2015 Fashion Show designer spotlight: Denman & Haro by Gurjit Parmar

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      Inspired by her father, Gurjit Parmar created Denman & Haro to be a technical collection for the mature professional man. The collection is minimal but breathes luxury and style while still maintaining technical superiority. Created to balance a lifestyle of professional meetings and days off in unpredictable weather, the line offers a variety of stylish solutions, from collared shirts and Merino wool trousers to polo shirts and sleek technical outerwear. 

      A true Vancouverite who enjoys calming down after a long day of sewing and drafting with a long run, Parmar seems to have captured a large target market with her line. While most new designers look to entertain millennials, this designer hasn’t forgotten about the large population of baby boomers looking for clothes that help balance work and play in a city that encourages both. 

      Denman & Haro 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. For event details, visit kpu.ca/2015fashionshow, or follow @kpu_theshow on Twitter and @theshow2015 on Instagram.

      Thérèse MacCallum: How would you describe Denman & Haro?

      Gurjit Parmar: A technical men’s collection that melds contemporary men’s fashion with technical components and properties. It is for the mature working professional man between the ages of 50 and 60. He leads a successful career and has strong values and emotional connections with his family.

      TM: What was the inspiration behind the collection?

      GP: Growing up I was always very close with my father so I learnt a lot about menswear in my early childhood. I was always very fascinated with men’s clothing and most particularly with my dad’s wardrobe. So when I first entered the KPU program four years ago, I knew I wanted to develop my final collection for business professional men, baby boomers, specifically. My dad and his wardrobe were my inspiration and having such a close bond really helped me to better understand my collection and the process.

      TM: Tell us a bit about your design and creative process.

      GP: My design and creative process is very minimalistic, linear, contemporary, and clean. I’m very technical so a lot of my designing happens on the computer—pulling tears from blogs, websites Style Sight to really help get my creative juices flowing. I spent a lot of time talking to my market and visiting higher-end retail stores to help develop the full collection.

      TM: What have you taken away from your experience at KPU?

      GP: I have learnt so much during my time at KPU; a lot that I have been able to put to use during my internships and industry positions. I focused a lot of my attention during my last two years on better understanding pattern drafting and the technical aspects of design. I’ve also learnt that I need to be open to learning new things and just really explore the different facets of fashion and design.

      TM: What are your plans after graduation?

      GP: Plans for after graduation are to obtain a job working for a technical apparel company doing production here in Vancouver. I’d like to get some experience under my belt before I take the leap into pursuing my masters.

      TM: What is a passion you have outside of fashion?

      GP: I’m extremely passionate about running and fitness. This is my hobby outside of school. I made a huge lifestyle change about eight years ago and decided to lose a ton of weight and really boost my self-confidence. Before or after a long day of sewing and drafting, I love going out for a nice long calming run. 

      Thérèse MacCallum is a final-year fashion marketing student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

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