BEHIND THE SEAMS: SMYTHE

Posted on: 8th November 2011

Canadian-based label Smythe has been revolutionizing the world of outerwear since launching in 2004. Known for its sleek aesthetic and razor sharp tailoring, Smythe has carved a niche for itself by creating seriously show stopping Canadian-made toppers. Firm believers that the jacket is the most important wardrobe staple, Smythe founders Christie Smythe and Andrea Lenczner continually put a fresh spin on this coveted separate season after season.
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Photos By Adam Moco<span> </span>

Holts had the chance to visit the design duo at their studio in Toronto to get the inside scoop on the secret behind their flawlessly tailored jackets. <span> </span>

<b>HR:</b> What was on your mind when you were designing the Spring 2012 collection?
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<b>Smythe:</b>It’s hard to pinpoint our inspiration. We don’t design collections with one particular theme in mind. Each collection is a little schizophrenic and incorporates different colours and silhouettes. I think our collections are very lifestyle driven—our own lifestyles often inspire our designs. We sometimes ask ourselves: if I was going to the farm for the weekend or to New York City what would I need? Every season we want something a little different and after seven years we have no shortage of design inspiration.
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<b>HR:</b>Tell us about the colour palette for Spring 2012
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<b>Smythe:</b>This season we were really feeling colour and colour blocking. Last spring was a really neutral season for us—lots of white, sand and earth tones. We loved changing gears this spring and incorporating lots of bold bright colours. It’s a really happy collection.
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<b>HR:</b>What’s your design process like?
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<b>Smythe:</b>Our process really happens in three stages. First, we begin with conceptual meetings where we both bring in notes and inspiration tears and we just talk about ideas. Next, we begin to build our fabric boards, which usually takes about 2-3 months. We meet with different mills and source amazing fabrics—sometimes these fabrics even dictate the style and silhouettes we design. Once we’ve landed on all the textiles, we then bring in the conceptual ideas and start placing them alongside the fabrics.

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<b>HR:</b>As a design duo what does each of you bring to the table?
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<b>Smythe:</b>We both bring different strengths but there is a lot of overlap and we really play off of each other. We generally gravitate towards the same things so that makes it easy. Andrea is very detail oriented and has a merchandising head; she is really the voice of reason. Christie, on the other hand, personifies our image; she is the Smythe customer. She is our fit model, so much so that it has become a part of the design process to see her wearing each style.

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<b>HR:</b>Your collections are focused on jackets and coats. What made you decide to concentrate on this single wardrobe staple?
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<b>Smythe:</b>We had always talked about having a business together and we used to dream about what that might be. More than anything else, jackets were something that we always coveted. We also had the philosophy that we would do one thing and do it well and really hone our skills.
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At the time, there was a new phenomenon taking over women’s contemporary fashion. Women were beginning to dress more eclectically by mixing and matching different designers—no one wanted to be dressed in one designer from head to toe. There was also a need for statement jackets that had some personality and character, whereas before most jackets were part of a suit—anything else was very hard to come by.
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<b>HR:</b>What was it like when Kate Middleton wore one of your jackets on the Royal Tour this summer?
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<b>Smythe:</b>It was everything you’d think it would be—it was great! It really put us on the map and gave our brand international legitimacy. She’s a huge fashion influence and people pay attention to what she’s wearing. It really helped us get our name out there. Canadians were also really proud that she chose to wear a Canadian brand that is produced here in Canada.

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Holts gets an insider’s look into Canadian-based label Smythe’s Toronto studio

Tags: Andrea Lenczner, Canadian, Christie Smythe, interview, jackets, smythe

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