Did you always want to be a designer? Did you imagine yourself doing this?

Well, growing up, I wanted to be an actress, someone who is in front of the screen. I did choir every year in high school (Cambie Secondary). I grew up with classical music training. Other than singing, I did dance. I started to experiment with different types of dance and music. Getting older, I wanted to do this and do that. I went to Blanche Macdonald for 10 months. 

Last summer, I produced and basically took reign of an event called the Thursday Night Lights which was basically a showcase about everything - fashion, music, etc. From that, I knew I wanted to be a back person. I didn't know if I wanted to have that kind of lifestyle where everyone knows you and your face is on the screen all the time.  I want the right people to know who I am and generally people who are really into fashion. 

What are you trying to accomplish with your designs?

I want to expose Vancouver to hip hop and this new generation that is coming in.  A lot of people see hip hop but they don't know the background about it. I just like to see Vancouver have more knowledge on the subject. I want to incorporate hip hop into Canadian fashion.  

What kind of message are you trying to send with your designs?

I believe that people should not only be comfortable in their clothes, but also stylish.  A lot of designers are generic. I want to be there for people who are "I want to be a walking rainbow."

Where do you go for inspirations?

It's an everyday thing - it could be someone's shirt. I generally gravitate to things. Music also gives me inspiration.  

Tell me about Got Funk? Threads.

Got Funk? Threads started when I was it Blanche Macdonald and I generally focused on the airbrush course.  Then I found out I like the fashion industry and special effects.  I was getting bored of my clothes (I'm one of those people who changes their minds all the time) so I picked up my airbrush and picked up some fabric paint and made a shirt for a friend of mind.  That was my testing ground - it had a brick wall, his logo, and DJ name. At first the t-shirt took a couple of hours, and now it's only 20 minutes with a stencil and freehand takes about an hour.

What's different about your designs?

I never want to create a fad and get worn out. That's why I only make limited clothes - I want to bring that uniqueness. So if you have number 9 on your shirt, you are the 9th person out of 10 people in the world to have that.

What's your favorite place to shop in Vancouver?

Urban Outfitters. El Kartel - I love how they have art showings there sometimes. 

What kind of fashion advice would you give young girls?

You don't need to show skin to be sexy. It's how you carry yourself and your confidence and that's how people will see you. Put your twist on your clothing - change it up and put a piece of jewelery. And don't be afraid of thrift stores.  

What's one fashion faux-pas you can't stand?

If you're going to have prints, pick one print!

What's one thing you can't live without?

I can't live without my kicks - I'm a shoe freak. In my entire life I have probably owned 150 pairs of shoes.  

So you have a fashion show coming up - tell us about that. 

It's a spring collection and I'm using black and really bright colors. It's plain meets extreme. There would be 6 major pieces and I would paint their jeans.  It's just me and this other girl organizing it. It's at the Wild Coyote Nightclub on March 1st. There would going to be some really good professional dancers there also. 

got funk?THREADS Fashion/Freestyle Show
Saturday March 1st, 2008
at The Wild Coyote