Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine | Fashion Student

"How many people know what a pattern is and how long it takes to make a garment?" That's the question that Yvonne Xie asks herself when summing up her Victorian-styled designs a la "oomph." This Art Institute fashion design student took a barrage of risks to create her "high-end, couture collectible pieces." Thanks to many coffee-driven nights and an unstoppable determination, she is walking out of school with designs that could easily fit into any major fashion magazine with its "puffed theme full of intricate little details," that incorporates everything from ruffles to exposed zippers and pleats. "I went wild. I started with zero but I created something that everyone would look at passing by."

That's not an over-exaggeration either, since the target market for her spring and summer collection had a high-end fashion aim from the beginning. Xie imagines the women who wear her designs as catty, but strong and sophisticated individuals strutting down sidewalks in Paris and New York "They're on top of fashion. They want to be different. They know what they want." The woman who wears her designs would rather die than be unoriginal. "She is elegant and rebellious in heart. She's very clean with a bun, very classy. That's the woman I look up to. "

Although Xie knows what she wants now, it took a while for her to bridge her dreams with fashion. From a business-oriented family, she had to make the choice to turn away from commerce at SFU in search of a career in fashion design. Lucky enough, her stress level and constant need for perfection always seemed to help her along the way. " I try to be on the top so I pressure myself a lot." Good thing too, because that's been her driving force since day one. "I feel glad I pushed myself so hard. I would get mad when samples didn't turn out right, but then I'd end up making something better." This line embodies her ability to take designs to the next level. Using plaid she created a top-notch dress that plays with fun purples. It's ruffled collar gives the dress a playful but sexy and irresistible look while staying true to her "bubble" theme using quaint and cute puffed sleeves. Her favourite piece, a button-up white bubble jacket is also notable with its crisp and cool feel but incredibly risky nature that would make any girl want to wear it.

"I see myself one day on the world's biggest runways. I wish to have my own label one day," said Xie. Until then she's eager to jump onto the learning train and get busy with her sewing machine. "I'd like to have my own line someday but I have so much to learn. I'd like to collaborate with someone and see where that takes me."

Whether her future takes her onto Project Runway or a self-sought line, it's clear that this young woman will find success in her passion for fashion. And trust me, she still means business, even if it's not up to the traditional status quo. Just wait, you'll see.