Stitching their way into 2021: Meet the Designers of VCFS
Drum roll, please… It’s finally time to present and give a massive welcome to our up-and-coming 2020/2021 VCFS designers! This year, this portfolio consists of seven creative ladies, each targeting a different scene to design and help bring to life. Our designers initially joined the VCFS design team due to a keen interest in design. However, we would certainly not be surprised to see them turning their interests into a lifestyle and designing for world-renowned designers in the near future.
Being a VCFS designer has always been a very challenging job. Designers first start off by sketching their ideas out on paper or via a computerized system. Once our designers are satisfied with their creations, they gather their measurements from the VCFS models. Once the measurements are taken, a sample garment will be made and tested to ensure it fits the model just right. However, this year the pandemic has presented a few difficult challenges as designers must now adhere to strict COVID-19 guidelines. Designers must incorporate some sort of facial covering into their designs and follow strict mask-wearing and social distancing rules during each model’s fitting session. Nonetheless, they are still creating beautiful pieces that encapsulate this year’s theme.
So without further adieu, we are extremely excited to introduce our 2020/2021 VCFS designers and take you through their creative visions behind each and every design. Enjoy!
Essence by Iris Do Rosario
Why do you connect with your specific scene?
As essence revolves around appreciating who we are at our very core, and how every individual is a “white canvas,” many of the designs are created in neutral colors. I think that this is similar to my style, as I love to wear basics and neutral tones. Additionally, in the theme of essence, I think that the style is very effortless yet intricate, which is also a style that I love.
Are there any designers you closely relate to? Have they influenced the designs of your collection?
One of my favorite designers would be Danielle Guizio, as she is hardworking, innovative, and kind. As a designer, I also think that we have very similar styles, which is creating timeless, staple, and unique pieces. She definitely helped to influence some of the designs of my collection, such as including major cut-outs in my designs.
What are you most excited to accomplish working with VCFS this year?
As it is my first year working with VCFS this year, I am super excited! I am most excited to see my designs come to life, as I have only created a few pieces from scratch as a designer. I also can’t wait to see how these designs will suitably fit into their scenes, and overall raise money for our charity.
These are some of the sketches I have been working on for Essence, as well as past designs I have made.
Roots by Aerin Lua
Why do you connect with your specific scene?
Growing up with a variety of cultural influences, I became interested in how different values and experiences inform different people’s decisions. Roots stood out to me as a way to explore the factors that shaped me into who I am today -- the grandparents whose languages I couldn’t speak, the childhood friend who argued with me about an arranged marriage, the strangers who brought me out of my shell with small kindnesses. I hope that viewers will see themselves reflected in my collection and contemplate their own formative moments.
Please describe your personal style. Will your scene reflect this? Why or not why?
My favorite garments are colorful, versatile, and a tad eccentric. If I could, I’d go grocery shopping wearing so many statement pieces I’d look like an essay. But as much as I love ballgowns, I’m a big believer in the idea that femininity and utility don’t need to be exclusive. Roots will lean towards workwear and durable fabrics. I want to capture a sense of childhood adventure, of scraping your elbows and feeling very small in a big world you’ll never fully understand.
What sewing project are you are very proud of?
I tried designing and sewing a fitted satin dress completely from scratch. I made a lot of bad decisions -- I had to rip out and redo the neckline twice -- but learned a lot about technique and new materials. In the end, the dress doesn’t look half bad, and I won’t make the same mistakes again. It was a lot of fun, too.
One sketch that didn’t make the cut and one that did. Also, the satin dress, and fabric I’m excited to work with.
Kindred by Kianna Lavigne
Why do you connect with your specific scene?
I connect with Kindred because it is all about showcasing our true selves through our purest form of joy. I identify completely with the way in which friendships are portrayed in this scene; that friendship is a mutual and conscious decision of who you surround yourself with. I have many figures in my life that I consider as my chosen family, this scene pays tribute to them!
What kind of audience are you trying to reach with your designs? Have you designed for this audience before?
I am trying to reach all fashion lovers, but particularly the ones that have an eye for unique and creative fashion. Given the show will be a live stream this year, I believe this has given us the opportunity to reach a broader and more diverse audience that extends past the Queen’s and Kington community. I have designed for vcfs in the past but I believe that the new format of the show will allow us to reach a broader audience this year.
Describe to us the creative process behind your scene sketches. What should we expect?
Channeling the kindred spirit, my designs are very free and playful while keeping some structure to symbolize the strength behind friendships. My designs comprise many layers and different types of fabrics which represents the complexities and diversities that friendships may include. While watching the kindred scene, expect creative fabric choices, fun pastels, and hints of current fashion fads.
Here are a few photos of garments I completed for my collection “the Dreamer” which was showcased at the 2020 show. The Dreamer scene was conveying the feeling of losing yourself in the world of dreams and possibilities. My collection last year can be described as having exaggerated silhouettes, light, colors, and fine details.
Strangers by Avery Mooring
Why do you connect with your specific scene?
I find Strangers a very enticing scene because I believe the unknown can be fascinating in a very cliche way. I adore the mystery that strangers you see during your day may remain strangers forever, or may eventually be a part of your life in some way, no matter how small. The older I get the more affirmations I receive that the world really is a small place. The smallest actions of a stranger may have significant impacts on your life without you even realizing it.
What fabrics and colors do you typically work with? Have you decided to challenge yourself or are you building your skills by working with similar types of materials?
I typically work with lots of colors and/or patterned materials. For my previous projects, I usually select easy flat-textured cotton variant fabrics. In contrast, I’ve decided to challenge myself by working with many different textures in this collection, instead of different colors and prints. I’m excited to work with tulle, taffeta, boiled wool, and more for this collection!
Where do you draw your inspiration for your designs?
A lot of my inspiration stems from the collections of designers who I look up to, like Zac Posen and Christian Siriano. Specifically for Strangers, I drew some inspiration from Alexander McQueen’s pre-fall 2018 and resort 2019 collections. I also like to take popular fads from previous fashion eras and try to elevate them to what I think they would look like in couture now, while still keeping in mind my own sewing abilities.
Pictured here is my mood board for the collection, 3 swatches of fabric I’ve already purchased, and 2/4 of my sketches. The more I plan and purchase materials for the scene the more I find myself slightly editing my original vision. Therefore, these sketches embody the idea of the final outfit, but not necessarily the exact final product.
Adoration by Maya Hochberg
Why do you connect with your specific scene?
I would classify myself as an introverted extrovert - which I think is greatly represented by the concept of adoration. Willing to go out for an adventure, but perfectly content with spending the day curled up with a book alone. Growing up I was always known as the shy, and innocent one among my friends. Adoration greatly encapsulates these characteristics whether it be in the simple, yet elegant designs, or the delicate fabrics. It provides an outlet for one’s inner emotions, specifically infatuation, to be expressed without words.
What kind of audience are you trying to reach with your designs? Have you designed for this audience before?
It is undoubtedly an honor to have anyone that appreciates fashion view my designs, however, if I had to choose I’d say the adoration collection is aimed towards an audience that prefers a polished and luxurious look, while at the same time standing out among a crowd. Think old school European elegant in collaboration with modern street style.
What are you most excited to accomplish working with VCFS this year?
Being a first-year student living in residence, I am still trying to acclimatize to this new environment. Even having the opportunity to be a part of VCFS as a designer is a huge accomplishment for me in my opinion. In terms of my collection, I am excited to see how the finished product looks with all other aspects of VCFS included!!
The first picture is of me by Lake Ontario this summer. I think it perfectly represents my connection towards Adoration. The second picture is of two looks I designed for my high school fashion show. The third picture is a mood board for my adoration collection. The fourth picture is a sneak peek at one of my designs for my adoration collection.
Nemesis by Kira Madan
Why do you connect with your specific scene?
I feel like Nemesis has very much a streetwear vibe to it which is definitely my style. I love streetwear because it’s so versatile in terms of which patterns, colors, and cuts you can create.
What fabrics and colors do you typically work with? Have you decided to challenge yourself or are you building your skills by working with similar types of materials?
I typically work with a lot of solid colors and find a way to create my own patterns and designs with them. In the collection I'm creating for Nemesis, I'm using a lot of neutral colors but have also found a way to incorporate different types of fabrics and patterns as well so I'd say I'm doing a mix of both building my skill set and challenging myself.
Describe to us the creative process behind your scene sketches. What should we expect?
The creative process for my sketches was a lot of me getting inspo from my own style and my friends' styles. They’ve all got great streetwear styles that I’m definitely incorporating into my designs. Expect something bold, strong, and eye-catching from the Nemesis collection.
The first picture is of some of the fabrics I will be using in my collection for Nemesis. The second picture is of one of the more intricate pieces I’ve made, a tie-up corset. The third picture is of a 2-piece set I made. Although the tones in the piece are neutral with a subtle pattern, I used a lot of fabric manipulation on the top. The fourth piece is a dress I made this summer. I tried to create something simple yet still stand-out.
Purpose by Reece Sawyer
Why do you connect with your specific scene?
Purpose is all the celebration and acceptance of your true self. Carrying a sense of pride in knowing who you are, what you have to offer the world. I feel the Purpose scene embodies the trials and tribulations of life, yet still being able to reach that light at the end of the tunnel.
Could you describe your personal style? Does this reflect in your designing (for VCFS and non VCFS)? Why or why not?
My eye has always been drawn to intricate detail in the fashion world. I always try to have fun with my wardrobe and gravitate to a more fun palette. The purpose scene is far more regal than anything I would personally wear, but at the same time allows me to combine my love for art and fashion into one!
Are there any designers you closely relate to? Have they influenced the designs of your collection?
I have always admired the drive of the classic Coco Chanel and her ability to experiment with silhouettes regardless of what was the norm. For my scene, however, I took inspiration from artists and movements in art history. Looking into art periods such as the Baroque and the Italian Renaissance to influence my designs.
Below are photos of three of the four designs I created for the Purpose scene. I intended on having fun with silky, sheer fabrics with gold and pearly details to create these looks. I have also included a mood board that I had made previously to compile all the ideas visually into one space.
Although this year presents far more difficult challenges for our design team as opposed to previous years, we are confident the designers will deliver beautiful pieces in spite of the pandemic. Stay tuned for more from this incredibly talented team!
Marley Higgs // Press and Media Intern