As we reported last week, deux fm is back from New York’s Greenshow, coinciding with NY Fashion Week. It’s our dream to appear in the Huffington Post, but it looks like Anna Gilkerson and her Hollywood-glam, eco-friendly collection have beat us to it.
Gilkerson took some time out of her crazy schedule to talk about her latest designs, America’s Next Top Model, Vogue and the hard, hard work it takes to successfully pull off a fashion show.
- Photo: Paul O. Colliton
- Photo: Paul O. Colliton
I agree with ecoterre—this collection really speaks to old Hollywood glamour. It’s really romantic too, and you’ve developed a narrative. What story does this collection tell?
AG: The collection is about a woman who is not obsessed with fame and fortune. She makes do with what she has, hence not a lot of zippers, buttons, extra stuff etc… It is a post-war reflection where there was lots of make-up and big hair, but not a lot to work with clothing-wise so women did their best and ended up looking fabulous. I added in some active wear details and tried to focus mainly on casual day and evening dresses—of course, I could not help doing some suit jackets, skirts, coats and tees though, my customers would have been disappointed!
- Photo: Paul O. Colliton
- Photo: Paul O. Colliton
When will this collection be available for Haligonians?
AG: If I can get further funding to produce and distribute the collection it will be available in stores in this coming August at Love Me, Boutique. It will be great to see the whole collection hanging in one shop in Halifax that supports sustainable fashion with an emphasis on quality and fashion forwardness.
How important is it that events like The Greenshows and Eco Fashion Week exist?
AG: What can I say, it’s the best thing that has happened to NYFW ever!! But of course I am biased ; )
- Photo: Paul O. Colliton
How did this show experience compare to other shows you’ve done? You must have been, “holy shit, this is big…”
AG: It’s a long developmental process building up to that point where the models step out in your designs for the world to see. I did not let myself get wrapped up in all that—you can’t. It was all about putting on a solid show and representing deux fm in the best light possible—meaning everything had to look perfect to my vision. I am a total perfectionist when it comes to the visual. I also had amazing help and I could not have pulled it off on my own.
What was the reaction like? Did you get any feedback?
AG: Reaction was great—I got asked back immediately. And there were a lot of interviews and picture taking at the end. I am not huge into that stuff so I was kind of glad when it was over and I could go out to dinner with everyone and get a little drunk. We did not end up going out until 10pm as I was still working when I got back. This stuff never ends—it seems to only get crazier.
- ANTM finalist Laura Kirkpatrick in deux fm. Photo: Paul O. Colliton
I love that you had ANTM finalists Laura Kirkpatrick and Jennifer An in the show—how did that happen?
AG: Totally by accident, by chance. I did not do the initial casting. They came for the final casting at our hotel—I had them on the short list cause I thought they were pretty, that’s it. And then I saw them in person and even though I had only seen one episode of that season I recognized them right away. It was hilarious. They were sweet girls, great to work with.
- ANTM’s Jennifer An in deux fm. Photo: Paul O. Colliton
- Photo: Paul O. Colliton
- Gilkerson (centre) and the glam-team. Photo: Paul O. Colliton
You also had a meeting with a little magazine called Vogue …
AG: Ahh Vogue—they pulled some samples for an eco-fashion shoot which is such an honour, although… I think I am a little too affordable and approachable for the likes of Vogue. Of course, a mini-feature would be cool. A girl can only dream.
Did you get a chance to see any other shows? Anything stand out?
AG: I saw the Vaute Couture show (which was gorgeous) because I happened to be doing a hair and make-up test at the time and went out for a sandwich. They pulled me in and gave me a VIP seat in the front row, and literally the lights went on as I sat down—it was funny— everyone thought I was someone important. Ahh, New York… Besides that, no, I was too busy working in my hotel room.
- Vaute Couture. Photo: Jen Lee and Paul O. Colliton
This article appears in Feb 25 – Mar 3, 2010.