April 25, 2012
“Fashion + Words = Eco Right”
VANCOUVER, BC: With Vancouver’s growing environmental movement in both fashion and consumer consciousness, it’s a breath of fresh air to see fashion award winners in our globally-sensitive world put their words to action. Not all Fashion Designers cater to the frivolous and fancy; some are keen to take on the global issues that face the industry. Case in point: Mattea Goldstein, just announced as national winner of “Signe Metro” design challenge, a fashion design competition conjured up between Metro News, Vancouver’s free print paper, and LaSalle College International, an international fashion design school with locations around the globe and a solid footing in Vancouver’s burgeoning artistic post-secondary education offerings.
Goldstein’s challenge might seem daunting: illustrate, design and construct a fashion dress entirely out of recycled Metro newspapers, the ones that you discard after your Starbucks coffee. As the winner out of four semi-finalists, Goldstein points out: “I was initially challenged with working with new materials, because newspaper is unlike any fabric I have worked with. There is no flexibility.” The difficulty may have frustrated other design competitors, but Goldstein soldiered on. “Once I accepted the newspaper as a vehicle for an art form, I was able to work with the recycled newspaper to create curves and interpret my vision.”
While the accolades settle, Goldstein has a whole new agenda in mind. With a LaSalle College fashion design diploma in her back pocket, alongside her Bachelor of Arts degree, she is poised to make her mark in fashion with a vision towards ethical and eco-minded consumerism. “Fashion may seem frivolous,” says Goldstein, “but by putting an ethical spin on it, we are contributing to a new global economy.” After volunteering abroad with a non-profit company in India, Goldstein stands firm in her commitment to inspire her fellow fashionistas by working with design houses that are culturally and environmentally sensitive.
Contact:
Diego Do Livramento, Director
Director, LaSalle College International Vancouver
Tel: 604-683-2006 www.lasallecollegevancouver.com
www.wix.com/matteagoldstein/fashiondesign
http://metronews.ca/signemetro/selection-criteria
Vancouver, March 6, 2012 - LaSalle College International and Vancouver Fashion Week are partnering up once again to celebrate unique talent on the runway. This is the perfect occasion for Vancouver to browse through industry talent and get a sneak-peek of the up and coming designers trained at LaSalle. Instructed by teachers who are experienced and active in the field, this collaboration serves as a great opportunity for upcoming designers to face the realities of the industry.
This specific show will demonstrate the unique multicultural edge of this school. With students originally from Turkey, Korea, and Canada we can expect five distinct styles on the runway. Thanks to this partnership, LaSalle students get to be at the heart of the action where top designers, buyers, editors, and other industry professionals mingle and network.
LaSalle is part of the LaSalle International Network which encompasses over 19 campuses across the globe, including one in Montreal, which originated the expansion of the institution 52 years ago by building its reputation in the fashion industry.
The fashion show will be held at The Chinese Cultural Centre on March 22nd, 2012 at 6 pm.
For more information, please contact Diego Do Livramento at 604-683-2006.
Laurie Jacouty is originially from Riberac, France, but decided to come to Vancouver to pursue Fashion Design at LaSalle College International Vancouver. So why is it that one would come to Vancouver from one of the biggest fashion capitals in the world to pursue this field?
"I actually wanted to go abroad," Laurie says. "France is really expensive and you need some basic skills to apply for fashion schools there. I didn't know how to do anything," she claims. "I learned how to draw here in my illustration class."
The main theme of her collection at Vancouver Fashion Week was "water". She mainly drew her inspiration from music - "I just started drawing by a feeling I had and went where my mood took me," she explains.
Why did you choose to come to Vancouver, LaSalle College International Vancouver in particular?
"I found Lasalle on the internet - I was looking for a fashion school in Vancouver. My boyfriend is Canadian - he's actually from Calgary, but there was nothing for fashion out there, so our compromise was Vancouver. I checked out a bunch schools in Vancouver, but LaSalle seemed like the best one. What really got me was the sewing lab upstairs - the other places I visited had no space, and that was important for me, being able to spread out and have a lot of space to work. I also liked how there were a lot of dress forms available."
What made you choose fashion as a career option?
"I was always interested in the arts - I did painting, print-making, and drawing in university and even studied comparitive religion. I also did some sewing, but it's always been more of a hobby. After I graduated, I did a bunch of traveling and worked for non-profits - that's when I decided I wanted to be doing this. My turning point was in India: I was working for a women's non-profit organiziation that had their own clothing line - the women in the city were making the clothes, and the women in the villages were doing the embroidery. I felt like if they can do it, then I can do it, especially since I have a lot more resources and advantages. I went to Israel after India and then decided to come to school."
Have you had any internships related to the fashion industry?
"I had an internship in New York and it was a great experience. I got to see the different steps that came into putting a collection together. I got to go back and forth from the factory, and see the buyers come in too. I've also had another internship with Adhesive Clothing in Vancouver while going to school. Adhesive Clothing is a company that works with recycled textiles, which is neat - I'd really like to get into environmentally friendly clothing."
What do you think your biggest challenge is as a designer?
"The styling - I'm very much interested in pattern drafting and the technical design, but I have a hard time with what hair I should choose and what jewellery should go with it. One of the personal challenges I have for myself is to be a little more out there with my designs, sometimes I feel like I play it too safe."
What is the most rewarding thing about being a designer?
"I think seeing people wear your clothes, whether it's on the runway or if I just make something for my mom."
Where do you draw inspiration from?
"Nature and different cultures - I was really inspired while I was in India. I also read a lot, so different things that I read inspire me, whether they are novels or non-fiction."
LaSalle College
889 West Pender Street, 2nd Floor
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3B2
To my instructors and the staff of LaSalle College, I would like to express my gratitude for the completion of my diploma in Fashion Design. I can honestly say the last 2 years have been a very challenging, but rewarding experience. Coming from a Business and Accounting background, I found it daunting to start over in a field that I have little knowledge or experience. Since taking sewing classes in high school, I knew I wanted to pursue fashion as my career. However, due to circumstances and the future prospect of employment, I went down a different career path.
After completing my studies at Douglas College, I decided I did not want to continue, but pursue something I was more interested in. I am glad I made the decision to enroll at LaSalle because of the emphasis on design and sewing rather than the business aspect. My first semester was intimidating as I had not sewn for years and had no knowledge of the current Fashion Industry. It was not until my third semester that I became more confident in my skills and saw improvement.
One of my greatest experiences at LaSalle were my instructors. They were supportive and encouraging throughout my entire program. Nargas, my draping, sewing and collections instructor always focused on my unique skills that set me apart from everyone else. Julia, my illustrations instructor was firm, but thorough which helped improve my drawing skills every semester. Alex my Photoshop/Illustrator instructor was sweet and patient in every lecture. Despite feeling somewhat out of place and inferior to most of my peers, my instructors made me appreciate my own skills and assets.
Looking back, I feel that I have learned a lot although I would like to continue a degree in Fashion. I feel that re-entering a career in Fashion was a difficult, but meaningful decision compared to what I was doing earlier. Fashion is more inspiring, artistic and interesting compared to business. Thank you once again to all those who have helped me greatly along the way, as I would not have graduated without all your help and support.
Sincerely,
Gina Shen
Pictured above: one of Gina's gorgeous creations, that was shown on the runway of the Holiday Affair fashion show.
Not only was Wilber featured on the cover of CoCo & Rico, but he just recently secured an interview with Cirque du Soleil! CONGRATULATIONS WILBER, we're so proud of you here at LaSalle and glad to see that you're doing well in the months following your graduation!
Brittany Wacher is originally from Eckville, Alberta, and started out studying business (accounting) in school. It was when she traveled to a handful of countries around the world that she decided she wanted to pursue an artistic career. She came to Vancouver and fell in love with the city, so she started the Fashion Design program at LaSalle College International Vancouver.
Brittany has built a new collection for all the following fashion shows (while still in school): the Century House First Rendition Fashion Show for the school (Brittany contributed eight looks to the show in May 2010), the Vancouver Music and Fashion Festival (which was an event held on 1180 Granville Street during the Winter Olympics in February 2010), A Holiday Affair fashion show in Decemeber 2010, and she was part of Vancouver Fashion Week in April 2011 as well as in November 2011. She has also completed editorials and photoshoots for every collection that she has directed herself. The latest editorial for April that Brittany did is going to be in C-heads magazine.
So how did Brittany come up with the idea for her latest line, recently shown at Vancouver Fashion Week?
"I started conceptualizing it in May while I was traveling around Europe alone - I really can figure out the most of myself and how I am relating to the world around me when I am alone, especially when in a new atmosphere. A lot of the inspiration for my collection came from experiencing places rich with history, regurgitated culture, and the underground music-scene. I probably sketched 250 designs and many faces just from that trip," Brittany says.
After traveling all around Europe, Brittany went back to Alberta to work. She worked in a tractor all summer, which was quite the contrast to adventuring in Europe, as she had to wear coveralls and steel-toed boots every single day.
The cultural influence from her Europe trip and the multi-culturalism of Vancouver versus the country life of Alberta that Brittany grew up with, was the driving force of her latest line. "It's what my life feels like," Brittany explains. "I feel like both parts are completely seperate lives and are so different from each other - they're such a condradiction and my work really reflects this. For this line, I worked with really delicate hand-dyed silk, chiffon, and cow hide - there's such a difference in weight and symbolization with the materials. Most of my work is a reflection of how I view the world, often comparing nature with society," Brittany says.
"Also for that collection, I wanted the models wearing the clothes to represent these strong, independent, and whimsical women, fending for themselves in this world. I wanted it to feel very raw and I don't want the things I create to be typical or made ready to be sold on every retail floor. I'm not interested in massive consumerism, I'm more interested in telling stories and building concepts, which reflect on how I view the world even if it's only appealing to a few," Brittany explains.
Brittany's latest collection was definitely appealing to more than just a few people. During Vancouver Fashion Week, the Twitter world was raving about her collection:
@jcarsonloo tweeted "Lovely tan corsette with silky black dress by Brittanee Ann by Brittany Wacher. #VFW2011 #vfw2012 http://pic.twitter.com/RM6F4LOY"
@VanFashionWeek tweeted "What an amazing show of #talent!! Thank you @lasalle cant wait for more!! Brittany is deffo one to watch for!! #VFW2012" as well as "The last of the finale #minsblowing. Good job Brittany Watcher!!! @LCI_Vancouver u taught then well!!! #VFW2012 http://pic.twitter.com/FiiXIZTu"
- Written by Gretchen Cruz
Nicole Barron was recently invited by Kyuin Chae (an internationally renown designer she interned for a couple of years ago) to come to China on a month-long fashion show tour, working alongside some of the biggest names in the industry (from international designers to musical guests). Apart from Kyuin Chae, a few names from the list included Stacey McKenzie (model coach and judge on Canada's Next Top Model), Evan Biddell (the winning designer of the first season of Project Runway Canada), Paul Hardy (fashion designer), JUMA (a brother/sister designer team), Arid Chappel (jewellery designer), and Nhaji Urrutia (who showcased her jewellery collection at Vancouver Fashion Week). A handful of designers were part of New York Fashion Week so they had to fly out and come back. The musical guests that were part of the tour included Behind Sapphire, Isis Salam (who has performed in the same show as Kanye West), and Dj Fathom.
Nicole knew she couldn't pass up an opportunity of a lifetime, so she boarded the second plane-ride she's ever taken in her life to a place that would change her world forever.
"The next three weeks went by really quickly," Nicole claims.
It was a seven city tour that started in Shanghai. The 50 person team included models, producers, videographers, designers, musical acts, and photographers. "I got to customize accesories and help backstage - I was given the opportunity to have a hand in everything. We had to deal with makeup, hair, lighting, and even choosing the graphics for the background. All the stages were difererent so you always had to choreograph a different catwalk. It was a lot of hard work. We'd be up at 6 am every day, and our schedule was a mile long. There were nights where I got two or three hours of sleep because you have so much to plan for. It was like everything we did for Vancouver Fashion Week here, but a hundred times more intense, and had to be done twice a week, while traveling," Nicole explains. "My main priority every time I got off the plane was 'Where's the Starbucks?!'" Nicole jokes.
The venues were state of the art venues. All the shows that they did were televised nationally in China. The venues and events were massive, "comparable to Emmy Award shows", according to Nicole. "Everywhere we went was a red-carpet rollout - even if you wanted to go the bathroom, you had media following you," she says.
It wasn't only during shows that they received five-star treatement in China. The hotels that Nicole stayed in were five-star hotels, and there was always bottle-service at the nightclubs. Nicole spent her birthday in China, and the mayor of the city ordered food and bottle service for the entire restaurant. "There were even reporters there that interviewed me. I felt like some famous celebrity," she says. They had a show that night, but afterwards, the party continued back at the hotel: two floors of the hotel were blocked off just for them and they enjoyed a buffet, an open bar, and a vanilla flavoured, pink coloured, Canadian style birthday cake that was made especially for Nicole. "Hands down the best birthday of my entire life!" Nicole exclaims.
"The experience I gained from there is unbelievable, I could not have asked for more. Sometimes [Kyuin Chae would] give me free reign and leeway to pick what looks to show on the runway - that was exciting, it was televised nationally so it was a huge honor. Now I have so many connections and job opportunities everywhere in the world with different designers. It's opened up the door of possibilities for me and now I realize I have the ability to follow a dream," Nicole says.
Nicole presented her collection in Vancouver Fashion Week recently, and a lot of the Chinese influence has come through in her designs: the silks, the elegance, the handpainting, and the colours.
Currently, Nicole is in the midst of researching jobs in Hong Kong, China, Turkey, Montreal, and Toronto.
Last final words of advice for every aspiring fashion designer out there that wants to make it in the industry? "Even if the smallest offer comes, just take it. I busted my ass off during this internship two years ago, and two years later, it paid off. Take every opportunity as it comes - you're never too good for anything and you're never not good enough for anything," Nicole says.
- Written by Gretchen Cruz
|
