Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine | Blanche Macdonald Fashion Student

At three a.m. one morning and desperately ill, Tucky Aalto laboured to stay awake while she worked on a concept for her grad collection. A very positive person by nature it hit her, "intangible happiness". She started a list of everything that made her happy including childhood joys such as blowing dandelion seeds, jumping in puddles and Ferris wheel rides and pulled out favourite sewing supplies such as a black/white ticking fabric and large, funky buttons to look at. Additional inspiration came from a favorite poem, The Lesson of the Moth, in which the moth says, "…it is better to be happy for a moment…than to live a long time and be bored all the while…" Although the concept started esthetically with what made children happy, it evolved to an adult line meant to evoke that carefree joy we felt as children. Her line is called "The Conventional Thing For Moths" and is full of "intangible happiness".

Born in the Okanagan, Aalto enjoyed sports and the outdoors. At home, sewing was a favorite past-time and she taught herself how to draft and drape. The final outcome of a project was not as important as trying something that challenged her creatively such as a Christmas package dress constructed from cardboard boxes. "…(Fashion) was one of the things that was part of my everyday life. I never really looked at it as a hobby, and by the time I was halfway through grade eleven it was an epiphany that this was something that I love(d) every day, why don't I love it for the rest of my life." After receiving notice of her acceptance into Blanche Macdonald, she quit all sports, started to work two jobs and saved money to prepare for her move to Vancouver. The school ended up being a perfect match for her creative spirit and she received the Top Overall Achievement award in her graduating class.

"The Conventional Thing for Moths" is a joyful collection. Two PVC raincoats hold centre stage, one with short sleeves and a ducky hood, and one with very long bell sleeves. Tops, leggings and jeans made with wool, cotton and stretch denim complete the ensembles. Large buttons are a detail throughout as is hand embroidery. A favorite decorative motif - dandelion seeds blowing in the wind - can be seen on many of the pieces. Most impressive, however, is the time Aalto spent on a t-shirt and a pair of leggings hand painting all textures, trims and sewing details. The collection is in black and white with a few colors to complete the palette, bright orange, mustard and seafoam. Is the line what she wanted it to be? "By the time I finished I was able to step back from the entire process and it was only then that I realized I had accomplished what I wanted…To take everything in life that made me the happiest and create a line that would exude that same happiness for myself and others."

With the Blanche Macdonald grad show on November 26th behind her, school is officially finished. Aalto is now ready to head out and gain valuable experience working in the industry before making a decision as to her future direction.