‘It’s just too exciting’: Nanaimo designers set to show their clothes at New York Fashion Week

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WatchTwo Nanaimo sisters will fly off to New York City on Sept. 9 to see their dreams come true. Ay Lelum-The Good House of Design will show its unique Coast Salish designs at world-famous New York Fashion week despite a devastating fire that just consumed their warehouse. Skye Ryan has more.

The tiny Nanaimo studio of Ay Lelum-The Good House of Design was full of family Wednesday, helping with last-minute stitches on designs destined for the runway at New York Fashion Week.

“It’s just get those pieces sewn and get them on the runway and that’s what we’re all doing,” said Aunalee Boyd-Good, co-owner and co-designer of Ay Lelum-The Good House of Design.

“First time to New York and I’m just really excited to share our beautiful culture with the world,” adds Sophia Seward-Good, co-owner and co-designer of Ay Lelum-The Good House of Design.

The two sisters were racing to be ready for their Thursday flight and their dream. Seeing their creations, inspired by their Coast Salish culture and art made by their father and brother on the global stage.

“It’s just too exciting to see the family get a chance to show in New York,” said the designers’ father and Coast Salish artist William Good.

According to Boyd-Good, they have been working towards this for five years, with their head-turning designs attracting attention at Vancouver Fashion Week, and gaining a strong customer base.

But their dream of showing in New York almost didn’t happen, when a devastating fire hit Ay-Lelum two weeks ago, and it took everyone pitching in to get their show ready.

“Everybody has just shown up and got the job done,” said Boyd-Good.

“It’s kind of a miracle that everybody’s able to push through all this,” said the designers’ sister Dorothea Harris.

The five-year-old Nanaimo company’s warehouse went up in flames on Aug, 27, destroying 95 per cent of the garments that they sold on their website.

“We all have a whirlwind of emotions, we’ve been through a very trying time,” said Boyd-Good.

“We’ve been in a tornado or a whirlpool just everything’s constantly going and spinning,” said Seward-Good.

Their only consolation was their designs for New York were all being kept at another location, and survived.

“We’re just so fortunate that nothing was ruined from that. Like absolutely nothing,” said Boyd-Good.

Ay Lelum-The Good House of Design is scheduled to show in New York this weekend.

Ay Lelum-The Good House of Design is set to show at the New York Fashion Week.

Photo credit: Ay Lelum-The Good House of Design

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