FASHION / ART / FEMME
an expression for the bold, sophisticated woman
GRANDI is a Vancouver-based luxury womenswear boutique – an expression for the bold, sophisticated woman. She is creative, she is inquisitive and, she uses her savoir vivre and stylish wardrobe to ask provocative questions. Started in 2014 by designer dressmaker Grandy as an exclusive, bespoke service, the atelier has garnered much media attention - including coverage by VOGUE UK, Glamour UK, Forbes UK, WWD Japan, Dazed Korea as well as on the red carpet at the Academy Awards and Cannes Film Festival.
cover: Captain’s Jacket from PANTOMIME, A/W 2014 / set in the style of artist Joan Miró left: Nymph Dress from SERPENTINE, S/S 2016
Since its conception, GRANDI has introduced seasonal demi-couture collections to suit the quick pace of contemporary lifestyle. All demi-couture pieces are handmade, in limited quantities, in our exclusive Vancouver atelier - with the trappings of traditional craftsmanship, and the accessibility demanded by our modern daily lives. Behind every design is a concept, behind every collection is a story. These artful collections have shown on the runways of Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO, and Vancouver Fashion Week. GRANDI is known for its striking artistic details, purposeful design attitude, and timeless, elegant silhouettes.
CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION A VISION OF FASHION, ART, AND FEMME
one 8
PANTOMIME POP ART HEROINE
two 14
GRENADA CONFECTION CONNECTIONS
three 18
PRISMANIA SHINANIGANS OF THE ART MISTRESSS
four 24
SERPENTINE FLEETING FEMME FATALE
five 28
ESSENTIALS CAPSULE FOR SOPHISTICATED WOMEN
six 32
JARDINIÈRE BLOSSOMS IN WHITE AND COBALT BLUE
seven 36
HIELAND FLOUER A SCOTTISH TRIBUTE
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PRESS COVERAGE
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INTRODUCTION a vision of fashion, art, and femme BIOGRAPHY + PHILOSOPHY OF GRANDI
FASHION AN INEVITABLE BEGINNING A celebrated humanist once put the ratio of passion-to-reason bestowed in man at 24-to-1. After graduating from business school, I found this to be approximately the ratio of time I spent designing and making art, versus time spent searching for what mother referred to as gainful employment. Being a rebel at heart, after 4 years in the financial sector, I left the rigid 8-hour work day to take a couple of years to travel and figure out what I wanted to do. My left and right brains couldn’t come to an agreement on whether we enjoyed more creative or structured pursuits. Growing up as a slight person, I had taught myself how to make clothes from always being denied my favourite pieces due to size. It became apparent to me that fashion design and entrepreneurship is an ideal marriage of the artistic and the analytical. I had no official fashion schooling and very little insight into the industry. I had no idea what I was getting into. I just knew that I had art to make and stories to tell, and that my brand of dogged hard work and perseverance would lead somewhere.
above: designer dressmaker Grandy opposite: Suede Jacket + Satin Pants from PANTOMIME, A/W 2014 / set in the style of artist Yayoi Kusama
In 2013, I started making one dress a week and blogged about my journey. From there, my style and philosophy as a designer emerged, with scrupulous emphasis on classic elegance and bold, artistic expression. Atelier GRANDI officially launched in March of 2014.
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ART ABOVE ALL ELSE In our modern era’s fastmoving fast-fashion world, solid conceptual development and artistic expression are frequently missing from fashion. I don’t believe in designing for aesthetic’s sake. Every collection I design is steeped in its own concept and story — it’s the depth and authenticity that translate into a sophistication my audience picks up on. Art and artistic ideas drive the majority of my design choices. Being trained as a classical pianist meant I had extensive exposure to art and history from a young age. It taught me that you can’t have good design or good art in a vacuum. When I design, I think about you and your world, how my pieces would help you express yourself in your life.
left: sketchbook notes in the custom print design of PRISMANIA, S/S 2019 above: art detail from custom print design of PRIAMANIA, S/S 2019 / in the humour of artist Rene Magritte
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Pink Suit from PRISMANIA, S/S 2019
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FEMME MAKING OF A WOMAN “Woman” is a rapidly changing concept in the daily progress towards global gender equality. In our march forward, my muse expresses her equality, not by androgynously blending in, but by openly embracing all it means to be feminine. I design for the bold, sophisticated woman who has something to say — someone with such a compulsion to express her ideas that she has no time for standard, boring wardrobe. She is creative, she is inquisitive, and she uses her savoir vivre and stylish choices to ask provocative questions. She knows what her style is and doesn’t ask for anyone’s permission. opposite: actress and director Kyra Zagorsky in Black Glass dress from SERPENTINE, S/S 2017 top right: stunts director Melissa Stubbs at the 88th Academy Awards in custom gown by GRANDI right: singer songwriter Jerrica Alyssa in Vanguard Kilt Dress from HIELAND, A/W 2016
“Ultimately, my goal is to give you, my art mistress, a wardrobe equal to your daring, so you can use it to go tell your story.”
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PANTOMIME daring self-expression and the pop art heroine COLLECTION 2014 / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016
Art washes the dust of daily life off our souls and makes it a little more interesting; a little more colourful.
- Pablo Picasso
Pantomime was the first collection produced by Atelier GRANDI. It drew inspiration from ancient Greek theatre and its frequently poignant questioning of opposing perspectives and their intermingling. Expressing the duality in contrasting black and white, these colour blocks come together and fuse into the classic silhouettes and bold garments that is to become the foundation of the brand. These audacious yet highly wearable pieces became an ideal choice when GRANDI collaborated with studio Roberutsu to create a modern art series, dedicated to four art icons of the 20th-century: Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, and Joan Miró. Each component of the backdrop is designed in the style of the chosen artist, and hand-crafted jointly by the two studios. Each art muse was paired with an artist and styled as a character who inhabits their surrealist and pop art worlds - as art world women who aren’t afraid of self expression. Pantomime was shown on the runway of Vancouver fashion Week, and covered by the Province.
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page 8: fitted black jacket with single fur sleeve + white capris / set in style of artist Roy Lichtenstein page 9: large check dress in taffeta / set in style of artist Roy Lichtenstein
opposite top: velvet gown with side skirt / set in style of artist Andy Warhol opposite bottom: small check dress / set in style of artist Andy Warhol top: chiffon top and satin pants / set in style of artist Yayoi Kusama bottom: small check top and black satin skirt / set in style of artist Yayoi Kusama
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left: large check fur cape + white taffeta skirt / set in the style of artist Joan Mirรณ top: small check jacket with fur sleeves + white capris / set in the style of artist Joan Mirรณ right: small check blouse + small check pencil skirt / set in the style of artist Joan Mirรณ
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GRENADA confection connections COLLECTION 2014 / PHOTOGRAPHY 2015 Rumour has it that, long ago, a Turkish Sultan ordered his chefs to invent a candy soft enough for him to chew. Rising to that challenge gave birth to the sweet we know as Turkish Delight. This soft, delicious bonbon caught Europe like wildfire, becoming the confection of choice for the aristocracy who could afford them. Named for the pomegranate used to make Turkish Delights, Grenada nostalgically extends from the visually and culinarily delectable treats of that beautiful childhood summer - when the only things that mattered were to have fun and eat candies. The unconventional combination of chiffon, crepe, and taffetta and the asymmetric details bring freshness to a collection featuring classic, tailored silhouettes. The light colour palette and scattered embellishments invoke powdery sugar over soft candies like the Turkish Delights and French marshmallows. On the ball gown, the geometric embroidery over a light pink peau de soie hints back in time to old Moorish architecture. Grenada has been shown on the runway of Vancouver Fashion Week, and covered internationally by VOGUE UK, Glamour UK, and locally by Luxury BC, and Daily Hive.
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page 14: fitted yellow dress in chiffon with full skirt and trims in taffeta + yellow tailored dress in taffeta
opposite top: pink crepe two-piece suit
page 15: fitted yellow dress in chiffon with full skirt and trims in taffeta + fitted white dress in chiffon with full skirt and trims in coral
opposite bottom right: white tailored dress dress in crepe with embroidered details and taffeta trims
opposite bottom left: ivory crepe twopiece suit
bottom left: yellow tailored dress in taffeta, open back bottom right, top: pink ball gown in chiffon and peau de soie with detachable skirt, geometric embroidered details, and taffeta trims
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PRISMANIA daily shenanigans of the quirky art mistress COLLECTION 2018 / PHOTOGRAPHY 2018 A mind set free to wander can yielf seamless combinations of the unexpected. One of my favourite decor motifs has always been the chinoiserie. The vast, seamless coverage of walls presents something like a dreamscape that invites me into the vibrant, serene setting, to imagine what surprises may lie within. In this collection, I brought to the surface the delicious, surrealist surprises I found in these jungles for you to discover, in its full, graphic glory. Featuring a pop art interpretation of the chinoiserie art form, the large scale print pattern is designed and produced by GRANDI in house. Each line began as hand-drawn elements in my sketchbook, painstakingly pieced together to create this print. Imbued in artistic details, Prismania is an exploration of the daily shenanigans of the quirky art mistress. She is sophisticated, bold, creative. The wardrobe is created to be versatile, wearable, yet capable of matching the boldness of our art mistress. The pantone colour palette makes each pieces in this collection compelling to stand alone yet effortless to mix-and-match. This collection has been on the runway of Amazon Fashion week TOKYO and Vancouver Fashion Week, with coverage from WWD Japan, Forbes UK, and VITA Magazine.
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page 18: ball gown in champagne peau de soie, with open back and custom designed print criss cross detail page 19: shirt dress in custom designed print and coral crepe trims
opposite: spring trech coat in pastel bue + georgette dress shirt with white satin trims + pink pleated skirt in chiffon top right: a-line dress in royal blue crepe, with open back and custom designed print criss cross detail right: pastel blue strapless jumpsuit in stretch suiting with custom designed print side panels and pocket details
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opposite: yellow dress shirt in georgette with black taffeta trims + yellow cigarette pants top, bottom: pink strapless ball gown in peau de soie with custom designed print side and back panels
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SERPENTINE seeking the fleeting femme fatale COLLECTION 2016 / PHOTOGRAPHY 2017 “Your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil,” says the serpent; a creature forever damned as the conduit of sin, yet heeded as a symbol of eternal life. Named for the seductress for whom these garments are designed, Serpentine is an ode to the twilight zone that was the belle époque, This collection is draws from the precarious balance between the restlessness and the innocence of the art nouveau movement; a sense of yearning for the unattainable embodied in the seductive glances of the fleeting femme fatale. Satin and taffeta lavish over the gowns and dresses, while chiffon and organza concoct a mirage of mystery, intriguing the viewer to come closer. Oppulent, yet easily wearable, Serpentine has been a favoured choice by performing artists for red carpet and performance events. Like the captivating art nouveau works of artists like Gustav Klimt and Alfonse Mucha, this collection, gilded in gold, draws on design elements that meanders the blurry line between light and dark, day and night, the living and the dead. Serpentine has shown on the runway of Vancouver Fashion Week, and was featured in Switch Magazine, VOGUE UK, Glamour UK, the Metro, and the Province.
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page 24: rose gold strapless ball gown in taffeta with gold and fabric embellishments page 25: ivory glass ball gown in organza top left: black glass dress in organza with organza embellishments top right: black dress in satin with sequin and floral embellishments, and organza waistband bottom left: black strapless dress in satin with gold and fabric embellishments bottom right: pink strapless dress in satin with gold and fabric embellishments
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ESSENTIALS capsule for the wardrobe of sophisticated women COLLECTION 2015 / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 A chinoiserie, a “thing of chinoise�, first erupted onto the decor scene in 17th-century Europe after merchants brought back art from the Orient. The unstructured aesthetics, the non-conforming lines, and the whimsical nature marked a stark contrast to its contemporary style of the ordered, rigid Classicism - an ease that made the delicate scenes of gardens and nature relatable and desirable. The exotic, mystical land so far away gripped the fantasies of a hungry European society longing for more. At the risk of scorn from the art establishment, craftsmen began producing replicas in the alluring, suggestive lines. The tea, the porcelain, the art, and, above all, the tales, eventually came to represent hallmarks of sophistication - the possession of which now an indication of polite society. Recreated for this campaign is a chinoiserie, meticulously painted by local artists, as has been done in centuries past. It perfectly complements the feminine, tailored, all season capsule collection is inspired by the staple garments in my own wardrobe. These simple and elegant pieces are designed to be versatile and affordable, with ease and grace, making them well-suited for a variety of functions for the woman on the go, from work to play.
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page 28: red strapless dress in satin page 29: sleeveless blouse in printed satin + herringbone pencil skirt in wool
opposite far left: fitted dress in printed satin with 3/4 sleeves opposite top right: white high neck blouse in chiffon + white wide-leg satin pants opposite bottom right: black slip dress in light crepe + gold full skirt in faux suede with pockets top left: blue tartan dress with short sleeves bottom left: blue tulip neck dress in printed satin and 3/4 sleeves far right: grey tailored two-piece suit in wool
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JARDINIÈRE blossoms in white and cobalt blue COLLECTION 2017 / PHOTOGRAPHY 2018 At the dawn of trade between Western and Chinese civilizations, the formula of the Chinese porcelain was a closely guarded secret. These scarce and exotic works of art from the Orient spawned an insatiable demand among European aristocracy in the 17th-century and onward. This demand prompted the Chinese artisans to tailor their creations to western taste, with western aesthetics, which then led to this fabulous mix of cultural elements. It’s easy to look at cultural differences and compartmentalize them, but when you see it through the lens of art, these differences begin to melt into our commonalities. Drawing on the melange of seemingly juxtaposed elements, Jardinière pairs accents of Italian lamb leather, tulle, and Swarovski crystals against classic silhouettes of silk taffeta, chiffon, and crepe. This collection explores the magnificence that blossoms at the crossroads of different cultures, through the lens of the cobalt-blue Chinese porcelain. Jardiniere has shown on the runway of Vancouver Fashion Week, and was featured in VOGUE UK.
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page 32: chiffon high neck blouse paired with floorlength chiffon skirt, embroidered with leather flowers page 33: taffeta gown with chiffon skirt, embroidered with blue leather flowers top left: taffeta kimono jacket with organza shawl lapel top right: black crepe dress with side chiffon cutout, leather flower embroidery bottom left: black strapless taffeta dress with leather flower embroidery bottom right: white taffeta skirt with side chiffon cutouts and leather flower embroidery opposite: white strapless taffeta gown with leather flower embroidery
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HIELAND FLOUER a Scottish tribute COLLECTION 2015 / PHOTOGRAPHY 2015 “O Flouer o Scotland, Whan will we see, Yer like again, That focht and dee’d for, Yer wee bit Hill an Glenn,” - Flouer o Scotland
Like an intriguing, exotic flower, the breath-taking landscapes of the Scottish Highlands are deceptively calm. Steeped in ancient legends, and rich but turbulent cultural history, the mystique of Scotland is the making of both incredible romance and dark heroism. Can one ever truly relish the treasures within the hills and glens, until standing among them, dwarfed by their majesty, taunted by whispers of their hidden stories? This autumn-winter couture collection is the treasure hunter’s map to the secrets of a gem so beautiful, so strong, so magical, so proud. Chic, feminine lines are paired with traditional tartans in navy and bungundy, beautifully combining a sense of tradition with a modernist simplicity. Hieland Flouer has shown on the runway of Vancouver Fashion Week, and was featured in VOGUE UK, and Glamour UK.
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page 36: fitted blue tartan day dress with short sleeves page 37: tailored blue melton winter coat with faux fur shawl lapels
left: strapless deconstructed kilt in red tartan with asymmetrical hemline and leather skirt right: full-length strapless taffeta and tartan gown opposite: open back crepe dress with full skirt in red taffeta, and embroidered a-line gown with crepe skirt, tartan cutout
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opposite: full-length tartan a-line gown, fitted tartan day dress, tartan jacket with faux fur shawl lapel top, bottom: embroidered white taffeta mermaid gown with open back and leather and tartan cutout
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PRESS COVERAGE
RUNWAY COVERAGE 2018
RUNWAY COVERAGE 2014, 2015
COLLECTION FEATURE 2017, 2018
RUNWAY COVERAGE 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
DESIGNER FEATURE ARTICLE 2015
EDITORIAL FEATURE 2015, 2018
COLLECTION FEATURE 2019
COLLECTION FEATURE 2019
DESIGNER FEATURE ARTICLE 2015, 2016
COLLECTION FEATURE 2019
DESIGNER FEATURE ARTICLE 2018
DESIGNER FEATURE ARTICLE 2014, 2019
DESIGNER PROFILE 2015, 2018
DESIGNER FEATURE ARTICLE 2018
DESIGNER PROFILE 2014