By Rebecca Burnett

Patricia Roque’s approach to design focuses on function and intricate details while still maintaining a beautiful fit. Her passion for tailoring and pattern construction is translated into her final collection. roque offers artisanal suits for confident women who appreciate the craftsmanship behind each piece. 

roque will be unveiled at the 2019 The Show on April 18 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) newly opened Wilson School of Design building in Richmond. The beautiful and innovative $36-million building houses a range of design programs including the fashion-design-and-technology program.

Event details and tickets can be found online.

Rebecca Burnett: Who or what was the inspiration behind your line?

Patricia Roque: Functionality in everyday clothing. Being able to have pockets to actually use instead of for aesthetic purposes only is especially important. I want women to wear beautiful clothes in their everyday lives that also add purpose at the same time.

In second year, we researched menswear tailoring techniques and I learned that men’s formal wear, specifically suits, has so many details that womenswear does not have! For example, take the pant back extension: men can go up or down a size in their pants while women are not given this option. If women were given this option, they wouldn’t have to say goodbye to their favourite pants so soon if their weight fluctuates. I want to highlight the small, impactful details that people often overlook, yet make a garment exceptional.

RB: Who are your style icons?

PR: I wouldn’t say I have any specific style icons, but I do get inspired by everyone I meet, even those in passing.

RB: What is the most helpful thing you learned at the Wilson School of Design?

PR: Friendship! Your friends are the ones that get you through the years. They’re going through the same things as you that no one outside the program understands. They mentally ground you, and over the years we have become a family. Our instructors tell us that our peers are going to be our coworkers in the future, but it goes beyond that. These people push you to be your best self.

RB: Describe your educational journey.

PR: My friends actually had to convince me to take sewing in grade nine. Funny thing is, they eventually stopped taking sewing and went into science or business, while I continued to take sewing throughout high school. I even had the chance to compete in Skills Canada and WorldSkills. I met so many amazing people who have helped me find something I am passionate about, so I translated the skills I learned from those experiences into my collection.

RB: What words best encapsulate you as a designer?

PR: Function. Refer to question one. But in all seriousness, function is important to me. Design should be thoughtful and add ease to the wearer, not hinder them.