MAPLEWOODS

MAPLEWOODS is a menswear collection inspired by the nature of Canada and the Canadian lifestyle. The goal was to use a mixture of tailoring and sport-wear with a selective color composition, to create outfits suitable for the runway and the lost woods. Clothing and fashion in Canada is mostly relaxed, casual athletic-wear and does not often venture into high-fashion, but why not? The irony of classically Canadian lumberjack elements, such as the red and black Buffalo plaid or the denim-on-denim look, can be re-born into silhouettes of modern power and poise. This resolution was applied throughout the print, knit, and fabric construction aspects of the collection. For example, the quilting and appliqué techniques seen in most traditional Canadian family homes, was used for the cape of Look 4 by way of combining recycled plaid and cotton fabrics with vintage silks produced in the 60’s. Look 2 is a denim coat with prominent shoulders and a defined collar, all lasered-engraved with a distorted wood-like print. The underlayer is based off of the pattern of a cargo pocket enlarged into a vest and western chaps draped into jeans. Look 3 is an oversized suit with draped shoulders is combined with a printed Silk top and trousers inspired by the artwork of Canadian painter Robert Bateman and the engravings of First Nations tribe Haida Gwaii in Vancouver, Canada. Convertible trousers zip off into shorts; the pant legs are detachable and can be worn as sleeves on the blazer. The vest is attached on the corduroy blazer through a system of zips and buttons and can be worn altogether, on its own, or zipped up in the back as extra insulation; thus the wearer is prepared to go from a trek in the mountains, to dinner at 8, then a lounge at 10, and all they will need is already on their back. The collection is made up of garments of function and utility, without compromising style. MAPLEWOODS captures the off-key essence of North American woods meets the outside world. A mystery and adventure into the great Northern, where all is possible.