FASHION Magazine

Fresh off her Spring 2012 exclusive for Givenchy in Paris, jetsetting New York–based supermodel Heather Marks (a Calgary native) took a few moments to chat with us backstage at Edmonton’s Fashion with Compassion breast cancer fundraiser and fashion show. Despite insider access to fashion for nearly a decade, this 23-year-old beauty with rockstar style still has an appreciation for the simpler things in life.

Where do you shop when you’re back in Alberta?
“I always stop by Aritzia and I like going to Gravitypope on 17th Avenue [in Calgary] for shoes. Holt Renfrew is also a favourite.”

What’s your favourite accessory at the moment?
“I got a new Chanel bag that I’m currently obsessing over. It’s not your classic shape. It’s a little bit more round, a little bit more funky.”

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Natural, natural, natural—the word kept buzzing around backstage before last night’s Joe Fresh show. For hair, this meant sporty side-parted ponytails with barely any product or tools used. “If you were to do this at home, just a fresh blow dry,” said L’Oreal Paris official hair artist and colourist Eric Del Monaco. However, on the runway natural always becomes slightly enhanced—in this case with many mists of Elnett hairspray. (We swear one ponytail took on an entire can…)

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When it comes to fashion, I have two minds. I oscillate between editor mode (carefully scrutinizing trends, fabrics, cuts, and colour) and shopping autopilot (dreaming up outfits, making must-have lists, and slowly building my dream closet). Last night’s Joe Fresh show threw me for a loop. While I was technically there for work, I couldn’t pry myself away from my material side. Not only did the presentation of the show blow me away—Joe flew in the who’s who of Canadian models as well as used some of the beauties who’ve been in town for the week including Alana Zimmer, Kate King, Heather Marks, Herieth Paul, Kristin Owen, Liisa Winkler, Tara Gill, Yasmin Warsame, Kori Richardson, and Amanda Laine—but the clothes have never looked so… expensive (a coup for a mass-retail brand). Perfectly fitting tight jersey tees, pointed loafer pumps, and a printed ankle pant all got the green light in my mental notes. The clever combination of clean ‘60s minimalism (the show opened with a Mondrian-esque shift dress) with sportwear-detailed separates (neoprene, parachute fabrics, and drawstring details were everywhere) ensured the show didn’t feel one-noted. While they certainly won’t alienate their core grocery-store customer, Joe certainly upped the ante for the fashion followers who will be anxiously awaiting the runway styles come spring.

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Edmonton rolled out its red carpet last week for the city’s biggest fashion event of the year—also one of the largest fashion fundraisers in Canada—the 15^th Annual Fashion with Compassion breast cancer fundraiser. Over 700 guests wined, dined, and bid on auction items, while models and breast cancer survivors from the Compassion House walked the glowing white runway. The show featured clothing and accessories from local retailers, and closed with stunning couture gowns from New York’s Michael Kaye.

While we were busy at the New Moon premiere in Toronto on Thursday night, Holt Renfrew was loading up on star power for the opening of their new Calgary flagship. Mad Men‘s Christina Hendricks was there (with new hubby Geoffrey Arend) in a cool suit-like dress by Canadian David Szeto, while Calgary homegirl Heather Marks sported a mesh dress with patent appliqués by another Canuck designer, Rita Liefhebber. Jeremy Piven, Gossip Girl Kristen Bell and Glee‘s Jessalyn Gilsig also made an appearance, as did 24‘s Elisha Cuthbert with her Flames boyfriend, Dion Phaneuf.  Calgary band The Fast Romantics played a set (with some unplanned accompaniment from Piven, who insisted on drumming–to mixed reviews) before handing over the dance floor to DJ Samantha Ronson.

Check out the party pics after the jump.