FASHION Magazine

How is it that my husband, charming and handsome man that he is, whose idea of fashionable outerwear is a Gore-Tex shell by Mountain Hardwear and thinks the Gel-Kayano by Asics is “the best shoe,” has suddenly become more chic than me, a Marni-wearing, Devi Kroell-carrying, Bond No. 9-spritzing girl?  Times have changed, green is the new black and being stylish means lowering your carbon emissions and decreasing your ecological footprint.

In her last post, Dolly introduced you to makeup artist James Kershaw. The interview continues below.

He’s Edmonton’s makeup and style guru…just don’t call him a writer.

In Edmonton, you’re well known as a makeup artist, stylist, writer…
“Makeup is my main career.  People think I’m a writer because of my work in The [Edmonton] Journal; it makes me cringe.  I’m not a writer.  I don’t aspire to be a writer and will never be a writer.  I was doing a TV thing and someone said, ‘When did he start doing makeup,’ at which point I had been doing makeup for 27 years.  After that, I started putting a makeup credit on my page.”

 

When you think of James Kershaw, you think makeup artist, stylist, entrepreneur and even writer. You probably don’t think Kim Campbell.  Well, as it turns out, they have more in common than you think. 

I am and always have been a sheer lipgloss girl but lately, I feel like wearing lipstick.  Pink lipstick to be exact.  I have yet to figure out where this sudden urge to paint my lips with brightly-hued colours originated from, but I am working on a few theories:

On a recent trip to my local organic grocery store I saw a sign that read, “Feeling good starts on the inside.” While most people read this phrase and think to themselves, “must eat more fruit and veggies,” diehard fashionistas stop dead in their tracks, turn around and head straight for Night Owl Imports (10180 101st St., 780-423-7757, nightowlimports.com), a well-known designer lingerie boutique and purveyor of all things lace, silk and satin.

When the mercury drops to 30 degrees below zero, I often long for the warm sand beaches of Trinidad and Tobago. My only consolation is beautiful winter wear I can flaunt while braving the blizzards. In fact, one of the primary reasons I adore living in Alberta, Edmonton in particular, is the four distinct seasons we have, which, for me, translates into four fabulous wardrobes (and some multi-tasking transitional pieces).

This holiday season, my top priorities are to support local businesses, complete my shopping at one destination and, because I will have my three very young children in tow, spend no more than a few hours.  I am opting for Crestwood Centre, an elegant collection of stores that are upscale shopping at it’s finest.

Powerful enough to arouse raw emotion, evoke memories and trigger intimacy, fragrances are the most important weapon in a woman’s arsenal of products and potions.  Carmela’s Profumeria (12531-102 Ave, 780-455-3336), on the high street in Glenora, is the place to shop for rare scents and couture fragrances, including the infamous Joy by Jean Patou.

The secret weapon behind Edmonton’s best tressed ladies and gents is uber-hairstylist Paulina Truong, who is to Edmonton what Frédéric Fekkai is to New York or Philip B. to L.A. and after 15 remarkable years in the industry (see her work at left), Truong has finally opened her own salon, Blue Gemini Hair Studio (14115-23 Avenue, 780-436-4783, BlueGemini.ca).

My life changed dramatically after the birth of my first son, but I maintained my sense of style with ease. Stilettos? Almost exclusively. Bimonthly mani/pedi? Not a problem. Shoulder grazing earrings? Yes, of course! It wasn’t until I had twin boys that the words “dry clean only” made me tremble with fear, having given up on wearing anything but cotton T-shirts from American Apparel.

My love of accessories is so fierce I am willing to hold out on laser eye surgery in order to continue wearing gorgeous designer eyewear. Trust me when I say my collection surpasses even that of Sir Elton John. I especially adore my sunglasses, which have saved my life when I have either run out of or misplaced my YSL Touche Éclat.

Forget the “it” bag and the “it” shoe, fall’s hottest accessory is a bun in the oven.  Not to be outdone by Angelina or Gwen, Edmonton’s fashion cognoscenti have Sweet Momma, a full service spa and boutique, (#109, 10903-23 rd Ave, (780) 432-2265, sweetmomma.com) to satisfy their stylish cravings.