From consultation to finished product, the Blo me dry experience is fun, fresh, fast and modern. I had the pleasure of checking out one of Calgary’s latest, hippest beauty phenoms, BLO me dry, blow dry bar, and had a blast.

I met with owner, Anna and had a chance to pick her brain about her pink, sexy baby,Blo me dry last week.  The energy of Anna and her staff is smiley, welcoming and kind.

Blo me dry bar is an a la carte hair styling phenomenon. Originally from Vancouver, BC, Blo has gone viral in North America and now spans all major city centers from Hollywood to Philadelphia, Blo epitomizes accessible beauty. Calgary is the latest addition to the Blo me dry family, offering a styling only salon at 1317 1st street SW.  Clients can book in or Blo can come to you.

Clients choose from a variety of styles from the Blo hair menu; such as,  boho braid, executive sweet,  and holly would to name a few.  I chose the boho braid, and it was so cute! I had killer hair for 3 days following my blowdry. Anna informed me that she has many clients that choose to come more than one time a week to have their hair styled.The Blo trained stylists follow a  Blo protocol to ensure that you have red carpet ready hair consistently, every time. Rhonia, my stylist was cute, fun, and thorough. I felt as if I had a new bestie when I left her chair.

Blo is convenient, economical and fun, truly simplifying having great hair. They are open from 7am to 9pm by appointment, 7 days a week, and at only $35 a blow out you can’t lose.  Streamlining styling your hair, regardless of it’s texture and weight. Blo is a dream come true and should be added to every fashionista’s speed dial. I have added them to mine !

]]> http://www.calgaryfashion.ca/2012/02/05/blo-me-dry/feed/ 0 http://www.calgaryfashion.ca/2012/02/04/for-the-record-samantha-savage-smith-tough-cookie/ http://www.calgaryfashion.ca/2012/02/04/for-the-record-samantha-savage-smith-tough-cookie/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:35:02 +0000 Kimberley http://www.calgaryfashion.ca/?p=15144

You know that song by a little band from the 90s named the Cowboy Junkies called “Sweet Jane”? Well, Samantha Savage Smith is that song; she draws her voice out like Margo Timmins so beautifully. This is hands down a great compliment (“Sweet Jane” is one hell of song); I have spent the better part of my week trying to place the voice that Tough Cookie reminds me of.  The ability to write an entire album with a sound like that is achievement.

Kimberley Jev, founder and Editor-inChief at Calgary Fashion, used to live in the same apartment complex as Smith, getting to her sing and play her guitar through the walls (this was not a noise complaint), “it was amazing, in the morning her voice would float through the ceiling.”

Tough Cookie is Samantha Savage Smith’s first release with Arts & Craft, and is sure not going to be the last. It’s a break up album, but aren’t all great albums just that? A way for an artist to move on, and in the end us, fans of music, get to hear some wonderful songs and make a place for them in our lives. A mature sounding voice that the ear takes a liking to, even the song arrangement channels the older artist.

“The Hats” is a short but sweet song with guest vocal of Dan Vacon (a She & Him vibe), that I found myself tracking back to hear again. “The Fight” is the oldest song on album, and one of the strongest as well, even with the slow pace of the track you get completely drawn in with the beautiful lyrics and Savage’s voice.

A very strong first album coming from an individual who sounds like she has been making albums for the same amount time she has been alive.

Samantha Savage Smith will be playing the Junction Theater GRAND 100^th Anniversary Saturday (Today). She will be on stage 7pm, don’t miss one of Calgary’s best upcoming singer-songwriters, you won’t regret it.

Danni Bauer 

Don’t take away from all those miles logged on your treadmill this past January by snarfing an entire box of Chocolates from your sweetheart this Valentine’s day! THE BODY SHOP  is launching Chocomania, a delicious treat of body care products that will leave your skin smooth and soft. We love the heart shaped soap and the body butter. Your sweetie will be snuggling you very close with this delightful treat!

Alison Estill

This year, Barbie’s chosen career is Fashion Designer. The 52-year-old going on 21 even has a spot at New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012 with Barbie: The Dream Closet. The Dream Closet is an augmented reality experience that allows guests to virtually try on 30 of Barbie’s favorite outfits over the last 52 years.

On February 10th, The Dream Closet will be launched online, where visitors of the site can try on Barbie’s designs using a webcam, take pictures, and share with their friends. And, the closet will grow throughout the year. Behind Pink Doors is an aspect of the site where top fashion influencers such as Coco Rocha and Dylan Lauren share editorial content. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am impressed by how far Mattel has been able to take this.

Visit Barbie’s Dream Closet.

Courtney Kos

Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2009   

It has been announced that London is getting its very own fashion week dedicated to men’s fashion. The London Fashion Council has called it LONDON COLLECTIONS: MEN, and it will run for the first time from June 15th to 17th, 2012.

This new fashion week is no joke. The committee includes a number of impressive names in fashion: Tom Ford, Christopher Bailey (the creative director for Burberry), and Jeremy Langmead of Mr Porter (NET-A-PORTER’S sister site for men).

I am personally very excited by this news. Men’s fashion deserves more attention and nurturing, and a more prestigious committee for men’s fashion than what has been pulled together is not possible. At the moment I think the best in men’s fashion lies in London; no city would be a better choice to start a men’s fashion week.

Courtney Kos || Image via ryanfong.com  

Remember in the first Sex and The City movie, Carrie’s assistant, Louise, rents designer handbags? Now, there is a Canadian handbag and jewelry rental company that does just that.

Bling Borrowers, based in Calgary, is offering all our Canadian readers 50 percent off any monthly or seasonal rental until February 29, 2012. All their rentals are 100 percent authentic.

Just contact Bling Borrowers at customerservice@blingborrowers.com and mention Calgary Fashion.

Shop Bling Borrowers.

Courtney Kos

Plaid & Chiffon Skirt: N.R.T Fashions

Nicole Rita Tomney, local Calgary designer of N.R.T Fashions, is premiering her Fall/Winter 2012 collection, DROP DEAD, and celebrating the launch of her online store at Sociale Bar and Grille tonight. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Nicole on her exciting new projects with musicians and on what gets her creative juices going:

CF: I understand a lot of your inspiration for your designs comes from music. Can you tell me more about that?

I love music just as much as I love fashion. I get SO inspired by lyrics, style and the music industry as a whole. I feel that so much can be expressed in songs and music videos. The artists who inspire me the most are the ones who are not afraid to take things to the extreme or to show what crazy and maybe twisted thoughts they have in their head.

When I am sewing I will listen to an album over and over and its keeps my creative mind going. People like Marilyn Manson, Slipknot and Lady Gaga and even as far back as bands like The Sex Pistols, The Casualties or even Madonna in her early days have shown the world so many crazy and great things that have shaped a lot of how the fashion industry is today.

I love watching a music video and thinking how amazing it is that fashion designers like myself have the opportunity to create amazing pieces that have the potential to be shown across the world alongside an amazing song.

CF: What designers inspire your work?

The designers that inspire my work are Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler, Viktor and Rolf and Balenciaga. They are all so brilliant and I hope to one day even come close to accomplishing as much as they all have.

CF: Your designs can be dark. Would you describe yourself as a dark person?

At first I definitely confuse a lot of people because I don’t come off as a dark person or someone who would create the designs that I do. I express myself through my designs and my art and they show the true feelings that I don’t generally express in any other way. I listen to a lot of dark music and like things that are shocking and make me think. I am more intrigued and inspired by things that are not necessarily the ‘normal’ or ‘pretty’ things in most people’s opinions but are to me.

CF: In some of your past shows, you have used masks and tape over the mouth. I’ve seen this in other shows, such as Alexander McQueen. What is your inspiration for this?

The reason that I have used the masks and duct tape over the mouths of my models is because to me it is about the fashion and not the model so by having the faces or mouths covered people are looking at the design and the overall feel of the look that I am creating. Fashion to me is a silent thing and should only be expressed or shown for people to question and appreciate.

CF: You’ve worked with a number of musicians including Destineak, Negative Earth and Like a Storm. Can you tell me more about these projects? How did they come about, and what exactly were you involved in?

I have had the pleasure of working with a number of musicians over the past two years doing music videos and performances. It has been quite crazy as each of the artists that I have worked with have found me by seeing my stuff on my blog and Facebook.

Christina Sing of Destineak came to Calgary last April and a friend of mine contacted me to have her wear one of my body suits. Then in June before even meeting Destineak in person they had me create all the looks for their video ‘Shine’ which we filmed in Mexico for ten days. I did everything from create the clothing to assisting, to hair, to just anything that was needed.

I have also recently been working on a video with Trev Kill from Negative Earth here in Calgary which has been really fun because his style is very cool and I haven’t found a lot of artists in Calgary who are dark. I also went out to Vancouver this past October to work on the set of Like a Storm’s (a band from New Zealand) new music video which was wicked because the whole theme was steampunk!

All the musicians I have gotten to work with thus far have been so great and it has been such amazing experience for me to be on set learning so much. I definitely can’t wait to work with more musicians!

CF: Is there anything you can tell us about your new collection, DROP DEAD, without giving too much away? Any hints? Inspirations?

Get ready for 1980’s Punk, gas masks, black, leather and a show like Calgary has never seen. You will NOT want to miss this one!

CF: What are your future aspirations for NRT Fashions? Is it a line you would like to grow, or take in new directions?

For NRT, I would like to just keep working hard at creating pieces that make people think and question what fashion really is. I hope to show in bigger fashion weeks and be in magazines internationally. I would also love to work more with musicians, and with the launch of NRT Fashions online store and website I will be able to get my designs to clients not only in Calgary but in other cities as well!

CF: Do you have any other news for NRT Fashions aside from the launch of your website and online store?

Take a peek at the new Destineak music video which launched online February 1^st with all NRT pieces!

Buy tickets for DROP DEAD this Friday at Sociale Bar and Grille.

Words by Courtney Kos || Photography by Fela Dales & Alexandra Beraru

Photographers: Fela Dales & Alexandra Beraru

Hair and Make-up: Douglas Cressman

Stylist: Linda Sui Lem

Assistants: Arielle Kiser & Ato Baako

Model: Bronwyn McDonald (Artists Within)

(L) Collar: DIY || Pants: Bodybag || Shoes: Dr. Martens Arien $150

(R) Dress: Zara || Belt: Moschino || Shoes: Dr. Martens 

(L) Plaid & Chiffon Skirt: N.R.T Fashions || Metal Cuff: Asos || Leather Harness: Peeko Apparel

(R) Belt: BCBG Max Azria || Drop Dead Tank: N.R.T Fashions || Leopard Skirt: Zara || Shoes: Aldo

(L) Drop Dead Tank: N.R.T Fashions || Shoes: Dr. Martens Core Pascal $160.

Plaid & Chiffon Skirt: N.R.T Fashions

“Wooooo. I’ve never had a Red Bull before, but I had a Red Bull last night. I really like Red Bull. We should grab a red bull after this.” If you watched the movie “Yes, Man” with Zooey Deschanel and Jim Carrey, this is relevant because Vinyl Ritchie was the winner of the 2011 Red Bull Thre3style in Vancouver.

Brian Carson (Vinyl Ritchie) will be the headlining DJ at the Junction Theater Grand 100th Anniversary this Saturday. Here is his track “Time” to hold you over until then.

Get your short shorts on, and start stretching! Check the line up here. http://www.theatrejunction.com/100th-anniversary/

Danni Bauer

Refinery 29′s original Search For The Next Big Style Blogger is back. This time, the winner ends up at the New York headquarters for Refinery 29, or as a style ambassador for Bar III, a fashion brand sold exclusively at Macy’s.

Nominate yourself by simply submitting a photo and blog entry at styleblogger.refinery29.com. Or, follow Refinery 29 in the coming weeks to vote for your favorite finalist.

Courtney Kos || Image via refinery29.com