Calgary’s latest hub for fashion has put out a call to the independent designers of Calgary to host trunk shows, mini lunchtime fashion shows, and rent racks in their fabulous new building to further promote Calgary’s burgeoning fashion community!

For more information on Independent Designer Week please visit:

Indie Week Call For Designers on Facebook

For more information onVintage Fashion Week please visit

Vintage Style Week Call For Vintage Purveyors and Vintage Lovers on Facebook

For more information on Fashion Central please visit

http://www.fashioncentral.ca

Photo by Faby Martin

We’ve just received word from our friends over at Make It Productions and they tell us space for the next set of Make It shows are filling up fast. We had a blast last year at the Chinese Cultural Centre spending time with vendors from across the country. The Handmade Revolution was well received in Calgary  and we do recommend taking part in the weekend affair if you are an artist, jewellery designer, clothing designer or simply a person that makes handmade goods for sale.

If you think you would like to be a part of Make It check out the video and photographs from the previous Make It and if you would like to apply for the next Make It show in Calgary , Vancouver or Edmonton you can find application forms at the following links:

Calgary
November 5,6 & 7
http://makeitproductions.com/calgary/wp-content/uploads/Calgary-Application.pdf

Vancouver
November 19, 20 & 21
http://makeitproductions.com/vancouver/wp-content/uploads/Vancouver-Application.pdf

Edmonton
November 25, 26, 27 & 28
http://makeitproductions.com/edmonton/wp-content/uploads/Edmonton-Application-November-2010.pdf

The deadline to apply for Make It is August 20th, 2010.

For more information on Make It please visit http://www.makeitproductions.com

Photos by Robin Graven-Milne

Videography + Interview by Paul Spenard

If you’re anything like us at Calgary Fashion, we know you have experienced the tired, throbbing,aching, blistery sensation that goes hand in hand after a stellar night of partying, walking or working for too long in our pretty heels.

Don’t let sore feet hold you back – kick off those D-Squared Open Toe Frank N Furter Pumps and slip on the Flexi Flats, a new revolutionary shoe to keep the tears at bay!

We’ve got five great pairs of the Flexi Flats to give away to our readers this month!

The extremely compact little shoes comes folded up in a small pouch which ingeniously converts into a shoulder bag for safely transporting your precious heels.

These nifty flats are available in silver, pink and black to perfectly compliment any outfit. They come in four sizes – small (5-6), medium (7-8), large (9-10) and XL (11-12) and are flexible and stretchy enough to fit just about any foot.

For a chance to win a pair of Flexi Flats, leave us a comment with your name and e-mail address and a random draw will be made July 31, 2010.

Good Luck!

Edited by: Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista

Whatever your thoughts are about fashion bloggers, this week’s links a la mode reads were quite evocative. Hardly does an article leave me questioning my own thoughts or ideals, especially when talking fashion. I may be moved to buy, but deeper? (sans any type of societal injustice). These bloggers brought more to the table, as Vogue Gone Rogue did with her declaration of the coexistence of feminism and fashion.

Yet, I was proud to be an entrepreneur after glimpsing into the world of a bridal consultants leap into fashion design.In a world where a new fashion blog is born everyday and everyone is a critic, Confessions of a Fashion Editor interviews an outspoken blogger critic while The Vintages ponders if we should even care what others say.

Whether you read because of the pretty pictures, fun reads, or fashion tips, know your authors are more than fashion bloggers.

Having had the pleasure of meeting Danielle in Toronto at Toronto Fashion Week in 2009, our meeting left a lasting impression and this year we met again in Toronto. It is an honor to have Calgary Fashion featured on her blog in the Final Fashion Karma series.

You can find the Q+A posted —-> HERE. With this interview, it is my hope  this gives our readers more insight on what is to come for Calgary Fashion and a little insight on what my role is as the director of Calgary Fashion. We’ve come a long way from our beginning and look forward to the future and where it will take us.

Peace, Love and Fashion.

Kimberley Jev

It is with immense sorrow we post today after learning about the unexpected passing of Lincoln Phillip. One of the first fashion journalists to put our beloved city on the map, his untimely death has sent severe aftershocks through the Calgary fashion community and further.

Phillip was a gentle soul, passionate about fashion and he helped pave the way for many in Calgary, ourselves included. His influence on the fashion community crosses several generations and sectors, touching the lives of many as a consultant, fashion journalist,  model and stylist.

At this time our condolences and our hearts go out to the family and friends of Phillip. Our hearts also go out to the Calgary fashion community who have had the opportunity to live, laugh, work and play with such a fabulous man.

Lincoln you will be missed and we pray that we inspire others in the way that you have inspired us; to live and let love for life and  fashion.

Left: Chanel Fall 2010 Right: Givenchy Fall 2010

As some would say, Christmas time has arrived in the fashion world; presents arrive through the showing of Haute Couture Fall 2010 from the best designers in the world.

There has been much debate over the future of Haute Couture and the impact of last years economic dip would see design houses weathering a big blow to the demand of couture. However, as the Haute Couture Fall 2010 season kicks off of to a good start, things seem to have taken a turn and couture seems to be back in business, so much so that reports from The Independent, see Ready To Wear trends impacted by the Fall 2010 couture shows.

While we are patiently waiting for  the day we can report directly from couture shows in Paris, we rely on some of fashions notable bloggers and journalists to show us the latest from Paris.

TWITTER

@BRYANBOY

@JEANNE_BEKER

@HILARYALEXANDER

RSS FEEDS + WEBSITES

CATHY HORYN  FOR  THE NEW YORK TIMES

STYLE.COM (COUTURE FALL 2010)

HILARY ALEXANDER FOR THE TELEGRAPH

I WANT I GOT

A fascinating documentary on Haute Couture that continuously entertains and remains one of the best documentaries to go behind the scenes of Haute Couture is the BBC Four documentary The Secret World of Haute Couture, released in 2007. A favourite among fashion enthusiats, the documentary not only captures designers behind fashion houses such as Chanel and Valentino but also introduces you to some of the women who covet the runways religously each year to gain addition pieces to their  lavish collections.

Available in 6 parts on YouTube, The Secret World of Haute Couture is strongly recommended for anyone who has ever wondered just how one would go about acquiring a piece of Haute Couture

The Secret World of Haute Couture Part 1
The Secret World of Haute Couture Part 2
The Secret World of Haute Couture Part 3
The Secret World of Haute Couture Part 4
The Secret World of Haute Couture Part 5
The Secret World of Haute Couture Part 6

Images courtesy of Style.com

The British Petroleum oil spill continues growing every day, putting thousands of coastal animals at high risk. Calgary based jeweler Morgan Mallet of Design + Conquer is urging customers new and old to help with the animal rescue efforts in the southern US .

D+C is kindly donating 20% of online sales from the Design + Conquer Bird of Prey Earrings from now till the end of July. Proceeds will go to the Humane Society of the United States. The HSUS has helped set up wildlife centers across the Gulf and is coordinating over 20 000 volunteers.

The society’s veterinarians and volunteers are working extremely hard to rehabilitate oiled animals, clean beaches, and much more.

Links

D+C in The Calgary Herald

D + C feature on CalgaryIsAwesome.com

** UPDATE **

(July 8th)

As a result of the massive spill, there has been a dramatic increase in numbers of surrendered pets (due to the economic downturn in the area). The HSUS transported 30 dogs from two overwhelmed Louisiana shelters to local Washington, DC area shelters where they will have a better chance of being adopted.

They also coordinated the distribution of over 12 tons of donated cat and dog food—this has enabled residents whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the spill to continue to care for their pets.

The HSUS is not currently engaged in wildlife rescue or rehabilitation as it is being tightly controlled by BP and other authorities. However, The HSUS remains poised to act with staff and volunteers if and when the request is made by those overseeing the cleanup.

To help HSUS, 20% of online sales from Design + Conquer Bird of Prey earrings (from now until the end of July) will go to the Humane Society of the United States. Direct donations to the Humane Society are also encouraged—click here to donate now. Every little bit counts!

For more information on the BP disaster, click here. For more about the Humane Society of the United States, click here. To purchase a pair of Bird of Prey earrings, click here.

Edited by: Ashe Mischief of Dramatis Personae

That has such bloggers in it! From a ballsy and confident “I Like Being Fat” at Return to Sender to Awakened Aesthetics post on greenwashing & buying American to Cake Not Coke’s expose on Venus Williams’ controversial courtside fashion, fashion bloggers are brave and bold. Just the way I like them.

Links à la Mode: July 1

• Awakened Aesthetic: On Independence Day, we’re told to “buy American.” This eco girl is telling you to think twice.
• Bonne Vie discusses online auction sites; Are they frauds or a fair gamble?
• Cake Not Coke: Venus William’s Daring on the Court Fashions…
• Dedicated Follower of Fashion: Interview with Actor/Activist: Adrian Grenier & TV Producer: Peter Glatzer creators of SHIFT, and eco fashion media platform.
• Dramatis Personae: What’s so Dazzling about Shoe Dazzle?
• fête á fête: Atelier Cologne – new French luxe fragrance house.
• Grechen Blogs: do you read blogs about blogging? do you find the helpful? are the relevant to the fashion blogging community?
• haute.halifax: A review of several collections inspired by women of the G8 by local Nova Scotian designers
• (IT Hunter): ‘Alice Springs’ pseudonym used by June Newton, Helmut Newton’s wife, to sign her photos first international retrospective
• Miss Jones & Me: Boyfriend Booty
• Ode to Awe: After months of being unable to locate them online, Japan’s Transvestite brand is found
• Oranges & Apples: Is it worth buying more expensive nail polish?
• Pixie in Pumps: My take on jewelry storage, creative but not cluttered or tacky.
• Profresh Style: Daily Makeup Routine!
• Retro Chick: The meaning of Vintage
• Return to Sender: I Like Being Fat
• Speak Femme:While rummaging around in my grandmother’s sewing room, I found the most amazing guide to sewing and style, courtesy of Vogue.
• Sugar & Spice: To Friendship
• The Coveted: Pull up a chair, we’re flipping through Elle’s Music Issue
• The Curvy Fashionista: What do you do when your shoes do not fit? Opt for a custom pair with Jen+Kim Shoes!

We’ve been following Songkla since the popular boutique opened its doors on 17th Avenue just over two years ago. After a the closure of several boutiques in Calgary last year and early this year, the brother and sister duo behind Songkla would make necessary moves to change the game of retail in Calgary.

Constantly reinventing themselves and unafraid to make 360 degree turns, designer and co-owner Tung Vo has taken on the full time position as head designer at Songkla. The boutique/studio has cut down on providing third party labels to deliver authentic craftsmanship and custom design street wear clothing.

It came as no surprise when we stopped by  a couple months ago to hear Songkla would make another great leap; take up residence at the former Artlife Gallery space which shut it’s doors to the public earlier this year.

The story of Songkla shines a bright light on Calgary. For us at Calgary Fashion this is what we believe is a great display of authenticity in fashion. Songkla show a dedication to the craft work often swept under the rug in the retail world to meet greater numbers quicker. Fearless and confident, Songkla take a very disciplined approach to presenting their mission clearly and have gone on to make a name for themselves with their custom made clothing and footwear!

We’re really excited to feature this short video The Good Peeps of Songkla by our friend Brock Mitchell, Managing Editor over at Calgary Is Awesome!

Get to know the story behind Songkla, it’s definitely worth your click!

Visit the new space located at 1314 1ST  SW and while you’re down there, check out the latest issue from Inventory Magazine, available only at Songkla in Calgary.

Say “what’s up” to Tung for us and we hope we run into you rocking a custom designed piece from Songkla next time we’re out and about!

Stay fresh Calgary!

Words by Kimberley Jev

Video provided by Brock Mitchell (Calgary Is Awesome)

Photos courtesy of  Eric Chu and Songkla

Visit Songkla on the web at http://www.songkla.ca