2015 Fashion Show designer spotlight: Bridge Fine Goods by Tyler Froese

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      Styles, colours, trends: fashion as a whole is moving (with everything else it seems) at a very quick pace. We’re all familiar with “fast fashion”—clothes manufactured quickly and cheaply to capitalize on fashion trends—but 25-year-old Tyler Froese is designing in the opposite direction.

      Froese started his journey in Milan. He’s taken his experiences from the devoted and culturally rich industry there and applied them to his design concept for Bridge Fine Goods.

      Fashion enthusiasts know that great menswear should be kept simple. The materials should be functional and comfortable, the fit even better and the garment able to withstand the mobility of many years to come. Such a utilitarian concept is presented flawlessly in Froese’s line, which uses methods and materials that have had decades of qualitative reputation—where the clothing is not made, but crafted.

      Using strategic articulation in every garment to maximize fit and movement, Froese’s collection bridges the gap between old methods of construction and the technical-focused industry of today.

      Sei Campbell: Describe your collection.

      Tyler Froese: Bridge Fine Goods is a collection that combines the use of storytelling textiles with technical articulation. The collection’s priority is to choose materials that age with the experiences of the wearer; to become more beautiful while also offering unparalleled fit.

      SC: Where did you draw your inspiration?

      TF: I drew my inspiration from the concept of solving a problem. I enjoy identifying a design challenge and solving it. For this collection I identified two areas that I was passionate about—clean fit and unique materials that tell a story. I put together the collection with fit in mind using durable and quality materials like denim and wool. I then designed it with the minimalist style that I’ve always respected.

      SC: Describe your design and creative process.

      TF: When designing, I like to do a substantial amount of research and put together notes and a design plan. After that, I spend a day just sketching and developing concepts on paper then go straight to drafting and prototyping. Given my focus on menswear, I like to sketch out the initial silhouette but add details as I’m drafting the pattern. This strategy helps me visualize the full garment and add design elements that I think might be interesting. I find that I get the most design inspiration from actually looking at patterns, then adding details from pattern lines to keep my ideas minimal and clean.

      Bridge Fine Goods.
      Blake Ponto

      SC: Any big challenges you had to overcome creating your line?

      TF: The main challenge this semester has been time management. I have been handling design and production logistics for my company Nocturnal Workshop: a Vancouver-based backpack and accessories brand. Finding a balance between work and school when bag samples and production orders are going out has been a substantial challenge. As our company continues to grow, so does my workload at school. Sleep has not been a huge part of my weekly schedule.

      SC: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned throughout your time at KPU?

      TF: The main thing I’ve learned has been the importance of immersing yourself in as many different opportunities as possible. Through school I have interned and worked at Arc’Teryx, which gave me a huge amount of insight into technical apparel (on the production side) but also design elements which have been invaluable. Even my current business partnership that built up our bag brand came out of a retail experience project I did in my earlier years at Kwantlen.

      SC: Plans after graduation?

      TF: I plan to continue building Nocturnal Workshop—we plan to expand our Vancouver manufacturing and design. On my own I hope to expand on the freelance bag design opportunities that I’ve already been working on.

      SC: If you were to pair your collection with one thing?

      TF: Something clean and Canadian, like a nice pair of Vibergs.

      Bridge Fine Goods will be unveiled at the 2015 Fashion Show, presented by Tamoda Apparel, on April 9 at the River Rock Casino. Thirty-eight other lines by KPU fashion design and technology students will also be showcased. See kpu.ca/2015fashionshow or follow @kpu_theshow on Twitter for details.

      Sei Campbell is a final-year fashion marketing student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

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