AY LELUM PRESENTED ” EYE OF LIFE ” READY-TO WEAR COLLECTION @ VFW F/W 22

AY LELUM 

THE GOOD HOUSE OF DESIGN

Ay Lelum is a second-generation Coast Salish Design House from Nanaimo, B.C., Canada. They are Sisters who design and produce clothing and fabric patterns featuring Traditional Coast Salish Art by their Father William Good and Brother W. Joel Good of the Snuneymuxw First Nation Hereditary Chief Family. Their garment design is mentored by their Mother, Sandra Moorhouse-Good, who had the very first Coast Salish clothing line called Ay Ay Mut in the 1990s.

​At Ay Lelum, they create garments that embrace diversity, share traditional Coast Salish Art and culture for all people to wear. Their non- ceremonial clothing is designed with family artwork that is all-inclusive for everyone. The brand is also dedicated to reducing its environmental footprint by creating couture pieces at home, as well as local BC manufacturers.

Excerpt taken from Vancouver Fashion Week website.

AY LELUM

A REVIEW

On Saturday, April 10th, 2022, David Lam Hall, the home of Vancouver Fashion Week, was abuzz with the showing of Ay Lelum's latest collection. The Coast Salish fashion house has become a mainstay at VFW, an audience favorite and critic's choice. After a devastating fire destroyed its warehouse and lost its inventory in August of 2021, Ay Lelum is fighting back with its first, all ready-to-wear collection.

A more appropriate theme for this collection, could not have been chosen. Sisters Aunalee and Sophia chose "Eye of Life", which celebrates the emergence of new life and new beginnings. The artwork is by their brother Joel Good. The patterns feature the Wolf to represent transformation and resilience and the Salmon to represent life cycles and plenty in this time of change and regrowth.

Ay Lelum is a brand with a strong point of view and a refined aesthetic. Standard from Ay Lelum is a collection that shows pieces with black motifs on solid backgrounds. A rich color palette uses candy apple red, a vibrant teal, earthy rust, faun, and a shimmering silver grey. Streamlined silhouettes are a feature of this collection. Clean lines and comfortable fabrics produce an extensive selection of dresses, tops, vests, and jackets.

Photos are courtesy of Vancouver Fashion Week 

Photographer Arun Nevader

The key to Ay Lelum's fashion is respect for the women's form, Whether, designing for a small size or plus, these clothes flatter the women's shape. The designers have a great eye for color and a clever instinct for knowing where their peers want to go with fashion.

The sexiness of a hip-clinging dress in rust shows edginess and style. The flowing vest over a mid-calf dress is perfect for the afternoon to evening set. These are clothes that fit a stylish yet practical lifestyle. Making a fashion statement is part of this brands DNA. The combination of color with bold print stands out as strong, coupled with the feminine cuts, make these clothes dynamic.

The collection was full of pieces that would have an impact on any wardrobe. Men's jackets and tops round out this collection. The variety of pieces in this collection has something for everyone.

AY LELUM THE GOOD HOUSE OF DESIGN WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

IN CONCLUSION

The culturaly rich designs of Ay Lelum are inclusive and invite the wearer to engage in their storytelling of Indigenous culture. Ay Lelum produces a line that offers customers something bold, thoughtful, unique yet timeless, and high quality. The rich culture of the Coast Salish is not only a source of inspiration but a source of community that we all engage in. Finally, the fashion world is starting to recognize the contributions of Indigenous designers and celebrate the stories, art, craftsmanship, and design of our first peoples. I am a huge fan of this label, whose work is always exciting, artistic, and consistently good.

 Checkout my other posts on Ay Lelum

AY LELUM AT NYFW SHINES BRIGHT WITH GLAMOUROUS EVENING WEAR

AY LELUM F/W 2020 CELEBRATES WOMEN’S STRENGTH AND POWER.

AY LELUM; A GREAT YEAR AT VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK, INDIGENOUS FASHION WEEK AND MORE TO COME IN 2020

AY LELUM -The Good house of Design at Vancouver Fashion Week

CIAO FOR NOW J.ANDREW