Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine | Fashion Designer

"Two halves make a whole" does not apply to Raymond Boutet and Lyle Reimer. The designers behind the successful Evan & Dean line are unique artists each with their own separate esthetic. Life partners as well as business partners, there is a remarkable ease in the way they work together. On the scene for only two years the BC Fashion Week launch of their Spring 2008 collection was one of my favourites.

Boutet and Reimer come from very different backgrounds. Boutet spent most of his formative years in Edmonton. From a family of high achievers, he focused on math and science in school and earned his degree in nursing. Moving to Vancouver a few months after Reimer he was hired by BC Children's Hospital where he stills works today in the emergency psychiatric unit. His work is very demanding and burnout is high. It was during a discussion with Reimer that he realized it was time to make a change and a lifelong love of sewing led him to study Fashion Design at Kwantlen University College. His math and science background served him well providing him with a strong spatial awareness and a gift for drafting; one of the few designers I know who rarely has to adjust his initial patterns. Reimer was raised outside the small town of Swift Current, Saskatchewan - population 100. To say he didn't fit in is an understatement so upon graduation he left quickly and moved several times. Along the way he had the opportunity to work in Cuba on an exchange program where he had his eyes opened to what real poverty was. It was when he lived in Edmonton that he met Boutet, and then made the hard decision to leave and train as a Makeup Artist in Vancouver. The artistic community at Blanche Macdonald embraced him and he excelled in the strong, technical program. Currently working with MAC, Reimer brings his artistic sense to the garments' details, participates in fabric selection, produces sketches and organizes photo shoots.

When Boutet and Reimer work together they let the ideas flow until they agree on an initial concept, then allow that concept to grow organically as the line develops. Fall 2007 was inspired by the idea of the secret world of men's clubs and a mistress within this secret world, her femininity residing within the masculine theme. Entomology is the surprising inspiration for Spring 2008, not the "creepy crawly" aspect, but the architecture seen in the insect world and the metamorphosis that takes place. These details appear in the interesting pleating found on the sides of a skirt or on the lapels of a jacket, in unusual details such as collars found at hemlines, and the iridescent sheen on several fabrics mimicking a beetle's shell. The textured pattern of a vivid blue fabric is reminiscent of honeycomb and the soft-draped silk tulle garments are like wings, sheer and transparent. With a palette of ecru, gold, blue, aubergine and two shades of what has been described as "the perfect taupe", the line has pieces that range from sharply tailored to loose and comfortable. Completing the look, an element of sport can be seen in the addition of clips and buckles on a few of the garments.

Raymond Boutet and Lyle Reimer are rising stars in the fashion world. With their unique concepts and couture details, their line is attracting international attention and will continue to grow with each season. Evan & Dean can be found locally at Miss Coquette, Tenth & Proper and at Clack Clack Empire Apparel which opens in the Spring. For more information please visit their website at www.evananddean.com.