Catching Up With Callaway
Just over a year and a half ago I interviewed Paige Callaway. We talked about Pursue Victory, what inspires her, and our favorite lipsticks. I decided to do a follow up as exciting things are unfolding in the later half of 2016 for Paige.
New Pursue Victory Collection – Released Summer 2016
“Pursue Victory is created for functionality and having that as the priority of the garment, it can be somewhat limiting to a creative brain like mine. So when the creative designer side of me gets involved it seems limited. I have always loved a proper style and I saw a lot of it when I was in London a few years back. That block style of solid arms and collar with the pattern bodice has a very UK vibe in my opinion. I think it’s also very translatable to fashion here. I think it is classy and lady like to have a collar cuff shirt buttoned up with a nice necklace, or pearls. A majority of the inspiration comes from that.”
Word on the street is you’re collaborating with C5 Rodeo?
“This new line called C5 Brand is a really unique concept. I am working with C5 Rodeo, which conveniently means I work with one of my favourite people, Gillian Sheilds. We relay important information up to Vern and I often ask Tyson questions pertaining to the stock. The whole C5 crew is a great bunch of people. We are also working with an artist in Calgary on some exclusive artwork.”
How did this fab collab come about!?
“I honestly don’t remember its original starting point. When Gillian and I get together, we feed off each other coming up with some pretty out of the box ideas for the world! I think we kicked it around a few times and talked about how cool these horses were. We discussed the opportunity for them to have more recognition for their ability and become house hold names and have their own cheering section! They have amazing athletic ability, they travel all over North America and lots of a list of accomplishments just like any other athlete. They wear the C5 Brand and this is an opportunity to people to become fans of the bucking horses and wear C5 brand as well. Just the people wear t shirts, and the horses, well obviously!”
What will be available for purchase?
“We are initially launching t shirts and caps. The t shirts will feature three of C5’s horses; Virgil, Make Up Face and Rockstar. They are some pretty awesome animals and also all of them are grey. So it makes for a pretty rad squad to kick things off. We will have a t shirt style for each of these three horses featuring custom artwork from a Calgary artist. We worked to play on their names and personalities so people know what they are like. Horses have as much personality as people and I think its cool learning about these horses. That’s what we will start with and then from there who knows, I would love to do something with jean jackets and Pendleton maybe . . ”
When will the line be available?
“The plan was to launch Oct 1st, but I think with the Cinch finals starting the 30th, we will be pushing to launch it then! We will have the clothing initially for sale on social media and will quickly be moving onto the C5 website for sales!”
I keep seeing #Paige1912. Spill the deets!
“I wish lived during the old west days and rodeoed back at the turn of the century. My great grandpa competed in the first Calgary Stampede in 1912 and that was the start to such a monumental event. In those days the ladies trick rode and rode broncs, and often were as tough or tougher then the men competing. Going through couturier school I became fond of the proper tailored look found a lot in London. Not only do I love the style of proper suits and tailoring for both men and ladies, I respect the work involved in them. In 1912, Coco Chanel opened her first shop. It was the first year someone wore her “little black dress” and also the first year her millinery (hat) business started to grow. As much as Chanel has become a current fashion icon, she was a catalyst in woman fashion being designed for function, not just looks. I am not sure if I would have rather been in London, or in Calgary in 1912, but what a time to be alive!
The vision of the brand in the most simplistic form is what my closet would have looked like if I was here in 1912. Its the old west and proper London style tailoring come together for a modern look.
Paige 1912 is a cool line, and its coming in different phases. I am working with Paige Leather, who’s style already fits so well with the line of clothing. She does purses, belts and other leather accessories. Paige is great to work with and a go getter! I like that. I am working with Smithbilt Hats on a fashion hat line which is fun and exciting. Smithbilt is such a reputable company it is very cool to be collaborating with them. I am also putting together a line of jewelry and fortunate to have a good friend, Rachel Clark, who is working with me. Rachel has great style, something I have always admired and raided her closet for. She also works closely with a factory in Mexico and has knowledge in leather and this type of production. The jewelry line will be pretty unique working with different aspects of what this factory can do and where our imaginations lead. There is another one or two potentials I will collaborate with, but this is all I can disclose right now.”
When can we expect this line to be out for purchase? Take my money.
“The line Paige 1912 is going to come in two phases. The first phase will be in Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. We will have have an array of neck rag tops and kimonos, more casual long sleeve tops, Pursue Victory shirts for both ladies and men. Paige Albrecht of Paige Leather will bring her hand made beautiful belts, purses, wallets and some awesome fringe clutches. Paige has a great eye for style and has some new designs of purses she is working on. Smithbilt will bring the Paige 1912 line of fashion hats in addition to some one of a kind hats. There will also be the Paige 1912 jewelry line available. So it will be a great array of fashion for everyone at a variety of price points. I am pushing things to release some jewelry before we go to Vegas. It would be nice to give everyone a sneak peak of whats coming.
The second phase of the brand will come next summer. We are planning an event in the Calgary area that will feature the launch of the whole clothing line in a fashion show, followed by a bronc riding and a concert. That I would say, will showcase a much more expanded line in terms of clothing. In other words, I have a lot of sewing to do!”
The other important thing I like about Paige 1912, is we are working with artisans, skilled people who have mastered their trade, whether it be leather crafting, or millinery (hat making), I think its important to showcase talent and with that comes quality. Its also pretty neat that, other then the jewelry, everything is made in Canada. Not many brands can say that!”
A booth in Vegas is pretty awesome! What can we expect in Vegas?
“We will be at Mandalay Bay this year, and yes, odds are we will have champagne at the booth! I am putting together some other cool things for the booth like autograph signings and a sale on Canada Day. We have lots of Canadians heading down for the finals this year, which is so awesome! So it would be nice to highlight that talent along with the Canadian talent in the booth! Come by and see us! I like to have fun, so I am sure there will rarely be a dull moment around the booth!”
So much has happened in a short amount of time. What are your goals for each of these ventures moving forward?
“I have recently been working through my strategy plan for Pursue Victory and a lot of marketing documents for Paige 1912 and C5 Brand. It has really had me thinking about where things are going with them and also, what I am doing. Each of the brands has a unique path of their own and fortunately they meld together in some aspects as well.
C5 Brand is such a cool project. Its really taking things to the next level for marketing and gaining awareness of the bucking stock. I think its a very forward move, and I respect Vern for giving Gillian and I the go ahead on this. The goals with C5 Brand are of promote these animals like the professional athletes they are. I have quantitative goals set for the brand through out the initial phases, as one does when launching something. At the end of the day if a kid watching the rodeo hears Virgils name and gets excited to watch this horse buck, I would say mission accomplished!
With Pursue Victory lots of it has been systemizing the business to run more efficiently and run with less involvement. I am working on a subscription portion of the company, something not new to the shirt business but potentially new to the western world. I figure there is about 20% left till this company is a smooth running machine! I look forward to that day and hope by the start of January that is the case!
Paige 1912 has so many moving parts, its almost like launching multiple brands. I have a real skill for deciding to do things to the max. Somedays it benefits me other days it induces stress. There will be a lot of hustle for the next couple months to get ready for Vegas. I have sewing to do in addition to marketing, booth set up, working with Smithbilt and working with Rachel and the factory. There is no doubt it will be lots of work, but I love that type of work. I have a time line of things to accomplish to make sure I am prepped and ready for that ten day Vegas marathon, both physically and mentally!
On a personal level, while working to prepare Paige 1912 for Vegas, launch C5 Brand and systemize Pursue Victory, my big picture is to work with awesome people to make great clothes. Hopefully along the way I make time for myself and keep my sanity! Its a balancing act for sure. Between my day timer and my lists things are manageable. Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way! I thrive on doing this many things and working on deadlines. Maybe I will think different December 11th!! The only thing I cant juggle into my day timer is the arrival of my nephew. He is expected to come around the end of November, which leaves me a tight window between Agribition and NFR to meet him! So I hope the stars align for that!”
