Big Projects

Hello, 2024 and thanks for being so good to me 2023.

I had some big projects this year, ones that made me sit back and finally feel a bit of relief from all of the hustle because they made my year more stable, and more interesting and gave me the juice to carry on.

I began this year with a contract at La Movida sewing and design creating images for their website so they can sell fabric and notions online. I had a sweet little setup and got to work with friends which was a huge bonus. Laurie is a powerhouse and a great inspiration to work with, always creating and laughing. This gig was a perfect start to 2023.

You know those projects that bring you joy, the ones that bring you the cool people to work with, the ones that set your creative heart ablaze with hope and love. I had a few and I am beyond grateful for them. So much so that I haven’t been able to go back and look at the images like I usually do because I don’t want to break the seal. I just want the memory to stay as it was and not worry about adding the images to my website or social platforms.

I got to work with some really cool new clients like Denu and Home Team Models. Denim and diverse models are two things that I really look for and I found both in these clients.

I got to work for an entire semester creating marking and social media content at LaSalle College and I look forward to joining them again this year to make more magic.

I got to work with a wonderful stylist and create content for The Ecologyst where we received some amazing SWAG after the shoot.

I spent so much time in the studio working with wonderful models doing digitals, doing creatives and capturing my own denim collection. Alex Waber runs Doris and I was lucky enough to rent there for a year and a half. He is supported by Monika an amazing model and stylist who I got to work with creatively and commercially. We also celebrated the new year together in 2022/23 with some crazy karaoke.

I made some amazing new friends in this industry and was able to let my restaurant gigs go. I did pick up a part-time gig at The Only on Davie. It’s a brand new location and a sister store to their fabulous location on Commercial Drive. I love vintage and I have found a wonderful new home there with some great staff and amazing finds.

2023 was a challenging year for all of us and as we continue into this next chapter I know we are holding our noses as we are about to jump into what feels like the deep end. I just wanted to give a whole heap of gratitude for what I was lucky enough to experience because I also could not have done any of this without the amazing friends and clients I have. To you, I tip my hat and I can’t wait to create and collaborate our way through this next year too.

I will leave you with one of my favourite images from last year. I am still sorting through the mound that I have to choose from to update my websites, for now, 1 new one will have to do.

My hand made up-cycled denim collection.

Last summer I got my hand on 100 pairs of vintage Levi’s for $1 each and I got to work.

I started to embroider them and silk screen them too.

Then my hands got sore and the piles of denim weren’t shrinking so I thought about what I could do with them. I started to take the pants apart and decides to make clothing with the pieces. I found patterns on Pinterest and started sewing. A lot less labour-intensive for my hands and I had a lot of fun. This project kept me busy for the first two months of the year and now I have an opportunity to show the entire collection in a fashion show in April.

Stay tuned for details. In the meantime, huge thanks to Jared, Gia and Lauren for modelling for me in the studio one Sunday at the beginning of March. Special thanks to Courtney at Key Models for helping me bring this project to life.

The editorial was published in Selin Magazine ISSUE 26 VOL. 16 available to purchase here.