Cynthia Chang-Christison | Calgary’s Best Dressed 2025

How would you describe your personal style?

My style is all about contrast. I’m always mixing things — feminine and masculine, streetwear and high fashion, soft lines with sharp structure. I’m drawn to bold eyewear, strong shapes and pieces that mean something, whether that’s cultural, personal, or handmade. I don’t follow trends, though I do appreciate them. My style is always evolving, but it’s grounded in who I am and what I care about.

Why is expressing your personal style important to you?

Because, for a long time, I didn’t feel like I could. I grew up in a small town, shy and self-conscious — over six feet tall since I was 15, and Chinese in a mostly white community. All I wanted was to blend in. In my 20s, my closet was made up entirely of black knits. I dressed to disappear. But, becoming a mother to two half-Chinese boys changed how I see myself — because I want them to grow up proud of who they are, and to see that confidence reflected in me. Now, style is how I show up. It reflects my values, my culture and my perspective. It’s how I tell people who I am — without having to say a word.

[Note: This story has been updated from its original print version to remove a mention of Article Styling]

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