Alberta Fashion Week celebrated its closing night on Saturday, March 27th after six nights of sold-out shows and more than 2,700 attendees

For the designers involved, AFW provided a platform to showcase to buyers and build brand awareness. For Calgarians, the shows and after-parties offered the chance to see the glitz and glamour of fashion week, first hand, and to get a glimpse of the amazing prairie-bred talents.

The show was a hit. I don't really know if it could have been any better, says designer Kyle Nylund of Daleio Wearables. It's so overwhelming to go into the crowd after [the show] and have a flurry of people rush up to you. I had a couple of people [who] want to sell my stuff in their stores . . . You might be seeing Kyle Nylund in a store near you very soon!

Highlights from the week included Andrew Majtenyi's debut show in Western Canada, Lael Osness 1940s American sportswear inspired collection, Madame Wolf's rocker chic designs, Caitlin Power's bold silhouettes, Kyle Nylund's theatrical cocktail dresses, and Haithem Elkadiki's preppy meets sexy menswear collection.

The hair and makeup was not to be outdone by the fashions as models stomped down the runways with elaborate hair designs by Pure Form Salon in Calgary and electrifying makeup by Lady Venom Cosmetics based out of Edmonton.

Alberta Fashion Week will continue to bring the world of fashion to Calgary with its bi-annual events. Plans are already underway for AFW's next season slotted for Fall 2010.