Street Style Huntress: Pixie Dust

Andrea Dorrans has a lovely pixie quality about her - perhaps it’s her petite frame, her short cropped hair, her lovely style choices - or all of the above, mixed in with pointy gold shoes that definitely help add that fairy-tale quality to her personal style. And I’m all for it, and her other amazing style choices that reflect whimsy, a fantastic 70s vibe, and other super-cool vintage and consignment finds that just made me want to find out all about Dorrans and her stylish ways. Where does she shop? What’s her style aesthetic? What designers is she into?

Well, I found all of that out, and more - you know, just doing my job! I first snapped a photo of Dorrans last Fall, and I’ve been hoping to get her in front of my camera ever since, so I decided that something special was in order - a second outfit to tell more of her style story, although I wish it could have been 15 outfits!

How would you describe your personal style?

Ugly/Pretty – I love unconventional style. For as long as I can remember people have made fun of my clothes as much as they have praised them. I like to be creative and I definitely find beauty in the unusual.

What are some of your influences when it comes to fashion?

Art, Film, Literature, Music, Architecture, Design.  I don’t have one style, on any given day I’m evoking something I saw or heard somewhere. A glass of wine and a Queen record might send me into a bout of whimsy where I wear platforms and kimonos for days. I dig Westerns, if you see me sporting cowboy boots and a bandana, I probably watched True Grit again, or some other John Wayne classic. I also love Pinterest and Instagram; I follow some amazing fashionistas (Manrepeller, Tavi Gevinson, Giovanna Battaglia, Anna Dello Russo) who inspire me endlessly.

What are some of your favourite stores and shopping destinations in Downtown Calgary?

I mainly shop second-hand, but I do love Holt Renfrew. I tend to stalk their sale racks. Their customer service makes me nostalgic for a time where small things were treated with more care. I also love Sephora, they carry some amazing products and their staff are expert. And Winners is wonderful (where else can I score cashmere socks and a bottle of Mexican vanilla extract).

What are some of your favourite Downtown YYC spots?

Contemporary Calgary. The Glenbow. Arts Commons. The library. I work with Theatre Junction and Workshop Kitchen + Culture, I feel pretty lucky to spend so much time at my favourite restaurant and theatre in our city, there’s no place like it, The Grand is the oldest theatre in Alberta and it’s pure poetry.

What are some of your favourite trends right now?

The 70s. Off-the-shoulder tops. Shaved Heads. Heels with socks. Intricate mixed patterns and textiles. Gucci, Dries Van Noten, Céline and Valentino are killing me right now.

What fashion advice would you give to others?

Play. Be brave.  Don’t worry about pleasing the masses.

Tell us more about the projects and work that you’re involved with.

Concord Floral – I’m thrilled to be costume styling for this play, collaborating with an amazing group of young actors from the Theatre Junction Mentorship Program and working with the fabulous Raphaele Thiriet who is directing the piece in collaboration with Erin Brubacher. The play, written by Jordan Tannahill, explores a surreal and gothic suburbia, where ten teens flee a mysterious plague they have brought upon themselves. It opens at Theatre Junction on April 13^th (through 16^th).

What are some of your future aspirations?

I’m still trying to figure those out, if you have any ideas, please let me know.

How does your work influence your personal style?

I have a degree in Professional Writing and tend to like working as an editor the most. I find I edit when styling clothes, I add and omit and reassess until it feels right, just as I would a complicated sentence.

Anything you’d like to add or tell us about?

Pants are the worst. Seriously, I can’t count how many times I’ve had the best outfit if I didn’t have to wear pants. Anyone who is brave enough to go pantless gets my approval.

Tagged as: Alberta Theatre Project, Calgary Street Style, downtown, downtown calgary, street style