Huge crowds gathered at West Edmonton Mall this past weekend as actress and designer Sarah Jessica Parker, most recognized as Carrie Bradshaw from the HBO series, Sex and the City, was on-hand for the grand opening of her store SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker.
The company was co-founded by Parker in 2014, along with her partner George Malkemus III, the former president of the legendary shoe brand Manolo Blahnik. This store, located on the main level of the mall in Phase III, is the first in Canada and one of only a few in the world — along with locations in Las Vegas, New York and the Middle East.
The walls of the bright and colourful store are lined with the luxury, largely high-heeled shoes, which were handcrafted in Italy by a third-generation shoemaker. The store also carries the signature black dress, designed by Parker, and a variety of accessories. Parker said coming to Edmonton for the store’s grand opening was important to her.
“Until you come here and you see the size of the property and you see how it connects with so many Edmontonians … until you understand the role it plays in their lives, all the talk in meaningless. I think it makes a huge difference to be here,” she says. “It feels really great to be here. We are really excited.” Parker says the company has been thoughtful about its growth, making sure it doesn’t grow too quickly, but this expansion into Canada was the right fit.
“When Triple Five (owners of West Edmonton Mall) comes to you and makes its case, it’s very hard to deny anything that they offer because they are so good at what they do,” she said. “They’ve had some so much success, they know this country, they know their shoppers.”
SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker delivers four collections a year: resort, spring, pre-fall and fall, with each collection featuring plenty of bold colour.
