Fashion Design Alumna is a finalist in the Ultimate Holiday Dress Competition
Fashion Design alumna Alanna Klatt, certainly hasn’t slowed down since graduating in March 2013.
This 21-year-old emerging designer has started her own business, launched her first full collection, shown at a number of fashion weeks and is now one of four finalists in the Ultimate Holiday Dress Competition in Toronto.
From Fenelon Falls in the Kawartha Lakes area of Ontario, Klatt’s brand features a focus on knitwear.
“I like to focus on providing women with 100 per cent knit fabrications that are a fine balance between comfort and style so they still look good, but they aren’t out walking in their sweatpants,” said Klatt, who was the valedictorian of her graduating class.
Since starting her own business Klatt has done her first full collection, Fall/ Winter 2014, which showed at Ottawa Fashion Week. That collection is now in stores and Klatt is currently working on her Spring/ Summer 2015 collection as well as getting a jump on Fall 2015.
“I know my customer, I know what I want, I have goals set and I am already reaching them,” Klatt said. “I am just over a year into my business and I already see great successes.”
Now, Klatt is one of four finalists in the Ultimate Holiday Dress Competition developed by Fresh Collective and Art of Fashion. The aim of the competition is to aide emerging Canadian designers in showcasing their talents.
Designers were asked to submit a sketch and fabrics of a unique and marketable Ultimate Holiday dress design for the 2015 Holiday season.
Finalists were chosen and went on to have a one-on-one mentorship meeting with Laura-Jean Bernhardson, CEO and founder of Fresh Collective. From there, the designers produced a sample garment.
On Saturday, Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fresh Collective on Queen Street West, the public can view the samples dresses by the four finalists and vote on which one they would be most likely to wear.
One designer will be chosen and their dress will be produced and sold at Fresh Collective, which has three locations in Toronto.
Klatt said she wanted to participate in the competition because as an emerging designer it is important for her to work to get her name out in the fashion world.
“But also this was a great way for me to showcase my talent, especially in knitwear,” Klatt said. “I wanted to provide a piece that was transitional for all women.”
Klatt said her goal was to target every woman who walks through the door of Fresh Collective by making a dress that looks good on every woman.
The dress, Klatt explained, can be worn maxi-length, or it has side pull ties which when pulled, makes the dress shorter. Some women may also choose to wear it in an asymmetrical way. It is reversible from back to front to either have the plunging cowlick in the front or back. The dress also has a silver chain detail that can be worn on the front, back or removed.
“It is really accommodating because everyone has their own style,” Klatt said.
Other finalists in the Ultimate Holiday Dress Competition are Copious Couture, by Carissa McCaig who is also a graduate of the Fashion Design program, Diane Kroe and Tegan Whelan.
The winner of the Ultimate Holiday Dress Competition will be announced on Oct. 21.
For more information on the Toronto Film School’s Fashion Design Diploma click here.
