Mackage

Fall/Winter 2010

It's about to get cold. In less than a month, Calgary's corporate fashionistas will be swanning in and out of The Core wearing their melton wool coats, mid-length, with leather piping, exaggerated funnel necks, and asymmetrical buttons. Most of them will be wearing an actual, or imitation, Mackage (see also: sister brands Soia & Kyo and Rudsak). Even their earliest designs (mine is 10 years old) still look sharp and modern.

Lexi $495

The company, founded by two Montreal natives, just debuted at New York Fashion Week (Calgary Herald article here). Big whoop - the inaugural Spring/Summer collection was shown in 'The Tents'; it's their top-quality outerwear that has already made Mackage a colossus North of the 49th. With prices in the $350-$700 range, it could be considered an aspirational brand. Still, in my part of the country which has but two seasons (Winter and July), I cannot think of a more worthy investment.

Marie $570