Gearing up for each season of Eco Fashion Week, were always most excited about seeing collections from local designers who are making their débuts. This year is no different especially when one is three years overdue.
This is the very first showing from Vancouver brand Elroy, shares EFWs Ashleigh Said. We have been wanting them to show since the beginning, so we are very excited that they have finally chosen to feature their upcoming collection at EFW.
It isnt ego or playing hard-to-get that has kept Elroy away, but precisely the opposite bad timing due to prior charitable commitments.
Leanne McElroy created Elroy, her clothing company, with an ethical mandate. Starting in 2007, McElroy sought out international fair trade markets in areas of low income and high unemployment, and ultimately began an employment project a grassroots sewing collective using sustainable, organic and upcycled local materials in Indonesia in 2009.
I have always wanted to take part in the [EFW] showcase, and absolutely think the organizers do a spot-on job, explains McElroy. But, unfortunately, I have always been away for the sampling and sourcing work at my cooperative in Indonesia at the same time. This season, I am going later on so that I can finally fit this in.
Having already built a reputation for soft, luxurious womens sweater knits, and versatile dresses and jackets, Elroy is expanding into mens knitwear for Fall/Winter 2013 the collection that will be cozying-up the EFW runway April 23.
The theme started with a Rumi poem Wherever you are and whatever you do, be in love, so I was really visualizing the Elroy couple and the intimate shared moments: meeting each other, what they do, how they interact, how they spend their Sunday mornings, McElroy elaborates. We created a short film to document this couple, which will be starting our show. We have also invited Meagan Grandall from Lemolo [a popular emerging Seattle dream-pop band] to play an intimate live set for our runway presentation.
Sounds like a memorable first date.
Elroy is available in Vancouver at Shop Cocoon, Two of Hearts, Monarchy and Favourite (North Vancouver) and online at ElroyApparel.com. The complete Eco Fashion Week schedule is up at EcoFashion-Week.com.
Elroy FW13 Short (teaser) from Elroy Apparel on Vimeo.
What impact have you seen in Indonesia, since you founded the project it in 2009?
Skills and quality training
Sustainable employment they went from only working full time the four of the year when I was present, to starting production with the artisans earlier and working on samples before I come out, which allows them to have a more stable working schedule
Wages are very fair for our cooperative, so more workers are able to work less hours to be able to spend time with their families
Describe the first time you went over to work with your cooperative:
Indonesia is a jumble of contradictions crash of sights and sensations; a crazy mix of of smells and sounds. The beeping from cars and motorbikes can be deafening. Some areas are packed. In others, there is nothing but rural rice fields and mosque loudspeakers chanting in the distance. There is a very balanced mix of chaos and bliss that can be found here which is probably what keeps me going back! And now, four years later the team we have put together is like my family, and we all see and feel the great work we are putting out there. I couldn't feel any more empowered than that.
Who is an Elroy woman?
24-35
socially aware
trend conscious yet timeless aesthetic
looking for effortless, unique items
individualistic, feminine style
How did you get into clothing design?
I went to Helen Lefeux School of Fashion Design in Gastown, which has since closed and has become a yoga studio (where I now practice!)
Travel, no matter where it takes me, will always reinvigorate my soul. The change of scenery, the different cultures and the energy that you find wherever you may turn up is extremely addictive. I adore Robert Louis Stevenson's quote: "For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."
I started sewing in grade nine because I wanted to wear outfits that were different than the status quo. Design school harnessed my creative abilities and working with a local designer taught me some of the basic logistics of running a business in this industry. The rest I have learned through trials and errors of going for it on my own.
You can follow style reporter Kelsey Klassen on Twitter @kelseyklassen
