A SENSE OF STYLE

Bridie Morgan

Although Adrienne Butikofer studied fashion design at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, her aesthetic was developed while most girls her age were watching Jem and the Holograms. Growing up in Winnipeg, Adrienne was spending her days at the sewing machine by age nine and designing by high school. Since graduating from Fanshawe in 2003, she has been making clothing in very small runs---until now, that is. Her first full collection will be available in fall 2008, and the pieces are wearable and stylish must haves.

What you might imagine as the biggest obstacle when creating an entire collection---coming up with enough pieces---is actually the opposite of what challenges Adrienne. Her creative juices flow at such a rate that she is flooded with a thousand ideas and must edit them down to a concise collection. To achieve the final product she underwent numerous remakes and sought advice. The guidance came from the judges of the Toronto Fashion Incubator's 2008 New Labels Fashion Design Competition. Indeed the TFI has been supporting fashion entrepreneurs since 1987, and this competition is just another way that they are ensuring a solid variety of Canadian designers see success. Adrienne considers the process a huge learning experience; while that much is true---judging by the resulting clothes---it was worth it.

While Adrienne’s pieces do not feature names, they are described in terms such as the office girl or service worker dress, leading you to wonder what inspired the looks.

“I found most of my inspiration from a book I have called The Girls Own Annual - a compilation of a weekly paper that existed from the late 1800s to the mid 1900s. This particular edition is from 1917---during WW1, and thus is very topical to the war,” explains Adrienne. “I was inspired by the stories of the women in Canada who took over the men’s roles and work, called the Women’s Land Army.”

With strong women in mind, it is no surprise that what she created has a functional but flattering look, with a slight menswear vibe. By combining one vintage print with mostly natural fibres, Adrienne created garments that can be mixed and matched for any setting. With basics like the skinny jean or pencil skirt offered in rich orange and gold tones, or her unique paper bag sweatpants, which are tailored, high-waisted skinny pants with the comfort of yoga wear, you can see the depth of Adrienne’s imagination---something that used to get the best of her.

“In terms of design, I used to kind of try to make everything funny, and definitely have made a few pieces where I am probably the only one getting the joke,” she muses. “I have a trunk full of weird funny-punny designs that still make me smirk. I’ve almost learned to edit that out, but am bringing a little back for spring 09. I can’t help myself.”

A little sense of humour in fashion is what makes it so much fun and truly provides a breath of fresh air in a world that can often be taken too seriously. To find your own dose of comedic and fashionable relief, check out Adrienne’s designs at Charlie Boutique, 809 Queen Street West; UPC Boutique, 128 ½ Cumberland Street; The Clothing Show booth #555 from September 26-28, 2008; and starting mid-September at her online store.