Happy 1st, Fashion Central

 

Fashion Central's First Birthday

Where: Fashion Central, Corner of Stephen Ave. & 1st Streen S.W.

When: Thursday February 3rd 2011

It seems like it was just yesterday that the windows of Fashion Central were covered up with paper and posters with sketches heralding what it was going to look like, while Calgary's fashionistos buzzed about what exactly might be found inside the space.  Well, fast forward a year: these same windows now stand out because they are filled with luscious designer names bedecking gorgeously dressed mannequins that show off the latest in style with a creative urban flair. There's a lot to love inside.

Fashion lover that I am, I'm always excited to make a trip to Fashion Central, but it was a special sort of bliss that enveloped me to head down there and attend their Valentines Day themed first birthday party. We arrived fashionably late to a red carpet laid out front, a DJ spinning, and a dashing crowd already in the midst of mingling while enjoying chocolate and the cutest little cupcake tasters.  Everyone- from photographers, stylists, models, makeup artists, bloggers, magazine editors, and people who just plain love fashion- was in attendance, and everyone took time to wander from store to store admiring the lovable current styles (while looking amazingly fashionable themselves!).  

Girls working at Betsey Johnson in the designers newest party dresses

 The fabulous vintage finders from Words Are Camera running the photobooth

My favourite part of the night was the adorable Valentine's Day photobooth that was  upstairs.  There were lacy snowflakes, paper hearts, and confetti everywhere- the perfect set up to take pictures with or for that special someone. I definitely got caught up throwing around the confetti and fell fast in love with the Valentine's Day theme of the whole event.

 

*photos from wordsarecamera.com

So, Fashion Central: consider your 1 year anniversary a fashionable and fun success. Wanna be one of my Valentines?

Fashion Central is a great space that really promotes the Calgary Fashion scene, and a special event like this, where we got to mingle with the fashion elite of Calgary and meet some new passionate and talented individuals makes me excited for whatever event they put on next. You've got my heart, Fashion Central- I can't wait until the 2nd birthday party!

- Maeghan

   

Winter 2011 Fashion Industry Mixer

Speaking of love- we are still blushing from all the love shared amongst the Calgary fashion community.

There are awesome people creating and running the beautiful and blooming business of fashion here, and on Wednesday February 9, 2011 we had the best time co-hosting our very first Fashion Industry Mixer with our good friends from Sophia Models, Conglomerate Magazine and The Gerry Thomas Gallery. Amongst the incredible featured photography by Jason Eng, Faby Martin and Chris Sattlegger, the live set by Davidson Liau and fresh bevvys, there were a whole lot of good-looking people with even greater looking perspectives on fashion in Calgary.

The interest in and attendance for our first mixer was astounding, and it was truly inspiring  to see just how passionate the people in this creative industry are about making their mark on our growing city. It's no wonder that Calgary is starting to stand out on the fashion stage in a global way.

Besides all the opportunities to meet and chat with the people who are the beating heart and pulse of fashion in the city, I also came to our event with the intent to photograph the best dressed. Knowing that Calgary's finest in fashion would deliver, I wasn't disappointed! 

What did I see on parade, you ask? Lots of fur: real and faux, prints, sequins, skyscaper heels and even some bits and pieces of dressed up denim for those who let their the true Canadian in them show . Feast your eyes:

   

   

   

The impeccably dressed aside, the mixer did exactly what it came to do: it brought people in the indusry closer together. Whether it was bumping into someone who knew someone, rekindling old acquaintances or meeting new creative minds to collaborate with - everyone I spoke to said they had a great time. Truth: the whole mission of P.A.R.K. is to create opportunities for creatives in Calgary to meet and grow dynamic new relationships, and the sentiment of the people who attended this event embodied that mission perfectly. I look forward to see the spark this mixer may have ignited and to see what new creative ventures will be popping up in the near future!

A special thanks has to go to everyone at our above and beyond venue, The Gerrry Thomas Gallery, our awesome partners Sophia Models and Conglomerate Magazine, the incredible model for our promotional materials, Ania B. (www.aniab.net), our amazing P.A.R.K. interns and everyone who attended. I think we could get used to these magical mingling opportunities- where should we do it next?

More photos+info after the jump