Rabbit Boutique

Even though the Calgary art scene is starting to really evolve, emerging artists still have a tough time finding an affordable venue for their work.

Enter Rabbit Boutique. An online shop featuring Calgary's upcoming talent in the art and design world.

Photo by Cheri Chatterton

"We really look for work that isn't mass produced and that is made here in Alberta," said Su Ying Strang.

Strang started up the boutique with Cassandra Paul in late 2010, as a way to showcase talent in an affordable environment.

"Originally we had a plan to open up a store, but we've kind of back-tracked on it," said Paul. "Online is the way of the future."

With the store being in an online format, it gives shoppers flexibility as well as opening the market up to a global scale.

"One of our main goals is just introducing a lot of the fantastic local designers to the rest of the world," said Strang.

Both masterminds behind the boutique have firsthand experience in being freshly out of school and having trouble finding a place to showcase their work.

Strang and Paul both graduated from ACAD and majored in painting, which they also continue to do on the side, as well as having full time jobs just to keep the bills paid.

"I always thought I'd go for the money route not the passion route," said Paul. "But I went the poor route. The poor and happy route."

Currently showcasing a number of artists from jewellery designers to ceramic artisans, the ladies are always looking for new talent.

"When show and sale comes up at ACAD we always go and snoop around," said Strang.

Even though most of their talent base is from ACAD they have no biases, as they are looking at all local designers.

"We're looking for a really unique feel to the artist that represents them as well as our city."

"It's all about giving back to the community and the arts scene," said Paul. "I'd like all of them to become established and successful."

Not only do they represent a variety of skill, the site itself is a collaboration of what Calgary has to offer.

"We're currently looking for a photographer for the fall look-book."

Constantly dealing with new people for photography, it gives an opportunity for the photographer to grow their portfolio as well as maybe dabble in a style they haven't tried before.

At the end of the day, they're just looking to help others like themselves get their foot in the door, and have a great time doing it.

"Calgary is just an exciting place to be right now," said Strang.

MaNoKin Design

"I don't do drama."

Unusual for a designer, especially of women's clothing, Marsina King likes to keep things low-key.

After a show in June and a pop-up shop in July, King is ready to slow down with events for the rest of summer, having just the Jumble Boogie Sample Sale on August 13 left on the promotion schedule.

"The pop-up shop put me a little behind, but I'm ready to get working on the next collection."

Photo by Shaun Robinson

This will be the third collection in under two years that MaNoKin Design has put out.

Started last October, and after a first collection that was a little bit all over, according to King, she's really starting to find her stride.

"The first collection wasn't really my style," commented King, looking forward to the next one, Spring/Summer 2012.

With each collection, her focus on the target demographic, and the vision she's aiming for is becoming a lot stronger and more pronounced in her designs.

"The next collection is going to be smaller with only ten or fifteen looks," said King. "Really functional pieces that can be intermingled."

Taking inspiration from anything and everything, King still goes with the philosophy that 'design is everywhere' which she picked up while attending Ryerson and it seemed to stick with her.

Right now the Fall/Winter 2011 collection is just making it's way online for pre-orders.