LGFW first-timers: Sarah Stevenson
Toronto-based clothing and textile designer Sarah Stevenson is making her debut at Spring 2011 LG Fashion Week in more ways than one: she’s showing on its runway for the first time and the show also marks the launch of her line, Sarah Stevenson Design. Stevenson is the first LGFW neophyte to take our our Fashion Week First-Timer questionnaire. Read all about it after the jump.
Why did you decide to go into fashion?
“I was working as an art therapist and never felt fulfilled. I did a lot of soul searching and realized that I wanted to do something creative and something I felt passionate about. Fashion is exciting and always changing. I love the challenge of trying to create something innovative and then make it your own—that is what really drew me to fashion.”
Why did you decide to show at LGFW this season?
“I won a scholarship through the Fashion Design Council of Canada and the Italian Chamber of Commerce to study my Masters in Fashion & Textile design in Milan. It was a fabulous experience and when I returned to Toronto I met with the FDCC to show them what I had learned during my program and ask their advice. When they offered me the chance to participate in this year’s event, I jumped at it.”
How has your time studying and working in Milan influenced your designs?
“Living in Milan was very inspiring. The Milanese have a deep respect for all aspects of design, their attention to detail is incredible and their flair for style is unparalleled. I absorbed so much while I was there—it changed the way I look at art, and my designs will always be influenced by the high standard of quality and beauty that Italy is known for.”
Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind your Spring 2011 collection?
“Last winter on a miserable day I went to Allan Gardens. Inside the greenhouse it was humid and felt almost tropical, and I spent hours photographing many of the beautiful plants and flowers. When I got home I began to paint and draw my interpretations of these images, which became the beginnings of my S/S 2011 prints. I was also reading a book about Art Nouveau at the time and swirling lines kept emerging in my drawings, so I embraced it and incorporated them.”
Why is it important for you to take an environmental approach to your designs?
“As a designer I think it is my responsibility to monitor how my clothing and textiles are produced. I know that right now the industry is just starting to shift in the direction of eco-fashion. It is my intention to adapt changes wherever possible to make my company more eco-friendly. I use only natural fibres, print with a waterless technique and only make to order so there is very little waste.”
How will you celebrate after the show?
“I will sleep! I’m exhausted! Just kidding—I will check out some of the other fabulous shows and celebrate with friends. I am fortunate that I have supportive and helpful friends who have been a terrific source of strength since I started my own line. They are really wonderful!”
Sarah Stevenson presents her Spring 2011 collection for Sarah Stevenson Design on October 21 at Toronto Fashion Week. Catch all of our coverage of the shows.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://fashionmagazine.com/style/lgfw-first-timers-sarah-stevenson/&title=LGFW first-timers: Sarah Stevenson&picture=https://fashionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/oct10sarahstevenson.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_26701" align="alignnone" width="332" caption="Sarah Stevenson wearing one of her own designs. Photography by Ciaran Reid."][/caption]
Toronto-based clothing and textile designer Sarah Stevenson is making her debut at Spring 2011 LG Fashion Week in more ways than one: she's showing on its runway for the first time and the show also marks the launch of her line, Sarah Stevenson Design. Stevenson is the first LGFW neophyte to take our our Fashion Week First-Timer questionnaire. Read all about it after the jump.
Why did you decide to go into fashion?
“I was working as an art therapist and never felt fulfilled. I did a lot of soul searching and realized that I wanted to do something creative and something I felt passionate about. Fashion is exciting and always changing. I love the challenge of trying to create something innovative and then make it your own—that is what really drew me to fashion.”
Why did you decide to show at LGFW this season?
“I won a scholarship through the Fashion Design Council of Canada and the Italian Chamber of Commerce to study my Masters in Fashion & Textile design in Milan. It was a fabulous experience and when I returned to Toronto I met with the FDCC to show them what I had learned during my program and ask their advice. When they offered me the chance to participate in this year’s event, I jumped at it.”
How has your time studying and working in Milan influenced your designs?
“Living in Milan was very inspiring. The Milanese have a deep respect for all aspects of design, their attention to detail is incredible and their flair for style is unparalleled. I absorbed so much while I was there—it changed the way I look at art, and my designs will always be influenced by the high standard of quality and beauty that Italy is known for.”
Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind your Spring 2011 collection?
“Last winter on a miserable day I went to Allan Gardens. Inside the greenhouse it was humid and felt almost tropical, and I spent hours photographing many of the beautiful plants and flowers. When I got home I began to paint and draw my interpretations of these images, which became the beginnings of my S/S 2011 prints. I was also reading a book about Art Nouveau at the time and swirling lines kept emerging in my drawings, so I embraced it and incorporated them.”
Why is it important for you to take an environmental approach to your designs?
“As a designer I think it is my responsibility to monitor how my clothing and textiles are produced. I know that right now the industry is just starting to shift in the direction of eco-fashion. It is my intention to adapt changes wherever possible to make my company more eco-friendly. I use only natural fibres, print with a waterless technique and only make to order so there is very little waste.”
How will you celebrate after the show?
“I will sleep! I'm exhausted! Just kidding—I will check out some of the other fabulous shows and celebrate with friends. I am fortunate that I have supportive and helpful friends who have been a terrific source of strength since I started my own line. They are really wonderful!”
Sarah Stevenson presents her Spring 2011 collection for Sarah Stevenson Design on October 21 at Toronto Fashion Week. Catch all of our coverage of the shows.
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