When did you know you were going to be a designer?

Tara: I have wanted to be an artist of some form since I can remember. I was 9 or 10 when I found one of my older brothers art books and it was full of beautiful dress designs. At this same time in my life I was highly influenced by the looks and sounds of new wave bands such as The Cure, Depech mode and Souxie and the banshees. It was this tornado of influences that guided me towards fashion as opposed to fine art.  

Erin: As a child I was always very interested in clothes and would constantly be looking for outfits in the “dress-up box.” I didn’t know until much later that I would make it my career. 

Where do you find inspiration for your collections?

Tara: I find it from mentally ingesting as much as possible. Books, old films, music, illustrations, traveling, all form a tapestry of our designs. 

Erin: From everywhere, really, but a favourite of mine is to research old books to see the styles from long ago, see what’s become a classic and a constant, and try to update it for today’s times.

What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?

Tara: organization, focus and a good sense of humour always helps!

Erin: I agree with Tara, especially about the sense of humour part! 

What do you love most about your career?

Tara: I love the challenge. There is no other feeling like it.

Erin: When you own your own business there is a sense that you are in charge of your own destiny.  That feeling is very addictive. 

Describe your label in three words:

Tara: tranquil, relaxed, charming. 

Describe your personal style in 3 words:

Tara: minimalist, menswear, neutral.

Erin: all over the place.  Depending on my mood that day. 

What is the biggest challenge working in Canada?

Tara: Lack of funding, lack of programs for the arts, specifically in fashion

Erin: I would also say getting people to recognize that we have so much talent here. 

If you could change 1 thing about the Canadian fashion industry, what would it be?

Tara: I would change Canadians perception of Fashion and what we are capable of. Too often we look elsewhere and lack trust in our own way of doing things, our own settings and our own take on the world around us. We have a beautiful national identity and I wish we would trust more in that.  

Erin: I agree…a lot of the time people say there is no Canadian identity, but I think everyone has their own version of Canadiana, and that can produce some very unique style. 

What designers have influenced you?

Alexander Wang, Vanessa Bruno, Comptoires des Cottonieres, Neil Barrett, Proenza Schouler, Diana Orving, Gerard Darel, Patrick Freche (who designs for Loft), Alexander McQueen. 

What trends are you most excited about for fall/winter 08?  

Tara: I’m happy that menswear seems to be making a come back with every day gents. I love that landed gentry look… 

Who would you love to see wearing your duds?

Tara: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Keren ann, Zooey Deschanel,  

Describe your favorite day. Where would you go? What would you do?  

Tara: To spend the afternoon having my girlfriends over for tea and maple scones and work on art projects together. Dinner at Julie’s Cuban restaurant enjoying plate after plate of food on the patio.  I would finish off the day with reading in bed with my cat Roxy. 

Erin: Get up early and walk down to the Beaches, have a long lunch with a gin and tonic, go to the Salvage Shop and spend hours looking at the old hardware, fixtures and doors in the basement, then do some antique shopping on Queen east. After I’d go see a movie with my husband Pat.

Las Valentias

You can find Las Valentias at:
Pho Pa (689 Queen Street West)
Ukula (492 College Street)
Espace (350 St-Paul Ouest) *Montreal