A local entrepreneur travelled to two locations halfway around the world for renowned fashion festivals in May and early June.
Tricia Andres McDonald, owner of Belo Sol Swimwear, was invited to Italy’s Varese Moda/Moda Prima Fashion Events, as well as Rio’s Premier Fashion Week, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“It was a real honour to be chosen as one of the seven Canadian businesspeople who attended,” said Andres McDonald.
She said in the three years her home-based business has been operating in Airdrie, she has tried to stay on top of trends and shows going on around the world to bring new things to customers and search out different avenues. This year was the third year she has travelled to the Brazilian show with 20 other buyers.
The Italian fashion show included two representatives from Montreal, one from Winnipeg, one from Vancouver and two from Toronto.
Andres McDonald attended both events to find unique and exclusive collections for her boutique located in Airdrie, however, she walked away from both events with much more than just bathing suits.
“I think it was a huge benefit for me to be able to go and represent Airdrie,” she said.
“I got to say, ‘Airdrie is here and you may not have heard of us, but we are here and we are big into fashion and we have a great customer base.’ I wanted to bring Airdrie and the surrounding area to the forefront as a flourishing small city.”
Andres McDonald said she returned with new business relationships, both with European fashion companies and Brazilian companies.
Some of the most intriguing parts of Andres McDonald’s trip to Italy was meeting the mayor of Varese and mingling with the president of the Varese Chamber of Commerce. As a director with the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, Andres McDonald was introduced to the president to form a more solid commercial relationship with this European Chamber.
“I feel this really solidified the relationship between the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce and the Italian Chamber,” she said.
“It was a really inspirational and fun trip. I think I have grown as a businessperson and entrepreneur.”
By forming solid business relationships with different countries, Andres McDonald believes she can bring high quality, unique fashions to local clients.
“I brought back four new collections including swimwear, footwear and jewelry,” she said.
“I have lots of new and different stuff that people in Airdrie wouldn’t otherwise be able to see or buy.”
Belo Sol Swimwear specializes in swimwear consultations and fittings in a home boutique or clients’ homes. Andres McDonald started the company to make the process of trying on and buying swimwear easier and more comfortable for women.
For more information, visit www.belosol.ca
