Fashion was on display at a Battlefords Chamber of Commerce event celebrating women pursuing business careers and entrepreneurial ventures in the community.
Holly and Heels, A Celebration of Women in Business, took place at the Chapel Gallery during the noon hour Tuesday, Dec. 5. The event included a special afternoon tea menu, and served as a good networking opportunity for women in the local business community.
The guest speaker for the event was Melissa Squire, a fashion designer whose business is the Alchemy Collective.
Her store in Saskatoon has evolved over the years to now include a hair salon as well as a tattoo and body-piercing room in addition to clothing.
Squire is originally from North Battleford and had originally enrolled in university for one year in hopes of becoming a doctor, but her passion for fashion ultimately won out.
“Fashion kind of found me,” said Squire.
Squire showed off some of her creations with a fashion show at the chamber event, with designs that emphasized her style and creativity.
Her inspiration “comes from everywhere,” she said.
“I’m very inspired by classic silhouettes, pin-up-style fashion, like the classic Bettie Page and Marilyn Monroe, those types of silhouettes,” she said. “And then I like to add some edgier modern flair to it, and recycled and sustainable fabrics as much as I possibly can.”
Even though she is located in Saskatoon now, Squire continues to have close connections to the Battlefords. Her parents still live in the Battlefords and Squire has been involved in the International Street Performer Festival downtown every year.
“It’s very important to me to have those roots here and to keep coming back and supporting the Battlefords, because I know that the Battlefords supports me very much,” said Squire.
