Lethbridge’s fashionistas have been building their own fashion community over the past 11 years thanks to the annual Lethbridge Fashion Weekend.
The much anticipated event takes place at the SAAG, Dec. 1-2. It features the latest designs by Lethbridge designers in addition to DJs M
idnight Cowboy and The Business as well as live music from Jordan Davidson, plus door prizes and gift bags.
“It’s a series of fashion shows, sales and activities designed to support the fashion community of Lethbridge,” summarized organizer Shelly Court.
She and some friends started sowing the seeds for plan 11 years ago, when she moved to Lethbridge to teach at the Lethbridge College Fashion Design program. While numerous Lethbridge College fashion program alumni participate in the show, the College is not involved in the event.
Their first event was at a nightclub downtown called Suede, which was where Moxies is now. They moved it to the Legion after that, then the Zoo at the University of Lethbridge and for the past four years, they have been holding it at the SAAG’s main gallery, which they rent in between exhibitions.
They hold two events a year — one in spring and one in the fall. And while people usually dress up to attend the events, it is not required. Court noted they usually attract between 200-300 people to the event, depending on the weather.
Students are not only a big part of the audience for the show, but for the designers as well, so their shows are during the school year.
“We started it because we wanted to create something for the fashion community in Lethbridge. We have a good base— we have the Lethbridge College fashion design program and the theatre costume design program at the university,” Court said.
“I love that it is a reason for all of the people who are interested in fashion can come together in one place,” Court continued.
“ I love that everyone is dressed fantastic and we’re surrounded by beautiful people,” she continued.
Designers from Lethbridge, two from Calgary, one from Medicine Hat and one coming all the way from Winnipeg will be participating in the event, which begins at 7 p.m., Dec. 1, with the show beginning at 8 p.m. The sale will be the next day, Dec. 2.
There is no overall theme for the show, though the designers will be focusing on practical, everyday fall fashion and original designs. The designers have been inspired by everything from vampires to vintage ’60s clothing.
“ But Patricia Livingstone is adding LED lights to the front of textiles,” Court noted.
The event has evolved over the past decade.
“It’s more professional now. Our designers make quality garments,” she said.
“It is definitely more of a professional event. You can’t help but to get more professional when you move from a nightclub to the SAAG,” she enthused.
The featured designers include MOIRAI by Anna Nemtsova, donell by Donell Kollias, Belle Amour by Kristen Mrazek, Lauren Rebecca by Lauren Enns, Beatrix Couture by Patricia Livingstone, Of a Feather by Sarah Auston, Penny Lane by Stephanie Hogan, Bowtied by Tammy McNamara and Schizostyle by Shelly Court.
As a designer and participant, Court loves seeing everyone else's new designs.
She called her line Schizostyle to reflect the disparate influences and styles.
“ This year I was inspired by different patterns and colours. She’s sporty and she’s flirty. One day she might want to be a tomboy another day she might want to be the prom queen. There are no rules. That was my approach,” she continued.
“ I love seeing all of the new faces and I love seeing all the clothes. The models are calling dibs on their favourites,” she laughed.
Model Rachel Kieper is a veteran of Lethbridge Fashion Week shows, modelling in her first Lethbridge Fashion Week show in 2005 when her daughter turned six months old.
“I just like doing runway work,” Kieper said.
“I like it all. I like the adrenaline from it,” she continued.
“I don’t usually get to do Lethbridge things. I’m usually in Edmonton or Calgary,” added model Aly Mahovlic, who will be taking part in her first Lethbridge Fashion Week show this year.
“It’s probably the adrenaline,” she said of her favourite part of modelling.
Designer Stephanie Hogan drew a lot of inspiration for her designs from the original 1971 Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory film.
“It is very much structured to fit the female body. It’s very flirtatious,” Hogan said adding she enjoys designing ’70s styles.
“ I’ve always loved the lines and fabrics of the ’70s,” she said.
“I get a lot of inspiration from movies,” she added.
She is looking forward to being part of her second Lethbridge Fashion Week as she was also involved in the spring show.
“I’ve been sewing for two weeks straight,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to it being over because of the stress levels it puts me at,” she laughed.
She has set a goal of creating 12 different outfits for the show.
She noted she has had a lot of support.
“I’ve got a practicum student from Lethbridge College and my friends. They help with the design and cutting things out,” she said.
More information about the event and the designers is available at http://www.lethbridgefashionweekend.blogspot.ca/
“There is a really good fashion community here, people just need to find it,” Court said.
Tickets for the show cost $15 at Nicholai (330 7 Ave South) or at the door. All money raised goes to put on next year's events. Doors open at 7 p.m., the show begins at 8 p.m.
