Fashion | Sad Mag

We've got it all right here, folks! Everything that's ever been written up, photographed, and discussed on the Sad Mag website. Enjoy browsing our archives!

Showcasing clothing from local designers, challenging up and coming designers, and providing tips on sustainability, Eco Fashion Week has become a well-known event in Vancouver, from bloggers to socialites attending the three-day events. It kicked off on April 27^th with seminars, and then ended on April 29^th. Our fashion writer Farah Tozy was invited for a special media event in part one, the Thrift Chic Challenge in part two, and the 68lb challenge in part three. Read on Sad fashion lovers.

Farah and her fashion pals at Value Village.

PART I:

A week before Eco Fashion Week, five journalists and I were invited to Black 2 Blond salon for a La Biosthetique pampering party. This eco-friendly hair salon not only uses natural products, it also promotes sustainability by ensuring that even the packaging for hair care, skin care, and makeup products are made from recycled materials. The European company was founded by Marcel Contier in 1950s Paris, where he blended natural ingredients with high quality products to create La Biosthetique. Siegfried Weiser, president of La Biosthetique, has kept the focus on the environment by using only natural, high quality, raw materials. With the strictest and best quality practices, La Biosthetique brings their European style to Vancouver. They have been the backbone in EcoFashion Week for many seasons, providing full makeup and hair for all the models. Feeling like an ordinary Cindy Crawford, I sipped on my coffee while receiving an aromatic scalp massage, hair treatment, hair styling and make up touch ups. It was hands down one of the best salon experiences I’ve had.

After we got dolled up, we travelled with the Eco Fashion team to the newest Value Village in Coquitlam. Thanks to Value Village, we were given gift cards to thrift together an outfit for Eco Fashion Week. Not only was I learning the tricks of the trade from none other then the eco-stylist herself Myriam Laroche, the founder of Eco Fashion Week, I was getting hooked up with an outfit for the event!

PART II:

Let’s recall the thrift chic challenge: from seasons past: three stylists receive a $500 gift card to spend at Value Village, and are required to create a collection of clothing. The looks can be for any season or occasion. Various local designers have put together amazing looks but I have to say that this seasons participants were extremely impressive.

Fancy fashions. (R-L, Man Up, Jerome, Hey Jude)

First up was MAN UP by one1one magazine’s Ghazal Elhaei. With an emphasis on work attire, Ghazal stunned the audience with her pieces. Included in most of her looks were sleek button-ups, vintage blazers, fitted pants, fun socks, shoes and best of all, scarves or glasses as an accessory. Her pieces supported each other very well, and the collection as a whole was stunning. For all the office men out there, I recommend you take note of these looks; they’re stylish and affordable!

Next up was Label Deficiency’s Jerome Onsario. This collection featured various clothing for spring and summer. His pieces ranged from dresses to pants to shorts, with casual tops and button-ups, in addition to an assortment of chunky jewelry. He decided to keep a neutral color scheme throughout the line with pops of coral. When asked how he was able to find so many coral items, he told me he was shopping at Value Village everyday for the last month to find the perfect coral colours. This is definitely not the last time you’ll hear about this newcomer.

Last, but never the least, were the stylings of Lauren Clark and Lyndsey Chow from Hey Jude. The two had a specific colour palette of pastels, whites and off-whites. Blending together socks, sandals, jumpsuits, furs, satins, silks, and patterns, all the ensembles fit so perfectly together. The talented ladies featured women’s and men’s wear with a spunky twist by having the La Biosthetique team create mysterious, dark eyes and the indescribable “I woke up like this” hair. Everything was so chic and unique that I, already being a HUGE Hey Jude fan, fell back in love.

PART III:

68lbs is on average how much clothing a person tosses in the wasteland. Instead of throwing it away, a designer rummages through Value Village stores across the lower mainland to find fabric they can manipulate into a collection of clothing effectively eliminating an addition 68lbs from being thrown away. This years 68lb challenge candidate was Tammy Joe from Young Oak. With a simplistic, light colour palette, Tammy Joe blew away the audience. First of all, her show started off with an interpretive dance featuring 68lbs of clothing stretching across the runway. Dancers formed different shapes with their combined bodies, clinging onto each other as a trumpet player played a melodic tune. Following the dance, the show began. Moving towards different shades and patterns, Tammy Joe focused her line on spring/summer clothing. What really impressed me was her diverse collection featuring skirts, dresses, shorts, pants and even a trench coat. My favourite piece was a sleeveless jacket that had a quilt-like material on the side. Not only was it extremely unique, it looked so comfortable! All the pieces were wearable and will be seen in my future closet.

Be sure to check out Eco Fashion Week to learn about their upcoming events. The amazing team at Eco Fashion always puts their heart and soul into everything, making sure every event is better then the last. If you’re interested in being a part of the action, apply! They’ll love to hear about your Eco Fashion endeavors. Itching to see more photos? Head to Eco Fashion Week’s Facebook page!

Upon receiving an intriguing press release about up-and-coming Vancouver label Mateelda, I could not wait to learn more about Maryna Hrychana, the designer behind the gorgeous collection. I was not disappointed. In fact, the more Maryna and I corresponded, the more I realised we have this major thing in common: the belief that you can never be overdressed. With every question it became clearer to me that Maryna has valued style and beauty all her life. As someone who is frequently asked “You are wearing that? We’re just going for coffee?!” I completely understand Maryna’s desire to continually showcase her personal style, not only in how she presents herself, but in how she creates her collections.

The Vancouver-based designer draws inspiration from her surroundings in order to create stunning clothing and custom made jewellery sure to make everyone in the presence of her designs feel gorgeous. Maryna’s personalized collections incorporate chic femininity alongside clean lines with a classic look, simultaneously showcasing inspiration from her Eastern European upbringing and Vancouver’s modern style.

Sad Mag: How did Mateelda come to be?
Maryna Hrychana: Mateelda was a long-time dream. Growing up in Eastern Europe I realized how much effort most women put into looking fashionable every day. An imprint of my mother walking up the stairs in her high heels will always stay in my mind. After moving to Vancouver, I had an opportunity to attend a fashion show where someone randomly approached me with a question: “Are you a designer? We love your outfit!!” This question led me to a final decision with my career choice—to go into the fashion industry instead of the medical field. And that’s where it all began! I made a promise to myself to follow my passion towards beauty and aesthetics, and through my designs, to help people feel beautiful.

SM: What is the meaning behind the name of your label, Mateelda?
MH: I have been asked so many times how I came up with not just the name for the company, but also the logo. When starting the brand I wanted the company name to reflect and define exactly what the brand is about—classy and strong lines with unique details. The meaning of the old English name “Matilda” is “might, strength.” Changing the spelling from “I” into “EE” added unique detail, together with 3 classic colours. It just made perfect sense.

SM: What is your favorite piece in the current collection?
MH: The beautiful, chic, classy and tailored white cotton dress “Aliana.” It has structured lines that highlight a feminine body shape with a small detail of black French lace that adds just enough of a twist to make it look modern.

SM: What was your biggest influence/inspiration when designing the collection?
MH: Designing each collection the foundation of my inspiration comes from architecture, as I always have been fascinated by structure, lines, proportions, and of course, textures. Final accents in each collection are influenced by various cultures, mythology and the grace of body movement.

SM: How much is the collection a reflection of your personal style?
MH: It is funny, in the beginning one of my close friends commented that I design my own perfect wardrobe. I was always drawn to the elegant lines of the 50’s and the fun colours/patterns of the 60’s. In design, especially in fashion, there is a very fine line between your personal taste (as a designer) and the client’s needs and preference. Yet saying that, your personal style is the “soul” and definition of your brand, which you carry throughout each collection. That is what makes your brand different from others and appealing to your clients.

SM: How would you describe your personal style?
MH: As you constantly grow as a person, you change and so does your lifestyle and personal style. I love versatility and trying to break down the collection to mix and match it. With such a busy world these days you want to have functional outfit that will take you through the day looking professional and comfortable, but can still gravitate to a classy dressed up look: tailored dresses, skirts, but also a pair of jeans paired with high heels.

SM: Are you inspired by any other designers, or collections?
MH: Most inspiration comes from the people around me, life itself, and the journey of your work as you go. But I do admire designers such as Alexander McQueen. And of course Tom Ford is one of the most inspirational artists ever, in every field he works in.

SM: How was Eco Fashion Week?
MH: Participating in Eco Fashion Week was an amazing experience, as I met new colleagues and like-minded people! It is great to be a part of community where you can find beautiful art pieces designed with awareness towards the environment around us.

SM: Where would you like to see Mateelda five or ten years down the road?
MH: I’m a big believer that men and women are using fashion as a tool to express themselves to the world. I hope to see more people out on the street wearing Mateelda designs!

Mateelda designs are quickly spreading through Vancouver and being carried in boutiques such as Edward Chapman Woman on South Granville. Customized designs can also be ordered from www.mateelda.ca

Sitting down with Alex Waber and Lynol Lui, friends of Sad Mag and skilled photographers, was quite an adventure. Discussing everything from selfies to country music, this unstoppable duo is on their way to success in the photography world. With various similarities and an abundance of differences in their art, they’re definitely going to make their Fashion No.1 Photography Show diverse and unforgettable.

Sad Mag: Tell us about yourselves.

Alex Waber: My dad was a photographer, so when I was really young, he gave me cameras to play with. I learned on film, which was good because I learned to focus on something; granted at the time there were lots of photos of my dog and toys. My fascination with photography turned into a fascination with video in high school. I went to Capilano College for cinematography and worked in the cinematography industry doing safety videos, like “why you don’t wear ear buds when you’re working.” Ultimately I learned I didn’t like film because there are too many people and egos involved, and the hours were crazy. I ended up taking a step back into photography since there is so much more freedom in photography.

Lynol Lui: I did my undergraduate degree at the University of Lethbridge, where I came from. I started out doing fine arts, mainly drawing, then I got into photography through my sister and her partner at the time. They were based in Hong Kong, so I was fortunate enough to take a trip out there during my second year of university. They got me my first professional camera and her partner let me do my first shoot. All he said was “have fun,” and I just started firing away. I was so nervous, but that was my very first publication. That’s when I fell in love with photography and started to mend it with my drawings.

SM: What kind of set up do you prefer (music, tea etc.) when you’re photographing or editing?

AW: Music is crucial. Aside from country and hip-hop, I listen to everything else. I’m really into ambient noise right now. Through the editorial shoot I did for Sad Mag, I got wrapped up in the scene of experimental noises. It’s probably made a shift in my fashion photography. Before, I was inclined towards certain shapes, now I’m becoming more abstract. I can do my work on the bus, at a café, or at home, as long as I have my music to keep me in the zone.

LL: It’s interesting how influential music is. I always put hip-hop on, grab a coffee, sit in my office and I’ll literally be working for eight hours straight. When I’m doing a shoot, I like more of an intimacy of just the model and me. If someone else is there, she might feel uncomfortable.

SM: Do you prefer film or digital photography?

LL: Mostly digital. This technology is here right now so I might as well use it.

AW: Digital for clients, and film for my own personal stuff.

SM: How do you feel about Instagram?

LL: It’s a new way of marketing. It’s been an amazing platform for me; it’s opened so many doors. I’m taking advantage of it as much as I can. I know a lot of photographers that use it as a platform to showcase their art. They have two accounts, daily life and work life. I actually did a shoot once, Instagram specific. It was just to see if we get recognition from the brands we were photographing and we did get recognition. Just recently, I was reading about NY

Fashion Week and how some designers take advantage of Instagram. Some don’t allow pictures, while others like Tommy Hilfiger were inspired by Instagram, and had hashtags everywhere.

AW: I have a mixed relation

ship with Instagram. I’ve argued this with a lot of artists about this. It disguises mediocrity (iPhone camera photos) with a trendy filter, but then a lot of the filters are based off of the deterioration of photos. So it makes it look like the photos were taken ages ago. It kind of plays with a sense of time, this photo taken now, happened in the past. I like the way it dabbles with the sense of time in that way. Seflies are another trend I find fascinating.

SM: What should we expect at your upcoming art showing on Friday, February 28^th?

AW: We got a DJ, a bar, a wicked bartender that makes wicked cocktails, and wicked beer. Tons of people are coming like friends, family, and people we’ve never met that have become attached to our work.

LL: People that I’ve worked with, people in the industry. The public. It’s a good night to come out, listen to some music look at some beautiful pictures.

SM: What does the future look like for you?

LL: I told myself I would start printing more this year. I’m also going to keep submitting to editorials. I’d like to do more shows since this is my actually my first show in Vancouver. Last year, I was in local editorials and a few magazines in the US, so this year I hope to expand to bigger US magazines, and maybe even European editorials.

AW: Pretty much the same for me. I think Warhol said, “Make something, and while everyone is busy criticizing that, make something else.”

Make sure to stop by Remington Gallery and Studio at 108 East Hastings on February 28^th from 7pm to 1am to see the fabulous photos by Alex Waber and Lynol Lui. Follow Alex Waber on Facebook and follow Lynol Lui on Facebook to keep up to date on their art, lives, and future shows!

A few snaps from dutil.’s denim contest on Saturday, February 20. Thanks to dutil. for the invite and thanks to Hush Magazine and Rawr Denim for sharing your judging expertise with us. Congrats to the winners and a special thanks to sadall the participants for showing us their butts.

It’s difficult to find a pair of jeans that work for all your wobbly bits without giving you saggy bum, mom waist or love handles. Dutil denim helps you avoid asking your partner with the struggle by finding the perfect pair for your body type. Specializing in both women and men’s jeans, they have become a leading supplier of quality denim in Canada with a Vancouver store that opened in 2006, and a Toronto store that opened in 2011. They carry various types of cuts such as skinny, straight and boyfriend, in addition to different types of styles like low-rise and high-rise. The best part is that they come in different raw and washed denim colours, so the options are legitimately endless! You can see over 25 brands such as Levis, Cheap Monday, Naked and Famous, Baldwin, and more at the Gastown location on West Cordova and Cambie.

I got to chat with Thalia Stopa from dutil denim to discuss everything behind everyone’s favourite material. (Make sure to read til the end—there’s a contest down there!)

Sad Mag: Why did you decide to focus solely on denim?

Thalia Stopa: To focus on one thing gives us the ability to know so much about it. When people shop here, it’s almost like a personal shopping experience. We know so much about denim and how everything fits, so we can easily steer people in the right direction.

SM: Tell me about the shopping experience at dutil.

TS: Everyone comes in for something different so we try to have something for everyone. Someone will come in, they’ll have an idea of what they like. We’ll grab a bunch of brands for them to try. They come out, and we give them our honest feedback on what works and what doesn’t. Everyone’s has his or her body issues, so we’re really good at trying everything on beforehand. The only way to know if something really fits is to have it on your body. We have all that knowledge, and we use it to help people.

SM: What are some of the more unique brands that you carry?

TS: We tend to give start up brands a chance. Like Wood and Iron, it’s a brand new brand from a little mining town out of Quebec. It’s their first production run ever. Same with Tortoise, a brand out of LA that has limited quantities. The jeans are made by hand.

SM: What are the best selling jeans at the moment?

TS: For women’s, it’s boyfriend cut jeans, they’re back with a vengeance. We have a boyfriend/skinny hybrid, which I love! For men, a longer rise and a tapered leg is in but with a lot of room in the thighs.

SM: What is the upcoming trend in men and women’s denim?

TS: I’m definitely seeing a lot more tears, distressed, and repair details. In the past few years, it’s been steered clear from due to liability issues when people are trying on the jeans. For men’s, it’s more washes. Our store used to be mostly raw denim, but now it’s 50/50.

SM: What should we look forward at the Saturday February 22^nd event?

TS: There’s still a strong subculture of denimheads that are devoted to buying the smallest size possible, breaking them in and never washing them. The jeans are customized to their body. For example if someone has had a wallet in his or her back pocket for years, you’ll see an imprint of that. Basically we’re gonna see people who are passionate about the whole process, people who are proud of their subculture and what they’ve done. It’s wearable pieces of art.

With hopes of adding tailoring and additional artists on their record label, dutil denim is on the way to becoming a pioneer denim supplier for North America, and maybe even the world. Make sure to follow dutil denim on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more denimhead filled fun! Make sure to stop by their store on Saturday Februrary 22^nd to either enter the Fade February contest, or watch our awesome Sadmag judges decide which top three denimheads win a free pair of jeans.

There’s also a contest! Share your favourite style of denim (skinny, highwaisted, bellbottom—the options are endless!) in the comment section on this post (with your email too), and you’ll have a chance to win a $100 gift card from dutil. Winner will be announced on Sunday, February 23.

Aspiring designer and fashion fanatic Beau Muncer is finding a way to do what he loves in “No Fun City,” Vancouver. Born in Winnipeg and raised on the Sunshine Coast, Beau moved to Vancouver in his early twenties and soon discovered his passion for personal style. Having studied Fashion Merchandising at Blanche MacDonald with a focus on design awareness, Beau is revealing his craft with the launch of his first collection, “Beau” by Reggie Terrence.

SAD MAG: Who are you?

BEAU MUNCER: My name is Beau. I’m 27 years old and I’m now an aspiring fashion designer. I moved to Vancouver in my early twenties and thought I wanted to be a motorcycle mechanic. I was apprenticing under an expert, who’d been a mechanic for 25 years, but who hated motorcycles and wanted nothing to do with them. I didn’t want to feel that way, so his experience changed my plans. I was working in bars and one night a co-worker commented on my style and suggested I check out Blanche MacDonald. A week later I did and signed up to study fashion merchandising. I learned about the process of design, from conception to production, did really well and enjoyed it a lot. I realized I was a lot more creative than I gave myself credit for.

SM: After you finished at Blanche MacDonald, what did you do?

BM: Well, school isn’t cheap and neither is Vancouver, that’s for sure. But since school, I’ve always had a vision; I knew what I wanted to do. It was just a matter of getting things together in order to do what I wanted. I struggled a little bit, trying to start a business and launch my collection. It wasn’t working so I went up North for one year to work at the West Coast Fishing Club in Haida Gwaii and save some money. Now I’m back and I’m starting my dream of building the Reggie Terrence Empire.

Screen shot 2013-06-26 at 3.13.28 PM — WORKING ON THE COLLECTION “BEAU” BY REGGIE TERRENCE

SM: Tell me more about Reggie Terrence. Who is he and what is this all about?

BM: Yeah, so Reggie Terrence is my fashion label. “Beau” is (obviously) my name and the title for one of my collections. Reggie was my grandfather and Terrence is my father. The logo is a moustache because they both had moustaches. I even got a moustache tattoo because I couldn’t grow facial hair. I was inspired to take the best of each generation, to include the lessons we learn from the people that pass them down to us and build something with that. “Beau” by Reggie Terrence is kind of like the wild child who learns the lessons, goes through the “process of life” to get to “the dream” whereas Reggie Terrence is the dream, it’s the successor, the place or person we reach when we have found our way. So basically, this is the idea or inspiration behind the Reggie Terrence label and the collection of “Beau”.

“I realized I was a lot more creative than I gave myself credit for.”

Screen shot 2013-06-26 at 3.13.41 PM — WILD CHILD COLLECTION, “BEAU” BY REGGIE TERRENCE

SM: Now that you’re in the stages of launching your label, do you think “No Fun City Vancouver” interferes or enhances that process for you?

BM: I think the biggest challenge for artists in Vancouver is money and resources. I don’t think artists decide that they’re going to become a painter or a sculptor or musician because of the money (laughs). You have to love your craft and figure out any possible way to make money at it. The good thing about Vancouver is that it’s a big little city: it seems that there’s always some sort of connection to someone. You know, someone has a brother or you dated someone’s ex or someone knows someone that is working on a music video that needs styling. It’s a benefit in Vancouver that being in a smaller city you can actually expose yourself because of the network we have here.

SM: How did you get involved with Sad Mag?

BM: (Laughs) Through knowing you (laughs)! See? You always know someone who’s doing something in this city!

SM: I guess you’re right! So what’s next for Reggie Terrence? What’s inspiring you and where do you see yourself or your product in the next few years?

BM: Well, the next little while I’ll be doing what I like to call the “Hifiger Hussle”. Tommy Hilfiger started off by selling jeans out of the trunk of his car so, you know, you’ve got to start somewhere. The pieces for the “Beau” by Reggie Terrence collection are fun and have just the right amount of edge for a young, relaxed crowd. I think the pieces could easily be found in stores like El Kartel but my long term goal is to have my own store front one day. I’d like the store to be in Kits so we’ll see.

Screen shot 2013-06-26 at 3.14.01 PM — HILFIGER HUSSLIN’

SM: Where can we find Reggie Terrence’s collections now?

BM: I’ve got a promo video and the website is just about to be launched. There will be an online affiliation with shopify.com which will allow people to order the “Beau” product line online. Check out Reggie Terrence!

SM: Any words to the readers out there?

BM: Yeah, um, thanks so much for all of the support, especially my family, friends and everyone that’s made things possible for me so far. Working hard pays off but it’s everyone who helps that makes it all come together. Thank you!

Screen shot 2013-06-19 at 9.23.35 AM — help support BAM

Bam! What do you get when you mix a fashion show, live music, and a bow tie tying contest? BAM: an Alopecia Awareness event happening at Ginger62 this evening, Wednesday June 19^th. Partnering with Suki’s Hair Salon and Knot Theory, Erin Leach and Tanya Huang are fundraising for the non-profit organization BAM (Bold Alopecia Movement), by mixing sugar, spice and everything nice in order to create a fun and memorable event that is close to their hearts. Two of Erin’s favorite bands, Their There and Dogwood & Dalia, will entertain, and Tanya’s tie tying contest—as well as a fashion show featuring hairstyling’s by Suki’s hair salon—means the night is sure to be a hit.

Being a lover of dance parties, hair, bow ties, fashion and great music, I jumped at the opportunity to support BAM. Not only is BAM increasing awareness about the autoimmune condition Alopecia Areta, it’s actually one that will get you involved! BAM’s Alopecia Awareness Event is not your typical fundraising dinner or auction: this dance party will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fortunately for me, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the ambitious and always smiling Tanya Huang. As the founder of Knot Theory and one of the organizers of BAM, Tanya found the time (somehow!) to chat with me on a hot sunny day about her business, BAM, and of course, about Tanya’s experiences living with Alopecia Areta.

FT: When did you find out you had Alopecia Areta?

TH: I was in Taiwan [when] my hair fell out completely. They didn’t tell me what it was. They just said, have a baby and it’ll be okay…. I was 10 years old. The last time I had my hair [was at] age 16 when I went on this diet. I was about 90 lbs. I ruined my health [because] I thought if my health were down, my hair would grow back. [However] six months later, I lost my hair again! So three years ago, the same time I started Knot Theory, I started a support group. [Right now] we have 45 members in BC and we meet every month in person. Not everyone is brave enough to come to a meet up; it takes time. Because of this group, it helped me become more open about [Alopecia]. No one knew I had Alopecia. I thought I was confident [but] there was still something I was not okay with for my whole life. There are some people in the group that totally impress me. This girl, who’s had it for two years. She lives in a suburban area, she came downtown one time, and thought ‘hey, I don’t know anyone here. I’m going to Starbucks without my wig on!’ She did that for the first time and said it felt great. I thought, wow, I couldn’t do that! I think that listening to stories like that [really] helps. I started going to hot yoga without my wig. It was really good, because everyone was still blow-drying his or her hair and I was done!

FT: What reaction did you get from friends and family when you posted the Alopecia coming out video on YouTube?

TH: [It] was overwhelming! I didn’t expect so many people to reply and post something nice. I didn’t expect my friends to react badly of course. [However,] I was worried about the people who would find me attractive. The sex appeal! I’ve always thought this doesn’t look good; guys would see no sex appeal since hair is so strongly associated with beauty and femininity. It took me a long time to [think] I could rock this. This one guy I was seeing at the time, I told him about it [before the video], but I didn’t show him. After a couple of months, he asked me to see it. He was so turned on. This was one of the hottest guys I’ve ever been with!

FT: How was your experience on Dragon’s Den? Did it teach you anything?

TH: It was a lot of fun [leading] up to going into the den. […] It was kind of nerve-wracking preparing for it, but once I was there, I was so excited! I wasn’t nervous at all. The dragons were nice. I got all five of them to say yes to me; I thought I was getting airtime for sure! I [honestly] cared about two things: the image of Knot Theory was good, and that I get aired in front of 3 million viewers. I know a lot of people thought we got funded, but almost no one I know [that goes on the show] gets funded […] I learned what I already knew going in… it’s show business. It’s not really a show, about business, it’s [just] reality TV. My plan was if I got an offer, I’d say yes. If they were mean to me, I would make a scene, scream and cry. Maybe get a reality show offer! It was a good experience…the process of being in the studio was fun.

FT: How did you come up with the concept of re-inventing ties and why hasn’t anyone ever thought about changing it up before?

TH: I studied computer science [in University] even though I’ve always loved both art and science. I always wanted to do fashion. I kept saying, I’ll do it I’ll do it! It got to me one day [that] I was all talk! I quit my job after six years. [That same] month, I was looking at my old sketchbooks and came across these ties that didn’t look like ties. I actually hated ties! This is something I admit to more now. Before I wouldn’t want to say that because a lot of my fans like ties. I developed an appreciation for ties. They [actually] haven’t changed in centuries; they went through a lot of forms in the last few hundred years. Everything else [in fashion] has changed but ties are just ties. [One night] I was watching Battlestar Galactica and came up with twenty designs. I made a prototype; [this was] the first time I put on a tie. I thought that it looked good on a girl too. I could pull this off based on something artistic that you could wear. Ties don’t have to be functional. [For example,] pants have to be comfy, but ties are just ties. You get to have a lot of freedom with it. When I started it, I wasn’t thinking functional. I designed something very architectural. Then I thought people would like it if I changed the colours. Some people like the knots, some like the art of it. The first design took 11 months; it took a year to start the company. That’s why no ones done it, because its too hard!

FT: How did you get involved with BAM?

TH: I was talking to Ken Takagi [the president of] Suki’s last year, and it got me thinking, we have a pink bowtie that’s the same colour as their brand; maybe we can collaborate! In March, I decided to do the video [about having Alopecia on YouTube]; it got a lot of response. So [this year] I talked to Ken, and I said ‘hey, how do you feel about a hair salon donating to people without hair?’ He said ‘Okay love it! Let’s do it!’ At the same time, Erin Leach from my support group wanted to do a fundraiser to celebrate alopecia. So I thought ‘Let’s all combine!’ So its Erin, Tanya, Knot Theory, and Suki’s! We wanted to do something that’s actually fun; we have a fashion show, a bowtie tying contest, and a light-hearted alopecia Q&A. The idea of BAM is to get people more exposure. [When you] give more exposure to the public about alopecia, it becomes more sexy.

If you want to support the cause, hit up BAM’s Indiegogo page to either contribute to the fund, or buy tickets to the event happening June 19^th at 7pm. Tickets are $10 dollars to get into Ginger62, PLUS you get a free drink when you enter. 100% of the proceeds go to charity. Such a steal of a deal!

svensk eco fashion week — Svensk's 2013 Eco Fashion Week Collection

On April 21, Sad Mag writers Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy went on assignment for Vancouver’s Eco-Fashion Week with the intent of discovering how fashion—that most of ephemeral and wasteful of pursuits—justifies its involvement in the eco-friendly scene. How do luxury and consumerism co-exist with frugality and restraint? Over the following days, Jess and Farah discovered quite a lot that is new (most of it vintage!) in fashion and the green movement. Part 3 of 3. {Read their first dispatch here and their second dispatch here}

Interviewing Value Village’s Director of North American supply chain, Anny LeClerc and Director of Marketing, Sara Gaugl, Jess and Farah gather insight into the business of fashion and thrift.

ECO-FASHION ECONOMICS //Eco-Fashion Week // P.3

“One man’s trash, that’s another man’s come-up!”

–Macklemore, ‘Thrift Shop’

Reporting from Blenz on Granville Street, Jess Russell and Farah Tozy here! Today is the first day for the Eco-fashion week runway shows and our stomachs are swarming with butterflies! Arriving an hour early to rehearse our interview questions (and because we are punctuality superstars), we sip on our iced coffees. Nerves are scattered everywhere as we scan the coffee shop hoping to spot our interviewees. At exactly ten in the morning, two women appear with big smiles on their faces: Value Village’s Director of North American supply chain, Anny LeClerc and Director of marketing, Sara Gaugl. All of the butterflies go away since these women are just as excited as us to start the interview.

Where does Value Village stand in the fashion industry?
Sara Gaugl: We [at Value Village] are part of the fashion industry. We just have a different take on how we get our merchandise. Traditional retailers have to be current with seasonal trends, and as consumers, people want what’s new, what’s fresh, what’s on trend. The great thing about our store is you can experiment with new trends.

[All our stock is] second-hand, so we’re not creating new merchandise, [Value Village is] trying to keep product out of waste streams. There’s nothing wrong with purchasing new product. It’s just that for us, when people get tired of new clothes, or if it doesn’t fit, you want a new trend. Our environment is a great place for that. We know that there’s gonna be a front end of the stream, we just happen to be at the end.

We [at Value Village] source our merchandise from non-profit partners. The goods that are donated at our stores are from local consumers, or we purchase our merchandise from local nonprofit. Then local consumers buy our merchandise, so it’s really a great cycle to stay local.

Anny LeClerc: We don’t try to influence seasonal trends, we encourage shoppers to look for treasures and find vintage pieces. Be creative. Add a fresh spin to a current look. Add a vintage piece to a new piece, we have more than a hundred thousand items in our stores, you can really be creative, and that’s all that we’re about.

Do you think Value Village will ever go online?
AL: [Value Village is] all about the experience. The internet takes away from that. [In store] you can buy bed sheets, linens, or tablecloths and be creative. You can’t do that if you just see one item online. [Furthermore] you can walk around easily with our wide aisles and find what you’re looking for.

SG: In the past 60 years, [Value Village has] always been a local community based organization. I don’t see us changing that. We’re very value and selection focused. We put ten thousand new items a day. Three weeks is the maximum we keep merchandise on the floor. If a consumer doesn’t buy it during the first ten days, we relook at that item and say, why isn’t it selling? Did we price it correctly? Did we give it best chance to sell? After three weeks, we responsibly recycle it. We try to keep pushing out as much new merchandise as possible.

kim cathers eco fashion week — Kim Cathers's line Kdon for VEFW 2013

How did you first hear about Kim Cathers?
AL: It’s our third season of EFW and second season with Kim Cathers in collaboration with Value Village. Last season [Cathers] did 68lbs of textiles; anything that she found in the store. She made a dress with a lace tablecloth and some silk bed sheets. It was awesome! This year it’s a whole women’s collection with men’s suits and knits. It’ll be interesting. She’s very creative [and] talented.

SG: [Cathers] wanted to make it a bit of a challenge. Last season, she had any fabric or textiles that she saw in the store. She thought, I want to up the ante, and look at men’s suits. I want to inspire not only women, but have men think about their great quality clothes, and how to repurpose them. What [Cathers] is able to do is amazing; we hope that she inspires many designers to repurpose fabrics.

Do you think thrifting is becoming a fad?
SG: I don’t think it’s a fad. I think it’s becoming mainstream. [Value Village has] proudly been in business for 60 years. We open more than 20 stores a year and we don’t see that slowing down. Especially with Macklemore’s hit song! [Macklemore] actually filmed at one of our stores and our shoppers were in the video! That was fun, and it really brought more awareness.

I think people [are becoming] more comfortable purchasing second-hand goods. For me, it was a vintage coach purse. Similar to one my grandmother used to wear. We always love it when we hear shoppers that say, where’d you get it? Value village, 5.99!

[In addition to that] our partnership with EFW has been so tremendous because Myriam Laroche and the team have taken the lead on educating. It’s really all about consumer education. If you buy ten things a month, try to buy two of those things used. Just making that little step is big.

AL: Or if you buy something, donate something!

Jess and I [Farah] were shocked to learn that 68 lbs is on average how much people throw away each year, what is Value Village doing in attempt to change that number?
AL: It’s a lot of textiles. Here in Vancouver, [Value Village] has three non-profits: Diabetes Association, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Vancouver and Developmental Disabilities Association. We work with over a hundred and twenty partners across North America. Every item donated to a non-profit is paid for. They’re paid for [by Value Village] if it makes it on the sales floor or not. We have long term relationships with our partners, and always look for new nonprofits to bring into our cycle. You’re helping the charities and the environment. And honestly, we often get items that are just dry cleaned, or still have the price tags.

SG: Sometimes an entry point for an individual may not be clothing; it may be records, or crystals [that are] wonderful quality, barely used. Each garbage bag is on average 20lbs… Just make a conscious choice and get it out of the landfills. That’s why we thank you [Sad Mag] for bringing awareness.

We are all one entity. And we always want to have our nonprofits, so that everyone’s benefiting. We have the retail end of the business; they have the collection of the goods. When you add those two elements up, it’s a great model, and it’s always been our model. Things that you don’t need, you’re turning into revenue for nonprofits.

***

VALUE VILLAGE: TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL THRIFTING:
1. GET A CLUB CARD. This is the best way to get a bang for your buck. Even Jasmine Zhu, Thrift Chic Challenge designer, used her Club card to receive 30% off her purchases for her collection! It allowed her to create three piece ensembles.

2. CHECK ALL SIZES. Styles change, and so does sizing. What used to be a eight in 1950 could be a size two by today’s standards. Always keep an open mind.

3. GET INSPIRED. It’s all about what your interpretation of fashion is. Jasmine Zhu’s collection featured necklaces on her head. Create your own style by visiting every section at your local Value Village. Yes, even the lingerie section. You never know what diamonds in the rough you’ll find.

4. DONATE. Whenever you’ve collected enough pennies for your next shopping adventure, make sure to bring along some old clothing that you have no use for. You’ll be rewarded for your generosity with a coupon. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love coupons?

After an unbelievable runway show, Jess and Farah caught up with Vancouver eco-designer Kim Cathers. Cathers is a designer and vintage shop owner, a finalist on Project Runway and, excitingly, an advocate for environmentally friendly fashion. In the showrooms, Cathers chatted about her Fall/Winter collection, kdon, which is her second 68 pound challenge sponsored by Value Village. The 68lb challenge partnered up with Value Village to push Cathers to take risks beyond her comfort zone and make thirty pieces for a collection out of second-hand clothing.

KIM CATHERS and 68lbs OF CHIC BRILLIANCE // Eco-Fashion Week // P.2

Jess and Farah here! It is hard to sit still after Kim Cathers’ incredible show. We just watched as Cathers debuted one stunning look after another. Our favorite pieces included a shirt made of men’s blazers, a belted dress made entirely out of pants (the back pockets intentionally visible) and a collaged skirt made of the linings of men’s suits.

Cathers is fearless with her designs and on the runway, and her upbeat personality shone through when she danced down the runway to Disturbia. She was thrilled with how the show unfolded, especially how the balloons looked in the finale, and was eager to let us in on some of her guilty pleasures, unforgettable moments and insight on how we can ALL be more eco-friendly.

KDON, Cathers' collection for EFW 2013 and the 68lb challenge

Jess + Farah: We were surprised to discover that sixty-eight pounds is the amount of clothing each person throws away every year, do you think that a project like The 68lb Challenge will inspire others to be more eco-friendly?

Kim Cathers: I think that the stylists that showed before me [the Thrift Chic Challenge] show what you can do on your own. You can find pieces and put them together to make beautiful outfits without having any sewing skills. I think what I’m doing is showing that if you want to take it one step further…you can. A lot of the stuff I made was really simple, it may have looked really complicated but it wasn’t. I would cut one thing and put an elastic on it. A lot of it was deconstructed and made couture style. So I do the whole range of you could do that on your own or you could buy it from me. But I am hoping that by showing these kinds of styles it encourages people to see the different possibilities in what is discarded.

J+F: What was your budget for this project?

KC: Value Village allowed me this amazing privilege. I got to go during morning maintenance, which is when they take everything off the racks that has been there for three weeks, and I was able to look through the clothes and get stuff for free. The challenge was that not everything I wanted was being discarded that day. So they gave me five hundred dollars to supplement the collection. I spent most of the money on shoes and belts and some suits that I really loved that weren’t being thrown away any time soon. But for the most part it was all free. And when it gets taken off the rack it is literally going to be discarded, sent away, and never used again. So me and Myriam [founder of Eco-fashion week] have gone in the mornings at 3am to morning maintenance and it’s so fun and nobody gets to do that! It’s a huge privilege for me to be able to work with them. Value Village gave me free reign so I decided to put the challenge on myself this year to only use sweaters and men’s suits. I wanted to showcase all the things that could be made from a very small amount of material.

J+F: We loved your runway walk and we read that Disturbia is your favourite song. What is it about this song that you love so much?

KC: I will tell you a little secret. This collection was built with hundreds of hours of Disturbia on repeat. I found that my most productive time was between 12am and 5am, and I would put on my headphones and play it on repeat for five hours. And I figured out why it worked for me. It’s because I love the song and I know it off by heart and so my mind was able to not think about the music but to feel happy while it was playing and concentrate on creativity and sewing. I found that when I would try to listen to different mixes or a song came on that I didn’t know the beat would mess me up. But I just know that the song is my go-to song. So it was totally fitting that the finale song was Disturbia.

J+F: How did your experience on Project Runway prepare you for this?

KC: I think that working in a time crunch with limited materials set the precedent for being able to produce something creative and that was my vision. The pressure on that show was crazy and here no one is after me every day with deadlines. But I know it’s there. And I don’t want to be the guy that shows up to the runway with no clothes or everything is shitty, so I put the pressure on myself and I was able to do that because of having that experience before.

J+F: What was the most memorable article of clothing that you found while looking through the clothing at Value Village and what is your favourite piece that you found?

KC: That is a HARD question. I’ve been shopping at Value Village since I was fifteen so I have found a whole host of things. Last season I found a beautiful peach coloured crinoline and I have a costume trunk at home full of tutus, sparkly things and masks and so I always collect things for that. So finding the crinoline for that was amazing. I am a huge thriftier, I love thrift shopping. I found these leather leggings, and these shoes both from value village. I didn’t touch them at all I didn’t do anything to them, no sewing. I found them when I was looking for the show and then I was like nope… I’m going to keep them. And all the shoes in the show were from Value Village as well, the boots, heels, everything. And everything I found was from the Value Village on Victoria and [the one on] 48th and Hastings. Last season when I did the show shoes were kind of an issue, it was a spring summer collection and I’m really fussy about shoes, so finding strappy summer shoes was tough. But this season I found all of them, it was awesome!

J+F: In the words of Macklemore: can someone step into a thrift shop with $20 and find an entire outfit?

KC: You can. You can get a whole outfit for $20. If you have a certain aesthetic you are trying to achieve and you have very specific guidelines of what you want to buy maybe not. Maybe the pants you want are $15 and the jackets is $20. But you can get a cool outfit for $20 that you would like. But if you are going to be all fashionista and diva about it maybe not, you might have to spend $50. But still you’re saving money regardless.

{all images c/o Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy}

On April 21, Sad Mag writers Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy went on assignment for Vancouver’s Eco-Fashion Week with the intent of discovering how fashion—that most of ephemeral and wasteful of pursuits—justifies its involvement in the eco-friendly scene. How do luxury and consumerism co-exist with frugality and restraint? Over the following days, Jess and Farah discovered quite a lot that is new (most of it vintage!) in fashion and the green movement. Part 1 of 3.

GOING GREEN // Eco-Fashion Week // P.1

Jess and Farah here, reporting from Robson Square on season six of Eco-Fashion Week, where we got a taste of Vancouver’s fabulous fashion scene, and started to feel a bit like celebrities ourselves. (Can you say complimentary Noodlebox and cocktails?) We discovered that eco-friendly fashion has a wide variety of incentives, initiatives and styles, which demonstrate just how inclusive eco-fashion and sustainable clothing’s development has become. EFW showcased designers and products not only from Vancouver, but from all around the world.

But before the good life goes to our heads—all those free carbs!—let’s turn to the people who are actually talented: raw material designer Madera Elena, Diana Svensk with her warm stylings, and Evan Ducharme with his polished looks.

'Merely Me' by Madera Elena, photo by Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy

MADERA ELENA, MERELY ME

“This woman radiated positive energy. I felt an honesty that is hard to come by.” -Jess

“Grace.” That is the word New Yorker Madera Elena chose to describe her collection, “Merely Me.” Elena believes that everything we have in this world is given to us, and it is our responsibility to reuse, recycle and protect the earth we live on. Her spiritual outlook influences every aspect of her collection; this season, she placed her focus on earth tones, pure whites and grays.

From Elena we learned that the most common reason people throw away their clothing is because it doesn’t fit anymore. Which is why, instead of using buttons, all of Madera’s pieces are tacked with a floral pin that is adjustable and allows the body to be free and comfortable. Each of her versatile pieces is reversible, convertible and can be worn in at least three different ways. In order to reduce her carbon footprint, she uses 80% recycled fabrics for her clothing in addition to recycled paper for her shoes and accessories. Her fabrics are light, breathable and simple.

According to Elena, we should recycle our clothes, just as we recycle our experiences throughout our lives, by taking the ugly things that don’t “fit” and making them positive. She left us with these inspiring words: “Being conscious of who we are is just ‘Merely Me.’”

Diana Svensk, photo by Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy

DIANA SVENSK, SVENSK DESIGNS

“Diana was such a riot to talk to! I honestly wanted to hang out with her after the show, and of course, borrow all her clothes!” –Farah

We have never met a more down-to-earth designer than charismatic Swedish designer, Diana Svensk. Svensk creates knitwear that is fun, flirty and wearable, focusing on warm and comfortable feel-good clothing. Svensk began her business making bow hats, and now she incorporates her velour bows as a trademark into her skirts, jackets, sweaters and winter accessories.

In her words, her style is “what you see is what you get.” Her designs are straightforward and are easily worn with a pair of black leggings. This one-of-a-kind designer embraces feminine colours such as pale pink and mustard yellow in combination with bold patterns. What makes her clothing eco-friendly is her use of 100% organic alpaca wool which is hypoallergenic as well as seven times warmer, three times stronger than sheep’s wool.

When asked about Eco-Fashion in Sweden, Svensk replied that it is developing and hopes that her appearance in Vancouver Eco-fashion week will help her generate awareness back at home.

'Belladonna' by Evan Ducharme, photo by Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy

EVAN DUCHARME, BELLADONA

“We knew he nailed it, and so did he. Fighting back tears of happiness, Evan melted our hearts and we were there to witness his first huge success!” –Jess and Farah

VCAD graduate Evan Ducharme blew us away with his collection “Belladonna” featuring feminine silhouettes, detailed tailoring, and a sophisticated modern style. This 20 year-old Manitoba native started connecting with the fashion world by volunteering at Eco-Fashion week. He was then approached by the head of Eco-Fashion week, Myriam Laroche, to present his first eco-friendly collection. Designing in East Vancouver, he utilizes reclaimed fabrics as well as natural fibres and transforms them into reworked form-fitting garments.

Together with inspiration from style icons Bette Davis and Audrey Hepburn, Ducharme aims to create a look for women of all ages who are strong and independent. Ducharme explained that military jackets had a big impact on his vision for this collection; he wanted to focus on accentuating the waist by cinching it in and having fuller skirts on the bottom. We look forward to seeing what this young designer does next!

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