Encounter and Interview with CAFA 2016 Student Fashion Design Winner:
Hamish Thwaites
(photos: Hamish Thwaites)
The 2016 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards
was held past Friday at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, celebrating Canadians
who have made impact with their achievements in the fashion industry. Added to
this year’s list of award categories includes The Fashion Design Student Award for the exceptional student
graduated from a Canadian fashion design program. The award was presented to Hamish
Thwaites, a graduate from Ryerson and is currently interning with Erdem.
Prior to CAFA, Thwaites and I had
never met in person. I guess our first encounter would be when we stood in line
for photos at the red carpet. He was in front of me, with his date. Just like
in any situation though, that requires taking turns, there is always that one
group who has to budge. “You gotta be aggressive” I said. “Push them (b*tches)
away when that happens”. Thwaites responded with a smile. I offered to take
their photos with their phones, which I did. I did not know that was him, (I mean I’ve seen his photos,
but I’m pretty horrible when it comes to recognizing faces in person), not
until when they announced his name to the stage to accept the award. I was
thrilled, and happy for him. At the Sephora after-party, I went up to
congratulate him and revealed myself to be the person who contacted him for
interviews. And here it is, my exchange with Thwaites:
B: How did you come about stepping into the fashion world?
H: I studied at Ryerson University’s very technical fashion design
program, where I found my love and curiosity towards draping and pattern
drafting. Following my graduation I moved to London in order to further my
education through work experience in high end fashion design.
B: What inspires you to design fashion?
H: Character and narrative are
often the drive behind a collection. I source many forms of cultural research
through archieves, markets, libraries, galleries and museums to build and
develop the stories within my vision. For this process I very consciously avoid
the internet because I find the unpredictable hunt for inspiring images/ideas
keeps my mind open, alert and creative. Another aspect that inspires me to
design is fabric. When I hold it in my hands and start to build with it, ideas
just come flooding in.
B: How
would you describe the aesthetic of your work?
H: The mood of my work will always change,
but I feel that my aesthetic is likely a bit offbeat. I often feel as if I have
torn my characters into thousands of pieces and explored their raw elements in
garments. I like to see a messy story told through refined clothing
(professional quality is as important, if not more, than the creative design).
B: In
your opinion, where does Canadian design stand in the fashion industry?
H: I feel that Canadian design is a hidden
gem. When the public comes across some of our intelligent designers they feel
as if they have discovered something very special. I love it!
B: Recent
fashion week reviews have criticized many designers are referencing too closely
to past work of famous designers (such as Martin Margiela) - Where do you draw
the line when you create something that may have been influenced by someone or
something without giving an impression of a replica?
H: When referencing garments it is your
impression/reaction to the garment that should be explored, not the garment
itself.
B: The
business of fashion is changing so quickly in the last decade, especially how
it operates through social media and new technologies, how do you think this
would affect young designers?
H: I personally believe that the validation
that social media offers can distract aspiring designers from focusing on the
progress of their creative development. I find great value in the privacy of my
work.
B: What
are you currently working on?
H: Currently I am working in embroidery
development at Erdem, which is beyond inspiring and stimulating. I am learning
and experiencing things I only ever dreamed of. I have been researching a
collection for some months now, whenever I have the spare time. The available
resources here in London are quite addictive, particularly the textile archives
and libraries, and they just keep feeding narrative I am working on.
Do the things you love with passion; Learn from those you admire; Strive to become an expert at what you do xx
Binzento Vincente: A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog
Binzento Vincente: A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog
