FAMED Fashion Magazine: Wanny Tang Update

An update I wrote on well-known Vancouver designer Wanny Tang.

(click for original piece)

Transitional Vancouver Fashion

by Stefanie Jesney

Wanny Tang's career has been a series of beautiful transitions. The designer transitioned from a child with a love of sewing and embroidery to a graduate with a degree in Clothing & Textiles. From there a move was made into graphic design, then Chief Designer for Sergio Valente Sportswear in New York City. When the time was right, she began designing collections under her own name and the eponymous fashion label known as Wanny Tang was born.

"The challenge is doing everything yourself," explains Tang of her journey from simply working in fashion to now designing her own label and running a retail business at the same time. "I also like to meet the people that come into the store, get their feedback and make that personal connection." Customer input has been invaluable in helping to create a successful brand as well as great collections year after year. The boutique was opened in 2008 and on top of selling her clothing, it also offers hats and shoes of the artist's own design. Tang collaborates with an Italian factory to produce the distinctive headwear and shares, "I love seeing people wear hats. Not many people do nowadays, but years ago everyone, both men and women, wore the most beautiful hats."

The Wanny Tang line could best be described as classic, simple and possessing a strong feminine presence. Tang is quick to note designs are never too girly or fanciful. All pieces are versatile, allowing the wearer to dress up them or down and to create a personality all their own. The line is composed of easy to wear dresses, jackets, tops, and skirts constructed out of fabrics carefully chosen for the cut and fit of specific styles. "I like the technology of the modern textiles because it allows us to have more flexibility in our design and provide extra comfort for our customers at the same time." The majority of pieces are produced in a basic monochromatic colour palette, ensuring they are adaptable and wearable for all ages and lifestyles.

After enjoying great success designing womenswear, Tang is embarking on yet another transition, this time a break from operating an independent boutique. "We're closing the store so I can focus more on upcoming changes," she explains. "It has been good journey for me to gain all the retail experience and establish the connections with my clients." With the completion of the store's lease, it is a now time for her to focus more on the design side as well as new opportunities. The coming months will see this company moving forward in unique and exciting directions.

For now, the Wanny Tang collection can be seen at selected local boutiques or at her new show room located at 1320 E. 3rd Avenue in Vancouver. (By appointment only ) An online shop is also under construction which will help market the brand to a much wider target audience. For more information or an appointment call 1-604-685-3384. Join the email list at info@wannytang.com to receive upcoming newsletters and event details.

Vancouver Fashion eZine: Shop Cocoon article

Here's an article I wrote about the beautiful Shop Cocoon in Cambie village.

Local Wonders To Behold

by Stefanie Jesney

As one walks into Shop Cocoon on Cambie Street, the eye immediately focuses on the décor. A pair of larger-than-life antlers crowns the cash wrap and adds to the already cozy, cottage-y feel of the store. It may look small from the outside (like most shops in the Cambie area) but once inside, you feel like you could browse for hours.

Shop Cocoon was born from an idea that owner Brenda Li dreamed up after completing an extensive fashion education at both UBC and New York’s Parsons New School for Design. Li created the shop as a platform for local designers to showcase and sell their work to Vancouver fashion lovers. It was important, as a former designer of her own clothing line, to support new artists and give them the opportunity to gain a following. The name “Cocoon” was chosen because it evokes images of butterflies emerging from chrysalides, which represent the emerging designers showcased at Li’s shop. Shop Cocoon works as a co-op which is very unique to Vancouver; Designers can rent space in the store but have to work there at least one day a month and in turn, they are given the full profit from sales of their lines. Li explains the benefits: “It’s a unique experience because the designers actually get to meet and interact with their customers. They get great feedback which in turn helps them to improve on their line.”

When visiting the store, first-time customers can expect to stay and explore for a while. Li chooses designers based on versatility so that the shop is a one-stop haven for the style-savvy. Shoppers will find beautiful local jewellery, clothing for every occasion, shoes and even home accessories like vases, soap and kitchen aprons. Eighty per cent of the merchandise in the store is local and Li fills in the gaps (for example, jeans from Free People) with the other twenty per cent. “I wanted to make sure that customers have a cohesive shopping experience,” she explains, and Shop Cocoon accomplishes that. One can find a head-to-toe outfit as well as gifts for special occasions. Also adding to the magic of the store is the décor: Li makes all the props and window displays herself. “You should see my garage! It’s full of works-in-progress that I plan to make into props and decorations.” Dark-stained wooden bookcases and white-washed picture frames lend a home-y and friendly ambiance to the shop which perfectly compliments the down-to-earth yet girly designs that Shop Cocoon carries.

A dedicated shop owner, talented designers, and a great atmosphere all combine to make Shop Cocoon a staple on the Vancouver retail scene. Customers in need of a fresh summer dress, funky accessories, or a gift for a loved one will be able to find locally-designed and quality pieces to meet their needs. Shop Cocoon is located in Cambie Village at 3345 Cambie Street and is open seven days a week. Visit www.shopcocoon.com for more information.

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Vancouver Fashion eZine Article: Su Foster Jewellery

Here's an article I wrote for Vancouver Fashion eZine on local jeweller Su Foster. It was such a pleasure to meet her and discover her line!

Where Talent and Passion Meet 

by Stefanie Jesney

 It all started with plastic ponies. When Su Foster was young, her mother came home with a bag of leather scraps from which the designer fashioned miniature saddles for these toys. Even at a young age she showed a keen attention to and love for detail, adding stirrups and even buckles to the crafted saddlery. Continuing to exercise her creative muscle in high school, Foster made faces out of clay which were painted and sold to classmates. They were so popular that for a year she sold them in west coast boutiques. 

Since the early days as a kid crafter, Foster has become known locally as a skilled jeweller and talented artist. She has three beautiful lines created in a studio space in East Vancouver in the artist-occupied Mergatroid Building. The West Coast rings line is comprised of textured rings inspired by the nature found in British Columbia: woodgrain, rain, driftwood and rainforests. The artist shared that this line was motivated by the men she often saw at craft shows with their wives and girlfriends; “I’d always see husbands and boyfriends wandering around with a glazed-over look on their face, so I thought what would men like?” Salad-days is a line of fun, dainty and affordable rings and earrings inspired by plants. It was created as a budget-friendly introductory line that wouldn't intimidate first-time customers. The third line currently in development is a luxurious collection of filigree jewelry made of silvers and golds. The filigree was born of Foster’s love for small repetitive tasks as well as the desire to display the more advanced techniques learned in school: “Because there are so many jewellers out there, I try to do really technique oriented processes so I can stand out.” 

When asked about her affinity for crafting rings (two of the collections are ring-focused), Foster explained, “I think I do rings because a lot of people don’t. In order to make a ring you have to have some jewellery education; you need to know how to sodder for example, so somebody who does beading or hemp can’t compete.” The artist learned these more advanced techniques at Kootenay School of the Arts where she earned a diploma in Jewelry and Small Object Design. Also adding to her credentials was an after school job in high school where she worked with a local goldsmith placing tiny scales on the backs of the brass dragon sculptures he made. As a self professed lover of miniscule, repetitive tasks, the part-time job was a labour of love. 

Foster's inspiration often arises from the need to get creative.  A lack of tools and supplies can be the inspiration for some of her best ideas.  This common thread of creativity has always been there and has been crucial in her success as both a jeweller and artist. The West Coast Ring collection can be found a Lloyds of Gastown and Salad Days is available at Forsya Boutique on Main St. She is also very active at craft shows and sells some pieces in her online shop. 

Visit www.sufoster.com for more information.

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Vancouver Fashion eZine: Tension Clothing Article

Here's a cover story I wrote for Vancouver Fashion eZine about local design house Tension Clothing. Creator of the lines Joyce Ma was so inspiring!

Edgy, Subtle, Delicate, Playful

by Stefanie Jesney 

Edgy, subtle, delicate, playful; these are words that characterize two lines by versatile Vancouver design-duo Joyce Ma and Beverly Lee Kwen. Although one line is described as a collection of fairy-tale dresses, the Tension Clothing story reads more like a down-to-earth tale of hard work, talent and a passion for the industry. 

After earning her diploma in design, Vancouver native Joyce Ma noticed a deficit of design jobs on the West coast. She considered moving east but instead used her industry savvy and Bachelor’s in Business Administration to write up a business plan. Before long, Tension Clothing was born. It began as a line of separates, coordinates and suitings for professional, fashion-minded women and since then has grown into a line of separates that can be effortlessly combined. Ma explains the evolution of the line; "11 years ago suitings were very popular in the work place but now they have taken a different turn. There are so many people working from home or casual offices and that has changed the way we dress." 

As the business grew, Tension needed more hands on deck. About two years into the Tension Clothing venture, Ma asked her brother if he knew of anyone interested in fashion who might want a job doing odd tasks around the office. He recommended his Kwantlen-educated friend Beverly Lee Kwen, and the two women soon formed a strong partnership. On working as a team with Kwen, Ma says it’s nothing but a benefit; “We bounce ideas off of one another. We’re very supportive of one-another creatively, but we’re also never afraid to say no that won’t work.” This partnership would prove fruitful when Ma began to notice some buyers only buying the dresses from the line, and asking for more of them. She decided it was time to start Sweet Chemise, and asked Kwen to design the line with her. Sweet Chemise is a dresses-only line, and is defined by occasion - formal event, daytime, cocktail, etc. The label allowed the designers to branch out to fabrics that wouldn't work in the suitings of Tension Clothing, but that they as artists were naturally drawn to. 

Sweet Chemise’s fall 2011 line utilizes lots of print and plenty of colour. This is unusual for fall collections, but Ma says it was what the buyers asked for. As a lover of prints and feminine fabrics, she was all too happy to accommodate the request. On the other end of the spectrum is Tension’s fall collection which is comprised of a dark, neutral colour palette with lots of texture in the form of knits, plaids, and tweeds. The designer illustrates the need for a rich feel: “Fall to me is really about textures. The fabric tends to need to have a better hand because people want to wrap themselves in it and feel cozy.” This visceral understanding of her customer, as well as her passion and business-savvy is what has helped make Tension Clothing and Sweet Chemise so successful. 

Tension Clothing has three other labels under its umbrella in addition to Sweet Chemise, including a children’s lounge wear line called Mochi ga ga, a dress line for girls aged two to seven called Sweet Chemise Princess and T by Tension, a line of “athleisure” wear for active women. Tension is available at Urban Rack, Blush and many other stores in BC and nationwide. For more information, visit their website www.tensionclothing.com

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Vancouver Fashion eZine: Sabrina Lynn Article

Here's an article I wrote for Vancouver Fashion eZine on fashion student Sabrina Lynn.

 

 Taking on the Impossible 

by Stefanie Jesney 

Young designer Sabrina Lynn’s works have deep roots. Having lived on both east and west coasts of Canada, she says she is most inspired by the Maritimes where she grew up because of the beautiful landscapes and crashing waves. If you’re a lover of nature and bohemian delicacy, her designs will speak to you. Her graduating collection for the Art Institute of Vancouver is titled Simple. While her earthy colour palette of browns, creams and dusty rose might look simple to the untrained eye, her clothes are filled with detail and personal touches abound. 

Sabrina Lynn’s love of design and artistry can be traced back to her childhood. She always enjoyed drawing – houses in particular – and her parents were astonished at her extreme attention to detail early on. This love for detail is reflected in Simple where even the simplest garments have small touches (such as lace trim) that one might not notice in passing. The minute elements in her pieces are what make them so special; the wearer feels a physical sense of attachment to these deeply personal creations. In addition to a love of detail, Sabrina Lynn is passionate about re-using and re-working garments into new and beautiful conceptions. Before she ever knew how to draft a pattern, she was re-constructing old clothes she didn’t like anymore into unique pieces to wear to school. 

One of the standout garments in her grad collection is the Antique Lace Hoodie, a sleeveless, satin hooded tunic with tiny gold buttons down the front and lined with some very special lace. The lace was taken from her mother’s wedding dress, a generous gift from her supportive mom when Sabrina Lynn was looking for inspiration. She worked the lace and trims from the gown into the hoodie as well as a few other pieces in the collection for an overall feeling of originality and easy cohesiveness. 

Along with the lace wedding dress, her mother also gave her a couple of vintage furs that will be used in a future collection. The designer laughs when she recalls an instance in her Art Institute days when a teacher discouraged her from re-using the leather from an old jacket for a bustier. “She told me ‘This is a really complicated project, make it easier on yourself!’ The pattern pieces were going to be almost impossible to cut from the existing jacket.” Sabrina Lynn chose to go ahead and take on the near “impossible” drafting challenge and use the skills learnt as a springboard to book future work. This ambition has served her well. Based on her skills, she was recently commissioned to create five unique garments for a jewellery designer friend to use in her latest show. 

Sabrina Lynn is currently pursuing her career in the fashion industry by working as an assistant designer/seamstress for another Vancouver designer as well as collaborating with a fellow Art Institute graduate on a collection for the upcoming TASS Fashion Show in October 2011. For more information on this designer's most recent projects you can check out her blog at http://simplesabs.wordpress.com

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