1. When did you know you were going to be a designer?
Not until about 4-5 years ago. I was doing Fine Arts at the time and loving textiles. I always wanted to make clothing with the fabric I printed or weaved and that’s what lead me to fashion design. My mum wasn’t surprised at all – she remembered me drawing designs for dresses when I was really little!
2. Where do you find inspiration for your collections?
From many sources. Everyday life, nature, artists, from fabric itself…
3. What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?
Perseverance, a good eye and lots of creative juices!
4. What do you love most about your career?
I love working on projects, coming up with ideas, refining them and then starting all over again with the next collection! It’s a thrill to see a sketch on paper, become a real garment.
5. Describe your label in three words.
Feminine, classy but with a twist!
6. Describe your personal style in three words.
Classic, vintage, and too much black!
7. What is the biggest challenge you face working in Canada?
Competing with companies that make things overseas, with cheap labour.
8. If you could change one thing about the Canadian fashion industry what would it be?
I’d love to see more and more designers produce here in Canada, but it’s hard. I hope consumers continue to show more of an interest in buying clothes from Canadian designers, we need support!
9. What designers have influenced you?
Miuccia Prada, Dries Van Noten, Coco Chanel
10. What trends are you most excited about for Fall/Winter 08?
I really got into rosettes and it turns out they’re a bit of a trend for fall!
11. Who would you love to see wearing your duds?
Bjork, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Feist
12. Describe you favourite day. Where would you go? What would you do?
Hmmmm for a perfect day in Montreal I’d probably start off just around the corner from my place for a coffee at Club Social, go to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to see a show. Then I’d take a look at the beautiful shoes at Mona Moore and go to Sala Rossa for tapas. If it were a Sunday in the summer I’d go to the tam tams on the mountain, hang out in Jeanne Mance Park, have a picnic and play bocce with friends!
My fall collection will be available at Boutique Letrou in Toronto as well as James boutique in Montreal