A Brief History
Hi, I'm Connally McDougall and I'm a Canadian designer from the west coast currently based in London, UK. I grew up in Mittersill, Austria and Budapest, Hungary, while my parents served as missionaries. I learned to sew from my grandmother and then from older craftswomen in the towns where I lived. From an early age, I was blessed to see how much time and work go into making one garment. My exposure to global cultures and a deliberate way of dressing make me acutely aware of the damage disposable clothing makes on the environment and society. It's better to buy one piece of outstanding quality than dozens of cheaper things that will fall apart. My education at Central Saint Martins has given me a solid foothold to launch my line. Using architectural silhouettes and rich details, I design for confident international women. Colour, texture and quality are fundamental for me. My work celebrates the curvature and angularity of the human body. Balancing geometry and the cerebral side of design with instinct and passion is the goal. My perspective is to show not just a woman's beauty, but also her intellect, determination and strength. The long term vision is to have a fashion house that celebrates global traditions but also employs women in indigenous contexts for their artistic craft in beading, leathers, painted silks, etc and advocating fair and equitable wages. As the fashion industry continues to grow, it's important to have each stakeholder’s voice heard.
The Project
*UPDATE:
After my successful show in Vancouver Fashion Week, I have been invited to show my collection, plus 8 additional looks at PLITZS New York Fashion Week China, held in Beijing June 13-20th 2014! This is a huge platform to show the only ethically produced collection out of 36 selected designers in a massive, internationally attended show. I will need to raise an additional $6000 to cover the costs of flights to Beijing, accommodations and registration at the show. The $4500 registration fee includes models, styling, meals and also photography and video sessions.
This spring, Niche Magazine selected me to present a collection at Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) and generously provided ten models, hair & makeup, lighting, and media as well as showcased me as their sponsored emerging designer at the opening gala. It was an incredible opportunity and springboard for further growth and success in the global fashion industry.
What I Need
I'm looking to raise $9000 which will go towards:
-Airfare and transportation to and around Beijing
-Accommodations in Beijing
-Registration, modelling, styling, photography and video fees
-Additional fabrics to construct the remaining 8 outfits for the show in Beijing
-Airfare and transportation to and around Vancouver
-Accommodations in Vancouver
-Materials to produce the collection
Generally, the budget for a Fall/Winter collection starts at $5000, but since I am making everything by hand and have limited resources, it will be a challenge and an adventure to see how much I can wow the audience of buyers, retailers and the media with a smaller budget.
The Impact
This opportunity will be a chance to send a strong message to the fashion industry that the world is not only ready for excellent ethical fashion, we deserve nothing less. We are all connected and the clothing we wear tells not just our story, but also of those who made it. All of the materials I use are responsibly produced and manufactured which is hugely important in the fast-paced fashion world. Every contribution makes a difference.
Other Ways You Can Help
Spread the word! Feel free to share my story and this campaign around to your friends, family, colleagues and on social media.
Shop responsibly! Make an effort to buy quality clothing made responsibly, or buy vintage. If you wouldn't want to work in a sweatshop, why would you ask someone else to? The cost of cheap, disposable clothing is much higher than the price tag.
