AY LELUM; A GREAT YEAR AT VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK, INDIGENOUS FASHION WEEK AND MORE TO COME IN 2020

AY LELUM

THE GOOD HOUSE OF DESIGN

AY LELUM THE GOOD HOUSE OF DESIGN, has had hectic a year, as I was told by Sophia one of the dynamic sisters who design this brand. Sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Good are the force behind this exciting label. Working along with their family members ; mother, designer, artist Sandra Moorhouse-Good, father William Good master carver, artist, historian and brother W.Joel Good carver and artist. Notably, they are a creative, and hard working collective. In fact their collaborative union is a perfect example of artistic synergy.

Following in the traditions of the Coast Salish, Ay Lelum is a creative powerhouse. The traditions of the Coast Salish include crafts, arts and music dating back to the beginning of recorded history. Celebrating their First Nations culture is the life’s work of Ay Lelum the Good House of Design. Since, being introduced to this charismatic, compelling and influential collective, I have been moved to learn more about Indigenous arts and culture. Read my past post on Ay Lelum The Good House of Design.

AY LELUM

THE GOOD HOUSE OF DESIGN

AT VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK

First, I want to say I am pleased to have made friends with the designers. Certainly I was excited to see them present at VFW. Their collection Nan ch ‘uw’ nu stli ‘i‘~ I love you/I hold you dear  was showcased at Vancouver Fashion Week on Oct. 12, 19.

(This post has been a long time coming as this fall I have been inundated with work. Not that I am complaining and I encourage any of you requiring my expert skills as a fashion journalist, stylist and fashion consultant to email me.)

Ay Lelum is a prolific brand , giving us 2 full collections a year and supplementing these collections with other exciting seasonal designs. In the short time I have been following this brand I have seen two collections. While, the brand has a strong recognizable point of view, each collection stands out because of it’s unique inspiration.

This collection  is inspired by love, beauty and healing, as represented by hummingbird and flower designs by our Father, William Good. It captures the essence of Coast Salish Culture through our creations that combine Traditional Coast Salish art,  Hul’q’umi’num’ language and music. Hummingbird Hairpieces are carved by our brother Joel Good. Taken from https://aylelum.com/

AY LELUM

ON 

THE RUNWAY

AY LELUM

 

It is always hard to read the language of inspiration. But Ay Lelum gives the impression that art, nature and tradition are at the forefront of their fashion vision. With a flourish of print and richness of colour, the humming bird and flower print took over the runway.

Spring and Summer are the time of rebirth and warmth and Ay Lelum gave us that on the runway. First is the color palette starting with a dress of brilliant cherry red and lilac. Moreover this dress sets the tone for a colorful collection with light mauve, sky blue, foam green and peacock, with use of black, white, and red grounding the garments. Pops of  a vibrant green give life.

Certainly print is a primary feature of Ay Lelum and here the hummingbird and flower print give movement and pattern. However it is the scale of the prints that make them so dynamic , the print is scaled from small to large in both the gowns and dresses . In fact the print comes to life with frenetic energy and bursts of what I can only describe as animation and liveliness. In fact if you’ve watched a humming bird dart from flower to flower, coming in and out of focus this print shows just that.

Ay Lelum has some varied silhouettes what they all share is a comfort and ease. Additionally this brand has some excellent cuts for full figured and plus sized women.

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Ay Lelum

Ay Lelum

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Ay Lelum

DISCOVER AY LELUM FOR YOURSELF.

This collection is going into production for Spring 2020 with delivery April/May ’20. It is available by PREORDER and wholesale bookings are available by request.

Web: www.aylelum.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AyLelum/ @AyLelum

Instagram: @ay_lelum

Twitter: @ay_lelum

Ay Lelum

Ay lelum

Ay Lelum

Ay Lelum

AY LELUM

at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week and more…

Music, dance and prayer started VIFW at the Museum Of Vancouver Nov 23 ,2019. I was honored to have been invited to attend this fashion and cultural event. In fact, I felt so welcomed by the community, the elders , and the designers.

Most of the fashion we are exposed to is derived from Western European traditions. Therefore, it is exciting to see fashion that celebrates other cultural heritages. Certainly,  First Nations fashion designers are receiving much more well deserved attention in recent years. Furthermore these strong positive talents are creating a viable and vibrant indigenous fashion industry.

Moreover, with the sell-out events of VIFW, and countless other indigenous fashion weeks from Calgary to Toronto this is the cusp of an exciting future. Certainly, Ay Lelum – The Good House of Design is a ground breaking label in this movement. In fact, Ay Lelum will present this coming spring at Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto as part of a celebration of indigenous women designers. The Closing Night Program on May 31, 2020 will honour and celebrate women as water carriers.

 AY LELUM AT MOV

a retropestive

While, Ay Lelum gave us there exciting new collection for Spring 2020, we were also treated to a retrospective of other designs. Certainly, the clothes made sense in the incredible space where they were presented. In fact the background was a series of windows at dusk. Therefore adding that natural element that is such an important part of Ay Lelum.

In the company of other indigenous designers Ay Lelum showed a large number of pieces. Notably, showing us their versatility between couture and ready to wear. Certainly the clean sophisticated designs of Ay Lelum give us a window into others areas of First Nations art and design. What is astounding here is the collaboration of artists to produce expressive, unique and distinctly culturally significant clothing. Equally important is that what we see are beautiful garments, open to all markets and people seeking beautiful clothing.

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Ay Lelum

Ay Lelum

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A VIEW FROM THE FRONT ROW

Aunalee Boyd-Good, Myself, and Sophia Good.

Planning a fashion shopping trip with the girls, bring an expert!

Special occasion shopping, wedding, mother of the bride, party, cruise consult a pro.

Need help with your wardrobe.  I’m here to help.

WHAT’S HOT

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS

This past November I attended a great fundraiser in Vancouver called The Little Black Dress Gala. What a wonderful night to see everyone dressed up enjoying a fabulous night of fashion and entertainment for an important cause. I am in the process of writing an Out & About column on the #LBDGALA so stay tuned for that.

While attending functions like the Little Black Dress Gala are fun they can also be stressful. Certainly, finding the perfect dress is not always easy , but a little black dress should be effortless. In fact, the idea of a Little Black Dress is that you have one in your closet that is a go to.

THE LEGEND OF THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS

       Significantly, this emblematic look was created nearly a century ago by Coco Chanel. By all means this french chic ensemble became legendary when Edith Piaf sang of love and loss in what became her uniform. Certainly, everything French eventually makes it’s way across the Atlantic . Therefore, it was no surprise when Givenchy introduced it to America in the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In deed, Audrey Hepburn walked into fashion history with that mythical dress, and from that moment on the Little Black Dress became iconic. Here are my choices for a new Little Black Dress !

Whbm

 Chiffon Sleeve Black Shift Dress
$150

Alice + Olivia

 Virgil Boat Neck Wrap Dress
$350

 

diana rikasari

Veronica Beard

 Nora Dress
$495

 

Alexander Wang

 Poplin Fit and Flare Dress
$521.25

 

diana rikasari

Free People

Adella Slip Dress
$88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

diana rikasari

A.L.C.

A.L.C. Renzo Dress
$595

 

Kate Spade

Crystal Bodice Dress
$718

 

Diana rikasari

Alice + Olivia

 BREE BUSTIER HANDKERCHIEF DRESS
$795

 

diana rikasari

Ro & De

 Andi Sequined Tee Dress
$160

Olivia Rubin

 Violet Dress
$510

 

 

Halpern

 Off The Shoulder Sequin Embellished Dress
$1,884

 

diana Rikasari

Rebecca Vallance

Mica Long Sleeve Sequin Mini
$640

 

diana rikasari

Cynthia Rowley

 Evelyn Tiered Tulle Dress
$475

 

Ganni

Ganni Feathery Cotton Wrap Dress
$620
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