31.10.13

House of Bloggers

For all you die hard fashion lovers, and those who love to follow all those fashion bloggers... now you have the chance to shop some of your favourite YYC Fashion Blogger's closets!

This Sunday on November 3rd from 12 - 5pm at Eau Claire Market. Some of Calgary's prominent fashion and lifestyle bloggers (i.e. The Girl With The Messy Hair, Karolinas Style, The Mavric, etc.) are cleaning out their closets for you to shop from! Not only is shopping for yourself always fun,  , but as I have said it before,  shopping for you and proceeds going to a local charity, Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, makes the overall experience so much the better.


Have fun shopping from these bloggers closets and some local design talent selling their wears too. Including NRT Fashions, Bano eeMe, and more.

Can you imagine all those fantastic pieces that those bloggers receive from around the world and locally, are now up for grabs for you! If you are an aspiring fashion blogger yourself, here is where you can ramp up a collection of fashionable goodies, at extremely affordable prices, to then turn around and blog about on your blog with your own flare and personal style touch! TIP: Don't forget to tag who you bought your pieces from, because that will help increase your traffic and your RTs on twitter, etc. Use #HOBYYC

They are also giving some swag away hourlyto some lucky winners!

In this poster you will see all who is involved or visit their facebook event page to track all the details:  https://www.facebook.com/events/171630996366780/?previousaction=join&source=1


Enjoy Shopping! Please feel free to share what you bought with me, would love to see and hear about it.

29.10.13

Miss Exotika 2013 Calgary

It's pageant time! Miss Exotika has come to Calgary. Originally an event from Montreal, Jed-Productions has brought this event to Calgary for the 1st time. All happening this Saturday!


A search through 1000s of fashion and film talent, and as any pageant goes, a contestant is required to showcase a talent they have to participate in the event. But what Miss Exotika also offers is opportunities to promote the talent, inspire their the imaginations and of course; encouraging a positive image of women in all societies. 

A note in their description I found interesting and positive is that the participants are not only there for the event itself, but are behind the scenes right now working very hard in helping with preparation and organization of this event. It is so great to see opportunities for these young women to get involved, be inspired and showcase what talent we really have in this city, in all corners of this city.

Who better to host this event than the lovely Sunday Omony, who is an international Plus-Size Supermodel, TV host and a speaker for humanitarian causes.  Called a “fiercely real role model” by the Calgary Herald newspaper, she was awarded the Woman of Vision Award by Global TV, Ambassador for FEED 1 Project, serves as a spokesperson for We Can Rise Up and Hearts 4 Peace.

Contestants were narrowed down to about thirty participants from different parts of the city of Calgary, Airdrie, and surrounding area. Check out these beauties here.... http://jed-productions.com/missexotika/contestants.php

And to see them live and support this event, you may contact jed-productions.com for more info, or 403-667-7673.

Miss Exotika Calgary 2013
Saturday November 3 at 7pm

The Magnolia Banquet
5075 Falconridge Blvd NE, Calgary, AB

I have a set of tickets to give away! Tweet this blog post, make sure to tag my twitter handle @sabrinamay_pr And you will be entered to win 2 tickets for you and a friend to attend and be inspired by these amazing women! 


27.10.13

Holt Renfrew Exclusive Fashion Show for The CPO

Get your high heels and gowns out for this Gala! Holt Renfrew & the Italians know how to create a luxurious event and know that they will be dressed in some real glamorous dresses, as a gala should be! All in part of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s Festival Italiano, Holt Renfrew is hosting an exclusive fashion show fundraiser, Friday, Nov. 1 2013 at The CORE Shopping Centre.

The event will be hosted by none other than our local celeb, best known for his involvement with Dragon's Den, Brett Wilson. The perfect person to host a charitable event, as he truly is full of life and generosity!  

The fashion, I can only imagine will be absolutely stunning from the Italian designers I have seen showcase in this city in the past. But you will need to be in attendance to know for sure what they have to dazzle you with!

There are 3 ticket tiers available: http://www.cpo-live.com/main/content.php?content_id=513
 
VIP Reception and Fashion Show 6:30pm - $200
Includes exclusive catered reception, Holt Renfrew Italian Fashion Show with runway models, and Post-party

Fashion Show and Post-party 7:30pm - $150
Includes Holt Renfrew Italian Fashion Show with runway models and Post-party

Post-party 8:00pm - $50
Food and wine sampling at our Tuscan themed market with DJ entertainment
(Fashion Show not included in this ticket)


For more information, please contact Rhonda Rempel,
Manager of Special Events at 403.571.0268 or rrempel@cpo-live.com

19.10.13

Fashion in Calgary: YYC Fashion Week

What makes Calgary's Fashion Industry so amazing, is the passion in the people who want to make a difference, to promote the talent we have in our city and beyond. I just love it. It is what started me on my career path in the past, and it is what continues to drive me today.

Today I would like to talk about a new comer to Calgary, Troy Young, founder of YYC Fashion Week. Many of you have no idea who he is, or at least you didn't when when rumours of YYC Fashion Week were starting to bud. "Who is Troy Young?" was a question floating around the community.



Well, Troy Young, like many other new comers to Calgary with an interest in the fashion industry, and who come from other cities that may have a more dominant fashion scene than Calgary's, saw an opportunity. Now, if you have done your research, you may have seen that he is a wedding photographer, not a fashion industry leader or a fashion photographer even. However he is someone with passion and commitment to making a difference in Calgary's Fashion Industry.

Troy simply wanted to give fashion designers an opportunity to showcase their collections. So he talked about it amongst some other photographers that he has met within the city and pulled together a team. A team of people who all had a passion to make the same difference, giving opportunities to designers and our industry. A few photographers, and some models. None of them were event planners or marketers. But they all had/have one thing that drove them to make this happen, passion.

Some of you all laughed at the idea of there being a fashion week at all here in Calgary. I don't blame you, especially after the last couple attempts of a 'Fashion Week' in the past here in Calgary, they did not end well. I questioned how this was all going to come together myself. I'm not afraid to admit that. My judgement was based on my research of the fact they had no event planner, no marketing plan, and no real plan at all on how to make this event work and be successful. It was a typical creative group who were just going to go with the flow. Remember my advice from my last Fashion In Calgary post? Research, plan and prepare! And that we are ALL part of Calgary's Fashion Reputation in one way or another. Also, in my opinion a title with 'Fashion Week' in it will immediately create expectations, very high expectations. So I will be honest and say that I was a little worried about the dent it would make to our city's fashion reputation if this failed. Again, because a title with "fashion week" can effect a good part of our City's overall fashion industry reputation.

Unfortunately there were some mistakes made right out of the gate when they went public with the news. I'll just say their communications strategy was not thought out, or existing at all and should have been because I think it damaged their reputation from the get go. They sadly already had the weight of those past failed fashion weeks working against them, so this just gave a taste in people's mouths to exactly what they expected, an event that will fail. And I don't think they got the support they could have had if it had been approached differently.

HOWEVER, I am not going to post about all the things they could have done differently. I would like to point out the things they really did right. Like the fact that our industry can be really bad for not paying models and other fashion industry members that help make the events happen. Well, for those of you who don't know, Troy personally paid for models out of his own pocket! In fact he forked out a big amount of cash to make this first event happen at all. A business man who invested in his business idea. I seriously have high respect for that single fact. I believe there were others as well that were paid, but I'm not here to list those off either. My professional advice today though is that an event is a promotional form to promote a business, and in order to market a business you need to pay for your marketing. Don't make everyone else "donate" their time for free for your gain. Plan ahead and find the budget to pay accordingly.

Averynthe by Maark Abeenir
Back to the event itself, their designer line up was a great mix of emerging and a little more established designers. Including, budding young star, fashion designer Maark Abeenir who just blew the audience away with the release of his newest label Averynthe on the runway. Trina Marie Cairns impeccable detailed collection from her line TMC who came in from Vancouver, BC, and the always edgy Nicole Rita Tomney's N.R.T. Fashions from here in Calgary. They even sought out international designers and brought designer Farah Deeba from the UK, showing her collection of Boa-Boa.  And many more! They really did have a good mix of designers.

YYCFW Host Kimberly Jev
& Musical Performer/Model
(sorry didn't catch his name)  
There was a big mix of performance artists, from acrobatics to magic, to musical performances. I will say there were too many entertainers on stage for a little too long, especially for a "fashion week" event showing about 6 designers a night, but fun entertainers. Like the one I have the photo to the right. He was so fun! I just wasn't their for the circus act though, I was there for the fashion. (Music always works with fashion however!)

So to sum up my opinion/post about YYC Fashion Week, I think we all  can check our egos at the door, not judge them by all the things that they shoulda coulda done and remember that this team is just wants to make a difference and is just getting started. Everyone has to start somewhere and build from there. I respect what they are trying to do and I wish them the best for the long haul. They have a dream of becoming a fashion show that is recognized globally which in turn gains attention to those trying to make it in the fashion industry. I say go for it! (Just remember to research and plan accordingly. We are all in the same sandbox, let's play nice. ;)

(I encourage you to check out the designers I have mentioned above! Just click on the links provided. You can catch my few photos from the event on my instagram @sabrinamaypr or my twitter @sabrinamay_pr)

15.10.13

ACTLIKEUKN_W: Walk This Way With Stacey McKenzie

Stacey McKenzie is a Canadian force to be reckoned with. Not only is she coming to Calgary, she will be here along with CalgaryFashion.ca to teach you a few things!
Photo from Canada Reads
CalgaryFashion.ca presents ACTLIKEUKN_W - WALK THIS WAY WITH STACEY MCKENZIE, a collaboration and fashion presentation between Editor in Chief, Kimberley Jev and International runway model Stacey McKenzie. The ACTLIKEUKN_W Collaboration Series will introduce Calgary's thriving fashion industry to key decision makers on a national and international level, opening the doors further for burgeoning fashion professionals. Marrying elements of music and fashion on all levels, theACTLIKEUKN_W collaborations will present a fresh and dynamic approach to interacting with the fashion industry in Calgary, AB.

Photo from CalgaryFashion.ca

It's all happening this Thursday! So get yourself to this incredible workshop that you just can't miss if modeling in fashion is really your passion... get your tickets here: http://calgaryfashion.zoobis.com/

The Walk This Way Workshops - “Owning You and Your Craft” is a 2 day model workshop for both male and female, ages 18 and up. These 2 days of intense model training will be taught by Supermodel Stacey McKenzie and  decisions makers, covering aspects of  modelling.  She will equip you with the knowledge necessary to pursue a a career in the fabulous yet cut throat industry of modelling. Let Stacey McKenzie show you how to Own You, Rule Your Runway and most importantly rock your confidence to new heights!

FOR MORE ON THE WALK THIS WAY WORKSHOPS: http://www.walkthiswayworkshops.com/

12.10.13

Fashion in Calgary: A Growing Industry





We can all agree that Calgary is very much in a "baby stage" still when it comes to the fashion industry. Those of us highly involved in this industry, know that. Those outside this industry or this city for that matter, and especially those who do not follow Calgary's fashion industry, do not relate Fashion and Calgary at all. That's okay, I'm here to teach you all otherwise! :)

We may be in a baby stage for industry standards and expectations, however this city has fashion. It really does. I have been so blessed to be a part of a growing industry for years now, and like a mom watching her child grow I am so proud of the success that I see in some of our designers, and other fashion industry members. We are also slightly more recognized by some for fashion than we ever were when I first started in this industry only 5 years ago.

I remember hosting a fashion blogger meetup with my old Calgary Fashion Meetup Group just a few years ago and there were maybe 5 of us! lol Now, we have so many fashion bloggers based here in Calgary and some are have become quite successful, like my dear friend Becky Kung of Velvet and Vino, and the adorable KD Faustino of The Girl With The Messy Hair (who was one of those 5 bloggers at that blogger meetup BTW), both are Fashion Magazine Style Panelists and so much more.

Now I can admit there have been some questionable events that have caused people to doubt our fashion industry. But I am sure you all agree that there will always be mistakes made along the way in any industry. Babies always fall when first trying to walk, but they get back up again and again until they get it right. Our best lessons are learnt from our mistakes.

Continuous passion and strive to really put Calgary on the map for fashion is within so many of us. We will continue to grow with budding fashionable people either born and raised here or those new comers from outta town who catch on to what potential is right here in Calgary. I appreciate ALL who strive to make a difference.

I will end today's post with a little advice: For those of you who are thinking of making your mark in Calgary's Fashion Industry, or for those already budding into the scene now, remember to do your homework, research and plan before jumping too quickly with your creative ideas. Even just making a rough plan will create better results, then success and respect will easily follow. We are all a part of Calgary's fashion reputation, so make us all proud!


10.10.13

One Woman Many Faces

We really are all one, but we all have a uniqueness that makes us different - One Woman Many Faces.

Today, I want to share a special event that is a fundraising gala for a organization I truly believe in. 
Dress for Success Calgary is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Their October 19th, 2013 Gala,  One Woman, Many Faces” is a very important event to raise funds for Dress for Success Calgary with all monies raised dedicated to funding their programs.

"Women making the transition from unemployment to work face myriad challenges, from understanding corporate culture to handling personal finances, often without any support systems in place to help them navigate this daunting change. 

We provide our clients with information that will help women unfamiliar with the workplace continue to develop skills and advance in their careers. " - Dress For Success Calgary

Sooo, If you have not purchased your tickets to this event, I suggest you do! #OneWomanYYC is guaranteed to be a night filled with inspiration, entertainment, delicious food & drink, and surprise give-a-ways! And with having 2 strong and beautiful women Emceeing the gala: Cara Fullerton and Julie Hodge, you can't go wrong.

Help spread the word, purchase your tickets to help support the organization and we will see you there, Oct. 19th! 

Tickets for #OneWomanYYC: https://onewomanyyc.eventbrite.com/ 

Follow Them Online:
www.facebook.com/DressforSuccessCalgary



8.10.13

Caitlin Power Releases FW13

The CAITLIN POWER F/W 13 collection is finally available, and Caitlin is making her way home to Calgary to personally introduce the line!

A favourite success story of mine is of the fabulous Calgarian fashion designer, Caitlin Power. She launched her line only a few years ago, but has seen nothing but a fast growing success since. She has since relocated to Toronto but now has her collection available at EVA Boutique (New York City), Leo Boutique (Calgary), Pomp & Pageantry (Yorkville),  & V Boutique (Queen St. W).

Shop Local, Shop Canadian, Caitlin Power at Leo Boutique October 11th from 1 - 5 pm! For more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1417695028444679/


For more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1417695028444679/

5.10.13

PARKLUXE 2013

Tonight I am getting dolled up and to heading to the science centre... I figured since I have not been to the newer Telus Spark Science Centre yet, what better way than attend for a fashion show. Right?!

The PARK team always know how to produce a good show, and I wouldn't expect less tonight with PARKLUXE and the incredible designer lineup they have.

FEATURED DESIGNERS: 
Tanya Taylor - www.tanyataylor.com
Laura Siegelwww.laurasiegelcollection.com
Lauren Bagliore Design House - www.laurenbagliore.com
Malorie Urbanovitch Women's RTW - www.malorie.ca
Paul Hardy Design - www.paulhardydesign.com
Nicole Campre - www.nicole-campre.com
Anne B. Accessories - www.annebaccessories.com





Seats are all sold out and I am sure standing room will be gone instantly. Hope you purchased your tickets already and we'll see you there... and back here for my follow up to the event! 

3.10.13

Unmask The Face Of Breast Cancer

A Masquerade Gala!! I've said it before and will say it again, I love me a Masquerade! Especially for an exceptional cause, celebrating surviving cancer.

The second annual True Beauty Fundraiser for Wings of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation and Compassionate Beauty. Now this event is not another fundraiser to raise money for breast cancer research... this event is about celebrating the real survivors and supporting organizations that support those struggling through breast cancer.

You will be dazzled by the sensational models who will be rocking the runway... and these gals are not just any models, they are Breast Cancer Survivors! Models of True Beauty! They will be walking a runway showcasing some local designers collections, like the lovely Ruby Ellen Designs and Broken Doll Clothing.

Make a full night of it, sit down and enjoy a meal and the show for only $85 Or join us later at 7pm for a cocktail and the show for $50.

The lovely Camilla Di Giuseppe, news anchor from CTV will be hosting the night. And as a friend of Camilla's, I can say the event will be nothing but amazing!

Pull out your pink or black schmancy masquerade attire for this event, (Or better yet, shop local) and enjoy an inspiring evening of incredible survivors and support those who helped these ladies make it through and some fashion of course!

Wings of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation:
Providing funding for programs that ease the financial and psychological burdens of people living with breast cancer.

Wings of Hope is a fully volunteer-run organization located in Calgary. We aim to operate in the most simple way possible to enable nearly 100% of donations to be directed toward assisting those women who benefit from the foundation's efforts.

Compassionate Beauty:
Compassionate Beauty has been providing women with support, products and services to maintain their comfort and body image while going through cancer treatment and onward to survivorship.

Tickets available here: http://truebeautygala.zoobis.com/

2.10.13

and...



Okay, so my blog was under construction for a very long time, all with a whole new direction in mind, but that was put on hold when a few other projects needed more attention first.  

However.... in the mean time while the new direction of this blog had been put on the back burner, there have been so many fashion events that keep arising in Calgary alone, I can't contain my need to share the news. So I have resurrected this fashion blog and will be sharing all things Canadian Fashion again. 

Simple. News Worthy. All Canadian Fashion.

First fashion blog post scheduled to kick off tomorrow morning... so stay connected!