Cara Albo was still shy of her 19th birthday when the Edmonton-based actress and singer gained yet another title: executive producer. To get this title, Albo raised $3 million for locally based skyline motion Pictures Inc., to fund Cat’s Cradle, a feature film about a pop singer on the brink of a Britney spears-like breakdown, in which Albo also played the lead role.
With the air of a businesswoman and the face of a star, the now-21-year-old Albo admits that aspects of the character — which she created with screenwriter Natasha Harychan and co-executive producer Darren Dahlseide — are based on her. “I was always told that I should sing pop and be cute, because I’m blond and can make cute music.”
For Albo, being taken seriously is a struggle when she faces a room of potential investors or distributors and they can’t see past her youth. “I’d be walking into a boardroom with 50-year-old males, asking them for money, and I was just this 18-year-old brat.” Indeed, she was still taking night classes in film at King’s University College. Albo tapped family contacts, made cold calls and networked like mad, but it was a year before she landed her first investor — after teaching herself how to appear older.
Her mom is an esthetician and her father a retired hairdresser and salon owner, so beauty and fashion are part of Albo’s pedigree. Her mother always told her, “Put your best foot forward in looks,” and, “You only get one chance to make an impression,” Albo recalls.
“After being in the beauty industry (since I was four, modelling hair), I know that people will judge you on what you wear and how you look. But if you feel confident, the whole world will see you being confident.”
Since Cat’s Cradle’s premiere in Edmonton in June, Albo has pitched it to distributors from around the world, wrapped another lead role in the locally shot dramatic thriller Unfinished Business and recorded a debut solo album called Embrace Me. The pop-rock CD launches January 24; that night she performs at the Dow Centre in Fort Saskatchewan.
What do you wear to be taken seriously by investors despite your age?
Classic pieces. Something that will appear put-together, but also have an individual flare. Things that fit you so well that you can wear them all the time. Like my “Audrey Hepburn dress,” a straight-cut sheath with a ’50s boat neck and embossed pattern. It’s something that will never go out of style. Black dresses never go out of style.
What is the price range for your “take-me-seriously” business attire?
It can range anywhere from $50 to $1,000. My most expensive item is my Prada purse, which was about $1,000. I probably spend more money (collectively) on jackets. I look for things that are unique. Individual cuts. I like military styles and high-collared jackets. It’s not how expensive it is, but how does it fit, how does it set you apart from the crowd?
How does your style change from being executive producer to performer?
Hugely. Executive producer is more clean-cut, with elongated lines to make me appear taller, whereas when I perform I choose things that aren’t everyday wear, clothes with good sheen and shimmer to them. And I can wear whatever I want — throw a scarf on my head, wear it in a ponytail, wear fuzzy boots, whatever!
Who designs your performance wardrobe and red-carpet dresses?
Jessica Halabi — she designs my life. I wear a ton of her clothes. She has actually made a couple of my dresses for premières, like the red carpet for Cat’s Cradle and the AMPIA (Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association) Awards. She’s doing my costume design for my January concert. She’s amazing. She’s Canadian. She’s local. For my fall wardrobe, she has simple cuts with high-end fabrics and a high-end fashion twist. She loves low backs and bubble skirts with form-fitted tops.
What do you rely on when you don’t know what to wear?
A black dress with a nice cashmere cardigan in bright colours can take you from day to evening. You can never go wrong with a pair of black pumps with an individual flare. I have a black pump with a bright purple heel. And I love mixing blacks with browns.
What are your criteria for cut, fabric and style?
I love cashmere and just things that feel good. You need to feel good to show others that confidence. If you’re not feeling good on the inside, you’re not going to portray it on the outside. I’m really small and petite, so I wear things that lengthen the legs, dark-wash jeans — not really skinny jeans, more straight legs — things that don’t cut you off, so you look longer and leaner. High-waisted pants, pointed-toe shoes; I often match shoes to hat, same colour, same fabric. You want to create a line, to appear like you own the place.
You also wear a lot of vintage clothing. What are you looking for when hunting for old treasures?
That they’re not worn out and they look good. More so, I love things that someone else has owned that have a story. Inside it might have a little rip in the lining or a patch. You look at them and they just feel loved, like they were worn a lot. You put them on and you just feel like a completely new person. I have a brown polka-dot dress from my mom’s closet that’s from the early ’70s. It’s chiffon, brown with white dots, and you can wear anything with it: pink, white, brown. With red it looks sensational. I wore it in one of the opening scenes in the movie.
What are the indispensable pieces in your closet?
You can always get lots of wear with a black pantsuit. Stilettos, pointed toes. And I love my little black dresses. I have about 10 of them. Some are charcoal, but they’re so easy. You can wear them fall, summer, spring.
