Carl Abad’s style is rooted in his childhood. Growing up, his mom made his clothes, adjusting patterns meant for adults to fit him. “I looked like this little kid going to the ’70s disco,” he says.
After graduating from Father Lacombe High School in Calgary, Abad attended Alberta College of Art (now AUArts) for a while, before moving to the UK where he cold-called agencies in London until a stylist took him under his wing. Today, Abad counts 22 years of experience as a commercial, editorial and personal stylist, with clients ranging from local upstart brands to household names.
His style — streetwear meets accessory-forward glam — reflects his personal and professional history. He’s often seen in one of his many pairs of sneakers (his “guilty pleasure”) and a mixture of jewellery that he has designed himself or been given by friends and family over the years. “Even if I’m just getting groceries, if what I wear puts a smile on some lady’s face who’s pushing around two screaming kids, why not do it?”
