Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine | Fashion Student

"Luscious Eve," a grad collection by Sarah Davis, had the audience on the edge of their seats. The designs were created as costumes for Digital Burn, a television show developed by Cashel Entertainment. It was Moulin Rouge meets Cirque du Soleil with a dash of punk and Goth thrown in for good measure. The models sported accessories such as top hats, aviator hats, boots, spats, black lace parasols and goggles. The detailing was perfection. At the end of the show it was no surprise when she received the award for technical proficiency.

Davis was a painfully shy child who would rather spend her time drawing or reading. One early memory that hinted at her future career was the time she spent creating a fashion catalogue with her friend. They drew all the garments, pasted them in a binder, numbered them and priced them. In high school her favourite classes were art and drama where the teachers took a personal interest and helped her realize her passion for costuming. At 16 the family moved from Saskatchewan to Dallas, Texas, and it would be ten years before she landed back in Canada.

"Fashion design has always been what I was meant to do, but it was surprisingly not the first route that I took." Davis was working in a deli when she decided one day it was time to return to her first love. The two year program at the University of the Fraser Valley was a perfect fit. It was close to home, the course work was strong and there was a great textile division. It was a bit intimidating as she was 28 while most of the other students were recent high school grads, but the camaraderie that happened over many late nights and early mornings together quickly broke down any barriers. One obstacle was her schedule. In addition to her classes and school work she worked full time and was married with two children. Davis remembers "long sleepless nights, many tears, back aches, sewn fingers, headaches, endless shopping trips, a hundred pounds of caffeine and twice as many glue sticks. Then there is the moment all the knowledge the teachers have been throwing at you clicks. You finally understand and an entire world opens up. All the hard nights are far outweighed by the moments of triumph."

Designing a grad collection is a long process that ends with only three full outfits produced. Davis developed her ideas around actual characters she created and felt Steampunk was an interesting style to work with. "Steampunk is elegant and unique in its look. I chose garments that would suit each character's personal style while still fitting into the genre." The colour scheme was chosen based on one strong piece of fabric - gold to bring in the feel of the mechanical age, deep blood red to reflect the Gothic and Punk subcultures and black as a strong neutral. Fabrics included high quality wools, taffetas, lace and a metallic polyester. There is a versatile selection of corsets, bustles, gaucho pants, knickers,stretch lace shirts and more. The only word the can describe the impact of this collection is dramatic.

Davis is currently designing costumes for Cashel Entertainment's new film - The Eight"- and hopes to establish her name in the film industry over the next five years. Her advice to students thinking of this career is to "stick it out, grit your teeth, drink some more coffee, have your break down, pick yourself up and keep going. Fashion is hard, but if it is in your blood and you love it, you'll make it."

To check out the fashion design program at UFV go to www.ucfv.ca/Fashion.