Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine

Margarita Angelatos has been designing for as long as she can remember. From making her own Barbie doll clothes, to taking sewing in high school and receiving a scholarship, to the Fashion Design program at Kwantlen - Angelatos was destined to have a career in the fashion industry from the get go. Red Jade came about through an eight year long process of varied experience and learning curves.

Opting to pursue an education in Communications and Psychology, Angelatos declined the scholarship to Kwantlen, and chose to attend Simon Fraser University. She graduated from SFU with a bachelor of Arts in Applied Sciences and then took a few years off to work at a bridal boutique. Two years later she opened her own bridal boutique in Port Moody called Simply Elegant with a business partner. While running her business Angelatos studied Fashion Design program at Vancouver Community College and on graduation received the Hudson Fashion Award for top design student. After being in business for five years Angelatos and her business partner closed down their boutique.

Angelatos went on to work for Manuel Mendoza where she helped to create custom wedding gowns. In 2002 she was hired by Lulu Lemon rising quickly from management to accessories designer. Working for Lulu Lemon was a challenge and a great learning experience. After two and a half years she left to become the Creative Director of Lotus Wear. Then came the birth of her first child. She began to do contract work for many different lines such Lela Designs an eco-friendly, fashion-forward women's golf line. A year after the birth of her second child she created Red Jade. Designing the line was a way for her to integrate and utilize her knowledge and skills in fabric sourcing, design, and mass production. It was also a way to stay a part of the fashion industry and be creative while working at home so she could spend crucial time with her children.

The name Red Jade came to Angelatos in a dream one night. She found it was an actual stone that stood for empowerment and taking action, something she strives to represent with her clothing. The collection is sewn from beautiful and luxurious sustainable fabrics such as Merano wool, organic cotton, hemp, linen and Micro Modal/cashmere (derived from beach wood). Keeping the colour palette neutral with hints of bold colour in only the linings allows the designs to speak for themselves in fit, draping, tactile nature and detailing. Red Jade is designed for a fun-loving female who is both sophisticated and feminine with a touch of edge. Standout pieces include a high waisted pencil skirt with bolero jacket, a high collared trench coat with buttons running down the front and a slight princess sleeve, and a lovely belted, cowl neck, sleeveless dress. It is a beautiful line that is a balance of sophisticated femininity and elegance with a sassy edge.

The future looks bright for this talented designer who recently won the Generation Next competition at BC Fashion. Angelatos has plans to take her next collection, Fall 2009, to both Alberta and Ontario and will launch on-line shopping this spring on her website at www.wearredjade.com. Locally you will find Red Jade at Hum on Main Street in Vancouver starting in February/March. Outside of Vancouver you can check out Not Just pretty in Victoria and Lucy's Hidden Closet in Winnipeg.