FASHION Magazine

I grew up with two older brothers and with that came the art of making throwing stars out of soup cans lids and learning to withstand the torture of a good old fashioned snake bite (the arm-twisting kind).  As much as I love my big bros, I was like every little girl in my position–I longed for a sister.  Someone to braid my hair, puffy paint my clothes and a sibling who would appreciate my deep-seated crush on Uncle Jessie.  But, above all, I wanted a sister to share my shoe fetish.

When sisters Jennifer and Laura Ripley open Luna Blue (2611 14 St. SW, 403-244-1644, lunablueshoes.com) this past September, it came together organically.  With thriving careers—Jennifer working for the Military Family Resource Centre and Laura as a nurse–they both felt the need to shake things up and pursue their common passion for shoes. 

It’s pretty easy to cruise though life, flying under the radar and going about your fashionable business.  But, for Calgary-based designer Leo Casuga Jr., that simply isn’t an option.  After slogging it out in the financial world for several years, Casuga decided to listen to his gut and jump ship to pursue a life in design.  

There’s nothing I love more than throwing a dinner party.  I fully admit, I have an inner Martha stirring inside of me, just dying to serve up elegant hors d’oeuvres and lavish spreads to guests sidling up to homemade place cards.  I’m pretty sure I get this burning desire to entertain from my mother.

So, you can just imagine my domestic delight when I stumbled upon the Kitsch’n Glam (kitchenglam.com) collection at I Appeal (634A 17 Avenue SW, 403-271-3696 and 1109B Kensington Rd NW, 403-270-3611). These retro-whimsical aprons ($42 for the halter style), give a sexy and fashionable twist to an age-old kitchen accessories.  Who says glamour isn’t for the kitchen? 

We all have our own definition of beauty and this notion grows and renovates itself over time.  For example, today I happen to think that the scar on my forehead from a recent snowboarding accident is healing beautifully.  Don’t get me wrong, my interpretation of my once unsightly war wound has evolved over the past four weeks.  But what’s a girl to do but embellish her mind-numbing tale of how her battle scar came to be and ultimately embrace it.  I could go on and on about how beauty is skin deep, it’s what’s on the inside that counts, blah, blah, blah…but deep down you already know that.  If you ask me, if you’re gonna talk the talk, you might as well walk to walk, like personal stylist Karen Judge of Gorgeous studio (studiogorgeous.com).

If you were to have asked Cheryl Janisch two years ago if she imagined her luxury skiwear line would be seen on Hollywood celebs, she would have laughed off the idea. But, this past January, this tale came true for the Calgary-based designer of Frost Sportiva (frostsportiva.com). Jenny McCarthy donned this sexy ski line while shooting the second installment of Santa Baby in Calgary.  And when co-star Dean McDermott’s wife, Tori Spelling, caught wind of the designs, she too had to own a piece of the collection. 

Did you ever see the movie 27 Dresses? You know, Katherine Heigl plays Jane, the ultimate bridesmaid with a year chock full of weddings. With each looming nuptial she’s forced to buy an overpriced gown, which the bride insists she’ll wear again…well you and I both know that’s never the case. Now imagine a high-end virtual consignment store, devoted to buying and selling that dress you’ll only ever wear once.

Mealan Mezzarobba’s earliest childhood shopping memory entails walking over a whimsical bridge into a land of sugar-coated candies and lollies.  For those Calgarians who aren’t afraid to date themselves, you might recall a little gem called Heffalumps and Woozles, an upscale children’s store once located in Mount Royal Village.  That very store inspired Mezzarobba’s fashionable future.

Cupid, the god of love, earned his paycheque this year, helping you snag a first date with your dreamy crush. You’re slightly terrified about the imminent encounter…the looming question of what you’re going to wear is taunting you like a Double Stuf Oreo.

More often than not, my futile attempts at the “smoky eye” leave me resembling a repellent raccoon instead of a smoldering siren. And, once I manage to rid my eyes of the dark hues, all the scrubbing and prodding leaves me raw, swollen, but mostly discouraged.  Fear not, fellow raccoons! Stila has come to the rescue with the new  Smoky Eye Talking Palettes ($56, sephora.com).

Looking into my fashion crystal ball, I predict the onesie, the ultimate playsuit, is on the verge of a colossal comeback. Witness the runways of BCBG, D&G and Lacoste. If your mind instantly reverts to the bubble-brained Chrissy Snow of Three’s Company, you’re on the right track.

Wouldn’t it be fabulous if you could shop for a living?  And, I don’t mean for groceries, stationary supplies or diapers…I mean Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Holt Renfrew. For Calgary based stylist Karla Carol’Ann Pospisil this is a way of life.

As the Calgary fashion scene gains momentum, there’s one local designer who’s taking her success one sketch at a time. “I honestly have to pinch myself daily,” Lara Presber‘s (larapresber.com) exclaims as we pore over the pages of her 2009 Spring collection, influenced by early 1900 aerial views of Kenyan landscapes.