FASHION Magazine

This spring, Calgary designer Paul Hardy hit the barre. Known for his ultra-feminine, unstructured looks, Hardy is designing the costumes for the Alberta Ballet’s Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, a performance inspired by and set to the music of Canadian songstress Sarah McLachlan.

Thanks to this season’s resurgence of ’70s style, wide-leg trousers have disco-danced their way back onto the scene. And now with two new additions to Chinook Centre (6455 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, 403-259-2022, chinookcentre.com), there’s even more choice to ring your bell. Try on True Religion’s Morgan ($265; 403-253-6540, truereligionbrandjeans.com), featuring patch pockets and flares, or slip on a pair of Bell Bottom Super Flares in Vintage California (shown) from 7 for All Mankind (403-262-7326, 7forallmankind.com).

It’s official! After months of hearing the rumours (will they or won’t they?), Joe Fresh (joefresh.com) has finally touched down in Calgary at CrossIron Mills (261055 Cross Iron Blvd., Rocky View, crossironmills.com). Renowned for its cheap-but-chic fashion for women, men and children, this Canadian superstar retailer—offering clothing, cosmetics and accessories–has opened the doors to its 15,000-square-foot space. Let the shopping begin.

As a true shoe devotee, I was ready to kick up my heels when I heard that hot new footwear label D.Co Copenhagen (dicocopenhagen.dk) was coming to town.

Forget getting off the treadmill, now is the time to get on it. Gap (gapcanada.ca) recently launched an activewear collection, GapBodyFit, geared to the stylish sports enthusiast.

THE ADDRESS: DESIGNO FASHION
805 First St. SW, Suite 206, Calgary, 403-261-5609, designofashion.com

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: We Calgarians love our labels, but we also love embellishment—how perfect, given all the decorative trims that appeared on the spring runways. The tassels on Dolce & Gabbana’s Miss Sicily bag give it a playful touch.

Ice is nice, and eye-catching baubles are the mainstay at recently opened Diamond Boutique (Mount Royal Village, 816 16th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-251-1167, diamondboutique.ca).

Ditch the biker look without sacrificing your street-smart edge by switching your hardcore moto jacket with one that has a softer texture and a skin-baring neckline, in a lighter tone.

On trend but not over the top, these minimalist denim kicks by TOMS ($65, at Holt Renfrew, 510 Eighth Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-269-7341, holtrenfrew.com) give your blue-jean basics a modern twist without blowing your budget. Even better: The company donates one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold.

Instead of super-feminine jewellery, this season I’m reaching for bold, modern designs by Finland-born, Brit-raised and Calgary-based designer Ellinor Stenroos. “I wanted to incorporate high tech into wearable pieces that were functional,” she says.

This season, swap your oversized tote for something with a little more structure. With its strong shape and classic lines, this smart clutch by Peter Kent (peterkentcanada.com) is my latest must-have. Designed and made in Argentina, the napa leather bag has a zippered pocket and detachable shoulder strap, and comes with either black or multicoloured tassels.

By Karen Ashbee The address: Empire Collection 800 16th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-457-3443, empirecollection.ca The wait for something new to fill the coveted corner spot vacated by Focus clothing in Mount Royal Village is finally over. Its new occupant specializes in trendy casual wear: tops by Velvet, Royal Underground and Ben Sherman; sexy dresses by […]

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