Christina VarvisWestern Canada Fashion Week is still in full swing at the ATB Financial Arts Barns. But Saturday, Sept 18 saw four upcoming Alberta designers face off in the seasonal Emerging Designer Competition.
The four designers each had a chance to enter one of their pieces into the competition. This year’s winner was Cassandra Butt, whose design dominated the catwalk. Her piece was heavily inspired by Scottish heritage.
“I recently found out that I’m almost 50 per cent Scottish, so I gravitated towards that immediately towards that,” Butt says about the inspiration for her design. “I did a lot of draping on the shoulders just like tartan would be draped on a gentleman.”
She also took an unusual element into her designs, incorporating the Steampunk subculture into the dress she entered into the competition.
“My favourite thing in the world is Steampunk, I work it into everything I design,” Butt explains. “I added that in with the Victorian bustle and it turned out as everything I ever wanted.”
The winner of the Emerging Designer Competition wins several gift bags, as well as a showcase at the next season’s Fashion Week including models, hair and makeup valued at $2000. Butt will be able to show off more of her designs in March, when she will be cashing in her prize and presenting a collection.
Butt was emotional about her win, as she was not able to have her daughter or husband with her to share her win. However, in March when she has her showcase, Butt will be bringing her five-year-old daughter with her to the show.
“She wanted to come so bad so I promised her that if (I) won she would be able to come. So she’s going to be on the runway with me next year,” Butt says, holding back tears.
Western Canada Fashion Week runs until Saturday, Sept. 26. Tickets can be purchased at westerncanadafashionweek.com
