Empower Us 2018 – Ania Basak

President and Co-founder, Fashion Calgary
Founder, Fashion Calgary Portrait Campaign
Media Personality
Makeup Artist/Image Consultant/
Personal Shopping Assistant

Ania Basak is one of the most influential women in the fashion and beauty industry in the province of Alberta – arriving just over 10 years ago from Poland – and now proudly Canadian.

She is President and Co-Founder of Fashion Calgary, a makeup artist, image consultant, and personal shopping assistant. During her time in Calgary, her accomplishments include being the Beauty Ambassador for Giorgio Armani, Beauty Advisor for Yves Saint Laurent, and Education/Training Coordinator and PR/Media Representative for the Guerlain Paris Canada in Alberta region.

Ania received her certified makeup artist training from Maestro Image Academy in Poland, which gave her the opportunity to accept the position of Regional Makeup Artist for Christian Dior in 2013.

Ania is an academic graduate both from music school(piano performance)as well as she finished her MBA in Law and Administration at the University of Poland with the Prime Minister scholarship. She has also been the recipient of numerous music and educational scholarships over the years of studying.

One of Ania’s biggest accomplishments is co-founding the Fashion Calgary Portrait Campaign that started in 2012. This campaign began when Calgary was chosen as the cultural capital of Canada; featuring the top twenty-five Cultural Ambassadors who were shaping the cultural scene of the city of Calgary, the province of Alberta and the country of Canada. After a successful first campaign year, bringing into spotlight the important aspect of “Giving Back”, Ania linked the campaign with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, raising funds for their non-profit organization Musical Camps for Kids for the first two years of the campaign.

In 2015, she created a partnership with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation to raise awareness and funds for the brain health division. The campaign and gala event was in memory of her younger brother, who passed away at the age 15 from a brain tumour. In 2016 and 2017 she decided to use her project to support a smaller, local, non-profit organization focusing on fighting cancer among kids. She partnered with the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, raising awareness and funds for the organization.

Ania believes in sharing and empowering – and that is often recognized by being invited to speak at numerous galas, gatherings, public speaking engagements. She was a Guest Speaker at BPW (Business Professional Women) Calgary Chapter, where she was invited to share her story and empower women. She was the only Canadian representing both Canada and Europe at New Jersey Fashion Week. In 2016 she was a representative at the biggest fashion expo in Poland, promoting Canadian fashion designers.

Both in 2017 and 2018 she was invited as Blogger and Media Guest by Medavita – the Italian premium hair brand –to join the at the Cosmoproof Worldwide Bologna.

Ania strongly believes in “giving back” and has proudly volunteered at the YMCA for over six years, and Bikram Hot Yoga for three years.

One of Ania’s biggest accomplishments is surely becoming a Mom – in 2015 – to her boy – Olivier Adam, while still working full time and continuing to highlight the City of Calgary.

Ania promotes and inspires individuals, as well as organizations, to be and feel their absolute best! From her initial evaluation, to a complete image makeover, her mission is to help each individual define and refine their image in accordance with their unique personality, lifestyle and aspirations.