Edmonton Fashion Week – Cottage Industry

A first-person look at Edmonton Fashion Week. By new fashionista Lauren MacDonald

I am really just a baby when it comes to this industry. I am scrambling to learn as much as possible, and get my career started while I am still in school.

Lately I have given up my social life in exchange for long nights gathering meters of bias cut chiffon ruffles. Parties and pubs have been replaced with drafting and draping, cutting and sewing, snipping threads and putting zippers into the last few pieces.

I have really enjoyed every moment of it though, and after 2 and 1/2 months, dozens of meters of fabric and trim, and several hundred cups of coffee the collection is just about finished.

(Photo: Erika Atkey)

This season I concentrated on using a lot of texture, in laces, velvets, fine silks and faux leathers. The richness of the fabrics is contrasted by the colour palette which I left fairly neutral, featuring mostly blacks, greys, creams, and browns, with pops of burgundy and red to spice it up a bit.

My inspiration came from a variety of different places, I accidentally ended up referencing the 1950′s a lot, I like the silhouettes of that decade, and so they managed slip into the collection. I also kind of did my own version of some classics that have been in style for a while. There are leggings, but made of velvet and quilted pleather, pencil skirts with fringe, ruffles, and studs (not all in the same one, it’s not THAT textured), and some classically cut cocktail dresses with extra low backs, bows, or interesting fabrics like sheers.

I also collaborated with JEX jewelry for the collection. The lovely Miss Amanda Jex did some beautiful original pieces to correspond with the garments, and we worked together on some head pieces as well.

I am excited to show at fashion week for the first time. It provides a really great opportunity for young designers to show their lines and gain industry experience. It also provides a great venue for local musicians as well. On Wednesday, local singer/songwriter Sans Aids will be playing, as the models walk.

Hopefully fashion week will help me reach a larger market than I otherwise would, and get people interested in my brand. I am hoping to sell the majority of the clothes on my blog, but if I don’t at least I will have a killer fall wardrobe.