After watching the LOVAS show on Tuesday afternoon I have to admit that I was excited to get backstage and talk to Wesley Badanjak about his inspirations for the elegant collection we had just seen. The Toronto designer has previously been known for his work with acclaimed Canadian designer David Dixon but Wesley founded LOVAS in 2008 and since then he has been turning heads for his own work. He’s been turning heads and getting attention mostly thanks to slick, well thought out pieces with extreme attention to detail and exquisite tailoring.

Backstage I had the chance to catch up with Wesley, find out he’s a reader of SWL and find out a little more about his inspirations for this collection. Here’s what he had to say.

Christopher: I have to tell you I was really impressed with this collection!
Wesley: Oh good! I’m not going to end up on your worst dressed list of the week?
Christopher: No!
Wesley: Oh good!

Christopher: Tell me about your inspirations for this collection.
Wesley: It was inspired by old photographs of my paternal Grandmother. Looking in old albums at pictures of when she was a young girl with my Dad and my uncle. Looking at pictures when she would come to visit us from Croatia. Looking at the time period and how she dressed and what the people around her were wearing. Then it grew and took on a mind of its own. I wanted to make it a bit younger a little bit more hip.

Christopher: How do you think it compares to last season?
Wesley: Last season I had a definite theme but this season was different. This season was more... I like that detail on that jacket lets take that and change it. I like that button. I was really pulling random pieces from everywhere.

Christopher: Do you have a favourite piece from the collection?
Wesley: It’s hard. I can tell you what people are liking! The first outfit that came out. The white wool “Marla” jacket.
Christopher: My faves were the first two white wool jackets and I loved the black “Nicole” brocade dress.
Wesley: Yes! That’s on the top sellers list!

Christopher: There were a few pieces of fur in this collection. Is working with fur something new for you?
Wesley: No. When I was at Ryerson I was sponsored by the Fur Council of Canada and I did a full fur collection. I’ve always wanted to do it but it’s a difficult endeavor. You have to really think about it because it’s so expensive and you also need to respect the fact that an animal has lost its life. I want to create small and really interesting pieces that girls are going to want to wear... something that is not your Grandmothers old fur coat.

Christopher: Some of the pressure is off now… I know you have David’s show on Thursday night. Is there a show you are really looking forward to checking out… and you can’t say David Dixon!
Wesley: [laughs] I’m always interested in seeing what Kimberly does with Pink Tartan. I’m also really interested in seeing Lucien. We are at the same sales agency so I’ve actually seen some of the pieces already. I’m really want to see how he styles them and what they are going to turn into because with him everything is always so extravagant.

To find more on LOVAS: Wesley Badanjak check out: www.lovasfashion.com

(Photos by: Silvia Drugea)