the full collaborative process
Coming together at the cutting table, Sheila (SWC) met Karin (KH) during her instructional years at Sheila Wong Fashion Design Studio. In 2023, inspired by each others creative disciplines the beginnings of a meaningful collaboration took root. Karin of Sobo Creative was set to be September Archive’s first artist to take part in Project Collab before the label was even launched.
Q. What is Project Collab?
SWC. Project Collab is a platform to introduce artists of a variety of mediums to our client base, share stories and create a bit of nostalgia that you could own. Collaboration #001 is all about incorporating graphic prints in some of our best selling and new designs in the coming months. New collaborations will get released when they are ready. For me, its all about the process and enjoying the creative synergy. Slow fashion and art combined, in my opinion. Clothing should be meaningful.
Q. Tell us about Project Collab #001.
SWC. I really wanted to include prints in our designs. But it had to feel like you were wearing a story with the graphic print. I quickly settled on the water photo by Karin, then we worked together digitally to shift, twist, and shape an intricate all-over repeat print. The original water photo now evolved into a brand-new kaleidoscopic landscape. You could interpret the new landscape anyway you wish. To me, it felt like an aerial view of a bustling cityscape if nature had its way.
From there deciding on type of material and scale of print appropriate to our designs was essential. We worked with a Canadian print on demand company to get a variety of cotton and silk material in varying scale options. Over the next couple of years, I sampled and refined the designs in house.
Project Collab #001 has been 3 years in the making. Each product really feels like a piece of wearable artwork. I hope you feel the love and energy when you wear a piece of this collaborative collection.
Q. Tell us about the original water photo.
KH. This image is part of a series from a late afternoon at White Rock beach in the sun with my mom. I was practicing what I thought was shutter drag, did not succeed, but with these slow shutter speeds created something else! The idea of expressing something unexpected in what we see excites me. There is a beauty or curiosity in the details expressing emotion through light, drawing your attention to the small bits of charm through contrast and select focus.
SWC. I was really attracted to the image Karin captured. The colors added just the right pops of natural colors that suited the brand without being overwhelming. Born and raised in Alberta, large bodies of water where not in the prairie landscape. Water is intrinsic on the West Coast. Something I was so drawn to instantly when moving to Vancouver in the mid 2000’s. I wanted to choose a photo that resonated with the nostalgia of moving provinces and the inspiration to start anew.
Q. Why is collaborating with other artists important to you?
SWC. Working with artists has been something close to my heart for many years. I've had the pleasure of collaborating with musicians, tattoo artists, dancers, mural artists, and painters. It allows you to create something completely new, make new connections, and push your creative boundaries. You are also bound to learn something new!
KH. We come up with our best ideas alone but never thrive in a silo. Collaborating brings out some of my best work and celebrating these accomplishments with other artists fills my cup. September Archive’s thoughtfulness and precision in approaching their work gives me a centering calm to up my game in my design contributions. There is a story behind Sheila’s designs and a story behind all my work. It’s very satisfying when these two energies come together and become something even better.
Q. If you could give one valuable piece of advice to yourself when you started your creative career what would it be?
KH. Listen to your own instincts. Don’t look for approval and validation or even begin to try to please the public. Take the chance with innovation or any wild thought you have. Connect with a couple of other creatives who ‘get you’ to get feed back from and to develop your idea but just trust yourself.
Karin has been a photographer for almost 4 decades and resides on the West Coast of BC. Her insatiable curiosity keeps her on the move. She believes that little visual miracles exist in the mundane and aspires to share the expressions of these moments in unexpected perspectives. Connect with Karin at Sobo Creative.
