Brrr….can you feel the Autumn air?? A fresh chill is the perfect time to introduce a new, and very special line to espy - Calgary based designer, Aleem Arif and his line Bano eeMee!

Bano eeMee is a ready-to-wear line that focuses on outerwear. This season, his outerwear includes leathers, tuxedo styles, and beautifully tailored coats. All of Aleem’s pieces are made in Pakistan by people he has found and trained himself. We’re so excited to carry this local designer in the store and support Calgary fashion through Aleem’s talent!

Aleem has a Master’s Degree in International Banking from Boston University – ahhemm…what?!?!! – But after a few years of work at the Bank of New York, Aleem decided he had to chase his fashion dreams. After traveling, sketching, and designing, Aleem moved to Calgary to get started on his collection.

Since taking the plunge into the fashion industry, Aleem has already created 2 collections under the name Bano eeMee, and recently showed at Western Canada Fashion Week in Edmonton. And he has only been here for 18 months! One of his designs was also a showcase piece in the Heart Truth Fashion Show held in Calgary at the end of September. He has garnered lots of press for his unique story and obvious talent. He has such a fresh approach to blending the masculine structure of his outerwear pieces with soft, feminine details and lines. The pieces we’ve got in espy are a stylists dream, and we can’t wait to style them on all of you!

We’ve paired some of the new Bano eeMee pieces with our fav Mavi denim! Big thanks to Steve and Alex of Mavi for coming to Calgary to talk to the espy stylists about the best affordable denim line we carry. We learned so much – even a new word. Ever heard of Elastomultiester?? Neither had we! But it turns out it’s a type of denim. Elastomultiester, or EME, is a polyester fibre that allows for a comfortable stretch in denim without all the sagging and bagging. So your bum will always look cute and perky!

This season, Mavi has some great new colors and washes in their tried and true styles. We had no problem blending them with Bano eMee’s gorgeous coats and tops. You’ll see even Clark snuck in for a quick snapshot in his Mavi Jake’s – the everyday skinny jean for men.

 

Alex wears a Bano eeMee a double breasted, military pea coat paired with her Mavi Alexa burgundy cords and classic brown riding boots. The gold hardware adds just the right amount of heavy metal to toughen up a casual fall outfit.

 

I’m wearing a Bano eeMee leather biker jacket, which is softened with a Bano eeMee white sheer and velour blouse. Paired with forest green Mavi Alexa’s, a red braided belt and a plaid, tweed fedora from Block Headwear for an Autumn streetwear look!

 

Clark wears Mavi Jake’s cuffed with brown suede Steve Madden shoes. Fashionable as always, Clark pairs a patterned bow tie with a casual button-up in a neutral tone from JACHS. He practices his pattern and texture mixing by finishing the look off with a cream belt and a plaid blazer, with elbow patches, from Matinique.

 

Alex is looking very luxe in this emerald green Bano eeMee blouse, collar necklace, and leather button-up. Try pairing this look with purple denim – like the Mavi Serena in mauve.

 

I’m looking Christmas party ready in this sparkly ensemble! I’ve paired a Bano eeMee tuxedo jacket with a shimmery gold holiday top from Noblita. Pair with dark skinnies like Mavi Alexa in Rinse and some amazing heels for a masculine but very pretty take on the tuxedo jacket.

xoxoxox

the espy stylists