Fashion in Detroit’s first show for day two was Femilia Couture, a collection created by two metro-Detroit designers Fotoula Lambros and Emily Thornhill. They describe their Spring/Summer 2011 collection as “future vintage”; Femilia uses a lot of draping and layering to create clothing that looks both contemporary and classic at the same time. The pieces, while dreamy and organic, stand strong on their own, and the glass accessories paired with some of the outfits only added to that feeling. Femilia also focuses on using sustainable and organic materials in their clothing, as well as makes an effort to cut down on waste fabrics.
For this collection, every piece was presented in white, but any piece can be ordered in any of the colors Femilia carries: Ecru, Ochre, Crimson, Onyx, Royal, Violet, Kelly Green, and Gunmetal.
Tell me a little bit about Femilia Couture.
Fotoula: First and foremost, Femilia is an alternative to a high fashion clothing label. We’re in the Midwest, and that’s not traditionally where you’d start a line like this. Emily and I really focus on doing high-level design techniques… with draping and different things. But then, number two, our most important thing that we try to do with design is to use sustainable materials. That’s where we focus on bamboo jersey, organic cotton twill denim or crepe de chine silk, or satin devore, which incorporates a little bit of rayon, but it’s mostly silk. But at the same time, we’re really reducing a lot of the waste that goes on with using synthetic fibers; polyester and stuff like that.
So I feel like, Femilia’s a line that’s really motivated to be innovative in design, as well environmental impact. Number one, we do use sustainable materials, but number two, we draft and drape our designs in a very unconventional way that becomes eco-friendly in its process, because we’re not having that many scraps. Like most of our dresses come in block shapes, where we’re not cutting off stuff and leaving it in a pile. If we do cut it off, we’re reusing it in trims.
How do you describe what’s created Femilia’s look and style for this collection?
Fotoula: Well, according to our program, our inspiration for the collection was the integration of hard and soft and flow. You know, like purity of water and really natural elements to top off the organic fabrics that we’re using. We really wanted to focus on the way you can use such a soft fabric and create either harsh lines or enhance drapery. So yeah, synergy, the synergy of organics.
Highlights from Femilia’s collection:
Silk Devore Swing Dress- Deep Back Cowl & Tulle Neck Bow
Asymetric Organic Cotton Twill Trench Coat- Silk Lined Pockets, Waist Belt & Carriers
Crepe Back Charmeuse Halter Dress- Front & Back Pleating Detail W/ Glass Accents
Photos by Winnie Jeng
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Asymetric Organic Cotton Twill Trench Coat- Silk Lined Pockets, Waist Belt & Carriers
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Crepe Back Charmeuse Halter Dress- Front & Back Pleating Detail W/ Glass Accents
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