Holiday Feature: Tilleul

Hello Fashionistas!

Christmas is right around the corner! In just a couple of weeks Old Saint Nick will be making a special appearance here in Fredericton, and that means Holiday Party Season. If you're anything like me this is the one time of year that you're most likely to be seeing a lot of friends and family, so the pressure is on to look your best. Before you head to fight the massive crowds at the Regent Mall, we here at the Fredericton Fashion Council want to put the spotlight on some of our favorite local small businesses. Shopping locally is not only fun and affordable, but its supporting one of our community's own, and what could be better than that at Christmas?

So to kick things off I caught up with Katie Boyce owner of downtown's own: Tilleul. In case you haven't seen this gorgeous new store located at 593 King Street with the all black brick front, this is your chance to find out what you've been missing. If you follow them on Facebook: shoptilleul.ca you may even have seen yours truly on their cover photo as Fredtown Fashionista and Tilleul teamed up for a photo shoot with Miss. Candy Photography back in October modelling for the Fall 2016 Curve Line.  

When I reached out to Katie about this feature she was very accommodating and so lovely to work with, so without further adieu, here is our interview:

Fredtown Fashionista: So first things first, Tilleul is such a unique name for a clothing store, but before we go any further how do you pronounce it?

Katie Boyce: I get this question all the time - I pronounce it till-lou-el but if your French the proper way to say it is tea-yeul. Piece of advice, never name your shop in a language you don't speak. 

FF: What inspired you to open up your own store? Have you always had a fashion background? 

KB: I was working in the Interior Design field and just wasn't happy working in an office 8 to 5. On weekends when I would be out in the city I would always get asked where I bought my clothing, so I thought why wouldn't I have a place where people could buy what I was wearing. I never went to school for fashion nor did I ever work in retail, so it was definitely a huge leap for me.  

FF: What kind of shopping experience are you offering customers? What are you all about at Tilleul?

KB: I wanted to be a little different then other stores downtown, and I don't like spending a fortune on fast fashion so I came up with the concept to keep price points under $100. We also only carry 6 to 8 pieces of each item so typically a couple small, medium and large, and after the first few months we also added in a Curve Line which runs from 1XLarge to 3XLarge. 

FF: Where are the clothes made?

KB: The clothes come from California but are made in the US and China

FF: The first time I entered the store one of the first things you mentioned as we started chatting was that every item in the store was under $100. Is keeping pricing low a priority? And if so, why?

KB: It is because fashion comes and goes so quickly and some pieces (like a Christmas dress) you might only get to wear a couple of times. I don't, and I know other women don't want to have to spend their full pay cheque on new clothing. 

FF: Tilleul is the one of the very few locations in Fredericton carrying a plus size line via the Curve Line with true to size fits, why is it important to you that you offer a plus size line? 

KB: It's the worst when women come into the store and struggle to find sizing that works for them. I wanted to have a store that worked for all women and not just women that fit into conventional sizes. 

FF: We see endless updates of all the fabulous items coming into the store on a weekly basis, how do you select the items you'll be carrying? 

KB: The items either come from things I see other woman wearing whether it be celebrities, bloggers or things I love and really want to bring in. I also listen to my clients and hear what they want to start seeing in the store too. 

FF: So how do I get my hands on some of these great finds! What methods of purchasing do you offer?

KB: We have the brick-and-mortar at 593 King Street and then we have an online website (www.shoptilleul.ca)

FF: What made you decide to open your store front location in Fredericton? What has been the response from the community?

KB: I started out as a pop up shop and I was running out of pop up spaces. I knew I needed to take the next step so I stalked downtown Fredericton until I found our 593 King St. space. The response has been amazing and people tell me all the time that it's what Fredericton needed. 

FF: And lastly, what is your favorite thing about being a small business owner in our great city?

KB: The support from the people in Fredericton has been amazing, they are so eager to support local which is great! 

There you have it folks, not only is this shop owned by a woman who truly earned the title of Girl Boss, it's also a hidden gem in the Fredericton Fashion Scene. 

Don't miss a single one of Tilleul's updates follow them on Facebook: shoptilleul.ca and Instagram: shoptilleul (they have the best boomarangs) 

Until next time, stay fabulous Fredericton!
xo
Fredtown Fashionista 

Casual Fall Look

I didn't even know I wanted... no, NEEDED a jean jacket in my wardrobe until I stumbled upon this little treasure at H&M last year.  It quickly became a staple piece, especially during those transitional months when you need to layer up.  It's literally the easiest thing to style because it looks so good with pretty much anything.  Whether it's a maxi dress or a basic tee, the almighty jean jacket has got you covered... (sorry I can't resist a good fashion pun)

 

Today I went for a casual bohemian look, pairing the jacket with a basic tank and the most amazing pants my legs have ever worn. So flowy, so breezy, so comfy, but I feel super glam wearing them... like I just stepped off a private jet returning from some amazing fantasy location.  You really can't go wrong with a jean jacket and crochet pants."

-Trish

 

Outfit details:

Jacket- H&M

Hat- old from Urban Outfitters

Glasses- old from Forever 21

Basic Tank- Urban Planet

Crochet Pants- Envy

Shoes- old from Urban Outfitters

Necklaces- Shop Dixi

Rings- Vintage + Wedding band + Shop Dixi

Haute and Honey: A Handcrafted Linen Collection by Michelle Lee Duncan

For the past year I have been conceptualizing, sketching, drafting, cutting, sewing, re-evaluating and re-doing, and I am so excited to finally share my new collection with you: HAUTE AND HONEY! It is a small line of simple, yet unique linen pieces that are made to make you feel cool, confident, and comfortable. I’d like to convey a few features of my line that may not be obvious upon first glance, but are integral to the collection, namely, its intended use, fabric choice, pricing, and further undertakings. Together, these factors summarize HAUTE AND HONEY and will hopefully give you a better appreciation for what this line is and what it may be for you.

Personally, when I dress I wear a variety of styles depending on my mood, whatever the occasion. I may dress up for a day alone at home, or dress down for a party with friends and colleagues. I like to have versatile pieces that can be dressy or casual and always comfortable. My designs are inspired by this concept of individuality and playfulness, but function is of equal consideration.

I’ve used the term loungewear to describe this line in the past. I was trying to keep its intention open, but I’m still often asked how my pyjama line, or lingerie collection is going. While HAUTE AND HONEY is very much about comfort and sensuality, it is not meant only for sleepwear or relaxing at home. These pieces are meant to be worn however you want to wear them! I wear them at home and feel elegant and sexy but completely at ease as well. I also wear them out, accessorised with little jackets, scarves, fitted tops, patterned over-pieces, brimmed hats, chunky heels, tennis shoes… the options are endless!

These pieces are also wonderful for sleeping! I like the flouncy shorts as pj’s. I feel like I’m dressed up and pretty, with my hair in a French braid and a slinky tank top on. It’s just so fun to feel beautiful when no one is looking… but even more so when they are! My point is, forget labels! Clothes are meant to be worn in a way that feels good to you. Express yourself to others, but also smile at your own reflection. YOU wear the pieces however you want in as many different ways as you want, just feel confident and comfortable.

 

HAUTE AND HONEY is a collection for versatility and radiating confidence, but it is also intended to be body-loving and sustainable. Every garment is made out of 100% unbleached, undyed, organic linen. This is possibly the BEST fabric for your body. I rave about the wonderful qualities of linen often, but will sum it up again here:

Linen is super absorbent. So if you sweat in linen, your clothes will get all wet?… umm no! Linen is also really fast at allowing moisture to evaporate from it, so moisture is free to quickly escape from the fabric as soon as it is absorbed, keeping you dry and cool. For this reason, linen clothing and bedding are especially great in hot weather.

Linen has high thermal insulation. This means it maintains the temperature between your skin and the fabric so you stay cooler when it’s hot outside AND you stay warmer when it’s cool outside. So, surprising as it may be, linen is also great in cold weather! In other words, this fabric is an all-around champion of breathability and comfort no matter what the climate.

Linen is antibacterial/antiseptic. This means fungus and bacteria cannot breed on it so it’s great for undergarments, bedding and for preventing odour in general.
Linen is strongest when wet (unlike most fabrics). Linen items withstand washing much better than most other garments and, therefore, will last longer.

Linen gets softer with each wash. So wear, wash and repeat often, you’ll love your linen and it will love you right back!
Linen is a natural fabric. Made from the flax plant, linen is derived from its stalk and, through a series of strategic processes, is spun into fine yarn, then woven into fabric. By using unbleached and undyed fabric from flax that has been farmed without the use of pesticides, this collection aims at leaving as small a footprint as possible on the natural world.

Linen is the oldest known fabric. I couldn’t help but add this in, though it is not a quality of the fabric. Since ancient Egyptian times, linen has been used for clothing and bedding and more. Throughout history it has been seen as a fabric of health, wealth, and virtue – no wonder!
Honestly, I could really dork out about the amazing physical and chemical properties, medical benefits, historical uses, and scientific studies surrounding linen, but basically my point is, I’ve selected this fabric many reasons.

Because converting flax into linen fibre is a long and tedious process, it is not produced in vast quantities or at rapid production speeds. This combined with its many beneficial qualities makes linen quite valuable and therefore, expensive. Add to this the challenge of farming the flax organically, and prices can steepen very quickly. Nevertheless, the price is a testament to the quality of the fabric, which is why I have selected it for this collection. By extension, the pricing of HAUTE AND HONEY is a testament to the quality of fabric choice, as well as the design and assembly of each piece. My garments are priced to account for material cost and for labour. Unlike many articles of clothing that are purchased through larger companies, there is not a pricing mark-up for profit’s sake or to pay an intermediator or wholesaler. Your payment goes toward the value of the purchased garment, and toward supporting a small-scale designer. With garments ranging from about $70 to just over $200, HAUTE AND HONEY offers resilient and timeless styles at a fair and realistic price. 

I’d like to conclude by sharing with you some upcoming additions to HAUTE AND HONEY I am working on. First of all, the line is currently all white (Note: I’ve changed fabric vendors for a better quality fabric, thus the colour is now slightly more toward ivory), but of course we all know the concerns with white clothing. Luckily I have worn my white items, spilled on them as is my daily routine, washed in natural detergent and… voila! Clean again (Oh, did I forget to mention linen is also stain resistant too?!). Anyhow, for those of you weary of buying or wearing anything white, I am currently working on some natural dyes. However, longevity and saturation are a concern, so I am still experimenting with the processes and pigments. It is my hope to have more eco-friendly colour options for Spring/Summer 2017. Also, as noted on the website, I am currently designing some bedding – how could I not with such perfectly suited fabric! So please stay tuned, as that will be coming very soon!

Please feel free to check out my website, www.hauteandhoney.com, and send me a message if you like. Thank you for your interest and support! Xo

Michelle Lee Duncan
duncanmichellelee@gmail.com
www.hauteandhoney.com

My Little Festival Style Lookbook

This is my favorite time of the year where there is a festival  around the corner of every weekend! Festival season is only really 2-3 months long, and it always seems so fleeting! I got more into the habit of documenting outfits this year though, so figured I'd share a little lookbook of my festival influenced fashions.

Now I myself don't get to nearly enough festivals, but festival wear is a major influence on my every day style, especially in the summer. Comfortable cotton dresses, rompers, crop tops, maxis, dusters, and of course, accessories like body harnesses and flower crowns. These are staples in my wardrobe all year round, and during the Summer is when I can really let it flourish!

Here are a few of my own festival inspired looks from over this summer.

 

Above photos taken by Trish Knox

 

Photo by Emily Dickinson 

Festival wear is also my favorite type of fashion to create, as it has a very magical aesthetic. Pretty much everything I send down the runway or list on my etsy page is ready to make you stand out at a festival. Festivals are where you can really let your inner fairy or mermaid shine and people appreciate it rather than giving you a side ways glance! I made this Water Nymph head dress for someone going to Future Forest, an electronic music festival a few km past Mactaquac that happened this past weekend.

 Speaking of Future Forest, this was the festival I actually got to attend this year! It was a magical blast! I vended at this event last year, but this time I went just to have a good time. It brings all of the best costumes and clothing out of the wood work! Or into the wood work, rather! :D

Here is the flower crown and festival outfit I came up with for myself for this past weekend.

 

If you like the head dresses you see above, I have been busy listing more pieces on my Etsy page recently, please check it out through the link below!

Kayleigh Saad

President Fredericton Fashion Council 

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/LunarOfferings

https://www.facebook.com/lunarofferings/

Dee Wilkie Website Launch Party

 

Wow, what a crazy year it has been... Last August I started my very first blog (after lots of arm twisting from my friends) Dee Wilkie - The Art Project. I interviewed and collaborated with brands such as East Coast Lifestyle and Wear Your Label.
 I also worked with local artists such as Adrienne Goodine, Michelle Duncan, and Kayleigh Saad. 

This Spring I decided that I wanted to completely re-do my website and push myself even more than I ever had before. This August I will be officially launching my new website deewilkie.com and I can not wait! The launch will be held at Maybee Brewery on Aug. 11th at 7:30pm and will have magic incorporating my hand dyed silk, Milda's Pizza, and a pop-up shop. There will also be door prizes, and of course Maybee's craft beer. 

So...why have a website launch? Well, a few reasons. How many of you have ever said "there is nothing to do in Fredericton!" I know I have...about a thousand times. I want to host an event that people can look forward to, get dressed up for if they want, and have fun at. This is a FREE event and it's something to do. Also, why not have a launch party? New businesses do all the time. I figure if they can, so can I! Hope to see you there! And if you would like an exclusive viewing of my website before it goes live, visit deewilkie.com to sign up for my email list! 

Cheers!
Dee Wilkie
 

Post Production Procrastination

When people think of a fashion designer, they think of someone drawing and sewing clothing. This makes sense, because to me, it is the most enjoyable part of the process when I am working on designs. The conjuring of the everything! Unfortunately, when you are trying to sell your work, this is only half the process.

What people don't think about is the work that goes into actually pricing, photographing, listing and selling the items after it is made. This is the part of the job the I dislike the most and tend to put off forever, and it is easy because I consider my design work a part time hobby job, so I have never really pushed it to the next level.

It is a lot of work maintaining an online shop. You need to have high quality, well thought out photos of your work. You need to list every last detail of what you have made, and have it weighed and measured for shipping. Advertising and proper branding is a lot of work too. For someone that just simply dislikes doing all of this, it is easy to procrastinate selling my work at all.  The fashion designer that doesn't have the funds to pay a team of help ends up playing a lot of other roles that can be difficult for someone that just wants to create the product.

I also find pricing my items difficult. I don't want to undercut myself (which I tend to do) but when you are competing with fast fashion prices, it is hard not to second guess what you quote people for cost in fear they may change their mind on the purchase.

 With all of this being said, I am finally gearing up to really get my Etsy shop filled with all of the beautiful pieces I have created over the past 2 years but just never got a chance to list because of all of my whiny excuses not to.  I have even had pictures ready to go for a while but just no motivation to get it all written up, measured priced, etc...It is time to push myself to change that! Below are a few of many creations I have ready to go up on my page!

 

  

Follow my fb page and stay tuned for listings on my Etsy in the very near future!

Kayleigh Saad
https://www.facebook.com/lunarofferings/
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/LunarOfferings

International Lolita Day

Lolita is a subculture originating from Japan that is heavily influenced by Rococo, Victorian and Edwardian fashions. Some say it was started as a reaction to the growing trend of exposed skin in modern society. Lots of people love Lolita because it makes them feel elegant and feminine in a modest fashion.

 A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending my first Lolita meet up for International Lolita Day. When I was a teenager/early 20s, there were no Lolita groups in Fredericton for me to participate in while I was at the peak of my love for this look. I am glad to see it growing in popularity in smaller cities, though my closet since then has been weeded out of the style a bit, I still found a cute, relevant outfit to wear to the meet! I called it my Bosokozu (biker/gang) Lolita haha

 We met up at the Chess Piece Cafe downtown, and there were only 5 of us, so it was pretty relaxed, and I was able to ask everyone a few questions about Lolita fashion and what has drawn them to this style. There are many different variations to the style and everyone loves something a little bit different!

  

Amanda (above left) Became interested in Lolita fashion in 2009 because she was drawn to the gorgeous textiles and patterns of the big Lolita brand names. From there it became a pass time and form of self expression. Her favorite styles of Lolita are Military, College, and Classic Lolita.

Emily (above center) discovered Lolita in 2006 through a friend who introduced her to Harajuku fashion. Her favorite styles are Classic Sweet, and Classic Lolita. "It is modern Marie- Antoinette without the beheadings" she says.

Elizabeth (above right) had Lolita pop into her life in 2007 through the love of  all things cute! It is a total lifestyle for her and her favorite styles are Hime-Lolita and Classic Lolita. 

Melysa (not pictured) was introduced to the world of Lolita through her love of Card Captor Sakura (anime) and all of her costumes. She loves every style of Lolita and is a form of self expression for her.

As for myself, I got into Lolita fashion in 2003, when I discovered the Japanese visual kei band Malice Mizer and their vocalist, Mana,who is still my first thought when I think of the term Gothic Lolita. I started to make little lolita bonnets and selling them through forums online!! My favorite styles are Gothic and Sweet Lolita.  Just for fun I decided to put together a few of my Lolita looks from yesteryear! There are some Lolita groups out there with strict outfit guidelines, but I like to have fun with it! 

                                                                     Kayleigh Saad

President - Fredericton Fashion Council
https://www.facebook.com/lunarofferings/

Walking the walk

Hello my lovelies!

There’s something important I want to talk to you all about today, but before we can dive in I need to give you a little background. A couple of weeks ago on a Saturday night my good friend Charles said to me, “Let’s go on an adventure tomorrow!”
This is exactly what I wanted to hear, I had been feeling a little uninspired lately, maybe even a bit down and an adventure with an old friend sounded like just the ticket to feeling a little more like myself. So we chat for a little bit and decide to go somewhere I had never been before- Dunbar Falls. Waterfall adventure? Umm yes please, where do I sign up?

So fast forward to Sunday morning and I start looking around for a swimsuit, I had just moved into a new apartment and ALL of my clothes are packed up in boxes. I tore the place apart for roughly 90 minutes frantically looking for any bathing suit at all. I came up empty. Frustrated and a little heartbroken I picked up my phone to text Charles and say “Sorry I can’t find a bathing suit, no adventure for me today”. As I was typing the message I stopped, and realized I was falling into an old habit, a negative one.

As someone who has been on the plus side of clothing most of my life not having a bathing suit always meant- no swimming. I felt like that sad little 10 year old who didn’t fit into last summer’s suit, and missed out on lake adventures until the faithful day that Sears would call and deliver me the ugliest most conservative bathing suit my poor mother could find in my size (selection wasn’t exactly at an all time high back in the 90’s for chubby girls).  So I had to ask myself a couple of difficult questions, why did I NEED a bathing suit? Can you not go swimming in any article of clothing you choose? Are you not a grown ass woman who does what she wants? I was left standing in the bedroom speechless, how could something as silly as not having a bathing suit stop me from going on a much needed afternoon getaway? Well it didn’t. Instead I grabbed my favorite caged bralette and a pair of microfiber black underwear, pants, towel and away we went!

Now I am by no means an “outdoorsy” kind of person, (unless you count patio drinks as an outdoor activity, which I do), and Charles knew this but I had committed to our mission to see this glorious waterfall. We started out on our walk down the trail and then things got hairy, there are sections that are washed out with rocks and fallen trees, and even one section where you have to climb. I was almost in tears all I could think was “I can’t do this”, and “I’ve never done anything like this before I’ll break my neck”. I started sharing my concerns with Charles and to my horror he completely ignored me and just kept saying “You can do it!” What a little cheerleader- but not what I wanted at the time.
We finally arrived at the falls after about 30 minutes of hiking. It was beautiful, so peaceful, and t was HOT about 33 degrees that faithful Sunday afternoon. As soon as we got there we sat down for a little rest and had a chat. Charles asked me “Why are you so anxious about the walk back?” and I said without thinking “Because I don’t think I can do it”. He smiled at me and said “But look, you’re here. You’ve already done it!”

Holy crap.
He was right. I had done it. I hiked through the woods without injury in my underwear and I was about to swim in the falls.
Now I know this story might seem like nothing to the average listener. So what you went to a waterfall?

This is what I need to share with you my friends. I learned something huge about myself that day- no matter how far I have come on my journey to being body positive, there will always be new obstacles, and new things to overcome. There will always be old deep rooted fears that are so routine it won’t even occur to me to question them. I never imagined that there was this little sector of my subconscious holding me back from truly enjoying my life. I never imagined that being a fat girl I could keep up with my friends. All I could think of was that wheezing chubby asthmatic kid who couldn’t keep up with the rest of the gym class, but she’s gone now. I am presently in the best shape of my life, I can walk, hike, travel in groups, and have no trouble keeping up the pace and breathing fine; but until this little trip I didn’t know that about myself. This waterfall gave me more than a cool place to hang out on a hot afternoon, it allowed me to surprise myself, and surpass even my own expectations of what my body was capable of.

We see countless PSA’s telling us to love ourselves, and Body Positivity campaigns. We see bloggers and life coaches telling us we are beautiful and we are enough. We talk talk talk, but do we act? This is a call to action. I challenge you to do something new, and you just might surprise yourself. For me it was wearing my underwear just so I didn’t miss out, and going on a hike and keeping up step for step with someone much more fit than I. Was it scary? You bet it was. Did I have fun? Not at first. Would I do it again? I would go right now if I could.

I can’t believe what a profound experience this was for my journey of self love, and I hope that this inspires even just one person to try something new and find another little thing to love about you. Because you can do it and you can live your best life right now- not when you lose 25lbs, not when you get that promotion, not when you get that new apartment, RIGHT NOW. Happiness and personal accomplishments cost you nothing but time.
Surround yourself with people who value you, and value your personal accomplishments but most importantly make sure YOU are one of the people who love you.
Until we meet again my loves!
Xo
Steph

Wear Your Label launch at Robert Simmonds

Well my lovelies I have been out on the town once again! My latest adventure was on location at Robert Simmonds with the wildly talented crew from locally founded and operated Wear Your Label. There was excitement in the air from the moment I walked in the door, after all this was a celebration!

In case you haven’t heard already May 28th was the launch for the first retailer in Fredericton to be carrying Wear Your Label as part of their spring 2016 selection.  If ordering online isn’t your style or you are curious about fit and color now is the time to go check out this great selection of slick pieces that not only look great, but are helping to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness.

The launch had a packed itinerary for the day there was a Zumba demonstration at 11am with Melissa Leger, a presentation by Brenda Bravener on holisitic nutrition at 12pm, a yoga demonstration at 1pm with Julie Nowe, and Margaret Langille was also on sight to give out healthy recipes and tips for proper nutrition. Also present with tons of important information was the Canadian Mental Health Association with a lovely friendly representative who was armed and ready with pamphlets and information on programs and services available to anyone who is interested.

 

Also in attendance was one of the company’s co-founders and CEO Kyle MacNevin! I caught up with Kyle for a few minutes to congratulate him and snap a few pictures. Wear Your Label has come a long way in a short time, but not without a lot of hard work and dedication from Kyle and his entire team.

 

As someone who has struggled for years with mental illness Wear Your Label is most definitely a cause that hits close to home for me.  It was so wonderful to be in attendance for what I really felt was a historic moment for the Fredericton Fashion Industry, because they did it. They had a vision, they created that vision, and now they are being sold in one of the most respected locally owned stores in the city. Wow.

Wear Your Label, I tip my hat to you for so many reasons. You’re do-ers who saw an opportunity and now as an organization you’re making real change in the way people view both their own illness and the illness of others in an informed and compassionate way.


 Fredtown Fashionista

Contact me! I’d love to hear from you for outfit submissions or any questions about my posts E-mail: fredtownfashionista@gmail.com, Facebook: Fredtown Fashionista, Instagram: FredtownFashionista

Styling for a Sunset

Playing stylist for film and photo shoots has been a pass time of mine off and on for about 10 years now. Since I recently starting working for myself, I have had a bit more free time lately to get more hands on with creative projects again!

 I have been lucky to work with some well known local talents this year! So it was no less an honour when Athenaïs Testi, a well regarded model in the Atlantic Maritime asked if I would style a shoot she was doing with Nathanael Patriquin on a farm! I was told it was going to be at sunset, and that she will be posing with lambs! I went right to work to put together a good choice of outfits that fit the image in my head.

 

I have a walk in closet of vintage treasures, so it took no time at all to come up with a few looks to play with! They ended up shooting all 4 outfits!

We shot a few weekends ago at Sunshine Miles Garlic Farm, a wonderful little spot out in Durham! 

They had a wide array of great backgrounds and props to shoot with! I brought my Instax mini to get a few behind the scenes Polaroids!

Athenaïs was a poised saint in a sea of black flies. She definitely adapted to her surroundings with an effortless grace! It was admirable! All of the outfits I put together for her worked out so perfect! Here are a few results!

Photos: by Nathanael Patriquin
Model: Athenaïs 

MUAH:  Billy Peterson

Styling and flower crowns: Kayleigh Saad

                        Location/Assistance: Tammy Knox Miles of Sunshine Miles Garlic Farm.

 I could hardly contain myself around the lambs! I am so happy I was involved with this photo shoot, it was definitely a dream team and I hope to work with them all again soon! Whether its with my own designs or statement pieces from my closet, I am pretty much always willing and able to help you set the sartorial mood.


Kayleigh Saad
President - Fredericton Fashion Council
https://www.facebook.com/lunarofferings/

Managing Inspiration

Ah, Spring is here, and what a beautiful time of year! Birds are chirping and buds are bursting with new life. There is something about the liveliness of the season that conjures ideas and productivity from the designer within me.
Inspiration seems to crash upon me like a wave in one roaring pass, and suddenly I am overwhelmed with possibilities and projects. Other, less dynamic, seasons leave me searching tirelessly for some sort of muse to awaken my creativity.
Whether overtaken by inspiration or wildly seeking it, it often helps to break down potential sources of insight and categorize my intentions. I find inspiration through other designers’ work, intriguing objects, and emotional stimuli. These foundations serve to inform my technical approach, aesthetic and intent, which strongly aid in creating coherent fashion pieces and collections.

There’s nothing like scouring images of historical dresses on Pinterest to get the cogs turning for my designs. Every designer has his or her own fashion interests, and for me it’s the detail and authenticity of turn of the century garments (give or take a few decades). This does not mean that I attempt to recreate these designs, but that aspects of each garment I gawk at may be transformed into something of my own creation.

For example, I loved the knotted fabric in the pink dress below (left). I prefer less symmetry and more functionality, so it lead me to design this vest (right). Again, inspiration is simply a jumping off point; it does not mean copying a design, but simply stimulating your creative mind to narrow in on a concept only to diverge away from it. I find it necessary to have a sketchpad in front of me when seeking inspiration from other fashion works so I can jot down the elements I’m intrigued by and start working them into my personal and creative style as done below.
  

 

 Much like using actual garments as inspiration, I also rely on non-fashion items to generate ideas and organize designs. These items can be everyday objects, historical furniture, plants, buildings, anything! Sometimes the shape of an object, its colour, its texture, or the layers or movement of something will provide me with insight into how I want my garment to look, feel, or drape. Distinguishing these elements of inspiration make it easy to carry them throughout a line. I am attracted to the contours of the lamp and its fusion of transparent and opaque. With this inspiration, I designed a few very different, yet cohesive, pieces that could be part of a collection. Seeking stimulus from random items that appeal to me encourages me to think a little outside the box and develop ideas I might not have had otherwise.
  

Some objects or garments inspire me while others don’t. This is because inspiration is a personal experience and is linked to one’s values, beliefs and emotions.  Experiences that leave a lasting emotional memory are great sources of inspiration. I will reflect on these events and return to their location or emotional state to hone in on their effect on my design intentions. This is a less tangible approach than the previous two, but the important key here is that, through this practice, I focus less on the elements of my designs and more on their value to me.

This is where I ask myself, do these designs serve my creative purpose?
What do I want to express through this work?
How do I want the person wearing my garment to feel?
Once I know the emotional inspiration for my work, it is easier to let go of designs that aren’t representative of me and to give a collection a unified mood. For my latest project, I go for a walk in the woods almost every day to clear my head and reflect on my creative objectives. My concept is a collection of linen garments intended to leave the wearer feeling comfortable and confidence. This is how I feel while strolling alone in the forest with my dog.

 

I think of how my designs can recreate these sensations and how someone, with a connection to nature like myself, might feel connected to his or her clothes. Regardless of the project, I try to reflect on my emotional inspiration frequently as a means of staying on track and connected to my work.

 

Whatever the season or project, inspiration is necessary to create a solid body of work and to continue to grow as a designer. By acknowledging where these sources of insight come from and how they affect my work, I am able to gain control of rampant ideas and also generate a framework to build on when I feel I’m lacking new concepts to play with. Working off of elements of other fashion designs, inspecting and analysing non-clothing objects for interesting design components, and evaluating my emotional intent and connection to my project are the means by which I am able to best manage my inspiration. By frequently reflecting on these sources, I am able to create a rough series of ideas and eventually polish them into cohesive designs and collections. I hope inspiration also finds you, and you find it, just remember, it is up to you what you do with it!

Xo
Michelle Duncan
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” – Pablo Picasso