It started with a conversation in the fall and ended with the beginning of a luxury retailer moving to the Ottawa scene this winter to prep local fashionistas for spring.
Ottawa At Home magazine met with Nordstrom last fall to discuss a collaboration to bring a professional style runway show to the capital. Quickly the obvious partnership with Heritage Canada to host a fashion event, within the Winterlude activities, came into discussion and on January 30th the Trillium Ballroom at the Shaw Centre was transformed into a high-style venue fit to showcase spring fashions and kick off Winterlude in high style. Spring florals from Flowers Talk Tivoli decorated the stage and decadent desserts tempted guests to indulge.
A team from Nordstrom worked with Ottawa At Home's Jennifer Tackaberry to combine the talents of Models International Management and Silver Scissors Salon to offer guests a peek at what to expect when the store opens in the Rideau Centre on March 6th. Invitees left impressed and eager to start shopping. The line-up included collections from Helmut Lang, Joie, Haute Hippie, Alexander Wang and Ted Baker London.
Nordstrom's move into Ottawa is well timed with the closing of Holt Renfrew, as it fills the void of high-end department stores the city now lacks. Ottawa shoppers, with a penchant for a high-end retail experience, eagerly await the opening of a new place to shop. Staff has been well trained and the Nordstrom team, under the leadership of John Banks, is keen to fill the gap and create a chic and welcoming environment.
The entire Nordstrom team has embraced the capital and as they each arrived from warmer climates, in the middle of perfect Winterlude conditions (read cold, cold, cold), they could be heard gushing over the beauty of the snow and the outdoor scene. Nordstrom Canada president Karen McKibbin spoke enthusiastically about getting on the ice to check out their Winterlude booth. Their all-inclusive marketing campaign says, "Come as you are. We like your style." Well right back at yah Nordstrom and welcome to Ottawa, you are a ray of sunshine on the retail scene here in the capital and we like your style!
Check out our winter issue for more fashion show images. Read about Nordstrom general manager John Banks and his family. Find a copy at Mags & Fags and Tamarack Homes Sales Centres February 13th.
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