Calgary Fashion

“Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.” William Polmer

Headpiece by Susan Clarahan

Dress by Morenike Olaosebikan

Last month at Factory Party #6, Calgary Fashion presented Afrikana. The celebration of Africa has been big this year on the runways, Marc Jacobs and Junya Watanbe are only a few that played with the African theme for this season. This year Nigeria's Arise Magazine, Nigeria's new fashion glossy who have been referred to as Nigeria's Interview Magazine also showcased their 4 part runway show, Arise African Fashion Collective at the Mercedes New York Fashion Week for Spring09. So really it kind of made sense for us to take that route, why not show that Africa is very much a part of Calgary as well as Canada?

It was important to showcase Afrikana for us as in 2001, Canada was home to 300,000 individuals of African origin with 23,000 Africans living in Alberta (Statistics Canada 2007).

According to FFWD Magazine: “Alberta’s oil boom, however, has caused a dramatic increase in Calgary’s African population. Official statistics aren’t available, but the Sudanese community claims that it has doubled in the last five years, from 6,000 in 2002 to 12,000 in 2007. Likewise, the small Nigerian community of 400 in 1996 has grown to well over 10,000 today.”

As our city continues to grow we feel it important to promote members of the fashion community who are actively involved in the fashion industry no matter what category they may belong to.

Afrikana showcased, Morenike Olaosebikan + Trendy Strands (Women's Collection), Susan Claharan (Head Pieces) and Haithem Elkadiki (Men's Collection).

For more photos from the event, please visit our Facebook Fan Page.

Illustration: Garrett Naccarato
Photo credit: David J

Head Pieces: Susan Claharan

Clothing: Haithem Elkadiki