It’s a sunny, crisp autumn day in the heart of downtown Regina, Saskatchewan. A small city located in the prairies with a bright future ahead. The fashion industry, in particular, is one of the many things that has recently caught spark and is growing rapidly. The fashion community in Regina is made up of a tight-knit group of passionate, dedicated individuals and I’ve been lucky enough to interview one of Regina’s established designers, Dean Renwick.
I’m sitting in a room of Dean’s cozy studio loft and I feel like I’m in the comfort of my own home. It’s a small studio, but non-the-less, is boasting with character. Dean walks in with a welcoming smile and the conversation begins.
Dean began to recognize his talent from the early age of eight when he first learned to sew with the help of his mother and grandmother. “I picked up a needle and I was good at it,” Dean says. “It all began to evolve from there.” It wasn’t until high school that Dean realized he wanted to be a designer, but once he had that dream envisioned in his mind, nothing was going to stop him from achieving it.
In grade 12, Dean was accepted into The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles. “The moment I landed in Los Angeles, I felt that I was suppose to be there. I was freer to express myself and who I was at the time ” said Dean. After graduating from FIDM in 1984, Dean spent the next 15 years working in all different facets of the fashion industry, from being a sample cutter to working for high-end retailers, Dean conquered it all.
Even though Dean had successfully built a name for himself within the L.A. fashion industry, he felt that he had greater potential to make an impact in Saskatchewan. The fashion industry was in need of experienced designers to bring knowledge and creative talent to an industry that was more or less non-existent at the time. Dean packed his bags and began his journey to the prairies with a new future ahead.
Fast forward to the present, and here we are talking about Dean’s 10th anniversary, soon to be celebrated, of being in his Regina-based studio. From building relationships with clients all around the world while maintaining close ties with clients in the community, Dean has come a long way. He brings out his current collection that is in the works - a beautiful color palette that consists of camel, white, red and light navy. “It’s a lot of straight, simple cuts with a sporty edge,” says Dean. “The collection features a variety of skirts, dresses and sport jackets that can be worn from day to evening by simply changing up the accessories.”
After marveling over Dean’s latest collection, I curiously ask him about his inspiration behind his designs. Dean replies, “It’s always changing – sometimes it’s a page from a magazine, the fabric itself or a cupcake cover from a wedding.” The cupcake cover being a reference to a cut out skirt he’s designing for his next collection.
Among Dean’s past and present successes, he shares a valuable perspective about the fashion industry. “It’s become too much of a disposable atmosphere,” Dean says. “Designers need to focus more on the quality of clothing and designs that aren’t necessarily trendy but rather unique and timeless.” He brings to light a valid point, as most fashion is a fast, ever-changing continuum that rarely remains permanent.
The future ahead for Dean is a bright one, with a new collection soon to be launched on November 30and a re-branding strategy in process; he continues to build a legacy within the Saskatchewan fashion industry. He sits back with ease and says, “It’s a matter from starting at the bottom and allowing those above you to recognize your talent. It’s finding what you’re good at and just going for it. Whatever blows your skirt in the air, follow it.”
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