Fashion Forward – The espy experience

As long as I can remember Calgary has been stereotyped as a city built on the idea of business first and everything else second. But over the last five years it’s underbelly of arts, fashion and music have sprouted and Calgary’s stigma is slowly changing.

A fresh face adding to the growth is espy, one of Calgary’s newest and most interesting fashion boutiques. Situated in the heart of Inglewood, Calgary’s historic and increasingly trendy communities, espy has taken it’s fashion forward mentality and exploded onto the market.

Espy founders Megan Szanik and Lisa Marie Sikina, along with fashion designer and make up artist Lisa Phelan compose the powerhouse female trio behind the stores vision. Espy has set out to hand pick fashion labels from around the globe bringing new and innovate brands to the local consumers. Through innovative buying strategies espy is able to offer high end fashion at reasonable retail price points. Finally a hip store that wants to help you save a few bucks. How often does that come along?

All that being said, I suppose we at AERA have a vested interest in these girls, as we have teamed up to co-ordinate and execute their ever-changing promotional campaigns. The store functions on a two month clock and every cycle a new color takes control of the espy environment changing the stores outlook, style and promotions. The current RED campaign has been a massive success and the plans are in the works for the upcoming cycle, scheduled to hit the streets in late August.

One of the unique ideas conjured up through our “brainstorming pow wow’s” with the ladies is the massive moving video window display. This 72″ x 40″ video projection showcases the current cycle’s color, trends and fashion photography. AERA’s own co-founder, Alix Broadway is the lady behind the lens, responsible for espy’s photographic imagery and direction.

So if your looking for something new to bring to your wardrobe or just bit curious, why not venture down and take a look for yourselves. 1217B 9th Ave SE in Inglewood. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.