‘Canada being put on the map’: 2 local talents raising Calgary’s beauty and fashion profile

2 Calgarians are spreading the word about Calgary as they rise through the worlds of fashion and beauty.

Calgary is gaining a global reputation for beauty and fashion thanks to two Calgarians shining the spotlight on the city with their latest achievements.

Make-up artist Hung Vanngo visited Chinook Centre this week as his make-up line launched at Sephora stores across North America, and fashion model Awar Odhiang’s Kananaskis photoshoot was featured in a several page spread of September’s U.S. Vogue.

Introducing his makeup in the mall where he spent most weekends as a teen was a full circle moment for Hung Vanngo.

“Chinook Mall is a lot of special memories for me,” he told CTV.

“Calgary is home for me. I was brought up here and for my own brand to sell in Sephora and even (be) carried in my hometown… is pretty surreal. I know it sounds silly, I’m crying, but it is emotional for me,” said Vanngo.

A long journey

It’s a long way from where he started.

He was a child in 1988 when his family escaped Vietnam to a refugee camp in Thailand, before moving to Calgary two years later.

Each piece of makeup is named for a moment in his journey including Phanat Nikhom, the Thai refugee camp where he lived for three years, as well as as Single Mother, which pays homage to his mom -- and 403, for Calgary’s area code.

Vanngo always liked beauty and fashion but never imagined a career like his even existed.

He started at a Calgary hair salon before he switched to makeup, quickly becoming coveted by celebrities including Selena Gomez, Halle Berry and Jennifer Lawrence.

“It was never a dream to work with celebrities or have my own brand,” said Vanngo.

It was an inspiring story for Calgarians who linedup to meet him Wednesday.

“It makes me dream. I want to be a celebrity makeup artist, so you know it is possible,” said Calgary makeup artist Katie Hibbert.

Renee Bradshaw was first in line to meet her favourite celebrity makeup artist and was excited to learn he grew up in the city.

“I knew he was Canadian, (but) didn’t know he was from Calgary. Always happy to see a Calgarian make it big,” said Bradshaw.

Vogue goes to Kananaskis Country

Awar Odhiang is also basking in the glow of her big moment

“It was really special,” said Odhiang

She has been in Vogue U.S., Italia and France before but never in such a coveted role.

“(Vogue) is the most difficult publication in the world to get into and so for her to have a single girl story and with her family in a feature is unbelievable,” said Kelly Streit, founder and owner of Mode Models international.

She said it was a significant moment fir her whole family.

“Canada being put on the map by Vogue has been so so cool and I’m glad that me and my family as immigrant, as refugees, were able to represent Canada,” she said.

Odhiang was two years old when her family came to Canada as refugees from South Sudan in 2002.

Years later, she was folding clothes at Old Navy when Streit approached her asking if she wanted to model.

Her career has since taken off.

“Been quite a blessing I’ve been able to take care of my family, myself, my friends.” she said.

Both Odhiang and Vanngo are proud to help highlight Alberta and hope their stories encourage others.

“If I can do it, anyone can do it and there’s no limitations to your dreams,” says Odhiang.

“Be hard-working and stay focused,” advises Vanngo.

He now lives in New York but comes back to Calgary often to visit family.