Mayor Naheed Nenshi on Style

Confident. Forward-thinking. Brazen. Diverse. While many may use these words to describe Calgary’s 39-year-old mayor, Naheed Nenshi prefers to use them to aptly describe our ever-changing and burgeoning municipal landscape.

In a city often viewed as a stereotypical ode to the Wild West, Nenshi’s unorthodox and rather fast-tracked ascent to civic duty continues to serve as a springboard for Calgary’s redux image.  

“I often hear that people outside of Alberta look at me and think, ‘Hey, that’s not what Calgary looks like!’” Nenshi says. “Well, this is what Calgary looks like; it’s what Canada looks like.”

An academic (Nenshi holds both a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Calgary and a masters of public policy from Harvard University), as well as a man of the people (look no further than his active, yet informal use of Twitter), Nenshi’s focus continues to be on creating a better city, one purple shirt at a time.  

“We’ve proven time and time again that by coming together we can create great things,” says Nenshi, with a relaxed fortitude. “Let’s push the envelope, explore innovation and make things better.”

THE LOOK: Suit is the mayor’s own, shirt by Ermenegildo from Henry Singer, tie by Duchamp from Holt Renfrew.

How would you describe your leadership style?

Inclusive. The success of Calgary depends on the collaboration between the mayor, council, the employees of the City of Calgary and all Calgarians. And I think a leadership style that encourages that is very important.  

Is there a stereotype you have to dispel abroad?

Calgarians are not the stereotypes that many people think we are. Sure, like many Calgarians, I own my fair share of cowboy boots and hats. But we are such a dynamic city, with a thriving cultural scene and a sophisticated business environment. We are a welcoming, metropolitan city that knows the future is ours to make.

How would you describe Calgary’s fashion identity?

Calgary is confident in its style. Whether we’re acknowledging our western heritage, adopting the latest fashions or creating our own style through a growing design industry, we are confident with who we are and the style we choose. We’re brash, we’re forward-looking and we’re never afraid to try new things.

How would you describe your personal sense of style?

Individual, unique, not particularly brand-driven. But well put together.

Is that something you have to pay attention to more now the public’s eye is constantly on you?

My world has changed quite a lot. When I was a professor, I wore a suit every day, or jeans and a jacket with a nice shirt. I didn’t wear a tie very often; it was almost funny to me, that every time I would wear a tie, people would say, “Oh, you’re all dressed up today,” and I would think, “Well, I’m wearing the same suit I wore day before yesterday, just with a tie.” But now, I pretty much wear a suit and tie every day, and when I say every day, I mean seven days a week. It’s been quite the transition for me.

Does that restrict you in your fashion choices?

One of the other challenges for me, when I was campaigning in the summer [of 2010], was that I attended lots and lots and lots of events during the day, and I really couldn’t get away with wearing shorts, ever. Jeans and a T-shirt and a jacket didn’t seem quite right either, so it took me a while to cultivate a summer-casual look on the campaign trail. I ended up with pretty much “suburban dad” in khakis and a polo shirt. I think I’ll do a little better this summer. [Laughs.]

Do you think politicians can get away with dressing a little more casual than they used to?

Well, in my world, when I was running, I wasn’t very well-known. I was the youngest of the candidates, and I most recently came from an academic background. I had particularly crazy hair — which you can get away with as a professor — and kind of a quirky sense of style. One of the things that was really important was for me to come off very professional. So when I was still introducing myself to Calgarians, I had to overdress the part. But I have noticed that politicians are getting away with things that they never used to be able to. Stephen Harper spent most of his campaign in his black Canada jacket, and most of the pictures you see of the federal and provincial leaders, they’re not even wearing a tie. That hasn’t translated yet to city council, especially when we have council meetings; everyone’s in a suit and tie.

THE LOOK:  Suit, shirt, tie and shoes all by Canali from Harry Rosch, pocket square by Zegna from Harry Rosen.

Do you like to shop?

I do like to shop. I was a retail consultant for a long time, so I worked for different apparel companies. Specifically, I did a strategy for Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy, and part of that involved a lot of competitor shopping. That was a fun Christmas, travelling across Canada, shopping — men’s wear, women’s wear, baby wear — because my client had such a broad market position. So yes, I do enjoy it, even though I don’t have much time to do it anymore.

Do you usually find what you’re looking for?

Well, there really is a challenge in menswear in Calgary, and has been for a long time. We’re really missing middle-of-the-range menswear. We have very good high-end and very good cutting-edge designer, at places like Foremans, for example, and you get the same sort of low-to-mid-end that everywhere in Canada has with the chain stores, but nothing really in between, especially for professional wear. There’s nowhere in Calgary, except for maybe The Bay, that you can get the mid-range, mid-price suits. Until recently, I had to get my suits while travelling, in the U.S. or to Toronto.

Do you get anything custom-made?

This shirt [indicates his purple-striped, button-down shirt] is custom. And I have in the past. When I was travelling in Asia, my chief of staff  [Chima Nkemdirim — see Avenue's interview with Nkemdirim] had some suits made, and because I was standing there at the time, he threw in a bunch of custom shirts for me. And I do like them, so maybe I need to get a few more of those made.

Is there a must-visit when you go shopping?

I am an inveterate bargain-hunter and I’m not very brand driven. You’ll be able to find me at Joe Fresh, Winners, Foremans and everywhere in between.

I’m going to have to ask — you’re wearing a purple shirt today. Is purple really your favourite colour?

No. Before the campaign started, I had two purple shirts: this one, and one other. When we decided on purple as the campaign colour, we decided, as part of staying on brand, I would wear a little bit of purple every day. So I had to invest a lot in purple shirts and ties. And it has taken me quite a bit of time to work these through my wardrobe.

Is that something you plan to shed eventually?

I’m kind of stuck with it now, but I don’t mind. I get kids in here every week who always ask if purple is my favourite colour. Luckily, I don’t mind it. I was actually very lucky that, when I chose purple, it just so happened to be the super-hot colour for menswear in the fall. So I managed to convince myself before the election that if I saw anyone wearing purple, they were wearing it for me — never mind that the stores were absolutely full of it.

Do you follow fashion with any kind of regularity?

I did, before I started this job. I can tell you which silhouettes are in for menswear, and how many buttons are on a jacket this season, but I’ve really fallen behind. In fact, when one of the current aldermen was elected in 2007, poor guy didn’t even own a suit. And so it was me, as a friend, who got him all dressed up to meet the other aldermen.  

Is there anything you’d never be caught wearing?

Those really deep V-neck shirts. I have a nickname for them that I won’t share. Plus the Ed Hardy stuff. I think there is a 100-per cent correlation between guys who wear that and a certain attitude.

What’s your absolute favourite thing in your closet?

I love sweater vests. I have a button-down sweater vest, almost like a cardigan with no sleeves. I remember buying it, at Eaton’s, on sale in 1995. I still wear it all the time. Every time I wear it, people without hesitation comment, “What a nice vest.” It’s really held up.

Is there something you like to splurge on for yourself?

I’m not much of a splurger; I’m much more of a bargain hunter, although, lately, I have a new sort of trademark. Because I have to wear a suit and tie every day, I always try and spice things up and wear fun socks — usually crazy-coloured or patterned. And to buy those in Calgary is very expensive! Holt’s is the only place I can find them. Although I was in the U.S. recently, and I bought a shirt from a Neiman Marcus Last Call [outlet], and it ripped the first time I wore it. I was a little grumpy. So in searching for their customer service number, I discovered that Neiman Marcus Last Call is now online. Very exciting, because fun socks are available for $10 per pair! [Laughs.]

Do you have a favourite Calgary memory?

There are so many. Hanging out with a Russian figure skating coach at the ’88 Olympics; being downtown when the Flames won the Stanley Cup in 1989; the Red Mile in 2004; watching the lantern parade on Prince’s Island every summer during the Folk Fest. And, oh yeah, October 18, 2010.

Finish this sentence: I will have succeeded as Calgary’s mayor if ...

… future Calgarians look around themselves and think, “It’s better now. When I take public transit, it’s better now. When I deal with the parking authority, it’s better now. When I visit a park or take my kids skating, when I go to the theatre or walk around my neighbourhood, it’s better now.”

FAVOURITES

Drink Diet Coke with Lime

Restaurant Mirch Masala

Meal Blue cheese hot wings at Amsterdam Rhino and The District

Shop Joe Fresh to Foremans and everywhere in between

Book The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill

Movie The Barbarian Invasions

TV Show American Idol

Artist Katie Ohe

Music Everything!

Quote “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead

Way to relax Going to a movie or the theatre with friends.

Politician Grant MacEwan