Local Model Keti Gjomarkaj, for photographer Vanessa McCutcheon, Designer: Revend Brifkani
Ottawa Fashion Week is coming up. It used be at the National Art Gallery across from the cafe and now is at Casino Lac Lemy. International designers are now flocking to be part of this great event. We will interview a local model Keti Gjomakaj who helped get it started and was a chief organizer for OFW in it's early days, involved until last year.
Angelina's Fashion Cafe: How did you start modeling?
Keti Gjomarkaj: I began modeling around the age of 19-20 (kind of late for this industry). A scout from a modeling agency saw my photo on facebook and contacted me. I went for an interview and it went on from there.
Angelina's Fashion Cafe: What were your proudest achievements as a model?
Keti Gjomarkaj: When was when Ottawa fashion week was in its first season. I was asked to go back stage and put my makeup on as a photographer from a magazine would be shooting us. There were two other models beside me getting ready. The next day, my face was front page of the magazine, it took over the whole front page and I received so many calls and texts that morning of people telling me I was front page! 3 other photos of me from that show were also featured in the newspaper and online blogs. It was an exciting moment for me! (photo below, via Metro)
Angelina's Fashion Cafe: How did you get involved with Ottawa Fashion Week and what was your role?
Keti Gjomarkaj: I began working with Ottawa Fashion Week since its first production season almost six years ago. My first role was recruiting and training models. I had a group of about 30 models that I was helping train for runway. I scouted and selected models for the shows. I was also designer coordinator as I helped designers choose their models and coordinate looks for their showcase. I did a little bit of everything in the beginning. It was a lot of work and a lot of sleepless nights but I loved every min of it as it came together beautifully.
Keti Gjomarkaj I’m proud how fashion week has evolved. It has grown tenfolds. I am proud that it showcases Ottawa Talent! It is really important that people see that Ottawa is full of talented, and creative individuals. It promotes Ottawa models, Ottawa designers, and Ottawa venues like the Art Gallery, the Arts court, the Convention center and the Westin Hotel. It promotes all the sponsors and musicians that are part of the show. Ottawa Fashion Week brings the Ottawa community together.
Angelina's Fashion Cafe: What was Ottawa Fashion week like when it first started compared to now, and where do you see its future?
Keti Gjomarkaj: Ottawa fashion Week has grown! Every year it is getting bigger and better. It’s the show people can’t wait to attend twice a year. The designers who have been with fashion week since the beginning have grown and evolved as well. It started which local Ottawa designers but now has designers from all over their world wanting to participate. The crowds are getting bigger, so the venues are getting bigger. I can’t wait to see the production this year which will be located at the Hilton Hotel. As for the future of Ottawa Fashion Week, I can only see it evolving more. There is no limit to what they can do, we just have to wait excitedly each year.
Keti Gjomarkaj:
Joseph Ribkoff , a Montreal based designer, will be interesting to see. *David Dixon is a renowned Canadian designer, who I have been following for some time. I am anxious to see his new collection. *Gwen creator of House of Dare, is one that I am thrilled to see. She is a talented designer who knows how to flatter a woman’s curves. She embraces women sexuality, as her designs are really sexy and feminine. *Jana and Emilia are two extremely talented women. Not only do they create wonderful, fantasy like pieces but they always put on a great show. *Sunday there is a charity show, which from the past have always been great to watch as they have celebrities walking the runway. You get entertained as well as helping a good cause.
Angelina's Fashion Cafe: What are other exciting things about the fashion scene you know is emerging in Ottawa?
Keti Gjomarkaj:
Keti Gjomarkaj:
There are countless fashion shows happening in the city almost once a month.
*There is Ottawa Fashion Week which happens twice a year.
*There is Angles Model Show Case which is a great show as well, as you get to see local modeling talent.
*The Richard Robinson fashion Showcase is a great way to see Ottawa’s talented designer students.
(Photo of Keti at Ottawa Fashion Week via Ottawa Citizen)
Keti Gjomarkaj
*Richard Robinson Fashion show is a great one. Every year it showcases Ottawa’s talented students from the Richard Robinson Academy of Design. Both First and Second year students will show their collections. If you want to see Avant Garde, then attend the Richard Robinson Fashion show. You will not be disappointed.
*There are Charity Fashion shows like the Dominique Levesque/ Juvenile Arthritis foundation Fashion show.
*Santé restaurant hosts fashion shows every week from Ottawa based stores. Women enjoy a great healthy lunch overlooking the market while enjoying a show. But it is not just any fashion show. The models walk over to every table, stopping to talk to the guests as they discuss what they are wearing, what it is made of, and what sizes are available. Most women, who attend the lunch, will go to the boutique to shop for that special item that caught their eye. 
*Ladies Who Lunch, which will be held at the Westin Hotel on September 24th is another great way to spend your afternoon. If you want to brush shoulders with the who’s who of powerful women in Ottawa, then I highly recommend you attend this event. It is empowering being in a room full of Ottawa’s most successful business women. You enjoy an incredible lunch, which includes a fashion show, fantastic prizes, gift bags, and discounts to your favorite boutiques.
Keti Gjomarkaj 35. That’s nothing compared to some people I know but I like to find unique shoes on my trips abroad. I love unique shoes just as much as i like unique clothes. (Below Keti in BCBG)
Keti Gjomarkaj As a student at Ottawa University studying Social Science, Political Science, Indigenous studies and Women’s studies, it is vital to me to further my education.. In order to be successful in any field, whether it by politics, law, or fashion, I have to know the business inside and out.
My Female Law professor once told me “There is nothing more dangerous than a woman with beauty and brains”.
I love the fashion industry and I believe I will always work in it, but my interests have broadened to Law and Politics. So why not do both?
Angelina's Fashion Cafe: Favorite shop in the Byward Market?Keti Gjomarkaj How do I pick just one? Anything on Sussex Drive is great for shopping.
*Milk which is located on William Street.
*Victoire on Dalhousie Street.
*Schad on Sussex Drive which caters to both men and women.
* Envied boutique on Sussex drive, which is where I used to work. Italian line Rinascimentoand the Spanish line Desigual are my two favorite designers in that store.
*McCaffrey Haute Couture has exquisite bridal wear. All his collections are one of a kind. This store is located on Sussex Drive. (Photo below)
Keti Gjomarkaj My style changes all the time. I get inspiration from everywhere I go, but my favorite thing at the moment is dresses. I have been collecting unique dresses for the past two years. I love dresses with one sleeve or two sleeves, cut out backs, and bold prints are my favorites. The dresses have to be colorful and exciting.
People that inspire me are Olivia Palermo, and Miranda Kerr. These are two extremely stylish women who know how to dress for their body shape. Both look so effortlessly put together all the time. They can be sexy, modern, classic, or casual and always look great. Women who can take Men’s Wear and make it look feminine are great fashionistas, and both these women can pull it off beautifully.
Lately I have been following the Australian fashion scene. Fashion in Australia is so unique. I see a lot of colour, geometric cutouts and bold prints that are exactly what I would wear.
Angelina's Fashion Cafe: What was the most memorable thing that that happened to you as a model? Fashion week?
Keti Gjomarkaj I’ll tell you a funny oneOn Ottawa Fashion Week’s first season, everyone working it was really excited because we had a great show. One of the OFW coordinators picked me up, and walked out the room with me on their shoulders, and he banged my head on the door frame really hard. As much as it hurt, I was laughing so hard, and so was everyone else. We all still talk about that funny moment.
Keti Gjomarkaj Melissa-Jane Shaw. She is an actor, producer, choreographer and businesswoman. She does it all. She helped open up opportunities for women in the arts, when she founded Seventh Stage Productions, now called LaRouge Entertainment.
Clara Hughes is the only athlete to ever win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Now she’s working closely with Right to Play, which uses sport and play to help kids in disadvantaged areas.
The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin has been chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada for the past 10 years. The first woman to hold that title, she was also the first woman to be appointed to the B.C. Court of Appeal and the first female B.C. Supreme Court justiceTalk about Canadian Girl power! How could you not be inspired with women like these?
(Keti by Sébastien D'Amour)
Keti Gjomarkaj
Women:
Guertina Cruz has great unique style. She is a designer based in Ottawa and makes a lot of her own clothes. Her style is super feminine and seems influenced by her native land of Dominican Republic.
Erica Wark (in photo) knows all about latest fashion trends. She is great at layering pieces, especially for fall fashion. Her style is modern and trendy. She’s is not afraid to take changes.
Max Keeping is one man that takes great pride in his looks. He looks his best where ever he goes; whether it is his signature hairstyle or his lavish ring collection. You will never see him without at least 4 rings on his hands. He has a gentlemen air about him, and old school style which I love. Not only is he stylish but a great humanitarian as he always works hard to raise money for charity. He payed me a compliment once at Ottawa Fashion Week. I was sitting across the runway from him, front row. He gets up from his seat, walks over, and says “I know we are in a room full of beautiful models, but you’re the prettiest girl in the room”. I hastily tweeted “Max Keeping gave me a compliment, best day ever!” hahah.
(Max Keeping, Photo from channelcanada.com)
Angelina's Fashion Cafe: Describe the most fun moment you had in the fashion industry
photographer: Lawrence Law
Model: Bland and Keti
Angelina's Fashion Cafe: What was the most fun you had in your life?
Keti Gjomarkaj.
I always have the most fun when I travel, because I leave my phone behind and I get to enjoy the moment.
My Europe trip in summer of 2012 was a fantastic time. I started off in Rome, then to Albania which I toured many cities, then to Montenegro, then to Milan, and back to Rome.
The shopping was great, the beaches were relaxing, the food was delicious and the nightlife was exciting!
Keti Gjomarkaj.
I do not like the stigma that comes with Ottawa and fashion. I do not believe that Ottawa is the worst dressed city in Canada. We are a city full of multiculturalism, and everyone has something to offer. Ottawa is changing, and there is a market for fashion, now more than ever. It will only evolve more in the future, not just in fashion but in all aspects of entertainment as well. We have fashion shows, we have food shows, art shows, we have music festivals and movies being made. All year round there is something to do and fashion is evolving. People are becoming braver and bolder. We are in a period where individuality is embraced and people as young as 12 are showing their fashion sense. Ottawa Fashion Week will make a stamp in Ottawa just like Toronto Fashion week did for Toronto. Believe me, there will some talented people are on the rise in this city.
Designer: Revend Brifkani
Photographer: Vanessa McCutcheon
