It's time to discover the 10 winners of the WSNBlog young designer contest. They seduced our professional jury, thanks to their original and creative universe as well as their passion for fashion. They came, the tried, they conquered !
Here, Thisilk !
> Mr. Blog : Hi Thisilk! Before beggining, congrats and thank you for granting me a little of your time. So, first of all, can you describe to our readers your first impression when you learnt that you had won?
Truthfully, I had no idea what I had won at first. It sounded exciting and important so it did get my heart racing. The thing is, I didn't know that by being part of the Who's Next blog, I became eligible to win a stand at the event. When I actually found out, I was numb and shaky for a couple of days trying to evaluate what would come out of this opportunity. I am still stressed and excited, it's quite a dream come true, achieving visibility to some of the greatest magazines has always been my wish. I was also afraid I may be too young and small a company to participate, I might just have to grow...
> Mr. Blog : Can you briefly introduce yourself ?
My name is Tamara Bavdek, I graduated from the
School of Industrial Design at University of Montreal in 2007 where I learned my way of thinking. During my studies, I concentrated on functional, user-friendly and ecological projects missing out on the more artistic, aesthetic and purely conceptual side of design I was longing to explore. This is where This Ilk came in. After a year of wondering what door to my career I should open, I realized I wanted to be my own boss and explore my creative ideas. This Ilk just happened to be a realizable good idea I was encouraged to pursue which I am very passionate about.
> Mr. Blog : How did you start designing clothes? Is it something you’ve always wanted to do ?
I have always loved design in all of it's forms especially fashion which I chose not to study because
careers in the field seemed to revolve around planned obsolescence, plagiary and superficiality. I remember designing and hand sewing a skirt I loved as a young teenager as well as costumes for a dance show I organized at 16. I have always been addicted to good magazines with amazing fashion photography which I have collected over the years. That is how my passion grew. Jewelry, however, was not actually a main interest because it was often to conservative and I have no interest in luxury jewels even if at one point I wanted to be a geologist. Once I discovered the statement jewelry worn in the sixties, I fell in love...
> Mr. Blog : What are your sources or inspiration ?
So many things! Of course styles from the sixties and seventies as well as the various cultures I explored throughout my travels (my second passion). I also am inspired by product design, graphic design, architecture and other forms of design. The idea actually started when I misinterpreted a pair of earrings worn by Edie Sedgwick, Andy Warhol's muse. I wanted to imitate them for my self and thought they were made of fabric when in fact they were plastic. Misinterpretation remains my favorite source of inspiration.
Edith Minturn "Edie" Sedgwick was an American actress, socialite, model, and heiress.
> Mr. Blog : Fashion, what for ?
Identity, expression of creative energies, to please and stimulate visual and tactile senses, to create a persona, to communicate, to seduce, to evolve, to belong, to stand out, etc.
> Mr. Blog : Which artists would you like to make discover with the readers ?
I have a lot of respect for fellow Canadian designers Norwegianwood, Complexgeometries and Denis Gagnon who have a lot of talent. Noemiah is also a favorite in the feather jewelry category and Paule Trudel Bellemare as an illustrator.
Denis Gagnon during Montreal fashion week.
> Mr. Blog : Your news? Your projects ?
Well I would definitely like to continue playing with the fine line between jewelry and clothing but maybe add a bit more clothing... I also plan to make a more expensive sterling silver line of jewelry for a few select boutiques...
> Mr. Blog : Your favorite adresses in your city ?
Way to hard to answer that one! There are so many... I love Headquarters Gallery+Boutique, Boutique Unicorn has such a beautiful set up, the gallery Yves Laroche features amazing artists, boutiques Delano Design and Reborn have an amazing selection, Olive and Gourmando make the best food, Talay Thai for Thai food, Marché au Puces St-Michel has the best finds, Le Septième has the best movies for inspiration, Maison de la Presse International for hours of magazine browsing, Marché Jean Talon for tasting various fresh foods, etc. etc. etc.... I love almost everything my city has to offer...
Marché Jean Talon in Montreal
Dyan Salomon from Olive & Gourmando shop
> Mr. Blog : The one question you’d like to be asked ?
Anything that may be answered with a theory, I love coming up with various theories about life.
> Mr. Blog : Favorite drink?
Alcoholic? Cuban rhum in a fresh coconut. Otherwise, a touch of maple syrup in fresh water.
Maple syrup
> Mr. Blog : Describe a successful evening/night ?
A lot of good dancing, happy friendly people, a lot of laughing, interesting encounters, good friends, something unexpectedly entertaining.
> Mr. Blog : The thing more the nutcase whom you did see ?
Nothing is that crazy, is it?
> Mr. Blog : Your last concert ?
Something at the Montreal Jazz Festival
> Mr. Blog : Your last exhibition ?
Officially, Andy Warhol at the Musée des Beaux Arts de Montreal but I often browse small galleries
> Mr. Blog : A motto ?
Everything is a matter of perspective, there is no black or white but only shades of gray.
> Mr. Blog : One last word ?
LOVE
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