Ivy Rose Custom Design || AFW 10/11

Words by Jeanine Brito

Photography ©Faby Martin 2010

On day two of Alberta Fashion Week, Calgary had the opportunity to see Rachel Haggerty’s first ready-to-wear collection under her tailoring business, Ivy Rose Custom Design. With only six weeks to develop, construct and style her first show, Haggerty has entered the fashion business with a strong foundation.

The show contained an eclectic mix of business wear and casual, perfect for Spring 2011. Designed with the goal of appealing to all women, Haggerty made the collection personal by drawing her inspiration from family and friends. She has a self-professed “quirky sense of style,” which lends itself well to the unique detailing in the pieces shown.

Immediately, the audience noticed the corsets worn underneath suit jackets, an interesting touch, particularly with the neon green ribbon lacing. “Any woman can wear a corset, and regardless of size, can feel fantastic,” says Haggerty, when asked about the pieces. The juxtaposition of womanly shape underneath boxy jackets and wide leg trousers (Haggerty’s take on the menswear for women trend, with a zoot suit feel), was an interesting one, and certainly caught the attention of viewers.

The casual component of the collection was the strongest, however. Haggerty has developed her own unique style of pant; a combination of the gaucho wide leg and the military cargo pant, complete with buttoned pockets on the leg. Done in linen, these crops instilled a sense of freedom in their comfort and mobility.

Haggerty also showed a set of dresses that could easily transition from office to dinner with friends, also in linen and with conservative hemlines. These were the pieces that grounded her collection, marking the transition from business suiting in pinstripe, to wide leg cargo crops in summery fabrics.

As Haggerty progresses as a designer, Calgary Fashion looks forward to seeing her tailoring grow stronger, further developing her abilities for structure and shape. At present, Ivy Rose Custom is available only online through www.ivyrosecustom.com, and in the near future, www.etsy.com/people/IvyRoses.