Avril Lemieux, the designer behind ALICAT, has been drawn to design for as long as she can remember. She fondly recalls making her first dress when she was only seven years old. A fifth generation tailor and seamstress, she credits her passion and dedication to her creative family. Her mother is a hairstylist (among other things) and her father is a musician who always told her she could do anything. At first, she thought that was a crazy amount of faith. Then she realized that what he meant was to try anything and everything at least once. Having courage to try new things was the only way to figure out what she really could do.
Unlike many of her contemporaries, Lemieux did not study fashion in college, despite her continuing interest in the industry. Instead, she chose to pursue engineering. While some people might not see a connection, she says that the education she received definitely helped her as a designer. She learned how to do things from the inside out, and to take things apart and put them back together.
After moving to New York City from her native Connecticut, Lemieux continued to feel pulled to design and began creating handbags as well as clothes. After a friend encouraged her to introduce herself to the designer at a fashion show she was attending, she found the self-designed handbag she had been carrying on the runway of that very show. The attention she received from that one piece led her to take the leap and start her own line, called “ALICAT” – the nickname given to her by the aforementioned encouraging friend.
This year’s Couture Fashion Week was a high point of Lemieux’s life as a designer thus far. She says that this is the first year where she feels that she is where she wants to be as far as her blossoming career is concerned. She was extremely excited to be a part of Sonic Eclectic’s Fash∙ion, which she described in one word as “epic.” She went on to say that the magazine had put together a “powerhouse team of designers” where everyone worked together towards the common goal of a unique and memorable event.
The collection from ALICAT which was shown at Fash∙ion on October 15th was inspired by ancient Egypt and the scarab beetle, which have always fascinated Lemieux. The collection had been in her mind and slowly coming to fruition for about eight years. A lot of the collection is intended as works of art rather than for everyday wear, and Lemieux explained that she feels many of the pieces display her inner essence. Many of her designs (in this collection as well as others) have an underlying 1940s style, combined with a superhero vibe. Lemieux is very fond of suede, silk, and chiffon, especially when paired with harder materials.
For more information, please visit www.ALICATavrillemieux.com.