You may think you know all there is to know about Evan Biddell, but there’s more to this golden boy designer than his Project Runway antics and bad boy persona.
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Three years ago, Project Runway Canada judges couldn’t deny they were “addicted to Biddell” when they crowned the self-taught Saskatoon-born upstart winner of the show’s first season, a title that came with a cool $100,000 to start his own line. Since then, Evan Biddell has set out to prove to the fashion set that he’s more than just a blip in the reality TV universe and the proof, as they say, has been on the runway. Since leaving the Project Runway fold, he has quickly become a standout show at LG Fashion Week thanks to his sexy brand of “street couture” and his willingness to push the envelope. “A lot of my stuff is quite theatrical,” he says. “And I’ve started to go really futuristic, especially with the new collection.” After discovering some fabric gems from the late 90s in a friend’s factory north of Toronto, Evan basically let his imagine take the lead. “I’m doing some really outrageous, almost Lady Gaga-inspired stuff out of this old fabric,” he says. “I pretty much thought about what it was originally used for and then did the complete opposite.” Look for inspired uses of surprising materials like cork, copper and plastic. “I’m going a little bit more high-end this season,” Says Evan. “I love streetwear, its definitely in my blood, but high-end fashion is just so fun to make—it’s kind of my new addiction.”
For those not lucky enough to score an invitation to his Fashion Week show this week, his collection will be on display at his new Ossington Avenue boutique OZ Studios (ozstudios.ca), which opens officially in April.
Amid the chaos of pre-Fashion Week preparations, Evan took on the challenge of our infamous Designer DNA questionnaire. Read on to get to know Fashion Week’s biggest rising star.
Q&A:
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being alone, somewhere hot, maybe with one other person, with nothing to do, no phone, no internet. Even if all I had was a cot, I’d be happy.
What do you consider your worst trait?
My worst trait is that I’m completely obsessed with myself. I talk about myself constantly and I’m in my own head all the time. I feel like I must be really hard for people to hang out with. That and I can be rude without knowing it.
If you could choose an occupation other than your own what would it be?
I’ve never really had another job. This is what I do, but it’s also kind of who I am. I don’t really know what else I’d be good at. I’d probably fail and anything else I tried.
Who is your style icon?
Any kind of performance artist who really puts themself out there. I don’t really see it as a call for attention, I just see it as a NEED to be fabulous. Like the Bowies, the Grace Jones, and the Gagas…just the ultra fabulous!
Favorite judge on Project Runway?
Iman.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Probably “right on.” I usually say it when I’ve stopped listening to someone.
What is your most treasured possession?
I’m not really one to keep things. Honestly, everything in my house right now, I bought in the last two years. I’m not a materialistic kind of guy. Like I said, I could live on a cot on a beach with nothing and I’d be happy.
Get Evan's personal style tips on the next page ...
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