An Abbotsford teen with his own clothing line will host a fashion show and pop-up shop this Friday at Highstreet Shopping Centre.
Bradin Cummings, 18, began his label BRDN about a year and a half ago, starting with a simple hand-drawn T-shirt design which he released in three colours.
He put out follow-up pieces over the following months, which evolved into a complete line for 2016 winter/fall.
Cummings has now released his spring/summer collection, which features eight pieces – two T-shirts, two long-sleeved shirts, two pullover sweaters, a pair of cargo pants and a denim jacket.
He says his line is aimed at those ages 13 to 25, but he envisions his designs changing as he develops as an artist.
Cummings, who graduates this month from Yale Secondary, first became interested in fashion design in Grade 8 and was inspired by Tyler, The Creator – an American rapper who has a clothing line titled Golf Wang.
“I can’t pinpoint a direct date or time, but one day after school in ninth grade, I printed off a whole bunch of T-shirt templates and just started drawing. The more I designed, the more I loved it, and I’ve just gone on from there,” Cummings said.
He either hand-draws the designs or creates them on the computer, purchases “blank” clothing in Boston or North Carolina, and then has the items embroidered or screen-printed in Abbotsford.
By next season, he plans to move the production to Los Angeles, where everything will be cut and sewn by hand.
Cummings said his designs most often start with a mood or an emotion that he wants to convey.
“Designing for me is never about logos or looks, but simply ideas and vibes. I get inspiration just from living life. As I go through my day and process life, I guess I’m always subconsciously creating moods, which I then try to translate through the clothing and events.”
Cummings said he hopes to have a long career in fashion design, perhaps with a permanent retail space in Vancouver.
“If everything works out, I’d like to just keep one permanent store and travel the world opening up pop-up shops throughout the season,” he said. “I try not to get too ahead of myself, though. I like to focus on what I’m doing step by step, just continuing to work and grow as I go.”
Cummings’ fashion show and pop-up event takes place this Friday, June 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. in room J-150 (across from London Drugs).
