Amanda da Silva - Fall Salon Show

AGES ago, we checked out Amanda da Silva's Fall Show... Amanda is a local clothing designer who would make you look like you knew how to dress. I asked her a couple questions post show and although this post is extremely delayed... here it is:

all photography by Ema Suvajac

rQ: can you sum up fashion/design in KW as you see it… in a couple words?

AdS: cognizant, craved, a wee bit in -the closet, and blossoming!

rQ: What is it about KW that keeps you here?
AdS: First, I am not so sure my business would be more lucrative in a big city as it is built on old fashioned relations and repeat visits to create together. This is my home and I love this place, the more humane vibe. I am passionate about nurturing it as it has me. Coming in as an immigrant at 7yrs old one can really appreciate its gifts objectively, and its needs too. This is a prosperous place, with exciting, intelligent people and wonderful diversity. I hope to be a part of celebrating and expressing that. I find I am not alone. It is exciting to be here at this time, with so much change around.

Also, we KWers have done so much commuting to Toronto and other big cities, and now I see it is ok to be vise versa just as easily. We have so much to offer them! They are happy to visit this great little city. And I still make the odd visit to Toronto to serve customers if it is more convenient at their work and such. Besides, living and working in the big city comes with its own unique challenges. KW's beauty sustains my health and happiness. And a happy designer is a good designer :)

rQ: You’re located in the historic shoe museum on St.Leger. The space is beautiful, how did you find it?
AdS: I found it in the classified ads along with many great old buildings in this city. It was a diamond in the rough to me.

rQ: You work with a really interesting recycled fiber, what is it?

AdS: It’s Tencel: The processes and product section of this page describes it well.

rQ: The cost range of our pieces honestly:

AdS: Are quite varied and available in consultations. We have focused on keeping our prices comparable to a retail price for a similar quality garment. They slightest difference in prices one may find on some of our pieces - compared to retail - would be equivalent to or less than the cost of alterations and time shopping around many retail stores. In exchange, we like to take the time to make you the ethical product and control over your creative choices. We also like to offer a full wardrobe of selections, so the range is casual daywear, coats, and eveningwear all in one place. Our quality textiles, designs and alterations are varying in price too. So the possibilities and levels of luxury depends on our customer's desires.

rQ: Do I feel people are intimidated to make the move to handmade local clothing?

AdS: Not at all! I have found some people intimidated to enjoy beautiful clothing of any sort, and well, we cannot help them :)

Other than through mass movement toward a new norm. We find the local factor is a real attraction for many people jumping at the opportunity as we have just opened and starting to be known. Our main customer is a woman already enjoying handmade clothes elsewhere, and excited to have it locally; or they gladly make the trip to the KW from some of the big cities. Some having relatives or work here anyways. It was never too far for us to drive all these years!

Also, we are finding the savings in time for shopping around for the fit, details and color choices makes this service option a no-brainer and pleasant alternative for customers who have never experienced it with daywear. The ethical choice to buy local, as well as striving to be greener always, is definitely an incentive for many women who are as passionate about invigorating and investing in our community and the environment, as we are.

_________________

Well, there you have it friends. Stop supporting sweat shops in Bangladesh.

Start supporting local designers that make clothes with love in your backyard.

H.

PS. Thanks for your patience and all your help Amanda and Ema!