Emerald Queen Art awed the Vancouver Fashion Week audience with an eight-piece collection featuring the designer’s exquisite corsets. This is The Court of The Emerald Queen’s (full name) first appearance at VFW. The brand brings its fanciful looks to us from Poland. This collection combined fantasy and elegance in what is a high fashion extravaganza.
The first look down the runway incorporated cream satin with black embroidered details. The silhouette is reminiscent of a saloon girl from an old western. Feathers feature prominently throughout the collection, adding glamor and flamboyance. The second model wore one of my favorite garments, a delicate floral corset dress trimmed with wafting peacock plumes.
The following pieces down the runway followed a similar combination of a corset and accompanying skirt or dress. An elegant emerald green ensemble had a regal Victorian silhouette. Another look, was a mint green dress with a metallic gold corset; evocative of a stage garment suited to Lady Gaga, or better yet, Katie Perry. The majority of the collection paid homage to history and the designer’s interest in historical corsets and clothing.
The collection closed with two beautiful dresses with hoop skirts shrouded in lace, beckoning back to the 1850s. The electric blue dress is crowned with a magnificent headpiece of blue, yellow, and green feathers.
The final look was the show stopper. The black hoop skirt glided down the runway with regal continence. The model wore a headpiece similar to a mantilla, like a Spanish queen, from a court painting.
Emerald Queen Art is formed around the handcrafted corsets of designer Urszula Luczkanyn. However, it is so much more. Urszula brings splendor and a sense of history to her bespoke creations. While a respect is aid to history there is also something wholly contemporary about this collection.
Urszula Luczkanyn and myself surrounded by models at photo shoot for Emerald Queen Art
,photo by Mike Fotowerks Ca
EMERALD QUEEN ART
THE INTERVIEW
I was invited to the studio of Mike Klajnert, of Mike Fotowerks Ca, to conduct an interview and watch a photoshoot of Emerald Queen Art. This was an opportunity to meet and interview the designer, Urszula Luczkanyn, and her husband and business partner Peter. Moreover, it was a chance to get up close to her meticulously crafted garments. The following interview was conducted in Vancouver, on November 4th, 2021.
I saw your recent fashion show at Vancouver Fashion Week. I was very impressed. Can you give us some insight into your brand, your inspiration, and background ?
I was always in love with corsets and corsetry. Corsets are fascinating to me, and I have always wanted to wear them myself. I figured out early that others also loved corsets. This inspired me to create “The Court of the Emerald Queen”. My inspiration is historical clothing, especially late 19th and early 20th century fashion. I love the silhouette a corset creates. For this collection, “Time to Waist”, I want to show a history of the hourglass silhouette in fashion through the decades. The collection, constitutes an attempt to place the corset structures in contemporary fashion. I collaborated with another designer to create the feather accessories, Blanca atelier, you can find her work at @blanka_atelier .
I didn’t attend a fashion school. I am self-taught. I mainly learned my craft through trial and error. I am passionate about what I do and very determined. Furthermore, I have good intuition and an active imagination.
There is definitely a costume element to your designs. Are you a costume designer or a fashion designer?
I don’t define myself that way. I focus on corsetry. What I create are garments to compliment my corsets and incorporate corsets into full garments. By nature corsets are historical, but they are not costumes, they are meant to be worn. People are attracted to wearing corsets for many different reasons. Fashion is a primary reason. Another reason is the love of historical clothing. Some people, like the feel of wearing a corset, like a hug. While still others seek out corsets to support their backs, improve their posture, or other medical reasons.
So who are your customers?
My customers are varied. There is a huge international society of people who wear corsets and collect corsets. My customers are fellow corset lovers like myself. Most of my customers come from FB groups dedicated to corsets. I also make corsets for brides, prom dresses, and formal wear. Corsets are also popular as alternative and fetish wear. I make corsets for both women and men. I am gender inclusive, and encourage everyone to wear and enjoy my corsets.
What is the fashion scene like in Poland?
There is an active fashion scene in Poland. I am not involved in the official fashion shows in Poland. However, I belong to an alternative fashion group called ALTER GROUP POLAND. We produce fashion shows several times a year. Since the start of the pandemic, we have not produced any shows. We intend to start up again soon.
What is in the future for Emerald Queen Art ?
I mainly work by myself creating my collections, I do have several students who help out. I am planning to open a large atelier and expand my business by hiring some seamstresses. Mostly I would like to keep hands-on. I started my brand because I love what I do. I look forward to creating new collections, always challenging myself to explore new ideas. Hopefully, I will be showing in more fashion shows.
So if someone wanted to order a corset from Emerald Queen Art what would that process entail?
First, the customer could visit my Esty store or my website. Second, because the corsets are custom-made, I will need the client’s measurements. I also like to get a photograph because measurements don’t tell the whole story. A photograph can help with proportions. Depending on the complexity of the design, I may need to create several mock-ups that the customer can try and give feedback. Finally, depending on the requirements of the individual order, I will complete the order in two weeks to a month.
IN CONCLUSION
It was a fabulous experience being able to attend the photo shoot for Emerald Queen Art. The opportunity to see the garments up close was fascinating. It brought back my own days as a costume designer. The design and construction of corsets is a true craft and an art. A big thank- you goes out to Urszula Luczkanyn for generously giving me her time. Please take time to visit Emerald Queen Art;
Thanks to all involved for allowing me to participate. Watch for the upcoming release of the fabulous photos by Mike of Mike Fotowerks Ca ;
Mike Fotowerks – Home | Facebook
Watch this space for more exciting coverage from Vancouver Fashion WeekS/S 22
WHAT’S HOT
The good news is if you are double vaccinated, and are willing to wear a mask holiday events are starting. Who isn’t ready to throw the sweatpants off and get dressed to the nines for the coming holiday events. Whether it is a company work party, a trip to the theatre to see the annual staging of the Nutcracker, or countless other soiree’s it’s time to dress up. Holiday dressing is a lot fun, and a time to celebrate your style. Since this may be the first time you “don your gay apparel” in well over a year, don’t worry I’m here to help. I have worked with my partners to bring you some fabulous lux and lovely holiday attire. Shop now and celebrate the coming holiday season. Every piece here is priced under $450.00.
FESTIVE FEATHERS
Stand out and turn heads in these stunning feathered frocks.
SEASONAL SPARKLES
Sparkles, glitter and sequins are the perfect holiday fashion choice. Shine bright.
LITTLE RED DRESS
Be part of the holiday season with a little red dress. Perfect for those instagram snaps.
TULLE FOR THE YULE
A a frothy, fun look that is young, fresh and a holiday favorite ..
CIAO FOR NOW J.ANDREW