Recap: Park Show 2010

Minutes from the Bow River, across from Eau Claire market, the Chinese Cultural center was alive with fashion, music, and dance recently. Models, made-up as dolls posed in open frames. People lined the second floor like spectators at the colosseum. Music blared an increasing pulse, the rhythm building along with the mounting anticipation. It was the third bi- annual PARKSHOW to support the annual PARKSALE at U of C and inspired supporters flocked its gilted halls.

The show started off with the charged emceeing of Atu “bedroc” Kumi, who worked the crowd up before introducing the folk stylings of vocalist Lauren Mann. “Somewhere beautiful,” Mann’s first song rang out, kicking the night into gear.

Starting with the twisted army uniforms of PEEKO Apparel, attention was instantly focused on the run- way. With a futuristic punk rock spin on old officer uniforms, including spiked head bands, and garter belts fashioned from old suspender, PEEKO offered some of the most memorable pieces of the night.

Immediately following PEEKO was Hoakon/ Helga bags, Madame Wolf, Light and Soul, Hanmade clothing, Broken Ghost, .colourdesign, Split Pea Vintage and Beatrix, followed by the last minute addition of Emogene Couture. The show offered a wide variety of styles, catering to anyone’s lust.

Fans of the sixties and bright, contrasting colors had the most to cheer about. Many of the designers opted for post- modern re-workings of classic cuts. Sundresses and secretary styles were assaulted by bright colors, and innovative designs. This brings out the most prevalent theme of the night, as the majority of designers used found pieces more than new fabrics. This lent a little more ingenuity than may usually be on hand, and a stand- out piece was a pair of

sweats fashioned into flashy jodhpur pants. Impractical? Hard to pull off? Maybe, but they leave one hell of an impression. Another eye catching piece was a pink formal outfit by Emogene Couture, that albeit flamboyant, evoked the memory of the by-gone era when cigarette girls wandered every bar.

From torn opera gloves, and formal gowns to 1920′s swimwear inspired dresses, the night was filled with shifting styles. The show proved to be a great warm up to the fast approaching Alberta Fashion Week, and guaranteed new designers their spotlight on the runway. Without the help of an event like PARKSHOW, many young labels may not get their chance in Calgary. So be sure to check out PARKSALE on June. 26, and support a couple new, home grown labels.

Designers

Hannah Grant – Hanmade

Kara Chomistek – KARA

Andrea Strand – Hoakon/Helga

Brook Fung – Peeko Apparel

Jenna Etcheverry – Madame Wolf

Light and Soul Apparel

Jana Foehrenbach – Broken Ghost Couture:

Jeremy Pavka & Matt Callbeck – Colour Design

Claire Ouchi – Split Pea Vintage

Patricia Livingstone – Beatrix

Michelle Baynes – Emogene Couture

Chloe Koshman & Lane Kipp-Modeland – Cocokipp

Courtney Sokal, Vanessa Sokal, Ally Onyett – Freda Loves Porter: info@fredalovesporter.com

Make Up Artists

Olga Onulov

Lisa Dawson

Sandra Cross-Bussoli

Douglas Cressman

Hair Stylists

Theresa Jalotjot

Kimberely Seibel

Brae-Lea Hickey

Leslie Alonzo

Words by Levi Meaden

Photos by Faby Martin