CHICHI COUTURE GRAND OPENING

Words by Daniela Codreanu

Photos by Linda Sui Lem

Holly Maguire Allen of Chichi Couture and Holly Allen Jewelry, interior designer Liz Nandee of Basic Black Designs Inc. and Nico Bacigalupo, President of Madflower Creative Group; the marketing, events and talent management experts, have joined forces to bring Calgary the ultimate fashion experience.

The brand new location of Chichi Couture, just off of 17^th Avenue and on 4^th Street SW (#103-1812 4th St SW), pushes all boundaries. It not only houses the staples of clothing and jewelry, but a runway with flashing lights an on-site photo shoot area, a designers corner where creations take place, a kitchen to assist with catering during events along with the Madflower Creative Group headquarters.

The two spacious change rooms make a woman feel like royalty with large mirrors to admire herself complete with a gorgeous chandelier up above.

“I was really excited in her [Allen’s] vision and what she wanted to do and how she wanted to bring the whole fashion industry and design all together and I really admired that and loved it,” says Nandee who also recalls Allen insisting a runway as a must “One of the first things she [Allen] said is it has to have a runway. I don’t care what else we do, but it has to have a runway and it has to light up.”

Allen absolutely loves Audrey Hepburn and is obvious in the fact the boutique’s walls have several stunning paintings of her icon. Chichi Couture aims to bring Calgary the finest unique clothing that will “compliment every figure type” from women in their 20s to 50s. For Allen it is about “tak[ing] the same piece and by the way you accessorize, that creates your look.”

“I’m really big on up and coming designers and photographers and so this space was created so that they could come and they could utilize it,” says Allen.