2012 was a good year for the local fashion scene.
Much diversity was found amid a uniquely local sensibility
The year’s end is a time to reflect, even in the world of style.
Here we look back on trends that have arrived or passed and on the many local designers, vendors and artisans who have filled our Style pages and edmontonjournal.com website through 2012.
Far from the runways of New York and Paris, Edmonton’s diverse residents have their own mix of fashion sensibilities; part practical, prairie and homespun, part quirky and creative.
We’ve tried to celebrate them all, from the many great crafters at our fabulous markets to the aspiring designers and stylists at our own Western Canada Fashion Week to local retailers, trendsetters and fashion followers.
Here then, in no particular order, are some of our favourites, a mishmash of trends, people, and products that tickled our own fashion fancies in 2012.
independent retailers
A bunch of cool new stores opened this year in Edmonton, from the playful Briefing Room selling men’s undies on Whyte Ave. to the uber-stylish The Helm, offering high-end menswear on downtown’s 104th Street promenade.
Lyric Boutique set up shop on 124th Street with an interesting mix of womens wear and a DJ booth to boot.
And speaking of boots, Purse N’ Boots clothing, footwear and accessories also arrived on 124th.
pop - ups
These short-notice, temporary, fun flashes of retail were popping up everywhere this year it seemed.
We saw them in quirky, vacant retail spaces, community halls and wherever else a little space could be found.
They’re a great way for folks who don’t quite have the time, money, market or confidence for a full shop to test the retail waters, offering unique products for a brief spell, all to the benefit of customers.
Community/ outdoor and indoor markets
Another great way for vendors to get a retail date without a full-time commitment, markets also provide a fabulous, local array of handmade products for Edmontonians looking to shop local and distinctive.
The year marked the arrival of the 124th Street Grand Market, a wonderful addition to our rich and growing market scene.
chain retailers
Much as we love our awesome local boutiques, fashion fans were atwitter this year over the influx of popular mega-retailers to our humble little burg. Canadian- and family-owned Simons, plus U.S. chains Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma and J. Crew made our west-end mega-mall downright monstrous, while biggies like David’s Bridal and Structube laid down roots in South Edmonton Common. The new year will bring Target aplenty.
local entrepreneurs go online
Online retailing joined pop-ups and markets as a growing alternative to conventional storefronts for Edmonton retailers. Sisters Kendall and Justine Barber got into the custom boot business with Poppy Barley, Amal Kirkland put her Hand of Fez purses for sale online and former Edmontonian Claire Theaker-Brown nurtured her growing Flatter Me Belts business via the web from her manufacturing base in Shanghai.
Edmonton designers head to Toronto
Malorie Urbanovitch and Nicole Campre had a chance to showcase their fashions on an international stage during World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto this fall. The Edmonton pair were finalists in the Mercedes-Benz Start Up competition, aimed at nurturing young designers.
social media savvy
Smart city retailers like Bamboo Ballroom, Fridget Apparel, Coup Boutique and Room 322 hopped on social networking sites like Pinterest and Instagram to promote their products.
“upcycling”
So maybe it’s just a euphemism for reusing stuff, but we liked this year’s continued passion for taking castoffs and giving them new life, with a little TLC. We looked at Halloween and Christmas decorations getting a facelift from local crafters, old sweaters turned into scarves and mitts (Edit Shoppe) and boring household items turned into stylish fixtures, furniture and home accents (Vintage Prairie Style).
embellishments
Studs and spikes left an impression on everything from clothing and shoes to handbags and jewelry.
wall trends
From retro wallpaper and 3-D tiles to chalkboard and magnetic paints, walls got a vibrant facelift this year.