“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening”-Coco Chanel
In my opinion, the concept of fashion has really took a down fall this year. We are living in 2016, a time where fashion is literally at the tips of our fingers. Now more than ever, fashion seems to be lost. What was in our hands, we just let go. But all the credit doesn’t go to the consumers. Thanks to the platforms social media has given us, in a few quick seconds I could tell you the top latest trends. And, just with a swipe, I could tell you who’s wearing it.
What’s in? What’s out? They were just questions to keep fashion a mystery to the public so we could always feel like fashion was out of our reach. It was a smart tactic, too. People always want what they can’t have and boom - a demand is set in play. Sales went up and fashion became all about the trends. It wasn’t about the inspiration anymore. It wasn’t about anything Coco Chanel explained. It became about the dresses. Or, in 2016’s case, the rise of the bomber jackets and grungy chokers. Luckily thanks to the laws of physics, all hope isn’t completely lost. What dies out solemnly makes room for the birth of something remarkable. That something remarkable is someone named Deborah Roberts.
Deborah Roberts first discovered she had a passion for the fashion industry while she was finishing up her schooling at the University of Washington. She decided to study abroad and explore the art of Perugia through museums and Italian boutiques, quickly selling her soul to fashion. After gaining her degree in international studies and political science, she thought it would be best to continue her education at the Seattle Central Community College. There, she joined the apparel design and development program and fell even more in love with the industry. She worked for a textile and design development agency and later won an independent designer runway showcase. After proving herself in more ways than one, she decided to create a line called Silvae in 2013. Silvae became huge and opened many doors in the industry for her.
Silvae is Latin for “of the woods” which is very important to the brand as well as Deborah Roberts herself. The collection Silvae is inspired by Robert’s environment. Robert uses her environment to create beautiful ideas that produce “merging clean lines and textural fabrics.” Each piece of the collection is inspired by Robert’s everyday life rather than silly trends that sell. With each piece, Robert creates a home for fashion and a future for the inspiration. She dedicates her day to creating unique fabric prints with her personal “pen and ink artist” Olivia Knapp. Deborah Roberts and Olivia Knapp create unique ideas that are sent to giant factory to ensure they are made one of a kind and personally for the brand. It is not an exaggeration that you can see the passion of nature through every piece of clothing. The Silvae collection isn’t just about using trees to create a textured look. Roberts wanted to make sure her line meant something. Not only is her line a representation of where she grew up, but she also wanted to bring importance back to fashion and inspiration much to Coco Chanel's approval I’m sure. “Silvae is proud to be a supporter of The Wilderness Society, working to protect our green spaces through wildland designation, renewable energy and connecting the public to wild places” (Roberts).
Although Deborah Roberts might not be a big name fashion designer, I personally think she is one to be familiar with. She offers new ideas to the world of fashion that are insightful as well as charming. They are unique, practical, and downright revolutionary. It you don’t fall into a deep admiration for the craftsmanship, then it’s the charming aesthetic of it all. Her work is both brilliant and refreshing. I personally look forward to what she has stored for the future and I wouldn’t be surprised if she makes the fashion world do a complete 180. She is definitely one of the most promising up and coming designers.Watch out, world, Deborah Roberts is making history.
