NSFashion.ca reviewed!

The 36th G8 Summit is set to begin June 25 in Ontario, but here in Nova Scotia the excitement has already begun.

This week the brainchild of a partnership between the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council (NSDCC), Craft Alliance Atlantic Association and Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) was born, resulting in NSFashion.ca. Four Nova Scotia fashion, jewellery and accessory designers were selected to collaborate and create unique collections based on the personal style of the G8 women. The women on the roster include Carla, Michelle, Samantha, Laureen, Nobuko, Margarida, Geertrui, Svetlana and Angela—eight first ladies and one German chancellor.

Looks like someone else was inspired by the women of the G8, or G20 for that matter, as well: Fashion tips for G20 spouses

As was first demonstrated by Jackie O, politics CAN be fashionable.

Women’s rights worldwide is a hot button issue this time around, so it’s fitting that entire fashion collections were carefully crafted with these leading ladies in mind. The collections celebrate the power of women, fashion and Nova Scotian talent.

The popular vote

Inspired by France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the “Carla” Collection seems to be the crowd favourite so far. It’s not hard to see why. As a whole, this collection has the most cohesive look. The accessories include a black and gray clutch with stripes, polka dots and a floral accent by LouLouBell, a set of adorable, black glass bead earrings and a broach by Glass Harp Gallery, and a woven rope necklace with a wishbone pendant from Donna Hiebert. These pieces are all complimented by a pop of red from a beautiful Michique handbag.

The "Carla" Collection, based on France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (photo credit NSFashion.ca)

My ballot

Despite the peer pressure coming from the number of votes for Carla, I had to hand it to Svetlana—Russia’s leading lady. The collection was clean and minimalistic. I’m also a sucker for the floral pattern featured on the LouLouBell clutch.

The "Svetlana" Collection, based on Russia’s first lady Svetlana Medvedeva (photo credit NSFashion.ca)

The last in the polls

Though the separate items in the “Nobuko” collection are stunning, I felt they were stand-alone pieces that did not come together to make any sort of statement on individual style. Perhaps that is an accurate depiction of Nobuko Kan’s fashion sense, but superficially I didn’t see it work as a collection.

The "Nobuku" Collection, based on Japan's first lady Nobuku Kan (photo credit NSFashion.ca)

The candidates

The standout pieces were all jewellery designed by Donna Hiebert. You’ll be in awe of her creations. From unique pendants suspended from Amsteel Grey—the strongest rope in the world—to a coffee bean vermeil necklace, her designs are earthy and breathtaking. You’d be silly not to check out donnahiebert.com.

Donna Hiebert Jewelery Design, L to R: Necklace from "Geertrui" Collection (photo credit NSFashion.ca) and Coffee Bean Vermeil Pendant (photo credit donnahiebert.com)

The Michique handbags—created by twin sisters from Cape Breton—have so much personality. I haven’t held one of their bags (yet), but I’m told by @hhindle that they are absolutely exquisite to touch and equally as incredible inside! We all love a purse with a beautiful lining. According to the website, Michique handbags can be purchased in HRM at John David Shoes, Protocol Office, Coconut Creek and Bogside Gallery.

LouLouBell Custom Bridesmaid Clutches (photo credit louloubell.ca)

LouLouBell’s clutches and totes are just way too freaking cute. You can see on the website that she sells custom sets of clutches for bridesmaids. It’s a very cool idea and would be a special gift for the girls in your wedding party. And hey, if they don’t like the bridesmaid dress, they’ll definitely be happy with the clutch!

As for the glass and beads by Glass Harp Gallery, I mean come on, how could you not smile when you look at them?

You could go on for days about how amazing these four Nova Scotia designers are, but we’ll stop there. There’s a wealth of homegrown talent out there just waiting to be discovered. Its initiatives like NSFashion.ca that highlight our talent on the national and international stage. Keep ‘em coming!

If you haven’t already, please check out NSFashion.ca and vote for your favourite women in the G8 collection!

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This post was featured on the bottom right-hand side of NSFashion.ca and was also selected for the Independent Fashion Blogger’s July 1 edition of Links à la Mode http://heartifb.com/2010/07/01/lalam/. Go Haute Hali!