Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine | Fashion Designer

Designer Nicole Bridger is a rising star on the Vancouver fashion scene. Bright, articulate and creative she is gifted with a strong business sense, but designing clothing is more than just a career. "I'm not your typical fashionista. My whole focus for a long time has been the environment and social consciousness. I saw that I could use it as a vehicle to make some kind of positive change." The timing couldn't be better for her eco-friendly clothing line. From her Generation Next win at BCFW last fall to an increasing international presence, she is receiving growing recognition.

Fashion has always been important to Bridger. Obsessed with Barbies, she created clothing for them using any materials available. School required her to wear a uniform but a dress and straw hat were de rigueur at home. In grade 7 she began sewing classes and found she had a natural aptitude but never thought of it as a career. Meeting shoe designer John Fluevog at the age of 16 was a life-changing moment. "I saw you can do something you already love and make a business and a good career out of it." Since then her direction has never wavered; it's only been a matter of filling in the gaps of where, when and how.

For design school Bridger attended Ryerson University in Toronto. In her third year she was chosen to participate in an exchange program to study in London, England. While there she hoped to land an internship under legendary designer Vivienne Westwood. Initially the company said there were no openings but with sheer determination she changed their mind. The experience with Westwood taught her many things. Most valuable was the insight she acquired on the inner workings of the company and how it was structured. She also learned that "...You can be yourself. You can have your morals and some kind of impact in the world that's important to you while making clothing."

After finishing school Bridger returned to Vancouver where she had the opportunity to work with Chip Wilson of Lulu Lemon. Their collaboration on the Oqoqo eco clothing line helped her gain first-hand experience on how to build a business from the ground up. Two years later it was time to move on. EI provided a six-month business training course and then she was ready to start on her first collection, Spring 2007. Working out of a studio in her parent's basement she found the greatest challenge was (and continues to be) finding the right sustainable fabrics. Four seasons later the Fall 2008 line called "Gratitude" stands out as a transition collection for Nicole Bridger Designs (NBD) - high end designer wear for a global market. Inspired by life lessons, the clothing features brighter colors, beautiful draping, rich textures and an easy elegance all stamped with Bridger's unique perspective. Ranging from casual to formal these classy garments are modern designs for the modern woman.

Concern for the environment and a desire to have an positive impact on the world around her will always be Bridger's trademark. Her best advice for those considering this career is to acquire strong technical skills, gain experience working with as many companies as possible and have a good support system. With her goals clearly in mind Nicole Bridger is definitely ready for the road ahead.

For more information on Nicole Bridger Designs please vist her website at www.nicolebridger.com and be sure to check out her on-line store launching in September.