Something big is happening here

Something Bbig is happening here
By Janet Creamer
Director of Marketing and Communications

September in the international fashion world means:
• the long awaited 'September issue' hits the stands highlighting fabulous fall fashions;
• new designers showcase their Spring/ Summer look books; and
• spectators and buyers get decked out for the illustrious fashion weeks in Milan, Paris, London and New York.

It’s the time of year where the fashion industry takes the world by storm, proving once again why fashion is one of the largest and still fastest growing businesses in the world.

The fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and some Canadian cities – like Halifax – are really starting to grab at a piece of the pie. As we saw in our July/August issue of Business Voice, Halifax has been a hotbed for activity in Canada’s fashion world and, in a city that has a history of craft, this should come as no surprise.

Great local designers such as Turbine, Chloe Comme Parris, LouLou Bell and Michque are making their mark on the national and international stage (or runway) showcasing their work at the Golden Globes, Cannes and the Toronto Film Festival. Atlantic Fashion Week, now in its fifth year, is growing with this past June’s event showcas- ing more than 20 local and emerging designers. The 21st Annual NSCAD Wearable Art
show in April was a huge hit and a chance for textile and fashion students to showcase their creativity and work.

At a recent photoshoot for Business Voice I had the opportunity to meet three young budding fashion students: Alyssa, Allison and Alexandra. All three are at different stages of their fashion and textiles course at NSCAD and all three are interested in different aspects of the fashion industry, but all three certain the Halifax fashion industry is on the cusp of something great.

When asked if they planned on moving to a fashion mecca such as New York for work one responded quickly with, “Maybe at first, but I know I’ll be back, something big is happening here.”

And it’s not just the students that are taking notice. In recent years Halifax has seen a flurry of local fashionistas turning out blogs on everything from hidden Halifax shopping treasures to the impact of East Coast style on the runways. Be sure to check out Ally and L-A’s thoughts on fashionablethings.com and you won’t be disappointed with Haute Halifax, which delivers style with local relevance and appeal, highlighting all things fashion in in Halifax.

As both Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the Centre for Arts and Technology kick start their fall semesters for their program in fashion and textiles and fashion design with more students than ever before, and as local designers prepare their fall lines for consumption around the world, it’s increasingly obvious this really is the beginning of something big for Nova Scotia fashion.