Canadian born and based, Paul Hardy took his career from design school graduate to personal shopper to acclaimed designer. Officially, Paul Hardy began his design career in 2002 with an opening show at Toronto Fashion Week where his first collection saw a host of rave reviews declaring, “a star is born”. After seeing that first collection, fashion industry icon Jeanne Beker, host of Fashion Televi
sion, compared Hardy's talent as being that of the likes of Marc Jacobs or Stella McCartney. The sensation caused by his first collection led Hardy to pursue opportunities south of the border at Los Angeles Fashion Week. There he garnered the attention of notable industry media types like WWD who described Hardy's style as “a thoughtful, well-made collection of soft sophisticated clothes”. Such reviews about the line sent a buzz across the United States to New York, where Hardy unveiled his third season for Spring/Summer 2004. Feted with a party hosted by Canadian Consulate General Pamela Wallin, Hardy's Manhattan debut drew attention from Fern Mallis, President of the CFDA. As a result, 7th on Sixth invited him to show in the tents at Bryant Park the following season. Hardy's Fall 2004 show was attended in large numbers and hailed as being his 'best work yet'. Some of his designs were described as “Oscar worthy” by celebrity stylist Philip Bloch and the New York Post. Flare magazine has described him as one of the freshest new talents emerging from North of the border. In 2005 Hardy continued establishing credibility to Calgary talent and proving to the rest of Canada and the world what he could do. Having already established a high-end women’s collection and jewelry & accessories line, Hardy began working with fur after NAFA (North American Fur Association) had invited him to study at the SAGA fur institute in Copenhagen, Denmark. The result of this visit was a magical Narnia-inspired collection. One piece, garnered the interest of the Robb Report luxury magazine, by selecting Hardy’s fur poncho as one of the 70 ultimate Christmas gift items for their annual list. Hardy furthered his interest in luxury goods, after being approach by the Northwest Territories Government Canadian certified diamond producers, to design a limited collection of fine jewelry. In 2006 Elle Canada listed Hardy as one of the top 10 designers in Canada. In addition, Lisa Tant, editor of Flare magazine, was quoted saying “He has vision and he’s achieved it at every step”. In March, Hardy was invited to show at the prestigious Tranoi Womens Trade Show in Paris, France. This event offers a high-end and avant-garde selection of the best designers from around the world.
2007 was a year filled with exciting new endeavors including the opening of Hardy’s first free-standing store for his company’s five year anniversary. Paul Hardy Atelier is located in the trendy Kensington neighborhood of Calgary. In December, Hardy branded his Irish knitwear line under its own label Paul Hardy ‘Kaille’ (pronounced KAI) a term from a Gaelic dialect meaning home spun cloth. In 2008, Hardy was honored by being one of five Canadian designers featured in an international coffee table book titled “Young Designers of the Americas”. In 2010, Paul began his foray into lifestyle branding by taking on interior design commissions, and some furniture design. This year (2011), Paul accepted an offer to collaborate with Alberta Ballet, by designing all the costumes for Sarah Mclachlan’s ‘Fumbling towards Ecstasty Ballet’, which debuted its World Premiere this May. In addition to refining his skills and growing his company Paul devotes time to humanitarian work in Africa and motivational speaking engagements. In January 2008, Hardy had the opportunity to build a school in Uganda. Paul’s trip became a defining moment for him, which profoundly altered his viewpoint and career in fashion. To this end, Hardy has set out to initiate a development project for women who have been marginalized by political wars and HIV. The project, known as reversal of fortune, will not only provide a source of sustainable revenue, but seeks a greater goal in aiding to recast a vision for these individual’s lives.
