2015 Fashion Show designer spotlight: Pebbles and Puddles by Jessica Lee

Jessica Lee is an fashion design student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, who will be graduating from the rigorous program this spring.

Starting at KPU straight out of high school, the Vancouver native has admittedly always loved fashion, which led her to learn how to sew at a young age. Naturally, she took the opportunity to expand on her skills in high school with various textile and design courses. 

After strong encouragement from her home economics teacher, she’s launching her line Pebbles and Puddles four years later. This darling collection of outerwear for girls between the ages of three and 10 is a perfectly balanced blend of style and function, available in an array of playful prints and pastels.

Darcey Johnson: Describe your collection.

Jessica Lee: This is a collection of feminine weather-proof raincoats for little girls who love to play outdoors. Pebbles and Puddles is designed to allow girls to explore and play, and is focused on offering products that are both fashionable and functional. The coats and jackets are water resistant and weatherproof to allow maximum comfort and utility. Pebbles and Puddles shows that technical or functional fashion does not necessarily have to be sport driven. My line allows girls to be active and girly, rain or shine.

DJ: What was the inspiration behind the collection?

JL: This collection is inspired by the essence of traditional high tea parties and flowers, mainly peonies. Floral prints are popular with little girl clothing, and I wanted to design and integrate them with the sophistication and femininity of traditional high tea. High tea is often an activity that adults attend, yet we all know how little girls love to imitate their mothers, and this is where I gained a lot of my inspiration from.

DJ: Describe your design/creative process.

JL: My design process typically starts off with a lot of research on all aspects of my target market. With children’s wear, it’s a little different. For Pebbles and Puddles, not only did I need to research the children who would wear my line, but the parents as well, seeing as they will be the ones with the final say. Then I focus on my inspirations. I usually find my inspirations through everyday life: nature, family, friends, and my surroundings. Then it is nonstop designing and trial and error.

DJ: What have you learned at KPU?

JL: At KPU I’ve learned a lot about design process and the importance of research. But the most important thing that I’ve learned and will stick with me is team work. There are 39 of us graduating together this year and all 39 of us have very different styles, personalities, and design aesthetics, so working together is definitely not always easy. The program has taught me a lot about the importance of communication and interpersonal skills, particularly in a work environment.

DJ: If you had to choose between giving up caffeine or sauce, what would it be and why?

JL: I would choose to give up caffeine because I personally do not drink a lot of caffeine. I don’t like coffee nor do I drink tea, which might seem surprising growing up in a Chinese culture. I love sauces in all types of food—I think it’s an asset to most dishes.

Pebbles and Puddles 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.