Edmonton Real Estate Blog

Born in Vernon, British Columbia, Krista Ference recounts her early encounters with fashion, with a definite sense of fondness and nostalgia in her voice. 

“Down the road there was Orchard Park Mall. We didn't really have a lot of access but I would go to Aldo or Le Chateau, other stores like that. I always really loved back to school shopping,” says Ference. 

From Snowboarder To Style Savant 

Now Owner and Founder of life/styled, Ference offers a professional styling, wardrobe curation, and white glove concierge service. She’s always had a love for style, even during her time as a national Snowboarder. Krista competed in four X-games but always enjoyed expressing herself through her wardrobe off the slopes. 

“I lived in mostly snowboard clothes and under layers, but I still kind of had that love for it. And then, as soon as I retired from snowboarding, and began to live in bigger cities where my husband played hockey, I was exposed to it a lot more,” says Ference. 

Krista married her husband, Andrew Ference, in 2002 while he was playing professional hockey for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Andrew would go on to play with the Calgary Flames, the Boston Bruins and the Edmonton Oilers, all while the pair became parents to two beautiful children, and Krista worked to refine her skills as a stylist and curator. 

Krista (left) & husband Andrew Ference (right).

“My youngest daughter was born in Boston and through my kids, I was meeting really incredible  super stylish women,” says Ference. “ Boston was just this whole other fashion scene and I started hosting parties and merchandising events for Saks Fifth Avenue, Jimmy Choo, and David Yurman. I was also part of a committee that brought Christian Louboutin to Boston.”

Krista Ference (left) & Christian Louboutin (right) in Boston.

“After we decided that we would make Edmonton our home, after Andrew retired, it was like, okay, what's the next thing?” says Ference. 

At the beginning of the pandemic, and after some encouragement from a friend, Krista began to put her dreams for the future down on a paper. These would eventually evolve into a business plan, and life/styled was officially born. Launched during a very unconventional year, Ference says she looks forward to seeing what future, fashion has in-store for itself.

“I feel like there is this movement growing for people to look good and feel good. People I think will be putting a little bit more effort into themselves to boost their spirits,” says Ference. 

“The corporate buttoned up, super tailored look, I feel like is going to relax and it already has really. Dress pants are not going to be the requirement, I do think that people are going to be looking for a lot more authenticity.” 

With a year now behind us of baggy, work-from-home styles, Ferences suggests a new normal of comfort, while still being presentable. 

“Even though sweatpants are acceptable, there's a polished way of doing it. There's always an elevated, polished, fashionable and tidy way of dressing. You can be in sweatpants, but you can also make them look damn good,” she says with a smile. 

Top Tips For a Styled And Put Together Virtual Meeting

With zoom calls and video conferences not going anywhere, any time soon, Ference provides her top tips for putting your best dressed self forward:  

• Make sure you achieve good lighting, set up your call close to a window for natural light or  ring lights like these also make a great addition

• Tidy up the background that can be seen in your video call and remove anything distracting, adding an interesting design element like a painting or even fresh florals 

• Women should try to avoid dangly jewelry that could make noise and be distracting during the call

• For men try a really nice tailored jacket, a button up shirt underneath or a sweater is another great option

• Hair and makeup should be more minimal, while looking polished but not overdone

• Very fine patterns such as pinstripes can also create a distracting effect on camera and are best to be avoided

• A good angle is also key. Try to position your camera slightly above parallel to your face so it’s looking down on you slightly, this is a very flattering angle and will highlight your best features

Future Fashion Forecast 

With a lot of uncertainty about how this year is going to play out we asked Ference for her advice on preparing our wardrobes for the unknown. 

“I think moving into 2021 we should be very, very realistic about what this next year is going to look like. Now is a really good time to make slow fashion purchases, make good investments so that you have things coming out of 2021, that you'll have forever. I say smart purchases rather than volume.” 

Although Ference finds it hard to sum up her own style, she does say it’s very dependent on how she’s feeling each day. 

“One day I might feel like being kind of a cool girl and a little messy so I might throw in some leather, some sneakers and a hat. Other times it's really tailored, feminine and put together, so I would say my style is very moody.”

Whatever mood you’re in style wise Ference suggests that now is the time to support your local shops and take advantage of all of the new convenience options there are to stay safe and still pick up the pieces you’re looking for to round out your wardrobe in the new year. 

‘There's so many new and creative and wonderful ways to shop. At life/styled we can also pick up your curbside orders if you're stuck,” says Ference. 

“I just think by doing a little bit of research to find out who's doing what is a great idea. We have all of these new wonderful ways of doing things and our access has just gotten a lot better in a way.”

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We would like to thank Krista Ference for participating in the article and sharing her advice with us. Life/Styled provides consultation, concierge, wardrobe curation and a variety of other personal styling services. You can find out more about Krista and her business on the website: www.yourlifestyled.ca.