A-Peel-ing Designs

[Note: This post was originally published on Stylefinds. I don't normally re-post my Stylefinds articles on my own blog, but I thought this was a special exception since I'd mentioned in this post that I was keen to interview Megan Berks.]

Local label Peel Designs has an irresistible allure for those who crave simplicity and femininity in their clothing. I first came across Peel when I purchased the 'Anthology' cardigan from Madison on Main. Intrigued by its clean lines and demure styling, I knew I had to check out Peel's online catalogue and talk to designer Megan Berks. Luckily, Megan is just as sweet as her creations and took the time to answer a few questions.

Megan's lifelong love of sewing and fashion design led her to study at the Helen Lefeaux School of Fashion Design and to complete a two-year textile arts program at Capilano College, after which she worked with local designers for a few years. She founded Peel in 2004, releasing a capsule collection of six dresses, jackets, and tops.

Five years after its inception, Peel has expanded its offerings and earned plenty of buzz from top Canadian fashion publications like Fashion and Flare. It's also been featured regularly in local papers such as The Province, 24 Hours, and The Georgia Straight.

Megan describes Peel's aesthetic as "vintage-inspired and feminine": "I think it can be quite girly at times but also very classic and wearable. I think Peel attracts creative, independent women who aren't overly fixated on trends and fads. They just want beautiful, high-quality clothes that can be worn for more than one season."

The 'Champagne' dress from Peel's spring 2008 collection.

Like Peel's previous collections, the spring/summer 2009 collection is sure to contain perennial favourites that women will want to wear for many seasons to come, albeit with more sustainable fabrications. "Spring 09 is really bold & fun. There are lots of pretty sun dresses and girly blouses. There is a definite move into using more organic and sustainable fabrics--over half of the spring collection is eco-friendly," says Megan.

So, what's next for her and for Peel? "I recently had a baby girl so I'm trying to strike a balance between the two!," says Megan. "I'm really excited for 2009. We're finally launching an online store! I'm really excited for this because right now we mainly focus on wholesaling to stores. It's so nice to get a chance to talk with the women who actually wear our clothes!"

Peel is available at Hum and Dream in Vancouver. For more information, check out www.peeldesigns.com or email megan@peeldesigns.com