are 80’s inspired that when put together with something else can look awesome. Best fashion trend, I’m not sure if this counts but, empire waist. It looks good on almost everybody, big boobs, small boobs, long waist, short waist. It’s pretty, it’s feminine. With long dresses it looks ethereal, on short baby doll dresses it’s cute.

Q. Thinking about your closet, what can’t you live without?

A.Honestly? Leggings. Definitely. I’m very much about comfort. At the moment, probably my gladiator sandals too. They’re nothing special but, they’re nicer than flip flops. They took me all through Europe. Also, my black tube skirt. I remember seeing one on Ashley Olsen, and I had to have that skirt. So I retreated to the sewing room and whipped myself up one from an old stretchy black maternity dress that was my mothers.

Q. What’s the most fashionable city you’ve traveled to?

A. I would have to say London. It’s just because so many women there have real styles, whereas in many other cities, lots of people just dress the same. Both men and women are more daring with their style, and it helps that there are a lot more clothing stores to shop at for more variety. There’s everything from grunge to fashionable but clean and classy. Style there seems effortless.

Q. Where would you like to travel next?

A. Scottland and Ireland. It has nothing to do with fashion or the shopping. But Scottland DOES have a topshop…

Thanks Lexie!

Travis Taddeo Featured in Z!NK Magazine

Calgary-born designer Travis Taddeo is featured in Z!NK Magazine’s summer issue. In the article Tina Christopoulos draws attention to Taddeo’s commitment to providing individualistic designs to his young clientele. “What I really want people to get from my clothes is the knowledge that individuality is important” he says. “It’s OK not to wear the same thing as everyone else.” Calgary Fashion could not agree more. The world of fashion can be inspiring but also extremely disappointing. Rather than being roused by runway looks, many people seem to reiterate looks from head to toe. The increasing trend of copying runway looks verbatim, leaves some of us at Calgary Fashion disheartened. Since when did fashion become so rigid? I remember counting 17 Coach bags, 5 pairs of Uggs, 8 pairs of Ray-Bans and several outfits covered in labels during a half-hour coffee break on 17th Ave. Is this a part of Calgary’s conservative nature? To have what everyone else has? Or is it because Calgary is isolated from the fashion industry’s glorious individuality?

We salute Travis Taddeo for his undying motivation to infuse Canada’s fashion industry with a punch of unfamiliarity. His latest collection will be shown at the upcoming Toronto Fashion Week in October, followed by a release in the US.

CARTEL Sample Sale

Summer Sale!

We apologize for the short notice but we were recently informed of an awesome sale that started yesterday and continues today and tomorrow.

Good Child Cartel is having a sale, here are the details!:

Tees – $15 each, 3 for $35
Hoodies/Jackets – $30
Polos – $20
Hats – $10

All Sizes for both Men & Women.

*CASH ONLY*

Friday – July 10:
2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Former Rocket Location:
738 – 17 ave SW
Calgary, Alberta
(West of the Yardhouse on 17th ave)

Saturday – July 11:
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Former Rocket Location:
738 – 17 ave SW
Calgary, Alberta
(West of the Yardhouse on 17th ave)

MJ Style Revisted

So as Kim had mentioned last week, the Balmain collection was heavily inspired none other than a CF icon Michael Jackson, but has anyone seen him sporting the Balmain line himself?
Perfect!

Check these out. My boy worked it!

Eleven:Eleven Featured in Fashion Magazine

Local clothing boutique Eleven: Eleven (233 10th St. NW) is featured on Fashion Magazine’s style blog. The write up on Eleven: Eleven also features work by local photographer Riley Stewart and local model Janelle of I Model Management. Calgary Fashion celebrates these local talents and fashion leaders! Check out the blog at Fashion Magazine.

RIP The Runway

RIP THE RUNWAY 2009

What an inspiring show, so much talent
I have never been to something like it.
So much hard work went into it and it
showed.

Backstage was chaotic, full of rehearsal’s
hairspray,clothing,half naked models and
photographers it was great.
When it came down to the actual show
it started with a dance number which a friend
of mine Sabrina.C had put together it really
set the tone for the whole show, the mc was up
beat and super fun, the DJ was good and got
the attenders really hyped for it all!

there was even a minute of silence for the
great Michael Jackson which got me a bit
teary eyed.

Congratulations to all the designers
You all did an amazing job, I am
thankful that your all representing
Calgary with your art and fashion.

For photographs from the show click the link below
and more photo’s to come!

RIP THE RUNWAY PHOTOGRAPHS

Songkla Update.

Songkla to be re-invented

After the sudden departure of Smyth&Kang last week, I was shocked and disappointed when I received a Facebook message from Tung Vo, informing me that Songkla would be closing it doors soon and to come by soon as they are having a 30%-70% off sale.

And while it’s true that the racks and shelves would be cleared and the doors closed, it is only a temporary close.

While I tried on a few dresses, Tung explained that after they clear out the merchandise and close the doors for a month or so, they’ll be re-opening as a studio as opposed to a retail store. With a new partnership in the making, Songkla will refocus their efforts to making their own clothing and selling it from their studio.

For myself, this is good and bad news. Not a streetwear type of gal, I nevertheless found a number of cute dresses at Songkla over the years and now I’ll have to search for those same labels that Songkla carried elsewhere.
The good news for me is that Tung will be continuing making clothes, which means I can add to the two coats I have purchased and treasure. Both are items that I’ll no doubt have for years to come and will continue to tell people where I got them.

I look forward to seeing what’s to come in the next few months as Calgary’s fashion landscape continues to change. But before they close the doors I strongly suggest you snap up whatever they have left before it’s gone!

Top photo: Purple wool coat with high collar, made by Tung Vo. Photo by Devon Boulton-Mills
2nd photo: One of the dresses I bought on sale at Songkla – People’s Market.
Songkla is located at #11, 718 17 Ave. S.W.

Holt Renfrow Honours Fashion Bloggers.

Being a fashion blogger comes with many perks and opportunities, it also takes a lot of perseverance and a good amount of dedication and self determination to be a successful fashion blogger. As a fashion blogger, you have to be on top of the latest and the now of fashion and Holt Renfrow in Canada have caught on to this.

According to Holt Renfrew’s Creative Director John Gerhardt:

“Bloggers have become the fashion world’s new celebrities,” says Gerhardt. “They’re knowledgeable and influential contributors to the modern media landscape. Their opinions and visuals are relevant, creative and thought-provoking, providing a constant source of inspiration. We are honoured to pay homage to their style.”

Last week, the luxury Canadian brand, unveiled six store front windows dedicated to Garancé Dore, Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist, Jane Aldridge of Sea Of Shoes, Canada’s star fashion blogger Anita Clarke of I Want I Got and the ever visually captivating Tommy Ton of Jak + Jil and of course the ever fabulous Bryan Boy.

This is a big deal in blogger land so hurry on down to your nearest Holt Renfrow for a peek at the amazing displays.

Tim Walker

I was thinking of how lucky we at Calgary Fashion are to have access to amazing photographers, and was reminded of a lovely picture I had stumbled on a few months back. To my surprise, it was a photograph by the ever eclectic and quirky Tim Walker. Balloons, bubble gum, airplanes, and fields of flowers are just a few of the props this legend has used.

A Special Introduction

The new photo collaborative OX.