Brian Mendoza is one of the most talented and stylish people I know, and he is also one of the designers of wings & horns - one of Canada's leading fashion menswear and footwear lines.
Brian Mendoza is one of the most talented and stylish people I know, and he is also one of the designers of - one of Canada's leading fashion menswear and footwear lines. The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»based label has heralded quite a following in recent times, with its emphasis on simple and clean designs and classic cuts with a forward twist. Brian shares with us some photos of what he is working on, and the things he has seen.
The Proof
1. This is one of my boards at home where I put up things I come across that I like or need to remember through my days.
2. Breakfast at Emelle's. Me and most of my co~workers come here for breakfast, coffee, and occasionally lunch. It is located across an alley way from work which makes it easy when you need a quick bite and the staff is really friendly.
3. I spend a lot of my days on the computer either drawing, listing measurements for garments, applied graphics, touching up photos, etc.
4. I thought I would show some of my favorite things of late and number one would definitely be my note books. I don't think I couldn't live without them. A lot of people use electronic devices to organize there lives. I still enjoy this method.
5. Second thing I have been really into lately is this fully taped military jacket with coated cotton which makes it waterproof.
6. Third favorite thing of late is this painting by "Nordee". Father to one of the owners of the company I work for. It is about 6" by 3'. This is just a close up so you can see the detail. He was a pinstriper in the 50's where they painted on custom type cars. I am amazed that most pinstripers made each line with one stroke on a car with no planning or sketch to work from.
7. I just got back from LA and this is an installation by artist Chris Burden. It consists of 202 restored fully operational vintage streetlights. I read about it when we got back to the hotel but I really don't think I fully understand the concept. I just was more taken by the large scale it took up on the street and I really wanted to see it at night with the lights on.
8. We went to LA to attend a denim trade show mainly to find fabric suppliers, wash houses, and hardware manufacturing. In this photograph is one of the hosts of the event showing another company around. He happened to be Canadian and when he found out we were Canadian he immediately started pointing out other Canadians where he then started shouting out "It's a Canadian trade show!" in the middle of the buffet table. Needless to say I stayed away from him for the rest of the show. I think he may have been drunk. Joking, I want to still be invited next year.
9. Some fabrics and hardware I plan on using for next spring and summer seasons. This will probably change next week.
10. These are concept sketches I post on a wall at work and sometimes we vote on what makes it in, what gets shelved, and what gets put in the garbage.
The Questions
What do you do and where?
I am an apparel designer for the label "wings+horns".
What neighborhood do you live in?
I live in South Granville.
What are you working on?
Currently I am working on the Spring/Summer 2010 collection.
Thanks Brian. You can find wings+horns at Roden Gray, Tailored Goods, and Holt Renfrew. The line is soon to be carried at J+O and Lark.
