Caitlin Power

From rag dolls to real girls, Caitlin Power has had her hand in fashion from the very start.

Always sewing and creating, Power is someone who has always known what she was going to do with her life. After taking many sewing classes and then amplifying her passion with Fashion Design at Lethbridge College, she now has her own label.

"I was in New York before I started my last collection, Spring Summer 2011, and was overloaded with inspiration from the buildings."

Looking toward architecture for most of her inspiration, her latest collection was highly influenced by the Brooklyn Bridge. "I love the cabled look, like cages." Through artfully and tastefully slashed pant legs and cuffs the influence really shines through in a wearable way.

Some of her favourite designers also take inspiration from architecture as well. "I love the fact that they both have a dark, eerie side to them, which makes their designs youthful," Power said about Gareth Pugh and Rick Owens.

Sadly, our cable-inspired Albertan won't be living here much longer as she plans on taking her designs to a city that is a little more ready for them.

"It's hard as an emerging designer to start in Calgary, the community isn't ready for adventurous art or fashion." Within the next half year Power plans on moving to Toronto, hopefully showing her designs at either the Toronto LG Fashion Week or the Montreal Fashion Week next season.

"I think it's great the we have shows like Calgary Parkshow and Alberta Fashion Week, but these shows need to start pulling in the right crowd, and corporate Calgary is slowly being exposed."

If Power could have anyone wearing her designs it would be 'hands down' Kate Lanphear.

"She embodies my target market. I would dress her on a day-to-day basis if I could," said Power.

The one article of clothing she can't live without though, is her Fidelity skinny jeans. "I'm tempted to buy them in more colours so if mine rip I will always have a pair."

(more info @ www.caitlinpower.com)

Mealan Mezzaroba

Not everyone who ends up in fashion, starts out there. When Mealan Mezzaroba was taking Marketing at Bishop University one of her friends told her "Why don't you do something in fashion?"

Mezzaroba was always telling her friends what to wear and clearly new what she was talking about.
Straight out of school at the International Academy of design, Mezzaroba landed herself a job with Holt Renfrew. Just temporary at first, she was later hired on full-time.

Now she has her own little boutique on 4th street in Calgary. Fashion Magazine was right to describe it as Magical. From the frozen streets of Calgary into the shop is like taking a trip to another world.

The Heart of the New West is usually known for giving out white cowboy hats, but Mezzaroba is one of many who are proving that Calgary has so much more to offer.

"I'm trying to change it, one person at a time," she says about the local fashion scene. Mezzaroba has high hopes for Calgary and thinks the women are already there and ready for something better, it's the men that need to catch up.

With that in mind she is thinking about maybe bringing in a few racks of mens clothing in the next few years. She's also trying to push her styling career forward, Mealan already has wardrobe consultation, now she just needs to get the word out there.

Carrying about 40 brands there's lots to choose from, including local designers and designers from half a world away.

Fascinating and indulgent are just some of the words to describe the wondrous escape that is Mealan.



by Chalsie Nixdorff

Beneath the oil and hay...

Calgary, a city of cowboys and big oil tycoons, has a little secret.
It is very fashion forward. Like many of the new culture aspects in Calgary, fashion isn't well known.
But once you open your eyes you can see that it is vast and amazing.

The following posts will include interviews with some of Calgary's influential fashionista's.

Enjoy!


Peace
Chow