Past collaboration of culture, art and friendship

Designers Make Beautiful Clothes Together  Date 2006/7/17 7:00:00 I Topic: Arts & Life 

by Charmead Schella - westcoaster.ca - independent newsource for the Alberni-Clayoquot 

Like the harmonious collaborative efforts of an architect and an engineer, Port Alberni artists Brenda Laine and Joyce Little balance each other's clothing design styles seamlessly. Laine has been professionally designing and tailoring fine women's clothing for 12 years, although she has dabbled in sewing from the age of nine. She is no stranger to the needle and the thread.

They met several times in passing, but never really got their relationship off the ground until 1998. Laine and Little's first collaboration was a Women's Resource Centre fashion show at the Cherry Creek Hall in Port Albemi in the fall of 1998. The collaboration seemed to be a bi-product of luck because, as Laine says, "They found Joyce and I- the only two female designers who were in town at the time, to do the show." 

This fashion show was the first time Laine and Little met professionally. Little says that as soon as she saw what Laine could produce, she realized that they "could make beautiful clothes together." The rest, as is often said, is artistic history. 

In 2001, Laine taught a 12-week coat-tailoring class at the Tseshaht Band Adult Drop-In Centre. Little, who works at the centre, organized the class. All students made coats - elaborate, intricate coats. "The women all learned from me how to tailor the coat, and they learned from Joyce where to put the designs," says Laine. Little adds, "Although Brenda and I didn't plan things together for the class, we were able to observe one another and learn from each other." The class was a roaring success. 

Laine and Little started working idly together for a few years after the class, and then finally, in 2004, Little sanctioned her First Nation's designs for Laine's already-created pieces. Native circles, stars and ovoids adorned skirts, vests and jackets in a unique and timeless manner. "I provided Brenda with some very simple designs, which would suit the cut of her jackets," says Little. Abalone shell buttons are used abstractly to create mood, mystery and beauty. Wool melton is the fabric used as a backdrop for Little's designs. Some of these pieces can be seen on Laine's website today.

When speaking to the two women, the respect and admiration for each other's work is evident. Each has her own sense of style and her own fashion perimeters. By examining their pieces, it is difficult not to notice the complimentary differences that each accentuates in the other. '"The areas where Joyce excels, I have huge respect for her," says Little, noting that if she ''want things done perfectly, [she] knows to call Brenda," 

Laine and Little's fashion brilliance is united again Tuesday July 18 for the kick-off day of the BC Eider's Conference in Port Albemi. The event will be showcasing a wide array of Little's pieces complemented by a sample of Laine's wares at a fashion show scheduled to start immediately prior to the eider's dinner at the Multiplex. "The simple touches of Joyce's artwork add strength, colour and boldness to my suits," Laine says. She adds that her pieces "make a fashion statement that shows a collaboration of culture, art and friendship." Pieces will be available for purchase.