West Edmonton Mall's Anna Alfonso

I always love to explore the business aspect of fashion and retailing. I think it covers an aspect of the industry that is just as critical to the success of a brand as the artistic perspective that we are all so accustomed to hearing about. I had the amazing opportunity to interview Anna Alfonso, head of marketing for North America's largest indoor mall (West Edmonton Mall), for the University of Alberta School of Business' monthly publication, Lazy Faire. Enjoy!

Genette Salgado S/S '12

I realize i'm a little tardy to the party on this one, but any chance to highlight some great, local talent, and i'm on board! Genette Salgado is a designer of versatility, flare, and sophistication, key components that contribute to a formula for success. She recently showcased her latest collection, Not Fade Away, at Western Canada Fashion Week (which, by the way, is now the third largest fashion week in Canada), and did not disappoint!

TOMKOW + CHUNG F/W 2011 Collection

Finally! The images have come back and I can, at long last, show everyone the collection that we worked so hard on for Western Canada Fashion Week! Where do I even begin? My creative partner, Brittanee Tomkow, and I entered the Emerging Stylist competition for fashion week last year, which involved styling an outfit completely sourced from Goodwill Industries with a budget of $75. We ended up winning the competition with a colour-blocked outfit that reflected much of what was being shown on the international runways that season. Our ensemble ended up totaling just under $35 from head to toe and really displayed the fact that fashion need not always be expensive or inaccessible. As our prize, we were given the amazing opportunity to showcase an entire collection of looks, styled by us and sourced from Goodwill, for the Fall/Winter 2011 season!

TOMKOW + CHUNG

The show we put on for Western Canada Fashion Week went better than we hoped for, and could not have been any happier! I really want to show everyone the pictures that we took, but it looks like it's going to take about another week for us to get images back. However, i'd rather you see the images in the best possible way rather than see them early, so i'm happy to wait a little longer :)

Stay tuned!!

5 Points to Remember When You Shop Vintage

Until fairly recently, I was a bit unaware of the joys and wonders of vintage shopping. Boy was I missing out!!! Since participating in a little merchandising showcase for Goodwill Industries, an entirely new world of sartorial choices has been opened up to me! Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on your perspective. Let's just say, my wallet is consistently famished while my wardrobe remains momentarily satiated. Oh, the plight of the fashion obsessed.

I wrote an article today for SHARP Magazine focusing on things that every vintage hunter should know. You can check out the article online here, or continue reading below!

OAK + FORT

Check out my latest article for SHARP Magazine in the "Brands You Should Know" series! You can read it on their site here, or below! 

In our ongoing quest to improve mankind, sometimes we come across certain brands that deserve more attention. In Brands You Should Know we provide short profiles of designers, products and people that make the world a sharper place.


There is an ongoing myth in this industry that fashion does not equate with function. For years, sartorial enthusiasts have been relegated to the restrictions and limitations of a nonexistent law ruling that one need be uncomfortable in order to look good. We, and the folks over at OAK +FORT, would like to put that rumor to rest. In fact, comfort is the very foundation that the Edmonton-born brand sits upon.  The fledgling company, with its Gastown (Vancouver) and Whyte Avenue (Edmonton) locations, uses comfort and style as mantras in its overall brand philosophy.