By Crystal Scheffler

Sondra McGaw uses fashion as an outlet for authentic self-expression. Her work centres around the belief that clothing is a powerful nonverbal communicator, and that everyone deserves to be empowered—not restricted—by the clothes they wear.

Through her unisex streetwear collection, X:Y, McGaw hopes to free people from restrictive gender labels and stereotypes, encouraging everyone to be their authentic selves in celebration of their diversity and uniqueness. After all, clothing is just clothing. People should decide the gender of their clothes, not the other way around.

X:Y will be unveiled at 2018 The Show presented by Tamoda Apparel Inc., on April 19 and 20 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) new purpose-built Wilson School of Design building. The beautiful and innovative $36-million building houses a range of design programs including the fashion-design-and-technology program. Thirty-one other lines by KPU fashion design and technology students will also be showcased.

For event details, visit kpu.ca/2018fashionshow or follow @wilsondesignkpu on Instagram.

Crystal Scheffler: Describe your collection.

Sondra McGaw: X:Y is a line of unisex streetwear designed to celebrate the diverse spectrum of gender experience. By juxtaposing traditionally feminine and masculine design details, each garment aims to be flexible with the gender identity of the wearer. Designed with both technical fabrics and contemporary woven fabrics, every collection draws inspiration from current events and today’s streetwear culture to reflect modernity and youth.

CS: What made you want to become a designer?

SM: The fact that design enables me to create something out of nothing. Design allows me to take an idea and turn it into a purposeful reality—that’s what made me want to be a designer. I have always been inspired by the idea of creation and the limitless possibility behind it. The beauty of creation, and the problem-solving process that goes behind it, is what motivates me to keep designing.

CS: Walk me through your creative process.

SM: My creative process is very much based on problem solving in relation to current events. I’m always tuned in to what is going on around the world and I always start by identifying a matter that can be improved, a gap that can be filled, or a problem that can be solved—something I care about. Then I brainstorm all the different ways I can create a solution and I visualize what the final result can look like.

Without a doubt, my vision changes and evolves as the creative process develops. And there are always limitations to work around. But for me, it all begins and ends with my passion for cultural and sociopolitical issues. I want my work to help make the world a better place, and the outside world is an endless source of inspiration.

CS: What aspect of design are you most passionate about?

SM: That’s a tough one. Research. I love, love, love research. It sounds silly but the most exciting part to me is the process of finding inspiration and then learning every single detail about it in order to create something purposeful. My philosophy is that everything should be designed with purpose, otherwise it’s just waste. Research is what enables design to be purposeful rather than wasteful.

CS: How do you set yourself apart from other designers?

SM: I think what sets me apart from other designers is the way I design with compassion. I infuse current events into every collection I design in order to create clothes that are not trend-driven, but instead reflect and speak towards important social issues. I am open-minded to change and I welcome the challenges and opportunities it brings. Ultimately, I think it is necessary to be both reactive and proactive in order to succeed as a designer, and I am able to be both those things.

Crystal Scheffler is a graduate of the Fashion Design and Technology program at KPU’s Wilson School of Design.