Saks Fifth Avenue set to land in Calgary this month

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New York-based luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue is continuing its Canadian expansion with a new location in Calgary. Opening Feb. 22 at the CF Chinook Centre, it's Saks's first location in Western Canada. In celebration of the new store, Saks will be hosting a charity cocktail party benefiting Women in Need Society, the Calgary Public Library and Theatre Calgary. On Feb. 24, it will also feature an in-store appearance by makeup artist Hung Vanngo, a former Calgarian whose A-list client roster including Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski has made him a celebrity in his own right.

The 115,000-square-foot location was designed by owner HBC's Store Design and Planning Team along with Stantec, an Edmonton-based engineering, design and consultancy firm. Its features incorporate found and custom furniture, fixtures and lighting such as glass sculptures handcrafted in the Czech Republic. It also displays artwork by local artists Birgit Piskor, Ulrich Panzer and Rocio Graham. Buffo, its full-service restaurant, will open later this year.

According to Tracy Margolies, chief merchant at Saks Fifth Avenue, Calgarians can expect a diverse offering of men's wear and women's wear. "Within each and every location, Saks provides a powerful, yet curated mix of brands with a distinctive point of view, like the Saks Edit," she says. "Our clients look to us to discover new and exclusive must-have brands."

Expect to see designer labels such as Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Balenciaga and Givenchy as well as men's pieces by Ferragamo, Rag & Bone and Boglioli. Some exclusives to Saks Calgary include women's wear by Jane Post, Nanette Lepore and Scripted, women's shoes and accessories by Gianvito Rossi, See by Chloé and Alexandre Birman, men's wear by Madison Supply and fragrance by Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Ex Nihilo and Byredo. The store's selection will continue to evolve, notes Margolies, as Saks tailors its assortment and services to suit the needs of fashionable Calgarians.

This week's style happenings

Toronto-based men's wear brand WIL Studios has launched its first e-commerce platform. Coinciding with the brand's presentation at the Re\Set Designer Showroom as part of Toronto Fashion Week, the site will carry the debut collection from the Spring 2018 season. The brand's streetwear pieces, which include branded hoodies and boxing shorts, are available now for $165 to $500. For more information, visit wilstudios.com.

After five years at the helm of Boss Womenswear, designer Jason Wu is stepping down from his role as artistic director. The Gallery Collection presentation in New York on Feb. 13 was his last. "I am especially grateful to the entire Boss Womenswear team – for their passion, their dedication and not least for the fabulous fashion shows and events that we realized together," said Wu in a release from the brand. "Now the time has come for me to concentrate fully on my own label."

Jimmy Choo has partnered with Off-White on its first collaboration with a ready-to-wear designer. The nine footwear styles were inspired by Diana, Princess of Wales, reconfiguring her nineties silhouettes with conceptual plastics, tulles and florals. Unveiled during Paris Fashion Week, the collection will be available at the Jimmy Choo Toronto boutique and select Holt Renfrew stores beginning Feb. 21.