A phrase so uncommon that when uttered aloud warrants blank stares, eye rolls and the occasional snort. But lurking beneath the surface of a city containing mainly students and government workers is an underground fashion scene ready to burst.
Rachel Sin is a designer for both the body and city landscapes. Before launching her own line, Sin earned her Master’s degree in architecture at Carleton University. Sin’s pieces are beautifully infused with architectural lines that are exquisitely detailed, refined and sculpted to the form of the female body. Former Western University student and Ottawa resident, Amber Watkins, is currently working on her own original swimwear line called le Midi. She hopes to show her line at Ottawa Fashion Week by the end of this year. While Karine Eyamie, an emerging local jewellery designer, has had her collection sold across Canada. Her jewellery has also been featured in a number of magazines and worn by celebrities like Bai Ling. Surprised? The long list of prosperous local designers proves that success can be within arm’s reach for aspiring Ottawa fashion entrepreneurs.
As the pool of designers expands, fashion events are quickly following suit.
The city has recently been introduced to Ottawa Fashion week. The affair has people from the industry flocking to locations, like the National Arts Gallery, every spring and fall to gawk at pieces presented by Canadian designers. Ottawa also boasts a number of smaller fashion showcases to introduce residents to the city’s hidden talent. For example, Kate Reeve, a grade seven student at Immaculata High School, hosted Fashion Show for Funds. The fashion show raised money for sick kids and their families and showcased original pieces by top Canadian designers, including Sin and Watkins.
“Ottawa is a great city to network and start a business” says Sin. “I don’t think I would have been offered the same opportunity to do a runway show in any city like Toronto. Ottawa is a smaller city, news spreads quickly and networking with the right people happens faster.”
Watkins concurs
“There is an amazing network of people within Ottawa. Many professionals do free trade offs where you do a shoot and everyone [make-up artists, models and photographers] get the photos for their portfolios. It’s a small pool in Ottawa but it is still quality.”
Ottawa has certainly acquired a bad reputation when it comes to the local fashion scene. Yet, the city is home to a large selection of locally owned shops ranging from high-end designs to sustainable and eco-friendly fashion.
“I am perfectly happy being in Ottawa” Waktins states. “I don’t see if moving to Toronto or Montreal would help me; I think I’ll just one face in a sea of faces. Ottawa is my home.”
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So as I discover the sea of fierce Ottawa designers, I've decided that I will be running a profile each week on a new (and fabulous) designer that is sure to make a splash on the Canadian fashion scene.
Stay tuned!
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