Designer gets set for Vancouver Fashion Week
If discovering cool, local and international designers is your MO for spring/summer 2018, you may want to stop by Vancouver Fashion Week. The style event provides an introduction to new and new-to-you brands that you likely won’t find in any old department store.
And one such designer is Alex S. Yu. Yu took a moment out of the pre-show prep to chat with Postmedia News about fashion design, fashion week — and creating clothes that are colourful, fresh and feminist.
Q What drew you to fashion design?
A I have been into fashion since secondary school, but more as a spectator. I religiously read fashion magazines, watch fashion shows/fashion TV and dreamed of working in fashion. Fashion design didn’t occur to me until much later in life when I was in university and was studying computer science.
I did not enjoy it and wanted to try something new, and just with a sudden urge, I enrolled in a part-time sewing class and have never looked back since.
Q How would you describe your design esthetic?
A My design esthetics are young, colourful and fresh, with a touch of nostalgia and quirky feminism.
Q And how has that esthetic changed since you first started as a designer?
A I would say my designs have gotten more wearable and relatable throughout the seasons, yet still maintaining my esthetics of fun and quirky feminism. After working with clients and retailers, I am able to take the feedback and incorporate it into my newer designers and make them more wearable and easier to incorporate into an existing wardrobe.
Q How would you describe the collection you’re set to show at Vancouver Fashion Week?
A The collection is titled The Crimson Demur. This season, I dived into a lot of Grimms’ fairy tales and was very fascinated by the tales as old as time. The gruesome and violent details in the stories were very different from the ones I had been accustomed to as a child. I wanted to use the contrast of the two to create the collection, while introducing some more regal silhouettes and design details into the collection. This collection, I also used a lot of very rich textiles and textures to create my version of a modern-day princess.
Q Lastly, where can people check out your designs for themselves?
A My designs can be seen on my website at alexsyu.com. I will also be hosting a Pop Up Shop/Showroom from March 30-April 1 at 151 Cambie St. in Gastown, where the new collection and my ready-to-wear collection will be on display for people to try on and purchase.