Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and his security team rock silk ties and APEC credential lanyards on Swift Current Lift
MILAN, PARIS, New York; cities synonymous with fashion and trendsetting styles that blaze across the world. This May, you can add Big Sky to that list. In a world that normally sees ski and snowboard wear transition into shorts, hiking boots, and zipline harnesses, The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has brought a whole new sense of fashion to Lone Peak.
APEC brings together Trade Ministers, diplomats, politicians and press from over 21 economies to participate in trade talks. With those 21 economies come even more fashions: beautiful silk pin-striped suits move throughout the plaza followed by no-nonsense, all-business pantsuits known as trouser suits outside of the US. Women wear tall black boots and camel cashmere coats. The Plaza is a sea of black and navy blazers with flashes of gold and bronze buttons.
Heading up Swift Current for a scenic chairlift ride with Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and his security team, it was clear that they were trend-setters. I had never seen eight people in what I can only imagine were rather expensive shoes, suits, and silk ties nonchalantly make their way to the chair. As we tramped across the snow-covered and muddy base area it was clear that they were pioneering the perfect work-to-outdoor transition pieces: deep blue and purple ties that moved flawlessly from the conference room to the mountain. While inside at meetings, the ties accented LCD screens around a conference table. On the chairlift, they complemented the blue Montana sky - the perfect accessory for the office and beyond, for checking out the scenery, spotting some wildlife and getting away for a brief respite from the busy trade meetings and speaking engagements.
But the number one APEC fashion, a trend that may soon spread like wildfire across the globe? Bright blue APEC credential necklaces - a cobalt lanyard with a personalized photo ID. Press and attendees sported the item all May, many accenting theirs with a "THX MAX" pin, referring to Senator Max Baucus who was key in bringing APEC to Big Sky. Perfect for the banquet room or the zipline, this versatile piece has been spotted everywhere.
But whatever the fashion in Big Sky this May, it is exciting to see people from all over the world working hard and playing hard here - hurrying so they can relax and enjoy the beauty and fun of a place many of us call home. Whether in ski clothes, mountain biking garb, or a $5000 pin-striped suit, anyone can appreciate Big Sky's wonders. And next season on chairlifts and Paris runways alike? Keep an eye out for blue lanyards, APEC style.
- Chad, Big Sky Fashion Guru known for his excellent taste in brown tuxedos
Learn more about Big Sky's APEC transformation in this video
