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/