A budding Edmonton fashion designer is going to be hanging out with a few of her new buds tomorrow and everyone is invited to join her.
Laura Dreger has set the stage for what she hopes will be a defining moment for her work and for fashion in the Edmonton area. She’s going to have seven models take to a catwalk through the roses at St. Albert Botanic Park.
The show is part of a series called Budding Artists at the Park. Now in its second year, it’s growing momentum as a unique way to highlight local talent while still promoting the park and bringing in new visitors. Occasionally held on Sundays during the summer, organizers generally book musicians or visual artists to paint for the visitors. This is the first time it will be the setting for a fashion show.
The self-taught Dreger describes her work as based on classics but adapted with an edge for more contemporary tastes to appeal to the 20-plus audience.
“[They're] tailored pieces with a little bit of an edge. It moves its way into Bohemian chick pieces as well.” She added that her line is well suited to female professionals who completely abandon business wear on the weekends for something totally different.
Tomorrow will be the culmination of one of her long-held dreams. She likens it to something that famous designer Karl Lagerfeld did in France many years ago.
“He did a fashion show through the Gardens of Versailles many years ago. When I looked at that show, I thought to myself, ‘One of these days I’m going to do something like that’,” she admitted. “A couple of weeks back, my photographer Ernest and I went to tour the gardens. We looked at the rose garden. We were in complete awe. We were mesmerized by it.”
She paid high praise to the site’s custodians for how beautifully the park is being maintained.
“They keep those grounds so manicured and especially that rose garden … so perfect. You have to up your ante when you go through. You have to hold yourself in a certain way. It’s stunning!”
It makes her want to bring her A-game, even though she already has a great passion for her work.
“It’s more than that actually. It’s a feeling; it’s something in my heart. It’s beyond love.”
Helping to set the mood for the show will be former Feeding Like Butterflies musician Martin Johann Kloppers.
Budding Artists in the Park
Fashion show featuring the works of Edmonton's Laura Dreger<br />Free admission<br />Models will stroll through the pathways of the Rose Garden to the music of cellist Martin Johann Kloppers while being photographed by Ernest deJesus. <br />No sales will be involved; viewing only. <br />2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25<br />St. Albert Botanic Park<br />265 Sturgeon Road. <br />Call 780-458-7163 or visit www.stalbertbotanicpark.com for more information.
