TIELER JAMES | COFFEE CUP SERIES
Do you remember the very sweet and bubbly young participant from Lifetime's Project Runway series: Threads, and Lifetime's Project Runway Junior series?
Yes, Tieler James. Now you remember!
Vancouver was lucky to have him present his set of J'eanne D'arc collection at Vancouver Fashion Week's Fall - Winter 2017 season.
What was my next move, you ask?
I had to see it all for myself. I was extremely excited when I heard of Tieler flying to Vancouver, BC, just to present his newest collection.
I met with him a day after his show. I had to see, and know where all this talent and inspiration is overflowing from!
If you are familiar with this (Jeanne D'arc) tale, you'd love to read the rest of this post.
This collection is unisex, and is an instant representation of Jeanne (Joan)'s cross-dressing, and her feminine and masculine characteristics. By creating this collection, Tieler is aiming to fabricate an independent lifestyle, where not only the beauty of each garment is appreciated, but also where the expression of self is boundless.
Over some yummy food and coffee, we went over a few questions and highlights of his life together.
"WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TIELER JAMES" :
1. His passion for fabrics, and garments started at the age of 4. He started sewing with a sewing machine at the age of 7. The first fabric he could remember working with was a black and white paisley! ( genius! )
When he was 14, the first outfit he could remember of designing was a puffy wool sweater, and skirt.
2. A casual day at work starts pretty early for Tieler. He usually wakes up at 5:50am, and is at school (New Orleans Centre of Creative Art) by 8:00am. After school, he focuses on creating new designs, following with creating costumes for theatres.
3. Tieler has been fully supporting multiple Anti-bullying campaigns. To name a few, "HRC," "It Gets Better," and " The Trevor Project " which helped him to open up about his sexuality.
4. Going back to his Jeanne D'arc collection, the whole collection was made within a week, and was ready for its presentation at Vancouver Fashion Week's Fall/Winter 2017 season from a month before!
Since the beginning of his career, Tieler has been creating beautiful women's wear, and has not yet denied that his fans shouldn't be expecting any future menswear collection from him. He receives his inspirations in creating, from the beauty of a woman, and the female figures around him.
The runway starts with beautiful pieces in White, continues with pieces in Red, and finishes with pieces in Black. The colour White represents Joan's innocence, and femininity. Red is for when she goes to war, her injuries, and her charges for cross-dressing, and Black is a representation of for her unjust death.
Not to mention, all the pieces were styled with beautiful tassel earrings, by Be Buddha Jewelry .
He describes his brand "A classical, with a modern edge." And that is exactly what the current fashion industry needs!
One thing I have noticed about the style of Tieler Jame's brand is that, he is captivated by the style and the fit of bustier corsets, and the combination of dresses and bustier corsets together. He understands the beauty of a female's body, and creates designs according to a body where "the waist" has usually been the focal point of the entire outfit. This is the most perfect marriage of the of the modern, and the 18th century fashion.
"Don't follow a style guid. Make sure what you're wearing has an impact!" - Tieler James.
6. TIELER'S FAVOURITES:
ACCESSORIES: Rings, and earrings.
BOOK: Broken Spirit
PHOTOGRAPHER: Tebia Schroeder
SHOOT'S LOCATION: New Orleans
MUSIC | SINGER: The Crimes band, Santigold, Power Bittle
SHOPPING LOCATION: Thrift stores
While finishing our interview together, I asked Tieler if he'd wanted to share anything else with the readers; he added;
"Have a Pisces."
Photos by Susan Zt. Sun, and Dustin Photography