Transforming the fashion body with this year's Unbound fashion show

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: JULIAN BOUDREAU
Fanshawe's fashion design program, along with a number of other programs are getting set for this year's Unbound fashion show.

Third year students of Fanshawe’s fashion design program are undeviatingly working toward this year’s Unbound fashion show set for April 13.

Approaching the end of preparations, the design students are piecing together final touches to their collections in what will be a new and transformative theme this spring.

The 2019 Unbound fashion show features a theme targeted at transforming the fashion body through diversity and inclusivity with extra model groups varying in rage, age and extended sizes.

For the third year, the Norton Wolf School of Aviation Technology will host Unbound, to accommodate the anticipated crowd of public and industry guests.

Included among the list of high-profile guests is David Dixon, Canadian fashion designer whose designs are featured and sold across Canada and select boutiques worldwide.

In addition to Dixon’s stature, mentorship is another key role of the Toronto-born fashion designer, aiding students in their final milestones before the unveiling of their individualized and inspired creations.

Loren Carriere, a full-time professor for Fanshawe’s fashion design program and director of the Unbound, shared insightful processes behind the event and creation of each garment.

“As a final capstone for the students, David Dixon will come in to help with the fittings and buying of fabrics with us in the New York trip in the fall semester, then help with the production,” Carriere said.

Carriere had positives to share about the fashion event of the year.

“[The] event is meant to be a celebration of creativity, a capstone for students to produce, market, and co-ordinate,” Carriere said. “Asking what does diversity mean as a designer [and] the broad approach to dressing.”

Natalie Ley and Jade Resendes, third year fashion design students who, in addition to designing their own collections, are also part of the marketing committee for Unbound, expressed their thoughts on the creative approach to designing garments for the show.

“We can create out own thing, there are no limitations to approaching a piece,” Ley said.

“Everyone can have their own style, fashion is so broad [and] anyone can rock their own looks,” Resendes added.

In addition to typical promotions for the event, social media posts will pop up in the upcoming weeks prior to the show date, highlighting some key aspects of Unbound.

According to Allison Logue, a third year fashion design student, designer for Unbound and co-ordinator of the social media committee for the event, there will be three posts a week for followers to meet the designers and allow creators to describe their style and collections in detail.

The highlight of the social media coverage will showcase a “15 questions segment”, based on Vogue’s 73 Questions series, interviewing the 15 designers who will be answering various questions relating to the many aspects of Unbound.

As with previous years, a large team of support and collaborative efforts have been established with the fashion design department and other programs within the College, including students from Music Industry Arts (MIA), digital marketing, photography, video editing, special events planning, police foundations and fashion marketing departments, among others.

“It’s not just about the fashion design program, it’s about representing Fanshawe in this spectacular event [and] without their support it would not be possible. We have students and staff from all across the campus helping us make this event happen,” Carriere said.

With each year characterizing a unique motif, bringing light to new ideas and concepts, the direction of acceptance in this year’s theme is surely set to craft a new definition of beauty and empowerment.

The designers will be working with models ranging from size 6 to 14, breaking free from more conventional modelling standards. The extended sizes offer a more true-to-life experience for the show, allowing expression through the art of creativity and love for individual uniqueness, providing unity through fashion.

Fusion is another component of appeal that Unbound aims to offer.

According to Carriere, students are leveraging skills from traditional couturier arrangements and combining new and futuristic techniques to garments.

Some students are including 3D printed pieces to their collections while others have incorporated laser cutting, beading, and custom printed fabrics.

Ray El Medany, a third year fashion design student, designer and Unbound video and music media committee member, expressed the inspiration process behind her collection.

“I usually get inspired by the material first, I see it then I know what to make,” El Medany said. “You get to make who you want to be [and] I want to incorporate art in everything I do.”

Other sponsors of the event include Sorel who will showcase their spring/summer 2020 shoe collection, a local hair salon who will be partnering with the hair stylist program from Fanshawe’s St. Thomas campus, the Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) to cater the event, Fanshawe Alumni, Fresh Radio 103.1, Jim Anderson Flowers, London International Airport and Capital Colour.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the show beginning at 8 p.m. A post-show reception begins at 9 p.m. until 11 p.m. with a cash bar.

For more information and to purchase Unbound tickets ($45 each), visit fanshawec.ca/unbound.