2015 Fashion Show designer spotlight: Adira State by Eugenie Lin

The power suit is being brought to new heights, and this time it’s not in the shoulder pads.

Eugenie Lin, a fourth-year Kwantlen Polytechnic University fashion designer, has focused her efforts in professional women’s wear. Lin’s collection, Adira State, incorporates feminine details with bold business essentials to elevate the business woman’s wardrobe. With quality fabrics, draping and a focus on fit, the boardroom will have never looked so good. 

However, Lin’s objective for her designs are to have them be more than just pretty. She hopes wearing her collection will bring about a feeling of empowerment. As women are finding a stronger voice in the corporate world, Adira State is the perfect complement.

Adira State 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.

Leah Webb: How would you describe Adira State? 

Eugenie Lin: Adira State is a quality-driven line of professional apparel catered to working women ages 40 to 60. The brand focuses on combining comfortable fit with timeless style to essentially visualize a woman’s best self. The collection features suits, blouses, and dresses in wool and silk. Adira State brings style, femininity, and personality to average business attire. 

LW: What was the inspiration behind the collection? 

EL: The inspiration behind the collection is having a clear head, and feeling energized and radiant. My design inspirations come from emanating that mood, and transferring it into draping details and design lines. 

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

EL: My design process for Adira State starts with solidifying the needs and problems that my target market face with their work clothes. By connecting with the end users, I was able to combine design ideas with the garment qualities they’re looking for. I join meaning to my collection through the encouragement and empowerment of women to take charge of their career. 

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

EL: I’ve learned a lot through critical thinking and analysis. In the process of design, profound research and rational are required to back up the design idea. Being able to design pretty clothes is one thing, but being able to design clothes with meaning and connection to a target market will be the clothes that sell. I’ve also learned, through four years in an intense program, that time management and organization are key. 

LW: What are your plans after graduation? 

EL: My plans after graduation are to travel and develop myself culturally through new surroundings, people and art. I’d like to work in the creative fields of design, prints and graphics. I enjoy creating artwork through computer programs and seeing it come together in design. 

LW: If you could meet one of the most influential women of our time, who would it be? 

EL: If I could meet one of the most influential women of our time, it would have to be Coco Chanel. She was not only an iconic influencer in fashion, but she was also an entrepreneurial woman who stood for what she believed in and built a business from the bottom up. Coco revolutionized women’s wear by making clothing that was primarily comfortable, and created a movement towards the embracement of women’s strengths and capabilities.