Photography by Dermot Cleary
She has one of the most recognizable faces in Edmonton, so it’s no surprise that CTV news co-anchor Carrie Doll has a legion of loyal fans. In fact, the small-town girl from Fairview, Alberta is so popular she has an almost 1,000-person-strong following on Twitter, where she divulges her frequent thoughts at 140 characters or less.
Local celebrity status aside, there’s more to Carrie Doll than what you see on TV or read online. Off-camera, the 37-year-old is happily married to local entrepreneur Stephen Petasky, with whom she shares her most important job – parenting their two-year-old son, Kasha.
Add that to her full days at CTV and myriad of charitable commitments, and one might wonder: How does she find any “Carrie” time? “One of my best investments is having a personal trainer, so that’s my time,” Doll explains. “I’m in the gym religiously every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.” Before moving to Sherwood Park, where she trains with Brian Starks, she was getting fit with X-Weighted host Paul Plakas. “He was relentless, but he made me value my health.”
No wonder Doll has twice been named Edmonton’s Sexiest Female by SEE Magazine. “Oh yeah! Like when I’m changing diapers or cleaning the house – I’m really sexy then!”
Doll’s life is certainly enviable, but her modesty means viewers can relate to her. “People often refer to me as the ‘girl next door’ – and I appreciate that, because I don’t see myself as different just because my job puts me on television.”
No, I’m comfortable in my own skin. When I go for a workout or run to the grocery store on a Saturday afternoon, I’ll wear minimal makeup – mascara and some lip gloss – throw on my lululemons, sometimes a ponytail and ball cap. I’m not the type who feels the need to be made up 24/7. When I’m out and about, I’m very cognizant of the fact that people attach me to the image they see on TV. That being said, I’m still the same person. I just am who I am.
Jeans. I love them with flip-flops, flats, heels – you name it! Dress them up, down, boot leg, cropped. A perfect fit is imperative and once you try on a really great pair of jeans, there’s no going back. My favourites are 7 For All Mankind, True Religion, Hudson and William Rast … Yikes! I have too many pairs!
I take trends in stride. I try to work a few into my wardrobe – whether it’s colour, jewellery, cool shoes – but not head to toe. I think the only thing I’m not really big on is busy print, because it doesn’t translate well on television and I don’t get good versatility out of it; I can’t wear it both on and off camera. Recently, I pulled out a black dress that I’ve had for 10 years, and went, “You know, the one-shoulder style is big again, this will work.” I wore it for a function and I had countless people come up to me and ask, “Where did you get your dress? I have to get one.” And I’m like, “Sorry, it’s from the Archives of Carrie Doll.”
In Edmonton, Who Cares Wear, for sure. They have so many different designers, from Michael Kors to True Religion jeans, and professional clothes for the news, evening wear for gala events, unbelievable shoes and stuff by local designers, like Jocelyn Kennedy’s jewellery. Stephen and I travel a lot, so I also shop in Palm Springs, New York and Scottsdale, Arizona. Palm Springs has the greatest outlet shopping, with amazing deals at stores like Off Saks 5th Avenue, Designer Shoe Warehouse and Nordstroms Off the Rack.
I like certain designers because they’re kind of sure things with me. It’s like if you have a favourite restaurant you know you’re going to get great service and great food. Theory and Elie Tahari suits, I would have to say, are two of my faves. I just went to Holt Renfrew and bought a Theory suit. I probably spent $650 on it, but it fits me like a glove and it’s an investment piece. When I go and put on a pair of 7 For All Mankind jeans, I know they’re going to fit. They’re expensive, but once you find a pair of jeans that fit, then it makes more sense than buying four other pairs at $50 or $80 each that don’t fit as well. And Velvet brand T-shirts – they’re the softest possible T-shirts you can find. They come in every colour. I wear them under my suits, I wear them with jeans – they just translate from work to home.
I love lululemon pants for working out and hanging out on the weekends. And then my favourite pair of 7 For All Mankind jeans – the hole in the knee got out of control so I cut them off and now they’re beautiful shorts! And definitely my Louis Vuitton purse. It’s a big bag that I’ve had for years and I use it for everything imaginable, from a regular purse, to travel bag, to diaper bag when my son was small. One bag, multiple uses!
