1More than 1,000 fashionably fabulous guests gathered at Brookfield Place Sept. 29 to take in PARKLUXE 2018 — the fashion show by which all others are measured.
PARK-Promoting Artists/Redefining Kulture, is a socially conscious organization that aspires to create opportunities for developing fashion designers and artists to share their work and sustain a profitable business. Since inception 10 years ago, PARK’s events have grown to include: an annual outdoor market called PARKSALE; creative entrepreneur workshops — PARKFORUM; a store for Canadian brands — PARKSHOP; a kids fashion show called PARKFAMILY; and PARK’s premier events, PARKSHOW and PARKLUXE, the annual spring-summer and fall-winter fashion shows that showcase Canadian designs to consumers, buyers and media.
Venues as varied as Studio Bell and Spruce Meadows to Chinook Centre parkade and the George C. King Bridge in East Village have played host to the fashion presentations, but this year’s, the 10th anniversary, was the biggest to date featuring a mammoth 100-metre runway that crossed the Plus-15 and wound through the fabulous new Brookfield Place atrium. Presented by Downtown Calgary, it was apt indeed that the event came full circle and returned to its downtown roots where the first show, 10 years ago, took place in the Jamieson Place Winter Garden.
The fleet of Mercedes-Benz Downtown vehicles lining either side of the Brookfield Place courtyard proved the perfect visual as guests entered the enormous atrium. Once inside, 30 local vendors offered a variety merchandise, food and libation. But the fashion show was the star of the evening and featured looks from Simons and the Core shopping centre, Montreal’s UNTTLD, Edmonton’s Urbanovitch, NONIE, Paul Hardy, Lauren Bagliore, Adesso and Malorie Urbanovitch.
Guests in attendance included: PARK co-founders Kara Chomistek and Jessie Li; Mode Models’ Kelly Streit, UNTTLD Designers José St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger; PARKER PR’s Ellen Parker with colleague Chloe Douglas-Crampton; CDA board directors Ramona Biggar, Suzanne Baden, and Eileen Stan; Joyce Byrnes; local television personalities Jenny Shouldice and Aisling Tomei; Dr. Dianna Monea; Hedkandi Salon owners Wray and Jereme Bokitch; Tom Baker Cancer Centre’s Dr. Nancy Nixon; Bamboo Ballroom owner Stacey Boruk; NONIE designer Nina Kharey; designer Anneke Forbes; SWIRL Cupcakes owner Lynette Macdonald; The Upside Clothing‘s Shannon Sutton; and others pictured.
Pictured from left at PARKLUXE 2018 in Brookfield Place are Jennifer Carter; Natalie Lotosky; PARKER PR’s Chloe Douglas-Crampton and Ellen Parker; stylist and freelance writer Elizabeth Middleton; Bamboo Ballroom owner Stacey Boruk; The Upside Clothing’s Shannon Sutton; and Tom Baker Cancer Centre’s Dr. Nancy Nixon. Courtesy Chuck Szmurlo
Pictured on the runway is a model wearing fashion by Montreal’s UNTTLD. Courtesy, Glen Co
Designer Caitlin Power of Caitlin Power Designs showcased her fabulous fashions at PARKLUXE 2018. Courtesy, Glen Co
Mode Models’ Justin Mulrain was one of the models taking to the runway. Courtesy, Glen Co
Hedkandi Salon owners Wray and Jereme Bokitch pictured at PARKLUXE 2018. Courtesy, Glen Co
Local drag personalities Abeiya Miraj (left) and Stephanie Prince were among the more than 1,000 guests who attended PARKLUXE 2018. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the fab fashion presentation. Courtesy Chuck Szmurlo
SWIRL Cupcakes owner Lynette Macdonald (left) and Fairmont Royal York marketing and communications manager Jacqueline Tyler. Photo credit Brendan Klem
Calgary Downtown Association board member Suzanne Baden (left) and Kara Chomistek, president of PARK. More than 1,000 guests attended the fabulous fashion show. Photo credit Brendan Klem