Nam Dang-Mitchell’s wardrobe choices are much like the homes she crafts as a sought-after interior designer. “The foundation of my style is classicism and then there’s an element that contrasts it, that makes it feel relevant,” she says. Whether she is dressed for a meeting, a work site or an evening out, Dang-Mitchell’s style seems so much a part of who she is that each biographical revelation makes you think, “Oh, of course.” Of course she was born in France and moved to Calgary at the age of six – that must have influenced her natural elegance and her use of clothing as both a communication tool and a shield. Of course she has a fine arts degree from the University of Calgary – that must have influenced her sense of the emotional power of texture, colour and line. Her background as a designer may have given her an appreciation for pedigreed brand names, but she credits her mother with her love of bargains. “I love a deal. I love the hunt. I’m an Olympic-level shopper,” she says. “I don’t know why people would hire a personal shopper – it’s like hiring someone to go to a party for you.”
