In November 2017, Paul Hardy was amongst five designers who participated in an exclusive runway show at Fairmont Pacific Rim. The show was a Vancouver fashion-first. Five designers from Coast to Coast were chosen to showcase their collections in collaboration with Westbank, Fairmont Pacific Rim and CAFA.
Paul Hardy began his design career in 2002 with an opening show at Toronto Fashion Week where his first collection saw a host of rave reviews declaring, “a star is born”. After seeing that first collection, fashion industry icon Jeanne Beker, host of Fashion Television, compared Hardy’s talent as being that of the likes of Marc Jacobs or Stella McCartney. In 2006 Elle Canada listed Hardy as one of the top 10 designers in Canada. In addition, Lisa Tant, editor of Flare magazine, was quoted saying “He has vision and he’s achieved it at every step”. In March, Hardy was invited to show at the prestigious Tranoi Womens Trade Show in Paris, France. This event offers a high-end and avant-garde selection of the best designers from around the world. Paul Hardy’s celebrity client list have included Bette Midler, Michael Michelle, Carrie Fisher, Diane Krueger, Keisha Chante, Alanis Morrisette, U2’s- The Edge, Daniel Lanois, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Sarah Mclachlan, Gold Medalist – John Montgomery, Chantal Kreviazuk, and country singer Paul Brandt.
Fairmont Pacific Rim: Who are you and where are you from?
Paul Hardy: I am Paul Hardy from Calgary, Alberta
Tell us a little bit about where your interest in fashion stemmed from?
Paul: My mother told me when I was three years old I used to pull on her leg declaring “I want to sew!”… to this end, I believe it’s innate.
Where did you study fashion? Was there a mentor or someone who inspired your passion?
Paul: Ryerson University. My grade 7 teacher had great style and never wore the same thing twice.
How did you start you fashion career?
Paul: In the basement of a bachelor suite apartment known as “the bat cave.”
Who are your style influences or muses?
Paul: Cross referencing historical periods to visually narrate lives of the people who wear my clothes.
Where can we find your collections?
Paul: Blu’s womenswear, PaulHardydesign.com
Which celebrities have worn your designs?
Paul: Kate Hudson, Sarah McLachlan, and Bette Midler.
Tell us something people may not know about you.
Paul: I rate fast food restaurants based on the quality of their napkins.
How would you describe your personal style? What’s your one prized style possession?
Paul: Eclectic, rough luxe. My carpe diem reversible jacket.
Do you ever get designer’s block? How do you overcome it?
Paul: No, I just get burnt out… I switch mediums and work on other facets of design.
What is your one guilty pleasure?
Paul: Watching Wendy Williams.
What is one thing you always travel with?
Paul: My iPhone.
What’s something really weird that you love?
Paul: I run marathons in foreign countries to justify eating at Michelin Star restaurants.
Finally, what does a globetrotting fashion designer like you consider as your travel uniform?
Paul: Jean jacket, cashmere fine gauge, my own brand stretch slouchpants, Lanvin runners.
To keep up with Paul online, visit:
Twitter @paulhardyinc
Facebook @paulhardyinc
Instagram @paulhardydesign
