Julia K Shore became interested in design at a young age, when she started making clothes for her dolls. “I can’t think of something that I’ve loved more than getting dressed every day. I have so much fun with clothes,” she says.
“I used to be up all night before school, wanting a new sweater, and I’d create something new. I always wanted something new. I have the most ridiculous closet. It’s fun to be able to make clothes for other people, too.”
The young designer returned to Edmonton a year ago but she’s already built up a solid customer base in her hometown. Shore, who lived in London, Ontario for three years while attending Fanshawe College for fashion design, relies on her Edmonton connections and good word-of-mouth to sell her unique designs.
Shore, who specializes in women’s wear, loves creating outerwear and jackets but also does coordinated separates. “It’s all very eclectic, almost unconventional. I design lots of prints, bohemian clothes with a rock ‘n’ roll edge. There are pieces that are classic and timeless but I also like to have that statement piece that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.”
The looks she creates for herself also vary from day to day. “I love colour. I love print. I love mixing and matching prints, that’s one of my favourite trends and I hope it sticks around for a very long time.”
The designer, who works out of her home, is currently working on her Spring/Summer 2015 line, which is due out in July 2014. She plans on incorporating jewellery and chains into that line. Shore previously integrated cording and rope in her Spring/Summer 2014 collection.
While she does some custom designs, Shore enjoys putting her own artistic spin on clothes. “I like to bounce ideas off of people,” she says.
While she doesn’t plan on participating in Western Canada Fashion Week, Shore will plan her own show for her new collection. “That’s one of my favourite parts,” she says. “There’s an entertainment value that goes along with it.”
