Runway Poet: Afshin Feiz

Born in England and raised partly in Vancouver, designer Afshin Feiz returns to Canada to showcase for the first time with his Spring 2009 collection entitled ‘Sometimes You Just Have to Let Go.Fresh off rave reviews from London Fashion Week, the so-called “Runway Poet” says his ethereal spring line is the closest thing to what he’s wanted to do in his career so far.

“This season I just told myself that I’m just going to do what I really want and not worry about that at all and it ended up being the best collection I’ve done and the most focused,” says Feiz, who spoke to FT on the phone from Paris.

The collection is inspired by Buddha’s Silent Sermon, which focuses on the beauty and love that surrounds us.

“Basically he’s just saying that sometimes you have to take something as simple as a flower, and appreciate the beauty in something that simple, rather than making such a big deal out of everything,” says Feiz.

He wants to do the same thing with his collection.

“I’m giving the message just to look at the dresses and appreciate them for what they are, rather than over analyze them.”

Feiz says the idea manifests in his clothes through beautiful ruffles in very pale, almost candy-like colours of green, yellow, grey and blue in layers of chiffon, silk crepes and polished satins.

He says women don’t expect the clothes to be that “girlie” when they try them on.

“I’m very good at hiding the right places and showing the right places so it doesn’t matter the size or the shape of the woman, they always end up looking really fabulous,” says Feiz.

The designs feature graphic cut outs, exposed backs and heart-shaped necklines, while some pieces are embroidered with silver chains to represent the restraints in our society. It also makes them “a little bit rock ‘n’ roll,” according to Feiz.

Even though it’s pastels and ruffles, the chains sort of break it up. To me it’s so girlie, but I’ve had reactions from people (who’ve said) ‘It’s not so girlie, it’s kind of punk’ so it kind of goes in a few different directions,” he says.

These ruffled feminine pieces are also balanced with masculine daywear.

Now splitting his time between London and Paris, Feiz is really excited to return to Canada to showcase.

“I love Canada. It’s sort of home to me. My father still lives in Vancouver … my best friends are all in Vancouver and Toronto, so I’m just happy to be back,” says Feiz.

Internationally acclaimed for his love-inspired designs, Feiz is confident Canadian women will also embrace his work.

“The thing about my clothes is even though they’re different, they’re not avant-garde so there’s a lot of detail and it’s very intricate,” says Feiz.

“It’s going to appeal to Canada and North America because they’re about clothes you can wear, obviously, but at the same time there’s a twist on everything, which makes it interesting.”

By Sheri Block, CTV.ca