FASHION Magazine

Unlike our friends out East, we probably won’t be seeing a stand-alone Topshop for a while, but Calgary is one of two Western cities to see this hot UK brand infiltrate the Bay (200 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, 403-262-0345, thebay.com). In this exclusive and affordable capsule collection, you’ll find fall’s polka-dot trend on trousers and culottes alongside bold printed skirts and colourful fur coats. Judging by its past collab collections (we can’t forget the Kate Moss alliance), something tells me we’re in for a real ready-to-wear treat.

Cool, statement-making footwear line Fluevog (shown above, from $310) is now available in Calgary (207 Eighth Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-265-1970, fluevog.com). Update your collection this fall with a stylish (and surprisingly comfy) pair of stacked-heel ankle boots. Opt for a bright pop of colour or a rich autumnal hue, and make sure to go hard on the hardware. Studs and chunky buckles are this season’s hottest new embellishment.

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.

Fans of Skoah (shown above, from $25), the popular Vancouver-based skin-care company and spa, will be pleased to know that it has opened a second Calgary location (116 10th St. NW, Calgary, 403-264-0203, skoah.com). Facials are this spa’s stock-in-trade; its Quickie Facial is the ultimate pick-me-up. Get your glow on with this skin-care workout, which includes a deep cleanse, exfoliation, skin analysis and hydrating massage. Priced at only $35, it’ll be hard not to indulge every month.

Although we were sad to see the Shisomiso Boutique & Gallery close, the opening of Studio Intent Boutique + Gallery (100 7th Ave. SW, Suite 105, Calgary, 403-226-4211, studiointent.ca) in its former space has given us cause to celebrate. This hip little emporium features a motherlode of Canadian talent, such as vintage-inspired pendants from Calgary’s Colleen Cyca and structured dresses from Montreal’s Eve Gravel. Supercute dresses and tunics in a monochromatic palette from Valérie Dumaine are perfect picks for evenings out. And Vancouver-based Erin Templeton’s roomy leather bags fit right in among the store’s other great Canadian collections.

Following the success of the Topshop capsules in Toronto, the Bay has decided to bless fashion diehards out West with capsules at their Vancouver and Calgary stores starting in mid-September. Shoppers will get to shop a curated selection of the collection, as flagship stores—like the one set to open at Yorkdale in September—get ready for […]

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Luckily for Calgary, Dani Izzo of Check Mate Shoes has opened an additional boutique, the Shoe Muse (326 Aspen Glen Landing SW, Suite 106, Calgary, 403-453-0490, theshoemuse.com). With the return of the borrowed-from-the-boys look this season, now’s the time to slip into a cool pair of oxfords or brogues.

It’s time to get fit! Custom fit, that is. At Zenobia (205 8th Ave. SW, Unit 201, Calgary, 403-831-3080, zenobia.ca), Montreal designer Pina Iannelli cuts, sews and alters garments to suit each customer’s body type. “Our fall collection epitomizes attention to detail and luxurious fabrics,” says western sales director Jackie Hickson. “The use of a variety of fabrics such as suedes, leathers, alpaca, cashmere and tweeds creates a look that’s chic yet distinct.” Prices range from $150 to $3,500.

Take inspiration from the Spring 2011 runways and add a bold touch of colour to your wardrobe. This season, Betsey Johnson goes crazy for hue—even your lingerie drawer will get a lift. These flirty under pieces (from $50) are made of cotton and available in any colour under the sun. They say summer lovin’—even after the temperature drops. At Bra Topia (102A 1409 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary, 403-457-1303, bratopia.ca).

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Out of their cowboy garb, Will and Kate were back into their respective regal wardrobes for one last trip, to the Calgary Zoo and then on to say farewell to the country at the city’s Challenger Rotary. As the 2011 Royal Tour comes to a close, we’re anticipating going through some major Kate withdrawal. If we had to say goodbye to the royal rock stars in any way though, we’re happy to have done it with one last beauty: a scarlet Catherine Walker button down suit dress with pleated full skirt accessorized with the Queen’s diamond maple leaf brooch.

Are you as sad as we are to see the Royals go? Vote after the jump!

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Boy, have Will and Kate ever gotten into the Stampede spirit in Calgary! At last night’s kick-off and then again this morning at the official parade, the couple’s donned authentic cowboy outfits, no doubt thrilling the crowd again and again. Last night, after initially declining to don the white hats that they received in the traditional “white-hatting” ceremony at the airport, the couple surrendered, emerging in adorable matching Western outfits: Will, in a green-and-black plaid button-down and jeans and Kate in a rodeo-style Alice by Temperley top, bootcut J Brand jeans, an oversized-buckle belt, and custom-made cowboy boots from the Alberta Boot Company. Today, Will showed up in the same exact outfit, and Kate looks to have just changed her top into a similar style from Temperley London! Small luggage, we suppose?

Stepping out of her comfort zone to please the crowd, Kate’s cowgirl get-ups are by FAR two of our favourite outfits of the trip. So, how do we show our love? By shopping for the look, naturally!

Check out our top picks for Kate’s cowgirl look »

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After some long and Kate-less hours on Wednesday and Thursday, the Duchess was back last night in Calgary to thrill with not one but TWO wham-bam outfits. Off the plane in this stunning ultra-feminine buttery silk crepe Jenny Packham dress and LK Bennett nude heels, Kate greeted one of her littlest fans: 6-year-old Diamond Marshall, a child fighting stage 4 cancer. Diamond’s dream had been to meet the “princess,” and we’re sure that Kate looked every bit as special as she had imagined.

Up next, we’re hunting the best Western looks to emulate Kate’s second look of the night: the Stampede cowgirl! Yeehaw!