Meet Drea Moothu of Soul House Productions and Tif! Shen of Nine Tails Studio–two friends, artists, and fashion lovers. They bring a new, fresh wave of vibrancy to the Squamish fashion scene.
One hails from the creative chaos of Toronto Fashion Week, and the other from Los Angeles. Together, they’ve been curating events for over two years. Now they’re launching an unforgettable fashion experience that invites everyone to take part.
is on at the Brackendale Art Gallery: Café & Culture Centre on April 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Tickets are $20.
The inspiration and idea behind this fashion show?
Conversations across Squamish with locals who long for more events and places to wear extraordinary outfits they love that are just hiding in their closets.
Both Shen and Moothu love to create social places where people can have fun and play.
How does it feel to host an event that impacts both an eco-friendly community and a fashion community?
Shen and Moothu say they feel incredible that they can include folks from all walks of life. Every model, designer, stylist, and volunteer is local, bringing their own flair and story to the runway.
Whether you are “hardwired for adventure,” an artist, a climber, a fashion lover, or all three, this event is your invitation to show up and show out.
“Fashion doesn’t have to be unwearable or out of reach,” says Moothu. “It can be joyful resistance, a way to express who we are and care for ourselves in the process.”
Shen adds, “We all need different spaces to be creative–spaces that invite us to express the many layers of who we are. That’s what this show is about.”
Accessibility is a core value for Moothu and Shen, and it shows that they are eco-friendly, body positive, creative and live to celebrate counterculture.
To Moothu and Shen, “fashion also means making something from nothing. Taking that piece you’ve saved for special occasions and wearing it to Nesters. Who knows when that ‘special occasion’ will come up? Just wear it proudly.”
Asked why they wanted to host the event, Moothu said, “Why not embrace the joy of dressing up? Our clothing, our jewelry, and even our makeup are resistant. Taking care of ourselves and celebrating our uniqueness is a form of resistance. Let’s cherish that!”
Shen said, “Creating events like this is one way I hope to bring people together and have fun while being creative.”
Both Moothu and Shen wanted to host a community event centred around body positivity and sustainable fashion. It’s important to them that this fashion show can be a night where everyone can express themselves through fashion, as well as show off how secondhand, vintage and pre-owned pieces can be fun, funky and beautiful.
There will be three parts to this show.
First, there will be local folks who want to flaunt outfits from their own closet and walk down the runway. This is a way to wear a piece you’ve always wanted to wear, but there has never been an occasion to.through fashion, as well as show off how secondhand, vintage and pre-owned pieces can be fun, funky and beautiful.
Second, there will be some stylists to give tips on how to style pre-owned clothes. Then there will be another runway where local designers and stylists will feature their outfits and pieces.
Third, there will be another runway where local designers and stylists will feature their outfits and pieces.
The organizers welcome the youth of Squamish to join the show in the audience as a model or stylists. Anyone interested in modelling or styling can email organizers at [email protected].
Theodor Parial is Squamish teen who is also a member of the Squamish Youth Council—and is interested in all things fashion.
