5 minutes with Sid Neigum

Sid Neigum
Sid Neigum

With his distinct talent and penchant for performance art, it comes as no surprise that small-town Alberta designer Sid Neigum (sidneigum.com) once created a 300-pound dress from old tires and screws. He’s currently studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York as well as producing full collections for women and men, which he’s shown at Toronto’s LG Fashion Week for the past two seasons. Neigum is lighting up Canadian runways, but with an exceptionally dark appeal.

What’s been the biggest surprise this past year?
“Developing a unique brand identity has been one of the most fun and nerve-racking experiences I’ve had. There’s some interesting psychology behind creating desirable products. It’s a huge challenge to make people want something that they don’t necessarily need. It has to be perfection.”

What was the inspiration behind your Fall 2011 collections?
“Music and travelling. I’m really into Siriusmo and Gesaffelstein, [and] I often think about new outfits while listening to music.”

What piece should every woman own from your Spring collection?
“Anything leather!”

Your name, Sid, is actually as alias. What’s the story?
“It was a nickname I got at Marvel College. It was from the Toy Story movie, where the antagonist, Sid, would break all the toys apart and then put them back together, with a doll’s head on spider legs and stuff. I thought it was fitting.”

More Style