Where Calgary Magazine September / October 2018 | Page 37
SHOPPING
Retail
Spotlight
DARREN BIEDERMANN
Supreme Men’s Wear (page 40) has
become a lifelong project for Darren
Biedermann, from starting as a teenager,
to taking over for his father in 1995, to
celebrating the store’s 70th anniversary this
year. Supreme is a fashion-forward boutique that offers premium
men’s garments that can be ready-to-wear or customized. Not
content to rest on his laurels, Biedermann also designs his own
collection of luxurious, hand-crafted dress shirts.
What is your business philosophy?
Supreme is a catalyst for change using fashion to connect aware
and beauty-filled people who are making a difference. We hire real
people who love people and fashion and try our best to ensure
everyone leaves Supreme feeling great about life.
What inspired you to start designing your own line of clothing?
You see the obvious cycle of fashion. A new collection comes along,
focused on quality, and they count on the independent businesses
to promote the brand so one day they can get it into the majors.
Many things then transpire that make it difficult for independents to
compete. The focus shifts to produce as much as possible for profit
and collections are compromised. We then search out and promote
the next up-and-coming brand.
Something needs to break the cycle. Biedermann
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