We go camping with Free People and Canada’s top style bloggers
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Smack dab between the opening of their first two B.C. stores—the first at Park Royal on August 29th and the second in South Granville on October 10th—Free People gathered together a few Canadian bloggers, Instagrammers and contributors to their online style community FP Me to celebrate. Whisking them away to the Sunshine Coast’s Rockwater Secret Cove Resort for photo shoots, picnicking, kayaking and yoga, it was like summer camp for fashion people. We tagged along to get to know this new crew of style stars better—picking their brains on fall trends, weekend routines and more.
Meet the bloggers: CATHERINE MOISAN | OLIVIA QUAN | CHRISTIE LOHR | CARISSA CARVALHO | TEGAN KLENNER, LINDSAY SJOBERG AND BETHANY MENZEL | KATE HORSMAN | ALEX CENTOMO | KENDAHL JUNG
CATHERINE MOISAN, 23
Montreal | CatherineBelle
Instagram: @cath_belle
FP Me: @catherinebelle
Fun facts: Raised in Quebec City, she splits her time between communications classes and blogging. She loves singing, but doesn’t see herself going the Beyoncé route, because she’s “a little bit shy.”
1. How would you describe your personal style?
“Fashionable, yet relaxed. Although it varies on my mood, lately I like to dress girly and bohemian chic. I keep my outfits simple and usually top them off with lots of pretty rings and necklaces.”
2. Who is your style icon?
“It’s hard to pick just one, but right now I definitely love Vanessa Hudgens and Negin Mirsalehi. I like how Vanessa experiments with her fashion sense and pulls of cool festival styles, while Negin is very elegant and puts together simple outfits that I see myself wearing on a typical day at school or work.”
3. What’s your favourite fall trend?
“I’m a huge fan of the over-the-knee boots trend. They’re fun to pair with skirts and sweaters or with skinny jeans. I also can’t get enough of fedora hats. They look so cute with jackets for fall.”
4. Where will we find you on the weekend?
“On weekends, I like to visit my family in Quebec City or stay in Montreal with my friends. There are always fun shows or festivals going on in Montreal so we like to take part in those. I also try to squeeze in some time to work on my blog when I can.”
OLIVIA QUAN, 17
Vancouver | Instagram
FP: @oliviaquan
Fun facts: Fresh out of high school the ex-horseback rider has lived in the same house her whole life. While her address has never changed, her swapped being a large animal veterinarian for the music industry as far as career aspirations.
1. How would you describe your personal style?
“Very much menswear inspired—I don’t mean so much with masculinity, but simplicity. I like basic pieces that are easy to wear with anything. I have an all-black wardrobe with the exception of denim, a few white tees, and a flannel here and there. My leather jacket is my all-time staple that I couldn’t live without.”
2. Who is your style icon?
“I’ve never been one to just have a single style icon. I find that I pick up inspiration everywhere. It doesn’t have to be a celebrity or a socialite that influences my style. Sometimes it’s a co-worker, a friend, or someone I’ve seen walking down the street.”
3. What’s your favourite fall trend?
“Heeled ankle boots. I have a taupe pair, a black pair and an oxblood pair, so I never have any need to wear other shoes.”
4. Where will we find you on the weekend?
“If I got a day off on the weekend, you’d find me outside or at a cafe on my laptop using Polyvore/Instagramming. I’m big into hiking—one of my favourite hikes is the Jug Island Beach trail and Belcarra Park in Port Moody. My favourite cafe is Wendels—also a bookstore—and they make a killer earl grey latte.”
CHRISTIE LOHR, 34
Vancouver | Instagram
FP Me: @ChristieLohr
Fun facts: Growing up in Port Hardy, a small town of 4,000, didn’t get in the way of her big fashion dreams. As a youngster she worked with what she had, accessorizing with her dad’s big belt buckles, now she’s got two big notches in her belt, the job websites Style Nine to Five and Beauty Nine to Five she founded.
1. How would you describe your personal style?
“This is such a hard question to answer because I have so many styles depending on the occasion or my mood!”
2. Who is your style icon?
“Olivia Palermo for her effortless and chic style. She really made an impression on me when I saw what she wore to her wedding; not a traditional wedding dress, rather a Carolina Herrera two-piece, a cream cashmere sweater paired with a full tulle skirt and Manolo Blahnik shoes. She’s classic and contemporary.”
3. What’s your favourite fall trend?
“Right now it’s minimalism, over-sized silhouettes, and easy dressing.”
4. Where will we find you on the weekend?
“I like to watch Dateline with a glass of Malbec on Friday nights. I’m usually too wiped from the week, so I like to lay low. On Saturday, if it’s not raining, usually brunch then a hike, home for a cat nap, change for dinner somewhere buzzing with a friend.”
CARISSA CARVALHO, 21
Vancouver | CarissaEmma
Instagram: @carissaemma_
FP Me: @carissaemma_F
Fun facts: Also on her plate, completing her communications degree, styling at Free People’s Park Royal store, and interning for Panty by Post.
1. How would you describe your personal style?
“Almost always bohemian with a bit of a tomboy, but it really depends on the day. If I feel like being a total girly girl one morning, then I’ll go with it.”
2. Who is your style icon?
“Nicole Richie. I’m obsessed with her! She always looks so effortlessly pulled together and I love her cool rocker bohemian style.”
3. What’s your favourite fall trend?
“Chunky knits, oversized coats, turtlenecks, and lots of layers. I can’t pick just one.”
4. Where will we find you on the weekend?
“Somewhere in Gastown! It’s one of my favourite areas in the city and holds most of my favourite bars and restaurants—Chill Winston, Peckinpah, The Flying Pig, and The Pint for some great throwback music.”
TEGAN KLENNER, 26 | Vancouver
LINDSAY SJOBERG, 23 | Vancouver
BETHANY MENZEL, 22 | White Rock
Treasure and Travels
FP Me: @TreasuresTravels
Instagram: @treasuresandtravels
Fun facts: In this blogging trio, Tegan and Lindsay are sisters and both work at coffee shops (not the same one) when they aren’t crafting posts. Bethany is a new mom and a trained hairstylist that loves changing her own hair colour.
1. How would you describe your personal style?
Tegan: “I’m always drawn to bright colourful patterns. I’m trying to tone it down a little and have lately been sticking to a lot of black and whites and basics. I’m a plaid and floral girl at heart—a sucker for a good print.”
Lindsay: “I love thrifting and finding quirky shirts and sweaters—I’m a bit sweater obsessed. I love pairing something a bit grungy with a simple, clean-cut article. I throw anything sparkly on my fingers and wrists and I’m good to go.”
Bethany: “A bit of a mix between boho and rocker chic. I love baggy tops, leather pants, heeled booties, tribal jewelry, ripped denim, destroyed tees, and long messy hair.”
2. Who is your style icon?
Tegan: “Alexa Chung. She’s my hair idol, and I love her style, it’s basic with bold pops of patterns and detail which I love.”
Lindsay: “Chloe Norgaard. I love how bright, carefree, and fun her style is.”
Bethany: “Fashion bloggers are where I get most of my inspiration. My current favourites are Maja Wyh, Sincerely Jules, and Ivana Revic. And obviously Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen can do no wrong.”
3. What’s your favourite fall trend?
Tegan: “Boots, hats, and cozy sweaters!”
Lindsay: “Definitely cozy sweaters and jackets.”
Bethany: “Leather! I get so excited to be able to wear leather pants and jackets once the cold weather starts.”
4. Where will we find you on the weekend?
Tegan: “On the weekend, my husband and I love to cook up a big breakfast and watch a morning movie. Evenings are usually spent in the kitchen cooking up a meal or catching up with friends over wine.”
Lindsay: “You will definitely find me in a cafe or two chatting or working on my computer. Going for walks, picnics, or catching my friends’ band play a show.”
Bethany: “On a Saturday morning you would find us walking through the park to get a coffee, taking the dog to the beach, strolling through shops. Come evening, the bottle of wine is open while we make a meal with friends and light up a bonfire in the backyard.”
KATE HORSMAN, 33
Vancouver | Bullet With Butterfly Wings
Instagram: @lilkatehorsman
FP Me: @lilkatehorsman
Fun facts: A former ballet dancer, the model and stylist just created a pet accessories line called Dog & Crow. She also has a wicked ET collection.
1. How would you describe your personal style?
“My style always evolves, but overall it’s modern bohemian with a bit of the edge. I’m not for fluff. I do enjoy a good accessory or three, however.”
2. Who is your style icon?
“Kate Moss. Through and through. There are a few others, but if there were one.”
3. What’s your favourite fall trend?
“I love the beanies and hats.”
4. Where will we find you on the weekend?
“On the weekends you’ll find me in nature with my better halves—man and dog then later followed by a stiff drink. And a nap somewhere before or after.”
ALEX CENTOMO, 24
Montreal | MissAlexandraC
Instagram: @alexcentomo
FP Me: @alexcentomo
Youtube: missAlexandraC
Fun facts: Alex comes from a family of engineers and she thought she’d follow suit, but after one semester she realized it wasn’t her thing. Now blogging, vlogging and Instagramming is her full-time gig.
1. How would you describe your personal style?
“I see my style as something different every day. Some days I’m casual chic, some days I’m bohemian, and some days I’m edgy. It all depends on my mood and that’s what I love about fashion.”
2. Who is your style icon?
“This is always changing, but at the moment, it would have to be Cara Delevigne and Vanessa Hudgens. I get so much inspiration from them. I love Vanessa’s bohemian style, but I think Cara rocks the edgy look.”
3. What’s your favourite fall trend?
“Plaid. Always. For fall, it’s my go to piece for any outfit.”
4. Where will we find you on the weekend?
“Scouting out new locations for videos and pictures. I love the countryside of Montreal, so you will definitely find me outside somewhere—a forest, field, ranch or an apple orchard. Being able to breathe in the fresh air and listen to the sounds of nature makes me really happy.”
KENDAHL JUNG, 22
Vancouver | Instagram
FP Me: @Kendahl
Fun facts: She’s finishing up her B.A. in Photography at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, amongst practicing crystal healing, aura and tarot card reading.
1. How would you describe your personal style?
“My style is a chaotic and chameleon. It fluctuates with my moods and the seasons, but I think the best way to describe it is goth witch to vibrant bohemian fairy, mixed with rock n’ roll and a whole lot of fierce.
2. Who is your style icon?
“Oh man, I have way too many style icons. I’ve always admired Audrey Kitching‘s style from her embarrassing scene queen days to her present style that’s my-little-pony-esque with edge and an added bohemian flare. I also love blogger Madeleine Pendleton because she’s always maintained that Californian vibe, yet her style is so transformative and just downright enchanting to look at. Not to mention, both ladies have pulled off pretty much every hair colour and have the most fabulous shoe collections!”
3. What’s your favourite fall trend?
“A bold dark red lip, a good faux fur coat and a chunky black boot… or platforms you can never go wrong with 7″ platforms.”
4. Where will we find you on the weekend?
“I’m either binge-watching Sex and The City with my roommie or you’ll find me on the dance floor at some East Van club or after hours party.”
