FASHION Magazine

Step aside, there’s a new shoe-tique in town. Owner Shannon Bizon has relocated her just-over-a-year-young store, Shoeuphoria (Grenier Place, 200 St. Albert Rd., St. Albert, 780-418-7785, shoeuphoria.ca), to a sophisticated new space but kept the same affordable prices. This season’s standout styles include colour-block wedges and strappy metallic sandals. The wide selection of labels include Jessica Simpson, Rockport, Steve Madden and Canadian line Blondo.

This year, one of Edmonton’s local treasures celebrates the 10th anniversary of her ready-to-wear label, Suka Clothing (sukaclothing.ca). Alisha Schick is known for balancing feminine silhouettes with edgy geometric details, and her Spring 2012 show at Western Canada Fashion Week included an array of cool cosmic microprints. Here, the designer and fashion design instructor (she teaches at Edmonton’s MC College) talks secret fashion weapons and childhood fads.

What is your secret design weapon?
“My sketchbook is my most important tool. I sketch a full figure for key pieces and looks, and then elaborate. There is always a strong story behind each collection.”

This season, runways from Mary Katrantzou to Chanel were awash in ocean references. Get the beachy waves seen at Acne’s show by using Calgary-based sisters Anita and Nadia Saoud’s hair-care line TAJ10 (from $12, taj10.com), which is free of parabens and petroleum-based ingredients. Good for your hair and the Earth; Ariel would be proud.

Luxury watches have a haute new home at the Rolex shop-in-shop at Birks in the Core shopping centre (317 7th Ave. SW, Suite 270, Calgary, 403-260-8700, birks.com). This location is one of only three across Canada to have introduced this prestigious Swiss brand. Looking to make a timeless statement? The Oyster Perpetual Datejust in 18-karat Everose gold with diamonds (shown, $13,510) says forever.

View the photo gallery »

We know you’ve been anxiously awaiting the next cycle of Refinery, the late-night art party held under the stars at Edmonton’s Art Gallery of Alberta, ever since we covered this Movember night out, and we’re excited to deliver!

By now, most of us can recognize the many hours it takes to curate a decent fashion blog, and we’ve spent enough time perusing said blogs to know the value in finding a unique voice amongst the noise. Case in point: despite an overzealous cowboy rep (I’m talking the Calgary Stampede, of course, though there’s nothing wrong with rocking a good pair of cowboy boots), and a smothering from what was, at one point, the biggest shopping mall on the planet (I’m talking West Edmonton Mall, of course, though there’s nothing wrong with being a front-runner for immigrating brands like J.Crew), the prairies churn out some die-hard fashion addicts who are both independent thinkers, and far from frump and farmer. We’ve rounded up the top 10 personal style bloggers from Alberta who aren’t afraid to wear floral print pants, mix and match patterns from head-to-toe or seize outdoor photo-ops in subzero temperatures—bare-legged if they must—just for the frill of it.

View our top 10 »

This is the time of year to revamp your lingerie collection. Treat yourself this Valentine’s Day with a trip to one of Alberta’s two new Victoria’s Secret locations (Kingsway Mall, 109 St. and Princess Elizabeth Ave., Edmonton, 780-479-4221; Southcentre Mall, 100 Anderson Rd. SE, Calgary, 403-278-4881; victoriassecret.com), both fully stocked with all the fine lingerie and satiny goodness you’ve been fantasizing about since the brand’s Canadian launch nearly two years ago.

With his distinct talent and penchant for performance art, it comes as no surprise that small-town Alberta designer Sid Neigum (sidneigum.com) once created a 300-pound dress from old tires and screws. He’s currently studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York as well as producing full collections for women and men, which he’s shown at Toronto’s LG Fashion Week for the past two seasons. Neigum is lighting up Canadian runways, but with an exceptionally dark appeal.

Fall weekends in the country call for a Kate Middleton–inspired wardrobe, complete with all the horse-and-hound extras, like these Gap wellington boots ($40, gapcanada.ca). Their waterproof rubber exterior makes puddle jumping a splashy affair.

Judging from his stunning collection of sterling silver, 18-karat gold and semi-precious gemstone pieces, it’s no surprise that former Calgarian, Toronto-based jewellery designer Dean Davidson (deandavidson.ca) has found fans in editors, stylists and Hollywood A-listers like Jennifer Hudson. His clean, sophisticated style and trademark brushed finish have continued to dazzle customers since his brand’s 2007 launch. 

Last week at the Calgary International Film Festival (calgaryfilm.com) opening night gala, FASHION and a stylish crowd celebrated the beginning of a 10-day Alberta film frenzy with a red carpet walk, the world-premiere of Jim Cliffe’s déjà vu flick, Donovan’s Echo, and a champagne reception with food truck fare at Eighth Avenue Place.

Veteran actor Bruce Greenwood arrived by limo to help present the film, in which he plays a police officer and friend to another movie-vet, Danny Glover.

View the photo gallery »

Need more proof that Alberta has hit its shopping stride? As of this month, Amsterdam-based label Scotch & Soda has opened not one but two stores in the Wild West (West Edmonton Mall, 8882 170 St., Edmonton, 780-666-1072; Chinook Centre, 6455 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, 403-770-7942; scotch-soda.com). This eclectic brand’s specialty is original, fashion-forward garb. Known for its classic silhouettes and pared-down colour palette, Scotch & Soda’s must-have fall looks include harem-style wool trousers, photo-print tees and puff-shoulder cropped blazers.