Charlottetown: Sunsets rising
If I was an 18-year-old designer bursting at the seams (no pun intended) with talent, I can’t promise I would be anywhere near as modest as the three girls who make up the design team of Sunsets on the Eastside. Katryna Crabbe, Kirsten Sweet and Jackie Skinner of Queens County, Prince Edward Island debuted their clothing line at P.E.I. Fashion Week in 2006 when they were barely 16 years old. Two years later, the girls have formed a small company and sell their cute wares both on Facebook and at the local vintage hipster haven, The Green Man Vintage and Vinyl (48 University Ave., 902-566-1361) .
As if is this isn’t reason enough to be impressed with the self-possessed and ambitious eighteen-year-olds, the clothing they design also tends to leave local fashion lovers breathless. The pieces in their most recent collection vary widely as each member’s sense of style lends something a little different to the clothes. Skinner’s designs are the most artful and involve bold colors, big funky buttons and crazy prints. Sweet cites American designer Alexander Wang and street fashion blogs like Hel-Looks as influences and her clothes reflect that by being simultaneously feminine and punky (think Sonic Youth‘s Kim Gordon). Finally Crabbe’s designs are classic and offer up an old time movie star glamour that isn’t often seen on the streets of Charlottetown.
So what’s up next for the talented teens? The girls are plotting their next collection, creating a company web site and are psyched to be launching a fashion blog (Update: It’s launched!). To contact Sunsets on the East Side, add them Facebook or email them at sunsetsontheeastside@gmail.com.
My name is Amanda Bulman and I’m a 22-year-old freelance writer, graphic novel fanatic, vintage fashion fiend and photographer in the beautiful city of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This Island is not known to our more obviously stylish neighbouring provinces as being a hip, fashion-enlightened, happening place, but I’ve found that once you look around you’ll find that some of Canada’s most talented (and underrated) designers, stores and musicians call the birthplace of Canada’s Confederation home.