Casual Wear
Pants: Ralph Lauren vintage linen trousers
I always try to wear vintage or locally made pieces, which isn’t difficult these days. Toronto is exploding at the seams with talent.
Top: Soft Focus tee
For me, the perfect everyday outfit is a pair of well-made trousers and something delicate up top. It’s effortless sophistication.
Shoes: Intentionally Blank slides
Purse: KARA pinch bag
Not my own label!
Founder of Bad Girls Collective Toronto
When a grade seven student breaks the grade nine school record in the 1,500m, people take notice. Thus began Kara Lynne Wark’s career in running. A standout athlete throughout high school, Wark went on to compete for Western University in London, Ont.
Five years ago, Wark and a group of friends decided to start a book club to encourage each other to read more. They soon had over 30 members and started saying no to newcomers, so Wark dreamed up the idea of a collective of book clubs throughout Toronto that would meet up together.
“The U.S. election was going on during this ideation period of mine, which really put women’s rights at the forefront,” Wark says.
The Bad Girls Collective launched on International Women’s Day, garnering over 1,000 followers in its first three weeks. Now in its second year, the collective provides space for women from different industries and corners of the city to meet up to talk books and network.
“It’s about getting women to connect who wouldn’t normally meet each other,” Wark says. “Every meeting expands the girl gang. After the night’s over, it feels like you have an emotional hangover from getting to meet like-minded women.”
Given Wark’s background in running, expanding the Bad Girls Collective to include a weekly run seemed like the natural thing to do.
On Sandwich, Kara’s dog, an American Dingo
Collar: Good wolf
Leash: Found navy rope leashRunning Wear
Tights: Nike
Running wear must always be comfortable yet sleek. I need to feel fast. Tight. Well-fitted.
Sports Bra: Nike
Top: Nike
I tend to overdress so I can sweat it out to the max.
Shoes: Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Premium
Speed Round
CR: Describe your style.
KW: Delicate menswear
CR: Favourite designer?
KW: Helmut Lang
CR: Favourite runner
KW: I grew up racing Melissa Bishop and have a lot of respect for her; she’s an incredibly humble person. I’m also loving Sage Watson. She wears bright red lipstick every time she races, and I’m sure she takes a ton of criticism for it, but I like that she’s unapologetic about what makes her feel confident.
Caela Fenton is a staff writer with Canadian Running.