Wil Andruschak

How do you feel about opening your first store this week?

I’m pretty excited. I feel really good. I’m excited. I cannot wait to sleep because I have been awake every night till two or three o’clock in the morning, making lists and making lists of lists.

Where did you get the money to start this store?

I’ve been selling my designs across Canada for a couple of years, so my wholesale sales have helped finance it.

You sell your designs in four major centres across Canada. What did it take for you to get there?

You spend at least one year creating samples of clothing, doing different fashion shows and getting out there to meet store owners. Usually after one year, once the press starts promoting you, then the stores start to buy in, as well. We’ve had a really good reception in Western Canada and it’s starting to spread eastward now.

What market do you target for your designs?

My typical client is a professional woman, probably 30 to 60 in age, and someone who is interested in being an independent dresser, wants something that is different and is going to be an expression of who she is, but not overpowering. I find sometimes when you wear pieces, the dress is wearing you instead of the other way around.

Where do you get your fabrics from?

It depends. I travel to Paris typically twice a year, which is where the biggest textile show is. From there, you meet with different mills. Some are from Italy, Spain and Japan. It just depends on the season.

You used to be an architect. Why did you move to clothing from buildings?

I’m actually still a practising architect. Up until a few months ago it was about 70 per cent architecture and 30 per cent fashion. And now it’s actually reversed. It’s nice.

Are those skills transferable?

Absolutely. I think design is design and whether you express your concept in fabric or in brick or in paint, for me it’s all the same.

You have a wide variety of styles, from various eras like that of Joan of Arc and Amelia Earhart. Where do you get your ideas from?

The first season was from a photograph of vintage golfers, but I’m finding that as my collections develop, I keep getting feedback from people that everything is so architectural, so what I’ve been doing is taking a building that inspires me and translating that into clothing.

Yeah, I understand that your spring line was inspired by a Chicago building, the Aqua Tower.

Yes and that is actually very cool because the firm in Chicago heard about this and they called me because they haven’t launched the building yet. It’s built but they haven’t had their launch party yet. It’s nice because they are thinking maybe there’s a good way for both of us to do something for this launch.

Would everybody be wearing your clothing?

I can only hope.

How much does your clothing cost?

I do ready-to-wear, not one-of-a-kind. It’s not mass-produced like Gap, but there’s maybe 20 pieces across Canada, so it’s still limited. I’d say the price range is $150 up to $700.

What’s your favourite colour?

Oh my, it changes all the time. But right now I’m really into raspberry.

You got your master’s degree in fashion in Milan. What was it like there?

It was fantastic. I practised for 10 years in architecture before I moved to Milan. It was just a fun year and such a break from working at the office from nine to five. It was nice to go back to the theory of design and have a blank slate.

What’s the biggest challenge facing a young Calgary designer?

It’s not necessarily specific to Calgary, but I think having a good mentor because there are so many things out there. Also, the financial backing, either having a previous profession or a financial backer, then it helps finance this because it doesn’t happen over night.

Did you have a mentor?

I did when I was in school — a woman who was incredible and she had been an architect herself, as well. So, she understood why I approach things differently and some of my frustrations. She was just such an inspiration.

Why do you stay here in Calgary?

Calgary is wonderful. I’m from Calgary. We’ve got this really undeveloped and untapped market here for fashion. Being here, it’s a lot easier to get your name out there and people want to support you. So, I think it’s really contrary to what people think of the fashion scene here.

What do you do for entertainment?

I don’t. I know that’s so horrible to say but Lara has been a robot for the past two years. I’ve been doing about 100 hours a week for a long time. But once my store opens I’m going to calm down a bit and relearn what I like to do for fun.

Where do you go for inspiration?

I travel a lot and I find that when I’m not looking for it, like the building I’m using for fall 2010. I was in Tokyo visiting a friend and I was running to go to the airport at the last minute, then I saw this building and said, “Oh my goodness, I need to find out what this building is.” It just happens to be circumstantial.