How Canadian Designer Tanya Taylor Ended Up at Buckingham Palace
... and met the Duchess of Cambridge herself
We can debate ad nauseam the perils of the internet, of social media, of being “connected” 24/7 but the instant connectivity of the web also allows for creative and cultural exchanges that would have been unthinkable just a decade ago. It’s how Livia Firth’s Eco-Age, the British Fashion Council, and the Commonwealth Fashion Council were able to pull off the ambitious Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, launched earlier this month at London Fashion Week.
Bringing together design and artisan talent from 52 Commonwealth countries, this inaugural event aims to encourage cross-cultural projects and promote sustainability-focused design, with labels like Karen Walker from New Zealand, Behno from India, and Lucian Matis from Canada teaming up with artisans from regions like Sri Lanka, Namibia and Seychelles. (Fun fact: Behno’s founder Shivam Punjya was even present, via Skype, at the traditional blessing ceremony his partners, artisans from the Pacific islands of Tuvalu, held before sending off their handmade crochet panels to him in New York. The delights of modern technology!)
The looks created through this exchange were showcased at a special reception at Buckingham Palace during London Fashion Week F/W 2018, with the Duchess of Cambridge in attendance. As one of two Canadian designers invited to participate in the initiative, Tanya Taylor gives us the lowdown on the once-in-a-lifetime event at Buckingham Palace and how her New York label got a seat at the table.
How did the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange project come about?
I’m a Canadian citizen and our partners over at Swarovski reached out to see if I would be interested in representing Canada in the fashion exchange. The program kicked off with an event at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Duchess of Cambridge, and it was surreal.
Cross-cultural partnerships that dissolve the borders between us seem more important now than ever. What are your thoughts on the effort?
It’s important to be able to see things from different perspectives. There’s something so cool about designers and artisans coming together from all of the Commonwealth countries for a bigger initiative.
Tell us about the look you created and the techniques, fabrics and materials used.
We used a silk hand tie-dyed technique to create a printed bodice encrusted with Swarovski upcycled crystals. Multi-coloured paillettes embellished the dress’s skirt, using fabrics from our archives.
What were some of your favourite looks by other designers/artisans, and what did you love about them?
I loved the dress Karen Walker made with a community of Tivaivai craftswomen from the Cook Islands. It highlighted iconic flora found on the Cook Islands.
What was the highlight of the Buckingham Palace event for you?
It was one of the most memorable nights of my life. Meeting Kate Middleton and talking to her about our design was amazing. It would be a dream to dress her!
The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange creations are currently on view in a public exhibition at Australia House in London, until 6 March.
The looks created through this exchange were showcased at a special reception at Buckingham Palace during London Fashion Week F/W 2018, with the Duchess of Cambridge in attendance. As one of two Canadian designers invited to participate in the initiative, Tanya Taylor gives us the lowdown on the once-in-a-lifetime event at Buckingham Palace and how her New York label got a seat at the table.
[caption id="attachment_334307" align="alignnone" width="1512"] Photography via Tanya Taylor[/caption]
How did the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange project come about?
I'm a Canadian citizen and our partners over at Swarovski reached out to see if I would be interested in representing Canada in the fashion exchange. The program kicked off with an event at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Duchess of Cambridge, and it was surreal.
Cross-cultural partnerships that dissolve the borders between us seem more important now than ever. What are your thoughts on the effort?
It's important to be able to see things from different perspectives. There's something so cool about designers and artisans coming together from all of the Commonwealth countries for a bigger initiative.
Tell us about the look you created and the techniques, fabrics and materials used.
We used a silk hand tie-dyed technique to create a printed bodice encrusted with Swarovski upcycled crystals. Multi-coloured paillettes embellished the dress’s skirt, using fabrics from our archives.
[caption id="attachment_334308" align="alignnone" width="2733"] Photography via Tanya Taylor[/caption]
What were some of your favourite looks by other designers/artisans, and what did you love about them?
I loved the dress Karen Walker made with a community of Tivaivai craftswomen from the Cook Islands. It highlighted iconic flora found on the Cook Islands.
What was the highlight of the Buckingham Palace event for you?
It was one of the most memorable nights of my life. Meeting Kate Middleton and talking to her about our design was amazing. It would be a dream to dress her!
The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange creations are currently on view in a public exhibition at Australia House in London, until 6 March.){kind=link}