JULY/AUGUST 2020 I t7xmagazine.com
FASHION UNDER GLASS
A viral solution from
Who Cares Wear HARVEST HISTORY Spruce Grove’s ties to the grain trade
GARB FOR GUYS Knighton’s mens wear mission
STYLISH STATEMENTS Bold designs from Msichana
HIP EATS
Smoothies, cakes and more!
T7X MAGAZINE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 July/August 2020 PUBLISHER
EDITOR
Rob Lightfoot
Gene Kosowan
Contents
ART DIRECTION
Brenda Lakeman, Correna Saunders DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Correna Saunders PHOTOGRAPHY
Brenda Lakeman CONTRIBUTORS
Rudy Howell, Paula Kirman, Gene Kosowan, Markwell Lyon, Shima Zonneveld OFFICE MANAGER
Janice Lightfoot ISSN 2368-707X (PRINT) ISSN 2368-7088 (ONLINE)
For editorial inquiries or information, contact T7X magazine at info@t7xmagazine.com. Have something to say? Letters, suggestions or ideas can be sent to letters@t7xmagazine.com. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Rob Lightfoot rob@t7xmagazine.com 780 940 6212 or visit t7xmagazine.com T7X magazine is published by T8N Publishing Inc. Copyright ©2020 T8N Publishing Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Content marked by the Sponsored Content icon was produced in partnership between content producers and T7X magazine.
Arts & Culture 3
Pane Portraits
A viral challenge creates this unique fashion photo essay opportunity.
PRINTED IN CANADA
T8N PUBLISHING INC PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT
Rob Lightfoot: rob@t7xmagazine.com
Living 7
/t8nmagazine
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14
THE 7s
True Blue Hue
Pantone’s latest shade revisits a colourful classic.
MEET YOU THERE Dress to Impress
Knighton in Spruce Grove is a complete one-stop shop for men.
16
THEN & NOW
An Agricultural Artifact The Spruce Grove Grain Elevator Museum serves as a symbol of the city’s agrarian past.
FOOD & GATHERINGS Tasty Trends
Dishes redefining what’s cool in the culinary world. CONNECT WITH US
City
Spotlight 18 20
Empowering Designs
Fashion firm Msichana weaves a cross-cultural tapestry.
Down Time
For those staying at home, here’s a word search to remind you about summer.
T7X July/August 2020 1
I FROM THE PUBLISHER I OUR HEARTS AND thoughts go out to those
affected by the Covid-19 outbreak sweeping the world and while this region thus far has been more fortunate than most, many of us have had our share of heartbreak when it comes to loved ones who’ve succumbed to the pandemic. By far, this is the most sobering message this publication has ever had to deliver, but considering the circumstance, it’s more prudent to address this health scare than use this space otherwise dedicated to talking up the contents of a Rob Lightfoot new edition hitting the stands. That said, we still want to provide material that we believe is entertaining, profound and adds some value to the lives of our audience. And the most valuable thing we can say right now is to stay safe. Follow the guidelines set by Alberta’s chief medical officer of health. Wash your hands regularly. Stay at home. And if you do have to leave home for essentials, maintain the two-metre physical distancing protocol that’s helped mitigate the scare, which we’re told will be with us for months to come. Meanwhile, stay tuned to developments once the crisis starts to subside and practice whatever recommendations surface with those changes. If you can, support your local businesses who will badly need that backing to remain operating after the economic hardships brought on by the outbreak. While we hope the content in this issue makes your time on the couch or patio more enjoyable, please take care of yourself, your families and other loved ones. Despite the irony of isolation from each other, we’re really all in this together.
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On the Cover Thanks to a health advisory in effect, window shopping has taken on another meaning, as demonstrated by model Chloe Haughian who sports the latest in seasonal apparel from Who Cares Wear. Photographer Brenda Lakeman was the brains behind this unique photo shoot that starts on page 3.
I CONVERSATIONS I Mackage “Mai” Coat $790 David Lerner “Lola” Safari Maxi Shirt Dress $335 Rebecca Minkoff “Edie Flap” Shoulder Bag $400 Jocelyn Kennedy Hoop Fringe Earrings $55
PANE
Portraits A viral challenge creates this unique fashion photo essay opportunity BY GENE KOSOWAN; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN; MODEL CHLOE HAUGHIAN
T7XJuly July/August T7X /August 2020 3
Mackage “Laila” Coat $775 360 Cashmere “Jolene” Sweater $350 AG “Rhett” Denim Jeans $360 Jocelyn Kennedy Crystal Necklace $295
CRAZY TIMES CALL for crazy solutions. And with
the coronavirus outbreak earlier this year playing havoc with social lives, photographers are coming up with creative ways to capture live images, while practising the required physical distance of two metres to curtail the epidemic. 4 T7Xmagazine.com
After seeing a news story of a photographer taking portraits of subjects through their windows, our equally creative Brenda Lakeman wanted to use that method for a photo shoot. She found the ideal storefront at Who Cares Wear in St. Albert and went right to work. The result is this stunning photo essay.
Smythe “Pouf Sleeve” Blazer $695 Senso “Quillan” Boots $330 GRLFRD “Karolina” Denim Jeans $350 Jocelyn Kennedy Chain Earring $195
T7X July/August 2020 5
Smythe “Not a Double Breasted Blazer” $795 David Learner “Eva” Cami $170 AG “Farrah” Denim Jeans $315 Michael Kors “Irving” Shoes $190 Jocelyn Kennedy Lucite Earrings $45 Shakti “Chakra Tread” Necklace $175 6 T7Xmagazine.com
I FOOD & GATHERINGS I
Tasty
TRENDS
Dishes redefining what’s cool in the culinary world RECIPES & STYLING BY SHIMA ZONNEVELD; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN
JUST LIKE FASHION, foodie culture has trends
too! This year, watch for more variety in non-dairy products. For instance, oat beverages are having a moment! Alternative flours and sugars, interesting nut and seed butters–along with both sweet and savoury pancakes–are on trend this upcoming year. Here are a handful of recipes that incorporate some of these up-and-coming ingredients.
T7XJuly July/August T7X /August 2020 7
Theatre Manager Brandi Watson
SALES PROFESSIONAL NEEDED
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Blender Pancakes Blender pancakes are a great, one-step way to make pancakes, no banana mashing required! The coconut sugar and peanut butter give these pancakes a beautiful golden colour, a feast for your eyes. 2 ripe bananas
1 ½ c. oat beverage
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
½ c. salted caramel peanut butter
1 c. flour pinch of kosher salt
¼ c. coconut sugar
Do you have the desire to succeed, with great interpersonal skills and an interest in sales & media? We’re looking for sales professionals to represent our wide variety of print and digital products.
For more information visit: t7xmagazine.com/jobs 8 T7Xmagazine.com
In a blender, first combine the bananas and the oat beverage until the banana is sufficiently mashed up. Then add in the peanut butter and blend again. For the final step, add the eggs, sugar, baking powder, flour and salt. Give the batter one more quick blend to combine. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium to slightly over medium heat. Pouring the batter from the blender means any size pancake you want! About a quarter of a cup cup makes for a good size pancake. Cook the pancakes for three to four minutes per side, a pancake is ready to flip when the top side is filled with bubbles and the pancake pulls easily away from the pan. Serve with whipped cream, fresh fruit and of course maple syrup! This recipe makes about 24 pancakes (size dependent).
Salted Caramel Cookie Bars Cookie bars are a great way to make cookies in one pan! 1 ¾ gluten free flour 1 c. best brown sugar ¾ c. salted caramel peanut butter ½ c. room temperature butter 2 eggs 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract ¾ tsp. baking soda ¼ c. chopped roasted peanuts (salted or unsalted) ¼ c. cacao nibs 150 g or half of a bag of mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375º. Line a nine-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment, leaving an overhang so the bars are easy to remove. On the two sides not covered with parchment, lightly coat with cooking spray. In a large bowl, cream together the brown sugar and the butter. Add in the peanut butter, egg and vanilla. On top of the wet mixture, add the flour and the baking soda. Slowly mix in until just combined. With a spoon, stir in the peanuts, cacao nibs and the chocolate chips. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan. With wet fingertips, press the batter into the pan filling all four corners and smooth out the top. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean! Cool for 30 minutes in the pan and then lift the cookie bars onto a cooling rack and cool completely before slicing.
Amp up that peanut butter flavour by using salted caramel peanut butter and give these cookie bars some crunch with both roasted peanuts and cacao nibs.
T7X July/August 2020 9
Chai Spiced Overnight Oats Overnight oats are a great summer substitute for your wintery, warm oatmeal. It packs the same nutritious punch and can be made ahead to eat throughout the week. 1 c. quick oats
Toppings
1 ¼ c. oat beverage
fresh berries
2 tsp. coconut sugar
chopped apple
1 tsp. chai spice
toasted coconut
½ c. sliced almonds (any type of nut will work)
turbinado sugar toasted almonds
¼ c. coconut
In a large bowl, combine the oats, oat beverage, coconut sugar, chai spice, sliced almonds and coconut. Stir until all the ingredients are evenly distributed. This mixture can be left in the bowl overnight or it can be divided into individual servings using small mason jars or glasses. In the morning, remove overnight oats from the fridge and add your favourite fruit and crunchy toppings!
Roasted Cauliflower and Red Pepper Hummus This recipe is a great dip for tortilla chips, crackers and veggies. The tahini gives it a creamy texture and the pinch of sumac brightens up the flavours of both the cauliflower and pepper. ½ head of cauliflower, roughly cut into large florets
½ tsp. kosher salt (possibly a bit more at the end for taste!)
1 red pepper, cut into quarters
½ tsp. black pepper
¼ c. olive oil, divided
pinch of sumac
¼ c. tahini
1 tbsp. chopped cilantro
Preheat oven to 425º. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss the cauliflower florets and the quartered pepper with an eighth of a cup of olive oil. Roast the vegetables until they are tender and developing a nice brown exterior. Before the ingredients are tossed into a food processor, pop the roasted peppers into a bowl and cover with a silicone lid or a piece of plastic wrap. Wait about five minutes and then peel the skins off. In a food processor, combine the cauliflower, the pepper pieces, the tahini, the salt, the pepper, the sumac. Pulse a few times to combine and then slowly drizzle in the other an eighth of a cup of the olive oil. Process until the mixture resembles hummus. Taste the salt at this point and decide if a little bit more would add to the flavour. Pop the hummus into a bowl and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, a sprinkle of sumac and a small drizzle of olive oil. Serve with something crunchy and enjoy!
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Carrot-Zucchini Cakes These veggie packed pancakes are delicious served with chopped fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream. Amp up the protein by adding a medium over easy egg on top! 2 zucchini, grated 1 c. carrot, grated 2 eggs 1 tsp. kosher salt ½ tsp. black pepper
½ - 1 tsp. Sambal Oelek (chili paste) ½ c. Gluten-Free rice bread crumbs 2 tbsp. chopped cilantro sour cream
In a large bowl, mix together the grated zucchini, grated carrot, eggs, Sambal Oelek, salt and pepper. Set aside. In a non-stick large frying pan, brush with grapeseed or avocado oil. Heat the pan to medium heat. When the oil starts shimmering, using a muffin scoop, drop about three separate scoops in the pan and flatten with a spatula. Cook the pancakes until golden brown on each side, roughly two to four minutes. Continue this process until all the batter is used up. These pancakes can be kept warm in the oven or they can be served right out of the pan. Chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream and a jammy egg are the finishing touches to this savoury pancake!
Homemade Crackers Need something to go with that hummus, this is a quick and tasty recipe for making crackers in your own kitchen! Swap out the seed mixture and add in a chopped nut or even cheese for some interesting variations for a custom cracker. Makes about 60 crackers. 1 c. flour (you can use Gluten-free flour, the crackers will be denser but still tasty)
⅓ c. water + 1-2 tbsp. (depending on how the dough is coming together)
1 tsp. honey
1 ½ tbsp. ancient grain + seed mixture (sunflower, chia, millet, etc.)
¾ tsp. kosher salt 1 ½ tbsp. olive oil plus 2 tbsp. for brushing the crackers
A finishing salt like Maldon
Preheat the oven to 425º. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment on, add in the flour, honey, salt, olive oil, seed mixture and water (start with a one-third cup). Does the dough form a sticky dough ball or is it still loose with flour at the bottom? If still loose, add water by a half of a tablespoon at a time until it forms a ball. Sprinkle the work surface lightly with flour. Shape the dough into a rectangle and using a rolling pin roll out the dough to about an eighth of an inch thick. Using either a pastry cutter or a pizza cutter (A knife works too!), cut the sheet of dough into as many evenly sized crackers as possible (one-by-two inches works nice). There might be some scraps at the end, feel free to re-roll them out and do the same. Place the cracker shapes onto the lined baking sheets and brush each one with olive oil and then sprinkle with the Maldon salt. Bake the crackers for nine to 12 minutes until golden brown on the top. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container for a week. t7x T7X July/August 2020 11
I THE SEVENS I
COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2020
PANTONE® 19-4052
TRUE BLUE
ue
Danesco Mini Spatula, Turner and Whisk, $1.99 each, Switchit 2-in-1 Mini Spoon, $9.49 with Homespun Dishcloths, $9.99 and “Home Sweet Home” Diner Mug, $8.99 from Freson Bros. Fresh Market
Pantone’s latest shade revisits a colourful classic BY GENE KOSOWAN; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN
WITH ALL THE craziness dominating
current events, most folks responsible for shaping modern culture are clamouring for more calm. That’s probably why the Pantone Color Institute decided on this year’s shade labeled 19-4052, better known as Classic Blue. It’s a peace and tranquil shade, claim the style gurus, a useful hue reliable enough to blend in with other colours. Classic Blue is also versatile enough to be used on any materials from fabric to metal and really makes a harmonic statement in the items shown here. t7x 12 T7Xmagazine.com
Kuwallatee “Piece” Hoodie, $80 with Denim Jogger, $110 Adidas Ultraboost Shoes $250 from Legit Kicks
7 Downie Street “Luxor” Blazer, $350 with BLU Royal Dress Shirt, $116, Eros Bow Ties and Puff Set, $53, J.Grill Pant, $98 and Bench Craft Diamond Buckle Belt, $71 from Knighton Mens Wear
HOKA ONE ONE “Speedgoat 4” Women’s Trail Running Shoes, $189.95 with goodr “Falkor’s Fever Dream” Sunglasses $34.95, from Track ’N Trail
“Destined” Acrylic and Resin on Cradled Wood Panel, $135 from Laura Edwards Studio Pixie Mood Bag-in-Bag “Alicia” Tote, $75 with 42 ‘Pops Pocket’ Cardigan $74, from Saltwater Bay Boutique. Double Blue Agate Beads” Earrings $45, from BUNO Design.
L’Arianna “Velvet Blue” Pump, $280 from Tiramisu Italian Shoes and Accessories T7X July/August 2020 13
I MEET YOU THERE I
Dress to IMPRESS
Knighton in Spruce Grove is a complete one-stop shop for men
BY RUDY HOWELL
ACCESS TO HIGH end clothing can be
challenging when you reside outside of a “big city.” Most brand name stores will flock to large urban centres because that’s where the market is. But rarely will they come to a city of say 35,000 such as Spruce Grove. Recognizing this void in his community, Braven Blackwell, local businessman and men’s fashion aficionado, decided to open his own store where he could provide customers with the clothing and accessories that he felt Spruce Grove was lacking. Located at 314 McLeod Ave, Knighton Men’s Wear Fashions is a medium-to-high-end men’s wear store which seeks to help its customers look their best for any occasion. From clothing to accessories to grooming, Knighton prides itself on selling only the highest quality products while providing brands and styles that fit each of its customer’s specific needs. 14 T7Xmagazine.com
“Having Knighton open to our community gives local men a place to shop,” says store manager, Kim Sklaruk. For Braven, whose main business is his estimating and 3D design software company, Seljax, Knighton has always been more of a passion project. Developing out of his personal search for a “refined and professional look,” Braven observed that Spruce Grove didn’t have a single men’s wear store and was growing tired of the drive to and from Edmonton when in need of a new outfit. Eventually, Braven decided that no longer would he bring his business to the brand name stores; rather, it was time they brought their business to him. In October 2012, Knighton opened its doors on the ground floor of the Braven-owned Triton Business Centre, becoming the first−and to this day, only−storefront in Spruce Grove catering specifically to men’s fashion. Knighton was named after a street in England where Alfred J. Parker, founder of the Kabalarian Philosophy, lived. “Mr. Parker has made a big impact on my life,” Braven says. With Braven busy running Seljax in an office upstairs, Kim manages Knighton’s day-to-day operations along with the help of two employees who offer personal and attentive service to each customer who visits the store. With brands ranging from classics like Johnson & Murphy to fine Italian designers like Bugatchi, it is safe to say that men of all ages now have access to a stylish and diverse closet in Spruce Grove. “I think it’s important to support the community from teens to men,” Kim says. In addition to its quality products, Knighton also offers a selection of specialty services including quality tailoring, tuxedo rentals, appointment and event shopping, and custom ordering. While Knighton carries nearly every article of clothing a man could need, including customer favourite SAXX Underwear, one of the store’s highlights is its selection of Canadian-designed suits and sport coats. Each is individually hand-picked from one of three prominent Montreal designers—Jack Victor, Citadin, and S. Cohen.
“We like to support Canadian manufacturers,” Kim says. While Braven has stitched together a successful network of name brands from around the world since opening Knighton, he is always searching for new partnership opportunities. Every six months, he and Kim visit the Trends Apparel Show at the Edmonton Expo Centre, the Metro Show in Vancouver, and MAGIC in Las Vegas. There, the duo meets with sales representatives from a variety of international brands, ordering products they think would suit the Knighton brand. Back home in Spruce Grove, Knighton likes to support the community by giving back. A proud sponsor of the Spruce Grove Saints Junior A hockey team, Knighton created a Player of the Month Award where an exceptional team member is given the opportunity to pick out a shirt and tie from the store. The business has also participated in fashion shows for the Rotary Club of Spruce Grove and the Chamber of Commerce and provided suits to local models for special events. Looking forward, Knighton wants to reach more customers through the development of a stronger online presence, although the business is already on Facebook and Instagram. There has also
been talk of one day opening a Knighton brand women’s wear store in Triton Business Centre. But for now, Kim says, “we will see what the future brings.” t7x
Knighton Men's Wear at a Glance Location: 314 McLeod Avenue Phone: 780-571-3434 Specialty: Canadian-designed suits and sport coats Fun fact: Knighton is Spruce Grove’s first and only men’s wear store T7X July/August 2020 15
I THEN & NOW I Brox Elevator c.1908: Spruce Grove Archives & Museum
DID YOU KNOW? In 1933, the number of grain elevators across the prairies peaked at 5,758, with 1,759 in Alberta alone by 1938. Today, roughly 1,000 remain across the three prairie provinces, with less than 300 still standing in Alberta. With more disappearing each year, Spruce Grove’s big green giant has become the last wooden grain elevator along the CN rail line between Edmonton and Vancouver.
An Agricultural
ARTIFACT THE STORY OF Spruce Grove’s Grain Elevator
Museum is not just a story of an old building, but rather, a city itself. Like many communities across the prairies, Spruce Grove grew around its fi rst elevator. B efore it ex isted , fa r mers in the area would have to make the day-long journey to Edmonton and back for supplies. But, when the first grain elevator rose high into the sky above Spruce Grove, businesses started popping up one by one around it in order to supply the farmers with their every need.
1900s and 1910s When Daniel Brox and his wife Marion Stedelbauer found out they could not afford to buy land in their hometown of Elmira, Ontario, they decided to move to Alberta, following 16 T7Xmagazine.com
The Spruce Grove Grain Elevator Museum serves as a symbol of the city’s agrarian past BY RUDY HOWELL
others from their home who had settled in an area west of Edmonton called Spruce Grove. In 1896, they bought a piece of land–today known as Broxton Park–because of its close proximity to the original settlement of Spruce Grove. However, in 1908, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway came through town, establishing a train station directly in line with what is now Main Street. This resulted in the relocation of the settlement three quarters of a mile west to the present location of the City of Spruce Grove. Being the entrepreneur that he was, Brox wasted no time taking advantage of the new railway line. In 1908, he built Spruce Grove’s first grain elevator directly to the east of the one standing today using lumber from his own land, helping to transform Spruce Grove into the bustling grain-trading centre that it would become. By 1917, Spruce Grove had caught the attention of the United Grain Growers, who in turn erected the community’s second grain elevator on the
site of the one standing today. In 1919, this elevator would burn down, but was quickly replaced by another, becoming Spruce Grove’s first to grace the name of the Alberta Wheat Pool.
Spruce Grove Grain Elevators c,1980: Spruce Grove Archives & Museum
1950s and 1960s By the 1950s, the grain business was really booming, and Spruce Grove’s elevator count now stood tall at three. But disaster struck on the morning of June 17, 1958 as the entire community watched the 39-year-old Alberta Wheat Pool elevator–full of wheat, oats, and barley–burn to the ground. Residents feared that the fire might spread throughout the village, and for a week after the blaze, an around-the-clock standby fire crew was needed in case the wind caused any of the embers to flare up. Even though two of the village’s elevators were still functioning in the days and weeks immediately following the fire, they were simply not enough to meet the usual market demands. Therefore, construction was started on a new, state-of-the-art elevator designed with a 76,000-bushel capacity. In just four months, the now famous “big green giant” was completed, and by 1961, it stood tall and proud as one of 2,173 prairie skyscrapers.
1980s and 1990s As the 1980s progressed, grain elevators were advancing with more and more being constructed out of concrete or steel instead of wood. In May 1987, Spruce Grove’s 1929-built Searle Grain Elevator was torn down due to its declining state, becoming the first of the city’s three elevators to permanently disappear from the skyline. Four years later in June 1991, Spruce Grove’s second last remaining elevator, the Fuhr Farms Elevator, which had replaced Brox’s elevator in 1927, came tumbling down in another fire that nearly spread to the nearby big green giant. By 1995, due to a combination of more durable elevators and declining Canadian grain exports, two of the city’s three elevators had either been torn down or destroyed by fire, and it seemed as though the big green giant’s days were also numbered.
On April 1, 1995, speculation became reality when the Alberta Wheat Pool officially ended all operations at Spruce Grove’s last standing elevator, slating it for demolition within a year. Luckily, for fear of losing the city’s last elevator, and a big portion of history along with it, the Spruce Grove and District Agricultural Heritage Society (AG), formed in 1972, and run by a group of local volunteers, immediately intervened in hopes of finding a way to preserve the local landmark. After two long years of tense negotiations with the City of Spruce Grove, the Alberta Wheat Pool, and Canadian National Railway (CN), it was finally decided that the AG would purchase the elevator from the Alberta Wheat Pool for $1, and the land from CN for $35,000, with plans to convert the site into a museum, tourist attraction, and community storehouse for artifacts.
2000s In 2001, the AG society, led by its president, George Sewell, started lobbying for what it called an “Elevator Emporium.” The emporium would be constructed on the elevator museum site to resemble a period train station. It would house the Spruce Grove archives, the museum collection, a tea house, gift shop, conference room, as well as a business incubator for small-scale producers, such as a farmer looking for a place to
store, process, or market products from a specific crop. While this project has yet to see the light of day, other things like a $63,000 parking lot and $18,000 paint and repair job were completed in 2002.
2010-Today The AG society continues to fund the usual upkeep necessary for maintaining a 60-year-old building, with significant projects over the last 10 years being the restoration of the old Spruce Grove water tower in 2011, the repainting and restoration of the elevator in 2012, foundation wall repair and front and back door replacements in 2016. Today, the elevator remains operational and the site has become a very busy attraction welcoming thousands of visitors each summer from across Canada and around the world. The site hosts old fashioned carnivals and fairs specifically tailored towards children and families, as well as several annual summer fundraising events such as Flapjacks at the Tracks Community Pancake Breakfast, the Farm and Heritage Carnival, and the Harvest Fair. These events are for the purpose of raising funds to support the ongoing maintenance and preservation of the grain elevator and water tower, educational programs, and the long-term goal of an elevator emporium. t7x T7X July/August 2020 17
I SPOTLIGHT I
Empowering
DESIGNS
Fashion firm Msichana weaves a cross-cultural tapestry BY RUDY HOWELL
CENTURIES AGO, VARIOUS European and Arabic
traders explored the Indian Ocean engaging with the many diverse cultures of East Africa. These cross-cultural interactions resulted in the birth of the Swahili language in the 18th century. Derived from Arabic, Persian, Hindustani, Portuguese and Malay, Swahili is the inspiration for Lorna Mutegyeki’s fashion line, Msichana. “I wanted a name in Swahili because the language essentially reflects that cultural fusion that we are trying to achieve with Msichana. You embrace differences and come up with something beautiful that belongs,” Mutegyeki explains. Msichana, which translates to “young woman” in English, is an online fashion-based social enterprise which aims to promote global female empowerment. The brand uses its culturally diverse products as a way to personally connect people from around the world through clothing that reflects both the spirit of its wearer and the clarity of its origin.
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Born in Uganda, Mutegyeki grew up in a household that greatly valued what would become her two passions in life: fashion and female empowerment. Her mother was a fashion designer and three of her four siblings were sisters. “We were always very aware of our power as women and yet we grew up in a society where we looked around and the message just didn’t align with our own experience of who we were, how we understood ourselves, and our view of women.” From a young age, she knew she wanted to do something to address this disparity. But understandably, she didn’t yet know how. At age 18, Mutegyeki emigrated to Canada to study molecular genetics at the University of Alberta. While in school, she found a job working in finance, eventually leading her to a career as a business analyst instead. But even comfortable with a successful career, she still felt a burning desire to make a difference. One day, she came across a United Nations report on women in the workforce. It highlighted how the global fashion industry hires a large percentage of women in comparison to most other lines on work. “The lightbulb went off. It hit me that this industry that was so familiar and natural to me was a very big industry for the area that I was most passionate about.” In 2016, she decided to leverage her corporate skills and experience for the cause she was most passionate about. Thus, Msichana was born. Over the next year, Mutegyeki built a following in the Edmonton area through social media, pop-up shops, and in-home consultations. The brand celebrated its formal launch in December 2017 with a fashion show hosted by NAIT debuting its first full collection. In 2018, Msichana set up a temporary brick and mortar location in St. Albert through the start-up business lease program offered by The Collective. This was a great opportunity for Mutegyeki to share her vision with customers as well as analyze how they interacted with her products in a permanent physical
space. She’s also hoping to set up a similar popup in Spruce Grove. You might be wondering how a piece of clothing can be “empowering.” One look at the bold patterns, unique designs, and carefully curated fabrics of Msichana bestsellers such as the “MightyHi Dress” will surely give you an answer. “It’s about women being unique, confident, and standing out instead of trying to blend into a crowd.” Handcrafted by talented female artisans in Canada, Kenya, Morocco, and Uganda using a variety of African fabrics, Msichana products are as much one-of-a-kind pieces of art as they are pieces of clothing. “I wanted it to be a way for people to experience another culture and for women to be able to connect with people on the other side of the world.” Early this year, Mutegyeki was left speechless when Msichana was selected to showcase its latest collection, “Accents by Msichana,” at London Fashion Week in February. To be handpicked for one of the Big Four fashion weeks along with Paris, Milan, and New York reassured Mutegyeki that she had indeed captured something special with Msichana.
“To see the beauty recognized internationally was very much a piece of pride for the work we are doing and the artisans as well.” Unfortunately, Mutegyeki herself was unable to make it to London due to a medical emergency. She couldn’t believe she was going to miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime until supporters of the brand who wanted to see it succeed offered to go as representation in her place. “They did such an amazing job. I feel like we’re very much a community and that’s why we’ve had the success we’ve had.” For Msichana’s next collection, Mutegyeki says she is planning a “Canadian line using all Canadian materials and reflective of Canadian culture.” Website: msichana.com Phone: 587-557-7929 Specialty: dusters, zero-waste jewelry Fun Fact: Msichana provides its artisans workplace, financial and literacy training t7x
T7X July/August 2020 19
I DOWN TIME I
Spring Gleaning
Barbecue Beach Bike Bloom Cottage Deck Flowers 20 T7Xmagazine.com
Garagesale Grass Ice Lawnmower Patio Skateboard Streethockey
Swim Walk Baseball Beer Bikini Blossom Cream
A CURRENT HEALTH advisory is preventing us from taking full
advantage of summer, but being cooped up inside isn’t the greatest way to enjoy the season. So while indoors, take some time to complete this word search designed to help pass the time. At least until we can all go outside to have fun for real!
Farmersmarkets Freshfruit Garden Green Lakes Lemonade Plants
Rain Soccer Streetparty Swimming Warmth Basketball Bees
Birds Canoe Cycle Flowers Games Golf Hike
Landscape Paddleboard Playground Rivers Sprinkler Stroll Trampoline
SUMMER IN THE CITY
Your guide to everything possible to do throughout this summer! *Get your copy quickly, they won’t last long
Amazing prize giveaways, all summer long!
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