Designer: Brook Fung
Fashion House: Peeko Apparel
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PeekoApparel

Not every fashionista’s story is free of fashion faux pas. Brook Fung recalls some of her less-than-stellar fashion choices from the past, including her high school days making her own rave clothes. “God awful now that I think about it,” she says with a laugh. “But at the time, I had demand from friends and the local scene for pieces.” Nowadays, Brook has moved on to more grown-up tastes as the driving force behind Peeko Apparel, a one-of-a-kind women’s clothing line based out of Calgary.

Growing up in Saskatoon, Brook started designing clothes at the tender age of five. “I constructed my own fashion magazine. I created looks to mix and match. I even attached fabrics samples for each of my looks.” Her family also cultivated her development as her stepmom taught her how to sew and her father encouraged her design skills. Brook attended the Alberta College of Art and Design, plying her trade under another local designer, Natalie Gerber. She now calls Calgary home and her innovative designs can be found online and at market collectives around town.

Brook sets her clothing line apart by using recycled and reconstructed materials from other garments. Her creations are structured, fitted and feminine. Pleated collars, fun embellishments and rich colours make up the majority of the collection. She combines a variety of fabrics, textures and patterns to create attention-grabbing silhouettes, and flattering draping and lines. “My favourite look for this year is the futuristic look using geometric cuts and shapes.” she says.

But she draws the line at some shapes.  “None of that crazy kaleidoscope digital print fabric. It kind of turns me off and scares me all at the same time.”

While no longer a raver, Brook still finds inspiration from street culture and from her travels around the world. “I like to look at the traditional outfits of a particular dress or costume for different regions and ethnicities. Then I infuse that with the types of cuts and styles from designers that I admire and who push the boundaries of fashion. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was highly influenced from runway designs. I love John Galliano’s work. His designs take you away to a fantasy world if it were dominated by fashion. I love when fashion becomes magical,” Brooke enthuses.

When she isn’t working, Brook rummages through local thrift stores for hidden treasures. “I like being able to support artisans and indie designers from local shops. The local designers here are great. I love the passion and the drive they have to push through a city like Calgary, which can be very conservative in its approach to fashion.”

While running her own business is hard work, Brook relishes it all. “There is never a moment that I am not thinking about work and how I can improve my business. I wouldn’t change it for the world because fashion design is my dream job. I am my own boss and I get to gauge my success by how hard I work and how much I put into it. How many people can say that they have a passion for their jobs? That’s why I am so thankful everyday, even in the toughest times.”

Photo credits: Jonathan McKay