His flagship store may reside in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but Lennard Taylor’s distinctive high-quality, fashion-forward women's clothing will undoubtedly be turning heads in Saskatoon this fall at SFDF. Lennard's pieces combine exceptional fit and function with distinctive design, memorable details, and architectural construction, landing him endless media attention across the globe, including features in Elle Canada and Vogue. Think “proudly Canadian-made, high-end fashion–something we Saskatonian fashionistas can all get on board with.” And, in the words of the young designer himself, it all began with a single objective: to make people smile and feel good. From what we’ve seen and heard about the brand, we think he’s doing just that.
In anticipation of his SFDF debut, we recently had the pleasure of interviewing Lennard. Take a read and get to know this breakthrough designer before you watch his pieces grace the runway. Although, we know you’ll fall in love with the label either way.
1. How did you get involved with fashion?
My love of fashion blossomed after playing soccer in Europe. I was at a low point in my life, and going in to beautiful European boutiques and trying on clothing that I couldn’t afford made me feel good. When I returned home, I decided to just start making them.
2. Do you enter a lot of fashion festivals?
I participate in trade shows across Canada. They allow me to showcase my work to new markets and make a living wage.
3. What do you hope to achieve with your brand?
My goal in life is to make people smile and feel good, whether that be with my clothing, art, or words. I want to make people smile and feel good. My hope is to do that on a global scale. We all deserve to smile and feel good.
4. What are you most looking forward to in terms of your collaboration with SFDF?
I am most looking forward to meeting all the modern women of Saskatchewan. It will be my first experience showcasing my work there, and I look forward to seeing the reactions. I hope to find modern women who enjoy clothing that gives them the confidence to be the best version of themselves.
5. Can you explain the culture/vibe of Lennard Taylor and how you think it fits in with the SFDF?
We dress a modern woman who wants to feel confident in her clothing while showing off her authentic, sophisticated self to her family, peers and friends. She is a busy woman juggling her career, while staying flexible enough to pick up her kids or grandkids before heading out to a trendy spot with her friends. My culture and vibe is about making others smile and feel good. A lot of my clients write to me telling me how my clothing gives them confidence and gets them noticed. For me, I believe in clothing for life. We don’t need a lot of clothing, just a few good pieces that work together in a cohesive fashion. This is why I always tell my community that if you rip, tear, break or even stain my work, you don’t have to throw it out. If you stain it I will paint overtop of that stain and make it look like it was always meant to be that. I make clothing for life, not a season.
6. Why did you become involved with the SFDF?
I was fortunate to be invited a few times to show; however, my busy travel schedule always had conflicting dates. This year it worked and I am ECSTATIC to showcase in the beautiful environment SFDF creates! I am very much looking forward to live painting on my unique eye catching clothing.
7. Why do you think fashion matters to a city?
Fashion is who you are, it’s how you present yourself to the world, it's your true authentic way to show who you are without saying a word. You don’t’ meet everyone but you do see how they present themselves to the world. I think you can tell a lot about someone by the things they wear–this is why I think it’s important for people to dress the part. It gives you pride when you have a great outfit on. That pride slides into all aspects of your life.
8. Is there anything people may not know about Lennard Taylor, but should?
My work is about getting to the true, authentic woman to feel beauty within and grace throughout. We manufacture our clothing in Winnipeg in our 2,400 sq ft retail store in the trendy Exchange district. We make sure that our employees are paid a living wage and use high quality materials to ensure your clothing lasts. We also have a large, 4,000 sq ft factory space where our team works in harmony to produce pieces that we believe are truly works of art. Whether it be in our retail storefront or our online store, we are ready and willing to make you smile and feel good.
9. Anything else you’d like to add?
We make sizes xxxs-xxxl because we believe in fashion for everybody.
Thank you, Lennard – we can’t wait to show you off in our charming little city! (p.s. We told you he’d make you smile)
FB: Lennard Taylor
Written by: Tannis Miller, SFDF Blogger
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Join us October 20 & 21 2018 and experience Saskatchewan and Canadian fashion!