Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine | Fashion Update

I was given the privilege of interviewing the talented designers behind the Evan & Dean label a year ago and what impressed me then was their ability to change directions each season. Time has passed but this still holds true. Raymond Boutet and Lyle Reimer continue to produce diverse collections that stand on their own. Fall 2007 explored the idea of a mistress infiltrating a gentlemen's club (inspired by an I Love Lucy show). In Spring 2008 inspiration came from the insect world. When the duo approached Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 they again set aside past ideas and went on to present something both unusual and fresh.

Evan & Dean have only been on the scene for 3 years with Spring 2007 their first collection to hit the runway. They have seen impressive growth since then with their client list expanding outside of Canada to include boutiques in Los Angles, Chicago and Florida. At the recent L'Oreal fashion week in Toronto their show was standing room only and caught the eye of New York reporters - "Keep an out for these folks - we see Bergdorf Goodman on the horizon." How they handle the pace is anyone's guess as they both still work full-time jobs - Boutet with Children's Hospital and Reimer with Mac Cosmetics - but the two very unique artists have settled into a groove and work together smoothly. While there have been a few downs such as Boutet getting food poisoning the day they were to fit models for L'Oreal Fashion Week, the last year has been overwhelmingly positive. In addition to the NY dailies they have been featured in LA's Women's Wear Daily and had their line photographed for the prestigious art magazine Preston Catalog twice. Orders from boutiques increase with each collection and they have been invited to to do a trunk show in Florida in the new year.

Fall 2008 saw the inspiration turn to "Refined Kitsch" This collection was designed around the concept of taking "kitschy" elements such as bows and ruffles and using them with traditional silhouettes in a more elegant way. White, Grey, Burgundy and Black were the norms with a patterned graphic to add interest. The most unusual fabric in this line was called "Featheresque". A jacket showcased this textured fabric in a more traditional way, but Evan & Dean added that element of surprise by using it to create their final showpiece - a full-length halter dress. "Future Folk", Spring 2009's focus, is a blending of technical and human elements. "While technology does progress and cities become more futuristic, people are compelled to rediscover lost arts...to reconnect to their human side." The silhouettes are linear and monochromatic. Fabrics range from shiny to crisp. Stark white and grey mix with warm chartreuse, electric amaranth and orion gold. Appliqués and cut-outs inspired by toile painting are scattered throughout. Many appliqués have loose edges that flutter when you walk giving the garment texture, depth and movement. How do customers react to the constantly changing aesthetic? According to Boutet, "They love the change. We are innovators and that's our customer. One season they'll be secretaries, the next season they'll be sexy. They're transitional."

Who knows what direction Evan & Dean's coming season will take. The only thing you can count on is that it will be unexpected. For more information please check out our previous article at (http://www.vancouverfashionezine.com/issue04.html) or visit www.evananddean.com.