With a piece of lingerie inspired by a Dolly Parton song, Fortnight Lingerie had no trouble capturing the hearts of wornettes everywhere. Their 2012 collection takes its cue from the classic rock muse, providing women from sizes 30A to 38E the chance to float away and follow their creative spirit—be it under the pencil skirt she wears to work, or in the privacy of her bedroom. When WORN was given the pleasure of using a few pieces from the most recent collection in Cut and Print, the photo shoot inspired by Ed Wood Jr. for issue 14, the entire production team was left drooling over the intricacy and subtle charm of every stitch and strap. Handmade by designers Christina Remenyi and Addie Chown in their lovely Toronto studio, each garment feels as if it holds its own mysterious past. Here, we speak with Christina to get to the bottom of where Fortnight Lingerie began, their inspirations, and even some of their own dirty laundry.
Tell us about how Fortnight came to be. When did you decide to start designing together?
I’ve always been drawn to lingerie, but had a hard time finding designs that I actually wanted to wear… They were either too basic, or too elaborate. I really wanted to create a line of lingerie that presented a new vision of feminine style by embracing structure, tailoring, and modern design all at the same time.
I studied lingerie design and construction overseas, after graduating from fashion at Ryerson University. I also worked in a bra-fitting boutique where I witnessed firsthand the huge void in the market for fashionable lingerie in a wide range of sizes. I spent several years developing this idea and when I was ready to develop a (very) small collection, I magically met Addie [Chown]. She had just come back from traveling across Central America and was looking for temporary work. Addie came on to help with pattern-making and production, and the rest is history! Addie has since become an integral part of the development, design, and growth of the company. Addie had worked for notable Canadian designers in Montreal and Toronto before joining Fortnight Lingerie.
Describe your work process.
Iʼm closely involved in every aspect of our garments’ creation. Most days Iʼm in production and part of the sewing process. Right now weʼre working on a new collection, which is a really exciting time. Addie and I start by searching for new fabrics, then we go through a rigorous testing stage, where we make sample after sample to ensure the fabricʼs ʻperformance abilityʼ and to perfect the fit of each new style we design.
Greetings, Wornettes! You are interested in the unknown. The mysterious. The unexplainable. The fashionable. That is why you are here, on the WORN Fashion Journal blog.
Now, for the first time, we are bringing you the full story of what happened behind the scenes of Issue 14’s Ed Wood-inspired photo shoot, Cut and Print. We are giving you all the evidence based only on the secret testimony of the miserable stylists, photographers, and models who survived this terrifying ordeal. The incidents, the shoes, the beautiful Gladstone Hotel.
It’s been a long and moderate winter. But just because we weren’t buried in snow doesn’t mean we can’t kick up some sand. Have you been sighing for shorts? Silly to step into strappy sandals? From sundresses to seersucker, unpack your summer best early at our Issue 14 Launch Party, The Beach Ball!
WHAT AND WHEN
On May 12, 2012, celebrate the release of WORN Fashion Journal issue 14 in sunny style.
Get a little colourButterdream Sweets will keep things bright with rainbow macaroons
Get teas’d Pina Colada cocktails made with real tea from Tealish (quantiteas limited)
Get snapped You’ll be your own best souvenir in our postcard themed photo booth
And when the sun goes down, get off that rock, lobster, and do The Swim. Ride a wave of sweet summer sounds as our DJ spins a mix of oldies guaranteed to mash your potato.
DRESS CODE
Roll your cuffs, spaghetti your straps, and drop your socks. Summer rules apply.
WHERE AND FOR HOW LONG
May 12, 2012
The Dovercourt House
805 Dovercourt Rd. (just one block north of Bloor St.)
Bare-legged at 9 p.m.
Sweaters back on at 2 a.m.
Issue 14 is jammed full with great content, including (but definitely not limited to) an Ed Wood photoshoot, the surprising history of home ec, a directory of bras, the hot debate surrounding altering vintage, and everything you wanted to know about tutus. Don’t delay—order your copy today!
