Catherine Regehr- The Interview

The Home Collection, courtesy of http://catherineregehr.comI recently had the chance to talk to fashion designer Catherine Regehr who designs for international clients, sells her designs in stores throughout the United States and eastern Canada and reguarlarly shows her collections in Paris and New York. She grew up in the Yukon and went to fashion design school in Paris, France. She has worked with fashion designers in New York and now designs two separate collections, the Home collection and Fashion collection at her own studio here in Vancouver, B.C. Here is what she had to say about her life as a fashion designer, carreer and where she finds her inspiration for her collections.

SP: When did you first know you wanted to be a fashion designer?

CR: I have a background in arts, I went to Emily Carr. It was a combination of things. I was not sure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I ended up in Paris…I couldn’t make a living with painting. I have always designed and sewn my own clothing since I can remember. I went to school in Paris, took the fashion program and knew right away. It is an amazing school, to go there you have to really want it, and there are lots of competitive creative people there.

SP: On your website you have two collections, one called Home and one called Fashion. Which one did you launch first and can you tell me a little about your inspiration behind both?

CR: My first collection called Fashion was launched in 1990. The Fashion collection is a vintage couture line with vintage and textured fabrics. I create the fabrics myself. I show this collection in Paris and New York. The inspiration for the Home Collection is art, texture and repetition of form. I love the outdoors. I design the textures and have a team, of cutters, sewers, and pattern makers.

SP: What is your favourite type of fabric to work with?

CR: Almost any kind of fabric as long as I can texture it, I worked with silk for years. Now I work with techno fabrics.

SP: You worked as a designer in New York before coming to Vancouver. What would you say is the main difference between working in fashion in New York as opposed to Vancouver? Which do you like more?

CR: I worked with Bill Atkinson who won the city award and I contracted out with Anne Klein. It is very insane and competitive in New York; lots of people don’t like that. It’s manic, egotistical, and I found it was too much. It’s a great learning environment, lots of places to intern at all different houses. As a Canadian without paperwork it is a problem and there are no high end leading houses to work for here In Vancouver.

SP: Where do you get your inspiration for your collections?

CR: I have three collections a year, one is resort wear. My inspirations involve situations moving forward presently, from outdoors in the north and textures. The less I look to others the more I think in my own head. I also get inspiration from customers, colourations, and very clean simple shapes. Home and Fashion is back and forth inspiration between collections.

SP: You have dressed stars like Sarah Mclaughlin, Kim Bassinger, Angelica Houston and Bianca Jagger. What was that like?

CR: I was supposed to dress Kim Bassinger from L.A. confidential. She was supposed to wear this dress for the Academy Awards, but she wore Escada instead. She was on David Letterman the night before and wore my retro couture look. I had turned down opportunities to send my whole collection to dress the stars. It takes a lot of energy and it is expensive. I showed in Paris with different designers instead. Sarah McLaughlin is wearing my white halter gown on her latest Christmas album; Diana Krall wore different things of mine too. It makes you feel good when they wear your clothes.

SP: I see you work with the First Nations. How are you incorporating their design into yours?

CR: I work with moose hide home tanned from First Nations in Yukon, several different caribou tufts, and hand beading. Only the northern First Nations use caribou hides. I grew up in the Yukon and wore moccasins made by Annie Smith growing up. The First Nations do the beading, tufting, and porcupine quilling. They are into working with the design, we work as a team. They are very expensive art pieces. The Austrian and Swiss love the home tanned hides too.  All the Home collection started with love of First Nations and art.  

SP: Where can customers in Vancouver buy your collections?

CR: The Home Collection can be purchased locally at Provide on Beatty St. in Vancouver. The Fashion Collection is not available in Western Canada. You can make an appointment in my studio though.

It was great to talk to Catherine, she is a very inspiring and talented fashion designer. You can check out her website at http://catherineregehr.com to see both her Home and Fashion Collections.