BCFW: Jacqueline Conoir is Still a Crown Jewel
September 25th, 2008 | Published in Event Report | 3 Comments
Words by Leanne Yu
Photos by Alex Ramon
What’s springtime like in the world of Jacqueline Conoir? It’s probably like a late morning spent sitting at the edge of a pond, with your feet rippling the water and your fingers entangled in dewy blades of grass. At least that’s the feeling one would get watching one of JC designer RozeMerie Cuevas’ creations ebb and flow down the runway.
While her dresses were certainly the hit of the show headlining BC Fashion Week, Cuevas showed off impressive range in her Spring 2009 collection. This experienced repertoire should come as no surprise; Cuevas has been around in the Canadian (not to mention international) fashion scene since Madonna started making pop music. Like the Madge, Vancouver-based Cuevas is royalty in the world of her craft—and long is living the queen.
Cuevas isn’t a jewel in the Canadian fashion industry’s crown because she follows trends. A designer with such staying power creates them. She did exactly that with one such ensemble that garnered much wonder and applause. What appeared to be a sequined dress with its underlining dropped to the ground was actually a two-piece outfit. The top is a tunic with high slits up the thigh. The bottom is unattached to the tunic; rather, it is a pair of silky palisade pants, with frontal slits surpassing even the tunic’s. The combination works wonderfully to create an aesthetically pleasing ensemble that marries exaggerated cuts and disparate textures.
The collection also features a line of hippy-chic pieces. Cuevas sources her daughters as inspiration in creating this set. High-waisted denim skirts and trousers with western brown stitching brought a 1970s feel to the runway. Billowy peasant tops and pants were adorned with psychedelic print. However, my personal favourite aspect of Cuevas’ throwback line was the mini-dress, draped and tucked in every which way all across the body. Elaborate draping was rivaled only by Cuevas’ choice of outstanding Italian prints. Patterns ranged from funky and retro to wispy and romantic.
And for those of us who have only the weekends to prance about in gauzy dresses, there were (of course) suits, JC Studio’s bread and butter. Five stunningly crisp white suits were featured at the start of the show, each proving power suits can have feminine nuances and still look fierce. Ruffle sleeve cuffs and fishtail skirts will surely add some pomp to your 9-5 circumstance.
The show closed with a dramatic sheer poncho enveloping a model wearing a geometrically patterned swimsuit. The shawl depicted what appeared to be Aurora Borealis, a breathtaking image of glowing lights among the stars. While the swimsuit stirred our curiosity on whether the JC brand is planning to include swimwear in its future, Cuevas says the suit was just a one-time accompaniment to her collection.
But as the poncho may reflect, RozeMerie Cuevas seems intent on striving to continue staying local—while keeping her eyes on the stars.
October 10th, 2008
I wasn’t fortunate enough to attend this show, but I can see from the photos that it was a success! I’ve always loved Jacqueline Conoir designs and her S/S ‘09 collection didn’t disappoint. I have to say I liked her S/S ‘08 line better,but that doesn’t mean the new one wasn’t exceptional, far from it. My favourites, as always, were the dresses, especially the off-the shoulder one with the blue and purple flowers. So classy and sexy! Great article! I want to see more!
October 12th, 2008
Is your review of Jacqueline Conoir Studio’s spring line perhaps a case of talking about the Emperor’s new clothes? Are those whose bread and butter depend upon the established fashion names in this city too timid to chance falling out of favour with them by penning any disparaging comments? The jackets seemed out of proportion to the pant leg width, looked sloppy, and there was too much detail competing between the pants and the jackets, for the most part. The cream sheath (dress) with the empire seaming lost its impact as the patterned tie beneath the bust competed with the draped fabric falling down the back – the neckline fabric would have sufficed (perhaps with a ruched closing and tiny covered buttons). The long dresses were disappointing, to put it in a nutshell. The word “muumuu” comes to mind. One could go on…
A comment about the line once it is produced for sale: the quality has definitely gone down over the last 2-3 years. Has there been a change in factories or is anyone performing quality assurance of the output regularly? One expects to find meticulous attention paid to details such as even top stitching and non-wrinkled fused interfacing on blouses that run in the $200.00 range, suit jacket buttons chip that don’t chip, fabric that doesn’t lose its shape after 4-5 wearings.
Having bought and worn J.C. Studio suits, blouses, dresses, etc. for years, I must say that it is disappointing to see what I hope is not going to become a new direction. Cutting edge is so very different from cutting corners…
October 13th, 2008
Nice show! I like your writing style, Leanne, wanna write my school essays? I’ll pay you… with my never ending gratitude!