retiring the about me Q&A
But I still want to keep it and all the lovely comments with it for posterity. So I’m posting it on the blog. Questions are always welcome. Feel free to email me anytime. If it’s a really good question I will want to post about it!
If you’d like to get to know me a little better, why not ask me a question?
I’ll be posting Q&As here periodically so if you’re curious about something feel free to ask in the comments.Q.
In past posts you’ve mentioned how in the transition from high school to university you were on the fence about fashion or english (or whatever). What made you choose the fashion route? Were you the type that grew up sewing and designing? Where/how did you learn to sew? – EmilyA.
I learned how to sew as a kid on my mother’s treadle Singer. I started out making stuffed toys, and then cloth dolls and doll clothes. I was always into costume history and fantasy costumes as a kid. I also loved to write science fiction and fantasy storiesWhen I was a teenager I lost interest in sewing for a while. I wanted to become a writer and even submitted a few short stories (one got accepted by a magazine which promptly folded before my issue was published). I loved my high school English teachers and of course they encouraged me to take that route to study. But academics just didn’t fill me with desire. So I took a year off to work and hang out. Since I had the time, I started to muddle around on the sewing machine again. That’s kind of how I got inspired to take a shot at Ryerson for fashion design (although truthfully my main motive was to escape my small town life), and I got accepted.
Q.
I know from previous posts that you grew up far from any urban, fashion-y places but what were/are your fashion inspirations? Was your mom into fashion? Did you read the glossies? I guess what I’d like to know is how did you become interested in fashion and what propelled you into this area? – EmilyA.
My mom was not into fashion at all. We grew up in second-hand farm clothes. The only glossies in the house were National Geographics. My love of fashion was really precipitated by a love of history. As a small kid I loved the library and I would bring home stacks of books. My favourites were about classic Hollywood and costume history. I was a fashion nerd from the very beginning. I was fascinated with the way fashion changed. I made a whole set of paper dolls with historically accurate wardrobes. So from the very beginning, fashion was an intellectual, creative charge for me rather than a physical experience or material desire.Q.
What type of sewing machine/serger do you use? What is your favorite/most used tool? – EmilyA.
Currently my most used machine is a 1960s or so industrial Singer machine. I’m actually babysitting it for one of my employers, though I’d buy it in a minute. It only does one thing but it does it well. When we got it it was really rusty and the action was really stiff. But we cleaned it up and I’ve been running it and warming it back up. Machines need to be used, it was a shame that this one was left in a garage for so long. It came right back, it’s a real worker.a little before…
and after…
In the background of that picture you can see two of my other machines…
I also have a White domestic 4-thread serger, a gift from a dear friend.
I also own a Necchi portable – Italian – from the 1950s. It’s one of those classic heavy-metal “portables” with the seafoam green colouring. This machine was originally a wedding gift of my Nana’s, and she’s passed it along to me.
My most recently acquired machine was a Christmas gift from my boyfriend. It’s a Singer treadle leatherworker from the 1920s. It’s beautiful, but finicky. Here’s a picture of the machine (sans treadle base):
My absolute favourite/most used tool though would have to be the Mac G5, honestly.11 Comments »
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1.
Hi Danielle. I think you’re a great illustrator and an awesome designer. You should participate in Alternative fashion week. Below is the info:
Up and coming designers are needed for Toronto Alternative Fashion Week which is set to unfold from the 10 – 14 October 2006. http://www.alternativefashionweek.com/
Interested designers please contact Vanja, the director of Toronto Alternative Fashion Week by sending an email to vanja_vasic@yahoo.com
About the event:
The Toronto Alternative Fashion Week [FAT] is Toronto’s first ever alternative fashion event that is geared towards the promotion and exposure of young and up and coming talent in the fields of fashion, art and music. What is defined by alternative, is [FAT]’s diverse approach in the representation of fashion.[FAT] is comparable to the London Alternative Fashion Week and New York Alternative Fashion Week in that it presents new and groundbreaking designs in fashion, but distinguishes itself by simultaneously showcasing works of art responding to the theme of fashion and establishing connections and correlations. The Toronto event was designed as an “alternative†to the well-established L’Oreal Fashion Week, in order to create a new and more feasible outlet for young designers and artists to showcase their work. As the event grows with each year it will ultimately become a channel for these passionate designers and artists to build relationships with their peers and the community at large.
Comment by Stan Trac — August 10, 2006 @ 11:02 pm |Edit This
2.Hi Stan!
Thanks for the nice words. I won’t be participating in FAT this year though I do hope to attend. Maybe I will see you there!
Comment by Danielle — August 11, 2006 @ 3:52 pm |Edit This
3.hey remeber me? we haven’t seen each other in awhile , i think the last time was late one night in toronto with adam and jake at a pizza place. i was thinking back on highschool and i was google(ing)people (yes i’m a nerd)and i found this site and i had to check it out to see how your doing. It looks like your doing well. congradulations on all of your acheivements.i loved your last collection. But i’ve always loved what you do. i just wanted to say hi and at the risk of sounding like a dweed i’m a fan.
Miriam
Comment by Miriam Cyr (formerly Zwicker) — August 25, 2006 @ 4:36 pm |Edit This
4.Hi Miriam! Congratulations on your marriage! It has been a long time considering we live in the same city. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the blog – I’m a big nerd too =)
Comment by Danielle — August 25, 2006 @ 6:23 pm |Edit This
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