Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine | Fashion Update

Last time we talked with Leanne McElroy of Elroy Apparel, we learned about her clothing line and how she got where she was. These days Leanne is a busy women running from trade show to trade show promoting her collection, as well as working in the boutiques where her creations are currently being sold in. Her drive and motivation come from a true thirst for this industry.

Flying in the night before our interview Leanne is tired but excited about the progress she had made at Trends Trade Show in Edmonton, "Five new accounts are interested in the collection!" she exclaims happily. Trends is one of Canada's largest and most successful apparel shows for buyers and designers. Held September 11th to 15th, it is a very intense and busy five days. Being the involved designer that she is Leanne rushed off a few days later to Fresh, another fashion trade show found in Toronto, Ontario. Held September 21st till the 23rd, it proved to be a unique place for buyers and sellers to meet and share collections. All who enjoy the creative culture that is revolutionizing the fashion industry come here to see new ideas, pieces and designers. Animatedly Leanne tells me of Portland Fashion Week in October. She is the first and only Canadian designer to attend this event. The focus is on eco-friendly, sustainable apparel, much to this designer's delight. It is the first runway show to be produced totally green, Portland Fashion Week is exactly where Leanne wants her designs to be shown off.

Showing me a black, soft cotton trench with wooden toggles from her Fall/Winter 2008 collection, Leanne speaks of her inspiration as being dark and dreary. Structured garments, with a military feel was what she had focused on. During the time she was designing her Fall/Winter 2008 collection she followed her mood of the moment and put it into her clothing to create the uniformed feel that the clothing gives off. Using a color scheme of black, white, grey, dark green and pops of red she set the tone of her collection, slightly mysterious. Talking about her Spring 2009 Collection, which comes out on the first on March, she tells me that she flew to Mexico to find her inspiration. Oceanic colors of blue, white, sand and pops of electric blue are splashed onto her relaxed and lose flowing clothing. She wants her customers to feel light and airy when wearing her new assortment, to feel as free as the ocean. Being eco-friendly Leanne uses a wide selection of organic fabrics such as 100% Organic Cotton Canvass, Hemp Cell, and 100% Beachwood (which is also biodegradable) in her current and future collections.

What about the future of Elroy Apparel? Already thinking and gaining ideas for her Fall/Winter 2009 collection, she exclaims that although she doesn't fashion forecast, she keeps her pieces simple and classic so that they are always in style. Not following the trends assures her creations are original and unmatched. In the next three years she would like to start a men's line for Elroy. Leanne seems determined to expand Elroy Apparel with each coming season.

If you would like to read our first piece on Elroy Apparel go to http://www.vancouverfashionezine.com/magazineissue02/fashiondesigner01.htm and be sure to check out Elroy Apparel online at www.elroyapparel.com.