"What?...I didn't know there was any Canadian Fashion?" This comment from a member of the British press who questioned an invitation to a Canadian fashion show in London in 1988. Twenty years later I would cringe if this was still the case. Luckily I see the focus on local designers being brought to the forefront. The reasons, I feel though, are more due to our ability to roll with the punches.
A few years ago governments made it easier/ cheaper to produce in China. This put alot of factories in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Montreal, out of business. This in turn made it harder for small to mid size companies to compete against the larger companies. (BTW, successful Canadian fashion companies like Club Monaco, Mac & Jac, Robeez & Jax were bought out by american companies. Guess where they produce.) Ok so now we have our small to mid size fashion houses struggling. Ok so now we have 500 fashion grads in Vancouver alone vying for less and less jobs. (Oh! Don't forget about the recession.)
Well, you can't stop a creative force as strong as a new designer and voila! Main St. and Gastown become Indie Fashion Hubs. Sustainable design, Eco Fashion, Local Designer are now synonomis with Vancouver Fashion.
So, on this Canada day, when I sing Oh Canada, I am thinking about every single Vancouver sewing factory worker, design house, fashion student, independant designer following their dream and raising children at the same time.
Now instead of hearing, "Oh, I didn't know there was any Canadian Fashion.", We are hearing, "Oh, I know where to buy Canadian Fashion."
We are stronger together so be proud about wearing Canadian!
A few years ago governments made it easier/ cheaper to produce in China. This put alot of factories in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Montreal, out of business. This in turn made it harder for small to mid size companies to compete against the larger companies. (BTW, successful Canadian fashion companies like Club Monaco, Mac & Jac, Robeez & Jax were bought out by american companies. Guess where they produce.) Ok so now we have our small to mid size fashion houses struggling. Ok so now we have 500 fashion grads in Vancouver alone vying for less and less jobs. (Oh! Don't forget about the recession.)
Well, you can't stop a creative force as strong as a new designer and voila! Main St. and Gastown become Indie Fashion Hubs. Sustainable design, Eco Fashion, Local Designer are now synonomis with Vancouver Fashion.
So, on this Canada day, when I sing Oh Canada, I am thinking about every single Vancouver sewing factory worker, design house, fashion student, independant designer following their dream and raising children at the same time.
Now instead of hearing, "Oh, I didn't know there was any Canadian Fashion.", We are hearing, "Oh, I know where to buy Canadian Fashion."
We are stronger together so be proud about wearing Canadian!
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