College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Textiles: Craft & Apparel Design students will show off their creations in the
We Made It fashion show and final exhibition beginning Saturday, May 27.
The students have been working diligently over the past two years, gaining skills in studio areas such as apparel construction, weaving, surface embellishment, knit, and print and dye. Their final exhibition and fashion show will highlight the future growth and innovation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s crafts and arts community.
We Made It is a collective exhibition and fashion show highlighting the ideas and craftsmanship of nine artists and designers. The shows will feature handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces and will portray an exciting range of textile and apparel design work from costuming, lingerie, toy making, art installation, embroidery, drawing and more.
According to instructor Katie Parnham, these events are not to be missed.
“This year’s exhibition and fashion show is a must-see. The exhibition has something for everyone and for all ages. You will be surprised by flying monsters, African goddesses, heirloom toys, interior design and many other wonders,” Parnham said.
“The fashion show will be an exciting evening showcasing the latest fashion trends. Prepare to embrace a variety of styles, textures and patterns as your imagination takes you on a journey through the designers’ creative minds.”
The final exhibition will open on May 27 from 2-4 p.m. at the Anna Templeton Centre and will run until June 4. Meanwhile, the fashion show, which features different works than those featured in the exhibition, will take place one night only on June 1 at the LSPU hall at 7 p.m. This will be followed by an exclusive boutique event at the Anna Templeton Centre where patrons can purchase the designs they saw on the runway.
Bruno Vinhas, an international student from Brazil, says he used the influence from his home country in his works for the exhibition.
“I have two different styles. For the exhibition I’m connecting to my roots and using African mythology and the importance of that to the people of my city, Salvador. I’m doing that through portraying a goddess. One of them is made of hops and grass, hand embroidery and machine embroidery. The other one is a mechanical piece also made of embroidery,” Vinhas said.
“For the fashion show I’m deconstructing the image that clothes have gender. I have made a whole line that is supposed to be for women but also adapts for male body. My main focus is to break down the gender role for clothing.”
Jen Cake of St. John’s focused on versatile clothing for the fashion show.
“I have a line of apparel that is very flowy and can fit many different body types. It’s beautify and elegant. I use a lot of natural dyes in my clothing so some of the looks I have are non-toxic, eco-friendly fashion. I have been told it has a bit of a global feel to it. It has influences from many different cultures. It’s natural, elegant and comfortable.”
Cake focused on print and dye during her two years in the program and incorporated those skills into her exhibition pieces, which centre on home décor.
“I have throw cushions and curtains, a reupholstered vintage chair completed with natural dyes, and I also have drawings in the exhibition which focused around a theme of horses. I worked with horses, so that shows up in the motifs in my décor as well as in my drawings.”
Brenda Tobin, Dean of Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism, extends her congratulations and best wishes to the students and faculty for a successful exhibition and fashion show.
“I believe this year’s collection is going to demonstrate the originality of ideas and innovative thinking of our students,” Tobin said. “I am so looking forward to experiencing the students’ creations during the organized events, including the fashion show evening. It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone to see what is new and exciting in the world of textiles and apparel design/production, and another fabulous way for students to connect with industry and our industry partners.”
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Media Contact:
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca