2015 Fashion Show designer spotlight: Avise by Grace Han

    1 of 2 2 of 2

      Grace Han, a fourth-year fashion design and technology student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, is putting the finishing touches on her line Avise: her first ever three-piece collection, which caters to tall professional women.

      In between humming sewing machines and fast-moving hands, Han took a moment to sit and talk about the making of her collection, which will be runway-ready April 9 for the 2015 Fashion Show.

      Bryanna Johnson: Describe your collection.

      Grace Han: Avise provides refined, contemporary professional attire for tall businesswomen that emphasizes sleek simplicity and quality. The collection delivers functional pieces with the correct proportions that support the physique of taller women. The garments are for the office and the city.

      BJ: What was the inspiration behind your collection?

      GH: The collection is influenced by sleek, modern de­signs found in Korean fashion. I also wanted to celebrate accomplished women with clothes that support them in lifestyle, business and confidence.

      BJ: What is the creative and design process you go through while creating a collection?

      GH: First, I start with creating a mood board and storyboard for the collection, which I really enjoy. I collect amazing and inspiring photos and put them all together to create the overall mood and theme of the brand. Then, I research the trend and forecast to find the correct colours, textures, materials and design details for the collection. The next step is my absolute favourite part: I work on drawing out 50 to 60 rough sketches until I narrow them down to 20 and decide on final designs.

      Avise by Grace Han.
      Alecia Mantei

      BJ: With four years coming to a close, what have you learned during your time at KPU?

      GH: Before I came to KPU, I only knew how to sew using commercial patterns. Moving from South Korea to Canada not only strengthened my ability to adapt and learn quickly, but also taught me many valuable lessons and different areas of skills. I learned to develop technological and drafting skills to enhance the design and product development process. I’ve also learned to stop designing for myself, and start designing for others, and their needs and wants.

      BJ: What are your plans after graduation?

      GH: After graduation I would love to work for a Canadian apparel company where I could showcase my skills and be part of the local design community. I’m excited to have the skills to work in many different areas of apparel, like product development, marketing and design.

      Avise 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.

      Bryanna Johnson is an intern at Kit and Ace and a final-year fashion marketing student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

      Comments